Food & Drink

2007 Editorial Selections for the Best of the Best in Charlotte. Originally published in the May 2007 issue.

Restaurant for groups
Cantina 1511
Now with a Ballantyne as well as a Dilworth location, Cantina has ample capacity for groups, particularly in its glass-walled “fishbowl” private dining rooms. The upscale Mexican food is a hit with almost everyone, and the bar is stocked with forty-five varieties of tequila, enough to make any celebration a little bit more festive. The staff is happy to make reservations for large parties.
1511 East Boulevard
704-331-9222;
7708 Rea Road
704-752-9797

Fried oysters
Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen
The batter is perfectly balanced with the bivalve and seasoned with enough pepper to enhance the flavor without overpowering. And—this is key—the oysters themselves aren’t too large, which allows for even consistency. As we sit at the bar and wait—and wait—for a table, we’ve found ourselves ordering seconds and even thirds.
6601 Morrison Boulevard
704-366-8688

Lakeside dining
North Harbor Club
Sure Charlotte has some wonderful restaurants, but how many of them can tout a lake view? Drive thirty-five minutes north of downtown, and voila. With an expansive patio, diners enjoy the vista as they listen to the clinking of docked boats. Then there’s the food. Start with Shrimp on a Stick. Then move on to the Honey Mustard Glazed “Filet Mignon” of Salmon and finish with Tart Key Lime Pie. Thirty-five minutes doesn’t seem so long after all.
100-D North Harbor Place, Davidson
704-896-5559

Rowdy outdoor dining
Mac’s Speed Shop
A constant roar of conversation topped with rock-and-roll music is a given at this South Boulevard joint. This is not the place to tell your sweetie that you love her for the first time, but it is the place to eat some good ’cue (the green bean casserole is a must as is the Texas beef brisket) and throw back a couple of “High Octane” beers (think Flying Dog Gonzo and Three Philosophers). Bikers and bankers welcome.
2511 South Boulevard
704-522-6227

Takeout
Something Classic
Stuck staying late at the office? Exhausted from ferrying around kids? Try Something Classic. In addition to catering, the store offers wholesome salads and entrées that can be heated by oven or microwave. Items such as turkey Tetrazzini, black bean lasagna, and chicken pot pie are crowd pleasers, and because the menu changes daily, you won’t run out of choices.
715 Providence Road, 704-347-3666
220 N. Tryon Street, 704-331-9158
1323 Central Avenue, 704-377-1825

Restaurantto splurge
Bentley’s on 27
It’s Charlotte’s only tower-top dining, which helps explain the top-dollar prices on the French and American menu. But owner Jim Emad has created a beautiful space to complement the twinkly surroundings. And this is theatrical dining: the $64 Chateaubriand Bouquetiere (an eighteen-ounce filet mignon for two), among other dishes, is prepared tableside. It’s like your own private show.
201 S. College Street, 27th Floor, Charlotte Plaza building
704-343-9201

Vegetarian selection
Pewter Rose Bistro
Several months ago, Chef Geoff Bragg (formerly of The Peaceful Dragon) unveiled a fresh menu emphasizing organic, local, and seasonal ingredients. Try the gnocchi or the phyllo stuffed with spinach and wild mushrooms for an elegant dinner out. Before you know it, you’ll be back to sample the sweet potato quesadilla and black bean burger over lunch.
1820 South Boulevard
704-332-8149

Outdoor drinking
Loft 1523
For those who think martinis are so five years ago, think again. Loft 1523 has fourteen martinis to choose from, including The Diva, which features Three Olives cocoa, Godiva liquor, and a cocoa rim. However the biggest attraction here is the balcony and its postcard-worthy view of the Queen City’s skyline. You can lounge on huge red ottomans or sit on a stool as you sip the night away.
1523 Elizabeth Avenue
704-333-5898

