Dine & Dish - November 2009

11/18/09

Dining News Today

A few dining-related things you should know:

Customshop (pictured) has announced that tomorrow (Thursday) will be their last day serving lunch. They'll continue serving dinner and Sunday brunch, but no more lunches. This means that you should be going. Right now. Or tomorrow. Just make sure you go because you'll want to be able to tell your grandkids one day that you went to Customshop lunches. They'll ooh and ahh as you tell them about the fried green tomato BLT with its legendary pimento cheese. And then they'll say that they wish they'd lived through free dessert Fridays.

Common Market in South End is having a wine tasting tonight featuring wines for... Read more »

Posted at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1

11/17/09

Vivace

If you haven't been to the new Vivace restaurant in Midtown yet, I'd suggest taking a trip. I'd especially suggest that if you happen to have dietary restrictions. The restaurant, which recently opened across from Trader Joe's in the Metropolitan complex, offers a gluten-free and vegetarian menu. When I arrived there for lunch today, the hostess asked if I had any food allergies before she'd even shown me to my table. This place is a dieter's dream.

I, on the other hand, am not a dieter. My lunch was a braised short rib panini. The Italian sandwich features thick, warm bread, creamy gorganzola cheese, caramelized onions, and romaine lettuce. And it's seriously good. (Side note: I'm a big fan of the braised pork craze that seems to be everywhere in Charlotte right... Read more »

Posted at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1

11/16/09

Plaza Midwood Dining

This weekend I returned to two relatively new restaurants in Plaza Midwood. My first stop was for lunch on Saturday at Cafe Central (1401 Central Ave.). It opened a few months ago and serves lunch, dinner, and late night, as well as Sunday brunch. I tried it a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. They've got a great patio that's far enough off of Central to keep it quiet and a simple menu with a few interesting variations. Unfortunately, my lunch experience this time was disappointing. The smoked salmon sandwich came with very little salmon and the sweet potato fries weren't fully cooked. My companion's turkey burger lacked flavor and the cottage fries were cold. They do have an upstairs bar area though with an... Read more »

Posted at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/13/09

The Liberty

If you haven't been to South End's newest gastro pub, The Liberty, you should. Sooner rather than later. The pub (in the old McIntosh's location) features a bustling dining room, cozy bar area, and patio complete with a fireplace. The food steals the show though.

I haven't had anything on the menu that wasn't good (and I've had a lot), but there are two items you should absolutely order:

1) The "Devils on Horseback." These are tender grilled dates, stuffed with blue cheese, and wrapped in bacon. They're savory-meets-sweet and perfect for sharing over a pint next to the bar's fireplace. ($5)

2) "The Lucky Gastro Pig." Yes, it sounds strange. It's slow-roasted black berkshire pork shoulder served with crepes, pickled pineapple, spicy peanutes,... Read more »

Posted at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/10/09

Gourmet Cheese Straws Online

If you haven't had Dee Dee's Gourmet Cheese Straws yet, may I just take a moment to say how sorry I am for you? Donna "Dee Dee" Norton is a local Charlotte woman who began making cheese straws for her family and friends is now making them to sell to you. And wow. They. Are. Good.

She uses high-quality aged real sharp cheddar cheese and special seasoning to create cheese straws that are rich, flavorful, and with just a teeny bit of a spicy bite. They come in various sizes in various tins, making them perfect for holiday gifts—that is, if you can resist eating the entire box yourself. I couldn't.

Find the straws online at ddgourmet.com and look for them in the holiday gift guide in the December issue of Charlotte... Read more »

Posted at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/09/09

Dandelion Market Coming Soon

There's a new restaurant/bar coming to Latorre's old spot in uptown.

The same group behind Tyber Creek, Connolly's, Madison's, and The Attic, is now opening Dandelion Market. The small plates restaurant is slated to open in December in the old Latorre's Restaurant site (118 West Fifth St.). Most of the food will be from local farmers and Chef Katie Formuzis plans on serving up dishes like aged chedder and Fat Tire Ale fondue with slices of baguette and caramelized apples.

