Stopped in for dinner. Had the Bolgonese - it was really good. The bread was really fresh. Service was good.

It's around 8:45pm on a Saturday night, when hubby and I decide we wanted an Italian dinner. We had done some research and decided we wanted North Italia but the reservations were completely booked out and we weren't going anywhere to wait 1 1/2 hours for walk in... We decided to check this place out. I called to see how long the wait would be. The man on the phone said no wait. On a Saturday night no wait for two people. Hubby said that's weird that there's no wait. I thought so too. We came in. Was sat quickly on a shitty little table upstairs, clearly we protested and got a much better spot. It was busy but not packed. The service was just fine. The place is NOISY NOT VERY ROMANTIC when you want to have a chill date but what did I expect on a Saturday night I ordered a poppy Chardonnay and it came in a water cup. That was odd. I guess they do that, of course I asked for a glass with a stem cause I'm not that type to drink wine from a glass! it felt wrong. Next, we ordered lasagna and chicken parmigiana. SKIP THE LASAGNA. Tasted like chef boyardee ravioli in a can. Cold cheese on top, bits and piece of god knows what in the sauce, and the marinara around the piece was cold with chunks of canned stew tomatoes. It wasn't good. It was a 3/10 at best. Hubby got the chicken. Solid 4/10. Not seasoned at all with a very thin breast.... Also it was cold too. Would not recommend this place based on my experience. Didn't stay for dessert. read more

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I came here reading some reviews about them having vegan options, it's a lie. There are only 2 options that too doesn't sound too good. If you are vegan stay away from this place. I'm regretting, the food quantity is so less. read more

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Always great ambiance and food. The food is fresh and the pasta is homemade. Not huge portions which I love so that I have room for an app or desert! read more

Really cutesy date spot in Charlotte. Went here randomly when I was visiting and it was a really good find. Nice atmosphere, music was nice and our server was great. He was super accommodating and had great vibes. No substitutions are allowed but it honestly didn't matter because everything was pretty good. All the food was plated well and tasted great. I really didn't have any complaints. We loved it here and will def come back! read more

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Great service and high quality food! Extremely impressed with the quality served coupled with an amazing ambience! Two thumbs up!

Unfortunately this experience did not live up to the excitement. Food was mediocre, small portions, and charged for refills on soda. Long wait for entree to come. Best part was focaccia and chicken parmigiana. read more

I came here for restaurant week with a group and had a LOVELY experience. I would recommend everything I ordered, and the service was great. Complimentary bread with olive oil and a bean salad to start! Nothing special, but I'll never complain over free bread. 1) Caesar salad - the perfect amount of dressing, a great portion, and the pine nuts were a great touch! 2) chicken parm - 2 crispy chicken breasts served over a bed of thin spaghetti noodles. Crispy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Not dry at all! 3) the mascarpone cheesecake.... 10/5. Star of the show... savored every bite. Would definitely return (especially for restaurant week... a steal for $35) read more

Aria - Mascarpone Cheesecake ... do yourself a favor! - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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We had a great dining experience at Aria! When we were inappropriately confident in our request to be seated for our reservation (booked for the 14th, showed up on the 15th!), we were given the option of sitting at the chef's table (as as long as we vacated the space by a certain time). We agreed to the terms. The atmosphere is nice and the service was outstanding!! I had no idea that there was an option to sit at the chef's table (situated where patrons can see the kitchen staff in action!). Evan, our server, had amazing energy, was professional, courteous and provided good dish recommendations. He seemed truly enthusiastic about his work and was intentional with ensuring that we had everything that we needed before we could ask for it. I ordered the Carbonara (added chicken), and it was very tasty and filling. It was cool seeing how the kitchen operates with food preparation. If you are looking for a chill place to eat Uptown before a show or an outing on the town, then make a reservation at Aria. If you have the option, look for options to request to sit at the chef's table and Evan to be your waiter. Don't forget to ask for parking validation! read more

