Sunday, November 4, 2007
Charlotte Artists
If you want a place to view and support local artistic talent here is your site, Charlotteartists.com
Friday, November 2, 2007
Going Green Charlotte
One of Charlotte's best sites for going green is WSOC TV.
They have excellent information on water and energy conservation.
They have excellent information on water and energy conservation.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Charlotte, NC Night Life
According to Charlotte Magazine here are their picks for some of the best night spots here in the Queen City.
Nightlife
Girls’ night out Dean & DeLuca Wine Room Maybe it’s the fact that the place is surrounded by some of the best boutiques in town, but the ladies love Dean & DeLuca’s wine room. When the weather’s favorable, you’ll see them in droves, looking like they’ve shopped till they dropped—onto D&D’s popular patio, glass of chardonnay in hand. The inside’s nice, too, comfortable and contemporary, and the bar boasts the largest collection of California labels in the city. 6822-J Phillips Place Court 704-552-5283
New bar Cans Bar & Canteen When Cans opened last spring, it was as if someone had opened up a large can of party, as the bar quickly became a hit. The two-level spot is usually packed wall to wall on weekends, and there’s a lot of room between those walls. Cans serves more than fifty different beers in, you guessed it, cans, and brews four of its own. With vintage video games (Ms. Pac Man, Tetris), twenty plasma TVs, and popular DJs in rotation, Cans has become the hotspot downtown. 500 W. Fifth Street 704-940-0200
Dance club The Forum This beautifully decorated night spot boasts the best dance floor in town, as evidenced by all the beautifully clad hipsters that crowd there. The Forum claims to have “civilized” nightlife. The private club is every bit as slick as it wants its patrons to be (there’s a strict dress code and heavy bouncer presence), and the result is a VIP experience that’s rare among Charlotte’s crop of bump-and-grind bars. 300 N. College Street 704-375-8765
Wednesday hangout Therapy Come Hump Day, if it’s been a stressful week at the job, what you need is some Therapy. Wednesdays feature “Martini Madness” at this cozy little joint—and it is little, but that only adds to its intimate appeal. Besides, once you’ve enjoyed a couple of the half-price martinis you’ll find yourself chatting it up with just-made friends. With provocative drink names like “Swingers Swap,” “The Exhibitionist,” and “Sex in the Queen City” just make sure you’re placing your order with an actual bartender. 401 N. Tryon Street, Suite 102 704-333-1353
Thursday hangout Zen Asian Fusion Just because you’re not in college any more doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out on Thursday nights. Just get out early and channel some Zen. The fusion restaurant and bar off East Boulevard features happy hour between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. At 7 p.m., things get really cozy when the live music starts. Nicely lit, an intriguing arrangement of seating, and a great appetizer menu along with innovative drinks, this atmosphere will only make you wish it were Friday. Try the Sake-tini (sake, pineapple, and cranberry) or the Zengria (a mix of wine, sake, rum, champagne, and orange). And the crispy crab-and-cream-cheese spring rolls are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. 1716 Kenilworth Avenue 704-358-9688
First date Fig Tree Located inside an intimate old house, The Fig Tree is a fine place for first-date flirtation. Couples can cozy up before a crackling fireplace in the winter or dine al fresco in the summer on the popular front porch. The food is great, too, but the repurposed house is so comely and comfy, it feels more like a posh bed-and-breakfast than a restaurant—in fact, you’ll probably find yourself wishing you could spend the night. But remember, this is a first date. 1601 E. Seventh Street 704-332-3322
Bar to see pretty people Table Restaurant & Bar When Table opened last year, it became the nicest restaurant in Ballantyne. But it’s not just the 1940s-style décor or the eighteen-foot wine towers anchoring the bar that has made Table a hit. It’s because the chic eatery knows what people in Ballantyne want and gives it to them. At night, it’s all about the bar. During weekend parties the restaurant is transformed into a hip lounge as DJ Buddy starts to play. Beautiful ladies and gentlemen converse while enjoying selections from a trendy drink list (mojitos and nearly thirty different martinis). 14835 John J. Delaney Drive, Suite 150 704-369-5170
Place for bachelor/ette parties Grand Central On any given weekend at Grand Central, you’re bound to see a few ladies sporting the tell-tale combo of a long veil and something lewd (someone’s getting married!). And the boys gather often there, too, to bid a fond farewell to bachelorhood. Grand Central is big enough to accommodate numerous groups, it hires some of the hottest DJs in town, and the drink specials are always good. 101 N. Tryon Street 704-348-7032
After-party dining Penguin If you’re looking to grab a late-night bite at someplace a little hipper than Waffle House, Penguin’s the place to be. It’s a diner, it’s a bar, it’s an experience. The servers are tattooed and pierced and wear Elvis Costello glasses, and they serve up conversation starters like Tulepo sandwiches (as in the other Elvis’s fave—peanut butter and bananas) until the wee hours of the morn. 1921 Commonwealth Avenue 704-375-6959
After-dinner drinks Blue Blue’s beautiful bar is the place to be after supper, no matter where you’ve had it. It’s the best place to wind down in town, with lots of cozy corners, and, Wednesday through Saturday, the lulling sounds of live jazz. The décor is rich and warm, and the bar’s fully stocked. Sit back, relax, and digest your dinner. Hearst Tower, corner of College and Fifth streets 704-927-2583
Bar for wine tasting Dolce Vita This place is as much about the setting as it is the selection. Located in the heart of NoDa, Dolce changes its wine menu every couple of weeks. The wines by the glass are an opportunity for any wine lover to try excellent vinos at reasonable prices—Wednesday nights they’re half-price. The setting is relaxed and cool, and sometimes features live music. 3205 N. Davidson Street 704-334-1052
Pub Ri Ra Ri Ra is what we look for in a pub, a nostalgic joint filled with friendly faces. And no doubt this stems from the fact that two childhood friends who grew up in Dublin opened it back in 1997, filling the bar with Irish antiques and striving, the owners say, to make it the most welcoming joint in town. Add Ri Ra’s cool staff and its bustling entertainment calendar, and you have a neighborhood pub for the entire city. 208 N. Tryon Street 704-333-5554
Signature drink 300 East, The Matilda Wong The Matilda Wong is so potent, 300 East’s bartenders will serve you a maximum of two (um, pitchers—The Wong is served in a slightly smaller version of what most restaurants use to pour iced tea). The secret concoction is infamous in Dilworth. Spies, however, have noted copious amounts of gin as one key ingredient. But don’t let that scare you off—there’s also lots of freshly squeezed juice. The Wong’s strong, but it actually tastes great. 300 East Boulevard 704-332-6507
READERS’ CHOICE Bar/lounge Blue
Sports bar Picasso’s
Place to hear jazz Blue
Live music venue Visulite
Place for karaoke Yellow Rose
Girls’ night out Cosmos
Martini selection Therapy
Beer selection Flying Saucer
Ballot Bloopers Smoke free Stupid Alrighty then, Mister Two-Packs-A-Day.
