 We admit it. Sometimes we wonder if people ranking venues ever make it out of South Charlotte and Center City. That’s why we were pleased to see that University City enjoyed some bragging rights in Creative Loafing’s latest Best of Charlotte 2009 rankings.
Here are University City's 2009 winners, as selected by Creative Loafing readers as well as staff critics.
DINE
(Readers' choice = R; Critics' choice =C)
BEST SPLURGE (R): THE MELTING POT – When you think of all the expensive restaurants across Charlotte, this is a real coup for the fondue specialists. University City's Melting Pot is on the second floor of the Grande Promenade center at North Tryon Street and W.T. Harris Boulevard. 704-548-2432, www.meltingpot.com.
BEST CHEAP ASIAN CUISINE (C): RAJBHOG INDIAN FOOD MARKET AND CAFÉ – The restaurant also calls itself Rajbhog Sweets and Snacks. One look at the menu shows why: Along with Indian fast food such as Samosa, Chaats and Dosa, Rajbhog also offers over 60 different varieties of fresh sweets. The restaurant is in the Pinnacle Point Center on Mallard Creek Church road. 704-909-7783, www.rajbhog.com.
BEST JAPANESE (R): NAKATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT – When Nakato opened more than 30 years ago on Independence Boulevard, it was the first restaurant to serve meals prepared by Hibachi Chefs in the traditional Japanese style of Teppan-Yaki. You can enjoy the same great meals for lunch or dinner at Nakato Japanese Restaurant, 8601 University Executive Park Dr., just south of Harris Boulevard. 704-549-9966, www.nakato.com/university.
BEST THAI/ BEST ASIAN (OTHER THAN CHINESE, JAPANESE OF INDIAN) (R): THAI TASTE - The mother ship is on East Boulevard, but why drive all the way downtown when you can get that same great Thai Taste right here, at the Arbors shopping center on Mallard Creek Church Road (near Trader Joe's)? Check the website for daily lunch menus and the full dinner menu. 704-688-9179, thaitasteuniversity.com.
BEST FRENCH FRIES (R): FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES - If you put a side in your restaurant name, it better be good. And Five Guys fries truly are, say Creative Loafing readers. The burger chain turned more than 38 million pounds of potatoes into fries in 2008 alone. University City's Five Guys Burgers AND FRIES is at The Arbors shopping center on Mallard Creek Road, just north of Trader Joe's. 704-971-9174, www.fiveguys.com.
BEST WINGS (C): WILD WING CAFÉ – “A repeat winner," says Creative Loafing. And not just in Charlotte. The company claims that it has been voted best wings restaurant in several cities, including 12 years straight in Charleston, S.C. The restaurant's 33 "fabulicious" flavors include Old Yeller (as in mustard); Garlic! Garlic! Garlic! (as in vampires); and Island Wing (as in Jamaica). Get your wings with live music Thursdays-Saturdays. University City's WW Cafe is at Pinnacle Point Center on Mallard Creek Church Road. 704-708-9453, www.wildwingcafe.com.
BEST ICE CREAM/GELATO (R): COLD STONE CREAMERY - University City residents can get their fill of these sweet treats at Cochran Commons Shopping Center, Mallard Creek Church Road near Mallard Creek Road. 704-548-9650, www.coldstonecreamery.com.
BEST MILKSHAKES (R): COOKOUT - The take-out burger-fries-and-shakes chain began more than 40 years ago in Greensboro. The founder still runs it with help from his family, and CookOut boasts more than 60 outlets including stores at 9704 N. Tryon Street (right at Mallard Creek) and 1301 W. Sugar Creek Rd. (just north of I-85). You can choose from dozens of flavors of shakes, so why not try them all? Sorry, but CookOut doesn't believe in websites.
DRINK
BEST SPORTS BAR (R): PICASSO’S SPORTS CAFE - Picasso's has two Charlotte locations including ours in the Grande Promenade center at Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street. Although Picasso's website starts with alcoholic beverages and bands, it ends with foods, including lunch buffets and unlimited pizza and salad, offered Mondays-Saturdays. Check it all out at 704-595-9553, www.picassossportscafeuniversity.com.
BEST BEER SELECTION (C): THE FLYING SAUCER DRAUGHT EMPORIUM - Another repeat critics' choice, the Saucer claims to keep 82 beers on tap and 120 varieties in bottles. "Enormous selection of beers, unmatched in Charlotte. Surprisingly delicious food. Huge winner all around," says a recent review on Google. The Saucer has landed in 15 cities including Raleigh and Columbia. Its Charlotte pub is in the Terraces of University Place shopping center, on North Tryon midway between University Place and Mallard Creek Church Road. 704-717-8179, www.beerknurd.com.
LISTEN
BEST LARGE CONCERT VENUE (R): VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE - Outdoor venues continue to rock, and readers say the best place to catch a big act is at Charlotte's best outdoor performance venue, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, just north of UNC Charlotte. People who live nearby always know when a big act is set to play - they just watch the wall of traffic and ticket sellers. Next hot act for 40-somethings is Motley Crue, performing on Aug. 30. 704-549-1292, www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheatre-charlotte-tickets.
BEST RADIO STATION (R&C): WFAE - Offices on the lake at University Place; local, national and worldwide news and views on the air at 90.7 FM and on the web, too, so you can hear "Charlotte Talks" and "Prairie Home Companion" anywhere on the globe. Digital Radio has allowed WFAE to add two more content streams. Get jazz 24-7 at WFAE-HD2. Sample Xponential Radio's mix of blues, rock, world, folk and alternative country at WFAE-HD3. Find out more at www.wfae.org.
STYLE
BEST NEW HOME FURNITURE STORE (R): IKEA – OK, this is an unfair contest. Did any other stores open in the last 12 months? But even if any did, this is still an unfair contest. When was the last time that a store opening shut down I-85? IKEA is the world's largest home-furnishings retailer. It also operates one tasty restaurant with specials like scrambled eggs, bacon and home fries for 99 cents (yes, cents!), organic pasta and sauce for $1.99; and, on Wednesday nights, half a rack of babyback ribs, fries and corn bread for $7.99. Head for the big blue IKEA box on City Boulevard between I-85 and North Tryon Street. 704-549-4532; www.ikea.com.
BEST HAIR SALON (C): GREAT CLIPS - The critics loved the value and the convenience, with 40 area locations (five just in University City!) open seven days a week and charging $13 a clip for both men and women. Find the one closest to you at www.greatclips.com.
BEST FRIEND
BEST PET SUPPLY STORE (C): PETSMART AT UNIVERSITY CITY - “Spoil your pooch without spoiling your budget at PetSmart," the critics wrote. They particularly liked PetSmart's willingness to match any competitor's prices. PetSmart's one-stop shop offers grooming, training and veterinary care. The University City PetSmart is beside Target at 8116 University City Blvd. 704-599-3989, www.Petsmart.com.
View the rest of the best
View the whole citywide list at http://charlottehappenings.creativeloafing.com/gbase/BestOf/BestOfAwards |