A little taste of Barcelona. Staff are super knowledgeable, food is OUTSTANDING, and you leave…read morefeeling great. I don't think you can go wrong on what you order. Manchego was lovely (aged), Jamon had some wonderful nut tones, but what stood out was the croquetas and patatas bravas

Review copied over from what I just posted on Google!…read more Had the best time dining here for restaurant week! I have been here a bunch but it's been a while and I decided the restaurant week deal was too good to pass up. The value for money is probably the best out of all restaurants participating. Everything we had to eat was phenomenal (meat and cheese, patatas bravas, croquettes, flank steak, cheesecake). Mainly writing this review because of the service - I joked with the sommelier (?) that you'd never know this is technically a "chain" because the experience is so intimate and feels local. Our hostess (so sorry can't remember her name) checked us in and let us grab a drink at the bar as we were early to our reservation. When my boyfriend went over to ask about the potential for getting a booth, because we're both very tall, she remembered his name and made it happen. Our server, Nick, was the best. So attentive without being too much, and timed each course perfectly so we weren't overwhelmed with food nor waiting around for the next dishes. Our sommelier (I think that's what it is) was also a delight to have around. The manager came over when we first got seated to give us water for the table, and I really appreciated seeing that as opposed to someone overseeing in the background. It's so nice to see a restaurant function efficiently without sacrificing personality and experience.

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!

Mazi (pronounced ma-ZI, not MA-zi) is a newly opened gem in South End and after the amazing visit I…read morehad today, it deserves more love and attention than it received tonight. It's tucked away in a business park near Lincoln's Haberdashery but signage is good. There is parking in the lot of the u-shaped building, but may be all taken at busier hours if the day. Street parking is available on E. Bland. They have a huge bar and amazing bartenders. I enjoyed my drink. Pretty and tasty. There's lots of seating inside, at the bar, booth and tables. The menu has really good variety I enjoyed pretty much everything I tried. So fresh and so good. My fav were the dips. If you order the whipped feta or hummus you get an order of the amazing grilled bread. When I say it was good, I mean it. Plating was beautiful on every dish. I appreciate the effort that went into not only making the food taste good, but also making it look good. Our server was great - really patient and helpful. He gave great descriptions and recommendations of the menu. The chef came out to greet us, everyone really went out of their way to make it a great visit. What I appreciated most is that the prices are reasonable - Something that is becoming harder to find these days, but that allows you to really enjoy the meal and try various items. That's what I plan to come back and do. I hope they get more media attention because this place is really is amazing.

In my experience, it's not often that you try a new restaurant on Tuesday, then go on to crave it…read moreeach day that follows. Yet, Mazi will easily have you doing just that. Beautiful interior that visibly transports you to a tropical locale. Friendly, attentive, & knowledgeable service that starts at the front door and continues at all touch points throughout your visit. One of the BEST bartenders that I've had the pleasure of meeting & sampling libations from. A menu that will have the phrase "I'll have one of each" repeatedly flashing in your mind, lol. Thankfully, I was out with an excellent foodie friend--which means we came quite close to having one of each. We enjoyed a delightful lineup of scallops--not what I expected, but exponentially better!--lion's mane schwarma, hummus, shrimp, tuna kofta, lamb shank, and the IG-famous baklava sundae. With each dish seemingly more visually impressive, delightful to all the senses, & DELICIOUS--the layers of FLAVOR that Chef Whitney & her squad can fit into a dish never ceases to amaze me--it was hard to declare a clear favorite. All I can say is the shrimp, lamb shank, & baklava are must-haves for me. All of this plus a complimentary shot at the end of the night of a craft concoction featuring house-made orangecello?!!! I am already beyond ready for my next visit! Pro Tip: 1 round of bread will never be enough for your hummus--get extra for dipping...into everything. Cheers!

After a day of visiting breweries, we were hungry but not starving and I thought tapas would be a…read moreperfect solution. Quickly Yelping "tapas", Marina's stood out with good reviews and a fairly convenient location. We took the Blue Line to Parkwood, a short walk from Optimist Hall, the food hall where Marina's can be found. We were able to score seats at the counter and immediately began ordering. The tomato bread was great and I also loved the patatas bravas. Croquettes and garlic shrimp were also easy on the palette. The food was tasty, filling and hit the spot. Service was quick and friendly. I love tapas because I don't leave feeling overly stuffed and there's the opportunity to taste a variety of items so if you want well prepared tapas in a fun environment, Marina's is a place to go!