Girl’s night out Dish It Out You are leaving the kids at home, right?
Nightlife
Girls’ night out Dean & DeLuca Wine Room Maybe it’s the fact that the place is surrounded by some of the best boutiques in town, but the ladies love Dean & DeLuca’s wine room. When the weather’s favorable, you’ll see them in droves, looking like they’ve shopped till they dropped—onto D&D’s popular patio, glass of chardonnay in hand. The inside’s nice, too, comfortable and contemporary, and the bar boasts the largest collection of California labels in the city. 6822-J Phillips Place Court 704-552-5283
New bar Cans Bar & Canteen When Cans opened last spring, it was as if someone had opened up a large can of party, as the bar quickly became a hit. The two-level spot is usually packed wall to wall on weekends, and there’s a lot of room between those walls. Cans serves more than fifty different beers in, you guessed it, cans, and brews four of its own. With vintage video games (Ms. Pac Man, Tetris), twenty plasma TVs, and popular DJs in rotation, Cans has become the hotspot downtown. 500 W. Fifth Street 704-940-0200
Dance club The Forum This beautifully decorated night spot boasts the best dance floor in town, as evidenced by all the beautifully clad hipsters that crowd there. The Forum claims to have “civilized” nightlife. The private club is every bit as slick as it wants its patrons to be (there’s a strict dress code and heavy bouncer presence), and the result is a VIP experience that’s rare among Charlotte’s crop of bump-and-grind bars. 300 N. College Street 704-375-8765
Wednesday hangout Therapy Come Hump Day, if it’s been a stressful week at the job, what you need is some Therapy. Wednesdays feature “Martini Madness” at this cozy little joint—and it is little, but that only adds to its intimate appeal. Besides, once you’ve enjoyed a couple of the half-price martinis you’ll find yourself chatting it up with just-made friends. With provocative drink names like “Swingers Swap,” “The Exhibitionist,” and “Sex in the Queen City” just make sure you’re placing your order with an actual bartender. 401 N. Tryon Street, Suite 102 704-333-1353
Thursday hangout Zen Asian Fusion Just because you’re not in college any more doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out on Thursday nights. Just get out early and channel some Zen. The fusion restaurant and bar off East Boulevard features happy hour between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. At 7 p.m., things get really cozy when the live music starts. Nicely lit, an intriguing arrangement of seating, and a great appetizer menu along with innovative drinks, this atmosphere will only make you wish it were Friday. Try the Sake-tini (sake, pineapple, and cranberry) or the Zengria (a mix of wine, sake, rum, champagne, and orange). And the crispy crab-and-cream-cheese spring rolls are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. 1716 Kenilworth Avenue 704-358-9688
First date Fig Tree Located inside an intimate old house, The Fig Tree is a fine place for first-date flirtation. Couples can cozy up before a crackling fireplace in the winter or dine al fresco in the summer on the popular front porch. The food is great, too, but the repurposed house is so comely and comfy, it feels more like a posh bed-and-breakfast than a restaurant—in fact, you’ll probably find yourself wishing you could spend the night. But remember, this is a first date. 1601 E. Seventh Street 704-332-3322
Bar to see pretty people Table Restaurant & Bar When Table opened last year, it became the nicest restaurant in Ballantyne. But it’s not just the 1940s-style décor or the eighteen-foot wine towers anchoring the bar that has made Table a hit. It’s because the chic eatery knows what people in Ballantyne want and gives it to them. At night, it’s all about the bar. During weekend parties the restaurant is transformed into a hip lounge as DJ Buddy starts to play. Beautiful ladies and gentlemen converse while enjoying selections from a trendy drink list (mojitos and nearly thirty different martinis). 14835 John J. Delaney Drive, Suite 150 704-369-5170
Place for bachelor/ette parties Grand Central On any given weekend at Grand Central, you’re bound to see a few ladies sporting the tell-tale combo of a long veil and something lewd (someone’s getting married!). And the boys gather often there, too, to bid a fond farewell to bachelorhood. Grand Central is big enough to accommodate numerous groups, it hires some of the hottest DJs in town, and the drink specials are always good. 101 N. Tryon Street 704-348-7032
After-party dining Penguin If you’re looking to grab a late-night bite at someplace a little hipper than Waffle House, Penguin’s the place to be. It’s a diner, it’s a bar, it’s an experience. The servers are tattooed and pierced and wear Elvis Costello glasses, and they serve up conversation starters like Tulepo sandwiches (as in the other Elvis’s fave—peanut butter and bananas) until the wee hours of the morn. 1921 Commonwealth Avenue 704-375-6959
After-dinner drinks Blue Blue’s beautiful bar is the place to be after supper, no matter where you’ve had it. It’s the best place to wind down in town, with lots of cozy corners, and, Wednesday through Saturday, the lulling sounds of live jazz. The décor is rich and warm, and the bar’s fully stocked. Sit back, relax, and digest your dinner. Hearst Tower, corner of College and Fifth streets 704-927-2583
Bar for wine tasting Dolce Vita This place is as much about the setting as it is the selection. Located in the heart of NoDa, Dolce changes its wine menu every couple of weeks. The wines by the glass are an opportunity for any wine lover to try excellent vinos at reasonable prices—Wednesday nights they’re half-price. The setting is relaxed and cool, and sometimes features live music. 3205 N. Davidson Street 704-334-1052
Pub Ri Ra Ri Ra is what we look for in a pub, a nostalgic joint filled with friendly faces. And no doubt this stems from the fact that two childhood friends who grew up in Dublin opened it back in 1997, filling the bar with Irish antiques and striving, the owners say, to make it the most welcoming joint in town. Add Ri Ra’s cool staff and its bustling entertainment calendar, and you have a neighborhood pub for the entire city. 208 N. Tryon Street 704-333-5554
Signature drink 300 East, The Matilda Wong The Matilda Wong is so potent, 300 East’s bartenders will serve you a maximum of two (um, pitchers—The Wong is served in a slightly smaller version of what most restaurants use to pour iced tea). The secret concoction is infamous in Dilworth. Spies, however, have noted copious amounts of gin as one key ingredient. But don’t let that scare you off—there’s also lots of freshly squeezed juice. The Wong’s strong, but it actually tastes great. 300 East Boulevard 704-332-6507
READERS’ CHOICE Bar/lounge Blue
Sports bar Picasso’s
Place to hear jazz Blue
Live music venue Visulite
Place for karaoke Yellow Rose
Girls’ night out Cosmos
Martini selection Therapy
Beer selection Flying Saucer
Ballot Bloopers Smoke free Stupid Alrighty then, Mister Two-Packs-A-Day.
