A build-your-own sandwich (smoked turkey, fresh mozz, chipotle aioli) upstaged entirely by the macaroni salad on the side — a Charlotte deli institution open since 1991. Do not fumble this.

A toasted sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese, already applied — exactly the kind of morning service that shouldn't have to be requested.

A birthday dinner built around cavatelli wild mushroom stroganoff, a lightly dirty martini, and an 'Aries Season' cocktail that won the night — plus a few stolen fries off a neighbor's elite caesar.

A NoDa food truck at Free Range Brewing serving fish and chips with a light, curry-tinged remoulade — worth the wait after putting off a visit for way too long.

Summer in Charlotte is a war of attrition, and the only real strategy is margaritas and tacos. After a promising first visit back in May, I finally returned to Mi Cariño in South End for the full review treatment. The restaurant took over the old VANA space near VINYL and Wooden Robot, and if you're mapping it, search for its full legal name: The Story of Mi Cariño. Parking is a gamble (street or paid lot, mentally prepare), but the space itself is genuinely striking — vibrant, intimate, all the words I'm contractually obligated to avoid sounding like ChatGPT while using. More on the tacos below.

Nearly a year after Spaghett opened in a charming 130-year-old Fourth Ward house, I finally snagged a second reservation — this time for a full review. My first visit left me dreaming about their burrata and a country-ham casarecce for months, so I returned hoping to find them again. Instead, Spaghett quietly overhauled its entire concept into a $70-per-person, four-course prix fixe. Still cozy, still charming (rechargeable table lamps aside — bring back candles), I went in open-minded with a Spaghett Martini in hand: Sutler's Gin and pickled vermouth. Verdict on the new format, the redfish crudo, and that chocolate rollo, below.

A NoDa longtime favorite revisited — fluffy focaccia, a white balsamic and herb mignonette on the oysters, and a Calabrian chili pappardelle so silky it barely needs a plug. She's stunning.

A no-frills, done-right diner spot serving up a genuinely great fried flounder plate — worth a return trip once the liquor license and full breakfast menu land.

Bird Pizzeria has been living rent-free in my head for months — ever since Dave Portnoy gave their pizza a controversial 7/10 and their kale caesar (equal parts salad and English sheepdog) went viral on TikTok. Reservations vanished overnight. My own hunt took months, landing me a July 4th slot for a restaurant that, it turned out, wasn't even open that day. I finally got seated in their dining room on October 3rd — Mean Girls Day, obviously — after months of to-go pies from the walk-up window. Expectations were sky-high. Here's whether the most talked-about pizza in Charlotte held up.

A few pumpkin ciders enjoyed on the patio, surrounded by dozens of screaming kids. Not much, but honest work — and yes, that Michelin bathroom photo really was taken here.

Khao mun gai tod — super crispy fried chicken over rice with an addictive kmg sauce — plus charred cabbage, bahn khot, and sesame balls worth ordering a dozen more of.

A tiny beef taco in bao bun form — a better version of a Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch — alongside a go-to falafel bun and togarashi fries with black sesame aioli.

Tuna carpaccio served over crispy beef cracklin's sounded questionable on paper and turned out incredible. A long-running Asheville favorite, since closed after its final service in 2026 — the cacio e pepe will be missed.

A karaage bento box — crispy chicken thigh, seaweed salad, miso soup and rice — anchored by a togarashi ranch dressing worth ordering again on its own.

A LoSo Lowcountry cooking class that ran long and paired strangers at the same cutting board — a fun idea in theory, tougher in practice, but the roasted oysters and dessert delivered.

A Greek salad pita loaded with tzatziki over hummus, plus lemon-oregano fries that are best eaten on-site before they go soft in transit.

Formerly Spindle Bar, now rebranded and run by Canopy Cocktails and Charlotte Beer Garden — the frozen drinks (a 'Miami Vice' on repeat) haven't missed a beat.

A takeout vegetable lo mein order that broke from the usual routine and turned out to be a perfect lo mein — zero regrets.

One of the better poke bowl spots in Charlotte, plus a new karaage fried chicken menu item with just the right amount of breading and a dipping sauce that takes it over the top.

Leluia Hall, the new surf-and-turf spot from the Haberdish and Ever Andalo team, has been open about two and a half months in Dilworth, tucked into a renovated church that can't quite decide if it's channeling Old South or Gone With the Wind. I went in with modest expectations (surf-and-turf, inside a former sanctuary?) and ordered the first of what would be several frozen piña coladas. The interior is genuinely beautiful — modern, whimsical, two cocktail bars and a raw bar — though our seat next to the smaller bar came with a side of chaos. Full verdict on the Hawaiian rolls and sugar steaks ahead.

A kimchi hot dog topped with local red kimchi, sriracha aioli and green onions — a spicy, perfect answer to a lingering JJ's Red Hots craving, inhaled without shame.

A strip-mall cocktail spot with a surprisingly strict dress code and an even more surprisingly good fried chicken — crispy, hit with Old Bay, served over a sort of Alabama white sauce.