If you put a Spanish tapas spot in Optimist Hall, know that we be there on opening day. This place…read morewas so good we went back to order a second round before we finished the first!!! Ordered: croquetas, pan con tomate +manchego, gamba al ajillo, patatas bravas, pimientos del piquillo rellenos, and the calamares fritos. Everything was absolutely incredible. In no order: -sourdough on the shrimp and pan con tomato was a delight. -everything was super fresh. -calamari was a delightful balance of light golden fried -croquetas were so good we needed two orders -shrimp and the sauce was fireeeeeeeeee Service was quick and super friendly!!! He told me I'd be back for more . We sadly missed the meatballs, but will return to enjoy each other's presence at a later time.

We celebrated my friend's birthday brunch here and had a fantastic time. She reserved a mimosa…read moretower, and our long table by the bar was perfect for our group of six. The service was attentive and smooth throughout. I ordered the patatas bravas, charuterie, and a kale Caesar salad, all were fresh and flavorful. Highights from the meal included the Motadito de Chistorra with Spanish sausage, piquilo confit, and Manchego, perfect for meat and cheese lovers. The Truffle Carbonara was rich and indulgent, and the Bulla Burger with caramelized onions and honey thyme glaze was a hit, especially paired with the saucy papas bravas. Great food, great service, I'm already looking forward to coming back.

We stopped by Bulla Gastrobar on a recent layover the Charlotte. It's in a mall, so drop off and…read morepickup was easy. It's a nice Spanish-themed cuisine restaurant, lots of tapas and Mediterranean cuisine. It was good! Decent cocktail and wine menus as well. We dined on muchas tapas... patatas bravas, lentil soup, Spanish meatballs, potato tortilla, gazpacho, just to name a few. All were good. Service was OK too. Typical mall restaurant where ceiling fixtures are crooked, burned out lightbulbs in many fixtures, dirty ceiling tiles. Food gave it 4 stars, the space itself is mediocre!

We visited at about 6:30 on a Friday without a reservation and were told it would be be about 2…read morehours until we could get a table for 3 (insane) but that we could sit at the bar right away. Thankfully we found three seats right next to each other and honestly things may have worked out better. The bartender was absolutely wonderful and gave great suggestions for cocktails based on your preferred spirit. We ordered a variety of plates to try a variety and while all were good, the top picks were the burrata, eggplant and steak skewers.

First time here. Loved the outdoor patio! The staff was very friendly. The best prosciutto I've…read moreever had. Loved their bread too. Shared order: PROSCIUTTO CARPACCIO ROASTED CARROTS My order: CHICKEN TAGINE (half) Loved it!!! Thought it was very flavorful. Loved the creamy sauce it came in. The spice blend was very unique, nothing I've ever tasted before. Friends order: GNOCCHI & LAMB Very good but WAYY too salty. Also, could have used some pepper WAGYU STEAK Very small portion, also the steak was extremely over cooked and over peppered. FYI -- the crispy potatoes are not a side they are a garnish on top, think small potatoes chip strips. This seemed more like an extra side of meat than something you order for an app or entree. Definitely not shareable and not enough for an entree either. Over all, would want to try this place again but I would hope that they have someone checking temperatures and regulating seasoning to make sure the entrees are better quality next time.

Great food and service (thanks, Kevin). Bison filet…read more Delish. Charcuterie so good. Sea bass, absolutely yum. Dark but good. Slightly loud especially one server who literally was yelling to speak to guests.

Just order everything short rib. It was fantastic. Our favorite were the short rib dumplings- I…read morewould order it over and over. The truffle fries were just okay, skip the pork buns. The peach and ham flatbread was really good too. And the Jimador cocktail was delicious

I had an enjoyable experience. I ordered the NYC falafel which, although it could be a bit larger,…read morewas very good. The default side was fries and I asked if there were any substitutions. One was a small side Caesar salad which I got. I was disappointed in the continuing practice for restaurants to charge for small changes like this within informing the customer. Waitress was very nice, however and attentive. What is also quite unique about the restaurant was that you could order small 4 oz beers, just for tasting at $2-3 each. The place is quite large and must get incredibly noisy at times with the hard surfaces and multiple TVs. There is an option to sit directly at the bar or at tables.

