Good New Restaurants

[voyager12]

I went to Mezzanotte for the first time on Friday. It's the new Italian place in Cotswold across from Rosewood Castle. The design is modern and laidback. The salad and pizza I had was very good. The rest of the menu looked appealing as well, mostly standard fare. The only annoying thing was our server pushing the wine and specials on us. Tell us once and that's it. It's a restaurant not a car dealership, drop the hard sell.

[New Name]

hey...Mama Fu at Parktowne (park/woodlwan) closed for good. Booo! First Bertucci's, now Mama.

[atlrvr]

Has anyone been to Pie Town yet? I'm beyond excited to try it.

[tozmervo]

If its anything like the Pie Hole from Pushing Daisies, I'm there. First thing's first, though - where is Pie Town?

[ontap]

If its anything like the Pie Hole from Pushing Daisies, I'm there. First thing's first, though - where is Pie Town?

"Pie Town" is replacing "Town" in Gateway Village. As the name implies, gourmet individual pizzas. It opened last Saturday. Haven't made it yet, but definately plan to go as soon as the new wears off and the kinks get worked out.

[tozmervo]

"Pie Town" is replacing "Town" in Gateway Village. As the name implies, gourmet individual pizzas. It opened last Saturday. Haven't made it yet, but definately plan to go as soon as the new wears off and the kinks get worked out.

Heh, to me it implied pies. As in, apple, banana creme, pecan. Ah well, I guess we could always use another pizza place...

[f0xym0p]

I would much rather have a dessert pie restaurant than a pizza pie restaurant.

What was wrong with Town as it was?

[voyager12]

I am shocked. I was just at Town a few weeks ago and saw no sign of such a big change.

[Charlotte_native]

I would much rather have a dessert pie restaurant than a pizza pie restaurant.

What was wrong with Town as it was?

I liked town, but I also think we have plenty of mid to higher priced, good dinner and tapas restaurants. It was just one of many. A gourmet pizza place for me is a bit more exciting depending on how it turns out.

[Andyc545]

I liked town, but I also think we have plenty of mid to higher priced, good dinner and tapas restaurants. It was just one of many. A gourmet pizza place for me is a bit more exciting depending on how it turns out.

I guess Pie Town is suppose to be a step up from Brixx. I'm eager to try it, there is a decent amount of hype for a pizza restaurant coming to Charlotte. I didn't think it was open quite yet, but if it is, I'm going to have to test out the pizza for sure, or when it opens.

[New Name]

All this pizza talk makes me want to bring this up:

For three years, since moving to Charlotte (and originally being from Boston), I have searched for a style of crust called "Greek Style." It is a fixture at the various town's Houses of Pizza in the New England. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never find it... And then I finally tried the House of Pizza on Central. Owned and run by a Greek family, I am so glad to have found my beloved crust. I know it's not a "new" restaurant, but it's new to me. You can have your cardboard New York Style, and your fancy gourmet, and even your attempt at Chicago style... give me a Red Sox game and House of Pizza greek crust. Word!

[Temeteron]

All this pizza talk makes me want to bring this up:

For three years, since moving to Charlotte (and originally being from Boston), I have searched for a style of crust called "Greek Style." It is a fixture at the various town's Houses of Pizza in the New England. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never find it... And then I finally tried the House of Pizza on Central. Owned and run by a Greek family, I am so glad to have found my beloved crust. I know it's not a "new" restaurant, but it's new to me. You can have your cardboard New York Style, and your fancy gourmet, and even your attempt at Chicago style... give me a Red Sox game and House of Pizza greek crust. Word!

I couldn't agree with you more!!! I used to live in Boston, and the pizza there is very different from NY style. There aren't many Greek Bostonians here in Charlotte, most of them are from NYC/NJ or Chicago....so the pizza places here all have NY style pizza....ex. Tony's Pizza are all Sicilians from NY....etc...If you ever go to Columbia, SC there are several Greek families from the Boston area that still have their pizza the way they made it when they were in Boston years ago...(i know them because i am related to them lol).....Charlotte definately needs more pizza places that have Boston style pizza....I'm tired of NY style and tired of gourmet style.

[uptownliving]

Yeah I rode my bike to House of Pizza a few weeks ago...It has been there for at least 30 years...but I just randomly came across it...and yes.,., it is good stuff.

[C_C_Planner]

Went to "Copper" last night. Finally Charlotte has a "fine dining" Indian place. Food was great (although it could have been spicier), service was incredible and the interiors are beautiful. All in all, a great experience. If you've never tried Indian food, this would be a great place to expand your horizons. Skip dessert, though. It's on East Blvd in Dilworth right in front of Paper Skyscraper.

Last week I tried the new Sonoma at BoA Corporate. The hottest, sexiest restaurant interior in town. Even the restrooms are cool. The upfit must have cost a small fortune (with the bank subsidizing, I assume). The food? Not bad, but the architecture is better.