Girl’s night out Dish It Out You are leaving the kids at home, right?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Best Hotel Rooms in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte A Room with a View
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
Ballantyne Resort Hotel
10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277 · 704-248-4000
User Rating: (Rate It)
My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
BALLANTYNE. Charlotte's Ballantyne section, developed in the mid to late '90s, has quickly become one of the most popular and ritzy areas of town. It boasts fantastic restaurants like Villa Antonio and Table as well as many bars and wine rooms. Some rooms at the resort overlook the on-site golf course and large fountain in front; others offer terrific panoramas of the distant Uptown skyline. Make sure to take a break at Ballantyne Spa on the main level of the resort.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Charlotte Marriott SouthPark
2200 Rexford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 · 704-364-8220
SOUTHPARK. The SouthPark area of Charlotte has gone through quite a transformation in the past 10 years. The mall is now a world-class shopping center with stores ranging from Burberry to Tiffany & Co. to Louis Vuitton. The walk from the hotel to the mall is short and scenic, but the views aren't focused much on the landscape. Instead, the Marriott puts you in the heart of the Queen City's primo people-watching zone, frequented by members of Myers Park's "upper crust."
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Duke Mansion
400 Hermitage Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207 · 704-714-4400
MYERS PARK. This inn has a special feel to it. Standing in the grand hall on beautiful marble floors, you'll find that the garden views through large French doors are simply spectacular. Take a stroll outside the grounds, and you'll discover that Duke Mansion is close to some of the oldest, largest, and most beautiful homes in Charlotte.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 J.M. Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262 · 704-547-7444
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UNIVERSITY AREA. Many popular attractions draw folks to the north side of Charlotte, and the Hilton Charlotte University Place is one of the best lodging options for seeing them all. With easy access to Concord Mills and the new Northlake Mall, this hotel is a perfect home base for active shoppers. UNC-Charlotte provides great campus views and is only a stone's throw from the hotel.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Holiday Inn Charlotte Center City
230 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-335-5400
User Rating: (Rate It!)
My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
UPTOWN. Located in the heart of the Uptown entertainment district, this hotel boasts
fantastic views of the gleaming, dynamic Charlotte skyline, no matter which side of the building you're on. Guests also have quick, convenient access to Uptown restaurants and nightlife, as well as to popular attractions like Discovery Place and Bobcats Arena, both of which are only a few blocks from the hotel. Another good "room with a view": the hotel's rooftop pool.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Morehead Inn
1122 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204 · 704-376-3357
User Rating: (Rate It!)
DILWORTH. This bed and breakfast in the historic Dilworth district plays host to a number of weddings, parties, and society events each season. Its gardens and shade trees are an especially impressive sight. The inn is positioned in the midst of one of Charlotte's earliest neighborhoods, and a walk down its scenic streets reveals beautifully restored bungalows and two-story Colonial Revival homes.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Omni Charlotte Hotel
132 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-377-0400
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UPTOWN. Offering quick access to the convention center and the financial district, this upscale property is perfect for fast-paced, image-conscious business travelers. After a long day on the go, relax and enjoy panoramic views of Trade Street from the 15th floor Mecklenburg Suite, a perfect place to entertain guests, thanks to a marble buffet, wet bar, and dining table.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
The Dunhill
237 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-332-4141
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UPTOWN. The Penthouse Suite at the esteemed Dunhill offers the best view of the lofty Bank of America Tower of any hotel in the city. A favorite for special occasions, the beautiful suite includes a glass-enclosed jacuzzi tub, Oriental rugs, and fresh flowers. The original marble floors and dual balconies create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
VanLandingham Estate
2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205 · 704-334-8909
User Rating: (Rate It!)
PLAZA MIDWOOD. This magnificent estate maintains some of the most beautiful gardens in Charlotte. Loaded with dogwoods, tulips, azaleas, and rhododendrons, the gardens are best viewed in the spring, when all the specimens are in full bloom. Waterfalls, stone statues, and a tree swing accent the foliage. It's no surprise that these lovely grounds are frequently used for wedding portraits, social gatherings, and romantic getaways.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Westin Charlotte
601 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-375-2600
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UPTOWN. Easily offering the best views of the Charlotte skyline, this full-service hotel grants all the amenities a pampered traveler would expect. From your room, you can look out and see Bank of America Stadium, the Bank of America Tower, and the Hearst Tower. The walk to Historic South End is short and well worth it, rewarding takers with great local restaurants and bars.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
You know the spot. The hotel that offers great views of the city skyline or lovely vistas of the countryside. Or maybe you don't. Either way, you will now. We'll share the numbers of guest rooms where you can take in the most amazing panoramas. We'll tell you about the nightclub with a fabulous scenic terrace, and we'll let you in on the hotel restaurant that boasts its own manicured garden courtyard. Hotel stays aren't just about the bed or the toiletries, after all.
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
Ballantyne Resort Hotel
10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277 · 704-248-4000
User Rating: (Rate It)
My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
BALLANTYNE. Charlotte's Ballantyne section, developed in the mid to late '90s, has quickly become one of the most popular and ritzy areas of town. It boasts fantastic restaurants like Villa Antonio and Table as well as many bars and wine rooms. Some rooms at the resort overlook the on-site golf course and large fountain in front; others offer terrific panoramas of the distant Uptown skyline. Make sure to take a break at Ballantyne Spa on the main level of the resort.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Charlotte Marriott SouthPark
2200 Rexford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 · 704-364-8220
SOUTHPARK. The SouthPark area of Charlotte has gone through quite a transformation in the past 10 years. The mall is now a world-class shopping center with stores ranging from Burberry to Tiffany & Co. to Louis Vuitton. The walk from the hotel to the mall is short and scenic, but the views aren't focused much on the landscape. Instead, the Marriott puts you in the heart of the Queen City's primo people-watching zone, frequented by members of Myers Park's "upper crust."
