Charlotte Restaurant Week is happening: Check out the newest spots and some classics.
Twice a year residents in Charlotte and surrounding counties are given the chance to try some of the area’s best high-end restaurants for a fraction of the cost. Now in its 12th year, Charlotte Restaurant Week is set to return Jan. 17-26.
The latest Queen’s Feast event welcomes several newcomers to the list of over 140 restaurants that span across 10 counties, including Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus and more. As you prepare your list of the restaurants that you want to try, we give you a sneak peek into the latest places added to the roster, along with some old favorites.
No matter where you choose to go, be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible so you are guaranteed a table.
Restaurants new to Queen’s Feast
(1) The Bottle Tree
102 Davis St., Belmont
Price: $35 per person
Opening Act (choice of one)
Thai Champagne Mussels - mixed peppers, shiitakes, spicy red curry, cornbread
Nashville Hot Shrimp Buns - jumbo wild-caught shrimp, comeback sauce, house-pickled cucumber on bao buns
Moroccan Smoked Ribs - ras el hanout rub, mustard BBQ sauce, collard slaw
Pan-Blistered Shishitos - mild shishito peppers, pimento queso, everything spice
Hummus Platter - pumpkin hummus, green tomato tzatziki, Looking Glass Creamery feta, puffed sorghum, warm buttermilk chive naan bread
Crispy Caulilini - spicy 5-pepper African piri-piri sauce, chimichurri topping (vegan, gluten free)
Autumn Apple Salad - currants, greens, pumpkin seeds, walnut date vinaigrette (vegan, gluten free)
Headliner (choice of one)
Brasstown Steak - 8-ounce hangar, roasted heirloom sweet potatoes, mizuna greens, pepper cream
Smoked Short Rib - pho-spiced beef ribs, cheese grits, green tomato, microgreens (gluten free)
Pork Schnitzel and Ramen Noodles - collards, shell peas, hen of the woods mushroom, dashi
Korean-Style Chicken and Dumplings - smoked half chicken, honey gochujang braise, pumpkin dumplings
Carolina Fresh Catch - wild-caught fish from the Carolina coast, delivered fresh daily, turmeric-ginger sauce, dill, rice noodles (gluten free)
Roasted Roots Fried Rice - miso-sorghum glazed root veggies, ginger fried rice (vegan)
Encore (choice of one)
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding - Muddy River rum sauce
Chocolate Pie with Vietnamese Coffee Sauce - whipped cream
Layer Cake - vanilla cake with coconut-pecan frosting
Key Lime Yuzu Fortune Tart - fortune cookie crust, coconut, meringue
(2) Charolais Steakhouse
766 4th St. SW, Hickory
Price: $35 per person
First Course (choice of one)
Poké - salmon, scallop, seaweed salad, toast points
Shrimp Tempura - hoisin dipping sauce, Asian relish
Soup, Salad and Cheese Bar
Build your own plate from the premium bar featuring a selection of over 42 ingredients, seven assorted cheeses and two soups.
Main course (choice of one)
NY Strip – chipotle-rubbed strip, honey-glazed carrots, herb-marinated purple asparagus, smoked Point Reyes blue cheese crème, Pinot Noir syrup, hand-cut tableside starting at 12 oz. ($1.65 per additional ounce)
Bone-In Chop - chargrilled pork chop, Boursin smashed potatoes, roasted Brussels, blackberry gastrique
Petite Filet - 6 oz. center cut, baked potato, bone marrow butter
Blue Ridge Chicken - marinated chicken breast, smothered and roasted in honey mustard, crumbled bacon and mozzarella, with rice pilaf and broccolini
Bourbon-Glazed Salmon - broiled Artic salmon, Bourbon honey glaze, carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts
Dry-Aged Ribeye ($15 supplement) – 21-day dry-aged Certified Angus beef, Boursin smashed potatoes, broccolini
Dessert (choice of one)
Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream
Bourbon Pecan Pie
Chocolate Brownie Chess Pie
(3) Cicchetti
100 N. Tryon St. (Bank of America Corporate Center)
Price: $35 per person
Primi - Polpette or Bocconcini (choice of one)
