Coming soon to NoDa: Fresh pasta, made-to-order pizza and small plates
Figo36, the new Italian restaurant opening in NoDa that was announced in April, will be opening Tuesday Aug. 16, bringing a modern twist to classic dishes.
The Menagerie Hospitality Group’s newest concept is taking over the former Orto space, and CharlotteFive got a sneak peak of the dining room — and the food.
The vibe of the restaurant
A light turquoise moped that greets visitors sets the tone for the space, which feels different from most Italian restaurants. You won’t find white walls and tablecloths here. Pink, green and red are constant colors found throughout the restaurant.
In the dining area, there is a wall of succulents on a pink backdrop. On the wall to the left, there is a wall of pasta in Mason jars on a gray backdrop.
Graffiti coves the bar, the host stand and in the unisex bathrooms. But don’t be alarmed — it was created by a local artist. Menagerie team members presented the idea of using graffiti in the space to several local artists until they found Joe Dobson to make it happen, director of operations Ben Torres said.
The patio has a very earthy vibe due to all of the grassy green carpet and the grass panels that separate the patio from the front entrance. An added plus: The patio is near the light rail and facing a set of train tracks that is a large part of how NoDa came to be.
The menu
Do not expect the menu to look like your run-of-the-mill Italian menu, like spaghetti, lasagna and rigatoni. This menu has global dishes with an Italian twist, along with a craft cocktail menu.
Among the dishes served is Fried Green Tomatoes, putting an Italian spin on the Southern classic with basil and garlic aioli.
Expect to see new dishes on the menu every so often. Executive chef Kyle Gaddas plans to change out items based on availability that season. “I don’t believe in trucking in ingredients from across the world out of season just to keep something on the menu,” Gaddas said.
The Italian spirit is about local, fresh and available ingredients that are at their peak ripeness, Gaddas said.
The grand opening
“Come with an open mind,” Torres said. Gaddas will be showcasing the research he did over the years to find things that can tap into all palettes, Torres said.
“I’m a fine dining chef, but I like cooking for a much bigger piece of the pie,” Gaddas said. Gaddas wants guests to know that he is cooking with each ounce of passion to create unique and inspired dishes.
“You’re going to get a fill-on experience from visually, from the feel, the vibe, the food, the drinks and the service,” Weiss said.
The grand opening will be on Aug. 16 and you can already make a reservation on Resy.
Figo36
Location: 416 E 36th St., Unit 600, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: NoDa
Cuisine: Italian
Instagram: @figo36_noda
