740 replies to this topic

[tozmervo]

this is a pretty good list of area food trucks: https://twitter.com/.../clt-foodtrucks

Roots is a favorite, it's often located at 3rd and Tryon for lunch. There's also a monthly food truck rodeo called "Chow Down Uptown." It was held last week, so there won't be another until January.

[grodney]

yorkconstruct, on 17 December 2011 - 04:01 PM, said:

i have a craving for whatever is coming out a food truck. Are there any places in Charlotte that i can find one of these?  If so, what are they serving and how is it?

The Roots food truck is at 3rd & Tryon for lunch mostly Tue-Fri.  Great food.  Tacos, pitas, soups, pasta, sandwiches.  Really good stuff.

http://rootsfarmfood.com/

Edit:  Wow, sorry I missed toz's reply.

Edited by grodney, 19 December 2011 - 08:12 AM.

[nonillogical]

Osso is now open in the NC Music Factory. Looks promising and I've read a few decent reviews already, even if we seem to have this territory already pretty well-covered by mid-upscale Italian restaurants like Vivace and Aria.

http://ossocharlotte.com/

[ScottCLT]

My wife and I ate at Levant tonight on the Levine Avenue of the Arts. Excellent atmosphere - loved the high back chairs. The food was excellent. We split hummus, falafel, and the mixed grill. Though I do think the prices are a bit high for what it is (you can get the same thing at Kabob Grill, from the same owners, for less), the atmosphere is much more "big city" with the backdrop of the jumbotron from the Knight Theater gleaming through the windows, the decor, and the street front access. It's not a strip mall, that's for sure. That being said, we split everything and came out extremely full - no need for two entrees, just split one and a couple starters (which is more typical of Middle Eastern eating anyway). So it didn't break the bank - $50 for food and a couple beers a piece. The folks there are genuine, kind, and accommodating. Oh, and they have Efes Beer from Turkey (I haven't had that since the last time I was...well, in Turkey)!

Overall, excellent addition to uptown. Highly recommended!

[dubone]

Awesome.  I hope they have or can tell me the name of a dish I had in Istanbul that I lost the name of, but loved it.

[dbull75]

Emeril's "e2" restaurant is set to open on January 26th.... It'll seat 125 along with room for 28 on the outdoor patio. Additionally it will have a Chef's foodbar where guests can interact with the chefs who are preparing their food. It also looks they'll emphasize some of Charlotte's local beers at their bar, local food vendors and nearby Johnson & Wales culinary talent.

More info: http://www.emerils.c...ry-on-jan-26/

[C_C_Planner]

This should be a great addition to Uptown. I have enjoyed the Orlando location for years including creative entrees and an incredible wine list.

[ScottCLT]

I just noticed a Groupon for Brazz Steakhouse this morning. I've never heard of it, but apparently it's an upscale Brazilian Rodizio style steakhouse uptown. Anyone been to this place? It's a few bucks cheaper than Chima, but only a few. Seems like it popped up out of nowhere. I'm thinking this is maybe in the spot where Jolina used to be?

http://brazz.co/

[nonillogical]

New restaurant/bar on Elizabeth Avenue called Smalls...I don't know where they came from but they've already had a soft opening. Looks great IMO, just what the neighborhood needs! The menu almost seems like a cross between Pinky's and Soul or Bistro La Bon.

http://smallscharlot...quarespace.com/
http://www.urbanfood...e-grand-opening

[tozmervo]

Queen City Q has made it's debut in Uptown. Time to go place it on the Macs/Midwood/Saucemans/Bill Spoons spectrum!

[dbull75]

tozmervo, on 21 January 2012 - 12:06 PM, said:

Queen City Q has made it's debut in Uptown. Time to go place it on the Macs/Midwood/Saucemans/Bill Spoons spectrum!

I ate at the Queen City Q last week before one of the Bobcats games. I will have to say, hands down the portions are tough to beat. I got the pulled pork platter with mac n cheese and pork and beans. I thought it was pretty solid. I have to say though Sauceman's might have them beat, but by a hair. The one thing I definitely did appreciate though is their beer selection. On Friday's they have $3 North Carolina brews. So if you're a fan of local brews from NoDa Brewing, Olde Meck, or Four Friends you're in luck. They had some other NC beers like Big Boss and Red Oak as well.

[rworkman09]

I've been out of the area for a couple years and just returned a few weeks ago. I noticed that Jackalope Jacks is nearing completion on the construction of a building in P-M.

Are they shutting down the 7th street location, or will they now have two locations?

[kermit]

Two more thumbs up for Queen City Q.

Pork: Excellent meat quality. Flavoring is slightly better than Mac's, not as good as Bill Spoons. Despite being a pork purest (only eastern style will do), I really liked the variety of sauces available on the table.
Sides: Way better than Mac's. Variety of sides makes it better than Spoons. (the 'eastern NC slaw' is not as good as Spoon's)
Beer Selection: Very good (Its been a while since I sat at the bar at Macs). Lots of local beers (including Birdsong IPA which I thought was solid). Half price drafts on Tuesdays!

