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Zink American Kitchen

http://harpersrestaurants.com/zink.html

Zink located right in the heart of Charlotte, Photo by cityguides.msn.com

Zink American Kitchen is a Harper’s restaurant located uptown on North Tryon. This chic restaurant and bar offers endless possibilities for holiday parties. The bar features American wines and beers to complement the regional American favorite dishes, which have all been given a modern twist. Not only can Zink cater for customers in any venue or in a customer’s home, but they also offer the option of renting out the lounge, patio, downstairs, upstairs, or the entire restaurant for events. The upstairs is the most popular space for private events. This area can accommodate up to 100 people in a seated 3-course dinner atmosphere, or in a reception style atmosphere with heavy hors d’oeuvres to allow for more mingling and socialization.

Del Fresco's "Big Meal" photo by www.delfriscos.com

Del Friscos

http://www.delfriscos.com/charlotte/

If you’re looking for a great place to have upscale holiday parties in the South Park area then look no further than Del Frisco’s. Del Frisco’s is noted for its outstanding cuisine featuring great steaks, seafood, and desserts. They offer over 1,000 selections of wine from around the world on their award winning wine list. The restaurant offers customers the option of having their event in the beautiful wine cellar, which is located beneath the main dining floor. The wine cellar space can accommodate up to 75 people for a seated dinner. Del Frisco’s also offers other private dining rooms which seat up to 35 guests and allow guests to have access to a private bar area. Guests also have the option of semi-private dining spaces, which are secluded from other guests but allows for the experience of the great energy and ambiance of Del Frisco’s. Customers can pre-select wine, appetizers, or choose a limited menu thanks to Del Frisco’s flexibility and desire to work with those who have special requests. If you want to emphasize the holidays at your party, Del Frisco’s is more than happy to add decorations in any way customers want to help them celebrate.

BlackFinn

http://www.blackfinncharlotte.com/

Black Finn, Photo by www.blackfinncharlotte.com

BlackFinn, located uptown in the EpiCentre, is a great place for a casual or formal holiday event. BlackFinn can accommodate groups of varying sizes and is always sure to throw a great party. The restaurant offers seasonal decorations and an exceptional menu which can be enjoyed in any of the four unique rooms which are available for rent. Guests also have the option of renting out the entire restaurant if desired. The roughly 3200 square foot second floor provides a four sided fully-stocked bar and several high definition televisions. This space allows for seated dinners or cocktail parties. Classic decorations and a fun environment will provide customers with a warm atmosphere for the holiday season.

Dressler's photo by www.dresslersrestaurant.com

Dressler’s

www.dresslersrestaurant.com

If you’re having a holiday party in the Lake Norman area, you can always expect great food, service, and ambiance at Dressler’s Restaurant located in Birkdale Village in Huntersville. The restaurant is festively decorated with holiday decorations to enhance the dining experience. Dressler’s offers a private party room which seats up to 45 people, or customers have the option of renting out the entire restaurant. The full menu is available for parties of up to 15 people. The entire restaurant can be rented for a seated dinner of up to 135 people, or for a party with heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails of up to 350 people. The private room is recommended for those looking for an intimate dining experience.

Fig Tree

www.charlottefigtree.com

The Fig Tree, located in Elizabeth area. Photo by charlotte.citysearch.com/

The Fig Tree Restaurant at the Lucas House offers holiday charm in a unique and comfortable setting. The Fig Tree is in an older home in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood on East 7th Street. They have exceptional food and a great wine list. All rooms in the Fig Tree are available to rent for holiday parties. Private parties with 8 to 40 people can be accommodated, and the menu is tailored to each customer. The Fig Tree works with guests to determine what they are looking for. If a set menu is preferred, customers can base their selections on what is featured currently on the Fig Tree menu, have a chef’s tasting menu, or make special requests to suit their needs. The full menu can also be made available for most groups if desired. The house is beautifully decorated during the holiday season, giving each holiday party a cheerful atmosphere.

