about counter-’s tasting menus
At counter- we approach our menus as a crime-writer might approach a plot or the way a composer might approach the second movement.
Because of the creative energy that goes into every tasting menu at counter-, we like to call them "themes." Our themes change every season, and we hold specialty menus sporadically throughout the year! No two themes are the same, and courses are never repeated after the end of the three-month period, ensuring a novel experience with each visit.We don’t make the menus we are serving available, but take a look at previous menus for a better idea of what counter- serves.
Previous themes include Curry, which highlighted the vast cuisines of India and South East Asia that are commonly generalized in the U.S. as curry; Terroir, which showcased the bounty of North Carolina; Colour, which served as an opportunity to generate awareness surrounding mental illness; The Wall, a tribute to the famed Pink Floyd album; among many others.
counter-’s complex and flavorful dishes are complemented by its wine program which features a diverse offering of female, LGBTQ+, and minority winemakers, alongside a thoughtfully curated non-alcoholic pairing option.
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TWO COUNTER- CHEFS NAMED UNPRETENTIOUS PALATE'S 2023 PEOPLE OF THE YEAR
On November 13, 2023, two counter- chefs were named among Unpretentious Palate’s 2023 People of the Year at The UPPY Awards. Winners were announced live at the annual event.
Pastry Chef of Counter-, Faith Morley, was awarded the 2023 Pastry Chef of the Year for her root vegetable tart that was part of counter-’s Here & Now menu showcasing the bounty of local produce. Unpretentious Palate writes,“if food were a love language, Faith Morley’s root vegetable tart would embody it. From the tart’s stunning ombré visuals to the crust that crumbled delicately in your mouth, the dish showed a dedication to craft in flavor, storytelling, and sheer work hours. It’s that dedication that makes Morley among the best in town.”
Executive Chef and Owner of Counter-, Sam Hart, was named the 2023 Chef of the Year for their work to advocate for change within the restaurant industry. Unpretentious Palate notes, “another year, another step closer to Charlotte earning its first James Beard Award, with Sam Hart of counter- becoming the second local chef to make it to the Finalist round. Yet instead of viewing the honor as an indication of their success as a chef, Hart has used the opportunity as an expanded platform to advocate for change. That change touches a wide spectrum of the restaurant industry, from a living wage for all to preventing soil depletion and never putting customers above the wellbeing of staff.”
View the full list of winners at Unpretentious Palate’s website.