Aria - Carbonara Roman Style with Chickens - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Nice ambience. Very good food. Outstanding service. My friend shared a pizza for a starter. I had lamb shanks and she ordered corn ravioli with lobster. The lamb shanks were truly lamb, not mutton and cooked beautifully in a sauce that did not overpower the delicate lamb The waiter brought me three different wines to try before I settled on my choice. It was excellent and paired beautifully with the lamb. The lamb was served on a risotto that was very well done. Cooked so that it still retained a small bite like risotto should be. I cannot comment about the ravioli because I did not try them. My companion liked it, but said it was not outstanding. We finished up the meal with an absolutely epic cannoli that was not too sweet like they sometimes can be. Service was outstanding. Every waiter who passed by made sure we had everything we needed, even though it wasn't their station. read more

I visited Aria at the suggestion of the woman sitting next to me on my flight to Charlotte a couple days prior. It was a work dinner and it was full of other people at their own work dinners, along with a few families and couples. We enjoyed the fresh pasta. I got pasta with shrimp and it looked small but was quite filling. The fresh bread was delicious and they provided some sort of bean salad to put on top. They also offered to refill the bread, which was nice, at no charge to our group. My coworker had Chicken Parmesan and they enjoyed it. There was a very nice atmosphere and attentive service, but the noise level was very loud, just from people talking and what appears to be nothing to absorb the noise. It was a nice meal for a fair cost (although a bit on the pricey side the food was worth the cost) and I recommend trying it out! read more

I had a great meal at the Aria in Uptown. The appetizers were fabulous and the service was great. We had a table of 10 people and service was very smooth and organized - thanks to Talon! The food was delicious. I can honestly say I loved everything. I can't wait to go back! I'm not sure about parking, but we ubered to a nearby rooftop bar then walked. read more

Aria - Dining area - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Great seating at bar. Got the kale chicken Caesar salad and the duck ravioli. Did the prosciutto gnocchi that was amazing. The chicken Caesar kale was so so so tasty. read more

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We weren't overwhelmed. We were one of 5 tables sat at the same time.. took all of our tables a ridiculously long time to receive our drinks. The bread they brought out to start was food and fresh. We ordered the meatball appetizer. It came with 6 meatballs, they were very heavy and dry, thank goodness for the sauce on the plate. The highlight of the meal were our entrees. I ordered the rigatoni amatraciani. The pasta was fresh and the flavors were excellent. My husband had the Nero tagliatelle all vodka. It was spicy, but he loved it. To end the evening, we split the tiramisu, which is how I really judge an Italian restaurant. Unfortunately, this was one of the least authentic tiramisus I've ever had. The lady fingers were completely dry, not as they should be. The top layer was good though. Not sure that we'll return.. read more

Aria - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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So... aside from that little seating snafu (a best practices lesson learned for the hostess), imma tell you how I really feel. Haven't been to Aria in a while and the whole shutdown of Uptown has really put a strain on my life's enjoyment. I almost forgot how much I love this place. It started with me being confused about my reservation and Lucky stepping in to help me and make sure I got situated. Turns out, when my date arrived she knew Lucky very well and I got a chance to formally meet him and chat for a little bit. I was there for a wine tasting event and they were honoring the Queen's Feast deal for all attendees of the event (no prix fix, everything on the menu!) My friend and I both went for the catch, which was snapper over a mascarpone Polenta, the chopped kale salad and we shared the mussels. -- Kale Salad: Perfectly chopped. No giant leaves to cut, but not too small to pick with your fork. Pecorino, apples and walnuts were in the pool for added splash. Gosh darnit! I forget what vinaigrette it was drizzeled in, but it was very light and refreshing -- Mussels: At first site I thought this was going to be a 45-mins on the treadmill dish because they came swimming in a white sauce. But when I spooned it I could see how translucent it looked and was not loaded with cream. It was light and gawlicky, just the way I love everything. I would eat garlic icecream if I could find it! The mussels were nice and big. All shells open (I'll tell you about that nightmare in another restaurant review). The flavor of the sauce had soaked thru them and made this dish a happy appy -- Snapper: Whew Chile! Got it medium (closer to rare). It was so well prepared. So many times I request it this way and I'm usually stuck looking at slimy flesh, but Aria nailed it! And that Polenta was so creamy with the pungency of mascarpone slapping my taste buds and nostrils I am so happy to be back at work and surrounded by so many wonderful places to eat and Aria sits in that "Top of List" category Also, I cannot recall my waitress' name, but she was very attentive, friendly and accommodating. I had a great dining experience there last night read more

