My wife and I both loved our dinner it was creative and delicious. It's farm to table so the food is locally sourced. The wait staff was attentive and friendly and the atmosphere was amazing. read more

Food was impeccable, service was rushed and extremely frustrating. As someone who was looking to take his parent's out for a special anniversary dinner, I had heard amazing things about this restaurant. When we arrived, there was a nice card signed by all the staff. The server was friendly and upbeat. Interesting choice though to seat us right next to the kitchen door which was loud and had servers obviously running in and out. Of all the spots to put us, that said a lot right off the bat. We placed our appetizer orders and upon taking our first bite of the ahi tuna, which is not tiny and you get a mouthful, the server asked us to order entrees. Timing was really awkward, irritating, and just uncomfortable. We were trying to get out our order while our mouths were stuffed from the app. So we didn't enjoy the app and were forced to put in our entree at that moment in time. He couldn't have waited say, "an extra 15-20 secs?" North Carolina Dumplings were one of the best apps I've ever had and I'll be thinking of that one for a long time. When we got the entrees, they started clearing them one at a time, even though some of us were still eating. Worse than that, I was still eating my entrée and they were pushing the desert menus on us. I literally had to say, "I would like to focus on my entree before thinking about a dessert." I'm not sure I've ever had any high-end restaurant do this. It was just so obnoxious and you could feel they were just looking to do super quick turns. I've never been that rushed and this place isn't inexpensive. The Peach Palmer was very good. He brought my father a decaf cappuccino 3/4 of the way through the dessert and then proceeded to bring the bill moments later. Clearly, the chefs are extremely talented and the servers enjoy working here, but feeling so rushed is why I won''t ever come back again. The timing throughout felt extremely off and took away from what otherwise should've been a top notch meal and dining experience. Such a shame, and one that could've easily been avoided by potentially giving us a total of 10-15 extra minutes of time to move through our meal. Instead, it seemed like the goal was to get us in and out and rush everything. Not exactly the memory you want to have on any occasion, let alone an anniversary one at over $100/person. read more

Our experience started with the oysters. To be fair, our server warned us they would be small...but I definitely wasn't expecting them to be warm. That was a disappointing start. Next, we had the tuna and yellowtail. The flavors were great, and the sauces were excellent, but the portions were incredibly small. Each piece was barely bigger than my thumb and sliced thinner than paper. They tasted good, but they were hard to justify for the price. For our entrées, my wife ordered the swordfish. It was served on top of an incredibly lamby ground lamb and surrounded by clams that tasted overly fishy. I didn't believe her when she said the swordfish itself tasted off, so I tried a bite. Unfortunately, I had to agree, it was easily the fishiest swordfish I've ever had. I ordered the rack of lamb. For $65, I expected an actual rack of lamb, not two individual chops sitting on top of basic mashed potatoes. It was one of the biggest disappointments of the meal. The one bright spot was dessert. The miso chocolate tart was excellent and easily the best thing we ate all night. Needless to say, I left disappointed. Maybe I built this place up too much because I'd been looking forward to trying it for a long time, but it simply didn't live up to the hype. Overall, it's overpriced and underwhelming...just like 90% of restaurants in Charlotte. Just go in with realistic expectations. read more

Restaurant Constance is such a gem in Charlotte. We went for their $65 prix fixe menu on Tuesday (they offer on Wednesday too) and it was honestly one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. The value for the quality, creativity, and overall experience is incredible. Every course felt thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor without trying too hard. What really stood out was how elevated everything felt while still being warm and approachable. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the food and the overall dining experience. It's the kind of place that feels special without being stuffy. If you've been wanting to try it, the midweek tasting menu is 100% worth it. Such a great way to experience the restaurant, and I'll absolutely be back. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Charlotte! I never stop talking about it and probably never will. The menu is so creative, ever changing, seasonal and always amazing. I rarely take pictures of the food but should as it's a beautiful as it is delicious. I added a few from the past 2 years. read more

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Book a reservation and go! I visited this place recently and I was pleasantly surprised with the intimate ambiance that was felt from the moment I walked in the door. There's really not a bad table in this place, because every table allows you to view the kitchen while not having to experience the heat. The decor is beautifully balanced and aligns with the farm to table mission. The ultimate attraction of this restaurant is the menu. With the farm-to-table concept, the menu items are updated regularly to align with the local harvest which makes the experience even more unique and intimate. I ordered the Short Rib Quesadilla and a side grits (listen, the grits were creamy and ah-mazing). The Scallops were well prepared and flavorful... I could truly have them daily without any regret. Also, the mocktails are deliciously crafted and pair well with any menu items. I could sincerely go on and on about this place because the entire dinner experience is great! Go check them out! read more

