Saturday Night in NODA with the Brandon McSwain Band!

Saturday night I headed out to NODA with my best friend Anna, a NODA virgin, to hit some hot spots for a little chill time and some fun. Our first stop was Amelie's Bakery for a little desert to start our evening off right. (http://www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com/). Amelie's is located right on North Davidson and has a wide range of delectables for all types of taste buds from tarts to puffy pastries and yummy french infused deserts. We stood for almost twenty minutes trying to make our choices. All of the baking is done on site which means top notch freshness. With two iced coffees, a pistachio tart, and chocolate layered cake we paid less than $13. You can't beat that when an iced coffee from Starbucks cost you at least $3 by itself (not knocking Starbucks, I love their coffee). The pistachio tart had a rich smooth taste and the lush warm chocolate from the cake filled our tummy's pleasantly for the beginning to a relaxed evening. Not only does Amelie's offer such tongue pleasing delights but there cozy atmosphere allows a comfy spot to enjoy some friendly banter, study time, or simply a writers haven away from home. We sat savoring our selections and chatting on the unique furnished features of the place including a truly incredible chandelier made of silver cooking utensils.
Leaving Amelie's we decided to walk the streets looking for our next stop. There is nothing like walking the streets watching street artists and viewing their work. We were lucky that David French was out creating a new masterpiece. All of his Charlotte paintings have a quirky little story attached including two about our friendly neighborhood penguin.

You can view David's art at http://davidfrenchoriginals.com/

From the heroic penguin our ears perked to the commotion across the street, playing at Salvador Deli was the Brandon McSwain Band. So we headed across the street to the outdoor patio to watch the band play. During an intermission we popped inside the deli wishing that our desert had waited. The smell of homemade bread, fresh meats, and fixin's fill your senses as soon as you come near the door. Next time I know I'm going to make sure I'm hungry enough to get something. They make their entire menu right their and not only were the smells so enticing but you'd think they'd have ritzy prices, think again. Salvador's offers a very relaxed environment show casing local artists, businesses, and of course live outdoor music for all ages since you don't have to be 21 to get in. We picked up a bottle of the chardonnay (Salvador's also has an eclectic selection of beers as well as the usuals for those of you who aren't much into wine drinking) and sat at a picnic table and kicked back listening to the tunes and enjoying the night air. Different varieties of people were there to engage with each other from local NODA residents, to upper class, to us casual gals, which gave me a welcoming feel and a since of diversity that I find lacking in several spots in Charlotte. And the band, yes the band has become another local fav band of mine offering a great combination of jazz and contemporary style music that had an energetic mix and kept the audiences focus, but don't just take my word for it check'em out online at http://www.brandonmcswainband.com/ .
NODA is one of my favorite spots to hang out in Charlotte and every time I'm in that area I meet new people, try new places and always have a great time. I suggest checking out any and everything I've mentioned and hope to all your Charlotte natives or new comers that you'll head on over and enjoy what this community has to offer.