Archive for the 'Charlotte Eats' Category

Five Great Charlotte Restuarants You May Have Missed!

May 4th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Legends, Charlotte Real Estate & More, Rhonda Gibbons

As a blogger I find the only thing more controversial than politics, religion and S-E-X  is restaurants. We all have our favs and sometimes depending on one’s palate or day of the week your experience may differ from ours. C’est la vie. So please take our reviews with a grain of salt ~ Rhonda and I have been to these these five multiple times and have yet to have an off meal or bad service experience! You may have your own fab five but if you give these five a try we’re pretty sure one or more will make it into your culinary rotation!

Middle of the week quick & healthy!  The Roasting Company
We love The Roasting Company on what used to be Charlotte’s restaurant row Montford Drive. We affectionately call this place the “chicken place”. Big fat juicy rotisserie chicken with fantastic home made vegetable sides. The chicken tacos are great too, light with a choice of three fresh made salsas. Cold beer is available and its quick they’ll probably call your name before you sit down! Make sure you pick up a bottle of Tico sauce — wonderful mild sauce ~ Heinz 57 meets Jamaica! How do I get there?

The Real Deal Sushi!  Musashi
This is not your upscale sushi place but if you’re looking for the freshest most authentic sushi without all the flash Musashi is for you. Nestled in a strip mall (yes near the Goodwill) you will find a warn friendly atmosphere – I tell Rhonda it reminds me of a neighborhood sushi place in New York where it seems like there is a great sushi place on every corner. Charlotte not so much ~ so if you’re looking for a sushi place to call your own Musashi’s the one! How do I get there?

Best Fish Tacos in the World (in Charlotte)!  Cabo Fish Taco

OK I have no idea about anything else on the menu – is there anything else, do they even need a menu? Cabo Fish Taco in NoDa is just perfect – small, loud and fun and the fish tacos are to die for. Rhonda loves, loves the fish tacos high praise from someone who is not a big texmex fan. Served in a taco shell that would float off the plate if not for the chunks of piping hot (which makes the difference) lightly fried fish. Try the Longboard Island lager ~ I know Hawaiian beer? ~ trust me! How do I get there?

The best Thai in Town! Bangkok Ocha
Another family run neighborhood find! Rhonda and I eat here a couple of times a month and have always, always been 100% happy. The food is authentic and I’ll add the shrimp and scallops are notably fresh and tasty. Too often Asian restaurants seem focused on the noodles or rice leaving the meat less than notable. Not at Bangkok Ocha ~ try the #38 shrimp & scallop combo. Oh and for a wonderful beer try the always icy cold Singha beer! How do I get there?

That Very Special Evening! Barrington’s

Maybe because it’s so small you get the feeling you found something no one else knows about and you’d be right! The kind of place where the Chef’s specials…are! You will need a reservation and in New york style you will be sitting close but somehow you don’t feel that way cause you’re focused on the one you’re with and the amazing food and wine ~  find a special reason and go to this very special Charlotte gem! How do I get there?

So there you have it five of Rhonda and my favorite restaurants in Charlotte. We’re sure you have five more and we’d love to hear about them ~ leave a comment and we’ll be sure to check yours out! Bon Appetit!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 4 Comments »

Fresh Oysters in Charlotte – Found a Pearl!

April 11th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Legends, Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Grown Ups, Rhonda Gibbons

OK you either love’em or you hate’em. Let me just say that last night at Vinnie’s Southend three of Charlotte’s top real estate professionals were lovin’em so much we almost grew shells and we need ‘em! Please excuse the hard shell/real estate biz analogy. Rhonda my awesome wife, me and my good friend Gray Steelman took care of a “raw oyster jones” we’ve had for a couple of months. 

As you may know Rhonda and I are now partners on Charlotte’s premier real estate team (after all its our name – Charlotte Premier Realty) haha — anyway we commiserated for a bit and then launched into a full celebration of all things Charlotte real estate and more. Rhonda showed her patience and expertise in contracting a beautiful yet hard to sell Queens Beans condo in Myers Park, Gray is looking to parlay his self storage wizardry into a new venture Mustang Properties and I had some amazing success at a recent entrepreneurial competition for my side venture Buttons of Hope. Yes we ordered extra lemons and made some sweet LEMONADE!