Polpette (Meatballs)
Manzo - beef, potato, red wine honey agrodolce
Pollo - chicken, ricotta, tomato rosemary pomodoro
Stagionato - prosciutto, mortadella, salsa verde, Parmigiano
Granchio - fresh crab, peppadew pepper aioli
Baccala - salted cod, lemon aioli, grilled lemon
Agnello - lamb, pine nut, golden raisin onion jam
Bocconcini (Small Bites)
Ostriche - fried oysters, puttanesca aioli
Acciughe - white anchovies, fresh herbs, olive oil
Wild Sardine Tin - olive oil, sea salt, chips, hot sauce
Wild Mussel Tin- olive oil, vinegar, chips, hot sauce
Wild Cockle Tin- sea salt brine, chips, hot sauce
Vitello- veal sausage, black kale tomato pesto
Salumeria - mortadella, Grana Padano, sottaceti
Coniglio - rabbit sausage, melted red pepper black olive tapenade
Uova Alla Diavola - deviled egg duo, caper berry peppadew and speck
Olives - citrus olive oil marinated
Polenta- polenta fries, pecorino, black truffle aioli
Rucola- arugula, robiola, micro basil, lemon, olive oil
Secondi (choice of one)
Bistecca - grilled ribeye, chimichurri rossi, arugula and robiola salad
Pesce - roasted Branzino, caper berry onion relish,roasted leeks and pistachios
Agnello - grilled rack of lamb, feta, pomegranate, mint, baby eggplant salad
Pollo - rotisserie half chicken, salsa verde, polenta fries and truffle aioli
Dolci (choice of one)
Zeppole - donuts, cinnamon, vanilla
Biscotti - traditional Italian cookies
Fior di Latte – milk cream gelato, coffee, cocoa
Sorbetto – blood orange, lemon or strawberry sorbet
(4) Estampa Gaucha Brazlian Steakhouse
401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., #30
Price: $35 per person
First course
Gourmet Salad Bar - over 40 items, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Second course
Your choice of 14 cuts of meat, including Picanha, Picanha with Garlic, Fraldinha, Beef Ribs, NY Strip, Ribeye, Filet Mignon, Chicken Breast with Bacon, Chicken Drumsticks, Pork Sausage, Pork Ribs, Pork Tenderloin with Parmesan cheese and Leg of Lamb
Traditional side dishes
Rice
Black Beans
Polenta
Mashed Potatoes
Caramelized Bananas
Dessert (choice of one)
Cheesecake
Mousse Cake
Key Lime Pie
(5) Harry’s Grill and Tavern
2127 Ayrsley Town Blvd.
Price: $35 per person
First Course (choice of one)
Spinach and Artichoke Dip - served with warm tortilla chips
Blackened Salmon Salad - lightly blackened salmon, crisp greens, couscous, edamame, cucumber, tomatoes, mango, chipotle lime vinaigrette
Caesar Salad
Garden Salad
Tomato Soup - garnished with basil oil and shaved Parmesan
Tortilla Soup - red bell pepper, lime juice, fire roasted jalapeno, cheddar, crispy tortillas strips
Main Course (choice of one)
Fresh Cut Honey Bourbon Glazed Salmon
Black Angus Filet Mignon Au Poivre - cracked black pepper crusted, with forest mushrooms and demi cream sauce
Herb-Roasted Chicken - pan seared then roasted chicken breast, smoked tomato jus, fresh herbs
Sesame-Encrusted Ahi Tuna - served with an orange ginger soy glaze and chili-spiced edamame
Cajun Pasta - andouille sausage, tomato and penne tossed in a Cajun cream sauce with choice of grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp, served with toasted garlic bread; vegetarian option served with portobello mushrooms
Sides (choice of two)
French Fries - perfectly seasoned
Whipped Potatoes - roasted garlic
Sweet Potato Fries - vanilla battered, lightly salted
Roasted Brussels Sprouts - red onion, olive oil
Truffled Grains - black barley, edamame, wild rice, fresh herbs, truffle oil
Dessert (choice of one)
Amaretto Crème Brulee – amaretto-infused custard, torched sugar crust, topped with fresh seasonal berries
Warm and Decadent Chocolate Brownie - soft chocolate chunk brownie with premium vanilla ice cream, chocolate drizzle, toasted coconut
(6) Indaco
2046 South Blvd.
Price: $35 per person
First course (Choose 1 Antipasti or 1 Pizza. Upgrade option to a Prosciutto Board for $20.)
