The Quiet Evolution of Napa at Stonecrest
Photo: Napa Restaurant Group
Evolution is not a word typically associated with a restaurant approaching only its second anniversary, but it aptly describes Napa at Stonecrest.
Part of the Napa restaurant group, the Stonecrest location was the brand’s third restaurant and its second in the Charlotte area, following Napa on Providence, situated between Eastover and Myers Park, and Napa at Kingsley in Fort Mill. The group has since expanded to Raleigh with Napa on Glenwood.
When I set out to profile Napa at Stonecrest, I was genuinely curious about what distinguishes it from the other restaurants bearing the Napa name. What I found was a restaurant steadily establishing a rhythm and story of its own.
Tucked into a corner of the Stonecrest at Piper Glen shopping center, Napa at Stonecrest can be easy to miss at first glance. Once inside, however, it feels like a rewarding discovery. Although the Napa brand draws inspiration from California wine country, this location has a European sensibility, with French café-inspired décor and a warm, unhurried atmosphere.
Photo: Blake Pope
Napa at Stonecrest first welcomed guests during Thanksgiving week in 2024 following several delays. Its early months brought the staffing changes and operational adjustments that can accompany a new restaurant. Scott Daniel joined as general manager in April 2025, ushering in a new phase centered on strengthening the team and creating greater consistency for guests.
Executive Chef Kevin Barrow arrived this year with a fresh culinary perspective and over a decade of work in professional kitchens. He spent more than five years at Atlantic Grill Lincoln Center in New York, advancing from sous chef to executive chef. He later led the kitchens at Trolley Barn and The Palm, serving as executive chef at the latter for three years.
While Kevin and Scott’s partnership at Napa is relatively new, their history together is not. Their careers previously intersected at Blue Restaurant & Bar, Table Restaurant & Bar, BLT Steak, and Osso Restaurant & Lounge. Those shared chapters have built a sense of trust and familiarity that now connects Scott’s leadership in the dining room with Kevin’s direction in the kitchen.
From left: Napa at Stonecrest General Manager Scott Daniel and Executive Chef Kevin Barrow.
At the table, the restaurant’s ambitions begin to come into focus. Among the dishes I sampled were the Grilled Shrimp and Corn Flatbread, along with the Napa Bistro Salad. Both showcased the freshness and quality of the ingredients while providing distinctly different introductions to the menu. The flatbread was flavorful and satisfying, while the salad demonstrated that even a lighter selection could feel thoughtfully composed.
That same care carried through to the bar. My attentive server, Sean, prepared the White Lotus, a cocktail that lived up to its name and briefly made me feel as though I had been transported to one of the luxurious resorts featured in the namesake HBO series.
Photo: Blake Pope
For all its strengths, Napa at Stonecrest faces the long-familiar challenge of convincing diners to venture farther south. Scott and Kevin placed that challenge in a broader historical context, recalling an era decades before the restaurant opened when many of Charlotte’s established social and dining circles rarely extended beyond SouthPark. Much of South Charlotte had yet to become the residential, corporate, and culinary destination it is today.
The landscape now looks considerably different. Nearby Ballantyne has continued to expand with The Bowl at Ballantyne, a walkable mix of restaurants, retail, entertainment, and residential living, while the first Charlotte location of Wegmans is set to open later this week. Together, these additions reflect the growth taking place near Stonecrest and the increasing number of reasons for Charlotteans to explore the area.
Photo: Napa Restaurant Group
Against that backdrop, Napa is finding creative ways to attract diners and build a following across South Charlotte. Mahjong afternoons presented in partnership with Ivory & Indigo invite guests to gather around the tables for something other than dinner. Thursdays Uncorked features half-priced appetizers and half off bottles of wine priced under $100. Private dining rooms also provide polished settings for celebrations, business dinners, and other gatherings.
At nearly two years old, Napa at Stonecrest’s evolution feels less like a search for identity and more like a restaurant settling into its potential. With Scott anchoring the service, Kevin guiding the kitchen, and new growth bringing greater attention to South Charlotte, Napa deserves greater recognition from diners across the city. It may be tucked away, but it should not be overlooked.