So where’s the pearl? I think these days anyone on a quest for raw seafood has to think twice and to be honest $.25 oyster night always leaves me a bit …queasy ya’ know!  Well quease no more Vinnie’s served up what we all agreed (after yes 7 dozen) were some of the finest juiciest, freshest oyster we’ve ever had..anywhere and believe me Rhonda’s years at Charleston Oyster fests makes her an expert! The service was warm and friendly and the beers were icy cold — let’s just say when you have a hankering for raw oysters on the cheap you must run to Charlotte’s Southend and find a table at Vinnie’s Raw Bar a pearl on the Charlotte restaurant scene.

ps. I know it sounds weird but after all those oysters we needed melted cheese in a bad way (maybe it was the shellfish haze – or Coronas?) so a stop at LaPaz one of our oldest favs (remember waiting 3 hours for a table at LaPaz on Fenton Place?) was in order and ready with some unbelievable blue corn chicken nachos – Go there, Try them!…all in all a great evening in a couple of Charlotte’s hidden gems

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte Restaurant Week | Dine Like Royalty in the Queen City

January 12th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Lifestyle

Charlotte Restaurant Week is back for an encore! Also known as the Queens Feast Winter 2009
Enjoy a culinary extravaganza during this week-long celebration of Charlotte’s restaurant scene. From Saturday, January 24, through Friday, January 30, each participating upscale restaurant will offer a spectacular 3-course, prix fixe dinner menu for only $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity).

May we suggest a few personal favorites: Cajun Queen, Carpe Diem, Villa Antonio-South Boulevard, Upstream, M5 Modern Mediterranean, McIntosh’s Steaks & Seafood, Noble’s Restaurant, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Copper Modern Indian Cuisine

Whichever restaurant you choose (or choose more than one!) I promise you’ll enjoy that famous Charlotte hospitality and some surprisingly good eclectic fare.

Just don’t ask for any substitutions! (Even Jack has to go prix fixe)

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Where Can You Blow Off Some Steam in the University Area?

December 22nd, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats, Communities, Fun for Grown Ups

 

We’re not promoting pollution or the pro or cons of nuclear energy.  However, after a stressful semester and the additional stress of graduating during a tough job market, many living in and around the University area of North Charlotte may need to blow off some steam and have some fun to close out 2008. 

The University area (aka University City) is the North Charlotte community surrounding The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).  The community is found along University City Boulevard and W.T Harris Boulevard.  I-485 and North Tryon Street (US 29) also are prominent intersections in the area.  The University area is neighbored by the cities of Harrisburg and Concord.  The outskirts of the University area include Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the Concord Mills Outlet Mall. 

If the beauty of natural flora is your stress reliever, check out the Charlotte Botanical Garden.  The gardens are on the campus of UNCC.  The gardens have three main areas including a greenhouse and two gardens.  Steam can wilt plants so please blow off some steam before you enter the gardens.

If a game of pool and an ice cold beer sound like your scene, check out Smokin’ Cue which is a pool hall on University City Boulevard.  Smokin’ Cue offers friendly service and well-maintained billiards tables.  Women’s Professional Billiards Association members recently participated in an event held here that benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Thus, if you stop by, you may cross paths with a professional billiards player and get to utter the most famous words in billiards, “rack’em!”

If an authentic Mexican dish and a nice margarita are your stress reliever, Zapata’s is your spot.  Zapata’s is located on J.M. Keynes Drives.  The restaurant offers large portions of authentic Mexican cuisine.  A live Mariachi band plays there nightly and Latin dancing is offered on Saturday night to Salsa, meringue, and cumbia music.  The restaurant has a wonderful view because its location overlooks the University Park Lake near the University City Hilton.

If a Guinness or other beer is your stress reliever, try Tipsey McStumble’s.  The name should say it all.  This completely unauthentic Irish pub on University City Boulevard offers a fun place to just hang out with friends and watch sporting events.  Go easy on the drink specials so that you don’t get too “tipsey.”

