It's time to list some new restaurants as I'm bored with the ones I know. Here are some suggestions depending on what you're looking for:
Outside seating:
Village Tavern - Southpark - great patio but usually really crowded $20s
Thomas Street Tavern - Midwood - great place for a beer and just hanging out $10s
Lulu - Midwood - french themed southern food, different wine list. $40s-$50s
Roosters - Southpark -few seats but worth it if you can snag one $40s (mentioned in SL mag)
M5 - Southpark - way hip if you're into that scene and have some $$$
D&D Wine Bar - Southpark - best for wine and apps, not really dinner $20s-$30s
Zada Jane's - Midwood - never eaten dinner there but bfast is good
Intermezzo - Midwood - Friday night is 1/2 off martini's. Pizza is good, some of the other stuff has gotten mixed reviews.
Other restaurant ideas (I'm listing this as much for myself as for you):
Foskoskies - East Clt (next to Pike's Pharmacy) - haven't eaten here yet but heard it's awesome. Supposedly have outside seating but never been so can't comment.
Nolen Kitchen - Myers Park - I always forget this place but it's pretty good. Can be pricey depending on what you get.
New restaurant next to Breakfast Club - has anyone been there?? Strange location but it looks nice.
131 Main - supposedly owned by Houstons' people, some friends love it.
Other ideas??
Monday, August 25, 2008
Roosters - Southpark
New American
$57 - split tomato and feta salad, 1/4 spit roasted chicken, split pan fried corn, split peach/blackberry cobbler, 2 glasses wine ($97 total)
So my friend and I were trying to come up with a fun place for a glass of wine outside now that it's cooler and without a long wait. It was a shot in the dark at 7:15 on Saturday night but they had a table and we grabbed it. I love this place. The food was awesome, the portions are reasonable, everything is a la carte and it's moderately priced (for Charlotte). It's easy to split stuff so going with a friend is great. I've been here twice recently, once for dinner and once for just wine and dessert. They opened a wine bar in the back of the restaurant that's a little weird. Some nights it's packed and fun while this Saturday it was empty. It's probably used as a great place to celebrate something with lots of friends. I realize I featured this place a year ago but I've placed it as one of my faves recently if you're okay spending some cash. It's not cheap but it's really good.
$57 - split tomato and feta salad, 1/4 spit roasted chicken, split pan fried corn, split peach/blackberry cobbler, 2 glasses wine ($97 total)
So my friend and I were trying to come up with a fun place for a glass of wine outside now that it's cooler and without a long wait. It was a shot in the dark at 7:15 on Saturday night but they had a table and we grabbed it. I love this place. The food was awesome, the portions are reasonable, everything is a la carte and it's moderately priced (for Charlotte). It's easy to split stuff so going with a friend is great. I've been here twice recently, once for dinner and once for just wine and dessert. They opened a wine bar in the back of the restaurant that's a little weird. Some nights it's packed and fun while this Saturday it was empty. It's probably used as a great place to celebrate something with lots of friends. I realize I featured this place a year ago but I've placed it as one of my faves recently if you're okay spending some cash. It's not cheap but it's really good.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Chipotle - South End or Cotswold
Mexican
<$7 for salad and chips I think
For a restaurant with 3 things on the menu (tacos, burritos, salads) this place is really good and different than all the others. They do a few things really well: 1. coke products, enough said. 2. everything is organic and farm-raised and good for you. The chicken has a kick but I really like it! You almost feel like you're eating healthy there. 3. Guac - they do this really well. It's almost sweet but definitely is fresher than most other places that I've been. 4. Chips are hardy, not wimpy. My only complaint is NO QUESO!!! What's the point in having mexican?? I haven't figured this out yet, but do know I like it and it's someplace I'll go back to on a regular basis. Ambiance is modern and cold. Sit outside.
<$7 for salad and chips I think
For a restaurant with 3 things on the menu (tacos, burritos, salads) this place is really good and different than all the others. They do a few things really well: 1. coke products, enough said. 2. everything is organic and farm-raised and good for you. The chicken has a kick but I really like it! You almost feel like you're eating healthy there. 3. Guac - they do this really well. It's almost sweet but definitely is fresher than most other places that I've been. 4. Chips are hardy, not wimpy. My only complaint is NO QUESO!!! What's the point in having mexican?? I haven't figured this out yet, but do know I like it and it's someplace I'll go back to on a regular basis. Ambiance is modern and cold. Sit outside.
