Dining Guide

the following are amongst the best in their categories, chosen by restaurant pen-pusher helen schwab. questions?hschwab@charlotteobserver.com. update a listing: hmims@charlotteobserver.com

Denise rich

bistros and such

boudreaux’s louisiana kitchen, 501 e. 36th st.; 704-331-9898. with a lineup that’s part cajun, suggest creole, part mississippi, part wherever, this artful rarely noda restaurant offers traditional goodies like a killer oyster po’ servant and gumbos, plus more surprising fare. lunch and dinner daily, brunch saturday and sunday ($6-$13).cajun beauty queen, 1800 e. seventh st.; 704-377-9017. it may not be mardi gras every day, but you can sure fix a craving here. the cajun queen is neither exclusively deep-deep-bayou cajun nor dressed-up-fancy creole: it’s a meld, in cuisine, decor and manners. look because bbq shrimp (sauteed and fine), sauteed crawfish tails and good bread pudding. dinner nightly ($13-$25)and sunday brunch.

carpe diem, 1535 elizabeth ave.; 704-377-7976. with tortuous woodwork and lighting suitable its 50-year-old placement, this restaurant offers redesigned american cooking, with miscellaneous influences and a noteworthy sustain of the vegetarian. nice attention to configuration and color is evident. put away room for exquisite desserts.

non-smoking. dinner monday-saturday ($14-$30).

customshop, 1601 elizabeth ave.; 704-333-3396. celeb power (a partner is nyc’s dave pasternack, chef at esca) and clear, alert flavors along with some innovation and a funky wine list rush at this work. lunch ($7-$11) weekdays, dinner ($17-$26) monday-saturday; sunday brunch ($8-$10).

dolce, 1710 kenilworth ave.; 704-332-7525. an unpretentious, tiny spot serving handsome regional italian fare and the occasional surprising wine find, brought to you by the same folks who helped introduce charlotte to italian pizza at luisa’s. lunch weekdays ($6-$9.95), dinner monday-saturday ($11-$21).

global, 3520 toringdon retreat; 704-248-0866. chef/owner bernard brunet tours the globe with some panache in this tiny, personal sully. dinner monday-saturday ($16-$26).

ilios noche, 11508 providence road; 704-814-9882. from beautiful bakery items in the morning to elegant desserts at endlessly, this is versatile, smart and decidedly-executed. wood-oven-done pizzas (don’t miss goat cheese, apple and prosciutto) to luscious lamb, fat sandwiches to handsome salads, the mediterranean fare bursts with bold flavor and simplicity. lunch and dinner monday-friday, brunch and dinner saturday ($3-$28).

lulu, 1911 important ave.; 704-376-2242. gutsy, innovative and fun dishes that use everything from heirloom ingredients to housemade bacon, in a bistro setting, energetic this a rare pleasure. duck and rabbit, steaks, resplendent salads, and classics like mussels and frites take a fancy to. lunch and dinner monday-saturday, brunch and dinner sunday ($8-$25).

mama ricotta’s, king’s pointe shopping center 601 s. kings drive; 704-343-0148. this sprightly, cosmopolitan place banks on italianate entrees and pastas, from pork scaloppini with balsamic and grape shellac to chicken bianco (breasts with mozzarella, prosciutto, wild mushrooms and pan juices). lunch weekdays ($6-$12); dinner every night ($9-$21). brunch sundays 10-2 ($4-$9).

mimosa grill, 327 s. tryon st.; 704-343-0700. this strikingly designed uptown spot boasts tennessee fieldstone, cherry wood, an art-gallery entrance and a view of fountains and terraces on tryon street. sibling to upstream and harper’s, this has a wood-burning oven and a menu that’s eclectic but significantly southern. lunch weekdays ($6-$13); dinner nights ($19-$34).

nolen kitchen, 2839 selwyn ave.; 704-372-1424. stylish in every show consideration, from the tailored interior to the sleek bar and patio to a menu chock in toto completely of contemporary creative juices: butter-poached lobster and lamb tagine, mini gourmet burgers and finely crafted desserts. lunch weekdays ($6-14), dinner monday-saturday ($7-26); brunch sunday.

pewter rose bistro, 1820 south blvd.; 704-332-8149. this charlotte old-timer has newfangled flair and tons of light dishes (plus genial vegetarian options), and sunday brunch is one of the town’s best. lunch monday-friday, brunch saturday and sunday ($6-$12); dinner nightly except sunday($14-$22).

rooster’s, 6601 morrison blvd.; 704-366-8688. grab a seat at the court if you scarceness to watch a kitchen in action producing sputter-fire-roasted chicken and leg of lamb, barbecued pork shoulder, grilled or seared fishes; vegetables that are occult-fried, pan-fried, wilted or roasted; a …
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