Restaurant Constance - short rib quesadilla & scallops and grits - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Anais was extremely friendly and recommended the perfect entree for me to try. I loved their rabbit and swordfish especially when paired with other unique ingredients. read more

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Date night at restaurant Constance. Cute, little intimate restaurant with album covered walls and skateboard wheel lights. And how about the glass barn door open/shut? Kitchen? Loved it. Great music too. Food now. An excellent kale salad with pear, sweet potato and candied pecans. Nice and spicy whipped feta. Scallops and grits for my little lady and duck tacos with a phenomenal pumpkin mole for me. Finished with a chocolate cake that tasted like a Twix. What a meal! read more

Best meal I had in Charlotte! First, I was 45 minutes late to my reservation due to traffic and road closures from a Bananas game, and they were SO nice and so generous to still let me dine there! Everyone was so nice and my server gave the best recommendations. I also did the non-alcoholic pairing which was AMAZING. Highly recommend!!! I had the moonlight mile, a non-alcoholic sangria, and a watermelon drink. I wish more restaurants would do this! I LOVED the hamachi, the soft shell crab, and the scallops were to die for. The cast iron jalapeño corn bread was SO good but I had to take it back because I couldn't finish! It's such a cute place and everything from start to finish was superb. Great hospitality. read more

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Really such a delightful meal overall. I was initially eyeing the nori wraps but were told the chicken lettuce wraps were a must, and they were. The chicken was great and nicely flavored. It came with an adorable little squeeze bottle sauce. The steamed shrimp and clam bowl is a dish we would typically skip but I'm glad we didn't here, as this was also an interesting combination of flavors that we really enjoyed. The entree menu doesn't have a TON of options but we enjoyed the three we got. My favorite were the scallops, which were perfectly tender and the sauce divine. The porchetta was aesthetically pleasing and others really enjoyed this, but it was a bit too fatty of a dish for me. The beef short ribs were also aesthetically pleasing and the sauce was perfect for this. The meat was tender and pulled apart nicely. We were heavily recommended to get the chocolate miso tart, which was much better than I would have expected. The shortbread base part was a really great bite. The service was phenomenal and super personable. The pictures in the bathroom paint a picture of a really close-knit group of people running the restaurant. The only oddity was that as we were sat, we were specifically told we only had the table for 90 minutes. This became something of a joke throughout the meal amongst us and we certainly weren't rushed out, it was just a strange thing to start the vibe with. I do wonder if the menu is overall a skosh on the pricier end for the area, but the portions were ample. A lovely option for dinner. read more

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This is hands down our new favorite restaurant in Charlotte. The restaurant was small which made it feel like you were eating in someone's house. There was not a bad thing we ordered, out of the two apps we ordered the waffles were our favorite, for the entrees i personally loved the lamb the most. There was a cinnamon rub on it. Can't wait to go back to try next seasons menu! read more

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The Tuesday/Wednesday 3 courses for $65 is a great deal. It ended up being so much food that we took the dessert home. The flavors were delicious and enjoyed everything we ate. My boyfriend got the lamb and said it was the best lamb he's ever had. Menu is seasonal so can't wait to come back again and try something new! read more

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What a wonderful dining experience. Super convenient parking. Had 6:30 reservations and were seated immediately. Our server, Kate , was excellent. Knew the menu and explained everything. Highly recommend the kale salad. Truly exceptional. Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. Definitely will go back. read more

Reservations highly recommended. It's a small place with limited seating. Parking lot - free. Farm to table - however they are sourcing from places all over. I like the creativity and the food was very flavorful. The naan is surprisingly amazing. Not the traditional naan from any Indian restaurant, but a soft, fermented piece. Great supplemental side for any entrees. Dessert was impressive as well. The caramel served as a good addition to the cake. The tiramisu was pretty dense. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and suggested drinks for us as well. We went with non alcoholic beverages and they were great. read more

