Hello to the folks in NC,

We'll be in Charlotte this weekend and would like to go out for a great steak dinner. Appreciate your recommendations!

The other two evenings out, could you recommend any nice casual dining options?

Thanks much! Paula

Steak? I imagine the Mimosa Grill would have a good one. Everything else there is wonderful. Another possibility is one of Mimosa's "sister" restaurants--_____. Darn, I'll fill in the blank in a minute after my senior moment. There is one at SouthPark and one nearer the airport on Woodlawn. These are all locally owned by a group of local investors, by the way. Then there is the Palm at Phillips Place (near SouthPark). There is a Morton's downtown and if I never go there again it will be too soon. There is a Sullivan's in South End, near downtown.
There is Frankie's on Morehead. Oh, for a really old style steak house, try the Beef and Bottle on South Blvd. It has been in business for more than 30-40 years--a Charlotte institution. Patricia Cornwell put it in one of her books.
For a nice casual dinner try Mimosa, ______. For a nice Italian homestyle, Mama Ricotta's is excellent.
For a French bistro experience, our favorite is Patou on Park Road. For seafood there is Upstream in Phillips Place, also owned by the Mimosa group. Or Lavecchia's is downtown.
On Elizabeth Avenue near Presbyterian Hospital is Carpe Diem--a very eclectic mix of good food. For Chinese, try Baoding, near SouthPark. For Vietnamese, try Saigon Palace on South Blvd.
Okay, I'll be back with the name. Can't believe I can't call it!!

HARPER'S RESTAURANT. Came to me as soon as I pushed "post" , of course!! They are wood grilled restaurants--really good food at every level and reasonable. Good for lunch also.

Gretchen, thank you so much!!! Thanks for covering the gamit - a great list to choose from! I'll have to let you know how we make out. (And, yes, I have to agree with you on Morton's - we have one here in Boston, and in all honesty I think it was over-priced and we've had better steak.) Take care, Paula

Paula..what part of Charlotte will you be staying in? I can give more specific recommendations for your area. But some general ones..
In the University area...Ciro's Italian. Very good food, fairly casual.

Uptown...Harry and Jean's has a different menu and cozy atmosphere, reasonably prices. For casual pub-atmosphere, Alexander Michaels in fourth ward uptown is a neat place.

In Huntersville/Lake Norman area or by SOuthpark mall (2 locations) is Red Rocks, casual/upscale food and nice atmosphere.

Also in Huntersville (exit 25, i think) and Charlotte (highway 51 and Providence Rd. intersection) is Mickey and Mooch which is a good place to get a steak. It has a very 40's feel to it, with Sinatra playing - most nights I believe they have a piano player. Great menu- everything from crabcakes and lobster tails to chicken and steaks. It is a nice atmosphere, you will feel comfortable dressed up or down, and is very well priced for the portions and quality. I would highly recommend it.

In the Park Rd. Shopping Center (Park Rd. and Woodlawn Rd.) there is a great English pub-like place called Sir Edmund Halley's. They have a very innovative menu, with things like wild-game chili, ostrich meatloaf, Irish potato cakes with goat cheese sauce and your basics like fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches. Their chef represents the Panthers in the Taste of the NFL challenge. Great desserts also.

In Matthews, I hear that Dearstyne's Bistro is a great place for steak. I can't personally recommend, because I haven't been there.

In SouthEnd (South Blvd near uptown) the Pewter Rose has good food in an eclectic environment. It's been there for years, and I've always enjoyed eating there because its so different from other restaurants.

If you give more specifics on your area, I may be able to help a little more. Let me know if you have any questions!

Hi kjenn - thanks so much for the list! We actually leave very early tomorrow morning. We're staying at the Hilton Homewood Suites Coliseum. We're bringing the laptop, so I should be able to pick up email. You were also kind enough to respond to an email from a few days ago regarding my question on this hotel and some of the areas around Charlotte. As I had mentioned in that message, we're coming down to spend a few days driving around Charlotte, looking at neighborhoods/homes as we are looking to relocate to Charlotte. So with that being said, we'll actually be eating lunch in various "areas" depending where we are at that time of day, and then for dinner, we are willing to drive just about anywhere for a great local meal. My hubby is really hoping to have one great steak dinner. Thanks again for all of your help - I really do appreciate it. Take care, Paula

If you want/need a recommendation of a realtor I know a number of very nice folks. You might maximize your search if you did engage one.

Near the Coliseum...
On South Blvd. there is a great little italian restaurant called Villa Antonio, upscale. Also, someone recommended Beef and bottle which is nearby. You are also pretty close to SouthEnd and East Boulevard, both have lots of places to eat. I think someone mentioned Sullivan's (Southend) which is similar to your upperclass chains (Mortons, Capital Grille).
Another addition....
For a "different" and expensive atmosphere,I hear Bentley's on 27 is very good. It is at the top of one of the buildings in uptown/downtown.

Have a good trip..hopefully the weather will be nice for your house hunting!!