A NY-style pepperoni slice that came in last place in the ongoing big-ass-slice rankings — oversized pepperonis, a heavy crust, and an overall flavor that was fine but forgettable. The Roman-style pies deserve a follow-up visit.

A disappointing follow-up to Mama Ricotta's — an underwhelming stracciatella and an overcooked shrimp pasta dish that tasted like a Lean Cuisine. A rare 'will not be returning.'

After a string of tasting menus left me running on fumes, I walked into Sora — the new French-Asian tasting concept in Myers Park — with unusually low expectations. Their Instagram's heavy sparkle-emoji usage wasn't inspiring confidence, and the restaurant is still hiding behind an unfortunate temporary banner instead of a real sign (please, lean into the mystery or put up the sign, there is no in-between). Sleek, modern exterior aside, I went in with an open mind and an open stomach for cold ramen and what may be the most unexpectedly massive sandwich of the tasting menu circuit. Full breakdown below.

Next up in my ongoing series 'how many $200+ tasting menus can I survive,' I finally made it to Counter- in Wesley Heights — James Beard finalist Chef Sam Hart's Michelin-buzzed, regionally-themed tasting concept. This run's theme is 'Piedmont' (following Coastal, before Mountains), 13 courses for $225. The night started with a mild panic when I was seated at a shared four-top for what turned out to be merely the pre-dinner snack round — followed by tablemates who'd been 18 times and had recommendations. Whether the Piedmont menu, the chicken sandwich, and that breakfast burrito lived up to the hype, below.

Low expectations for a Breakfast Crunch Wrap were completely shattered — order it with sausage and thank later.

Frozen Italian sausage swapped into the usual meatball meal deal, paired with the vodka cream sauce and a side of devastation over being out of focaccia. Getting the sausage version again.

Omakase Experience by Prime Fish has been near the top of my list for a while, thanks to relentless local buzz naming it one of Charlotte's few real shots at a Michelin star. After nearly walking into the wrong Prime Fish (there are three: Sushi, Cellar, and Omakase Experience, all clustered at Sharon and Providence), I settled in for 15 courses at $300 a head — my most expensive meal yet in the name of this newsletter. Expectations were sky-high, my body was recovering from a week-long cold, and I was ready to find out if this was Charlotte's next Michelin contender.

A Southwest Smoked Chicken salad at the Whitewater Center, jalapeño ranch included — exactly what's needed before donning a harness for a ropes course.

An Optimist Hall newcomer — croquetas, calamares fritos, ensaladilla rusa and albondigas, none of which were a total blow-away, though the calamari edged out the rest.

A great first visit built around focaccia, tuna crudo, and soppressata pizza — good enough to require a return trip with a camera this time.

A tequila-forward cocktail built around bitter Bruto Americano that threw off the original ask but led to better custom variations on repeat visits.

A wild, ai-generated-cocktail-bar-feeling spot next door to PIE.ZAA — the drink ordered ran overly sweet and foamy, but the space itself is worth the detour.

Not the best sushi in Charlotte, despite what some will fight you on, but a perfectly solid rotation of the Selfie, Kiss of Fire, and Cowboy Maki rolls.

Musakhan chicken pita tacos that read more like mini gyros than advertised — decent flavor, slightly mushy texture, but the Turkish street corn with feta was fire.

Huitlacoche and fish tacos plus a 'Skinny' Margarita, best enjoyed post-8K — the queso remains great even without the option to add pickled jalapeños anymore.

A reliable stop for a half scoop of Brambleberry Crisp — the safe, correct order after one too many experimental flavor detours.

A citrus-forward beer with none of the usual gross IPA taste, released for the Elizabeth 8K and good enough to order again despite not being much of a beer person.

A low-key wine bar with a genuinely great sparkling chenin blanc selection — the kind of spot worth swinging by just to see who's there.

Veggie lettuce wraps and chicken with mixed veggies from a Charlotte institution that's been serving Chinese food since 1993 — a low-key favorite for a birthday dinner in.

The giant Passport Platter at this long-time-coming Optimist Hall stop — every component was flavorful, and the fosolia stole the show.

'Farm-to-table' has become more branding than movement — thank you, shiplap and Joanna Gaines — but Chef Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance actually means it. His Wesley Heights spot pairs a cozy, unpretentious dining room (vinyl records, skateboard decks, a projected documentary of the actual farms he sources from) with a menu built on real local growers rather than a farmhouse-chic aesthetic. I went in skeptical of anywhere that leans this hard into the 'farm' story, but came away believing it. Smoked chicken lettuce wraps, a take-home dessert, and a wine tasting paired with Miller High Life — details below.

A 'Shroom City' pizza slice with a perfectly crispy crust, dipped heavily in hot honey ranch, plus a 'Honey Ricotta' sandwich that reads like an elevated stromboli. They also serve Capri Suns.

A patio beer ('One of Us Will Have to Bury the Other') enjoyed between sneezing fits during peak Charlotte pollen season — a favorite for the drinks-other-than-beer selection alone.

A first visit that didn't land — an overpriced, unsalted margarita, no queso on the menu, and only two shrimp on the shrimp taco. Three strikes.

