As the sun lingers longer and the sound of cicadas fills the air, there’s no better place to savor a summer evening than The Jimmy in Charlotte NC, a pastaria and pizzeria on Selwyn Avenue. With Executive Chef Delaney Wahl at the helm and a focus on seasonal, ingredient-driven menus, The Jimmy’s summertime patio experience is as inviting as it is delicious.
Although inspired by French and Italian culinary traditions, the menu is truly rooted in regional flavors. Seasonal menu changes — and sometimes even daily changes — reflect the ingredients on hand for local farms and purveyors. Some examples include Bradford Farms in Sumter, SC; Urban Gourmet Farms in Weddington, NC; Fair Share Farms in Pfafftown, NC; and Boy & Girl Farm in Waxhaw, NC. With the seasonal availability of local produce steering the ship, guests experience a tide of tastes that can summon savory memories of the season.
Sensing the Season
Summer, for instance, brings an explosion of color and flavor to the plate. Heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, asparagus, South Carolina peaches, strawberries, and basil are just a few of the main characters on The Jimmy’s menu this summer. Experience the chilled heirloom tomato and basil gazpacho served with salmon. Or try the coal-roasted asparagus nestled alongside a fresh red snapper filet. You’ll find each dish celebrates the peak of its ingredients’ natural flavor.
“We try to keep [produce] as ‘untouched’ as possible by the time it hits the menu,” says Wahl. “It’s about letting the produce shine and treating it with the same care and attention as the proteins.”
This connection to local agriculture is central not just to the food menu, but to the bar program as well. Bar Manager Braeden Carlton brings the same seasonal lens to craft cocktails and beverages. Expect bright, herbaceous summer drinks that pair perfectly with a golden hour dinner on the patio. Even desserts and charcuterie are touched by the season. Experience fresh fruits in their peak. Or try cheese boards anchored by local artisans like Goat Lady Dairy (Climax, NC) and Sequatchie Cove (Sequatchie, TN).
Summer on the Patio at The Jimmy in Charlotte NC
Dining at The Jimmy in the summer is meant to evoke the relaxed, breezy joy of a Mediterranean escape — without ever leaving Charlotte. Guests can enjoy al fresco seating while exploring a menu that blends familiar favorites with seasonal flair. For example, the signature Jimmy Chop Salad and beloved Margherita Pizza remain year-round staples. But new additions like squid ink pasta with roasted yellow corn, house-smoked octopus, and Salmon Crudo reveal a culinary team that embraces change and challenges.
“We’re implementing some of our own flair and broadening the scope of what we’re capable of creating,” explains Wahl.
This approach reflects an ongoing dedication to refining not just individual dishes, but the overall dining experience. From handmade pasta crafted with over 290 pounds of semolina each week to dry-aged ribeyes with charred ramp butter, every detail reflects the team’s goal. That goal is to offer the best quality dining experience possible.
Stop in for a glass of rosé and a small plate under the string lights. Or settle in for a full-course dinner. Either way, The Jimmy’s summer patio is the place to be. It’s where seasonality meets sophistication, and every bite tells a story of a Mediterranean getaway powered by a Carolina harvest.