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Dinner at RC is a lovely experience. The food is farm to table, served in an intimate and inviting setting. Service is great and the pacing of dishes was on point. We were pleasantly surprised to find out they had just released a new seasonal menu on our visit as well. Two of us split three small plates, a salad, one entree, and a dessert. Every ingredient in each dish is intentional with flavors and textures coming together nicely. My guess is you can't go wrong with anything here. I would recommend everything we had with the hamachi being my favorite if I had to choose: Kombu-Cured Hamachi Sashimi Korean Fried Chicken Lettuce Wraps Pork Belly Pupusa Chopped Local Bibb & Radicchio Salad Sake Marinated Swordfish Blueberry Ginger Shortcake Chef Sam is not only a great culinary artist, but also such a nice, down to earth guy. Good luck on the James Beard nomination. RC is already a winner in my book! read more

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If you've ever wondered what it would be like if your neighborhood farmers market went to culinary school, got a Food Network cameo, and then casually beat Bobby Flay... that's Restaurant Constance. Inside City Kitch, West End, this farm-to-table powerhouse is the creation of Chef Sam Diminich, who's not only a culinary rockstar but also a big supporter of the sober community through Ben's Friends (they even host Monday morning meetings here). On top of running the restaurant, he also operates Your Farms Table, a catering company with the same fresh, local focus that makes Constance shine. The vibe is relaxed but elevated, the kind of place you could take a first date without dusting off your suit, but still impress them enough that they'll think you have connections. The menu changes frequently based on what's fresh from the 48 local farms they work with, and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays they drop one of the best deals in Charlotte, $65 for any three dishes from crudo to dessert. Considering the Prime NY Strip alone is $60, that's basically two bonus courses for free. We started with the Bluefin Tuna Crudo, silky slices of tuna in a turmeric-lemon pool with fried sunchokes. My table paused to debate what a sunchoke even is, eventually deciding it's probably one of those foods that's only good fried...which, coincidentally, is exactly how it was served here, sliced thin like little potato chips. Then came the Kombu Cured Hamachi, each piece perched on crispy rice, layered with peach, brightened with lime ponzu, and finished with sesame aioli. Gorgeous, fresh, and way too easy to eat. The Pecorino Black Pepper Focaccia was like eating a cheese-and-pepper cloud that decided bread was its soulmate, served with honey butter and tomato jam I could eat by the spoonful if the bread ran out (it didn't). Then came my personal "how are you real?" moment, the Smoked Chicken Milk Bread. Two soft-as-pillow buns stuffed with smoky fermented garlic chicken, drizzled with miso-candied onion sauce, and paired with marinated pickles that had me questioning whether it's normal to get emotional over a garnish. The Sweet Corn & Tomato Arepa nearly made me eat my words about hating arepas. I've been burned too many times by the dry, crumbly kind, so I usually stick to the yellow, round frozen ones with white mozzarella cheese you get at a fairground or amusement park, the kind you eat while walking around holding a giant stuffed animal you just won at the ring toss. But this one was different, golden, fluffy, topped with a perfectly cooked farm egg, crema, heirloom tomato, and eggplant relish. I cleaned my plate like I was trying to get hired as a busser. The Pork Belly Shawarma was melt-in-your-mouth perfection with shawarma seasoning, fluffy flatbread, yogurt sauce, and slaw, like your favorite Mediterranean takeout got a chef's kiss upgrade. I didn't get a photo of the Roma Style Tomato Salad, but my dining companions inhaled it so fast I'm pretty sure it was excellent. The Hazelnut Peach Pork Chop rolled in like royalty, wearing a hazelnut crust and sitting on leek potato puree with a glaze so good my friend ditched his fork and went full caveman, gnawing the leftover bits of meat straight off the bone. Then came the Prime NY Strip. Medium-rare, served with potato gnocchi, zucchini, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, parmesan, and a red wine glaze. I was so full I boxed half, then ate it later in front of my fridge in pajamas like a bougie raccoon. Dessert was the legendary Chocolate Miso Tart, black sesame shortbread, chocolate ganache, red miso caramel, and mirin crème fraîche. I first had it a year ago, and I've been thinking about it ever since. This is the type of dessert that will show up in your dreams uninvited, refuse to leave, and make you thankful it's haunting you. Chef Sam and his team run this place like a well-oiled, locally sourced machine. The service is sharp, the plating is art, and every bite feels like a love letter to the farmers and producers that keep this city delicious. Book a reservation ($25 per person, credited to your bill) and go see why this spot is one of Charlotte's best. Want more legit Charlotte food spots without the fluff? I made a guide. It's called evansfoodguide.com Follow me on IG instagram.com/charlottefoodieguy Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter to be notified of my newest restaurant reviews and what's happening in the Charlotte food community! charlottefoodieguy.substack.com Go eat something good! read more

