Critics Review Honduran Lempira, Spanish Las Ramblas

IN THE NEWS: The Charlotte Observer’s Helen Schwab gives two stars to Honduran spot Lempira (5906 South Blvd., Charlotte, 704-552-1515), takes a first bite of GW Fins (525 N. Tryon St.; 704-716-3467) and raves about the cats and pups at Twin Tops (4574 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia; dinner only; 704-825-2490), while Rich Haag visits [...]

‘Gourmet’ Lauds ‘America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants’

Gourmet magazine’s October 2007 issue features a guide to “America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants.” gourmet.com:
RESTAURANTS WITH FARM CONNECTIONS: 2nd Street Bistro, Livingston, MT; Amherst Chinese Food, Amherst, MA; Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN; Crook’s Corner, Chapel Hill, NC; Eve, Alexandria, VA; La Provence, Lacombe, LA; Lantern, Chapel Hill, NC; Pacific’O and I’o, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii; Tree House [...]

Volare Closes as Owner Eyes New Location

IN THE NEWS: The Charlotte Observer’s Helen Schwab reviews Foskoskies (2121-A Shamrock Drive; 704-535-2220) and reports: the opening of GW Fins (525 N. Tryon St., formerly Palomino). This is the second location for chef Tenney Flynn and managing partner Gary Wollerman; they opened the original in New Orleans’ French Quarter in 2001 … Volare has [...]

Soul Food Icon Coffee Cup Reopens Twice

IN THE NEWS: The Charlotte Observer’s Rich Haag reports on the reopening of historic The Coffee Cup soul food restaurant at not one but two locations — in University City (9311 J.W. Clay Blvd. in University Place) on Sept. 11, and Sept. 12 at Cameron Brown Building at South McDowell and East Third streets. The [...]

Barbecue Baron Bill Spoon Dies at Age 78

IN THE NEWS: The Charlotte Observer’s David Perlmutt writes the obituary of Billy Ray Spoon, who’d fed generations at his South Boulevard restaurant Bill Spoon’s Barbecue. Spoon, 78, died Aug. 24 after a brief illness. … Helen Schwab reports: Frank Scibelli (Cantina 1511, Mama Ricotta’s) will open Big Daddy’s Burger Bar around mid-October at 1626 [...]

Asian-To-Go Debuts at Earth Fare Grocery

IN THE NEWS: Hissho Sushi Inc. has opened its first Asian-To-Go operation in the new Earth Fare grocery in SouthPark, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. charlotte.bizjournals.com … Charlotte Observer critic Helen Schwab reviews a couple of dining options in Hilton Head, SC. … The paper also reports the openings of: City Wok, a southern California-based [...]

Price’s a Runner-Up for Best Fried Chicken

Brooklyn’s Peter Luger Steak House and New Orleans’ Willie Mae’s Scotch House were among the winners in Bon Appetit magazine’s recent Food Network special. Winning restaurants were selected from each of three semifinalists for the best versions of six quintessential American classics: pizza, steak, tacos, hamburgers, fried chicken, and ribs. The winners were announced on [...]

Figaro’s Pizza To Open in North Charlotte

IN THE NEWS: The Charlotte Observer’s Nicole Bell reports that national pizza chain Figaro’s Pizza will open its first restaurant in Charlotte on Aug. 23 at 2015 Arbors Drive in North Charlotte, featuring pizza that is cooked at the restaurant or can be cooked at home. The Oregon-based chain has more than 100 locations nationwide. [...]

Price’s Chicken Coop Makes National Finals

Bon Appetit magazine’s September 2007 Restaurant issue features three finalists in a list of quintessential versions of six American classics: pizza, steak, tacos, hamburgers, fried chicken, and ribs. Winner will be announced on the Food Network on Aug. 18 (Good Eats with Alton Brown, 6 and 10 pm CDT). The finalists:
PIZZA: Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix; DiFara [...]

Terra, Rooster’s Top ‘Creative Loafing’ Poll

IN THE NEWS: Creative Loafing’s Best of Charlotte 2007 issue includes Terra (critics) and Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen (readers) as Best New Restaurants, with Barrington’s (critics) and The Melting Pot (readers) as Best Special Occasion Restaurant. … Tricia Childress reviews Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream Shoppe (14835 John Delaney Drive), and Mama’s Caribbean Grill (1504 Central [...]