Antipasti
Focaccia - pesto, prosciutto vinaigrette
Marinated Olives - Cerignola, Termite di Bitetto, Castelvetrano
Fried Artichokes - walnut anchovy vinaigrette, Parmesan
Caesar Salad - Tega Hills greens, white anchovy, Caesar dressing, breadcrumbs, Parmesan
Arugula Salad - whipped ricotta, basil lemon vinaigrette, pickled shallots, pistachio
Burrata - butternut squash purée, apples, puffed farro, prosciutto, lavash
Polpette (Meatball) - certified Angus beef, Keegan-Filion pork, San Marzano tomato, pecorino, basil
Wood-Fired Shrimp - Aleppo vinaigrette, citrus, fennel
Prosciutto di Parma - Parmesan, honey, flatbread, apple
Pizza
Margherita - San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, basil, Parmesan
Calabrese-Style Sausage - San Marzano tomato, San Simon, red onion
Littleneck Clams - pancetta, white clam sauce, garlic, oregano
Brussels Sprouts - ricotta, pancetta, apples, honey
Prosciutto - arugula, ricotta, fontina, lemon
Main Course (Choose 1 Pasta or 1 Piatti. Upgrade to hanger steak for $10.)
Pasta
Black Pepper Fettuccine - pork tesa, egg yolk, chives, Parmesan
Squid Ink Orecchiette - NC shrimp, San Marzano tomato, saffron, Parmesan
Agnolotti - smoked mozzarella, braised pork shoulder, San Marzano tomato, hazelnuts, pecorino
Pappardelle - Ragú alla Bolognese, Parmesan, parsley
Bucatini - cacio e pepe
Ravioli - sweet potato, kale, walnuts, cipollini
Piatti
Certified Angus Hanger Steak - torn potatoes, arugula, Romesco
Wood-Roasted Chicken - Aleppo-honey roasted carrots, King Trumpet mushrooms, breadcrumbs, garlic jus
Swordfish - fregola sarda, capers, lemon, herb salad, radish
Risotto - Hen of the Woods, broccoli, cipollini, herbs
Keegan-Filion Farms Pork - polenta, agrodolce, charred Brussels, Calabrian chili
Dessert (choice of one)
Chocolate Budino - caramel, sweet biscuit, whipped cream
Bomboloni - salted caramel
(7) La Belle Helene
300 S. Tryon St.
Price: $35 per person
First Course (choice of one)
Tart Flambée - Alsatian thin crust, bacon lardon, white onion
Warm Vichyssoise - potato-leek soup
Salade Lyonnaise - frisée, poached free-range egg, country bacon
Main Course (choice of one)
Boeuf Bourguignon - pommes purée, carrots, pearl onions, lardons
Baked Scottish Salmon - haricots verts, pommes purée, horseradish condiment
Rotisserie Chicken - fingerling potatoes with rosemary and garlic
Dessert (choice of one)
Profiteroles - vanilla glace and chocolate sauce
Creme Brulee
Sorbet
(8) Sensi Italian Restaurant
9825 Sandy Rock Place (Rea Farms Plaza)
Price: $35 per person
First course (choice of one)
Frittura di Calamari (ND) - fried calamari with lemon mashed potatoes, frisee and radish salad
Mozzarella di Bufala (V) (GF) – Buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and basil pesto (crushed basil leaves, pine nuts, olive oil, Parmigiano and Pecorino cheese)
Panzanella di Polpo (ND) (VA) - panzanella with octopus, sun-dried tomatoes, and rice vinegar (panzanella is made with crumbled Tarallo bread, tomato and basil mixed with olive oil and rice vinegar)
Pizza Fritta (ND) - fried pizza with porchetta (sliced pork roast) and tomato jam on the rind
Insalata di Stagione (V) (GF) (ND) - seasonal salad with cucumbers, green apple and squash seeds
Insalata Frisee (V) (GF) - frisee lettuce, pear and blue cheese
Main course (choice of one)
Brasato di Manzo (GF) - braised beef with squash and pumpkin puree and roasted chestnuts
Ricciola (GF) (ND) - Amberjack fish, served with escarole and marinara sauce
Merluzzo (GF) - black cod with Amatriciana sauce and mashed potato puree
Pollo alla Cacciatora (GF) - chicken cacciatore with Jerusalem artichokeand kale
Paccheri - paccheri pasta stuffed with Genovese lamb sauce and smoked provola cheese
Pappardelle con Pomodorini (V) (ND) - house-made pappardelle pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, capers and olives
Gnocchi (VA) - house-made gnocchi, beans, mussels, and Pecorino cheese
Tagliolini, Cacio e Pepe (V) - tagliolini pasta, cacio cheese, pepper, Tarallo bread and lemon
Dessert (choice of one)
Caprese al Limone** (V) - lemon caprese cake with vanilla gelato ice cream
Torta al Cioccolato (V) - chocolate cake with salted caramel
Pannacotta (V) - rich and creamy Italian dessert infused with almond and orange zest
Tiramisu (V) - Chef Nastri’s signature Italian dessert that combines espresso-dipped ladyfingers with a creamy lightly sweetened mascarpone cheese