Pio Pio is a great new Dilworth restaurant serving Colombian and Peruvian food at great prices in the Dilworth shopping center where Outback is (and Tally's used to be). This space previosuly housed a Spanish restuarant then a hot dog house. Pio Pio is by far the best thing that has happened here.

[ScottCLT]

Just because I seemingly can't wait more than a week or two to hit any new restaurant in Charlotte, I went to Pie Town last night. It's the same old Town inside -- not much has changed. Except for the menu, that is. I had a Classic Margherita (4-cheese blend w/ light marinara) with spicy Italian sausage. My girlfried had the Queen Charlotte Pizza (which is really just a regular pizza -- more marinara than the Margherita, and a 2-cheese blend) with Salumi (yes - that's a "u" - it's like salami, though). Both were exceptional pizzas. I do have to say that I preferred the Queen Charlotte, with that extra marinara, though. There are a ton of specialty pizzas, but I never got much into those -- clams casino pizza and breakfast pizza, among others. The service was good, but then again I'd imagine that they kept the same staff so they really weren't "new." What really impressed me was the speed -- they cook the pizzas lightening fast. I overheard someone saying that the brick oven was around $50,000 and cooks a pizza in two and a half minutes.

The restaurant was busy for a Wednesday night in Gateway. Seems like they will do well.

It was an overall good experience. One odd thing was that there are no free refills on soft drinks. Seriously? I buy a $14 8-inch pizza and I don't get a free refill of Diet Coke? Not that I couldn't pay the extra $2 -- it's just a matter of concept here.

Pio Pio is a great new Dilworth restaurant serving Colombian and Peruvian food at great prices in the Dilworth shopping center where Outback is (and Tally's used to be). This space previosuly housed a Spanish restuarant then a hot dog house. Pio Pio is by far the best thing that has happened here.

I have to agree -- Pio Pio is great. I've eaten lunch there once so far and it was a fantastic surprise. That fried yuca with the dipping sauces was awesome!

[mybackyardis485]

The International Cafe on Monroe Road near Briar Creek. It has really good Ethiopian food. The staff is nice and the venue is welcoming on the inside. It looks a little sketchy on the outside but it is worth the trip. I recommend the spicy chicken dish.

[Miesian Corners]

Blynk is now open in 200 South Tryon. It features all organic food and drinks and from my experiences thus far (I've eaten lunch there about 5 times), it is delicious!

FYI, Harry and Jean's uptown on Tryon (next to Dean and Deluca) has closed. No word on who might take the space.

[voyager12]

I went to Pie Town (formerly Town in Gateway Village). Good pizza. I did not think it was outstanding. They definitely offer a wide variety of crusts and cheeses which is nice to have. It's not terribly expensive but a little overpriced for what you get in my opinion. No change in the decor from before.

[ScottCLT]

There's a new spot going in the old Avenue sales center on Graham behind Cans - Crave Dessert Bar. Signs are up in the windows. I know there were several folks on this forum wishing for a dessert bar. It's a bit off the beaten path of Tryon or College, but it looks like we are getting one.

[HopHead]

Need some input guys... I have my family (mom, dad and sis) coming to town for Thanksgiving. Both my parents have never really been "out" in Charlotte. I'm looking to take them out to eat on the Wednesday night before Turkey day. Any recommendations on a good place to take your parents? Nothing overly pricey but I didn't want to take them to Mac's either, even though my old man loves BBQ.

[Charlotte_native]

Take them to East Blvd. Lots of good 'real' Charlotte choices there. 300 East, Cantina if you want Mexican, 131 Main. All good food and moderately priced.

[New Name]

Alexander Michaels. Show off the city in an understated way.

[Charlotte_native]

Tried the new 5 Guys burger place at the Lowe's project block on South yesterday. Wow. Hand pressed patties (you can see them making them) fries cut everyday, and tons for your $. Really great food and kept me full half the day. Split the order of fries, it is WAY to big for one person.

[HopHead]

Tried the new 5 Guys burger place at the Lowe's project block on South yesterday. Wow. Hand pressed patties (you can see them making them) fries cut everyday, and tons for your $. Really great food and kept me full half the day. Split the order of fries, it is WAY to big for one person.

Since I live near by, I've been there a few times already and yes very filling! Though, they still have nothing on the Penguin!

I also went to the Noodle Company the other day as well. It was pretty good. Can't say I will go there all the time, but it's a great alternative if you're looking for something other than a burger or a sub. I had the Pad Thai which was pretty good.

[tozmervo]

Its weird. Every time I go to that Five Guys I think "good, but Big Daddy's is better." And yet, I keep going to Five Guys instead. I think it's just too accessible from my apartment.