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Started with the burrata which was delicious. The tomatoes were so fresh and the cheese was the perfect consistency. Main course I got the carbonara and man was it good. The pasta is made fresh in house and it really shows. The sauce was the perfect consistency and the pork was so crispy and tasty. The interior is spacious and comfortable. Perfect spot for a date night or if you're just looking for upscale Italian. read more

Aria - Carbonara Roman Style - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This has been one of my favorites for years... bar menu is great value - food is consistently tasty, service usually good, too. More to come next time I go... read more

Came here for restaurant week, so glad that was happening! Isabella was our server for the evening. There were some slight confusion because the Restaurant Week menu online did not match the menu that we were given, so a lot of choices had dropped off. We made our selections. Our salad was dressed very lightly... and we could not identify some things that were on the menu in our salad. Our lamb shank was very tender, but it lacked seasoning... to the point where 2 of us took our lamb shanks home so we can season it! Our dessert was great. Our server was spotty at times, but she was handling a lot of tables. We enjoyed the live musical duo. The bar has a nice bourbon and whiskey selection, so check it out before you place an order. I still feel this is a solid place for appetizers and to hang out. read more

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Nice atmosphere and excellent service. The food was decent. We started with a few apps- meatballs, burrata, and prawns. All were pretty good. For entrees, many ordered pastas or chicken parm. I ordered the trout which came with lentils and swiss chard. This was a good meal... not overfly flavorful, however. If you're looking for something that feels lighter, I'd recommend this dish. Unfortunately I didn't take photos! I went with colleagues for a business dinner and thought it would be tacky to whip out my phone camera to snap pics :-) read more

I came to Aria for Clt restaurant week with some friends and we had a great time! Our server was awesome and the food was great! We were able to choose a starter, main and dessert for the 3 course meal option. The reason I am giving It only 4 stars instead of 5 is because my pasta has whole pink peppercorns sprinkled on top and It overpowered my pasta dish. It was unpleasant biting into them honestly. I found myself picking them out. We were also seated upstairs, which was great but It was really hot! I would definitely go back again. read more

Aria - Squid ink vodka pasta with pink peppercorns - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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A nice wine bar in charlotte. If you want a romantic and intimate setting, this is your spot. Be careful of parking.

Our server was terrible. He wasn't attentive. He tried to give me a glass of wine in a rocks glass, while holding 2 wine for another table in wine glasses. We had to ask twice for the bread and ice. Amd water. And since when do you shred cheese on salad without asking the customer how much? It was snow on the salad. And my dinner had way to much cheese on it. Very disappointed in Aria. Will not be back for a while. Need new servers. In the past were had excellent servers. read more

Updated August 2022! Two successful visits to Aria in 3 months and I've decided it's much improved from my previous review. There's a great bar bites menu if you're just looking for a light nibble. I got the bruschetta, $5. Their starters, pastas and entrées won't disappoint. All pasta is made in house, bonus in my book. I had gnocchi for an appetizer. I'd say the portion is small but its very rich in flavor. You can't go wrong with any of their pastas - this malfadine was with bolognese sauce. They have excellent desserts; I tried something chocolate. Great spot for the theatre crowd and the place was packed, make reservations! read more

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Despite liking its chic metro ambiance here, I've come to a conclusion that this is just not my fave Italian in town. I've been here three times by now...twice during Queen's Feast, and once on a regular night. On my most recent visit with a friend, I ordered their Penne a la Vodka, and their Fritto Misto. Well, I forgot to add Protein to my Penne Pasta, and that in itself sort of ruined the meal...but no matter, I just didn't think their Penne Pasta tasted as good as some I've come to love around town. Plus, I prefer thicker, pinker Vodka sauce. Same with the Calamari. I liked the presentation, but not the best I've had. I remember thinking the same during Queen's Feast from years back. Service was good, not great...and the overall experience was just OK at most. I feel that as an uptown restaurant, the food should taste a cut above...but honestly, I like the Pasta and the Calamari better at the more casual places like Brio. But then, I will say that the foods are very reasonably priced...some possibly cheaper than Brio. Overall, I would go here again if initiated by a friend or a group, but wouldn't personally pick it. Sorry! read more

Aria - Fritto Misto - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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We came here for a double date on Valentine's Day , and it went pretty well. Our waiter was Enzo P. He was super friendly and informative about the menu. The food overall was good but Enzo definitely made our experience better. Thank you Enzo read more

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I sat at the bar. The bartender was excellent. Great service. The Filet was prepared well. A nice evening.