Big Daddy's Burger Bar - Dilworth
Burgers
$13 - cantina burger, sweet potato fries and diet coke
The good news - the black bean burger was pretty good and the sweet potato fries were awesome! Not as good as the Penguin but that's hard to beat anyway. It's slightly overpriced in my opinion. You're paying for the "atmosphere" I think. It was $9 (with tax) for the basic burger which my friends all tell me was good. There was a great debate as to how it stacked up to Five Guys, the Penguin, South 21 and someplace else but no winner was declared although every one seems to love Five Guys (I haven't been there yet). The bar was pretty extensive so I'm thinking this is really a bar that serves good food rather than the other way around.
The better news - so when i originally ate here, our service experience wasn't that great. Our waitress messed up a few things and wasn't on top of it. I think she was new or just really inexperienced. However, the management response has been pretty extensive. I sent them an email through their website, and I received a call and email from the manager and a call from the owner, Frank Scibelli. They've gone above and beyond trying to rectify our bad service experience which I give them kudos for. It goes to show that individual owners are especially sensitive to a potentially bad experience whereas a chain usually doesn't care. Frank has definitely gone above what I expected with his response which I appreciate.
All this being said, I'll definitely go back now. When someone cares this much about one person's experience, you know good things are in store for this place. Until next time...
$13 - cantina burger, sweet potato fries and diet coke
The good news - the black bean burger was pretty good and the sweet potato fries were awesome! Not as good as the Penguin but that's hard to beat anyway. It's slightly overpriced in my opinion. You're paying for the "atmosphere" I think. It was $9 (with tax) for the basic burger which my friends all tell me was good. There was a great debate as to how it stacked up to Five Guys, the Penguin, South 21 and someplace else but no winner was declared although every one seems to love Five Guys (I haven't been there yet). The bar was pretty extensive so I'm thinking this is really a bar that serves good food rather than the other way around.
The better news - so when i originally ate here, our service experience wasn't that great. Our waitress messed up a few things and wasn't on top of it. I think she was new or just really inexperienced. However, the management response has been pretty extensive. I sent them an email through their website, and I received a call and email from the manager and a call from the owner, Frank Scibelli. They've gone above and beyond trying to rectify our bad service experience which I give them kudos for. It goes to show that individual owners are especially sensitive to a potentially bad experience whereas a chain usually doesn't care. Frank has definitely gone above what I expected with his response which I appreciate.
All this being said, I'll definitely go back now. When someone cares this much about one person's experience, you know good things are in store for this place. Until next time...
Misc Midwood/Dilworth Dining Ideas updated
So, the whole reason I started doing this is because people always ask me for ideas about where to go to dinner. For some reason we all get in a rut and end up at the same ol' same ol'. Here's a few suggestions for places near Uptown and a brief summary of what I can remember. I'll add other locations another time.
Midwood/Elizabeth:
Lulu - ecelectic, popular, good food, outdoor seating $$$
Portofino - Italian, home-style, supposedly great pizza, family friendly $$
Creation - Asian fusion, cool atmosphere, slightly overpriced $$$ or $$
Thomas Street - Red Oak, garden burger and fries with ranch, great bar food. Yummy! $$
Penguin - Smoky Diner, great food (esp onion rings), quirky wait staff $$ or $
Hawthorne - great neighborhood place, awesome salads and garlic knots, okay pizza $$
NoFo - girl parties, cool shop next door, avg food $$ or $$$
Carpe Diem - 1/2 priced apps before 6:30 (i think), yummy food, good wine, closer to $$$$
Anntony's - great marinade and side items, chicken's gone down hill $ - $$
DQ - it's all about the blizzards! $
Zada Jane's - great breakfast (organic or locally farmed), love the grits, they haven't figured out the opening hours yet (7-8 am depending on when you go), parking can be a pain $ - $$
Dilworth:
Kabob House - mid-eastern, great veggie plate and chicken kabob (strong flavors) - $$
Brixx - same as everywhere - $$
Cantina 1511 - Par-tay! Get the guac or Enchiladas de Dennis (not much else is good) - $$-$$$
300 East - good salads, lunch sandwiches and stuff, very metro $$-$$$
Pewter Rose - best brunch in town, love the scones, can't remember dinner - $$-$$$
Big Daddy's Burger Bar - $8 burgers which are pretty good. Great sweet potato fries. Avg. service - $$
