The food is of course the most important element in a restaurant experience, but a close second is an ambiance. A beautiful restaurant will make you feel transported and enhance your experience tenfold. Here are some of my favorites!
The courtyard at The Goodyear House in Charlotte, NC
The dining room at Christmas at The McNinch House in Charlotte, NC
The beautiful wooden sculpture at CO in Charlotte
Gorgeous two-story windows at Mariposa in Charlotte
The exposed wall at Rhubarb in Asheville
Oh, how I adore cheese. You could melt it on a cardboard pizza top and I’d probably eat it. These dishes are my favorite cheesy dishes at restaurants I’ve tried.
Pimiento Cheese Spread from Boschamp’s in Destin, FL
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese at Safari Miles in Denver
Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza at Tony’s in Hickory, NC
Pizza Sub from Penn Station East Coast Subs in Charlotte, NC
Mushroom Gruyere Sandwich from Papi Queso in Charlotte
Shepard’s Pie from Metro Diner in Pineville
Queso Fundido from Provecho Mexican Kitchen & Cantina in Mooresville
Arancini from Barrel and Fork in Cornelius
Quesadilla Mexicana at La Unica in Huntersville
Three Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich at Sumo Shack in Mooresville
Queso Frito from Miami Fusion in Denver, NC
Bread Bites with warm Pimiento Cheese from Pop’s Old Company Store And Tavern in Catawba
Isle of Mozzarella from Olde Hickory Station in Hickory, NC
Steak is one of my favorite proteins. The problem for me has always been that my dad and now my son make such good steaks, I find any I have in restaurants to be lacking. Not the case with these picks:
Filet Mignon at Carolina Cafe in Gaffney, SC
Mills Family Farm Ribeye Steak with beef jus from Heirloom in Charlotte, NC
Pan roasted barrel cut Angus filet with roasted portabellos, puff pastry & a white-truffle sherry reduction from Paramount Grill in Gainesville, FL
Steak dinner at Willow Creek Inn in Vale
Ray’s Mixed Grill (The elk was my favorite!) at the Gamekeeper in Boone, NC
Filet Mignon at Safari Miles in Denver, NC
Bone-in Filet at Link and Pin in Huntersville
Filet from Supperland in Charlotte
Beef Tenderloin with Butter Poached Lobster at Capital Grille in Charlotte
Tomahawk Steak from The Crunkleton in Charlotte
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