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Duke Mansion
400 Hermitage Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207 · 704-714-4400
MYERS PARK. This inn has a special feel to it. Standing in the grand hall on beautiful marble floors, you'll find that the garden views through large French doors are simply spectacular. Take a stroll outside the grounds, and you'll discover that Duke Mansion is close to some of the oldest, largest, and most beautiful homes in Charlotte.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 J.M. Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262 · 704-547-7444
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UNIVERSITY AREA. Many popular attractions draw folks to the north side of Charlotte, and the Hilton Charlotte University Place is one of the best lodging options for seeing them all. With easy access to Concord Mills and the new Northlake Mall, this hotel is a perfect home base for active shoppers. UNC-Charlotte provides great campus views and is only a stone's throw from the hotel.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Holiday Inn Charlotte Center City
230 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-335-5400
User Rating: (Rate It!)
My Lists: (Add to My Lists)
UPTOWN. Located in the heart of the Uptown entertainment district, this hotel boasts
fantastic views of the gleaming, dynamic Charlotte skyline, no matter which side of the building you're on. Guests also have quick, convenient access to Uptown restaurants and nightlife, as well as to popular attractions like Discovery Place and Bobcats Arena, both of which are only a few blocks from the hotel. Another good "room with a view": the hotel's rooftop pool.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Morehead Inn
1122 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204 · 704-376-3357
User Rating: (Rate It!)
DILWORTH. This bed and breakfast in the historic Dilworth district plays host to a number of weddings, parties, and society events each season. Its gardens and shade trees are an especially impressive sight. The inn is positioned in the midst of one of Charlotte's earliest neighborhoods, and a walk down its scenic streets reveals beautifully restored bungalows and two-story Colonial Revival homes.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Omni Charlotte Hotel
132 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-377-0400
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UPTOWN. Offering quick access to the convention center and the financial district, this upscale property is perfect for fast-paced, image-conscious business travelers. After a long day on the go, relax and enjoy panoramic views of Trade Street from the 15th floor Mecklenburg Suite, a perfect place to entertain guests, thanks to a marble buffet, wet bar, and dining table.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
The Dunhill
237 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-332-4141
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UPTOWN. The Penthouse Suite at the esteemed Dunhill offers the best view of the lofty Bank of America Tower of any hotel in the city. A favorite for special occasions, the beautiful suite includes a glass-enclosed jacuzzi tub, Oriental rugs, and fresh flowers. The original marble floors and dual balconies create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
VanLandingham Estate
2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205 · 704-334-8909
User Rating: (Rate It!)
PLAZA MIDWOOD. This magnificent estate maintains some of the most beautiful gardens in Charlotte. Loaded with dogwoods, tulips, azaleas, and rhododendrons, the gardens are best viewed in the spring, when all the specimens are in full bloom. Waterfalls, stone statues, and a tree swing accent the foliage. It's no surprise that these lovely grounds are frequently used for wedding portraits, social gatherings, and romantic getaways.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
Westin Charlotte
601 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · 704-375-2600
User Rating: (Rate It!)
UPTOWN. Easily offering the best views of the Charlotte skyline, this full-service hotel grants all the amenities a pampered traveler would expect. From your room, you can look out and see Bank of America Stadium, the Bank of America Tower, and the Hearst Tower. The walk to Historic South End is short and well worth it, rewarding takers with great local restaurants and bars.
More Details
Map It
What's Nearby?
User Reviews
You know the spot. The hotel that offers great views of the city skyline or lovely vistas of the countryside. Or maybe you don't. Either way, you will now. We'll share the numbers of guest rooms where you can take in the most amazing panoramas. We'll tell you about the nightclub with a fabulous scenic terrace, and we'll let you in on the hotel restaurant that boasts its own manicured garden courtyard. Hotel stays aren't just about the bed or the toiletries, after all.
Top 10 Best Ethnic Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
Where to Eat Ethnic
Charlotte's 10 best ethnic restaurants
BY TRICIA CHILDRESS
Published 09.12.07 Creative Loafing
Ethnic eateries are often the unsung heroes in a city's culinary chorus. Some are cheap, fast and good; others are predictably wonderful, while a third category takes an ethnic cuisine to a modern level. The last category is not cheap, but then you do get what you pay for. Quality costs and imported premium food items may be especially costly.
Charlotte has hundreds of ethnic restaurants. Selecting 10 was a daunting task, but the following group represents the ends of the spectrum: from innovative and expensive, to well-crafted perfunctory and cheap.
Chris Radok
Ilios Noche1. Ilios Noches: One ethnic restaurant taking its cuisine to a higher level is Ilios Noches, a creative, well-executed take on upscale Greek cuisine. Greek restaurateurs have played an important part of Charlotte's ethnic restaurant history. But rather than opening Greek restaurants, most of these entrepreneurs who arrived in the 1950s and 1960s opened Italian restaurants, meat-and-threes, fish camps and even barbecue outposts. One of the chef/owners of Ilios is Angelo Kaltsounis, whose father Tommy owns the Landmark Diner on Central Avenue. Co-owner and chef Stratos Lambos also grew up in his father's Greek restaurant in New York, while pastry chef and partner Frank Kaltsounis (Angelo's brother) is one of the most talented pastry chefs in the Southeast -- much less at an ethnic restaurant. Lunch at Ilios Noche includes a marvelous mix of spreads including the smoked eggplant with walnuts and a tzatziki made with Greek yogurt; marinated white anchovies; homemade sausage; a superlative grilled chicken sandwich with roasted red pepper and feta; roasted lamb pie; and their meli mangio pizza with thin slices of tart granny smith apples and flecks of goat cheese. Then there's dinner ...
Ilios Noche, 11508 Providence Road, 704-814-9882. Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., Saturday brunch 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., full menu 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Catalina Kulczar
Copper, Modern Cuisine of India2. Copper, Modern Cuisine of India: Two years ago Copper, Modern Cuisine of India breathed life into the historic Mays house in Dilworth that had seen many a restaurant come and go. Owner Pannu Singh, a native of the Punjab, opened his second restaurant after finding unqualified success in Roanoke, in a section of Charlotte close to banking centers and hospitals -- in other words where many well-heeled Indian expatriates work and live. With this base of expats available, Singh gambled that exploring Indian cuisine -- dishes beyond chicken tikka -- would work. And he was right. Although some still complain that Copper is "expensive," quality ingredients cost. The menu is divided into three categories: "Traditional," "Modern," and "For the Gourmands." The traditional section offers the better-known Indian dishes: tandoori, vindaloo, and tikka. But dishes carry just the right note: Curries are savory, not sweet. The items in the gourmand section are delicate and subtle, yet aromatic. Portions sizes are not huge -- there's plenty of plate showing. The focus is on taste and presentation, two aspects often lacking in tikka emporiums. Copper offers a well-chosen wine list and wines are served in Reidel glasses. Indian beers such as Flying Horse are also popular here. Copper may not be for everyone, especially those who assume ethnic food is cheap. But the quality here shines on the plate.
