Local Food and Wine Events

Looking for a reason to try some of the finer resturants in town but don't want to spend an arm and a leg? This is the week to do it! It's Charlotte Restaurant Week ... 10 days actually ... which started last Friday (1/22) and ends this Sunday (1/31). Close to 80 upscale restaurants from South Charlotte to Birkdale are offering 3 course meals for just $30. While some of the choices are not on the regular menus or offer smaller portions, most are offering a bargain to fill tables during this slow time of the year.

For example, Del Frisco's in Southpark is offering a choice of dinner salad or wedge with blue cheese, 8 oz filet, salmon, prime rib or chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and sauteed mushrooms and a choice of mango sorbet or cheesecake for dessert. Not bad for $30 considering you'd pay that alone for the steak. Take a look at the site: http://www.charlotterestaurantweek.com/index.html and make some reservations fast! The better resturants fill up quickly.

Also, if you haven't tried OpenTable to make reservations yet, give it a whirl. It's fantastic for people whose professional and personal schedules don't always fit with the time someone is actually answering the phone to take researvations.

If you're already booked up for the rest of the week, don't worry ... there'll be a summer version of Restaurant week. And if you can't wait that long, check out the Charlotte Food and Wine Festival. This event is scheduled ever other year and will be held from April 22nd to April 24th this year. Even though on the surface it's all about fine wine and food, the underlying goal is to raise money for local charities.

The Festival officially kicks off on February 6th with the Charlotte Cru Competition (by invitation only) but gets into full swing on Thursday, April 22nd with a series of Vintner's Dinners. About 23 of the finest restaurants in town will host a wine maker and will do a food and wine paring. There is also one Brewrry Dinner for those that prefer hops over grapes. There are a series of educational sessions and tastings scheduled throughout Friday and Saturday. This will be my first year attending and I am looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!