Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen

Charlotte has seen various versions of the totally á la carte restaurant, but none that have worked this well. The secret, as usual, is top-notch ingredients, a broad yet still well-edited selection, and a great wine list. Super-friendly staff helps, too, as does the attractive rustic interior. If you order nothing else, try the pan-fried corn or the fried oysters.

Rooster's on the Cheap
The key to spending less here is choosing wisely. Plan ahead and check out the menu online—its sheer size makes it tempting to order much more than you'll actually ever be able to eat. Most of the sides are large enough to split, and with fresh seasonal vegetable sides like butter wilted spinach ($6) or au gratin potatoes ($7), and gourmet personal pizzas ($7), there are cheaper and more filling options.

6601 Morrison Blvd., 704-366-8688, roosterskitchen.com