It's nothing special. Ok for quick eats.

We like Martino's in Afton Village. Good Italian.

The first time we went we thought it was fabulous. The next time, just fair. It will take another visit to decide. Second Fiamma and also like Toscana

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Fiamma
2418 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Try The Meat Houose in Ballantyne for your meats. We really like it.

We have been twice. I have had the 45 day old dry aged strips --- outstanding, the filet -- outstanding, marinated shrimp -- ok, pork chops -- outstanding, chicken and beef kabobs -- outstanding, marinated steak tips -- outstanding, you get the picture.... I did not find the prices drastically more than Fresh Market and quality I thought was better. 25% of goods are local -- Nona's Backery, PAsta and Provision, etc. Great artisan pickles, good prices on larger containers of spices, frozen duck, ostrich, buffalo, and lots of other things. If you want to freeze something they will at no extra cost seal it up air free -- sorry, forget the terminology. Local dips, salsa, cheese spreads.

I live in Huntersville and plan on making the trip 2 or 3 times a month to Ballantyne to fill up. Very friendly service. Very good product. If it is a bit more it is worth it IMHO.

wow. Maybe that is it. Wouldn't that be an easy fix and it would make me soo happy. Thanks, I'll try that next time.
art

As a kid growing up, my mom used to make dumplings (off the Biscuik box recipe I'm pretty sure) that were light and fluffy. Every time I try it I get a little fluff around a mostly chewy ball. Anyone know how I might duplicate what Mom used to do, or has old age dampened my memory and they were never fluffy?

Flemings has one for $39.99

We have been twice now to this new restaurant in downtown Concord and like it very much. The food is delicious and service was very good. The owners are very visable and make sure all is good. The inside is really cute. I was never in it before but I'm assuming it was all redone. I had stuffed veal chops the first time and lasagna this time. Both very good. The caesar salad is good and the onion soup is to die for. We had the antipasta the first time and liked it too. They are closed Sundays and Mondays and open for lunch and dinner the rest of the week. I hope to get there soon for lunch. Try it, I think you'll like it. It's nice to have a good restaurant in town.

We like their subs in our neighborhood, Concord, NC. It does very from store to store. Here they are always fresh on a good tasting roll. He probably have them 2 or 3 times a month for cheap eats.

Sadly this Charlotte restaurant has closed due to the present economic downturn. We ate there Friday the 9th and it was very good with terrific service. I had previously made reservations for Restaurant Week and mid week I got an email letting me know that they had closed and the reservation was cancelled. Sad. I thought it very classy that the night before they closed everything was so good without a hint of problems. The email from them was equally classy. Last night I got an additional email letting me know if I had a gift certificate that it could be redeemed for cash through the mail. How impressive is that? I wish them success in New Orleans and hope they may return some day soon.

We are in for GW Finns, Ruth Chris', Blue, and Oceanaire. Can't wait.

Thanks diertac. I'll have to venture over there.

We went this weekend. I thought it was good. I had the NY Strip that I would give a B and my wife had the chicken which she would give an A. I thought the veggies were good and the desserts very good. I did not like the Caesar salad -- thought it had an unusual flavor I couldn't put my finger on. The service was top notch and the restuarant is very pretty on the inside. We will try it again. It was not very busy for a Friday night.

We tried it based on your recommendation. It is very good and has become our regular pizza place. Nice people too. thanks

Lava Bistro is pretty good -- I'm assuming it's still there as I haven't been there in quite a while. I know it's a chain, but I like Bravo in the Northlake Mall. If you care to go to Birkdale 15 minutes North, Dresslers is very good. Near there on 73 is Mickey and Mooch -- also good. We live pretty close to the University area and are always dismayed that the new restaurants all seem to head South.