Cannoli Siciliani - taco-like Sicilian pastry rolls with sweet, creamy filling
(9) Spice Asian Bistro
251 Textile Way, Fort Mill
Price: $30 per person
First course (choice of one)
Spicy Tuna Rice Crisps - fresh tuna, spicy mayo, sweet soy, scallions, over crispy rice rounds
Szechuan Dumplings - chicken, bamboo, water chestnuts, Szechuan chili oil
Seared Scallops - fresh scallops, glass noodles, soy, ginger, scallions
Spicy Edamame (GF) – soybeans, garlic, chili
Main course (choice of one)
Bossam - pork shoulder slow roasted for 6 hours, served with lettuce, rice, kimchi, samjang mayo
Miso Salmon Salad - Scottish salmon, mixed greens, pumpkin seeds, capers, red onion, tomato, avocado, basil, lemon zest, house garlic vinaigrette
Poke Bowl (VO) - marinated tuna or salmon, edamame, avocado, cucumber, house slaw, scallions, over sushi rice
Green Curry (GF, VO) - lemongrass, eggplant, bamboo, string beans, carrot, basil, with choice of protein
Pad Thai (VO) - thin rice noodles, egg, sprouts, scallions, peanuts, with choice of protein
Dessert (choice of one)
Green Tea Tiramisu - mascarpone, mocha powder
Coconut Cake - cream cheese icing, coconut flakes
Mochi Ice Cream - green tea, strawberry, mango
(10) Volo Ristorante
1039 Providence Rd.
Price: $35 per person
Antipasti (choice of one)
Kobe Beef Meatballs – tomato basil sauce, shaved Parmigiano
Scallops – seared sea scallops, purple potato puree, Romanesco cauliflower, crispy prosciutto
Salsiccia – Italian sausage rope, sautéed broccolini
Calamari – fried squid, fresh herbs, citrus, marinara sauce
Eggplant Parmigiana – baked eggplant, mozzarella, tomato and basil sauce, Parmigiano
Sarda Salad – arugula, endive, radish, cucumber, green olives, fennel, grape tomatoes
Secondi (choice of one)
Pork Milanese - pounded and breaded tomahawk pork chop, arugula, red onion, tomatoes salad
Branzino – oven-roasted Mediterranean sea bass fillet, white wine, lemon, mixed vegetables
Cavatelli Bolognese – Siano fresh ricotta cavatelli, ragu
Galletto – roasted Cornish hen, rosemary fingerling potatoes
Black Ink Scialatielli with Shrimp – grape tomato confit
Mushroom Risotto – cremini mushrooms, Castelmagno cheese
Dolci (choice of one)
Tiramisu
Vanilla Panna Cotta
Torta Caprese
Sorbet
New restaurants are fun, but what about some Charlotte classics? Try these:
(11) 300 East
300 East Blvd.
Price: $35 per person
Glass of Wine (choice of one)
Select from 2 whites and 2 reds
First course (choice of one)
Baked Marinated Vermont Goat Cheese — roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Your Mom’s baguette
Signature Hummus — pita wedges, veggies
Simple Salad — baby greens, shaved winter veg, pickled shallots, cornbread crumble, buttermilk dressing
Second course (choice of one)
Grilled Hanger Steak — onion marmalade, horseradish cream, mashed potatoes, today’s vegetable
Bronzed Sesame Salmon — short grain brown rice, sautéed kale. shoyu
Roasted Joyce Farms Half Chicken — pan gravy, mashed potatoes, today’s vegetable
Sweet Potato Ravioli — Gorgonzola cream sauce, toasted walnuts
Dessert (choice of one)
White Chocolate Brioche Pudding — orange shortbread crumble, cacao nib lace, fresh citrus, coffee gel
Carrot Cake Cheesecake — oatmeal cookie crumble, pineapple gel, walnut tuile
Callebaut Brownie — salted caramel, honey pretzel crumb, vanilla ice cream
(12) 5Church
127 N. Tryon St., Suite 210
Price: $35 per person
First course (choice of one)
Dry Aged Beef Meatballs — smoked mozzarella, spicy tomato coulis, crispy parmesan
Yellow Fin Tuna Sushi Tots — crispy sushi rice, sriracha aioli, toasted sesame seeds, unagi, nori
Roasted Mushroom Flatbread — herb mascarpone, shaved onion, porcini oil
Local Mixed Green Salad — cherry tomatoes, Nueske’s bacon, creamy Gorgonzola dressing, balsamic reduction
Second course (choice of one)
Keegan-Filion Farm Chicken — kimchi risotto, bok choy, natural jus
60 South Salmon — beluga lentils, lardons, pearl onions, Dijon fennel, beurre rouge
Crispy Marinated Tofu — gingered bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, plum sauce
Filet Mignon ($12 supplement) — white miso potato puree, broccolini, crispy leeks
Pan-Seared Grouper ($12 supplement) — crispy celery root, citrus salad, horseradish creme fraiche, fines herb
Third course (choice of one)