Dolce Vita

http://www.dolcevitawines.com/

Known for live music and exciting special events, the Dolce Vita Wine Bar in NoDa is a great place to host a holiday party with no rental fee. Dolce Vita offers a relaxed and enjoyable environment for customers to discover new wines and beers. The venue can accommodate small personal groups and large corporate gatherings who desire either appetizers or a full course meal. For something entertaining and special, customers can set up a private wine tasting for their group event. “What’s the best part of having your holiday party at Dolce Vita? No fuss, no mess, and we’ll do the dishes!”

Out front at Dolce Vita, Photo by www.dolcevitawines.com

 STYLE Printable Version

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a good steak.  So when my Editor-in-Chief, Joy Hunter e-mailed and asked me to attend the Grand Opening of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar I don’t remember if I had five or ten exclamation marks after the word “YES”.

Photo by www.flemingssteakhouse.com

As I sat down at my table in the private dining room, I was immediately greeted by Paul Wilson, a server with 20 years experience who has been anxiously anticipating employment at Fleming’s for the past two years.  He offered me a glass of Solaire by Robert Mondavi.  I must say I’m not a wine drinker, but when I dabble, white wine is my choice. This wine was a great selection!  I asked Paul a little bit about the preparation that goes into making sure this Grand Opening is a success.

“Two weeks of preparation”, he said.  “You really get intensive training, from A to Z.  Everything is covered with our corporate trainer.

Prior to writing for STYLE, I too was a server who was put through intensive training at a local restaurant, so I could relate.  I also know that all servers have a side hustle; Paul’s hustle, he’s an artist, but the side hustle of servers is another feature in and of itself.

Photo by www.flemingssteakhouse.com

The servers were passing around entrees for the media to sample including Seared Ahi Tuna on a fresh vegetable salad with spicy mustard sauce, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with roasted red pepper and lime butter sauce, and a cheese tray with an assortment of domestic and imported cheeses. The cheese tray must have been great because by the time I arrived, it was no where in sight, however, I did try the crab cakes and the tuna but the crab cakes won me over.

For our first course we were served Wicked Cajun Barbecue Shrimp marinated with flair of garlic and spices.  And if you love spicy food like I do, you’ll agree the shrimp is wicked good!

We were also served a huge salad simply titled The Wedge, a crisp iceberg lettuce salad with grape tomatoes, red onions and crumbled blue cheese.  The salad was a refreshing dish, but I had to stop eating it about half way through if I were going to eat the rest of the food prepared for us.

We were able to select our entrée as our choices included Filet Mignon (12 oz); Tuna Mignon, seared rare with poppy seed au poivre and tomato sherry vinaigrette; Prime New York Strip Steak (16oz) and BBQ Scottish Salmon, a three mushroom salad with BBQ glaze.  Whenever I order steak, it’s always a rib-eye so I decided to settle for the next best thing on our menu which was the New York Strip, cooked medium plus.  The wait staff brought out my steak with two accompaniments: Sugar Snap Peas with carrots and red onions, in a soy chili glaze and fresh button and portobello Sautéed Mushrooms in butter with whole garlic.  If you love crunchy-cooked veggies, the snap peas were delicious but my favorite accompaniment was the mushrooms; they were perfect with my 16oz steak. Can you imagine how full I was after eating all of this?  But, there’s always room for dessert!

After wrapping up the leftovers in a doggie bag (which I’m so totally not sharing with my Shitzsu) the servers brought out two orders of Crème Brulee, creamy Tahitian vanilla bean custard served with fresh seasonal berries and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich, a chocolate cookie crust with peanut butter moose and raspberry jam.  I must say my table was split down the middle, three to three, on which desert was the best.  Yours truly, though I’m an avid chocolate lover, voted hands down for the Crème Brulee.  I loved it so much that I ate almost all of the first dish and most of the second dish of Crème Brulee.  As Flemings’ Executive Chef Russell Skall was making his rounds to ensure the food surpassed everyone’s satisfaction, he noticed I had two dishes of the Crème Brulee next to me and a half eaten Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich.  He joked “did you share?” Then tablemate Dixon Armstrong suggested they take a picture of me with the evidence.  Why did I give up my camera to let them get that shot?

Overall, the experience was great.  It’s the kind of restaurant that your boyfriend would take you to if he were going to impress you.  I definitely see the high powered executives as well as the ballers making their way to Fleming’s.  If you’re ever in the mood to treat yourself, put Fleming’s on the list.