Very Good! Stumbled in on this place the other night. Food was very good and service was great. We will be back.

We had a spectacular dinner last night at Aria. Our waiter, Luke was attentive and informed, our food was exquisite. I would recommend the restaurant get faster bar service. We didn't like being 1/2 through our appetizers with still not cocktails. read more

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I came here with some of my coworkers for lunch a couple weeks ago. There were around 10 of us and surprisingly, things moved very quickly. So if you want a quick lunch, this could be an option! They started us off with bread and beans - which is different than your oil or butter to use with bread, but I actually really liked this. The bread was good as was the beans mixture! I can't recall the name of it, but I did the lunch special, which came with a salad, a pasta, and cheesecake. Salad is salad, nothing great. The past I chose was a pasta with sausage. It wasn't a sauced down pasta, so if you like something light, this might be the way to go. For me, it was just too dry and nothing I would order again. The cheesecake saved the day! It was fantastic, the right flavor, the right consistency, just great! I probably would come back to try something else to see if it was a more enjoyable option for me, but I really did like the lunch special - the right size for the right price - great idea! read more

Aria - Beans and bread - actually very good! - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Food selections : pizza - really good, Caesar salad was good and small pasta dish. The main dishes could use some help but the calamari was great. I didn't understand the beans and olive mix for the bread. Our server was kind and very helpful. The restaurant was nicely decorated and the lighting was nice. read more

Aria - Upstairs seating area - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

What a great gem in Charlotte! INCREDIBLE service, upscale atmosphere but not upscale prices. And, the food was exceptional. I usually don't go out for Italian food because (a) I cook like a chef and grew up learning to cook authentic Italian, and (b) many Italian restaurants are so overrated for not great food. This was delicious and filling, full of flavor, and we got to sit at the "kitchen table". Also, Annie our server was a delight! Wish her the best at Johnson & Wales where she graduates soon, good job chef! From a fellow Pennsylvanian! read more

Went during Queen's Week before seeing Hamilton. Ordered the three course meal and had gnocchi, carbonara, and cheesecake. Everything was delicious. Service was great, and we had a beautiful view of the snow coming down. Also enjoyed a martini and a great super Tuscan. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

We love Aria. Plain and simple. I got the chicken parmigiana the last time and agreed to get it again. We sat at the bar because it was a Saturday and the rest of the restaurant was reserved, but the bar has $5 appetizers so who really wins? Grilled meatballs 5/5 Great, fresh sauce! I love tasting the ingredients. It came with three meatballs, enough to share and have room for the entree (and maybe dessert too!) Wyatt Chardonnay 5/5 Good ol Chardonnay Chicken parmigiana 4/5 My chicken had a bit of a burnt taste to it this time, but I can't get over how good this meal is. read more

