JUNE 2019 // CHARLOTTE 103
PETER TAYLOR
es and pre-theater dinners. 500 S. Tryon St. (704-910-
0865) $$$HAYMAKER
NEW SOUTHERN
In a bright, stylish space next to Romare Bearden Park,
Haymaker oers locally and seasonally inspired dishes
from North Carolina chef William Dissen. 225 S. Poplar
St. (704-626-6116) $$$THE KING’S KITCHEN
SOUTHERN
This restaurant from chef Jim Noble, which serves
traditional Southern fare, donates its prots to faith-
based feeding centers and employs troubled youth
and people who have just come out of rehab or prison.
129 W. Trade St. (704-375-1990) (weekdays)
$$$^LA BELLE HELENE
FRENCH
The Parisian menu oers rotisserie chicken and a mix
of pour commencer and plats, as well as decadent des-
serts and specialty cocktails. 300 S. Tryon St., Ste. 100.
(704-969-2550) $$$ - $$$$LOFT CELLAR
GLOBAL
Executive chef Greg Collier specializes in imaginative
plates that change seasonally. This is an easy choice
for everything from an evening of cocktails and music
to a meandering meal across the world with a chef’s
tasting menu. 305 W. 4th St. (704-817-9057)
$$$LUCE
ITALIAN
Luce is a beautiful, intimate, luxurious restaurant with
simple but innovative northern Italian cuisine. 214 N.
Tryon St., in Hearst Plaza. (704-344-9222) (week-
days) $$$MALABAR SPANISH CUISINE
SPANISH
This cozy destination is the sister restaurant to Luce,
serving authentic regional cuisine from Spain (plus a fewLatin American favorites) for lunch and dinner. 214 N.
Tryon St. (704-344-8878) (weekdays) $$^MCNINCH HOUSE
NEW SOUTHERN
Guests order from a daily prix xe menu (ranging from
ve courses to nine courses), choose their wine and en-
trées, and the sta takes care of the rest. 511 N. Church
St. (704-332-6159) $$$$MERT’S HEART AND SOUL
SOUTHERN
James Bazzelle’s pride and joy features down-home
Southern cooking, with a dash of Lowcountry, in a
downtown-feeling place. 214 N. College St. (704-342-
4222) $MIMOSA GRILL
NEW SOUTHERN
This longtime, popular aer-work-hours spot has a
menu that changes seasonally, but always has friendly
service, wonderful seafood dishes, and interesting
grits. 327 S. Tryon St. (704-343-0700) (weekdays)
$$$^MURPHY’S KITCHEN TAP
IRISH
Pies, tarts, meats, potatoes—everything you’d expect,
you’ll nd at this Irish pub with a large range of alcohol-
ic beverage options. 445 W. Trade St. (704-332-0557)
$$^QUEEN CITY Q
BARBECUE
Here, the barbecue slow cooks every day in wood-red
smokers and comes served with classic sides, such as
peppery green bean casserole and slaw. 225 E. 6th St.
(704-334-8437) $SEA LEVEL
SEAFOOD
Concrete beams and rustic brick give an industrial feel
to this seafood restaurant, which serves up dishes that
are accessible, inventive, and sustainably sourced. 129
E. 5th St. (704-412-2616) $$$^SOHO BISTRO
ASIAN
Lightning-fast, friendly service complements hot, sa-
vory Chinese favorites such as Sha Cha Shrimp and
Mongolian Chicken. 214 N. Tryon St., Ste. 110. (704-333-
5189) $$SOPHIA’S LOUNGE
NEW AMERICAN
Attached to The Ivey’s Hotel and run by the same team
behind 5Church, this moody cocktail lounge serves
small plates and drinks in a regal setting. 127 N. Tryon St.,
Ste. D. Enter on 5th St. (980-260-3227) STOKE^
NEW AMERICAN
Former Asbury chef Chris Coleman looks to reinventhotel dining with this wood-red grill, family-style con-
cept in the Marriott City Center. 100 W. Trade St. (704-
353-6005) $$$SUKOSHI
SUSHI
Think high-quality sushi in a fast-casual setting. Execu-
tive Chef Michael Chanthavong brings favorites from
his menu at O-Ku, like the tuna wrap-it-up roll and the
salmon citrus roll. 101 S. Tryon St., Ste. 120. (980-495-
3800) West/Northwest Charlotte
COMMUNITY TABLE BISTRO
SOUTHERN
At the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, a small, cafete-
ria-style restaurant sears, bakes, and fries comfort food
on a daily rotation for an aordable price. 5301 Wilkin-
son Blvd. (980-636-1000) $ESTIA'S KOUZINA
GLOBAL
This upscale Mediterranean restaurant oers healthy
and delicious dishes like gyro pitas, lamb burgers, and
hearty salads. 609 N. Main St., Belmont. (704-825-
7005) -HEIRLOOM RESTAURANT
NEW AMERICAN
Chef/owner Clark Barlowe's menu is sourced almost
exclusively from North Carolina, and his tasting menu
includes à la carte options like fried chicken and pork
and beans. 8470 Bellhaven Rd. (704-595-7710)
-PINKY’S WESTSIDE GRILL
AMERICAN
Housed in an old auto shop, this funky spot serves
great burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and salads, as well
as tasty sides like wa ̈e fries. 1600 W. Morehead St.
(704-332-0402) $RHINO MARKET DELI
AMERICAN
Stop into this casual food store for a breakfast burrito,
lunchtime soup and salad, or a sandwich while on the
run. It also sells cold beer and local snacks, such as
Queen Charlotte’s Pimento Cheese. 1500 W. Morehead
St., Ste. E. (704-375-2036) $TOUCAN LOUIE'S
CARIBBEAN
With state-sourced meats smoked in-house and
strictly NC cheese, this new cafe's commitment to
local ingredients is notable, but it's their food's Carib-
bean ªair that elevates their grab-and-go sandwich-
es. 2753 Rozzelles Ferry Rd. (980-209-9791)
$$ Most entrées under $10
$$ Most entrées $10-$17
$$$ Most entrées $18-$25
$$$$ Most entrées $26 & up
Editors' Picks
Breakfast
Weekend brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Vegetarian friendly
Beer and wine only
Full-service bar
Patio seating available
Reservations suggested