Wine bar
Dolce Vita is a quaint wine bar (that serves beer too) in NoDa that is great for a gathering of friends new and old. It's been open a while and has definitely gotten through some kinks. They serve limited food (a few apps, pizza special, etc.) or you can always order Cabo Fish Taco and bring it over. They've redone the inside a few times, and I think they finally have it right. They now have nice bar stools, plenty of tables and comfy sofas. The art work is local and only a few are really wacky. You never know how many people will be there as the last time I went we were the only people in the place (a Thursday night). Last night they had two guys playing guitar who were really good but a little loud. It started 1/3 full when we arrived but was packed by the time we left so it was a lot of fun. The wine is usually pretty good, and it changes often. The choices for each type of wine are limited unless you opt for a bottle. Each glass is between $7 - $12, and I can't remember the bottle prices. It's a great meeting place in a fun location, and I think it'll do well. The sweet life indeed.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Whiskey Warehouse - Midwood
Yuppy Sports Bar
This new place opened a few weeks ago in the old Creation spot across from the HT on The Plaza. I've been twice and both times it was packed! I think it's the new hot spot for people who are too rich/good looking for Thomas Street (not that I am but it's that kind of crowd). It majors on whiskeys but has any other alcohol you want as well. I don't like whiskey but one friend told me their selection was great and very reasonably priced. Parking's an issue as you're competing with Thms St and Common Market for spots. I think the owner or manager is related to Brazwell's but this is a much nicer place from what I remember of Bwellz (i.e. not quite as skanky). The food looked like bar food (sliders, chx fingers, nachos, etc.) but I'm not sure how it tasted. Lots of flat screens around but always packed and difficult to find a seat. There's no outside seating so it may die down in the summer. If you fit in the too cool for T St crowd, check it out.
This new place opened a few weeks ago in the old Creation spot across from the HT on The Plaza. I've been twice and both times it was packed! I think it's the new hot spot for people who are too rich/good looking for Thomas Street (not that I am but it's that kind of crowd). It majors on whiskeys but has any other alcohol you want as well. I don't like whiskey but one friend told me their selection was great and very reasonably priced. Parking's an issue as you're competing with Thms St and Common Market for spots. I think the owner or manager is related to Brazwell's but this is a much nicer place from what I remember of Bwellz (i.e. not quite as skanky). The food looked like bar food (sliders, chx fingers, nachos, etc.) but I'm not sure how it tasted. Lots of flat screens around but always packed and difficult to find a seat. There's no outside seating so it may die down in the summer. If you fit in the too cool for T St crowd, check it out.
Foskoskies - Midwood
Neighborhood Cafe
$19 - app, grilled cheese, tomato soup and side salad.
This n'hood spot is tucked in the middle of a midwood/shamrock next door to the original Pike's Pharmacy. One part of the restaurant is old school diner with a long bar and small 2 - 4 top tables. Because I with a bigger group, we sat next door. This was a little awkward because you have to walk out side in order to get to this part of the restaurant as it doesn't really connect. This part of the restaurant was noticeably nicer with cool art on the walls and white tablecloths. However, because our servers and food had to go outside before coming in, it just felt weird to eat over here. Supposedly they are about to break through the wall to connect the two side and it should be much better once that happens. In the meantime...the appetizer special was incredible! Sliced foccacia with artichokes, goat cheese drizzled with balsamic (similar to bruchetta w/o all the tomatoes). It was yummy. The menu is small with four or five high end hot specials (i.e., meatloaf and mashed potatoes) and then six or seven reasonably priced sandwiches (burger, veggie burger, grilled chz, chx salad). While the app was awesome, my grilled chz and tomato bisque was just ok. The grilled chz is what I could have made at home (I even think they used American singles for the chz) and the soup was yummy but not quite hot enough. My friends got the pasta special (tilapia on penne) and the veggie burgers. The fried looked awesome but the veggie burger didnt look as good a Penguins (which in my mind is the standard). Everyone enjoyed their dinner but agreed that the app was the best part of the meal. The desserts sounded awesome but we were pretty full. All in all, it's a nice n'hood spot that's pretty low key and reasonably priced but not a must-do place on my favorite dinner places.
$19 - app, grilled cheese, tomato soup and side salad.
