A new seafood restaurant appears to be headed to 4422 Colwick Road in Charlotte’s Cotswold neighborhood. The Belly of the Whale is expected to take over the approximately 2,700-square-foot space formerly occupied by Pizza Peel, which closed in November 2025 after 17 years in business, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.
The Belly of the Whale is a seafood restaurant in Charlotte’s Cotswold neighborhood. Built around the waters of North Carolina, their menu follows the seasons and the catch while drawing inspiration from the many cultures the sea has connected and the traditions they have shared.
Their menu follows the seasons and the catch. Much of their seafood comes from the waters of North Carolina. Because no two days on the water are the same, the menu changes frequently—sometimes even daily. Their cooking draws inspiration from the many cultures the sea has connected, and the traditions they have shared.
According to North Carolina Secretary of State filings, Black Fish, Blue Fish LLC was formed in May 2025 and is affiliated with the restaurant. The filing lists Raynold Mendizabal-Betancourt as the company’s administrative member.
In addition, North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission records, cited by the Charlotte Business Journal, show that temporary permits for beer, wine, and mixed beverages were issued on July 1, following a City of Charlotte request for an ABC inspection in June.
WhatNow Charlotte reached out to Mendizabal-Betancourt for additional information. His wife, Tatiana Mendizabal, responded on his behalf, noting, “Raynold is buried in the kitchen preparing for opening. He will be cooking, and I will be looking after our guests, so you’ll hear from either of us depending on what we’re doing that day.”
