“Go...” listings
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BONTERRA DINING & WINE ROOM
This South End restaurant, located in a former church, is noteworthy for it steaks, lamb and lobster as well as an amazing wine list. Be sure to order the Magnolia salad (greens, herbed goat cheese and almonds). $$$ (01/2011)
1829 Cleveland Ave
704-333-9463
bonterradining.com -
GROWLERS POURHOUSE
Don’t be fooled by the roadhouse décor. There’s a full array of craft beers that are paired with fl avor appropriate, top-notch cheeses, as well as homemade potato chips and oysters on the half-shell. (01/2011)
3120 N Davidson St
704-910-6566
growlerspourhouse.com -
FIRST NIGHT CHARLOTTE
Roughly 50,000 people troop to Uptown to say goodbye to one year and welcome the next at this family-friendly, booze-free event. Activities for kids are the focus from 3pm to 7pm; afterward, there’s live entertainment and, at midnight, the city’s illuminated crown reaches the top of its outdoor track. Dec. 31. (12/2010)
Trade and Tryon sts
704-332-2227
firstnightcharlotte.com -
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE GARDEN
The metro area’s sprawling floral conservatory doesn’t just primp pines and poinsettias: it strings its grand entrance with more than 600,000 holiday lights. While you’re there, tour the White Garden, see the orchid tree and relish the formal displays. Through Dec. 31. (12/2010)
6500 New Hope Rd, Belmont
704-829-1240
dsbg.org -
OLD DOG CLOTHING
The name of this stylish men’s boutique is appropriate: There’s always a golden retriever lazing about the doorway. Both the pooch and the merchandise—quality sportswear—exude an elegant-but-relaxed vibe. (11/2010)
6822 Phillips Place Ct
704- 554-5000 -
CAMPBELL’S GREENHOUSES & NURSERY
Visit this garden spot in the gentrifying South End area for something unusual and elegant, like orchids or bonsai trees that will run you anywhere from $20 to the thousands. (11/2010)
209 McDonald Ave
704-331-9659 -
GREEN WITH ENVY
This place, one of many hip boutiques stuffed into an old factory building, is a magnet for shoppers wanting something unexpected. A notable find is an only-in-Charlotte deck of playing cards, each of them decorated by a different local artist. (11/2010)
1111 Central Ave
704-344-8774
greenwithen...arlotte.com -
VIETNAM GRILLE
Head here to try the affordable, relatively sweet Mekong Delta cuisine, for which the owner picks fresh herbs and vegetables daily from local markets. This is some of the best Viatnamese food Charlotte has to offer. Try the seafood-packed cu lao thap cam soup, with shrimp, scallops, squid, chicken and veggies. $ (11/2010)
5615 South Blvd
704-525-2408 -
THE KING’S KITCHEN
Uptown business types stream here for lunch, where they order Aunt Beaut’s pan-fried allnatural chicken. This Southern classic comes with three veggie sides—all for just $9. What’s more, the restaurant is run by a chef/preacher who hires hard-to-employ people looking for another chance at life and donates 100% of the profits to feed the poor. $ (11/2010)
129 W Trade St
704-375-1990
kingskitchen.org -
DOLCE RISTORANTE ITALIANO
This popular, intimate eatery focuses on rustic, regional Italian fare. The most notable dish is handmade gnocchi—choose pesto, ragu, four-cheese, marinara or butter sage sauce to go on top—which is only available on Tuesdays. $$ (11/2010)
1710 Kenilworth Ave
704-332-7525
dolceristorante.net -
MOLLY MACPHERSON’S SCOTTISH PUB & GRILL
If neeps and tatties (turnips and mashed potatoes) don’t pull you in, perhaps this will: 60 imported and craft beers and even more varieties of single-malt Scotch. Tuesdays are trivia nights and Wednesdays feature live music. (11/2010)
127 N Tryon St
704-335-9609
macphersonspub.com -
BANK OF AMERICA 500
This isn’t just any NASCAR race. So many teams are based in metro Charlotte that this major home track race will be a high-speed bumper-to-bumper battle in front of some of the sport’s most enthusiastic fans. Oct. 16. (10/2010)
5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord
800-455-3267
charlottemo...peedway.com