This n'hood spot is tucked in the middle of a midwood/shamrock next door to the original Pike's Pharmacy. One part of the restaurant is old school diner with a long bar and small 2 - 4 top tables. Because I with a bigger group, we sat next door. This was a little awkward because you have to walk out side in order to get to this part of the restaurant as it doesn't really connect. This part of the restaurant was noticeably nicer with cool art on the walls and white tablecloths. However, because our servers and food had to go outside before coming in, it just felt weird to eat over here. Supposedly they are about to break through the wall to connect the two side and it should be much better once that happens. In the meantime...the appetizer special was incredible! Sliced foccacia with artichokes, goat cheese drizzled with balsamic (similar to bruchetta w/o all the tomatoes). It was yummy. The menu is small with four or five high end hot specials (i.e., meatloaf and mashed potatoes) and then six or seven reasonably priced sandwiches (burger, veggie burger, grilled chz, chx salad). While the app was awesome, my grilled chz and tomato bisque was just ok. The grilled chz is what I could have made at home (I even think they used American singles for the chz) and the soup was yummy but not quite hot enough. My friends got the pasta special (tilapia on penne) and the veggie burgers. The fried looked awesome but the veggie burger didnt look as good a Penguins (which in my mind is the standard). Everyone enjoyed their dinner but agreed that the app was the best part of the meal. The desserts sounded awesome but we were pretty full. All in all, it's a nice n'hood spot that's pretty low key and reasonably priced but not a must-do place on my favorite dinner places.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
The Liberty - South End
New American "gastro pub"
Entree, app, water = $33.
This new restaurant is a nice not-too-fancy addition to south end. I went with some friends on Friday night and this place was hopping. Fortunately we made reservations so we didn't have to wait. The waitress wasn't the friendliest, so that's my first minor complaint. The focus is on the beer here with lots of options but no explanations so if you're not familiar with the names, you're a bit out of luck. The waitress tried to be helpful but wasn't great on descriptions so two of my three friends didn't like their beer choice. She didn't offer the beer taster until my last friend arrived late and that was of course the winner. All beer aside, the food is pretty good. The options are different and entrees run from $14 - $20. We ordered the soft pretzels as appetizers but apparently they only come in servings of two. Our waitress didn't mention that so the six of us each got a little bitty bite of a really good pretzel. My entree was the Lucky Gastro-Pig. It's a very random mix of bbq, crepes, pineapple, spicy peanuts, jalapenos and "lettuce cups". It's essentially gastro pub fajitas. There were some weird flavors going on, but I really liked it. Two ppl ordered the angus burger with parm fries, two ordered bacon-wrapped trout with mac & cheese, and then one shrimp and grits. Everyone liked their respective dinners and the mac & cheese was great (of course I had to try it for the blog). The fries were good, not great, but I'm a snob about good fries. The main note about this place was the food presentation was awesome. Nice touches all around with my bbq served in mini le creuset pot, the mac & chz served in it's own little cast iron looking thing, etc. I really enjoyed my meal and will definitely to go back. One thing I'll say is it's billed as a "cheaper" place to eat when it's not cheap. It's not McIntosh's (which is where the location is now) but it's not Harpers either. Either way I would definitely recommend it! Just know your beers before you get there.
http://www.thelibertycharlotte.com/home.html
Entree, app, water = $33.
This new restaurant is a nice not-too-fancy addition to south end. I went with some friends on Friday night and this place was hopping. Fortunately we made reservations so we didn't have to wait. The waitress wasn't the friendliest, so that's my first minor complaint. The focus is on the beer here with lots of options but no explanations so if you're not familiar with the names, you're a bit out of luck. The waitress tried to be helpful but wasn't great on descriptions so two of my three friends didn't like their beer choice. She didn't offer the beer taster until my last friend arrived late and that was of course the winner. All beer aside, the food is pretty good. The options are different and entrees run from $14 - $20. We ordered the soft pretzels as appetizers but apparently they only come in servings of two. Our waitress didn't mention that so the six of us each got a little bitty bite of a really good pretzel. My entree was the Lucky Gastro-Pig. It's a very random mix of bbq, crepes, pineapple, spicy peanuts, jalapenos and "lettuce cups". It's essentially gastro pub fajitas. There were some weird flavors going on, but I really liked it. Two ppl ordered the angus burger with parm fries, two ordered bacon-wrapped trout with mac & cheese, and then one shrimp and grits. Everyone liked their respective dinners and the mac & cheese was great (of course I had to try it for the blog). The fries were good, not great, but I'm a snob about good fries. The main note about this place was the food presentation was awesome. Nice touches all around with my bbq served in mini le creuset pot, the mac & chz served in it's own little cast iron looking thing, etc. I really enjoyed my meal and will definitely to go back. One thing I'll say is it's billed as a "cheaper" place to eat when it's not cheap. It's not McIntosh's (which is where the location is now) but it's not Harpers either. Either way I would definitely recommend it! Just know your beers before you get there.
http://www.thelibertycharlotte.com/home.html
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