We got on the walk-in list 30 minutes before arriving, but when we got there, the host told us it…read morewould still be about an hour wait. There were several "reserved" tables that remained empty until after we had finished eating, so I think the restaurant could benefit from a better reservation system with more accurate buffer times to accommodate walk-in guests. To avoid the wait, we decided to sit at the bar, and I'm glad we did because the food was amazing. The fried chicken and waffles were perfectly seasoned, and the waffle had a unique texture and flavor that reminded me of a combination of a traditional waffle and a soft pretzel. The cheesy potato cake was absolutely delicious. The fruit bowl was also good, but I wish they had been a little more generous with the blueberry pudding. The shrimp and grits came with large tomatoes, which may not be for everyone, and my friend felt the dish was lacking grits overall. She didn't feel like she got her money's worth. Would I go back? Absolutely. My meal was delicious, and I can't wait to return and try more of their homemade, fresh dishes. I also think it's great that they partner with local farmers to help curate their menu.

Great food!! Loved the fried chicken and biscuits the most. The fried green tomatoes were so good…read moreand it was my first time having them. I also tried the charred okra which was good. Mac & cheese was alright. Cocktails were great. We also tried their champagne tender and it was super crispy and had the taste of champagne. Service was decent. Only downside is if you make a reservation online, you will not be refunded the $3 per person fee and it is also not taken off your bill.

Just a sweet little update for my favorite restaurant in Charlotte, if not the entire Southern East…read moreCoast. On every visit to Charlotte, I stop here 2-3 times, whether it's to meet up with friends and colleagues for lunch, to grab a quite bite before evening plans, to spend happy hours and dinners on that delightful back patio or to pick up that insane vegan dessert I've been craving. I mean, can it get any better than a spread of vegan elote corn, nachos smothered with beans, seitan, guac/queso/crema or my new favorite, the crunch wrap with a glass of something icy cold (I usually get a glass of something sparkling at the back bar). Since my last review almost 5 years ago, they sadly removed the matcha cruffin (that I still can't get out of my head!) and added in an entire display of sugary/spicy/chocolatey greatness (I'm still kicking myself for being too late on my way to the airport to get that lemon bar I'd been eying or the pumpkin BUNDT CAKE, ffs. What is wrong with me?) The sweetest owners, the loveliest staff from front counter to back bar to food runners and bussers. I adore Oh My Soul with every ounce of my being.

I went to Oh My Soul in NoDa with a friend who is vegan, and I'm glad we gave it a try. It's a…read morecounter-service spot with colorful, fun decor that definitely promotes veganism. They are big on the vegan food finder app, purple cow. I ordered the Golden Soup and the Breathe Lemonade. My friend and I shared the vegan bacon and sausage. She ordered a vegan cookie dough latte and an omelet that was good, and different. It had broccoli in the omelet. The Golden Soup was delicious, I plan to try to make something like that this soup season. It was my first soup this fall. The vegan bacon and sausage were flavorful. The cookie dough latte was something different and fun to try, and the lemonade was refreshing. The portion sizes were large and I had leftovers. I liked that the menu had creative options, which made me hope that more restaurants could offer some more vegan options. I'd come back to explore more of the menu.

Creative and delicious. I will order more in the future. Selection is divine. I am visiting a…read morefriend who is gluten free and plan to bring her the chocolate tart. She will love it.

EXCELLENT DESSERTS! This food is made with a passion for the sweet tooth that doesn't want to…read moresacrifice having a healthy standard! I just had to add them to VeganLinked!

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.

We were close to uptown and looking for an early evening dinner spot. Knowing that CD is going to…read morebe opening a location at the Bowl in Ballantyne (which is closer to us) we thought we'd give it a shot. Walked in and immediately loved the vibe. Big, open and airy. Lots of seating and a few party rooms too. Loved the outdoor seating too. If it had been a little cooler that would have been perfect. They have cornhole and ping pong and just a fun atmosphere out there. Our server was warm and attentive. We did not have to wait for refills and she was quick to answer any questions we had. We started with a few apps - the chips and onion dip and the pigs in a blanket. The chips were well salted and the onion dip was DELISH!!! The pigs were wrapped in homemade party dough and came with a honey mustard crème fraiche. They were so good!! For entrees we tried the fried chicken, prime rib dip, and the meatloaf. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. The mashed potatoes were so good too. The only misstep on this dish was the biscuit. Way too dense and not very flavorful. The prime rib dip was tender and came on the most crispy bread. What a great combo! The only thing that wasn't great were the fries, just nothing too special. The meatloaf dish was flavorful and came with those yummy mashed potatoes so great pairing. We didn't have room for dresser on site but we did take the monkey bread to go and enjoyed it later. Good portion size and full of apple and caramel flavor. Did not regret taking that home!! Really looking forward to this spot opening closer to home. Highly recommended