Copper, Modern Cuisine of India, 311 East Blvd., 704-333-0063. Hours: Lunch Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner Monday through Thursdays 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
3. Waldhorn Restaurant: Gitta Maier is another second-generation restaurateur, growing up in her parents' restaurant in Germany. There she decided to continue the family enterprise by going to culinary school, but emigrated to the United States to open the Waldhorn Restaurant (named for her parents' restaurant in Germany) in Pineville with her husband and chef Thomas Maier, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and a second generation German American. Waldhorn is one of those happy dining experiences you want to repeat. If you like beer and food, you won't find a better combo than here. In addition to items that have umlauts, there's pasta pillows with meat and spinach and a selection of gilled sausages. But the best deal is Sunday brunch with dozens of items including homemade breads, omelettes, sauerbraten and spätzle, pork roast and red cabbage, house-made desserts and cheese grits -- we are in the South, after all. Brunch is $16 per person. The tent is up for Oktoberfest activities on the weekends Sept. 28 and 29, Oct. 5 and 6, and Oct. 12 and 13.
Waldhorn Restaurant, 12101 Lancaster Highway, 704-540-7047 Hours: Lunch Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner: Tuesday through Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mondays.
4. Cuisine Malaya: A while back, Cuisine Malaya added sushi and Japanese offerings to their list, but my favorite dish is still the Roti Canai appetizer: a hand-stretched, paper-thin, grilled bread dough served with a bowl of coconut milk curry and filled with chunks of potato and thin strips of chicken. Malaysian dishes are a melt-in-the-pot blend of Asian cuisines: southern Indian, Cantonese Chinese, Thai, and Malaysian with a dash of Arabia and Portugal. Cuisine Malaya's main dining room is a nod to tropical Asia highlighted by fans and palms. The owners have set the back space for mainly Japanese offerings. But the Malaysian dishes with married flavors and bold sauces are still what distinguishes this restaurant.
Cuisine Malaya, Malaysian Cuisine & Japanese Sushi Bar, 1411 Elizabeth Ave., 704-372-0766. Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; on weekends 11 a.m.-11 p.m. www.cuisine-malaya.com
Catalina Kulczar
Thai Thai Takeout5. Thai Thai Takeout: Thai restaurants have a long history in North Carolina. During the Vietnam War, a few Thai restaurants opened near the military air bases on the eastern side of the state, most notably Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. In part, the original restaurants were operated by Thai wives or Thai relatives of American military personnel. Soon this sensational Asian cuisine swept the state. In Thai, the word for rice and food is synonymous: rice is at the heart of this cuisine. But the minor players -- basil, kiffir lime leaves, ginger, chilies, coconut milk, cilantro and lemon grass -- are the food-lovers faves. Thai dishes rely on the eye and palate of the cook rather than a step-by-step recipe. Many Charlotteans have come to rely on Thai Thai Takeout's Chef and owner Tony Kwok's first-rate palate. He's been creating Thai dishes in Charlotte for 15 years. This latest venture with his wife Phim offers a stellar ka nom jeb appetizer (minced shrimp and chicken dumplings), which may be prepared steamed or fried; however, the steamed version is extraordinarily fresh tasting. The Pad Thai, everyone's bellwether and Thailand's most popular noodle dish, is wonderfully aromatic. Another favorite is the Gaeng Panang curry with diver-sized scallops in a spicy coconut cream sauce made with basil leaves and lemon grass.
Thai Thai Takeout, 1412-C East Blvd., Dilworth Garden Shopping Center beside Outback Steakhouse, 704-347-8886. Lunch hours: Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner hours: Monday through Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Take out only.
Chris Radok
Austin's Carribbean Cuisine6. Austin's Caribbean Cuisine: Another inspired takeout ethnic eatery is Austin's Caribbean Cuisine located in a small strip shopping center cattycorner from the new Target and Home Depot Design Center in Midtown. Owner and cooks Austin and Yvonne Martin opened Austin's in 1996 and have been making sensational Jamaican food ever since. The menu changes daily, and some items -- like coco bread -- run out frequently, but the best advice here is to go early and often. Goat and chicken pieces, rendered into bite-sized portions with a cleaver chop, are placed, bones and all, in luxuriously flavorful sauces. The Jerk Chicken is a remarkable blend of heat, herbs, and spices which balance the tender sweetness of the meat. Mellower is the brown stew chicken enhanced with its balanced rich gravy. Yvonne Martin makes Ital stew, a coconut cream based vegetarian dish prepared by Rastafarian code by request or for catering. On holidays, such as Easter, Martin bakes special dishes, such as Jamaican Spice Buns. Special request for more Jamaican dishes can me made through their catering arm.
Austin's Caribbean Cuisine, 345 South Kings Drive, 704-331-8778. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Catalina Kulczar
Chaat 'n' Chai7. Chaat 'n' Chai: Nothing is more deliciously illicit than snacking between meals. And nowhere will you have more fun doing this than at Chaat 'n' Chai, which opened up in the University area earlier this year. This is fast, on-the-go -- and cheap -- sweet and savory Indian street food. Try a mango lassi (like a smoothie, only infinitely better) for a quick afternoon pick-me-up or their Paani Puri: golf-ball-sized fried puri orbs loaded with cubed potatoes, onions and a tamarind sauce. Almost as good is the Bhel Puri, a kind of Indian layered dish with crispy puris, puffed rice, sev -- a crispy noodle, cubed potatoes, tomatoes, and onions drizzled with mint and tamarind chutney. Also on the menu are entrée items such as lamb vindaloo and chicken korma, but co-owners (and engineers) Santoh and Ranjitha Pasula, and Radha K. and Bhavana Swayampakala, excel in their irresistible Chaat and bakery items like the Veggi Burger and veggi puff. Halal meat is available here as well.
Chaat 'n' Chai, 9609 North Tryon St., 704-503-4748. Hours: Lunch Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11:30 p.m.-3 p.m.; Dinner Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Closed Monday. www.chaat-n-chai.com
Catalina Kulczar
Lempira Restaurant8. Lempira Restaurant: At the other end of the spectrum is Lempira Restaurant, one of those unexpected spots Charlotte seems to grow with regular certainty. Lempira is situated in a transformed Japanese restaurant on South Boulevard where the servers speak Spanish and most of the patrons are Spanish-speakers. According to owner Gilmer Alfaro, Lempira is the only Honduran restaurant in town. Lempira was a William Wallace-styled warrior of the Lenca (indigenous people) during the Spanish invasions of the 1500s, and a drawing of this man appears on the menu's front cover. In addition to the better-known Mexican dishes they offer, flip to the back to the platos típicos hondureño section. My favorites are the enchiladas: two crispy flat corn tortillas are slathered with black bean puree, then layered with spicy ground beef, shredded cabbage, carrots, half a hard-boiled egg, drizzled with Mexican sour cream and a tomato sauce and the baleades, the Honduran national dish, and street food. This is a folded flour tortilla with beans, cheese, cream, and sausage. Most dinners are under $8. At the price, who cares if the service is slow, albeit well-intentioned.
