Loved DTR SouthPark. The drinks are fantastic and the service was attentive, fun and never…read moreoverbearing. We ordered a lot and there wasn't a miss. The seafood tower was fresh, beautifully presented and a great start. The house milk bread was phenomenal. Warm, soft, slightly sweet and one of those things you keep reaching for. I typically don't love truffle fries because the "truffle flavoring" can be overpowering. These were crispy, salty and subtle, with just the right amount of truffle. We also had the charcuterie board and the Cheshire pork belly, which was rich, tender and perfectly caramelized. I split the Prime Angus burger with my sister-in-law and it was cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful and exactly what a great burger should be. Great atmosphere and definitely feels like a night out. It is LOUD and parking can be difficult, but neither would keep me from going back.

Really liked Dilworth Tasting Room--easy 4/5 for me…read more The vibe is super cute and relaxed but still feels a little elevated. Service was amazing--so friendly and attentive, which honestly made the whole experience. Food was a little mixed. I didn't love the roasted carrots, but the bread and salad were SO good--definitely highlights. And the Prosecco was perfect. Overall, great spot with a fun atmosphere and amazing service. I'd definitely go back!

Consistently the best. We love everything on the menu…read more Always with the specials, the artichoke appetizer , the for ever martini with stuffed olives , wine selection , anything with mushrooms

Failed Expectations: A Brunch That Looked Better Than It Tasted…read more We were genuinely so excited for this brunch! It had been sitting on my Charlotte bucket list for ages, and we finally locked in reservations during my visit. First things first -- the space itself is adorable. Every detail feels intentional, from the spotless dining room to the perfectly set tables to the lighting that ties it all together. You could tell immediately that this place takes real pride in its presentation. It was warm and inviting from the second we walked through the door. The drinks were excellent, too. I especially loved the garnish spread for the water -- citrus of every variety, mint, cucumber -- such a small, thoughtful touch that instantly elevated the experience. Unfortunately, the food just didn't live up to the rest of the experience. We started with the roasted oysters, which came so heavily breaded that the actual oyster flavor got completely lost underneath. In hindsight, I should've just ordered them raw. The Eggs Inferno was next, and it fell flat across the board -- it needed salt, it needed acid, it needed some kind of richness to bring it to life. I wouldn't order it again. My friend's seasonal focaccia toast was equally underwhelming and forgettable. But then -- the fingerling potatoes. Honestly, I wish we'd just ordered three plates of those and called it a meal. Fluffy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and packed with flavor in every single bite. Hands down the highlight of brunch, and genuinely one of the best sides I've had in a while. Maybe dinner would tell a different story, but for brunch, I walked in expecting so much more than what we got.

Went here for a special occasion, and the food was incredible. Beautiful restaurant, I could have…read moredone with more chill music and not so loud, but overall the ambience was pretty good. Pros: THE FOOD! Beautiful restaurant Cons: Loud pop music The so-so's: Nice waiter but a bit too chatty Customers looking sloppy as hell. What happened to dress codes at nicer places??

My mom and I were in town for a conference and wanted to go out for a nice dinner on our first…read morenight in town. I found this place on Yelp and we thought we'd give it a shot. It's very fancy, and attached to some kind of art museum. There are a LOT of stairs to climb to get up to the restaurant, so just keep that in mind. We were greeted and seated quickly. With so many good looking things on the menu, it was hard to choose, but I went with the wild mushroom risotto. I'm a sucker for a good risotto and this one was ... okay. The depth of flavor was really nice, and the parmesan crisp on the top really pulled each bite together. I wish there would have been more of that. In terms of texture, it wasn't my favorite. Had more of a grits kind of consistency than what I generally expect from risotto. My mom ordered a salad and specifically asked for dressing on the side and it came absolutely slathered in dressing. The waitress was nice about it and got the order replaced for us. Then for whatever reason, it took forever to get her attention again to get our check once we were finished. Overall, it was an okay experience. The ambiance is nice, the food was okay. I would have thought for the level of dining/price though that it would have been a bit higher end in the details.

I met a friend to catch up while I was in town, and this place was perfect for it! I depend on my…read morefriend to get me to the good spots, and she didn't disappoint with this choice. This bustling place has its own style that matches their unique name. I didn't drive, but there was parking outside the restaurant. Love: service (helpful, kind), lamb burger (seasoned well, filling), spicy feta (great flavor)

After a failed attempt to eat at another restaurant on Thursday night, we decided on Kid Cashew on…read morea whim and it turned out to be a most excellent decision! We ordered a whole mess of things, the vegan items being the Quinoa Stuffed Avocado, Impossible 'Burger' Gyro, and Hummus. My friends ordered a few non-vegan selections as well, and we of course sampled some of the cocktails. We were all VERY pleased with our selections. I suppose we didn't go into this with any particular expectations but we very happily devoured everything. And we remarked that Kid Cashew seemed so reasonably priced, compared to what we would expect to be charged for some of the items! I think Kid Cashew was probably the best value restaurant during our extended weekend in North Carolina, and it may have been my favorite meal! I think I would make a point to revisit Kid Cashew if I was ever passing through Charlotte again in the future!

Stagioni absolutely nails the ambiance -- it has a beautiful old-school Italian vibe that makes for…read morea great atmosphere. Service was decent overall, although our water glasses were never refilled throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the food was a major letdown, especially considering the hype and prices. The pasta was honestly terrible for a small $36 bowl: overcooked noodles, watered-down sauce, and almost no flavor. It tasted like something rushed out of a mediocre chain restaurant, not an upscale Italian spot. The pizza was slightly better...the flavor was okay but the texture was mushy. For the price point, this was incredibly disappointing. There are much better Italian options in Charlotte that cost less and deliver far better quality. Little Mama's, for example, is significantly better in both taste and value.

