We've been to Culinary Dropout three times now, and this visit was a completely different…read moreexperience from our first two. The first two visits were outstanding. The first time was in November 2025 and 2nd time March 2026 where the bartenders were professional, welcoming, knowledgeable, and made some of the best Bloody Marys we've had in Charlotte. The food was excellent, and we left both times excited to come back. Unfortunately, this Sunday's visit (around 2 p.m.) felt like a different restaurant. It was much busier, and service was noticeably lacking. We waited quite a while just to be acknowledged, our drinks weren't nearly the quality they had been before, and the Bloody Mary tasted like it came straight from a mix instead of being handcrafted like our previous visits. The food was also disappointing. It was much saltier than we remembered, and we never received the Caesar salad with steak we ordered. To the staff's credit, it wasn't on our bill, so we didn't mention it. Overall, no one was rude, but the attention to detail, professionalism, and overall experience that earned our previous five-star reviews just wasn't there this time. We're hoping this was simply an off day because we genuinely loved this place and would like to see it return to the high standard that made us regular customers.

We were close to uptown and looking for an early evening dinner spot. Knowing that CD is going to…read morebe opening a location at the Bowl in Ballantyne (which is closer to us) we thought we'd give it a shot. Walked in and immediately loved the vibe. Big, open and airy. Lots of seating and a few party rooms too. Loved the outdoor seating too. If it had been a little cooler that would have been perfect. They have cornhole and ping pong and just a fun atmosphere out there. Our server was warm and attentive. We did not have to wait for refills and she was quick to answer any questions we had. We started with a few apps - the chips and onion dip and the pigs in a blanket. The chips were well salted and the onion dip was DELISH!!! The pigs were wrapped in homemade party dough and came with a honey mustard crème fraiche. They were so good!! For entrees we tried the fried chicken, prime rib dip, and the meatloaf. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. The mashed potatoes were so good too. The only misstep on this dish was the biscuit. Way too dense and not very flavorful. The prime rib dip was tender and came on the most crispy bread. What a great combo! The only thing that wasn't great were the fries, just nothing too special. The meatloaf dish was flavorful and came with those yummy mashed potatoes so great pairing. We didn't have room for dresser on site but we did take the monkey bread to go and enjoyed it later. Good portion size and full of apple and caramel flavor. Did not regret taking that home!! Really looking forward to this spot opening closer to home. Highly recommended

We were about 30 minutes late due to the traffic on 77. A hostess greeted us upon entry and we…read morejoined the rest of our party. The restaurant was very clean and the noise volume low enough to where we could visit and comfortably carry on conversations. Our waiter was gracious and helped us to catch up with the rest of our party. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Nior and Dinner while the rest of our party finished their appetizers and salads. I ordered the steak frites and it was just wonderful! My boyfriend ordered the special which was halibut, asparagus, and mushroom risotto. Everything was perfect! The couple that was seated across from us split the special. The kitchen didn't hesitate to split this dish for them in the kitchen before bringing it out to our table. This is just excellent customer service! They are an elderly couple and could not possibly have eaten the entire meal by themselves. Our waiter was very attentive and nobody at the table ever had an empty glass. Also, your plate was cleared the moment that you finished with your meal. This was our first visit, but definitely not the last. Thank you for making our evening out with family and friends so very special. We will definitely be back in the near future.

$29 Lobster roll special. We asked if fresh and told "yes". Guess it was at one time but I doubt…read morelobster was cooked that day and meat removed. We had one each- mine was with butter. The other, lettuce (never have seen that in a Maine lobster roll) and aioli). The one with butter had a nice brioche roll but most of the lobster was small claw ends vs nice chunks. The one on lettuce was better, more larger pieces of lobster, but meat was put onto a lot of lettuce to prop it up. It takes some effort, but buying a live lobster and cooking oneself is really the best way. I was hopeful- but ultimately disappointed.

Yuminess: 10/10 Allergy Safety: 10/10…read morePrice: 9/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Overall: LOVE Postino! The food is over the moon delicious with plenty of options and reasonable serving sizes. Even with the slightly high price point, it is well worth every penny. And they take allergies SO seriously! Literally went through a bunch of ingredients to find what would and wouldn't be dairy-allergy safe. Atmosphere is fun but cozy, too. 100% recommend! In-depth: Postino has quickly become one of my favorite places in the CLT area after my 10/10 experience here. To start, the food. My word, it's amazing! Everything my friend and I tried was delicious. The bruschetta is 100% worth trying (the spinach artichoke one is my favorite), and the west coaster panini + romaine salad was tasty at every bite. Their wine is also good quality, with a decent-sized portion poured. Allergy safety is a major thing for them, too. Our server (Lee = the best waitress!) and her manager looked through their bread and ingredients for about 30 minutes to confirm what was and wasn't dairy safe (I asked how dairy allergies are handled for when I bring my husband next time). They also had quite a few gluten-free options, too. The manager explained that she wants people to be able to just come in and relax for a few hours without worrying if they'll get sick, which I truly, truly appreciate. Lee shared a similar sentiment, which was amazing. Now price... Yes, it is a *bit* pricey, but it is well worth it. Nothing felt lacking as far as flavor goes, and the allergy safety is a huge thing. This is one of the few places I felt my sandwich and salad were worth every penny, even if it was $17. Also, their rewards program is great. I got a free bruschetta board, and they offer several other perks. Make sure to sign up before or while dining there to get some good deals! In addition to their sincere care for allergy safety, the service is fantastic all around. They do group service, meaning you'll have several servers, and they encourage you to grab anyone if you have questions. This takes the pressure off of waiting for one server to walk by and really helped me relax. And the atmosphere? I could stay there all day! It's a really fun vibe, but the lighting and seating are very cozy. Overall, I've already recommended this place to 5+ people and will be returning soon

