So for the month of January I decided to go vegetarian to start the year off a little bit healthier than I ended the year before. Given this I needed to find places to eat that would help keep me accountable. Enter, Luna's and Fern.
Luna's - tucked into the back corner of Atherton Mills in South End, this little restaurant packs quite a punch. I believe it's even billed as vegan but the food is surprisingly flavorful and really good. I ordered the Fire and Brimstone quinoa veggie burger wrapped in collard greens and it has quite the kick. It's served with a side salad and for sounding fairly blah, it was really good. Now I don't normally seek out vegan food, but I've actually been craving this burger recently. Luna's has other items that may not sound appealing for a meat eater but I promise, it's really good. Veggie lasagna, salads, various hummus spreads are all good options. The prices are also very reasonable, especially for an organic/local restaurant. Check them out.
http://www.lunaslivingkitchen.com/Home.html
Fern - Another hole in the wall vegetarian place that is tucked in between a pawn shop and a garden center on Central Avenue across from the Family Dollar. This stretch of road has some of the most randomly placed but best restaurants in town (i.e., Bistro la Bon, Soul, Midwood Smokehouse). The sign is not lit up so it's easy to miss but once you find it, it's well worth the stop. Fern is definitely higher end than Luna's and its menu changes seasonally. It's somehow related to Something Classic catering and it definitely shows in the details. The restaurant isn't big and there's not really a good waiting area so get there early or make reservations (only open Tues - Sunday). Their OM burger is awesome (notice a theme that I keep ordering burgers at vegetarian restaurants) as is their Laughing Buddha bowl. My friends tried the risotto and really liked it. It's so good, there were a bunch of guys in there and there's no meat on the menu. That should tell you something, right? As I mentioned, prices are a little higher than Luna's and the portions are reasonable (i.e., not typical huge american portions we are used to) but the food is outstanding. I plan to go back soon even though I'm off of my vegetarian kick. Hope you check them out soon.
http://www.fernflavors.com/index.html
Showing posts with label South End. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South End. Show all posts
Monday, May 28, 2012
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
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.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Pewter Rose - South End
Sunday Brunch - Dad picked this one up too
Utter disappointment!! I used to love Pewter Rose for Sunday Brunch, and it was a highlight to go there. They served these awesome butterscotch scones and coffee in cool glass mugs. My old favorite thing on the menu was the Breakfast Burrito, a tortilla filled with spicy scrambled eggs, black beans, spanish rice and salsa. I took my parents there on Sunday, and they've CHANGED THE MENU!!!! There was a similar item called Huevos Rancheros which was no where nearly as good. I am so sad, I don't know what to do. Where will I go with people in town for Sunday brunch again?? Is there no where else? The decor has changed recently which is a nice upgrade. It's more open and not as eclectic feeling. However, the brunch menu has shrunk and what I got was completely average. It was fine ($9) but so disappointing compared to my old favorite. The scones were still there but are much smaller and doughier which can be good depending on your preference. My waiter was super nice and really cute so that helped, but the food was blah. I'm torn. I used to love and rave about Pewter Rose as the best place for Sunday Brunch but now I just don't know. I must go back and try something else. You're on your own folks! Any ideas?
Utter disappointment!! I used to love Pewter Rose for Sunday Brunch, and it was a highlight to go there. They served these awesome butterscotch scones and coffee in cool glass mugs. My old favorite thing on the menu was the Breakfast Burrito, a tortilla filled with spicy scrambled eggs, black beans, spanish rice and salsa. I took my parents there on Sunday, and they've CHANGED THE MENU!!!! There was a similar item called Huevos Rancheros which was no where nearly as good. I am so sad, I don't know what to do. Where will I go with people in town for Sunday brunch again?? Is there no where else? The decor has changed recently which is a nice upgrade. It's more open and not as eclectic feeling. However, the brunch menu has shrunk and what I got was completely average. It was fine ($9) but so disappointing compared to my old favorite. The scones were still there but are much smaller and doughier which can be good depending on your preference. My waiter was super nice and really cute so that helped, but the food was blah. I'm torn. I used to love and rave about Pewter Rose as the best place for Sunday Brunch but now I just don't know. I must go back and try something else. You're on your own folks! Any ideas?
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