'The O.G.' edges out 'The Royale' here — lacy-edged patties, a genuinely great 'Simple Sauce,' and fries worth getting obsessed with.

A Strawberry Hill Tex-Mex spot with free chips, salsa, and margaritas good enough to make adult coloring pages at the table feel like a completely reasonable dinner activity.

After a scarring nine-course tasting menu experience two years ago (full-size communal-table courses — we do not speak of it), I was cautiously optimistic about giving tasting menus another shot at L'Ostrica, a spot I've apparently driven past almost daily without noticing. The $110-per-person tasting menu offers the rare, genuine relief of zero decisions: no menu, no choices, just five to seven courses and total trust in the kitchen. The open-concept dining room — bar, lounge, and plating station all in one airy room — made the whole thing feel less isolating. Six courses, one very good martini, and the cutest cup I've seen all year, ahead.

Oshen sits in the kind of suburban strip mall that shares a parking lot with a Papa John's and a Jersey Mike's — not exactly a promising sign. But behind that unassuming brick exterior is a sleek, modern space that would fit right into any of Charlotte's trendier neighborhoods. After a quick lunch visit landed their $12 bento box in a round-up instead of a full review, I went back to actually dig into the menu: a wasabi martini, miso soup that's somehow better than the usual version every restaurant serves, and a tuna tartare that more than made up for the location.

I've had a rocky history with the Kindred restaurant empire — milkbread and Kindred never quite won me over, though Hello, Sailor still reigns supreme in my book. Their biggest swing yet, Albertine, opened in Uptown three months ago with a Mediterranean-meets-Southern-flair menu inside an otherwise soulless corporate office building. The exterior gives zero indication of what's inside: sky-high ceilings, herringbone wood floors, marble I wanted to chisel off and take home. We opted for a dining room booth over the lounge, which was the correct call. A $25 martini, shockingly good dates, and a steak-and-frites situation worth discussing, ahead.

A pre-dinner cocktail stop on the way to Albertine — the 'Dibs on Bunk 10,' reminiscent of a negroni with a little less bite. Really good.

The 'Salsiccia' pizza — house-made fennel sausage, ricotta, red onion and arugula. Really tasty, if a little too floppy for a structural purist.

A 6-inch Chocolate Diplomat cake commissioned for a birthday celebration — though the giant donut cakes remain the bigger personal favorite here.

A tofu bowl anchored by yuzu brussels sprouts, red chile glazed sweet potatoes, and a black truffle hot sauce upgrade that ties the whole thing together.

The worst truffle fries encountered anywhere — undercooked, soggy, and topped with what looked suspiciously like jarred grocery-store garlic posing as parmesan. A rough week for frites all around.

'Even Fancier Caviar Service,' served with Lay's and crème fraîche — the ultimate bougie bar snack. Once you go fancier, there's no going back.

Home to the No. 1 ranked sandwich in a three-way showdown: the Muenster Mash, built on herbed focaccia with a toasted garlic aioli so good it should be a permanent menu item, not a rotating special.

The reigning favorite chicken sandwich in Charlotte for a long stretch — the 'Plain Jane,' topped with mayo, lettuce, pickles and tomato, plus a honey mustard worth ordering on the side. Since closed, and missed.

Garlic tots that beat out fries entirely — tossed in garlic and parmesan and served with a truffle aioli deemed simply 'beautiful.'

'The 54th' sandwich, elevated by crispy bacon and a good baguette, paired with a matzo ball soup that delivers every single time.

A quick draft vanilla iced latte grabbed on a packed Sunday morning — the breakfast sandwiches looked tempting, but the crowd said otherwise.

The 'Jeff Goldblum Drinks for Free' cocktail: tequila and mezcal with hibiscus, blood orange, and lime. A delightful order — and yes, Jeff Goldblum should always drink for free.

A delivery-order margherita pizza that didn't quite land — the rigatoni is usually the better call here, though a rough week may have thrown the taste buds off.

My very first restaurant review (be gentle) takes on Rada, the new Myers Park spot that quietly opened in the old littleSpoon space with zero menu posted online — an approach that felt less mysterious and more like stalking an ex's private Instagram. Braving 29-degree weather to actually leave my house, I found a cozy, moodily-lit room with arched doorways and globe lights that felt more NYC side-street than Charlotte. One mildly infuriating catch: you have to order your entire meal upfront instead of pacing it out, which is a personal nightmare for anyone medicated for anxiety. Full rundown of the food ahead.

The 'White Moose' combo — a microwave-melted deli sandwich that leans entirely on its Formula 45 dipping sauce, which the hag would happily be embalmed in. Not a sexy order, but an honest one.

A new buffalo chicken wrap that arrived unheated and immediately fell apart — great flavor undermined by a genuinely harrowing eating experience. The sourdough bagel sandwiches were, of course, already sold out.

An 'Apple Brandy Should Be More of a Thing' cocktail that mostly tasted like apple juice despite a promising honey miso syrup — but a genuinely fun order of Tinned Oysters Rockefeller. Add hot sauce.