Printable STYLE Version

( Photo taken from http://www.montys-grill.com/)


With gas prices out of control, Monty’s in Ballantyne offers a sojourn from city-life to easy beach living. 
There are few pleasures that compare to a summer beach trip. Most North 
Carolinians are familiar with the swell of anticipation felt by 
seeing the dates of the escape circled in red on a desk calendar. The 
frantic days leading up to departure are forgotten when the smell of beach air comes in through the car windows–you have finally arrived. 
These ephemeral joys are not easily replicated, but some unexpected sources do an excellent job of bringing the spirit of Charleston, the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach to our Queen City. 
Monty’s Grill is one of these. Located in the Heart of Ballantyne at 15205 
John J. Delaney Dr., Monty’s is a classic seafood restaurant with cool sophistication, along with a killer bar. It’s a great spot to relax, have fun and enjoy excellent food even in a pair of rainbows. Monty’s is the perfect place to go after the suntan fades, for some sun-bleached invigoration.


ATMOSPHERE 5 stars 
During the day, Monty’s is full of light that somehow manages to illuminate 
every object in the restaurant, without making shades a necessity. At night, the lighting fixtures on the walls are reminiscent of old-fashioned street lights, and with the sand and aquamarine colors of the restaurant and bar they evoke the feeling of walking along a dock at the beach at night; without the gnats, seagulls and splinters. This effortless transition from a day scene to a night scene makes Monty’s versatile as both a place for a breezy lunch and for a romantic evening. 
Monty’s is also a great place to have fun. They feature live music and specials on top-quality drinks. When I attended, I was shocked when I realized that the 
restaurant’s stereo system wasn’t playing Dave Matthews Band; an 
actual man was singing in the bar area. Monty’s owner, Robyn, informed me that 
many of Monty’s performers play along with the crowd and get them involved in 
the music, taking requests and starting impromptu sing-a-longs on rowdy 
nights; kind of like your favorite college bar but all grown up.


STAFF 3 stars 
This type of atmosphere can only be maintained by a staff that is professional 
and courteous but know how to have a good time and carry themselves with 
ease. During one of the musician’s ballads I actually laughed out loud when I 
caught Robyn jokingly holding a lighter in the air to pay tribute to a wicked guitar solo. She scurried around all night, joking with customers and making 
sure everyone was enjoying their meals, playing the role of hostess extraordinaire. 
As an indecisive person, I mark a good waiter not by how fast my drink is 
brought to me but by the level of delight I have after I taste what they have 
chosen for me. At Monty’s, I entrusted my waiter with my drink, appetizer and 
dinner choices, and I new that my single choice of trusting my waiter was a 
good one after my first drink .


DRINKS 3 stars 
I am generally a beer drinking type of girl but with Monty’s atmosphere but, I knew that I needed something tropical and when my waiter suggested a mango pineapple infused pina colada, I was all for it. It was sweet and creamy but not overly so and had subtle mango and pineapple undertones which my waiter informed me was from soaking fresh juicy fruit in the liquor for a period of time before serving. It was refreshing and packed a nice liquory punch that was masked well by the fruit. Additionally, Monty’s has nightly drink specials. Tuesdays feature half- price martinis, Wednesday nights feature half- off selected bottles of wine, Fridays feature Monty’s crown and fruit infusion martinis for five dollars and Saturday night features six dollar sangria. When I went, I was lucky enough to encounter a wine tasting for Clark Smith wines, a perfect treat and best of all, it was on the house.


APPETIZERS 3 and a half stars
I entrusted my waiter to pick my appetizer and was pleasantly surprised by the bruschetta trio, a special that the chef had created just for that particular evening. My waiter informed me that the chef enjoys playing around with different popular appetizers from time to time so be sure to ask if they have any special appetizers or entrees for the evening and you might get a special treat. The bruschetta trio had three different types of bruschetta, traditional, fried clam, and flat iron steak topped with blue cheese which my waiter told me was the best. He was right. I wanted to try more of the different tapas that Monty’s serves such as favorites like chicken satay and fried calamari and more unusual fare such as oyster shots and spinach gnocchi but I decided to wait to come back during happy hour for four dollar tapas at the bar.

