“I just can’t explain how you feel when you think this is the one weekend I don’t need a historical storm in North Carolina” — Charlotte Symphony music conductor Kwamé Ryan. 🏆 Before Ryan could make history at the Grammys in LA, he had to escape the clutches of a historic snowstorm in Charlotte.

💌 SHARE YOUR MEMORIES: What Charlotte restaurant do you miss most? Leave us your full name, when you used to visit, what you loved about it and your “usual” order or a specific remembrance. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍩 FROM DOUGHNUTS TO DELI SANDWICHES: This NoDa walk-up window is switching things up. Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

👑 QUEEN'S FEAST BEGINS: Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week starts Friday and runs through Sunday, Feb. 1. Who else is ready to eat? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

The measles is going around. Is your child's school protected? I did a ton of data cleaning and analysis to bring you answers, via @charlotteobserver.com. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

🍊 BLOOD ORANGE IS BACK: Taco Mama's seasonal blood orange margarita has returned, featuring a made-to-order approach with fruits that are sliced, muddled or squeezed daily. 📸: Courtesy of Taco Mama

🍽️ QUEENS FEAST IS BACK: We're already browsing menus. Where are you eating? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🌯 ON A BUDGET: This Mexican restaurant serves up lunch to the tunes of Bad Bunny. 🗞️: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍽️ 2026 FOOD TRENDS: What are you hoping to see on dining tables this year? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍽️ RESTAURANT IN NEED: The Artisan's Palate is struggling. A GoFundMe has been set up, but customers are key. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🥣 We'll be lining up for Southeast Asian comfort food. See you there? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

😋 GOOD EATS: What were your favorite meals of the year? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍽️ We're wistful for these now-closed Charlotte restaurants. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🎅 Happy holidays to all who celebrate. Do you believe in Santa? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🎨 A rare Caravaggio exhibit is coming to Charlotte. 📏 Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍽️ Waiting to hear all of your livermush thoughts ... 📏 Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍤 Charlotte-area seafood restaurant gets nod as one of the country's best new spots. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🎄 THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE: Book your December calendar with our curated list of festive things to do. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍝 PASTA, PLEASE: An Italian restaurant in Charlotte is opening a new location in Davidson soon. 🗞️: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

Did anyone get to see the Aurora last night? Send us your photos to [email protected] or drop them in a comment below ⬇️, and we might use them for publication. If you missed them last night, not to worry: There's a chance they will be visible tonight, too. ✨

🐾 COUGAR PUBERTY — THE PERIMENOPAUSE EDITION: "I just did not feel like myself." One Charlotte woman's symptoms affected going to her favorite places — even their special pub in Plaza Midwood. She knew she would have to advocate for herself. 🗞️ www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

⚽️ Check out this Inclusive soccer community for LGBTQ+ players and allies of all skill levels 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

😋 These are our favorite gas station eats in Charlotte. Where are yours? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🚚 FOOD TRUCK PARK: Belmont native aims to turn downtown lot into family-friendly food truck park. “This concept gives people a reason to stay local instead of traveling elsewhere for the same kind of experience,” owner Alex Hostetler told C5.

🍖 BBQ NEWS: Owners of local barbecue joint ‘call it quits’ after more than a decade. This isn’t quite the end for the beloved barbecue business, however. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🥩 BELOVED KOREAN BBQ SPOT CLOSING: 704 Korean Barbecue announced it will close this Sunday after four years of serving all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ in South Charlotte.

🎤 Tonight's Reneé Rapp concert at Spectrum Center has been postponed. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

Feeling... off lately? Maybe your go-to workout at your favorite Charlotte studio suddenly feels like a marathon. Maybe you're waging a war with the thermostat. Or maybe you're just plain tired, not sleeping well, and feeling unlike yourself.

🏊🏼🚴🏼‍♂️🏃🏼 Can you imagine training for a 2.4-mile river swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run, and then have it all come crashing to an end? Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv... 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🎤 Charlotte will be the first stop on pop star Demi Levato's 2026 tour. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

☕️ Drizzly Mondays call for coffee, right? Here are some favorite spots for a sip around Charlotte. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

‘Time for justice’: Brooks’ closed today for the first day of the trial in the death of Scott Brooks. “The last almost six years have felt frozen in grief since the death of my twin, Scott,” David Brooks shared, inviting the community to stand with them at the courthouse.

🍕 Looking for NY-style pizza? A new spot is opening soon in the Charlotte area. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍔🍟 OPENING DAY: NADC Burger, the cult-favorite Wagyu cheeseburger concept that stands for Not a Damn Chance, is opening its doors Friday at The Alley at Latta Arcade in uptown Charlotte. www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🎬 'Hunting Wives' fans, here's your chance to join in on the filming for Season 2. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🔥🐔 MORE HOT CHICKEN: Dave's Hot Chicken is opening a fourth Charlotte-area location this week, hot on the heels of PoppyCox's Optimist Hall opening. Dave's Hot Chicken's newest restaurant is at 9711 Northlake Ctr. Pkwy., Suite A. It joins shops in Plaza Midwood, University City and Rock Hill.

🗳️ Need a pick-me-up? Browse these adorable pics, then vote for the cutest cats and dogs in our latest poll. 🐱voting: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a... 🐶 voting: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

🎶 Rush is making a stop in Charlotte on the band's first tour in more than a decade. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🥪 What's your favorite Laurel Market sandwich order? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🥐 A French bakery and a wine shop are on their way to Huntersville. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍣 Yugenn is now open in South End Charlotte. Here's what to expect. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

☕️ What makes a local coffee shop stand out? For one, Evan looks for small touches that create a welcoming environment. 🗞️ Detail: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🐶🐱 Is your pet the cutest? Bragging rights are up for grabs in our latest contest. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🎮 TATTOO STUDIO MOVES: Glitch Tattoo, a queer-owned tattoo space known for its artistry and inclusive environment, will open at Camp North End in November after outgrowing its Steele Creek location. 📍 1701 N. Graham Street, Suite 113, Charlotte, NC 28206

🍐 Lifelike fruit pastries are going viral. But are they worth the hunt? 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🍐 She drove an hour+ from her house in Charlotte for a $21 viral fruit pastry. Was it worth it? 🗞️ Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🇮🇳 Which Charlotte-area restaurant is your favorite? We're looking for the best — and voting is now under way. 🗞️ Details and voting link here: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🥘 Krazy Curry opens new restaurant in uptown Charlotte — with a lunch buffet Krazy Curry is known for its scratch-made Indian dishes. 🗞️ Details: www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

🤩 WE'RE SEEING STARS, CHARLOTTE (MICHELIN, THAT IS): The fact that CharlotteFive was among those who received an invitation to the Michelin Guide American South announcement ceremony is a strong hint that Charlotte restaurants will be among those highlighted.

🥪 Cheat's Cheesesteaks has redesigned its menu with a chef-driven approach, stating it is prioritizing high-quality ingredients, refined recipes and local partnerships.