October 2, 2014 - Charlotte EAST

Transcription

THE EASTLAND ICONS ARE THE “RISING SUN” SIGNS THAT MARKED THE ENTRANCEWAYS INTO THE FORMER EASTLAND MALL.
THEY SYMBOLIZE THE SUN RISING IN THE EAST, A NEW DAY DAWNING AND THE FUTURE.
SAVOR THE MILES OF FLAVOR IN EAST CHARLOTTE’S
COSMOPOLITAN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
October 2, 2014
History, Innovation and Food – Charlotte’s Multi-Ethnic East Side
Tom Hanchett, Staff Historian, Levine Museum of the New South
The East Side is coming into its own these days, a cool destination for exploring Charlotte’s increasingly diverse food traditions. Visitors marvel at finding Euro-gourmet Bistro La Bon across the street
from vegetarian Fern, next door to decidedly carnivorous Midwood Smokehouse – all cheek-by-jowl
with pawn shops and a Family Dollar.
The mix of upscale and downscale is what makes the East Side vibrant. For all of its history, this has
been the sector of Charlotte that offers inexpensive space to try out new ideas.
Suburbs started sprouting along Central Avenue around 1900. Investors hoped to lure the elite – and
indeed the Charlotte Country Club and a handful of big houses went up, including the big Arts-andCrafts VanLandingham Estate. But, Myers Park and southeast Charlotte won that game. Instead the
Central Avenue corridor filled with a mix of ‘20s bungalows, ‘50s-‘60s “mid-century modern” houses
and lots of garden apartment complexes.
All those housing choices, good but not expensive, have attracted a growing diversity: blacks and
whites, blue-collar families and young professionals, artists and creative types. When immigrants began arriving in Charlotte in large numbers during the 1990s, many of them headed here as well.
That array of customers, plus affordable small store spaces, makes Central Avenue a smart spot to
begin a business. Two of Charlotte’s biggest corporations trace their beginnings to the same block of
Central Avenue. In 1936, W.T. Harris started his first grocery – root of Harris Teeter -- in the current
Mama’s Caribbean Kitchen. And across the street in 1959, Leon Levine launched Family Dollar where
Nova’s Bakery is now.
Smaller entrepreneurs have taken note. The local chains Fuel Pizza and Portofino’s started here in the
‘90s. The Penguin, revitalized by a young trio in the 2000s, has spawned The Diamond. And it’s not
just food. You can find Charlotte’s best used books (Book Buyers), fiercely independent music (Lunchbox Records) or lively skateboard-centric art (Gallery 22). Not to mention Reflections Studios, where
REM cut their first album “Murmur” in 1982.
Since 1990, lots of foreign-born entrepreneurs have joined Central Avenue’s mix. Historically, immigrants were a rarity in Charlotte as in much of the South – with the exception of Greeks. The Landmark and John’s Country Grill are longtime Greek-owned East Side eateries. But in the last 20 years,
Charlotte has become a magnet for newcomers from around the globe. At Central and Rosehaven, for
instance, you can explore food from El Salvador (El Pulgarcito), Lebanon (Cedar land), Ethiopia (Queen
Sheba), Vietnam (Pho an Ho) and Somalia (Jamile’s) all facing the same parking lot. Or, turn the
corner onto Sharon Amity to find Jerusalem shawarma at La Shish Kabob, Turkish specialties at Halal
International, or hot-out-of-the-oven Syrian pita bread at Golden Bakery.
Thanks to the vision of long-time East Sider Nancy Plummer and Philippine-born UNCC professor
Nini Bautista, the East Side now proudly celebrates its culinary and cultural diversity each year with
Taste of the World. Begun 11 years ago by the Eastland Area Strategies Team, a volunteer Board composed of business, non-profit, and neighborhood leaders, E.A.S.T. continues to organize this volunteerled effort.
Pull up a seat and dig in.
TO EXPLORE MORE...
A HISTORY OF PLAZA MIDWOOD AND CENTRAL AVENUE:
www.cmhpf.org/kids/neighborhoods/plaza-midwood.html
A LOOK AT CENTRAL AVENUE AS A “SALAD BOWL SUBURB”:
www.historysouth.org/saladbowl.html
VISIT THE LEVINE MUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH, 200 E. 7TH STREET IN UPTOWN CHARLOTTE:
www.museumofthenewsouth.org
WHERE CHARLOTTE BEGINS
TASTE OF THE WORLD I HISTORIAN LETTER 1
TASTE OF THE WORLD RESTAURANT GUIDE
WELCOME TO CHARLOTTE EAST…
A unique blend of southern and international cultures, thriving neighborhoods, historical landmarks
and new growth along the city’s east corridor. With easy uptown access and mixed-price housing,
EAST is increasingly the choice for people who enjoy living in a dynamic, culturally rich community!
