Counter-
Restaurant · Westover Hills
2001 W Morehead St D, Charlotte, NC 28208
Highlights
Themed tasting menus with art, music, and storytelling
Themed tasting menus with art, music, and storytelling
"Counter puts together constantly changing 10- and 14-course tasting menus that are fully immersive experiences, and they're guaranteed to be a highlight of your year. Each meal is themed, and each course is served with a corresponding playlist—some recent dinner themes were Prince and Night at the Symphony. There are only 16 spots, with seats at a U-shaped counter around the kitchen. You’ll definitely need a reservation (they fill up fast), but it’s worth it to fight for one: the food and service are always excellent, and this place is unlike anything else in Charlotte." - tess allen, g clay whittaker
"Michael Myers, beverage director and sommelier in Charlotte, offers Blaufränkisch to diners who like complex wines with depth, describing the variety as a “dance between fruit and spice, brightness, and tannin” and recommending it for lovers of Cabernet Franc’s herbaceousness, Syrah’s aromatics, and Pinot Noir’s fruit; he also suggests pairing it with leaner cuts and green vegetables like asparagus." - Kate Dingwall
"Counter is the place Charlotteans pine for — and save for. Chef Sam Hart has made waves in the city since opening up this experimental restaurant a little over four years ago. The restaurant has shifted through 1.0 to 3.0 iterations. But, the experience was always meant to change, where the whimsical dishes and accompanying art switch up quarterly. The $250 tasting menu and drinks embody a theme, from color to terroir, and are designed to push the boundaries of dining. While this style may be new to some folks, there is undeniable story, play, and purpose woven into each component. The universal appeal over the years has been the elaborate nature of the experience — themed music, art, occasional poetry, choreography, each plate dropping with precise timing. The Counter team will accommodate dietary restrictions no matter the menu." - Kayleigh Ruller
"At Counter- owner and executive chef Sam Hart leans into the culinary philosophy that food is for much more than consumption; it’s a multisensory experience that’s dazzling and near cinematic. The intentionally blank walls transform into a new aesthetic every quarter, and the dishes change with them. The evocative tasting menus range from an upscale take on the drive-thru to a tribute to a British rock band. The servers select interesting bottles from an award-winning wine list and set down plates like choreographed dancers. Get ready to be entertained." - Kayleigh Ruller
"A tasting-menu restaurant at 2001 West Morehead Street that positions itself as an incubator for rising chefs, offering mentorship and a platform to develop and launch their own concepts in Charlotte. The kitchen is adding James Beard–nominated chef Cleophus Hethington as chef de cuisine; Hethington says the move aligns with his long-term aspiration to open a fine-dining establishment honoring the history and foodways of the African diaspora. Owner and executive chef Sam Hart emphasizes the restaurant’s mission to showcase emerging talent and says Hethington’s storytelling and passion fit the venue’s values." - Erin Perkins