ENTREE 5 stars
Although slightly full from my appetizer, I took my waiter’s sage advice again and ordered the filet oscar, a filet topped with crab meat, asparagus and Bearnaise. It turned out to be a wise choice as Robyn’s husband, Monty’s co-owner and restaurant namesake, Claudio a.k.a Monty, is Argentinean and knows beef. My steak was perfect with the crab and asparagus accentuating the flavor of the beef rather than masking it. 
A friend dining with me ordered a southern staple of shrimp and grits, which was the most comforting comfort food I have ever tasted. The combination of shrimp, Parmesan grits, crisp bacon, onions and a rich lobster Alfredo sauce created a flavor that was sweet, rich and thick with flavor without being too overwhelming. Out of all the great things Monty’s has to offer, this was definitely my favorite and will be the one reason I vacation to Ballantyne when I can’t make it to the beach.

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My personal motto is: “We’ll get along fine as long as we have each other and plenty of snacks”, I think I will change the end to “plenty of organic snacks.”

We’ve all heard the news about our fair city. We’re number one. We have a positive economy. We are the best place to live in the United States of America. These things are all great and a booming city and a positive economy are always good things. But the thing I always find missing from these articles, singing the glories of Charlotte, is the mention of how Charlotte is a gateway to some of the most beautiful and green outdoor oases around. 

Crowders Mountain, just a short trip down I-85 South, is a great place for hiking and climbing. The Historic Latta Plantation is only 12 miles northwest of Charlotte and is a great place to take a walk and to catch up on some local history. South Mountains State Park, located in Connelly Springs, is a slightly longer drive but is worth it for the views of the High Shoals waterfalls. Even in the heart of Charlotte you can escape to natural beauty at any time. Freedom Park is a great place to watch Charlotteans at play in their natural environment. I’ve seen Ultimate Frisbee players, fisherman and small children relishing in their play by chasing geese while riding their tricycles. While riding my bike on the Mallard Creek Greenway, my favorite way to bird watch at high speeds, I have even seen deer jump out of the woods. When I see a bobcat, and I don’t mean a basketball player, meandering in and out of the woods in Charlotte, I will know that I am truly in a place that has the best of both words.

With all of these outdoor adventures that Charlotte has to offer, a person is bound to get hungry. And what better way to be inspired by our natural surroundings than to have all natural, organic snacks? Earthfare, a healthy supermarket based out of Asheville, is a perfect place to rack up on victuals for your travels. Located at 721 Governor Morrison Drive in the South Park area and at 12235 North Community House Road in Ballantyne, Earthfare carries a myriad of organic and natural delights. They have a knowledgeable staff that can tell you anything from what kind of organic cheese goes best with kalamata olives to what salt rock crystal deodorant really makes you smell the freshest. I took a trip to Earthfare to discover the best snacks to take on an outdoor adventure and just like going on any sort of extravagant vacation; the only question I had to ask myself was “What to pack?”

Thebottleshop.com

Wine: My favorite part of any camping trip or hike is the part where you get to sit down and open up a well deserved beverage. I chose, at the recommendation of the staff at Earthfare, a solid, spicy, red wine from France called La Vieille Ferme. Don’t let its low price tag fool you; La Vieille Ferme is an excellent wine. Best of all, it comes with a screw top so that you don’t have to lug around a corkscrew on your travels. Although the label on the wine doesn’t explicitly say organic I was informed by an Earthfare employee in the wine department that most of the wine Earthfare sells from other countries is made using organic practices, that means no pesticides, fertilizers, additives or radiation, but they don’t pay to have the USDA certify their products as organic. That means they use organic practices for the sake of quality rather to have a trendy label on their product. 

Carrying the wine itself can be done in fashion with Built NY’s two-bottle tote, an adorable and practical carrying case made from wet suit material. It is stain resistant, waterproof, insulated and collapses flat for happy travels. Sold at Bliss, The Paper Skyscraper and Target, the two-bottle tote is a wine-lugger’s dream.