Bonterra - cool, in old church, great wines, good food, pricey - $$$$
Mac's - awesome bbq, mac n chz, buckhead bettys w harley hogs, parking stinks - $ - $$
Frankie's - Italian, my parents love it, kinda heavy, good wines - $$ - $$$
Mama Ricotta's - Italian, weird location, okay wines, love the rolls, great waitstaff - $$ - $$$
Thai Taste - great Thai food, good for a beginner, they pack 'em in - $$
Copper - Indian, never been, no idea
i - pricey Japanese, never been
Owen's Bagel - steamed bagel sandwiches, cool owner, free wi-fi, coke products - $
Brueggers - love me some BEC on Rosemary Olive Oil for bfast - $
Just Fresh - just boring - $ - $$
Dunkin Donuts - it's all about the coffee - $
Orig Pancake House - yummy bfast food but smell like grease all day long - $ - $$
Fuel - pizza by the slice, interesting combinations, okay but not great, cheap - $
$$$$ - way pricey, bring mom and dad ($40 pp min)
$$$ - special occasion ($20 pp min)
$$ - good reason to go, not just because you don't want to cook ($10 pp min)
$ - just cuz ($5 pp min)
Midwood/Elizabeth:
Lulu - ecelectic, popular, good food, outdoor seating $$$
Portofino - Italian, home-style, supposedly great pizza, family friendly $$
Creation - Asian fusion, cool atmosphere, slightly overpriced $$$ or $$
Thomas Street - Red Oak, garden burger and fries with ranch, great bar food. Yummy! $$
Penguin - Smoky Diner, great food (esp onion rings), quirky wait staff $$ or $
Hawthorne - great neighborhood place, awesome salads and garlic knots, okay pizza $$
NoFo - girl parties, cool shop next door, avg food $$ or $$$
Carpe Diem - 1/2 priced apps before 6:30 (i think), yummy food, good wine, closer to $$$$
Anntony's - great marinade and side items, chicken's gone down hill $ - $$
DQ - it's all about the blizzards! $
Zada Jane's - great breakfast (organic or locally farmed), love the grits, they haven't figured out the opening hours yet (7-8 am depending on when you go), parking can be a pain $ - $$
Dilworth:
Kabob House - mid-eastern, great veggie plate and chicken kabob (strong flavors) - $$
Brixx - same as everywhere - $$
Cantina 1511 - Par-tay! Get the guac or Enchiladas de Dennis (not much else is good) - $$-$$$
300 East - good salads, lunch sandwiches and stuff, very metro $$-$$$
Pewter Rose - best brunch in town, love the scones, can't remember dinner - $$-$$$
Big Daddy's Burger Bar - $8 burgers which are pretty good. Great sweet potato fries. Avg. service - $$
Bonterra - cool, in old church, great wines, good food, pricey - $$$$
Mac's - awesome bbq, mac n chz, buckhead bettys w harley hogs, parking stinks - $ - $$
Frankie's - Italian, my parents love it, kinda heavy, good wines - $$ - $$$
Mama Ricotta's - Italian, weird location, okay wines, love the rolls, great waitstaff - $$ - $$$
Thai Taste - great Thai food, good for a beginner, they pack 'em in - $$
Copper - Indian, never been, no idea
i - pricey Japanese, never been
Owen's Bagel - steamed bagel sandwiches, cool owner, free wi-fi, coke products - $
Brueggers - love me some BEC on Rosemary Olive Oil for bfast - $
Just Fresh - just boring - $ - $$
Dunkin Donuts - it's all about the coffee - $
Orig Pancake House - yummy bfast food but smell like grease all day long - $ - $$
Fuel - pizza by the slice, interesting combinations, okay but not great, cheap - $
$$$$ - way pricey, bring mom and dad ($40 pp min)
$$$ - special occasion ($20 pp min)
$$ - good reason to go, not just because you don't want to cook ($10 pp min)
$ - just cuz ($5 pp min)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Thai Taste - Dilworth
Thai
$17ish - #42 & Amstel Light
I'm ashamed to say I've lived in Charlotte almost 10 years and this was my first visit to Thai Taste. Everyone I know who's been loves it but as I am afraid of Thai food, I've been hesitant to go. I went with a group of 5 who all had recommendations of what I should try, so I was feeling pretty confident I'd like what I ordered. I ended up with #42 (no idea the name) but it was probably as close to chinese food as thai food gets. Wide rice noodles with chicken, napa cabbage, broccoli, carrots and light soy sauce. It was awesome!! One friend got the Pad Thai which was really good too. I normally am not a fan of the flavor of Pad Thai elsewhere, but this one was different and I liked it. My other friends got different curry dishes with coconut milk, and they were all good too. I probably wouldn't order them myself, but I enjoyed a taste. For those that like that flavor, they all loved what they got. Well, food aside, the place is pretty cool. Quaint, asian themed restaurant that was packed but not overly so. Our service was good, and our waiter was quirky in a good way. The guy that checked us out had go-go gadget fingers so that was fun to watch. Besides that, the location is great and I found something I liked. I hope to go back soon. Side note: they do a lot of take out business if you're looking for ideas. Later!!
