Premature Ending
In the November issue, Van Miller wrote about his unsettling experience as a juror. His fellow jurors paid so little attention to the trial that it reminded Miller of the popular reaction to the Bush-Gore debates. It also led to some pretty funny stories, as well as this letter from a reader:
Having worked with victims of crime in the past I was really interested in reading Van Miller's piece on his experience as a Mecklenburg County juror ("Land of Distraction "). Interested, that is, until I read the beginning of the piece where he slams then-presidential nominee George Bush.
He showed his bias early on and I completely lost interest in reading any further.
Valerie Schmieder
Denver
But, Val! You missed some good stuff! Like this:
"I think the landlord is guilty. There's all kinds of people out there who seem like they're normal, but they're some sort of serial killer."
And this: "Mmm, did you see the arms on that police officer? Mmm-hmm, we need to get him back up there."
And this: "I had a hard time focusing on the case, I thought his shirt was going to rip open."
And this: "I'm hungry, maybe we can stay in here long enough to get a pizza."
By the way: not guilty.
Can't We All Just Get Along? Naaah.
One reader took issue with the best new restaurant selections and had a little fun with us in the process. Hope he doesn't mind if we have a little fun back.
Your recent issue re: the so-called "best" new (and old) restaurants in the QC is a bit of an embarrassment—at least amongst the cognoscenti. Actually, I'm hiding the magazine from my out-of-town friends and family at the moment. In the meantime, repeat after me: "We will never omit M5 again." Got it?
It's obvious you guys need to get out more. Moreover, how about doing our homework and venturing beyond uptown, SouthPark, and Myers Park for a change (where the "real" foodie people—and, yeah, with money, too—hang out). How else will you figure out where the really hip new establishments are? Diversity lives in the QC nowadays. So what if the diners don't all part our hair the same way or sing praises to our tired Banking Center in the Bible Belt. Even if it means getting your fingers a little dirty and mixing with the hoi polloi, you'd be surprised what's out here. Come to think of it, your list could have been cooked in the lame Wachovia credit department. So come on. Tell the truth. Was it?
I haven't forgotten that in a previous survey you, quite damagingly, omitted my beloved Toscana—not that long ago, dude. Sheesh! And Blue and Carpe Diem on any "best" list is more than a stretch.
In case you're wondering, I've eaten in every single restaurant you mentioned except the ridiculous Del Frisco's (and Sugar Magnolia, actually). And, for what it's worth, I've got a son who just graduated from Davidson. We live in Dilworth. We travel the world. So this is not a class issue. It's really about you getting out of your comfort zone and seeking out the real Charlotte, something that your somewhat politically correct and painfully conforming publication doesn't seem to do very well. Simply dissing the ubiquitous steak houses that cater to the meat-and-potatoes crowd doesn't cut it. Here's a news flash: Charlotte is changing even though, okay sure, nobody will confuse it with Manhattan.
Check out these hip dining destinations next time:
Zada Jane's on Central Avenue. Genuinely friendly service in a retro environment; really good food; and the coolest, funkiest vibe on Central Avenue, which is saying something. I'd almost rather keep this a secret.
Ben Thanh, also on Central. In case you didn't know it, these folks were Lang Van not that long ago, producing the best Vietnamese cuisine in town.
Luce and IL Posto. What? Did these places close or something? Surely you didn't forget two of Augusto Conte's finest establishments.
Okay. Get it together folks.
We're counting on you.
Stop embarrassing us.
J.B.
Charlotte
