In the Upside Down, seeking out Instagrammable meals feels odd. Yet, here we are.

Editor’s note: We wrote this story on March 10, right before our city and its restaurants made sweeping changes to limit community spread of COVID-19. It didn’t seem right to publish it at that time, so we waited. Now, Deluxe Dining has reopened with extensive safety precautions, including required reservations. Call 980-349-2114 for reservations, and for those who have chosen to venture out during this time, we’ll list the restaurant’s additional safety precautions at the end of this article. It’s best practice to check with the restaurant before visiting if you’re interested in a specific dish to ensure that it is on the current menu.

In a world where the experience is as important as the food, a restaurant in uptown Charlotte got the memo.

Astrik Ivanova and Tatyana Khom, co-owners of Deluxe, The Fun Art of Dining, leave no stones unturned when it comes to presentation.

You should see the plating supply in the restaurant’s basement kitchen. The collection is unreal and like nothing we’ve ever seen — and we’ve been to a lot of new restaurants.

That’s not to mention the food itself — with worldly flavors based on recipes the owners have cooked for themselves, diners are in for a real treat. Ivanova is a native of Armenia, and Khom is from Kazakhstan.

Here are some of the dishes you should check out on your first visit:

(1) BBQ of Bones

Trio of grilled lamb chops, roasted chicken wings and slow-cooked short beef ribs served with wild mushrooms. $35

Feast your eyes on this impressive personal grill that arrives at your table with all the meats resting on a bed of rosemary. Your friends will be jealous and amazed with your Insta-worthy appetizer. (shown at top).

(2) Athena Salad

Classic Greek salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, red onion and lemon-olive oil dressing. $14

This dish was served on a lazy susan with a rabbit lounging on the edge like he’s posing for a Lionel Richie album cover. The salad, shown at front in the photo below, is served in an upside down wine glass with a shot of dressing on the side. In the center are wedges of feta drizzled with balsamic and surrounded by olives.

(3) Coco Champagne Chicken

Roasted natural half chicken prepared with creamy sauce. $25

This meal was served on a wooden dish with a rooster watching over the dish of chicken, swirled zucchini, asparagus, scallions, roasted red and yellow peppers and home fries.

(4) Deluxe Vegetarian Pappardelle Pasta

With wild mushrooms in creamy sauce. $23

As pretty as this presentation was, it was the portabello mushrooms that take center stage on this dish, which was served on a lazy susan with a silver tree.

(5) Organic Velvet Burger

With lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, cranberry sauce served on a burgundy beet bun. $18

(6) The Golden Burger

This burger is only available on special. Yes, there is actually 24K gold on the burger. $35

“Tell Charlotte if they want to eat gold, to come here. Gold is very healthy for the body,” Ivanova said.

(7) Golden Wings

Yep, you can get 24K gold on your wings, too. $36

(8) Asti Salad

Mixed greens, alfalfa sprouts, green olives, sweet peppers, tomatoes, basil, red cabbage, onion, lime seasoning and organic olive oil. $15

(9) Poppin’ Popcorn Shrimp

A deluxe twist on a classic. $23

(10) Sakabato Tuna

Warm tuna sashimi sesame crusted served with seaweed. $28

(11) Admiral Pork Chops

With creamy mushroom sauce. $25

(12) Itty Bitty Fried and Pretty

Chebureki- 6 fried mini puff pastries filled with beef and traditional spices. $12

(13) King of the Sea

Grilled octopus with oregano and lemon dressing. $19

(14) All the cocktails

The cocktail program is brand-new. Head mixologist James Kombe started at Deluxe earlier this year and has just created some signature drinks for the restaurant. “You can still get regular drinks but we wanted drinks that people will come in here for. People will say ‘I want to go to that place where I can get a chicken wing in my bloody mary.’”

Shown: Rise and Shine Margarita, Electric lemonade, Rose Twirl, Mint Gala, Queen Charlotte and Say It Three Times Bloody Mary.

Deluxe, The Fun Art of Dining

305 W. 4th St.

Instagram: @deluxe_art_of_dining

COVID-19-related restrictions

Per Deluxe Dining’s website:

• All guests will be required to wear a face-covering when entering the restaurant and not seated.
• We will be operating with safety measures implemented by the state, such as tables set 6 feet apart and social distancing markers.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the dining room.
• Guests will be given disposable menus as well as virtual QR codes to access menus on their mobile devices.
• Waitstaff will be equipped with face coverings and gloves.
• All presentations will be thoroughly sanitized before and after use.
• Online reservations are limited to parties of 6 from a single household. Guests can make secondary reservations for larger parties but mandatory 6 feet distancing between tables will still be implemented.
• Parties of up to 6 at a single table must be from the same household. Please call 980-349-2114 to arrange it.

This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 10:50 AM.

Melissa Oyler

The Charlotte Observer

Melissa Oyler is the editor of CharlotteFive. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her running, practicing hot yoga, weightlifting or snuggling with her rescue dogs, X and Charlie. Find her on Instagram or X: @melissaoyler. Support my work with a digital subscription