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Our anniversary dinner couldn't have been better. So glad we made reservations here! The food is just incredible, we savored every bite. The service was fantastic, music was great, delicious wine selection. We'll be thinking about this dinner for a long time! read more

Restaurant Constance - Oysters, salmon and meatballs to start! The orange wine selection was chefs kiss. - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I'm so glad I took advantage of the dual set dinner at Restaurant Constance with Custom Shop. It was a multi-course flavor party with snacks like caviar bites and duck stuffed pastries. To filet and scallops on a bed of sweet potato crunch loveliness. The wine was also a win this evening with a Pinot G, riesling blend and a light fruity dessert wine, with a red thrown in for the filet course. The pics don't convey how delicious this meal was and I can't wait to visit both eateries again. read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while and finally made it in for an early dinner. The vibe is very homey/cozy. Our waitress did an extensive job of explaining the menu and offering recommendations. We ended up ordering both of the raw dishes (a yellowtail and a tuna option). These were pricey for the quantity of food, but not atypical for raw dishes. The yellowtail was our favorite, probably of the whole night. We got a duck confit salad which was delicious and a hearty sized portion (also $20 so was glad it wasn't small). For mains we got the short rib and the mussels. The short rib was outstanding, a good sized portion and extremely tender. I also really enjoyed the mussels (from the starters but none of the other mains jumped out at us). I liked that they were served without the shell so eating them was easier and you got more of the sauce in each bite. We also ordered two desserts, their "Twix" bar chocolate tart and the apple tartlet. I loved both but preferred the apple dish. Overall it was a wonderful meal. The price point is a bit high, but most dishes had a good portion size and I love the farm to table aspect too. read more

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WOW!!! Most farm to table restaurant I've seen in Charlotte yet. Our waitress was phenomenal and tailored recommendations to us. We split the duck confit and pear salad to start. Dare I say this was the best salad ever!!! The flavor combination was immaculate. For entrees, we had the scallops and the branzino. Both were great options. The scallops were light and flavorful and the branzino was a bit warmer. I can't wait to come back with friends and try more! read more

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We came to Restaurant Constance for my husband's birthday, and it was the perfect celebratory meal! There are only 10 tables, so definitely make a reservation beforehand online. They require a $25 deposit per person at the time of the reservation (you can cancel for a refund up to 24 hours before), which will be deducted from your check at the end of the night. We came in on a Thursday evening, and every table was occupied, but it didn't feel cramped. I love how there's the feel of an open kitchen since you can see it through the glass. Interior is chic, with fresh flowers on each table. Our server was super friendly, and did an awesome job explaining the menu and stand-out dishes. We started with the NA Cocktail Flight, which is perfect for 2 people to share! We got to choose any 3 NA cocktails to include, and went with the Typical Situation, Moonlight Mile, and Hello. My fave was the Typical Situation, and my partner's fave was the Moonlight Mile. So nice to be able to try a variety! Our server explained that the menu changes every 2-3 weeks based on what the farms (most Carolina-based) have in season. SO COOL! And also means that you may not be able to order these dishes in a few days. We started with the Korean Fried Chicken lettuce wraps, which were crispy, sticky fried chicken bits that you could wrap in lettuce with shiso leaves, cilantro, and pickled cucumber. This ain't your momma's KFC! The chicken was out of this world - and we made quite a mess but ate every bit. Next came the jalapeno cornbread waffle, which our server told us is a menu staple since folks like it so much. The waffle comes with a generous scoop of pimento cheese topped with pepper jelly, which added a creamy, slightly spicy kick. I loved the Southern roots to this dish. These hit the spot and are a must-try! For our entree, we got the Outer Banks scallops, which were served with veggies and couscous in a delectable broth. I wish it came with a spoon, because I would have drunk the broth up! The scallops (4) were generously seasoned and tender, and the couscous was such a lovely accompaniment that gave it some Mediterranean flair. Time for dessert! We went with the chocolate miso tart, which featured a very generous, sticky layer of red miso caramel atop a black sesame shortbread crust. I loved the sea salt atop the rich chocolate ganache top, giving it that perfect salty-sweet balance. The plate came out with a candle to celebrate the occasion, and the Restaurant Constance team also signed a birthday card for him - so special! Overall, a phenomenal mix of flavors and ingredients that change regularly - so you'll need to keep coming back and get blown away! read more