The Degenerate is a cool, industrially designed space featuring great bites and drinks. What I love…read moremost is that the menu puts a unique spin on a lot of traditional, classic items. If you are looking for recommendations, I highly suggest trying: The Meatballs: A fantastic twist on a classic, served in a delicious lemon dill sauce instead of a typical marinara. The Sliders: Perfect pulled pork paired with fried green tomatoes and a tangy horseradish sauce. They also feature a highly creative and unique cocktail menu. Two of my personal standouts are the Beetle Juice, which incorporates fresh beet juice, and The Fishbone, which brilliantly highlights their house-made aquavit. Overall, it's a wonderful spot for a great atmosphere and an inventive menu!

Peruvian and Japanese fusion! That's not a combo that you find often! And I think I found my…read morefavorite restaurant in NC, I'm still thinking about their risotto! We sticked with their Peruvian dishes. We ordered: Complimentary Cancha Lomo Saltado Arroz con Mariscos (Peruvian Seafood Risotto) The dish was fully loaded with seafood. (They did not skimp out with the seafood. There was seafood with every bite) They included shrimp, scallop, squid and octopus. I will definitely get the Arroz con Mariscos again and look forward to trying their Japanese dishes. I am already eyeing their ceviches.

The restaurant was already buzzing and busy when we walked in so we were expecting a pretty great…read moremeal. Unfortunately the experience was very underwhelming and the food did not live up to the atmosphere or the hype. I ordered the Pisco & Shiso cocktail and there was a noticeable kick of spice that didn't really work with the drink and I couldn't taste any of the shiso either. Their beef anticuchos were the one thing we genuinely enjoyed, it was juicy and flavorful, and probably the only dish that stood out. Everything else was blah. The biggest disappointment was the fried rice, it was very oily and the chicken tempura on top tasted like frozen chicken nugget that have been air-fried. The ceviche was just okay, I have definitely had better elsewhere. It's a fun and lively place, I just didn't find the food worth coming back for.

10/10 -- highly recommend this place!…read more From the moment we walked in, we loved the atmosphere. The vibe was fun and welcoming, the food was outstanding, and our server went above and beyond to answer all of our questions and make recommendations. Our group tried the duck, steak, lengua, and carne asada tacos, and every single one was delicious. The duck taco was the standout for me--the crispy fried duck skin added the perfect texture and flavor. We also shared the Para la Mesa with sweet corn on the side, empanadas, and churros for dessert. The empanadas were incredible, especially with that amazing sauce that had just the right kick of spice. The wagyu steak from the Para la Mesa was another favorite, cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. And I can't forget to mention the warm, fresh tortillas--they were absolutely delicious and elevated every bite. Sometimes it's the little details that make a meal memorable, and these tortillas definitely did. If I had to pick my top three items, they would be the duck taco, the wagyu steak, and the empanadas. A special shoutout to our server (I wish I remembered his name!). He introduced us to mezcal tequila, which none of us had tried before, and it ended up being such a fun experience that made our evening even more memorable. Great food, great service, amazing drinks, and a fantastic atmosphere--we'll definitely be back!

That little sibling your mom made you bring along when you went out with your friends... and…read moresomehow they ended up ruining the whole night. Unfortunately, that's exactly how this meal felt. I ordered the street tacos with the papas bravas, while my boyfriend got the carne asada. The papas bravas were the coldest, most under-seasoned potatoes I've ever been served. For the tacos, I tried the duck and the carne asada. The duck was dry but edible. The carne asada taco, however, was practically a weapon against mankind--the most charred, burnt, and flavorless taco I've ever had. I could only finish it after adding some of the sauce from my boyfriend's steak. As for the carne asada entrée, it looked like two separate steaks had been pieced together into one. The center pieces were noticeably undercooked and inedible. The only standout on the plate was the reduction sauce. The potato pavé was simply... potato, relying heavily on that same sauce to carry the dish. It was a highly disappointing experience, especially since we were excited to finally try the "sibling" restaurant to Crunkleton and Rosemont. We genuinely enjoy both of those restaurants and have brought family there several times, but never had the chance to visit Puerta until now. Sadly, it felt like a waste of money. The aesthetic was beautiful, but that's about where the positives ended. One additional concern was food handling. Our bartender repeatedly touched her hair and face while wearing the same gloves she used to handle drink garnishes, which was disappointing to see. I truly hope they regroup, tighten up the execution, and improve the overall experience because there's a lot of potential here.