$17ish - #42 & Amstel Light
I'm ashamed to say I've lived in Charlotte almost 10 years and this was my first visit to Thai Taste. Everyone I know who's been loves it but as I am afraid of Thai food, I've been hesitant to go. I went with a group of 5 who all had recommendations of what I should try, so I was feeling pretty confident I'd like what I ordered. I ended up with #42 (no idea the name) but it was probably as close to chinese food as thai food gets. Wide rice noodles with chicken, napa cabbage, broccoli, carrots and light soy sauce. It was awesome!! One friend got the Pad Thai which was really good too. I normally am not a fan of the flavor of Pad Thai elsewhere, but this one was different and I liked it. My other friends got different curry dishes with coconut milk, and they were all good too. I probably wouldn't order them myself, but I enjoyed a taste. For those that like that flavor, they all loved what they got. Well, food aside, the place is pretty cool. Quaint, asian themed restaurant that was packed but not overly so. Our service was good, and our waiter was quirky in a good way. The guy that checked us out had go-go gadget fingers so that was fun to watch. Besides that, the location is great and I found something I liked. I hope to go back soon. Side note: they do a lot of take out business if you're looking for ideas. Later!!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Intermezzo - Midwood
Pizza/Eastern European
$17 - split a pizza, intermezzo salad, and san pellegrino
So, it's a cool spot off of central near the old Swing 1000. The location's been a few different bars but hopefully this family owned eastern european restaurant will stick around. There are 10 tables and a cozy bar area so it can feel hoppin' pretty quickly. The bartender and waiter (eric) were really friendly and flirty, so it was easy to enjoy the experience. The menu is eclectic, unusual pizza options, eastern european dishes I didn't know of and then basic stuff like turkey burgers. The pizza we ordered was really good. The crust is softer than hawthornes but not as doughy as the old mellow or papa johns. We ordered something with sundried tomatoes and other stuff that I don't remember except to say it was yummy. Since the place is a little small, we had to wait around 20 minutes but for a Friday night at 7:30, this wasn't too bad. All in all, I liked it. it's cozier than hawthorne's and more familiar feeling. I would think it would be easy to become a recognized regular if you wanted to. I'd recommend it. oh, one thing to note. my friend and I ordered the 16 inch and ended up taking half home. I'm sure the small would have been a better choice but the waiter convinced us to go big. Just an FYI.
$17 - split a pizza, intermezzo salad, and san pellegrino
So, it's a cool spot off of central near the old Swing 1000. The location's been a few different bars but hopefully this family owned eastern european restaurant will stick around. There are 10 tables and a cozy bar area so it can feel hoppin' pretty quickly. The bartender and waiter (eric) were really friendly and flirty, so it was easy to enjoy the experience. The menu is eclectic, unusual pizza options, eastern european dishes I didn't know of and then basic stuff like turkey burgers. The pizza we ordered was really good. The crust is softer than hawthornes but not as doughy as the old mellow or papa johns. We ordered something with sundried tomatoes and other stuff that I don't remember except to say it was yummy. Since the place is a little small, we had to wait around 20 minutes but for a Friday night at 7:30, this wasn't too bad. All in all, I liked it. it's cozier than hawthorne's and more familiar feeling. I would think it would be easy to become a recognized regular if you wanted to. I'd recommend it. oh, one thing to note. my friend and I ordered the 16 inch and ended up taking half home. I'm sure the small would have been a better choice but the waiter convinced us to go big. Just an FYI.
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