Piave Vechio - www.murrayscheese.com

Cheese: Of course you can’t have wine without cheese and in the hot North Carolina sun you need a cheese that can stand up next to the heat. I asked the cheese man at Earthfare what the best cheeses were for these purposes and he recommended Piave Vecchio and San Joaquin Gold Farmstead Cheese. Piave Vecchio is a hard strong cheese from Italy with sweet undertones. San Joaquin is, as the Cheese man told me, “what Monterey Jack should taste like”.  I was also informed that the cheese is, like the wine, prepared with organic practices but without the label. I was amazed at the short list of ingredients (Cow’s milk, cheese enzymes, salt) in comparison to the laundry list of ingredients in processed American cheese. Simple things are amazing in their versatility.

Crackers: To go with great cheese you need an equally great cracker. I like Mary’s Gone Crackers, a crunchy, organic, gluten-free treat. Made out of brown rice, quinoa (an Andean super food), flax seeds and sesame seeds, Mary’s Gone Crackers are delicious and a great source of fiber and iron. Slice some sun-softened Piave Vecchio on a cracker with your Swiss army knife and add a slice of Earthfare organic pears for a perfect mid hike treat.

www.tibetgojiberries.com

Little Yummy Bites: When you don’t have time to pull out the Swiss army knife and need a little boost, berries are nature’s candies. Cottle Farm’s organic blueberries are juicy and delicious. Blueberries have recently gotten a lot of press as being “Brain food” because of they have the highest level of anti-oxidants in any fruit that has been studied and are reported to improve vision, memory and balance. Goji berries, grown in the Himalayas in Tibet, have also been heralded as a miracle fruit that can increase strength building, sexual potency and longevity. Try Organic Himalayan Harvest Goji Berries from the Raw Choice. They are chewy and a have a sweet anise flavor. They are mess free and perfect to keep in your backpack as an emergency snack.

Dessert: At the end of any picnic, walk, hike or any other occasion a snack is deserved so why not make it a snack you can feel good about? Dagoba Organic Chocolate is committed to providing a stable cocoa economy, one that doesn’t destroy environment or the people in them. I recommend the seeds bar with pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds and sunflower seeds. This bar is full of omega 3 fatty acids which are found in fish oils and reported to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. 

Printable STYLE Version

With a new motivation to rediscover Charlotte, my first goal as Charlotte Style Scene and Heard writer was to find a hidden gem beneath the towering lights and steel skyscrapers. After glancing through a local publication, I noticed an ad for a coffee Cupping. I hadn’t the slightest clue what Cupping actually was, but if it dealt with my favorite form of caffeine, I assumed it would be fabulous.

Thankfully, my assumption was correct. Although driving down West Morehead was slightly nerve wracking, I finally made it to the Grinnell Water Works building. I took an elevator to the second floor, stepped onto wooden floors and a mod-decorated room with an inviting aura and top of the line equipment.

            Within the first few minutes, I discovered that Cupping is another word for a Coffee Tasting, which is a 100 year old tradition in many parts of the world. Counter Culture Coffee offers the Cuppings every Friday morning at 10am. It is nation wide at the various locations, and it is completely free and open to the public. The staff members are welcoming, creative, and passionate about their jobs, as well as eager to share their knowledge and coffee with the Charlotte area.

            During the blind tasting, attendees sample three different international flavors and record their first impressions. I approached the third sample and dipped my spoon. I did it carefully so I wouldn’t drop it into the coffee cup. I savored it in order to appreciate every rich flavor, and the first thing I was shocked to taste was chicken—grilled chicken, to be exact. I laughed off what I considered to be a fleeting whim and wrote down a generic flavor instead. Ten minutes into our Cupping discussion, I was pleasantly surprised to hear one of the crew mention that he also tasted grilled chicken. Apparently I was not the only one with a keen sense of taste, and the crew was widely accepting of all smells and tastes discovered in the international coffee brands which included: BBQ pork, marshmallow, and even Grandma’s moldy attic.

            After discussing our impressions, the various origins of the coffee samples were revealed and tasting techniques were discussed. After the hour long session, the crowd dwindled. My cousins and I, we were the only people left. So, we had great conversation with the coffee crew who showed us coffee art and let us sample the espresso, and at 11:00am we closed out our Friday morning.

