Charlotte, North Carolina, to the surprise of some, is home to a diverse, expansive dining scene, featuring spins on southern classics along with cuisine from all over the world. For fine dining, Gallery, located in the Ballantyne Hotel, pairs great food with walls displaying art supplied by Awaken Gallery. These space defining pieces are available for purchase and are rotated regularly. The executive chef, Charles Gardner, focuses on creating a farm-to-table menu with a Southern approach. Some favorites include Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and Creole remoulade, along with a popular brunch menu.
Head to Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria for a combination of Cuban and Peruvian cuisine with Florida influenced flavors. Chef Paul Cruz draws on common Latin American flavors, incorporating his grandmother’s El Salvadorian recipes that makes his dishes stand out. Favorites include their Cubano sandwiches and ceviches. For an old school Italian-American restaurant Little Mama’s offers house made pasta and a unique mozzarella bar with fresh cheese and other accompaniments to choose from. They also have their great Little Mama’s USDA Prime Ribs.
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila provides an authentic Tex-Mex dining experience, complemented by the most extensive tequila bar in the state. The Outlaw Steak Fajita, the addictive Ambushed Shrimp, and the 10-hour slow roasted chili rubbed beef brisket are favorites, along with the Cadillac Margarita. For an essential North Carolina BBQ experience there is Midwood Smokehouse, celebrating “every major barbecue capital” with their different meat and pit preferences. Some favorites are the Carolina chopped pork and the Texas brisket.
YAFO Kitchen is a must-try for anyone craving Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine, with ingredients sourced directly from Israel. Elevating street food into a restaurant experience, YAFO Kitchen provides customers with an authentic taste. The restaurant also offers a “build your own bowl” option, with grain, protein, and many other topping choices. Vegetarians and vegans will find this restaurant easy to navigate as well.
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