If you’re looking for some physical activity to blow off steam, check out Charlotte Pilates which is the only  Pilates studio located in the University and Concord area of Charlotte.  As a Pilates fan, I know that it can provide much needed strength to your core muscles.  This added strength enhances your ability to handle stresses on your body. 

Now, that you’ve blown off your steam, craft a killer resume, network, and attack that job market with vengeance.  Good Luck!

Spoken by Satyra Riggins | Discussion: No Comments »

Gimme a Break, Please!

December 5th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Lifestyle

 

Have you already had your fill of turkey, dressing , and ham for this holiday season?  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are around the corner so why not take a break from the typical holiday staples.  I suggest that you try an ethnic restaurant to add some flavor to your palate.  Dilworth, a Charlotte community south of Uptown, has several options to give you that much desired break from turkey overload.

 

• The Kabob Grill,  which is on East Boulevard, offers “exquisite Middle Eastern cuisine.”  In addition to mouth watering kabob entrees, the Kabob Grill offers spicy appetizers and savory salads.  My daughter is a big fan of their pita bread which is replenished often during your meal.  In addition to the tasty food, maybe you will enjoy watching the rhymthic movements of a belly dancer.  A belly dancer performs at the Kabob Grill every weekend evening.
• Thai Taste is another option for ethnic food.  Thai Taste is also located on East Boulevard.  It provides typical Thai cuisine that’s inexpensive yet delicious.  There are also Thai Taste locations in Matthews and the University area.  Thai Taste deems itself “Charlotte’s first and best Thai restaurant.”  It’s packed during weekday lunchtime so it’s a favorite for working folks in the area.
• Greek Isles is a restaurant located on East Bland Street in the Dilworth community. It offers authentic Greek cuisine including Greek salads, seafood dishes, and other Greek specialities.  The decor of the restaurant is authentic as well including many columns and statutes which exhibit Greek architecture. 

Now, that you’ve tried something a little different, your break is over and you may now return to your regularly scheduled holiday staples.  I hope that you enjoyed that brief interruption.

Spoken by Satyra Riggins | Discussion: No Comments »

101 Great things to do in Charlotte NC #83 Phillips Place

August 31st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Legends, Fun for Grown Ups

83. Phillips Place – Fine, upscale shopping opportunities, along with breathtaking landscaping, line the streets at Phillips Place

Once in a while we have a Charlotte attraction that is just too big & too much fun that it merits its own post! Phillips Place is one to those attractions! Phillips Place has it all ~ Rhonda and I are there on average once a week and we have plenty of great memories there! I’ll share a few as we take a tour.

Catch a movie in the beautiful Phillips Place 10 movie theater (we saw the first Harry Potter (Rhonda’s fave) a midnight show!)

One of Rhonda’s and my favorite people Lyn Conger is part owner of Charlotte’s nattiest clothing store Taylor Richards Conger and be sure to check out their new women’s shop TRCW!

We LOVE the roasted Prince Edward mussels (and everything we’ve ever tried) at Upstream ~ we agree its one of the best seafood restaurants ever! Great unsung sushi bar too.

Then its on to the Dean & Deluca Wine Room ~ one of Charlotte’s first and still best ~ sit outside and people watch, once the tress aer dressed in the twinkling white Holiday lights you might even think of Paris (OK it depends a bit on the number of glasses) and yes we have sat outside there in November! Oh and don’t forget the incredible Dean & Deluca Deli across the street — can’t tell you how many quick delicious pre-movie meals we’ve had here and if you love red velvet cake there’s is the best!

Il Posto Osteria is one of the best Italian trattorias you will find ~ high praise since I grew up in New York! I love pasta and had the beat mushroom ravioli ever at Il Posto ~ al fresco dining is a must here!
The Palm Let’s just say if you are looking for a special night out or to entertain an important business client you won’t go wrong. Greta steak, big lobsters and huge portions! Who know maybe you’ll get your caricature on the wall!
PF Chang’s We love the casual, always great Chinese cuisine. My son Ryan picked Chang’s for his first dinner date…aahhhh!
Restoration Hardware Explore, especially fun at the Holidays when they bring in all kind s of cool gadgets — fill your stocking here!
Smith & Hawken  Charlotte is lucky to have this store! Rhonda says it’s “therapy for your green thumb”

Hampton Inn & Suites  Excellent place for intown guests (we put up our wedding party here ~ they almost did not make it to the wedding!), not your average Hampton with great views and a short walk to all of the amenities described here!
Post Park Apartments  Like what you see here? Well why not live right here in Phillips Place — some of Charlotte’s most luxurious apartments Relocating? Why not stay here while you decide where to decide where to buy your Charlotte home!
(101 Charlotte things to do courtesy of NC Tourist Guide)

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Giant (soft) Crabs attack Charlotte NC!

