There are certain words in our culture that invoke interest or excitement, particularly when they are paired together. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Door-Buster, & Super-Saver all imply DEALS, SAVINGS, SALES, and, ultimately, MORE MONEY in your pocket. We can’t wait for these “events” to come our way because we feel that we can indulge in some things we may like and not feel “buyer’s remorse” afterward. Well, may I offer two more “pairs” that should delight your senses? QUEEN’S FEAST and RESTAURANT WEEK!
In the metro Charlotte area, these are synonymous with one another. They imply, no, guarantee deals, savings, and yes, more “dough” for a “rainy day”. This gift to all of us returns January 20-29, and your favorite restaurant very well may be on the list. 130 of the best restaurants in 9 counties, 3 courses, $30 to $35 per person (not including tax & gratuity); THAT’S IT! Think about it. How much would you normally pay for a 3-course meal, if you wanted to celebrate a special dinner occasion? New job, birthdays, anniversaries, or just-for-the-heck-of-it, the totals can escalate quickly. But not during Queen’s Feast. The price has already been set. All you have to do is make the tough decisions of: what appetizer you’d prefer, what delectable entrée you’ll enjoy, and which dessert to share (or not share).
How do you participate? I’m so glad that you asked! You could just arrive, but I’d recommended making your reservations ahead of time. If you wanted that 4K, Ultra HD, 70-inch television for $500, on Black Friday, there’s a good chance that you’d be one of the first in line! Maybe that’s an extreme example, but during Restaurant Week, seats will fill up, and time (and savory menus) will get away from you.
Steakhouses, Bistros, Fine Dining and Cultural Cuisines…if you have a taste for it, there’s a restaurant ready to serve your party and your palette. When you can combine those, that’s what truly makes Restaurant Week special. The memories, the delicious food journey, the anticipation of fun times together, and the overwhelmingly positive sense of an evening, and resources, well spent!
If you need to, call the babysitter today. If you’re able, work ahead a little this week, and cut out a little early next week. Call your girlfriends. Text that person you’ve not contacted in a while and reconnect over a delicious meal and some unforgettable conversation. The opportunities are endless, and it’s not every day that you can partake in such an event right in your own “backyard”.
De-stress, wind-down, take a deep breath and let the good vibes (and deals) come your way. After all, you’ll have to wait 10 more months for Black Friday. Let the feast begin.
For more information on the participating restaurants and what they’re offering, visit CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com.
Restaurants Participating in Queen’s Feast : Restaurant Week 2017
131 Main – Blakeney ($35)
131 Main – Lake Norman ($35)
204 North Kitchen & Cocktails ($30)
The 220 Cafe ($30)
300 East ($35)
5Church ($35)
Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails ($35)
Amor de Brazil Steakhouse ($30)
Aria Tuscan Grill ($30)
Babalu Tacos & Tapas ($30)
BAKU ($35)
Bernardin’s at Ratcliffe ($35)
Bistro La Bon ($35)
BLOCK Bistro ($35)
BLT Steak ($35)
Blue Restaurant & Bar ($35)
BOCA ($30)
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room ($35)
Brazz Carvery & Brazilian Steakhouse ($35)
Bubble Charlotte ($30)
Burtons Grill & Bar ($35)
Cafe 157 ($35)
Cafe Monte ($30)
Cafe Rule & Wine Bar ($30)
Caffe Siena ($35)
The Cajun Queen ($30)
Campania Cafe ($30)
The Capital Grille ($35)
Carolina Prime Restaurant & Steakhouse ($35)
Carpe Diem ($35)
Chillfire Bar & Grill ($35)
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse ($35)
City Smoke ($30)
CO ($35)
Comida ($35)
Corkbuzz Restaurant & Wine Bar ($35)
Dean & DeLuca Wine Room & Restaurant ($35)
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House ($35)
Dressler’s – Birkdale ($35)
Dressler’s – Metro ($35)
Eddie’s on Lake Norman ($30)
Enso Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar ($35)
Epic Chophouse ($35)
Essex Bar & Bistro ($35)
Evoke ($35)
Fahrenheit ($35)
Fiamma ($35)
Fidelli Kitchen ($30)
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Northlake ($35)
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – SouthPark ($35)
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Stonecrest ($35)
Fish Market Seafood Bar and Grill ($35)
Five & Dine ($30)
Flagstones at the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark ($35)
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse ($35)
The Flipside Café – Fort Mill ($30)
The Flipside Restaurant – Rock Hill ($35)
Fran’s Filling Station ($30)
Gallery Restaurant ($35)
Georges Brasserie ($35)
Global ($35)
Harper’s – Carolina Place ($30)
Harper’s – SouthPark ($30)
Heirloom ($35)
Heist Brewery ($35)
Ilios Noche – Quail Corners ($30)
Jeffrey’s Restaurant ($35)
Kabuto Japanese Steak House & Sushi – Lake Norman ($35)
Libations Kitchen & Bar ($35)
The Liberty Gastropub ($30)
Luce Ristorante e Bar ($35)
Luciano’s Ristorante Italiano ($35)
Lumiere French Kitchen ($35)
Maggiano’s Little Italy ($30)
Maharani Indian Cuisine ($30)
Malabar Spanish Cuisine ($30)
Mama Ricotta’s ($30)
McCormick & Schmick’s Steaks & Seafood – SouthPark ($35)
McCormick & Schmick’s Steaks & Seafood – Uptown ($35
The Melting Pot – Lake Norman ($35)
The Melting Pot – Midtown ($35)
Mezzanotte ($30)
Mickey & Mooch – Lake Norman ($35
Mickey & Mooch – The Other Joint (Arboretum) ($35)
Mimosa Grill ($35)
Morgan Ridge Vineyards & Brewhouse ($35)
Morton’s The Steakhouse ($35)
Namastay Kitchen & Hangout ($35)
Napa on Providence ($35)
New South Kitchen & Bar ($30)
Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar ($30)
O-Ku Sushi ($35)
Old Stone Steakhouse ($30)
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila ($30)
Passion8 ($35)
Pearlz Oyster Bar ($30)–
The Peculiar Rabbit ($35)
Pisces Sushi Bar & Lounge – Charlotte ($30)
Primo Tuscan Grille ($30)
The Pump House ($30)
Red Ginger Japanese Steak House & Sushi ($30)
Red Rocks Cafe – Birkdale ($35)
Red Rocks Cafe – SouthPark ($35)
Reid’s Fine Foods – SouthPark ($30)
Rexford Park Public House ($35)
Riverbleu Steak & Fish ($30)
Riverview Raw Bar ($30)
ROCKSALT ($35)
Rocky River Grille ($35)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – SouthPark ($35)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Uptown ($35)
Sabi Asian Bistro ($30)
Sante’ Restaurant ($35)
Sea Level ($35)
Sky Asian Bistro ($30)
Smoke BBQ – Birkdale ($30)
Smoke BBQ – Stonecrest ($30)
The Speedway Club ($35)
Standard Oyster Company ($30)
Stone Mountain Grill ($35)
Sullivan’s Steakhouse ($35)
Toscana Ristorante Italiano ($35)
The Trail House ($30)
Trattoria Al Gusto ($35)
Trio ($30)
Twisted Oak American Bar & Grill ($30)
Union Street Bistro ($30)
Upstream ($35)
Village Tavern ($35)
Vine American Kitchen ($35)
Vivace ($35)
Waldhorn Restaurant ($30)
Webb Custom Kitchen ($35)
WP Kitchen + Bar ($30)