While Charlotte is replete with excellent restaurants, some
stand out in their categories as truly unique, must-try
establishments.
Popular Nikko (1300 South
Blvd., 704-370-0100; 15105 John J. Delaney Dr.,
704-341-5550) offers “sushi-therapy” just when you need it.
Nikko lends a cozy neighborhood feel to the upscale suburban
village of Ballantyne, while bringing a sexy New York vibe
to its new South End location with high ceilings, expansive
windows, silver walls, backlit sushi bar, and white leather
barstools. When not creating sparklingly fresh sushi, the
irrepressible owner Joanna Nix rouses the crowd with
tambourine and the bar’s signature “Sake Bombs.” Sushi
specialties include the “Dilworth” roll, aptly named for
South End’s sister neighborhood, combining salmon, crab,
mayonnaise, cucumber, avocado, lettuce, and flying fish roe.
Nikko’s excellence has been rewarded by numerous “Best of
the City” awards.
"Global cuisine with a
Southern twist" aptly describes not only the menu at Mimosa
Grill (327 S. Tryon St., 704-343-0700), but the ambience as
well. This strikingly handsome establishment combines class
and comfort while celebrating the dedication and passion of
artisans and farmers by bringing their fresh, natural food
products straight from the farm to patrons’ forks.
Outstanding examples include the Georgia hushpuppies stuffed
with rock shrimp and crawfish and topped with melted leeks
and Provençal sauce, followed by iron skillet-roasted Idaho
trout with peach chutney, honey-lemon butter, green beans
and garlic mashed potatoes. For more Southern twists,
consider the wood-fired Niman Ranch pork with Anson Mill’s
white grits, braised artichokes, applewood smoked bacon and
smoked tomatoes—globally appealing, indeed.
Serving the distinctly and
deliciously different cuisines of the Mandarin, Szechuan,
Hunan, and Cantonese regions of China, Shun Lee Palace (4340
Colwick Rd., 704-366-2025) has provided an interesting and
authentic experience for generations of Charlotteans, with
longevity as its reward. Pork, chicken, beef, or seafood are
married with choices such as pineapple fried rice, egg foo
young, lo mein, or chow mein noodles for extensive entree
selections. Specialties include Shan-Sue Crispy Duck, Hunan
Lamb, and the Cantonese traditional Moo Goo Gai Pan, with
side vegetables such as hot spiced string beans or sautéed
broccoli.
The Men's Club (444 Tyvola
Rd., 704-525-8525) features a chef-driven dinner menu,
award-winning wine list, well-stocked humidor, and a
matchless atmosphere of indulgence with class. The opulent
surroundings, attentive service and classic menu offering
everything from steak to shrimp to lobster are matched by
some of the most beautiful entertainers in town, who invite
guests to relax with a fine dinner while delighting in their
charms. If those temptations aren't enough, this upscale
gentlemen's entertainment complex also offers a bounteous
lunch buffet, a late night full menu, and a contemporary
boutique to shop for goodies after indulging in the finer
things in life.
Casually elegant GW Fins (525
N. Tryon St., 704-716-3467) brings imaginative, upscale
seafood with a bit of New Orleans flair to downtown
Charlotte. Curving walls and earth and ocean tones of soft
brown and aqua, punctuated by dazzling art pieces and
fixtures, set a tone of charm and relaxation. The menu opens
with signature winners such as delicate Lobster Dumplings
filled with white fish and lobster mousseline, topped with
shaved fennel and tomato concasse; and bold Smoked Oysters,
which arrive sizzling and amazingly plump. The
ever-evolving, chef-driven menu offers seafood delights like
Macadamia and Peppercorn Crusted Swordfish with crispy
Vidalia onions, creamy mashed potatoes and veal jus; and
exotic #1 Yellow Fin Tuna, nori-wrapped and seared rare with
sticky rice, seaweed salad and sweet soy butter. Sides
include lovely spaghetti squash studded with pine nuts,
while desserts are decadent with selections of fresh-baked
apple pie with a cheese straw top crust or sumptuous white
chocolate and caramel bread pudding with dark chocolate
chunks, pecans and whipped cream.