August 12th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats

OK maybe not exactly an attack…more like a recipe for… Crispy Maryland Soft Shell Crabs with Cilantro Slaw from one of Charlotte’s newest and best seafood digs Oceanaire at the Piedmont Town Center in Southpark! The recipe is courtesy of executive chef Executive Chef de Cuisine, Brad MacFiggen. Thanks Brad!

Just don’t feel like cooking (me either) let Brad work his magic on those soft crustaceans for you while you sit back and enjoy the attentive service and ambiance at Oceanaire! Oh and be sure to read the interview with Brad at Connect With Charlotte in part…

“My career turned around when I was given the opportunity to be a chef that interacted on the floor, bringing down the wall between me and the guest. Here (Oceanaire) we bring the personality of the kitchen right to the side of the table. Making that guest connection is unbelievable for me. It’s a reward.”
Delicious.
We’d like to know, what is your favorite fish…or crustacean?

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte NC It’s not ALL about the Que! (or is it?)

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Lifestyle

Saw this picture of Uptown Charlotte businessmen doing what they do best…lunch, haha! Well not really but they have picked one of the best, I can personally and often attest to Red’s Barbeque BBQ as one of Charlotte’s best. The mobile que on wheels you see here makes it way to the Quail Hollow area in south Charlotte on the weekends and it is very hard to pass by. Make sure you try the que of course but don’t miss the Brunswick stew (in season only ~ they’ll tell you when).

Red’s BBQ may not be a reason to buy a home in Charlotte but its a heck of good reason to stay! Enjoy! 

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

What do a Lupie, the Penguin and fried squash have to do with Charlotte Real Estate? A secret no more!

June 20th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats

For some it’s a reason to move to Charlotte, and for most it’s a reason to stay! The Charlotte Observer’s renowned food expert Kathleen Purvis has compiled a funky list of 50 food, people, and places that give this city it’s flavor! Step One: Hurry! Get with Rhonda, Jackie, Blake, Betsy or Donna and buy a house so….Step Two: you can start eating!

We can attest to a few of the 50….

Steve Spoon, Bill Spoon’s Barbecue. Barbecue is hard, dirty work, and many old-time restaurants close down when the founders pass on. When Bill died last year, it made us happy to know his grandson, Steve, would keep the place just the same. We say, Once when I did not have the cash (no credit cards) to pay for a $25 takeout Bill Spoon handed me the bag and told me to send him a check — best cue, nicest people — southern hospitality!

Pasta & Provisions. Tommy and Debbie George’s little Italian market has been a comforting presence on Providence Road for 15 years. A stash of their ravioli in the freezer keeps our meal emergencies at bay. We say, Wine selection and advice and pasta so fresh make you slap your Italiam Momma!

Lupie Duran of Lupie’s. Duran spent her teen years at Thompson Orphanage, and she’s been taking care of people ever since. At Lupie’s on Monroe Road, she treats employees like family and regulars like friends. The exit sign says it: “Keep on coming back and we’ll call you a local.” We say, Saturday afternoon best “chili hole” in the world, it’s proven! more pictures at Roadfood.com

The jukebox (and burgers) at the Penguin. It (almost) takes the pain out of jostling for a table. There are 50 CDs listed in the box and at least 50 more titles in the notebook on the wall. Hear Elvis (Presley and Costello), Howlin’ Wolf and the Clash in the same evening, or chase Dwight Yoakam with Depeche Mode. We say, You just have experience it, is that a tat?

Have fun and be sure to let us know if you like what you find or if you find some new culinary adventure here in Charlotte!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »