An example of Cosmos’ more exotic fare is the grilled octopus with roasted cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and grilled baby artichoke.Cosmos Café has endured. It's hard to believe, but Cosmos Café is one of downtown's longest-tenured restaurants. Hard to believe…
So-called fusion cuisine takes many forms. It first crept into the American vernacular in the early 1980s with the popularity of restaurants like Spago, Wolfgang Puck's homage to Asian, French, Italian, and American cooking. Now it seems that fusion cooking…
Bright orange with white trim, Sweet Spice: Royal Caribbean Delight is highly visible from the street. With flowering bougainvilleas growing up against the concrete exterior, the restaurant has a tropical feel—not in the way of tropical theme restaurants, but in…
Carne asada tacos in handmade corn tortillas El Pulgarcito are good, but Salvadoran specialties like pupuses are your best bet.In Charlotte, Little El Salvador occupies half a city block. Gathered around a single parking lot are Salvadoran stores, bakeries, and…
Eleven years ago, I took my now-wife on our first official date to La Paz, when it was located in an old house in Myers Park near the Manor Theatre. I must have been a little nervous, because I forgot…
This emphasis on quality and attention to detail is what sets Amelie's apart. Especially noteworthy are the fruit tarts—baked just long enough to begin to darken and caramelize, with homemade pastry that blends seamlessly with the fruit layer on top.…
Inexpensive but cool EileenAs a boutique that actually boasts handbags under $100, it's a no-brainer why South End's Eileen is the top pick for inexpensive (yet totally chic) handbags. You'll mostly find larger shoulder bags and totes (love the Melie…
Readers' ChoiceWomen's boutique The Pink HangerMen's fashions Paul SimonWomen's shoes Nordstrom Men's shoes NordstromVintage clothing Hong Kong VintageMaternity clothing Beaux BellyEvening gowns NitsaStore to buy jeans NordstromJewelryHand PickedStylish gifts PaperSkyscraperAntiquesMetrolinaFurnitureBoylesBike shop/repair Black SheepHardware StoreBlackhawk HardwarePet store Pet SmartBookstore Barnes &…
Readers' ChoiceBurger PenguinPizza BrixxSteakhouse Morton’sVegetarian selection Zada Jane’sComfort food DishBreakfast Original House of PancakesBrunchPewter RoseBarbecue Mac’s Speed ShopTaco joint Cabo Fish TacoCoffee shop (non-chain)Dilworth Coffee HouseLate-night diningPenguinHotel restaurant Ember GrilleNew restaurant M5Caribbean Anntony’sIndian CopperItalian Mama Riccota’sJapanese/Sushi NikkoMexican Cantina 1511Seafood UpstreamSouthern/Soul…
Readers' ChoiceYoga/Pilates studio Iron Butterfly PilatesSpaThe Spa at Ballantyne ResortBarbershop Emerson JosephSalon Modern Salon & SpaDry cleaner Long'sFlorist Elizabeth House FlowersCaterer Something ClassicConcierge serviceSimply Done Eyebrow wax/shaping Parvin's SpaA great eyebrow wax is like a great haircut. You can't put…
Body TreatmentPumpkin Pie & Sweet Wine Body Scrub The Spa at Ballantyne ResortFollowing a soft dry scrub, an aesthetician exfoliates and rehydrates your dry skin with a yam and pumpkin enzyme peel, almond and mineral treatment, ten grains and spices…
Brunch Toast Café If you want weekend brunch at family-owned Toast, show up early to avoid the line of patient diners wrapped around the little mustard-colored house. They're likely waiting for their turn to have made-from-scratch raspberry and walnut pancakes.…
DriverJimmie JohnsonTo become the champion you must beat the champion. That's what Jimmie Johnson did en route to winning the 2006 and 2007 Sprint Cup championships. Considered a rising star in 2001, and handpicked by Jeff Gordon to join the…
Readers' ChoiceSkyline view Bentley's on 27Picnic spot Freedom ParkFestival Festival in the ParkInternational event Yiasou Greek FestivalFree event Pops in the ParkNoteworthy event of last 12 months Light RailGossip/rumor Prostitution in SouthParkPublic gardenWing Haven Gardens and Bird SanctuaryWing Haven qualifies…
Readers' ChoiceSports bar Picasso'sPub Ri RaDance club ForumSmoke-free bar Loft 1523Hotel bar Bar 10 at the WestinPlace to hear jazz BluePlace for karaoke Jackalope Jack'sMartini selectionTherapyBeer selection Flying SaucerLive music venue Amos' Southend Trendy barM5M5 is a restaurant and bar,…
Appearances often mislead in restaurants—sumptuous décor conceals poor service, beautiful presentation hides bad food. Appearances mislead at Pollo Inka, too, but in a different direction. Housed in a former Thai restaurant, its gabled, wooden exterior is charming but hardly brings…
Bass Ron Brendle Ron Brendle is Charlotte's best known bass player for a reason. Bass players are often overlooked within bands, but Brendle's skillful play demands attention. His jazz trio, Big Octave, is a local favorite, and Brendle can also…
Place to watch the Pittsburgh SteelersDixie's TavernTwo words: Iron City. That should tell Steelers faithful all they need to know. The tables have built-in buckets to better accommodate the $1 bottles shipped from Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The menu is Cajun, but…
OverallScallops at Las RamblasWhen Executive Chef Blake Hartwick wants to send out a special dish to a VIP, this is what he chooses. Two perfectly grilled diver scallops (the grilling makes the difference) with a dash of sea salt over…
PerformerNicholle RochelleNorth Carolina Dance TheatreCertainly you've seen Nicholle Rochelle's image. Her ecstatic grand jeté graces all NCDT marketing materials this season; her pristine extension dots the "i" on Charlotte Culture Guide billboards. But if you haven't seen her in person—seen…
Readers' ChoiceKids' clothing Fancy PantsKids' haircutsGreat ClipsPlace to buy birthday cake Edible ArtFamily outing Discovery Place/U.S. National Whitewater Center (tie)Park for kids Freedom ParkPlace to go on a rainy dayDiscovery Place Place you wish were around when you were a…
Wine barUnder the GrapeA handful of wine shops and bars have sprouted in recent years, but Under the Grape has the formula down. Owners Barb and Henry Tyree understand that the typical wine drinker isn’t a sommelier, so they offer…
Readers' ChoiceProfessional athlete Steve SmithComeback athlete Vinny TestaverdeAthlete with a heart Steve SmithNASCAR driverDale Earnhardt Jr.Golf course Quail Hollow ClubDriving rangeLeathermanBowling alley George Pappas' Park Lanes Player on top of his gameJacob CogginsThe Charlotte Eagles have consistently been one of…
View the CategoriesFood & Drink Best of Food & Drink: Small Plates Shopping Best of Shopping: Handbags Essentially Charlotte Family & Kids Best of the Burbs: North Best of the Burbs: South Service Best of Service: Spa Treatments Sports Best of Sports:…
Anyone who's ever come across Nikko owner Joanna Nix knows that she is, well, uninhibited. But this? This is a surprise.For ten years, the original South End location of Nikko was a cozy spot—no more than a dozen tables—known for…