Postinos is located in the main strip of the "bowl" and near the AMP. Parking can be located on the…read morestreet or in the parking lot adjacent to the building. It currently offers free parking for 3 hours and incremental of 1- 2 hours paid parking after. My wife and I came here on a date night. While her original visit left more than be desired management invited us to give them a second try and I'm so glad we did. We had an amazing time from start to finish. The staff was amazing and I was astounded by their dedication to their craft. The best part was the food. We started with the chefs board which had an array of cheeses and spreads. The most memorable was the whipped feta. OMG. The Ambiance was the only thing I feel could use some tuning as there's not enough sound deadening to make the music out? It sounds like a heart beat and makes it hard to make out conversations. Major shout out to Leigh for taking care of us all night and making it a memorable night. Also big thanks to Odhie for the tickets to the concert. This was definitely a night to remember. Thank you Postinos Staff!

Cool find while in town for a conference! A speakeasy feel down the stairs as you enter Duckworths…read morewith hundreds of vottles of spirits. Super talented bartenders mixed great cocktails and they have some nice selections of beer on tap and wine. The space is tight and, if I'm being honest, the seating wasn't extremely comfortable, but the vibe in this place more than makes up for it Service, from Madison, was excellent. She knew tge menu and had great insights. She was crazy busy but took excellent care of us. The food was quite nice. Candied Bacon is a must. I had a perfectly cooked filet, we had a delicious short rib, and the Cone Trio. The trio was really tasty but the kitchen somehow forgot to put the tuna in one cone and it was only guacamole. Odd, but Madison took care of it right away and it was great. Would recommend 100% and definitely return.

Just order everything short rib. It was fantastic. Our favorite were the short rib dumplings- I…read morewould order it over and over. The truffle fries were just okay, skip the pork buns. The peach and ham flatbread was really good too. And the Jimador cocktail was delicious

Came here for a quick bite after shopping and it was great!…read more Had the ceasar salad wrap and also we tried the watermelon salad with steak YUM!!! Simple menu with lots of of choices. All food coming out of the kitchen looked fresh and made to order. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the service and the atmosphere. Great overall experience Thank you guys!!

I don't understand why you took away the QR codes. It took over 10 minutes to get menus, and even…read morelonger to get a drink order. We ended up going to the bar to order. Apps came out after entrees, food came out one thing at a time. Went from being incredibly efficient and an easy place to go with kids to an absolute cluster. Pros: food and beer were good, bar staff was quick and nice, server was nice. Opting to move away from QR code ordering was not a well thought out approach. Perhaps more servers and/or smaller sections may help? Also, I'm not really sure if the server wanted to take our drink orders or if bar service is preferred.

Walked into The Crunkleton after a musical event -- second visit -- and it once again delivered…read morethat elevated, grown‑luxury comfort vibe. Their burger isn't just a burger; it's a whole moment. Thoughtfully crafted, beautifully presented, and seasoned like someone in the kitchen has standards.It's unforgettable in that "I could absolutely make this a signature stop" kind of way. Warm atmosphere, polished service, and a plate that proves they know how to turn simple into exceptional.

Don't go here. If so many people stop going, then maybe my…read morehusband and I can snag a table more often. 10/10 every single time and this experience was no different. Jasmine, our server, was amazing! She was kind, attentive, responsive and her suggestions were like she had known us for years. I landed on the Siesta for my drink. Think margarita and a Paloma had a baby! Delicious and refreshing. My husband and I shared the wedge. The portion size was perfect for sharing. I had the wagyu skewers which were seasoned to perfection and as tender as could be. I inhaled the crab cakes before taking a picture which is an indication of how good they were. The Crunkleton never disappoints!

