Belly of the Whale

The Belly of the Whale
Siri Patterson

Editor-in-Chief Ellen Gurley and I had the pleasure of visiting The Belly of the Whale on an early summer evening, about two months after the restaurant officially opened its doors in July. As long-time Cotswold residents, walking up to the wooden door with its iconic handle was a little bittersweet. The Pizza Peel closed its Colwick Road location in November 2025, according to a post shared on the restaurant’s instagram. When I heard this, I felt the same way as many others; It was an iconic neighborhood staple, and The Belly of the Whale had big shoes to fill.

Once inside, the atmosphere of The Belly of the Whale immediately hooks you with it’s intimate ambiance. Not much has changed in terms of the layout of the dining room, but the rustic, wood lined interior feels refreshed and cozy under the warm lighting. We arrived a bit before the dinner rush, and were immediately greeted by Co-Owner Tatiana Mendizabal, who spent time reviewing the menu and recommending wine and cocktail pairings.

I ordered the Paloma with tequila, which was reminiscent of a Brazilian Caipirinha with muddled grapefruit and a Tajin Rim. Ellen went with a classic gin and tonic. After settling in, Tatiana’s husband and co-owner Raynold Mendizibal emerged from the kitchen with a tableside selection of fresh homemade bread and hand-churned butter. It’s definitely a cliche statement to make, but I could have spent the night enjoying just this starter course.

Ellen, a born-and-raised Charlottean who has spent time in the food scene, took the lead on ordering. The menu is not extensive, but it contains a smattering of carefully-curated dishes representing flavors from across the world, from salmon sourced from the fjords of Patagonia, to Korean barbecue octopus, to back home in North Carolina with Beaufort north river oysters. Ellen’s Order: Bacalao Croquettes, Blue Crab Cakes, Norwegian Salmon with Inca Tears, Roasted Potatoes, and Grilled King Trumpet Mushrooms.

One of my favorite things about trying a new restaurant (especially with a friend who knows how to order) is when I fall in love with something I would normally never order. For this night, it was the King Trumpet Mushrooms. Silky-smooth and tender with a rich umami flavor, this dish is a showstopper. The aromatic Blue Crab Cakes, seasoned with cilantro and fried in a panko crust, were the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with a touch of brine to balance the delicate flavors. While I don’t typically opt for raw fish, the slightly seared salmon was a low-risk, high-reward sort of situation. Served in a puree dotted with Inca Tears, this dish was unlike anything I have tried before.

The passion of Tatiana and Raynold is apparent in every square foot of the small restaurant. In my experience, it’s rare you meet both restaurant owners within ten minutes of sitting down. From the ever-rotating menu to the carefully curated selection of international and domestic flavors, this couple has worked hard to create a new neighborhood staple.

www.TheBellyOfTheWhaleCLT.com
4422 Colwick Rd., 28211, 980-327-4036

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