Tapas
Las Ramblas
The tapas trend has had fits in starts in Charlotte, but Las Ramblas has nailed the concept. Outside of four items (not counting the traditional paella), everything on the menu is tapas-size and tastes like it’s straight from Barcelona. Carnivores dig the albondigas (veal and pork meatballs), Kobe skirt steak with chimichurri, and lamb chop with honey allioli. And get this: more than fifty Spanish wines are available by the glass.
2400 Park Road
704-335-8444

No-frills burger
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries
At Five Guys, a franchise operation with locations up and down the East Coast, they do burgers, fries, and hot dogs. That’s it. The burger patties are made daily by hand from fresh ground beef and grilled to order. The “Little” burger is more than a half-inch thick; the regular burger is two patties. These are just the right size, too: big enough to be a meal, small enough to hold in one hand. The fresh-baked bun and hand-cut fries? That’s just gravy.
Four area locations

Some-frills burger
Big Daddy Burger at Daddy’s American Grill
We would never have expected a joint owned by Stefan Latorre, known for high-end restaurants and clubs, to end up winning a burger category. But the Big Daddy Burger at his new casual hangout Daddy’s is genius. First, the kitchen grinds its own USDA Prime beef in-house. Then it layers on fresh lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, American cheese, bacon-tinged mayo, honey mustard, and, as the pièce de résistance, a single fried pickle. The entire gorgeous concoction is enclosed in a toasted bun.
127 N. Tryon Street (corner of Fifth and Church streets)
704-377-2721

Bread served before dinner
Mama Ricotta’s
We’re not quite sure what the secret blend of herbs and spices is that they put on the rolls at Mama Ricotta’s, but whatever it is, it’s addictive. The red pepper olive oil that accompanies the rolls for dipping is the ideal complement. Walk in the door hungry, and your greatest challenge may be restricting yourself to a single basket. Rest assured, the attentive wait staff will notice and offer to bring you more.
601 S. Kings Drive
704-343-0148

Bloody Mary brunch
Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen
Sunday brunch is one of those meals that invites you to linger, savoring atmosphere and conversation as well as the food. With soft jazz, a well-stocked Bloody Mary bar, and packed tables overflowing onto the sidewalks of NoDa, Boudreaux’s excels in all these respects. Eggs Benedict and omelets are good, but you’re missing out if you don’t order the beignets (homemade Cajun donuts) as a lagniappe (something extra) along with the excellent coffee.
501 E. Thirty-sixth Street
704-331-9898

Soul food
Coffee Cup Grill
For a few months there, we were all afraid of losing “the Cup,” an institution here since 1946. Now it looks like we’ll be able to enjoy its classic pan-fried chicken, delightfully mushy vegetables, and no-frills atmosphere for as long as we can stand it. And we can stand it for a long, long time.
914 S. Clarkson Street
704-375-8855

Comfort food
Dish
It starts with getting comfortable. Dish’s laid-back vibe accomplishes that. The menu does the rest. This is classic comfort food from a kitchen that’s not afraid to add a little kick—such as in the Cajun meat loaf. And if you’re in need of some serious comfort, delightfully gooey chicken and dumplings comes with a well-made biscuit and a deviled egg. Wash it down with iced tea or a cold brew.
1220 Thomas Avenue
704-344-0343

Milkshake selection
Cook OutThis Southeastern, take-out-only chain is in the process of swarming Charlotte with eight or more locations. That’s a good thing for milkshake lovers. Cook Out offers as many as forty(!) flavors, each best consumed with a spoon, although the extra-wide straws help. Banana pudding—complete with real vanilla wafer crumbles—is a standout.
2540 Freedom Drive, 704-393-3191
1301 W. Sugar Creek Road, 704-921-8787
6438 Albemarle Road, 704-568-1205

Beer selection
Mellow Mushroom
Other places in town claim a broader selection, but this pizza joint stands out because most of its brews are on tap—as many as fifty drafts at a time, with specialty brews served in their proper style of glass. Owners Tom and Dawn Lockhart love their beer, and it shows. The ’Shroom is a nice place, too. It’s less crowded, without a lot of frat boys guzzling Bud Light. Want further proof? The local homebrew club meets at the NoDa location.
3228 N. Davidson Street, 704-377-2422
4100 Carmel Road, 704-341-8236