A couple months ago GFL made mention of the Tiny Chef in a post about catering. I decided to check out her web site, http://www.thetinychef.biz, and thought she sounded fun and booked an evening of cooking and demonstration. At long last, last night came and we had such a great time. She arrived around 5:30 and didn't leave until almost midnight. I'm sure she could normally have been gone earlier but we were having so much fun that I know we slowed the process down. We laughed, ate, drank, cooked, watched, learned, and told stories.

The menu:
Spinach Cannelloni with Tomoato Sauce (how much better is homemade pasta!!
)Roasted Pork with Herbs, Garlic, and White Wine
Stuffed Zucchini Marche Style
Cannoli

I like to cook but I am totally an amateur so I was looking for tips, tricks, ideas, and confidence that "I can do this!" She certainly delivered all the above -- all with a laugh or smile. I highly recommend checking out her web site and giving her a try. By the time the evening was done, we had eaten better Italian than any local restaurant, learned how to do it ourselves, had a grand time, and had made a new friend in the process.

Thanks for the tip GFL.

Thanks!! I forgot about Bradford. That is very close for me!

Do you know of any markets closer to the north end of town since I live in Huntersville?

thanks for the tip. I will have to make it over to that market some time.

I've cooled on Johnny B.'s. Rosario's is very good. Sadly, we really don't have a lot to choose from.

How much have you lost? You seem to be quite determined. I wish I could garner up that will power.

thanks for the link Lynn. I do a lot of day trips on Friday for business. That will come in handy to find places along the way in NC/SC/VA!

I have eaten there twice and while I'm not a great mexican fan, this place is pretty good. The food was a notch above most of the others around here but what really set it apart for me was the friendliness of the staff. Unfortunately you just don't find that anymore. Even the younger teens working were very helpful and friendly to this older customer :). Kudoos to them.

We sat at the kitchen "bar", bar stools overlooking the kitchen and it's workings. That was interesting as well. I realized it is not that easy and I better keep my day job. But we watched every single plate going out of that kitchen and the constant comment, was oh -- look at that one. Right down to the burgers and fries, which looked so good they may call us back before the weeks out.

Thanks Lynn. If we are there we will give it a whirl. Yes, your memory is correct. We actually live just north into Huntersville.

Last night we were on a quest for cheap eats and I had it in my mind to try a place I had read about, pollo Loco, which was supposed to be like Pio Pio, on Sharon Amity. I know, I'm looking for cheap eats using $4 gas and 15 miles from home, but that is how my warped mind works. At any rate, it looked closed and we just kept on going to Roosters. It turned out to be not cheap eats, but wow, was it good. We had an awesome Heirloom tomato/cucumber/sweet onion salad, followed by rotisery chicken, with fire grilled asparagus, broiled cauliflower, bread, wine, and dessert (my wife had a chocolate wafered flying saucer thing, filled with mocha gelato with almonds and chocolate chips. It was sinful. She only allowed me a small bite, just enough to learn that she had ordered better than me, lol. Everything was great!! So, we spent an hour driving thru traffic looking for cheap eats in a restaurant that was closed and ended up spending a lot more than intended, but.... it was a good night!

I may attempt this next week. I am not interested in chains like Friday's etc. And I'm going to try to avoid sandwiches or salads. That would be too easy. Thai, Chinese, Mexican seem like easy hits as they are all cheap. I want some "American" food as well. This might be fun.

I was thinking of trying to dine out every night some coming week and seeing how good I could eat and how cheaply it could be done. Supermarket prices are escalating so fast that I swear you can eat cheaper out. I'm not talking McD/BK/ and the likes. I was thinking maybe like Pio Pio, Merts, Coffee Cup, Thai food, Chinese food, etc. So what places would you try and how much do you think you'd need to spend for 2 for a week of good food? How about it Godfather -- surely you must have a list of varied inexpensive places??

Never been to Southern Spirits so I can't comment on them, but Lynn s right on Frugal's. I'd be shocked if they didn't have it.

not sure. It is a deep red and has a very strong kick, plenty of fruit flavor, not a lot of floating fruit. I had just one and I felt it. Of course I am kind of a wimp, but still.