Local hospitality group B-Side Group — the team behind spots like neighborhood bar VINYL in South End — has a new restaurant on the way to Charlotte. The Story of Mi Cariño will open in the 2,350-square-foot space formerly home to VANA at 1440 S Tryon St., Suite 100, according to a release.
The spot, whose name translates to “my darling” in Spanish, will serve a chef-driven menu with modern Mexican and Left Coast Latino cuisine, as well as an agave-centered spirits program featuring tequila, mezcal, raicilla, sotol, fresh juices, house infusions, handcrafted syrups and agua frescas. Expect to see authentic dishes alongside rare, small-batch mezcals.
“We’re building more than a restaurant. Mi Cariño is an immersive escape and our culinary love letter to the flavor and complexity of Mexican and West Coast Latino cuisine and mezcal culture,” Ankoor Patel, a partner with B-Side Group, said in the release. “We wanted to create something that feels cinematic and transportive but also deeply rooted in community. It’s a space where you catch up over dinner and then keep the night going with mezcal and music.”
The space will feature natural light during the day, as well as tilework, layered textures and custom art. It will offer an intimate evening atmosphere, a partially open kitchen and a central bar designed to make the space vibrant and electric.
B-Side Group culinary director Vince Giancarlo will head up the menu, bringing more than 20 years of experience at spots like the former Cantina 1511. B-Side Group beverage director Henry Schmulling will head up the cocktail program.
“The bar program at Mi Cariño is designed to surprise and delight,” Schmulling said. “We’re leaning into rare agave spirits and bold flavor combinations to build a cocktail list that’s both adventurous and approachable. It’s all about the balance and honoring tradition while giving guests something new to discover every time they visit.”
B-Side Group will be working with Southwick Architecture + Interiors for architecture and design on the space, and they partnered with NiceDay for the brand design and development. The team expects to open The Story of Mi Cariño this fall.
“With Mi Cariño, we’re raising the bar for what an elevated yet intentional dining experience can be in South End,” Kamal Patel, a partner at B-Side Group, said in the release. “Our goal is to create a space where the service is thoughtful, the food and drink are exceptional, and the atmosphere invites you to stay awhile. We’re passionate about designing places where quality, hospitality and community always come first, and this concept is a true reflection of that.”