Quite a disappointment. We arrived and were told we would have a 30 minute wait for a table but we…read morecould sit at the bar while on the list. There was lots of confusion at the hostess desk and I even had to ask if they needed our contact information. We checked our name on the list thirty minutes in and we were next in line. At forty minutes I checked again and the group that had been listed after us was now ahead of us and we were second in line. They needed a table for three and we were a table for two. I went and asked what was happening and the staff was dismissive and had no ability to discuss the situation. We saw multiple issues with food orders around us as well as incorrect billing which was concerning. This doesn't seem like an establishment ready to handle the volume of patrons it's built for. Some staff were great while others were far from professional or customer focused. Not a place I will return to.

Optimist Hall is always great we came here to bring some family that was visiting and we tried a…read morefew places, The Dumpling Lady, Papi Queso, Harriets Hamburgers, Bao & Ramen, Comal Taco Co, Fonta Flora and got some goodies for our dog at Pet Wants. Place is clean and everyone is very helpful. Alot to do and enjoy! Parking is great you set it up and when you leave they capture your plate and charge your card that you used to set up! Great Food Hall and lots of places to sit and even great spots to work remotely. We enjoyed it and will def will keep on coming. I will get updated photos. Thank you SYOY!!

Pretty quick service for how popular and crowded it was…read more Pretty clean and everyone was respectful. We ordered a lot! - so many vegetarian options.

Dish is a true Charlotte staple for comfort food, laid-back vibes, and what I have officially…read moredeemed the best dirty martini in town--the Christina Aguilera. They recently removed this drink from the martini menu, but if the bartenders know you're aware of its legacy, you can still get it, muddled olives and all! Walking in feels like stepping into your grandma's house, but with a cool, hipster spin. The staff is absolutely amazing; going in genuinely feels like visiting a friend. I have so many menu favorites, including the meatloaf, blackened chicken, and fried green tomatoes (that horseradish sauce is incredible!). Even down to a simple chicken salad sandwich and tots, everything here just hits the spot. So may great sides from fried okra to Mac n cheese, and don't forget about the biscuit and deviled egg with most dishes! Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the specials board when you walk in, alongside all of their incredible bar specials. They also host open mic comedy, drag bingo, karaoke, and other fun events, so definitely keep an eye on their socials!

Nice vibe and perfect if you're looking for something that tastes like a filling home cooked…read morecomfort meal. The fish in particular is excellent. Light, flaky, and tender. We'll be back.

Walked in and was immediately thanked and greeted by the chef and host. Ambiance is classic…read moreAmerican Italian restaurant, that is a blast from the past but super nostalgic. Enjoyed the vodka sauce penne, calamari, Sicilian pizza, and salad. The vodka sauce was the best I have had outside of NY, and NJ. The pizza had the best crust but the star was the tomato sauce, i dont know where they source the tomatoes but theyre so good. The calamari was plentiful, and crispy but very tender. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for great food and service!

I found myself over on Eastway (still not sure how I ended up there), spotted a Portofino's Italian…read moreRestaurant, and immediately thought--say less. The Uptown location has always been solid for me, so I knew I was in good hands. I had people coming over, so I went all in: * Calamari * Caesar salad * Bolognese * A full pizza * And yes... tiramisu to finish Everything delivered exactly what I wanted--reliable, comforting, well-executed Italian food. Nothing overly fussy, just done right. The pizza crust deserves a shoutout--crispy, flavorful, and holds up well. My only wish? This location offered pizza by the slice like Uptown, but you'll need to commit to the full pie here (which, honestly, isn't a bad thing). The tiramisu was also a win--light, balanced, and a perfect way to round things out. Other perks: * Easy parking (huge lot--no stress) * Friendly staff * Consistent pricing and value Bottom line: Portofino's is one of those dependable, no-drama spots you can count on. If you see one, it's a safe bet. Charlotte--stay hungry and keep eating your way through it.

Great place for a burger & A beer love the atmosphere great service we'll continue to take family…read morecoming in from out of town to this great place.

Randomly stopped by Moo & Brew on a Sunday afternoon and it was quite lively! I love that they have…read more$4 mimosas on the weekends. We snagged a few of these and got an order of buffalo fries to nibble on. Fries were good nothing spectacular. Lots of outdoor space too which was nice to enjoy on a warm day.

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!