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Mann Review: The Tuscan Garble and The Mann March On Saturday November 12th around 7:32pm (the day before the lord's day), I suddenly collapsed. A thousand muffled carnyx and the garbled voice of Constantine rang true in my ear. "Hark, a trusty protectorate lies above the fabled ancient city." Shaking violently and erratically, entirely soaked, and completely and utterly indisposed for a fortnite, I pondered the words of the Emperor wraith. All the while, the shambled fans of Mann began their solemn shoeless march. I beheld the working man, worn to skin and bone. Three hundred starving children, all without a home. Liar, beggar, pauper, prince, a march around my rusted fence, all flagellate in hopes that they atone. I unlatched the sill, and creaked the encrusted window to bear witness. I spoke (in Ex Cathedra): "Disperse, fans of Mann. Your prayers have been answered. Tonight, we dine in Tuscany!" Primum era: Décor The primum thing one will notice is the double windowed doors washed of their spoilage by a trained Italian hand. Preceding the second set of clean double windowed doors is what I like to call the "standing room." I was then whisked forth through the second set of double windowed doors and entered into the diner room. The hanging iridescent globules provided ample warmth to the heavily wooded interior. Angular, modern, and chic, I was pleasantly pleased by the moderate modernity. Décor Mann Score: 4.2/5 Secundus era: Service After being promptly sat, the countdown began. Tick...tick. I was approached by a gentlemen of slender, clean build. My waiter helped me to navigate the extensive menu and pointed my frothed tongue in the right direction. Tick tick. The prefare arrived with relative alacrity, but was eaten three eons before even a scent of the primefare was readily discernable. Tick Tick. Surely Rome was built quicker than this! Tick Tick. The wise man from yesteryear has long since went to his watery grave. TICK TICK! Alas, the lamb shank and the storied carbonara. Constantine whipping round in his grave gives the twice foretold "prophet murmur", heard from here to the edge of the Kuiper Belt. The clock hands have long since melted. The ticks have long since been forgotten, but I am ready for the main course. Service Mann Score: 2.6/5 Tertia era: Food The board of flesh and ferment was scrumptious and delectable. I saw a phantom in the rafters. Presented beautifully to me, were two dishes. One being the presaged shank o' lamb, and the dreamt of carbonara. One bite of thee creamy carbonara set my brain to fever pitch. The al dente noodles were of the perfect texture and size. To compliment this oral festival were seven coiled crustaceans. These warmed tidbits were of extraordinary pedigree. The wise old man told me of two distinct spots in the big blue east, where trawlers clashed and foundered in search of such a treasured meat. These were pulled from those waters. The lamb shank, the sullied centerpiece; an island crowned in a laurel wreath. The pork potato medley was of exceptional texture and taste, which cannot be said of the lamb. For what agony this lamb endured, I envisioned a better, more tasteful fate. This hunk of meat was befitting of a backwater tavern. Subpar. Lastly, the postmeal (NC Apple Crostata) was a pleasant, non-cloying delight. I swear to God I saw the apples waltz upon the plate; Our joys intertwined. Food Mann Score: 4/5 The non-garbled Constantine speaks clearly now. I awake to a Tuscan sunrise. The fans of Mann, a world away, asleep in healing slumber. Mann aggregate: 3.6/5 Yelp Rounded Score: 4/5 read more

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Great spot in Uptown! Went to dinner here before a show and the staff was super awesome getting us a table even though they were busy. The foccacia bread was super fluffy, but I wish it came with a butter of some sort. My pizza was sooo yummy and the ricotta made it. Definitely would go back to try a dish with protein. Great date night spot. read more

Aria - Rosso Pizza - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Happened to be in the area and stopped in - able to sit at the bar and enjoy some good people watching along with dinner. I tried to order off-menu, just wanted some spaghetti Bolognese as I saw both spaghetti and Bolognese on the menu. The server informed me that works be quite impossible as their dishes were "composed dishes" and couldn't be altered. I gently pushed back but the answer was "nuh-uh"... So I got the gnocchi Bolognese. It was fine... Lamby and well seasoned. The portion was small for $22 and I was still hungry. I got one of the "Bar Bites" - an order of arancini (deep fried balls of rice) - again, lots of flavor but overall they were dry. I had two cocktails that were perfect. The pasta, the side and two cocktails were like $70... read more

Aria - Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Food was amazing! We visited on a weeknight for a birthday gathering, the service was amazing and we were seated right away. Everything we ordered was delicious. 10 out of 10! read more

Was with a large group of 100 and had the entire downstairs of the restaurant for our group. Amazing service. Truly very attentive servers and the food was wonderful. Highly recommend. read more

Went for my Birthday dinner on a Saturday night The Valet attendant was by herself and you could sense her frustration. The ambiance is always beautiful here and there was live music. Our waiter was friendly, but our drinks too a while to come. Thankfully they were good when we got them which won us over lol. Food was delicious and prompt, surely returning. read more

Aria - Food - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I don't even know where to begin!!!! The food is amazing!!! I real life tried to make another stomach to eat it all. The drinks are fair priced and gets you there. Sitting at the bar and enjoying the bar bites was true greatness while waiting on my food. I don't really give out 5's like that, but this was a whole vibe. I will be back, and if you decide to come here let me know... First drinks are on you. read more

Aria - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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