Lempira Restaurant, 5906 South Blvd., 704-552-1515. Hours 8 a.m.-midnight daily. Breakfast menu available.
9. Fu Lin Asian Cuisine: There's something about eating another culture's ethnic food. At least that's how I felt when I first discovered Fu Lin Asian Cuisine. Just when you think you've got all the Chinese cuisine covered, up pops this hybrid. Fu Lin offers Indochinese cuisine -- an amalgam created by the migrating Hakka people when they set up shop in India. This cuisine is an interesting mix of Chinese and Indian. Included in their "Specialties from India" are Manchurian Beef, Ginger Chicken and Szechuan Shrimp. Entrees arrive in aluminum wok-shaped serving bowls and are passed around the table. Jars of chopped Thai peppers in vinegar dot the tables -- and are frequently used. Appetizers include steamed chicken dumplings and fried chicken wings with ginger and turmeric, crispy vegetable pakoras and beef skewers tasting of curry. Although pork is popular in Chinese cuisine, the owners decided not to have this meat on the menu since it is forbidden in Islam. Rather, Fu Lin offers halal meats. But, there are a limited number of wines and beers, including Indian beers, on hand (Alcohol is forbidden in Islam). The service staff is welcoming of children and Indochinese novices.
Fu Lin Asian Cuisine, 5301 East Independence Blvd., 704-568-8877. Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday noon-10:30 p.m., and Sunday noon-10 p.m. Closed Monday. www.fulinasiancuisine.com.
10. Ben Thành: For almost 20 years, the Duong family has delighted Charlotteans with herbaceous Vietnamese food. Traditional Vietnamese dishes are lighter and crisper than Chinese dishes and are not as fiery as Thai. Clean herbaceous flavors are the hallmarks of Vietnamese cuisine. Their latest endeavor, Ben Thành, (this family was the original owner of Lang Van), is named for the large open market in Ho Chi Minh City (in Vietnam) and filled with fresh foods. The interior of this restaurant may be sparse, but the food is perfection. The Pho, Vietnam's national dish, is a quart-sized bowl loaded with rice noodles, thin slices of beef and vegetables lazing in a flavorful broth. Banh Xeo Chay is the Vietnamese equivalent of the Indian dosai -- a large, thin, yellow, rice-flour crepe folded over slices of pork, bean sprouts and shrimp. Wrap this in a lettuce leaf, gussied up with a sprig of basil and mint and then dunk it into a savory sauce. The best dish here, though, is the hot and crispy quail appetizer gloriously spritzed with a cooling lemon and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper.
Ben Thành Vietnamese Restaurant, 4900 Central Ave., 704-566-1088. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Wednesday.
Click here for more Food Issue
Charlotte's 10 best ethnic restaurants
BY TRICIA CHILDRESS
Published 09.12.07 Creative Loafing
Ethnic eateries are often the unsung heroes in a city's culinary chorus. Some are cheap, fast and good; others are predictably wonderful, while a third category takes an ethnic cuisine to a modern level. The last category is not cheap, but then you do get what you pay for. Quality costs and imported premium food items may be especially costly.
Charlotte has hundreds of ethnic restaurants. Selecting 10 was a daunting task, but the following group represents the ends of the spectrum: from innovative and expensive, to well-crafted perfunctory and cheap.
Chris Radok
Ilios Noche1. Ilios Noches: One ethnic restaurant taking its cuisine to a higher level is Ilios Noches, a creative, well-executed take on upscale Greek cuisine. Greek restaurateurs have played an important part of Charlotte's ethnic restaurant history. But rather than opening Greek restaurants, most of these entrepreneurs who arrived in the 1950s and 1960s opened Italian restaurants, meat-and-threes, fish camps and even barbecue outposts. One of the chef/owners of Ilios is Angelo Kaltsounis, whose father Tommy owns the Landmark Diner on Central Avenue. Co-owner and chef Stratos Lambos also grew up in his father's Greek restaurant in New York, while pastry chef and partner Frank Kaltsounis (Angelo's brother) is one of the most talented pastry chefs in the Southeast -- much less at an ethnic restaurant. Lunch at Ilios Noche includes a marvelous mix of spreads including the smoked eggplant with walnuts and a tzatziki made with Greek yogurt; marinated white anchovies; homemade sausage; a superlative grilled chicken sandwich with roasted red pepper and feta; roasted lamb pie; and their meli mangio pizza with thin slices of tart granny smith apples and flecks of goat cheese. Then there's dinner ...
Ilios Noche, 11508 Providence Road, 704-814-9882. Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., Saturday brunch 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., full menu 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Catalina Kulczar
Copper, Modern Cuisine of India2. Copper, Modern Cuisine of India: Two years ago Copper, Modern Cuisine of India breathed life into the historic Mays house in Dilworth that had seen many a restaurant come and go. Owner Pannu Singh, a native of the Punjab, opened his second restaurant after finding unqualified success in Roanoke, in a section of Charlotte close to banking centers and hospitals -- in other words where many well-heeled Indian expatriates work and live. With this base of expats available, Singh gambled that exploring Indian cuisine -- dishes beyond chicken tikka -- would work. And he was right. Although some still complain that Copper is "expensive," quality ingredients cost. The menu is divided into three categories: "Traditional," "Modern," and "For the Gourmands." The traditional section offers the better-known Indian dishes: tandoori, vindaloo, and tikka. But dishes carry just the right note: Curries are savory, not sweet. The items in the gourmand section are delicate and subtle, yet aromatic. Portions sizes are not huge -- there's plenty of plate showing. The focus is on taste and presentation, two aspects often lacking in tikka emporiums. Copper offers a well-chosen wine list and wines are served in Reidel glasses. Indian beers such as Flying Horse are also popular here. Copper may not be for everyone, especially those who assume ethnic food is cheap. But the quality here shines on the plate.