WHERE CHARLOTTE BEGINS…
Located here in east Charlotte is Mecklenburg County’s oldest house. It stands near remnants
of Old Potter Road, used by Scots-Irish immigrants such as Hezekiah Alexander who built the
house in 1774. Known as a signer of the Mecklenburg Resolves, Alexander also helped write
the N.C. Constitution. Many different waves of people have come to the area, from the original
Native American residents to immigrants from Africa and Europe to migrants from surrounding
states. These include professional and civic leaders such as Cyrus Wolfe, who established Merry
Oaks Plantation in the late 1800’s, and industrialists such as Ralph VanLandingham and his wife Susie, who migrated here and built The VanLandingham Estate in the early 1900’s. Twentieth century
migration spawned neighborhood activists who work together to build community, such as
Taste of the World founder, Nancy Plummer.
Now, new waves of immigrants from all over the world are enriching Charlotte’s culture starting in the east. As historian Tom Hanchett’s article illustrates so well, EAST has been, and is,
an energizing place to live, to start a business, to experience new foods & cultures, to share stories
and to innovate.
E.A.S.T. INVITES YOU…
CONTENTS
Enjoy your evening at the 12th Taste of the World, where you will experience our unique
international corridor and savor authentic flavors from across the world! This Taste Guide provides fascinating stories and information about restaurants from Asia, Africa, Europe, the
Middle-East and North, Central and South America. We invite you to return to EAST often to enjoy
food from the various cultures that make Charlotte an exciting place to be!
HISTORIAN LETTER
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TASTE OF THE WORLD EVENT SCHEDULE
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TASTE OF THE WORLD PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
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TASTE OF THE WORLD EVENT MAP
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TASTE OF THE WORLD RESTAURANT FEATURES
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TASTE OF THE WORLD SPONSORS
TASTE OF THE WORLD WITH APPRECIATION
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TASTE OF THE WORLD I WELCOME PAGE 2
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Opening and closing receptions at THE VANLANDINGHAM ESTATE (2010 THE PLAZA)
1. Al-Basha Mediterranean Grill & Hookah (Mediterranean) 15. Lang Van (Vietnamese)
2. Ben Thanh (Vietnamese) 16. La Shish Kabob (Middle Eastern)
3. Bistro La Bon (European) 17. Letty’s on Shamrock (Southern American)
4. Carnitas Guanajuato (Mexican)
18. Mama’s Caribbean Grill (Caribbean)
5. Dim Sum (Chinese)
19. Mily & Lalo (Peruvian)
6. El Pulgarcito de America (Salvadoran & Honduran)
20. Motherland Cuisine & Market (Nigerian)
3145-A North Sharon Amity Road • 980.207.4077
4900 Central Avenue • 704.566.1088
www.benthanhcharlotte.com
1322 Central Avenue • 704.333.4646
www.bistrolabon.com
5534 Albemarle Road #101 • 704.563.1651
www.carnitasmexican.com
2920-B Central Avenue • 704.569.1128
4816-A Central Avenue • 704.563.6500
7. Euro Grille & Café (Bosnian)
2719 Central Avenue • 704.343.9828
www.facebook.com/eurogrillcafe
8. Fiesta Jalisco (Mexican)
5317 East Independence Boulevard • 704.535.4383
www.fiestajalisconc.com
9. Fonda La Taquiza (Mexican)
5135 Albemarle Road • 704.531.5757
www.fondalataquiza.com
10. Fu Lin Asian Cuisine (Asian Fusion)
5301-F East Independence Boulevard • 704.568.8877
www.fulinasiancuisine.wix.com/fulin-asian-cusine
11. Jamile’s International Cuisine (Somalian)
4808 G-H Central Avenue • 704.531.1180
12. Kabob House (Persian)
6432 East Independence Boulevard • 704.531.2500
www.kabobhousenc.net
13. Krazy Fish (World Soul Seafood Fusion)
2501 Central Avenue • 704. 332.1004
www.krazyfish.com
3019 Shamrock Drive • 704.531.9525
3117-A North Sharon Amity Road • 704.567.7900
www.lashishkabob.com
2121 Shamrock Drive • 704.817.8702
www.lettysonshamrock.com
1504 Central Avenue • 704.375.8414
www.mamacaribbeangrill.webs.com
3210 North Sharon Amity Road • 704.449.2089
6024-A The Plaza • 704.532.4279
www.facebook.com/motherlandcuisine
21. Nano’s (Dominican)
3428 North Tryon Street • 704.444.9199
www.nanoscharlotte.com
22. Pint Central (Argentine)
1226 Central Avenue • 980.237.9108
www.pint-central.com
23. Portofino’s Ristorante Italiano E Pizzeria (Italian)
3124 Eastway Drive #500 • 704.568.7933
www.portofinos-us.com
24. Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant (Ethiopian)
4808 Central Avenue • 704.566.6222
www.queenshebacharlotte.com
25. Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina (Mexican)
2917-A Central Avenue • 704.536.1851
www.threeamigoscharlotte.com
26. Woodlands (Vegetarian Indian)
7128-A Albemarle Road • 704.569.9193
www.woodlandsusa.com
14. Landmark Restaurant & Diner (Greek)
4429 Central Avenue • 704.532.1153
www.landmarkdinercharlottenc.com
TASTE OF THE WORLD I PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS 5
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014 • CHARLOTTE, NC
2014 TASTE OF THE WORLD
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TASTE OF THE WORLD I EVENT MAP 6
Taste of the World Restaurant Feature:
Al-Basha Mediterranean Grill & Hooka | Mediterranean | www.facebook.com/albashahookah15
Author: Kelly Reddecliff
AL-BASHA MEDITERRANEAN
GRILL & HOOKAH
3145-A North Sharon Amity Road | Owner: Kareem Mabrok | Chef: Bashar Alkurdi
Al Basha Grill & Hookah is a new edition to the East
Charlotte restaurant scene opening earlier this summer and serving Mediterranean style cuisine.
