Chow down at a variety of locally owned restaurants

Finding a little place of your own makes all the difference. Finding a little place of your own where you can nestle in and get a little something to nourish both body and spirit is even better.

Charlotte has plenty of locally owned restaurants where you can get personal attention, but they're not all exactly easy to find.

Here's a handful of new and old, in varying categories, to fill that bill.

Down-home

1. Midwood Smokehouse is the newest barbecue joint in town, and offers pulled pork, mustard-y moist chicken and fine collard greens in a comfortable Central Avenue location. 1401 Central Ave. 704-295-4227. www.midwoodsmokehouse.com.

2. Brooks Sandwich House in Plaza-Midwood was co-winner, with The Liberty, of The Observer's 2011 burger tournament. Plan on takeout, or pulling up a seat at the picnic table thingy outside. 2710 N. Brevard St. 704-375-7808.

3. The Chicken Box puts out fab fried chicken and plenty of other soul-filled goodness at this spot out North Tryon Street, not too far from uptown. 3726 N. Tryon St. 704-332-2636. www.chickenboxcafe.com.

Ethnic

4. Italian: Fiamma dishes up gorgeous fare, from thin pizzas to housemade pastas to seafood, from a Dilworth storefront. 2418 Park Road. 704-333-3062. www.fiamma-restaurant.com.

5. Chinese: 88 China Bistro in Elizabeth can fulfill your classic Chinese needs, but aficionados willfind less-common dishes on its menu, too. 1620-A E. 4th St. 704-335-0288. www.88chinabistro.com.

6. Vietnamese: Vietnam Grille does pho and summer rolls and bun, in a plain setting with lots ofserver warmth. 5615 South Blvd. 704-525-2408.

Upscale

7. Halcyon is the restaurant within the uptown Mint Museum, and is as rustically elegant - rustically elegant? - as you'd expect in a place that features craft and design. But the food's marvelous, too, hearty and creative fare, like sweet-tea-brined pork chops and cold pan duck. 500 S. Tryon St. 704-910-0865. www.halcyonflavors.com.

8. Harvest Moon Grille in the historic Dunhill Hotel (also uptown) offers all sorts of pork from chef Cassie Parson's other gig, as co-owner of Grateful Growers farm in nearby Denver, along with plenty of other area foodstuffs. Local is the word here. 235 N. Tryon St. 704-342-1193.

harvestmoongrillecharlotte.com.

9. Barrington's in south Charlotte routinely tops Zagat voting in town for creative contemporary food from chef-owner Bruce Moffett, and with good reason; it's vivid, handsome stuff. 7822 Fairview Road. 704-364-5755.

www.barringtonsrestaurant.com.

Bonus

10. Luna's Living Kitchen is for lovers of local, organic and raw. This little South End spot serves up veggies, grains and more in stylish (and healthy) presentations. 2102 South Blvd. 704-333-0008.

www.lunaslivingkitchen.com.