I am still elated that I was able to find this small treasure in the outskirts of downtown Charlotte. I hope that this article will interest you, the reader to enjoy the same, exquisite coffee experience that I will be enjoying many more Friday mornings at 10:00am with the Counter Culture Coffee crew. I look forward to Cupping with you.

M5 is the dining equivalent of everything that I want in a new boyfriend: sex appeal, a little bit of mystery and an unequivocal sense of style. All of this, paired with the comfort of home, intimacy and the feeling of being taken care of, makes for a love that will last the ages. A great restaurant, like a great boyfriend, is a difficult thing to find, and I think I may have found true love with M5, Charlotte’s newest Mediterranean restaurant. Located on Sharon Road near the Village at Southpark, M5 is the newest addition to the Charlotte-based Harper’s Restaurant Group and it is making a name for itself amongst the plentiful upscale dining facilities in the area. 

Walking into M5 is like walking into the perfect bachelor pad. It’s a delightful, disarming escape to a place that makes you feel glamorous. Paved with wood, brown and white leather, and small fires, the decor M5 creates a subtle, alluring palate for the food to be the centerpiece and the art. It also has a romantic porch setting with comfy couches and bright pillows and umbrellas. It’s a great place to lounge and drink wine with girlfriends after work, or enjoy a date on a cool summer night.

A fusion of Italian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, French and Arabic food, this modern Mediterranean restaurant offers a trip to these different locales with every course, even with every bite. M5 offers a selection of flatbreads done pizza style that are great for lunch or as a starter. I tried the Prosciutto di Parma and fig pizza with manchego cheese, cabrales (a strong Spanish blue cheese), and reggiano and truffle oil. It is very rich and not your usual pizza. It is a different sensation with every bite due to the tanginess of the cheese, richness of the truffle oil and shocking sweetness of the figs buried beneath. I sat at the L-shaped bar next to the kitchen and watched my flatbread cooking in the real wood fired oven. It was a great place to sit if you like to watch what goes into preparing a meal, or if you get cold in restaurants. 

DRINKS

In between meals, I tried the house made sangria. It is a mixture of a burgundy wine with grapes, bourbon, strawberries, and apricots. The freshness of the fruit set this cocktail apart, and every sip allowed you to taste a different fruit flavor underneath the rich tannins of the wine. I will definitely come back on a Wednesday night when the Sangria is on special. M5 has several drink specials like half-priced Italian Wines on Sunday. M5 also has a full service bar and lounge area; a new place to see and be seen in our painfully hip city of Charlotte. The only problem I can find is choosing from the many different wines and cocktails offered.

APPETIZER 

Next, I opted for the Hazelnut crusted goat cheese salad with crisp prosciutto, baby spinach and warm sherry vinaigrette. The tartness of the sherry vinaigrette and spinach with the creaminess of the warm goat cheese, and crispy prosciutto turns light fare into something robust and unexpected. Served with the salad, was a whimsical presentation of foccacia in a conical basket reminiscent of circus peanuts. A sense of humor and playfulness is always a plus in an upscale restaurant. 

ENTREE

For the main course, my Italian mother insisted that we order the whole roasted Mediterranean Branzini with creamy polenta, eggplant caviar and lemon caper sauce. She claimed that she was unable to find Branzini anywhere but in Europe, much less in the south. A wise decision, the Branzini was prepared at a fine texture and its buttery fish flavor went along perfectly with the sweet polenta and the tangy lemon caper sauce. A member of the staff came to our table to fillet the fish for us which just added to the list of good service from the entire staff.

STAFF

The staff was welcoming and informative. They elaborated on the freshness of the ingredients and different specials. I am particularly excited about participating in spontaneous tasting, a journey in and of itself, where nationally renowned Chef, Tom Condron, presents you with a true tapas experience. Simply tell the chef any dietary requirements or allergies and you will be presented with small courses of food prepared specially for you. If you choose, you can have wine paired with every course for the full experience. 

Like a good boyfriend, M5 left me satisfied and hardly able to wait for the next time I can come back. And also like a great boyfriend, my mom liked it too.  Full Article