Copper, Modern Cuisine of India, 311 East Blvd., 704-333-0063. Hours: Lunch Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner Monday through Thursdays 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
3. Waldhorn Restaurant: Gitta Maier is another second-generation restaurateur, growing up in her parents' restaurant in Germany. There she decided to continue the family enterprise by going to culinary school, but emigrated to the United States to open the Waldhorn Restaurant (named for her parents' restaurant in Germany) in Pineville with her husband and chef Thomas Maier, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and a second generation German American. Waldhorn is one of those happy dining experiences you want to repeat. If you like beer and food, you won't find a better combo than here. In addition to items that have umlauts, there's pasta pillows with meat and spinach and a selection of gilled sausages. But the best deal is Sunday brunch with dozens of items including homemade breads, omelettes, sauerbraten and spätzle, pork roast and red cabbage, house-made desserts and cheese grits -- we are in the South, after all. Brunch is $16 per person. The tent is up for Oktoberfest activities on the weekends Sept. 28 and 29, Oct. 5 and 6, and Oct. 12 and 13.
Waldhorn Restaurant, 12101 Lancaster Highway, 704-540-7047 Hours: Lunch Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner: Tuesday through Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mondays.
4. Cuisine Malaya: A while back, Cuisine Malaya added sushi and Japanese offerings to their list, but my favorite dish is still the Roti Canai appetizer: a hand-stretched, paper-thin, grilled bread dough served with a bowl of coconut milk curry and filled with chunks of potato and thin strips of chicken. Malaysian dishes are a melt-in-the-pot blend of Asian cuisines: southern Indian, Cantonese Chinese, Thai, and Malaysian with a dash of Arabia and Portugal. Cuisine Malaya's main dining room is a nod to tropical Asia highlighted by fans and palms. The owners have set the back space for mainly Japanese offerings. But the Malaysian dishes with married flavors and bold sauces are still what distinguishes this restaurant.
Cuisine Malaya, Malaysian Cuisine & Japanese Sushi Bar, 1411 Elizabeth Ave., 704-372-0766. Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; on weekends 11 a.m.-11 p.m. www.cuisine-malaya.com
Catalina Kulczar
Thai Thai Takeout5. Thai Thai Takeout: Thai restaurants have a long history in North Carolina. During the Vietnam War, a few Thai restaurants opened near the military air bases on the eastern side of the state, most notably Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. In part, the original restaurants were operated by Thai wives or Thai relatives of American military personnel. Soon this sensational Asian cuisine swept the state. In Thai, the word for rice and food is synonymous: rice is at the heart of this cuisine. But the minor players -- basil, kiffir lime leaves, ginger, chilies, coconut milk, cilantro and lemon grass -- are the food-lovers faves. Thai dishes rely on the eye and palate of the cook rather than a step-by-step recipe. Many Charlotteans have come to rely on Thai Thai Takeout's Chef and owner Tony Kwok's first-rate palate. He's been creating Thai dishes in Charlotte for 15 years. This latest venture with his wife Phim offers a stellar ka nom jeb appetizer (minced shrimp and chicken dumplings), which may be prepared steamed or fried; however, the steamed version is extraordinarily fresh tasting. The Pad Thai, everyone's bellwether and Thailand's most popular noodle dish, is wonderfully aromatic. Another favorite is the Gaeng Panang curry with diver-sized scallops in a spicy coconut cream sauce made with basil leaves and lemon grass.
Thai Thai Takeout, 1412-C East Blvd., Dilworth Garden Shopping Center beside Outback Steakhouse, 704-347-8886. Lunch hours: Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner hours: Monday through Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Take out only.
Chris Radok
Austin's Carribbean Cuisine6. Austin's Caribbean Cuisine: Another inspired takeout ethnic eatery is Austin's Caribbean Cuisine located in a small strip shopping center cattycorner from the new Target and Home Depot Design Center in Midtown. Owner and cooks Austin and Yvonne Martin opened Austin's in 1996 and have been making sensational Jamaican food ever since. The menu changes daily, and some items -- like coco bread -- run out frequently, but the best advice here is to go early and often. Goat and chicken pieces, rendered into bite-sized portions with a cleaver chop, are placed, bones and all, in luxuriously flavorful sauces. The Jerk Chicken is a remarkable blend of heat, herbs, and spices which balance the tender sweetness of the meat. Mellower is the brown stew chicken enhanced with its balanced rich gravy. Yvonne Martin makes Ital stew, a coconut cream based vegetarian dish prepared by Rastafarian code by request or for catering. On holidays, such as Easter, Martin bakes special dishes, such as Jamaican Spice Buns. Special request for more Jamaican dishes can me made through their catering arm.
Austin's Caribbean Cuisine, 345 South Kings Drive, 704-331-8778. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Catalina Kulczar
Chaat 'n' Chai7. Chaat 'n' Chai: Nothing is more deliciously illicit than snacking between meals. And nowhere will you have more fun doing this than at Chaat 'n' Chai, which opened up in the University area earlier this year. This is fast, on-the-go -- and cheap -- sweet and savory Indian street food. Try a mango lassi (like a smoothie, only infinitely better) for a quick afternoon pick-me-up or their Paani Puri: golf-ball-sized fried puri orbs loaded with cubed potatoes, onions and a tamarind sauce. Almost as good is the Bhel Puri, a kind of Indian layered dish with crispy puris, puffed rice, sev -- a crispy noodle, cubed potatoes, tomatoes, and onions drizzled with mint and tamarind chutney. Also on the menu are entrée items such as lamb vindaloo and chicken korma, but co-owners (and engineers) Santoh and Ranjitha Pasula, and Radha K. and Bhavana Swayampakala, excel in their irresistible Chaat and bakery items like the Veggi Burger and veggi puff. Halal meat is available here as well.
Chaat 'n' Chai, 9609 North Tryon St., 704-503-4748. Hours: Lunch Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11:30 p.m.-3 p.m.; Dinner Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Closed Monday. www.chaat-n-chai.com
Catalina Kulczar
Lempira Restaurant8. Lempira Restaurant: At the other end of the spectrum is Lempira Restaurant, one of those unexpected spots Charlotte seems to grow with regular certainty. Lempira is situated in a transformed Japanese restaurant on South Boulevard where the servers speak Spanish and most of the patrons are Spanish-speakers. According to owner Gilmer Alfaro, Lempira is the only Honduran restaurant in town. Lempira was a William Wallace-styled warrior of the Lenca (indigenous people) during the Spanish invasions of the 1500s, and a drawing of this man appears on the menu's front cover. In addition to the better-known Mexican dishes they offer, flip to the back to the platos típicos hondureño section. My favorites are the enchiladas: two crispy flat corn tortillas are slathered with black bean puree, then layered with spicy ground beef, shredded cabbage, carrots, half a hard-boiled egg, drizzled with Mexican sour cream and a tomato sauce and the baleades, the Honduran national dish, and street food. This is a folded flour tortilla with beans, cheese, cream, and sausage. Most dinners are under $8. At the price, who cares if the service is slow, albeit well-intentioned.