Cupcakes
Café Carolina
Who doesn’t like a cupcake? The cupcakes at Café Carolina, a small Southeastern chain that opened a store near Ballantyne about four years ago, are extra-moist, extra-big, and topped with a luscious-yet-light buttercream frosting. Keep an eye out for special seasonal varieties, such as the killer summer orange smoothie.
5631 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, The Promenade
704-846-3193

Small-town outdoor dining
Kudzu on the Green
Come early if you want an outdoor table, as there are only a few of them at Davidson’s Kudzu on the Green (two out front, four on the back patio). Hey, it’s a small town. If you do happen to snag one, you’ll not only enjoy a scrumptious meal of well-presented pasta dishes, steaks, and seafood (Jonathan Williams, the executive chef, keeps the menu fresh), but you’ll enjoy a clear view of the town’s Village Green, where something fun is almost always going on.
101 N. Main Street, Davidson
704-892-6246

Caribbean
Addie’s
We don’t understand why this place isn’t jammed every day and night. Do-everything owner Icia “Addie” Roman (left), a Jamaican native, cooks up real island food in a pleasant, even classy atmosphere. From curry to barbecue (a secret family recipe) to jerk, she knows how to cook a chicken, and you shouldn’t miss the goat, either (trust us). A wide selection of delicious sides—rice and peas dusted with coconut and luscious fried plantains are among the best—round out the menu.
3116 N. Davidson Street
704-331-0047

Sandwich bar
Ri Ra
An adjunct to the regular restaurant, the sandwich bar has its own entrance and is usually swarmed at lunch hours. Top-quality deli meats, imported Irish cheddar, and marvelous crusty bread are all part of the draw.
208 N. Tryon Street
704-333-5554

Panini
Salvador Deli
Bread for these hot-pressed Italian sandwiches must be dense enough to withstand grilling but still remain tender after several minutes of heat. The focaccia bread used in Salvador Deli’s hot-pressed Cubano and Roast Beef and Apple Brie sandwiches is ideal.
3215 N. Davidson Street
704-334-2344

Pimiento cheese
Common Market
The homemade pimiento cheese here has just about the perfect consistency. A pimiento cheese sandwich on soft white bread is a Southern tradition, but they’re great with wheat and sourdough, too. And try adding bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, and have the whole thing grilled.
2007 Commonwealth Avenue
704-334-6209

Wrap
Reid’s
Wraps are the ultimate convenience food—no messy ingredients, no sogginess, no crumbs. Named for assorted Charlotte neighborhoods and filled with tasty vegetables, cold cuts, and spreads, the wraps at Reid’s are worth savoring.
225 E. Seventh Street
704-377-1312

Big sandwich
Phil’s Deli
If zombies ever attack and you have to grab one meal as you fight your way out of downtown, this would be it. The triple-decker sandwiches at Phil’s are mighty indeed. Any one of them could probably sustain you for days. And the best of these is the Reuben (pictured).
105 E. Fifth Street
704-347-0035

READERS’ CHOICE
Burger
Penguin

Pizza
Fuel

Comfort food
Dish

Brunch
Pewter Rose

Barbecue
Mac’s Speed Shop

Taco joint
Cabo Fish Taco

Wine bar
Dean & DeLuca

Outdoor dining
Village Tavern

Late-night dining
Penguin

Restaurant, overall
Barrington’s

New restaurant
Rooster’s

Restaurant décor
Blue

Caribbean
Anntony’s

Chinese
P.F. Chang’s

Indian
Copper

Italian
Mama Ricotta’s

Japanese/Sushi
Nikko

Mexican
Cantina 1511

Seafood
Upstream

Southern/soul
Mert’s

Thai
Thai Taste

Vietnamese
Lang Van

Ballot Blooper
Pizza
Brick’s, Brixx, Brixxs, or Brixx’s
You gotta blame the pizza joint itself for causing the confusion (it’s Brixx by the way).