More interested in the bar? There will be a full bar on each floor that will include twenty-four brews on tap and many wines for under $25 a bottle. When they open in December the restaurant will be open from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. However, they plan to eventually be open for lunch.... Read more »

Posted at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1

	11/18/09 Dining News Today A few dining-related things you should know: Customshop (pictured) has announced that tomorrow (Thursday) will be their last day serving lunch. They'll continue serving dinner and Sunday brunch, but no more lunches. This means that you should be going. Right now. Or tomorrow. Just make sure you go because you'll want to be able to tell your grandkids one day that you went to Customshop lunches. They'll ooh and ahh as you tell them about the fried green tomato BLT with its legendary pimento cheese. And then they'll say that they wish they'd lived through free dessert Fridays. Common Market in South End is having a wine tasting tonight featuring wines for... Read more » Posted at 11:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1
	11/17/09 Vivace If you haven't been to the new Vivace restaurant in Midtown yet, I'd suggest taking a trip. I'd especially suggest that if you happen to have dietary restrictions. The restaurant, which recently opened across from Trader Joe's in the Metropolitan complex, offers a gluten-free and vegetarian menu. When I arrived there for lunch today, the hostess asked if I had any food allergies before she'd even shown me to my table. This place is a dieter's dream. I, on the other hand, am not a dieter. My lunch was a braised short rib panini. The Italian sandwich features thick, warm bread, creamy gorganzola cheese, caramelized onions, and romaine lettuce. And it's seriously good. (Side note: I'm a big fan of the braised pork craze that seems to be everywhere in Charlotte right... Read more » Posted at 04:46 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1
	11/16/09 Plaza Midwood Dining This weekend I returned to two relatively new restaurants in Plaza Midwood. My first stop was for lunch on Saturday at Cafe Central (1401 Central Ave.). It opened a few months ago and serves lunch, dinner, and late night, as well as Sunday brunch. I tried it a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. They've got a great patio that's far enough off of Central to keep it quiet and a simple menu with a few interesting variations. Unfortunately, my lunch experience this time was disappointing. The smoked salmon sandwich came with very little salmon and the sweet potato fries weren't fully cooked. My companion's turkey burger lacked flavor and the cottage fries were cold. They do have an upstairs bar area though with an... Read more » Posted at 01:37 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	11/13/09 The Liberty If you haven't been to South End's newest gastro pub, The Liberty, you should. Sooner rather than later. The pub (in the old McIntosh's location) features a bustling dining room, cozy bar area, and patio complete with a fireplace. The food steals the show though. I haven't had anything on the menu that wasn't good (and I've had a lot), but there are two items you should absolutely order: 1) The "Devils on Horseback." These are tender grilled dates, stuffed with blue cheese, and wrapped in bacon. They're savory-meets-sweet and perfect for sharing over a pint next to the bar's fireplace. ($5) 2) "The Lucky Gastro Pig." Yes, it sounds strange. It's slow-roasted black berkshire pork shoulder served with crepes, pickled pineapple, spicy peanutes,... Read more » Posted at 03:58 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	11/10/09 Gourmet Cheese Straws Online If you haven't had Dee Dee's Gourmet Cheese Straws yet, may I just take a moment to say how sorry I am for you? Donna "Dee Dee" Norton is a local Charlotte woman who began making cheese straws for her family and friends is now making them to sell to you. And wow. They. Are. Good. She uses high-quality aged real sharp cheddar cheese and special seasoning to create cheese straws that are rich, flavorful, and with just a teeny bit of a spicy bite. They come in various sizes in various tins, making them perfect for holiday gifts—that is, if you can resist eating the entire box yourself. I couldn't. Find the straws online at ddgourmet.com and look for them in the holiday gift guide in the December issue of Charlotte... Read more » Posted at 04:04 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	11/09/09 Dandelion Market Coming Soon There's a new restaurant/bar coming to Latorre's old spot in uptown. The same group behind Tyber Creek, Connolly's, Madison's, and The Attic, is now opening Dandelion Market. The small plates restaurant is slated to open in December in the old Latorre's Restaurant site (118 West Fifth St.). Most of the food will be from local farmers and Chef Katie Formuzis plans on serving up dishes like aged chedder and Fat Tire Ale fondue with slices of baguette and caramelized apples. More interested in the bar? There will be a full bar on each floor that will include twenty-four brews on tap and many wines for under $25 a bottle. When they open in December the restaurant will be open from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. However, they plan to eventually be open for lunch.... Read more » Posted at 04:04 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1

November 2009