Lempira Restaurant, 5906 South Blvd., 704-552-1515. Hours 8 a.m.-midnight daily. Breakfast menu available.
9. Fu Lin Asian Cuisine: There's something about eating another culture's ethnic food. At least that's how I felt when I first discovered Fu Lin Asian Cuisine. Just when you think you've got all the Chinese cuisine covered, up pops this hybrid. Fu Lin offers Indochinese cuisine -- an amalgam created by the migrating Hakka people when they set up shop in India. This cuisine is an interesting mix of Chinese and Indian. Included in their "Specialties from India" are Manchurian Beef, Ginger Chicken and Szechuan Shrimp. Entrees arrive in aluminum wok-shaped serving bowls and are passed around the table. Jars of chopped Thai peppers in vinegar dot the tables -- and are frequently used. Appetizers include steamed chicken dumplings and fried chicken wings with ginger and turmeric, crispy vegetable pakoras and beef skewers tasting of curry. Although pork is popular in Chinese cuisine, the owners decided not to have this meat on the menu since it is forbidden in Islam. Rather, Fu Lin offers halal meats. But, there are a limited number of wines and beers, including Indian beers, on hand (Alcohol is forbidden in Islam). The service staff is welcoming of children and Indochinese novices.
Fu Lin Asian Cuisine, 5301 East Independence Blvd., 704-568-8877. Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday noon-10:30 p.m., and Sunday noon-10 p.m. Closed Monday. www.fulinasiancuisine.com.
10. Ben Thành: For almost 20 years, the Duong family has delighted Charlotteans with herbaceous Vietnamese food. Traditional Vietnamese dishes are lighter and crisper than Chinese dishes and are not as fiery as Thai. Clean herbaceous flavors are the hallmarks of Vietnamese cuisine. Their latest endeavor, Ben Thành, (this family was the original owner of Lang Van), is named for the large open market in Ho Chi Minh City (in Vietnam) and filled with fresh foods. The interior of this restaurant may be sparse, but the food is perfection. The Pho, Vietnam's national dish, is a quart-sized bowl loaded with rice noodles, thin slices of beef and vegetables lazing in a flavorful broth. Banh Xeo Chay is the Vietnamese equivalent of the Indian dosai -- a large, thin, yellow, rice-flour crepe folded over slices of pork, bean sprouts and shrimp. Wrap this in a lettuce leaf, gussied up with a sprig of basil and mint and then dunk it into a savory sauce. The best dish here, though, is the hot and crispy quail appetizer gloriously spritzed with a cooling lemon and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper.
Ben Thành Vietnamese Restaurant, 4900 Central Ave., 704-566-1088. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Wednesday.
Click here for more Food Issue
Visiting Charlotte
Visiting Charlotte
Charlotte, NC is a leading North Carolina tourist destination. The region also enjoys a national reputation as a great place to live and conduct business. Travelers are pleased to discover our quality entertainment and variety of leisure activities.
Check the Events Calendar (Located in the upper right corner of the page under Tools) to view daily/weekly/monthly upcoming events in various Charlotte venues.
Recreation/Leisure- Ray's Splash Planet- Recreational Facilities - Area Parks
Transportation- Charlotte/Douglas International Airport - Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)- Taxicabs, Limousines, Other For-Hire Vehicles
Driving Directions- Map and Go
Construction/Traffic- Road Closures - Current Construction Projects - Redevelopment Projects
More Visitor Info- Restaurant ratings- Greenways- Charlotte's International Connection
Related Sites
Visit Charlotte- Chamber of Commerce- Discovery Place - Mint Museum of Art - Performing Arts Center- Charlotte Trolley- Arts & Science Council- Historic Landmarks - Museum of the New South- Center City Partners- Convention & Visitors Bureau
Charlotte, NC is a leading North Carolina tourist destination. The region also enjoys a national reputation as a great place to live and conduct business. Travelers are pleased to discover our quality entertainment and variety of leisure activities.
Check the Events Calendar (Located in the upper right corner of the page under Tools) to view daily/weekly/monthly upcoming events in various Charlotte venues.
Recreation/Leisure- Ray's Splash Planet- Recreational Facilities - Area Parks
Transportation- Charlotte/Douglas International Airport - Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)- Taxicabs, Limousines, Other For-Hire Vehicles
Driving Directions- Map and Go
Construction/Traffic- Road Closures - Current Construction Projects - Redevelopment Projects
More Visitor Info- Restaurant ratings- Greenways- Charlotte's International Connection
Related Sites
Visit Charlotte- Chamber of Commerce- Discovery Place - Mint Museum of Art - Performing Arts Center- Charlotte Trolley- Arts & Science Council- Historic Landmarks - Museum of the New South- Center City Partners- Convention & Visitors Bureau
Charlotte City Links
Here are some City Links that might prove useful for the newcomer.
Animal Control / PoliceAirport / Transit System (CATS)City Manager/ Budget / ClerkConstruction Projects / Land UseCustomer Service 311 / CMailEconomic Development / Jobs Finance / Fire / Emergency MgtGarbage / Recycling / Bulky ItemsNeighborhoods / Community RelationsPlanning / Housing / RezoningRoads & Streets / SidewalksWater & Sewer / Storm Water Air Quality / Recycling Building Permits / Inspections County Manager / Finance / Jobs Courts / Sheriff / Jail Elections & Voting Environment / Water & Land
Health / Mental Health / MEDIC Library / Park & Recreation Public Schools / CPCC
Social Services / Senior Citizens Tax Assessment / Collection Veterans / Women's Resources
Animal Control / PoliceAirport / Transit System (CATS)City Manager/ Budget / ClerkConstruction Projects / Land UseCustomer Service 311 / CMailEconomic Development / Jobs Finance / Fire / Emergency MgtGarbage / Recycling / Bulky ItemsNeighborhoods / Community RelationsPlanning / Housing / RezoningRoads & Streets / SidewalksWater & Sewer / Storm Water Air Quality / Recycling Building Permits / Inspections County Manager / Finance / Jobs Courts / Sheriff / Jail Elections & Voting Environment / Water & Land
Health / Mental Health / MEDIC Library / Park & Recreation Public Schools / CPCC
Social Services / Senior Citizens Tax Assessment / Collection Veterans / Women's Resources
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