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We booked here for my friend's bachelorette dinner and everything was simply amazing. The food was fantastic! The wait staff were so friendly and provided the absolute best service. The restaurant itself was small and intimate which made it absolutely perfect for such a special occasion. Thank you Alex for an amazing evening!! read more

We had a fantastic dinner at Restaurant Constance, while visiting Charlotte for the holidays. The food was delicious and inventive, and the service was warm and attentive. We started with several appetizers--the focaccia, burrata, mussels, and short rib quesadillas. All were terrific, but the mussels were the standout: Smoky, a little spicy, and already removed from the shells. Three of us, myself included, ordered the short rib, which was flavorful and cooked perfectly, as our entree. My husband and brother in law ordered the branzino and the risotto, and enjoyed them as well. The kale salad was also really tasty. Bonus: My 11-year-old niece loved her chicken tacos from the kids' menu. Restaurant Constance also has a well-curated wine list, with many options by the glass. Our table for seven enjoyed everything from a Torrontes to a Sangiovese. We will definitely make a point to return. read more

Yes yes yes. Make your reservations now. Amazing textures and flavors. Couldn't describe it in words. You must end the meal with the most chocolate tarte! read more

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This is the best meal I have had in Charlotte in a very long time and Charlotte has a lot of good food! There's only about 10 tables in the restaurant. The service is great and a good wine selection. We didn't know what wine to choose so they let us try a few. The sashimi was out of this world and that's saying a lot because I used to live in Japan. The fish melts in your mouth like butter. The dumplings were great too. You can clearly tell that they homemade the dough. Scallops and short ribs were both out of bounds too! We were pleased with everything we ordered. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Definitely need a reservation! read more

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This restaurant continues to amaze me. It is by far my favorite restaurant in all of Charlotte, and I've tried most of them including Supperland, Crunkleton, Custom Shop, Counter--all outstanding as well but not quite as outstanding as RC. Obviously, the food and the service at RC cannot be surpassed. But what really separates Constance from its peers are the employees and the owner. Each dish is a work of art in itself. I like it so much that I sometimes order from the catering arm (YFYT) and gather friends around my table just to celebrate life and all the stories the food tells. You don't need a special occasion to celebrate at RC. The experience itself is a celebration of love and life. Trust me on this one, you owe it to yourself to make it to this restaurant at least once a quarter or more often!!! read more

This was one of the best meals I've had in Charlotte. Hands down. I don't think I've ever run to Yelp as quickly as I am right now. The vibes were immaculate - it's an intimate space with a cool rustic meets vintage atmosphere. Their 3 course special was a great deal and awesome way to try a few things from the menu. Each course was incredible! We tried the hamachi and arepa to start, ossobuco and short rib for main, and profiterole and a napoleon type dish for dessert. Zero notes, absolutely delicious. I came here for the first time for my birthday and it was a perfect night. We'll definitely be back. Also big shoutout to our server Kyle who gave perfect recommendations and awesome service. read more

The best date night dinner I've EVER had! The wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable. Chef Sam is absolutely brilliant! No wonder he beat Bobby Flay! The food was delightfully presented and tasted amazing from the first bite to the last. Parking was a little dicey. I ended up parking across the street. Book a table today. You won't regret it! read more

Let me start with saying there are two negatives about Restaurant Constance. The first is the parking. This lot and surrounding area suck for parking. The other issue is now small the restaurant is. This should be a great restaurant for a date but the restaurant being tiny makes it hard. There were constantly people standing right behind out table waiting for their tables. It is also super noisy inside making it hard to hear or have a meaningful conversation. Other than that, everything is great. Service is wonderful! The food is good and made with high quality ingredients. I loved the mocktail flight and wish more places would do this. read more