I booked Stagioni for my birthday dinner and we had a lovely experience. It was the perfect…read moreintimate setting for two, and the large velvet curtains gave a speakeasy feel. They even included a cute little celebration card at our table! We had to try the focaccia, and it did not disappoint. It's a full, fresh loaf of goodness. I ordered the rigatoni for my entree, which was delicious full of flavor. The braised pork was cooked to perfection. We put in a reservation about a month in advance, knowing it's a small spot. It was worth the wait!

Tuesday's are for swirling, sipping & guessing over at DTR for their 'Blind Wine Tasting' (at all…read morelocations). $25 will get you 3 mystery 2oz glasses of wine and a delicious charcuterie plate (didn't disappoint). If you guess all three mystery wines, you will get a gift card (I guessed none but was close lol). Perfect for date date, birthdays, girls-night or just a solo vibe Marc at the Plaza Midwood location provided top tier service (ask for him)!

I made a reservation for a party of 5 for my birthday last weekend. On arrival, we were promptly…read moreseated and the whole party did not have to be there, which was great. The restaurant was very cute and intimate. Our server, Matt was very friendly and took drink orders while we waited for the rest of the party to arrive. I ordered a bottle of still and sparkling water. The waters took a while to arrive and we had multiple other servers come to our tap to offer tap water which we ended up taking, because the bottled water still hadn't arrive after 10-15 minutes. Our server was apologetic and let us know that the bar was backed up. This was during Queen's Feast week, so it may have been busier than normal. We ordered appetizers and entrees. I wanted to try the deviled eggs, lamb meatballs, tuna tacos, and Rockefeller oysters...I enjoyed all except the meatballs weren't my fav. The manager brought out Brussels sprouts for our wait. SN: we were waiting around 20 mins for apps and even longer for our food. The server informed that they recently hired a new chef who was still acclimating. Later I was provided a cute champagne tree for my friends and I to enjoy! It was beautiful! I enjoyed my food and would give the restaurant another try. We did have to park in the parking garage which the restaurant was very informative about where we could and could not park. It was a 3-5 min walk from the restaurant. We paid $10 for 3 hours. I unfortunately forgot to take pictures due to the event and yapping, but I do have some.

I went with a group of 4 others for brunch on Sunday to take advantage of the dollar mimosas. It…read morewas busy, and we got lucky we were seated without a reservation, so keep that in mind. I can't speak to the quality of the main drinks, since we stuck to the mimosas. They were alright, but anything that's actually a buck nowadays is getting 5 stars from me unless it's downright bad. These weren't bad, and they offered multiple juice options to mix it up. The food is fantastic. Between the flavor and presentation, you can tell they take pride in what they're serving. The server was very friendly and the place is nice and clean. We'll be back.

Two visits in, and Catalú has definitely earned a spot in my South End rotation…read more My first time was for a full dinner spread across the tapas menu, kicking off with the Chef's Board. The Serrano, chorizo, and Manchego paired with tart green apple and membrillo was an easy favorite. Most recently, I stopped in on a Wednesday night just to grab a drink and a bite at the bar. For a random weeknight, the vibe was surprisingly lively--packed room, energetic buzz through the open garage doors, and the bartender never missed a beat. A few standouts: - Espresso 43 ($15): Genuinely one of my favorite espresso martinis in Charlotte. The Licor 43 gives it a velvety, subtly sweet finish that plays off the roasted coffee without tasting like straight syrup. The star anise garnish on top was a nice touch. - Red Sangria ($9): Dangerously drinkable, well-spiced, and not overloaded with sugar. - Ceviche ($16): Super bright and refreshing leche de tigre, balanced out with those crispy, delicate sweet potato chips. Whether you're settling in for a long tapas dinner or just dropping by for a mid-week nightcap, it hits every time!

First, the space is gorgeous! Love the different rooms, the outdoor seating, the garage doors to…read moregive you fresh air. Beautiful! The service was excellent. I always ask for recommendations and she did a great job explaining different options - did not steer us wrong! The arancini was featured on beat Bobby flay so had to try - it was the perfect consistency! I don't usually order the vegan option but love risotto and the squash with the risotto was incredible - they also seasoned this dish so well! My personal favorite. My husband got the Puebla burger which had onion jam and other delicious toppings. The fry bag it came with was so fun and there was an endless amount of fries! Don't skip the pickle martini!! Can't wait to bring family and friends here

High-quality comfort food is served up in this scenic NoDa converted former residence…read more I attended Sunday brunch at Goodyear as part of a family gathering. Admittedly, I would probably have never eaten here on my own. While the web site says it's known for eclectic, chef driven fare, what I see is a menu which barely differs from that of several nearby chains. Wings, burgers, fries, mac & cheese, salads and sandwiches, nothing to convince me to make the trek into Charlotte. And the brunch menu is nearly the same as lunch with just a handful of extra mostly eggy options added. But the food was quite good, certainly a step up from the local McAppleChiliWings down the street. The sausage gravy on my chicken biscuit was delicious (and used only to complement the dish, not drown it). The portions were also large, the only person who finished their plate was my 93-year old mother-in-law (because...she can. I guess). Very pretty place - I'd opt for outdoor seating weather-permitting as the sound level indoors is quite loud (lowering the music volume a notch or two would be a benefit). Goodyear caters to wedding groups, there was a shower taking place while we were there which actually held up our service a bit (not a big deal, gave our family extra time to talk). OK, so saying Goodyear House exceeded my expectations wasn't a very high bar. How about if I say that I'd be happy to eat here again!