enjoy a hookah with one of the many flavored tobaccos offered on the menu. The hookah lounge has
already become popular with the late night crowd.
Even though the restaurant is new, owner Kareem
Mabrok, an Egyptian by birth, and chef Bashar
Alkurdi originally from Syria, have a long history in
the food industry. Both men were in the restaurant
business in their respective countries and brought
that knowledge here with them. They have both been
players in the Charlotte restaurant scene for nearly
twenty years and were separately involved in local
favorites such as Sam’s Deli, San Remo, Mickey &
Mooch and Jerusalem Restaurant. They teamed up
for their latest endeavor.
The Al Basha kitchen is open daily from 10:30am
until midnight for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The
hookah lounge remains open until 2am. The restaurant also provides catering services and is available to
host special events.
With Al Basha, Kareem was looking to create a more
intimate atmosphere than his previous endeavors.
For Bashar, food is his passion. He wants people to
experience the flavors of a different culture, creating
his dishes with authentic, traditional ingredients.
Presentation is a key part of the dining experience
for Bashar. It’s part of his philosophy and passion for
food that he wants to share with others. “Your eyes
are going to eat before your mouth; my food is an
extension of my heart.”
The interior of the restaurant has a warm and intimate
feel decorated in deep reds and black. It also features
a large outdoor stone patio where patrons can eat and
TASTE OF THE WORLD I RESTAURANT FEATURES 7
Ben Thanh | Vietnamese | www.benthanhcharlotte.com
Author: Ayofemi Kirby
BEN THANH
4900 Central Avenue | Husband and Wife Family-Owned: Phung Nguyen & Mai Duong,
The dining area and stainless-steel kitchen of the
Ben Thanh Vietnamese restaurant is brought to life
by a variety of fruit and vegetables almost as colorful
as the lighthearted chatter heard as they prepare the
food they serve to customers.
Like a paint-by-numbers, Ben Thanh offers an
assortment of meals customizable to omnivores and
vegetarians alike.
“Anything we eat, or our family eats, we can put on
our menu,” said Phung Nguyen, co-owner of Ben
Thanh, the restaurant he manages with his family.
Menu items such as Sautéed Spinach, Ginger Stir Fry,
or a guest favorite - Pineapple with Pecans, can be
prepared with chicken, shrimp, beef or flavored tofu
and include a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and
spices. All meals are served with white rice - a staple
in most Vietnamese meals.
Over fifteen years ago, Phung Nguyen’s sister opened
Lang Van Vietnamese Restaurant on Central Avenue.
Nguyen, his parents and wife, Mai Duong, moved to
Charlotte from South Vietnam and have since operated restaurants together.
A few years later, Nguyen’s sister moved to California, leaving the family business to Nguyen and their
parents.
Nguyen said running two family-restaurants
became arduous, so they determined it was best
to concentrate their efforts on one place.
“We sold that restaurant after she left, and focused
on this one,” he said.
Today, the family continues to manage Ben Thanh
Vietnamese. Intricate meals like Cary Tom, Ga Dau
Hu – a mix of curry sauce in coconut cream with
lemon grass chili, white onions, sweet potatoes served
with steam rice, vermicelli or fresh bread – can take
more than six hours to create. But even with the
extensive effort put into meals served at Ben Thanh,
Nguyen says patrons aren’t limited to items on the
menu. The family will do their best to make any
traditional Vietnamese food requested by guests.
“If you want it, we can do it,” he said.