Enjoyed my brunch at 300 East. It was a relaxing environment and the service was friendly and…read morethorough. I had my food and a cocktail and wrote in my journal. I ordered: Rustic Benedict Poached Eggs*, Pancetta, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, Herb Hollandaise, Grilled Sourdough 16.5 The Rum One Rum, Orange Bitters, Sour, Pineapple 14

For those who don't know, 300 East is something of a Charlotte institution; I've been there…read morecountless times over the years I've lived here but not recently. They have always had, in my estimation, the best French onion soup around and I was craving it, so off I went. The restaurant off East Boulevard is an eclectic sort of place, and in my memory the interior hasn't ever changed. The wood is dark, the tables a bit worn and packed together to give a slightly claustrophobic feel, and the decor is always vaguely counterculture. For people who like NoDa and Plaza Midwood (before its recent transformation), it's homey as can be. I enjoyed the familiarity of its unpretentious surroundings as I took a seat in a tiny corner booth. Delighted to note that the French onion soup is as delicious as ever, with a richly flavored broth and a generous amount of bread and cheese baked in. While the quality hasn't diminished, thank heavens, the size has gone from a bowl to a cup. As it was my upcharged side I didn't mind terribly but still. Alas. Kudos to the kitchen for letting me have my soup before my sandwich was delivered, but here is where things went a little south. I had ordered The Usual, one of their trademark dishes, a hot open-faced chicken salad sandwich on a baguette topped with asparagus, mushrooms and cheese. It too has been the victim of shrinkflation, about 2/3 as big as once it was. Again, didn't mind terribly much but the toppings themselves were scant: three small strips of jarred or canned asparagus, four slices of mushroom. Okay, everything is expensive these days, but the edges of the sandwich were burned and the filling was cool, meaning the salamander setting was off and no one checked it before sending it out or putting it down. I might have considered sending it back but that's when my server disappeared. My water glass sat empty for half my meal and was never refilled. Even paying the check was sluggish. So I give the current state 300 East a solid three with a disappointed sigh because they seem to be phoning it in. Really great French onion soup, though.

Starting off on a positive note, most of the food was really good. I got a chicken sandwich that…read morewas so good I forgot to take a picture of. My step dad also gave me some of his chicken and waffles which was really good. I ordered fries with my food and they came out cold though and when I asked the waitress for new ones she didn't bring them until we were ready to leave. It was somewhat busy so I understand the hold up but it was a side item and by that point I didn't want them anymore. The inside was kind of bland and the table was sticky. I don't like leaving bad reviews but if you want good food I would suggest it, but I think theres better spots out here for cheaper.

One of my favorite places to eat in all of Charlotte! I've been here a dozen times and haven't…read morewrote a review yet! This is the place I bring all visitors. It's that good. I haven't had a bad thing yet! My top gf menu items: gluten free diavola pizza, kale Caesar salad, truffle fries Very gluten free friendly. Except they were out of cider the last time I went, that was disappointing. Great outdoor seating, order at QR code you don't have a server. Indoor seating you have a server. Love the vibe always! I will continue to come back time and time again!

I highly recommend m!…read more The service was welcoming soon as I entered. I recommend setting a reservation because on Saturday night it was a full house! I sat at the bar and ordered from the Girl Dinner Menu: Chicken cesar salad served with fries which had amazing dipping sauce on the side option of a wine flight or espresso martini. I chose the wine flight which paired perfectly with my meal. I can't wait to return for a girls night! I hope you enjoy the as much as I do.

Lovely spot for lunch on your way to the airport…read more Our waiter Graham was extremely courteous and attentive. Sixty Vines is known for their self-pour water-pitcher yet Graham managed to catch our half-full glasses every time and personally refilled our glasses for us. Graham also gave us some great beer recommendations which came in handy as the restaurant did not have any beer selections on draft. As far as the food, I would highly recommend the buratta. The chicken and caviar was a bit salty but the honey from our charcuterie board helped balanced out that meal.

Went around 6:00 on a Friday night and it was booming! Thank goodness for a reservation. Very nice…read moreinside with lots of lighting. Our server was super attentive and friendly. She even suggested her favorite menu items to us! Now the food... was... DELISH!!! I didn't take pictures of the appetizers but they served bread with olive oil and we ordered the smoked chicken wings for the table. The wings were amazing, as well as the ranch I was a little hesitant to order the pork loin with this peach and arugula salad thing on top but I went for it and MAN was it excellent! I didn't take pictures of the sides but we also ordered the Mac & cheese and Yukon gold purée and they were some of the best side dishes I've ever had. Especially the mashed potatoes and I am a bit of a mashed potato connoisseur Portion sizes were pretty big, we brought home leftovers. Definitely on the pricier side.

Great location by the Blumenthal. You can get your parking validated and it is good until 2am!…read more Great atmosphere. Open kitchen. Good menu offerings. The tomato bisque was so flavorful. The burrata was such a great combination of meat+cheese+tomatoes+drizzle. The lamb was tender. The calamari was a super generous portion with a yummy aioli. Great service.