Our experience started of wonderful and then took a turn for the worse at the very end. I would have definitely given the restaurant a 5 star review had we not had such an awkwardly rushed end to our meal. The food was simply top tier and our server was excellent. We arrived early for our reservation prior to the other couple who joined us. The reservation was for 6:15 but we arrived early because of the distance we drove, 6 pm. I am uncertain if the clock starts as soon as you are seated but our friends arrived at 6:18pm. We ordered cocktails and apps and were super impressed with the NA beverage offerings. The corn hummus was truly an inspiration, and the crab dumplings were phenomenal. We ordered the rest of our courses, enjoyed them, then we ordered dessert and coffee. The bill was placed on our table as the last of our entrees were gathered to be boxed and shortly before the 4 espressos arrived. The desserts arrived and not a third of the way through my delicious dessert we were advised that another reservation would be needing our table. There were 2 tables of 4 being switched over as a party of 4 arrived. My husband paid the bill and we awkwardly left without finishing the signature dessert. I felt very flustered and confused. We stood outside for a while to regroup; only to see no other parties walk in after us. I understand completely the need to maximize time and table space for production and profit capabilities. I am a native New Orleanian who majored in HRT. I am finding it increasingly difficult to dine out for a 4 course meal for exactly 90 minutes. I am so saddened to write this review because the food was some of the best I have had in Charlotte in a long time. read more

One of my top 5 dining experience since arriving in Charlotte over 40 yrs ago. Remarkable owner/chef, great servers and support staff make this one of my newest favorites. read more

Restaurant Constance is my favorite restaurant and Sam Diminich is my favorite chef in Charlotte. Every time I eat at Restaurant Constance, I am reminded how much I appreciate both the restaurant and the chef behind the restaurant. I have high expectations every time I go and every time my experience exceeds those high expectations. If you can only eat at one restaurant in Charlotte, make it this one. The food is phenomenal, and flavorful. As for the ambiance, its a small place with only several tables. Perfect for both an intimate date night and casual evening sharing many plates with several of your favorite foodies. read more

Would highly recommend this spot! Not only is the food fresh and so so good, but the service is above and beyond. I ordered a delicious mocktail with beat juice, and I happened to spill it all over my husband! The server quickly brought over soda water and a tide pen, which cleared the stain right up! On top of that, they also replaced my drink immediately. This restaurant is a must try!! We will absolutely be back. read more

Delicious meal in a beautiful and intimate restaurant. We dined on a Wednesday, and were able to take advantage of the 3 course for $65 special where you can pick any appetizer/salad, entree and dessert. Food was inventive and so fresh. Service was quick and my water glass was never empty. Value on a Wednesday was incredible. We were visiting the area, but would love to dine again as the menu is constantly changing! read more

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It is hard to put into words just how phenomenal our dinner at Restaurant Constance was. We booked a reservation for my birthday after hearing rave reviews about it (and being inspired by Chef Sam Diminich's story of recovery), and our high expectations were easily exceeded. The staff were friendly, welcoming and very attentive, and the space is tiny, understated and elegant. We especially loved the slideshow of local farms and the large kitchen viewing window - watching the staff plate gorgeous meals reminded us a bit of watching "The Bear"! As for the food, we didn't eat a single thing that didn't blow us away. We ordered a great bottle of wine and started with the pork belly dumplings (I could have eaten 97 of those - they were too good for words) and the poblano yam pupusa (smoky, savory and unique). Entree-wise, we went with the seared scallops over grits (so juicy and flavorful) and the NY strip with rosemary au jus and a fresh green wrapped around spaghetti squash/cheese/mushrooms. What we loved most about the entrees was the table-side sauce additions, and to make it even more special and memorable, Chef Sam himself came out and added the au jus to our steak. He probably stayed at our table for a good five minutes, and he couldn't have been more down-to-earth and kind. We will never forget that. The chocolate miso tart was exactly as our waitress described it - like a luxurious Twix bar in the form of a fancy tart. The entire staff (including Chef Sam) even signed a birthday card for me that they brought out with the dessert. What a tremendous celebration of local ingredients and elegant flavors Restaurant Constance is. We already can't wait to return! read more