Overall this may become my uptown favorite -- especially since the menu is broad enough that it should be fine with non-pork eaters (I will never understand _that_ lifestyle choice).

[Vitamin_N]

ScottCLT, on 12 January 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

I just noticed a Groupon for Brazz Steakhouse this morning. I've never heard of it, but apparently it's an upscale Brazilian Rodizio style steakhouse uptown. Anyone been to this place? It's a few bucks cheaper than Chima, but only a few. Seems like it popped up out of nowhere. I'm thinking this is maybe in the spot where Jolina used to be?

http://brazz.co/

I tried their lunch buffet this week, it was pretty good.

[tozmervo]

I was already skeptical before getting dragged to Fitzgeralds, and my experience was not surprising. It's the worst bar I've ever been to in Charlotte, without question. For my personal taste and opinions, there were no redeeming qualities. The dance music even sucked. With as much alcahol as I had, that's an impressive feat.

[ah59396]

tozmervo, on 09 March 2012 - 10:51 PM, said:

I was already skeptical before getting dragged to Fitzgeralds, and my experience was not surprising. It's the worst bar I've ever been to in Charlotte, without question. For my personal taste and opinions, there were no redeeming qualities. The dance music even sucked. With as much alcahol as I had, that's an impressive feat.

I can't agree with you more.  Fitzgeralds is a huge disappointment and their prices may be the highest I've seen outside of the epicenter.  Calling that place "an Irish Pub" is like calling Applebee's "upscale American dining".

[nonillogical]

tozmervo, on 09 March 2012 - 10:51 PM, said:

I was already skeptical before getting dragged to Fitzgeralds, and my experience was not surprising. It's the worst bar I've ever been to in Charlotte, without question. For my personal taste and opinions, there were no redeeming qualities. The dance music even sucked. With as much alcahol as I had, that's an impressive feat.

So did they manage to make it worse than Buckheads was? Because I think that place formerly held the title of worst uptown bar. We have plenty of GOOD irish pubs (with varying degrees of faithfulness to that term), so its hard to be disappointed about this.

[ah59396]

nonillogical, on 10 March 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

So did they manage to make it worse than Buckheads was? Because I think that place formerly held the title of worst uptown bar. We have plenty of GOOD irish pubs (with varying degrees of faithfulness to that term), so its hard to be disappointed about this.

Just go there and find out.  It's pretty terrible.  Honestly it's a sham that it's called a "Pub".  I guess if anything, the bathrooms are cleaner.  But it's basically a poor mans Blackfinn with the same outlandish prices.

[ScottCLT]

I ate at Picante for lunch, over beside the Burger Company on Morehead. It was....meh...I'm kind of indifferent...

Decent burrito,but the queso was a it bland. But really it just seemed like a Chipotle clone - from the atmosphere to the food itself (though I think Chipotle food is a notch better). I think that Chipotle, Moe's, Qdoba, and Phat Burrito can co-exist and survive because they all offer something a little bit different. When I'm in the mood for a Phat Burrito, Moe's just isn't going to cut it for me. And vice versa. They each have a unique taste and I like different things about each place.

But Picante seemed to just have no soul, and nothing stood out about it at all. No awesome salsa bar, no unique fillers, no unique atmosphere, no free chips with the burrito, etc. etc. Nothing to make me want to come back to Picante in particular next time I'm in the mood for a burrito.

It's too bad, because I'd love to support another local business instead of one of the big chains. But unless they find that "something" that can keep people coming back, I have a feeling that this place won't hang around too long.

[nonillogical]

ScottCLT, on 30 March 2012 - 02:08 PM, said:

I ate at Picante for lunch, over beside the Burger Company on Morehead. It was....meh...I'm kind of indifferent...

Decent burrito,but the queso was a it bland. But really it just seemed like a Chipotle clone - from the atmosphere to the food itself (though I think Chipotle food is a notch better). I think that Chipotle, Moe's, Qdoba, and Phat Burrito can co-exist and survive because they all offer something a little bit different. When I'm in the mood for a Phat Burrito, Moe's just isn't going to cut it for me. And vice versa. They each have a unique taste and I like different things about each place.

But Picante seemed to just have no soul, and nothing stood out about it at all. No awesome salsa bar, no unique fillers, no unique atmosphere, no free chips with the burrito, etc. etc. Nothing to make me want to come back to Picante in particular next time I'm in the mood for a burrito.

It's too bad, because I'd love to support another local business instead of one of the big chains. But unless they find that "something" that can keep people coming back, I have a feeling that this place won't hang around too long.

Yeah...I may end up going since its walking distance from work for me, but the word of mouth from people in the office is not very good, and I kind of don't want to just because they're brazenly committing total brand plagiarism with Chipotle (seriously, look at the logos, menus, and interior aesthetics side by side).