Smores Trifle — chocolate brownie, Graham streusel, toasted marshmallow cream
Milk Chocolate Pretzel Bar — vanilla gelato, gold leaf
Tiramisu — mascarpone sabayon, coffee fluid gel, mochaccino marshmallow cream
(13) The Cajun Queen
1800 E. 7th St.
Price: $35 per person
Glass Of Wine or Draught Beer (choice of one)
Chardonnay
Merlot
Olde Mecklenburg Copper
First course (choice of one)
Cup of Seafood Gumbo
House Salad
Caesar Salad
Entree (choice of one)
Fresh Fish — blackened or seared, served with or without seafood topping; your choice of Tilapia, Salmon, Mahi Mahi or Catfish
Diane — mushrooms, garlic, butter, green onions, parsley, and Our Queen’s Magic Spices all sauteìed together; moderately spiced and served over rice with your choice of Chicken, Shrimp, Crawfish or all three
Etouffee — a dark, highly seasoned roux-based sauce served over rice (hot and spicy) with your choice of Chicken, Shrimp, Crawfish or all three
Blackened Chicken and Andouille Pasta — with mushrooms, artichokes, roasted red peppers and tri-colored cheese tortellini in a Parmesan cream sauce
Shrimp and Grits — grilled andouille sausage and Creole sauce
Dessert (choice of one)
Key Lime Pie
Bourbon Bread Pudding
(14) Fran’s Filling Station
2410 Park Road
Price: $30 per person
Starter (choice of one)
Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tot Duo — potato tot with rosemary maple black pepper glaze; and sweet potato tot in jalapeno bacon with Tabasco honey glaze
Flash-Fried Brussels Sprouts — with honeyed peanuts, citrus and dried cranberries
Asian-Style Crispy Calamari — with sweet soy and sesame glaze
Latin Wedge Salad — with corn, white Cheddar, tomato and avocado in creamy sherry vinaigrette
Individual Fig, Goat Cheese and Brie Flatbread
Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad - with baby arugula, feta cheese, toasted almonds and lemon vinaigrette
Main Plates (choice of one)
Belgian Beef Stew — tender beer braised in dark beer with caramelized onions and Dijon mustard
North Carolina Mountain Trout — maple mustard glazed with roasted winter vegetables and apple chutney
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breast — over Parmesan polenta with blistered tomatoes
Pork Scallopine — with prosciutto and Fontina cheese in Marsala sauce with wild mushroom risotto
New American Lamb Burger — balsamic onions, good blue cheese and basil mayo with French fries and kale salad
Butternut Squash and Tuscan Kale Lasagna
Dessert (choice of one)
All served with caramel sauce and whipped cream
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake
Tuxedo Cake — vanilla cake with layers of chocolate mousse and pastry cream, topped with chocolate panache
Coconut Cream Cheesecake
Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding
(15) New South Kitchen and Bar
8140 Providence Road, Suite 300
Price: $30 per person
Starter (choice of one)
BBQ Pork Belly — white bean stew, mustard sauce
Warm Goat Cheese — crostini, roasted beets, pecans, arugula
Steamed Mussels — curried shrimp broth, grilled bread
Crispy Potato Salad — creamy truffle dressing, poached egg
Mixed Greens Salad — aged white cheddar, pumpkin seeds, orange mustard vinaigrette
Main (choice of one, includes choice of one side)
Pork Tenderloin — Bourbon bacon jam, sweet potato puree, demi
Crab Cakes — creamy mustard sauce, citrus fennel slaw
Shrimp and Scallops — bacon cream, Brussels sprout slaw
Pot Roast — veggies, spinach, onion jam, red wine jus
Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken — goat cheese fondue, red pepper marmalade
Dessert (choice of one)
Chocolate Mousse
Hazelnut Espresso Tart
Buttermilk Panna Cotta — candied pistachios, marinated berries
Roasted Bananas — rum cake, ice cream
Editor’s note: This story originally published on Jan. 3, 2019.
This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 5:35 AM.