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I finally decided to check out this place with a group of girls on a weeknight... As expected, the place was really small and surprisingly, very brightly lit. Also, the place was packed, even on a weeknight. Since reserved in advance, we slid right in and sat in the very back of the restaurant. Very tight quarters! Initially, I was quite bummed because I came wanting to try the Black Sesame Panna Cotta, but that wasn't on the menu on this night. Seemed they have a rotating menu (SIGH). The menu itself was very small, but luckily, I was able to find something appealing...I ordered the Marinated Scallops, which came over a bed of grits, mushrooms, and tomato dashi. Well, as anticipated, this combo dish was such a delicious mixture of succulent and creamy...one of the best scallop entrees I've had in Charlotte! I've always liked the combination of Scallops and Grits...much more so than Shrimp and Grits. Not sure why this combo isn't as common. This is probably only the third time I've ever had this Scallop and Grits combo. Quite pricey, but no regrets! BTW, this place does not service alcoholic cocktails...just beer and wine. I settled for "Up in the Air", this Strawberry flavored sparkling water. Mildly sweet and light, it went well with the entree I ordered...but not sure if it was worth it. Since I came with a sizable number of peeps (9), I got to see a huge variety of dishes that they had to offer. I was too tired to take pictures of all, but managed to take crappy shots of just a few. Next to what I ordered, the Short Rib and the Hummus dish appealed to me the most. The thing that wasn't appealing was the super-slow rate of service. However, I get it. There were so many of us just yapping away...and the waitress didn't have the time and/or the nerve to keep checking on us. In a way, if I was a waitress and saw a table of older gals yapping non-stop, I'd stay away too lol. BUT...the thing is, by the time someone DID check on us for desserts (around 90 minutes?), we were basically ready to pay the bill. Normally, I'd dock a star for such slow service...but by now, I've come to realize that the chances of getting good to great service with a group of 6 or more is a rarity. Still, I REALLY wanted to try one of their desserts (despite the fact that my 1st choice, Black Sesame Panna Cotta, wasn't on the current menu). However, I wasn't going to be the only one in the table, holding everyone up...so there we have it. I vowed personally to return (and NOT with a big group!) to enjoy their desserts. In fact, I made reservations with my husband to return. BTW, they require credit card info to make reservations (UGGG!). Overall, it wasn't a perfect experience. Again, it was disappointing for me that I didn't find the item that I came for (Black Sesame Panna Cotta!)...and that they didn't serve alcoholic cocktails. Also, as mentioned, the service was too slow. I also didn't love the super-tight dining space. Still, I was a fan of their freshly made, chef-inspired food. I struggled with 4 and 5 stars, but given how much I enjoyed the food, I'll drop 5. On my next visit, guess I'll see if the slow service is a norm here...or if it was an off night (due to our big party). read more

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It's been several months since we dined here and after having time to reflect, I think this is the best restaurant in Charlotte. My husband and I went with two friends and we all shared: - Shrimp Dumplings - Cashew Hummus Bowl - Jalapeno Cornbread Waffle - Smoked Chicken Lettuce Wraps - Hamachi Sashimi - Tuna Crudo - Kale Salad - Beet & Lobster Salad - Pork Shank "Osso Bucco" - Pan-Roasted Red Grouper - Saroya Potato Gnocchi - The Oatmeal My number one recommendation is to go with a group, order as much of the menu as you can, and share everything. We got to try most of the menu and it was all amazing. My favorite dishes were the Hamachi Sashimi, Cashew Hummus Bowl, Kale Salad, Tuna Crudo, and Pan-Roasted Red Grouper. I think the Hamachi Sashimi is the best dish I've had this year. I wouldn't typically order things like the hummus bowl and kale salad, but those that told me I needed to didn't lead me astray. Trust me, you should get them. The raw fish dishes will blow your mind with their flavorful sauces. The glaze on the grouper was fantastic. The menu rotates, so some of these may not be on the menu anymore, but you really can't go wrong here. We no longer live in Charlotte, but we will definitely prioritize coming back here when we're back in town. read more

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Really wonderful experience. Food was amazing and service was kind and helpful the entire time. We enjoyed sitting at the chefs table. It's a very small restaurant but not overly crowded and is not loud. read more

Great food and service. I can't put my finger on why, but I just felt comfortable there. Will be going back soon!

This was an anniversary dinner gift from our kids. We had not heard of this restaurant but was excited to try it. It's small with only 20 tables seating 4 each so make a reservation for sure! Plenty of parking right in front of the restaurant! In a word the food was good! Really good! Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable and make sure to beware of my nut and fish allergies The only thing if I were to complain is when I made the reservation I noted it was our anniversary (they provide a drop list of special reasons for the visit) and typically the restaurant will offer a complimentary dessert but they did not! Our waitress did wish us a happy anniversary so that was nice! The food is farm to table with an ever changing menu but it was all very fresh. My scallops tasted like they just came from the ocean and were cooked perfectly. read more

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