“I like Charlotte, its quiet,” Nguyen said. “Much less
than New York, and the weather’s not bad.” After the
success of their first venture, the family decided to
expand and opened Ben Thanh, not too far from
Lang Van.
Bistro La Bon | European | www.bistrolabon.com
Author: Lashawnda K. Becoats
BISTRO LA BON
1322 Central Avenue | Executive Chef/Owner: Majid Amoorpour
Opened in 2010, Plaza Midwood’s Bistro La Bon
quickly gained a reputation for serving food with
fresh ingredients from local farmers, organic meats
and farm-raised fish.
On Sundays, people come in droves for the buffet
brunch, featuring made-to-order French toast and
chocolate waffles.
Chef Majid Amoorpour wouldn’t have it any other
way.
All the desserts and breads are made from scratch.
“Nothing comes out of the freezer besides the icecream,” Amoorpour said.
“Buying local has a lot to do with the taste of the
food,” he said. “If you have things that are local and
hormone-free, it changes the taste. If I give you a
hormone-free chicken breast you can definitely tell
the difference.”
“We try to bring another method of cooking here in
Charlotte,” he added. “We try to cook differently and
the menu is different. I didn’t want an ordinary
restaurant. I educate myself and my customer, and
I’m still learning as I go.”
The restaurant’s menu has a Mediterranean, European and French flair, and Amoorpour changes it every
three months based on what’s available seasonally.
His passion for food brings devoted customers from
all over the city. Taste the honey ginger glazed Loch
Duart salmon with wasabi whipped potatoes and
you’ll understand why. The Swedish meatballs and
Prince Edward Island mussels are also very popular.
His favorite ingredient? Vegetables.
“I love cooking with seasonal vegetables. They have a
lot of flavors, texture, colors and it’s healthy. This is all
I need in my food,” said Amoorpour.
Carnitas Guanajuato | Mexican | www.carnitasmexican.com
Author: Stacy Campbell Remy
CARNITAS GUANAJUATO
5534 Albemarle Road #101 | Owner: Juan Sanchez Gonzalez
Anything in life worth doing, should be done well
and “from the heart,” adds Juan Sanchez Gonzalez,
owner of Carnitas Guanajuato Restaurant on Albemarle Road. The restaurant has been a part of Taste
of the World for multiple years, and the staff is ready
to welcome this year’s tourists with warm smiles and
delicious cuisine.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant, where I enjoyed the hospitality and learned
much about food, history, and culture. The restaurant
serves all authentic Mexican cuisine designed not
to be adapted or reflavored for standardized American tastes. The restaurant’s name is indicative of its
specialty, “carnitas” - tender pulled deep-fried pork.
As Sanchez Gonzalez explained, every state in Mexico
has its own version of this food (much as we find in
the battle for best barbecue both in North Carolina
alone, as well as throughout several other Southern states). In fact, carnitas was the meal that gave
Sanchez Gonzales his start: he and his wife began
by selling the food at festivals and rodeos and were
ultimately able to start their first restaurant in Monroe
(located at 1702 Walkup Avenue and still in business).
Later, they opened the Albemarle Road restaurant
which will be featured on the tour. No matter what
time you arrive, I recommend saving your appetite for
this restaurant. I tried the carnitas with cactus - yes,
cactus! - as well as corn tortillas, rice, and beans. Not
only filling, this food was delicious. The basic ingredients were complimented by subtle spices. Sanchez
Gonzalez also pointed out that the tortillas are spe-
cially made for him and do not contain preservatives
and that the cactus is fresh not canned - any foodie
will know that this makes a difference in the taste and
consistency. In addition to the food, there is always
music playing, including live music on Sundays.
The restaurant is well-received by natives. Sanchez
Gonzalez has said that several people from the region
have mentioned that they are glad to have found a
place that serves the food with such an authentic flavor. Anyone who has called another place home or has
a fondness for a particular region or country and its
cuisine knows and understands that special nostalgia
that the senses, such as taste, can bring.
Sanchez Gonzalez explains that although life in the
Charlotte area is a very “different way of life” from
life in Mexico, he enjoys the sharing and blending of
the two cultures. He feels that at Carnitas, the staff is
creating a “new fusion of both cultures; not oversalty,
not overspiced, not overcooked, but everything in
balance.”
Whether you are experiencing TOTW as a newbie, as
an experienced participant, or just looking for a new
restaurant to try, Sanchez Gonzalez explains that the
restaurant is welcoming to all. For those who already
know true Mexican food, they can “enjoy having a
place where they can come back knowing they can get
that, and for those who have not had the opportunity,
then they will enjoy it and may end up finding a new
place.”
Dim Sum | Chinese
DIM SUM
2920-B Central Avenue | Owner: Yee Kam
Walking through the doors of Dim Sum Chinese
Restaurant on Central Avenue, feelings of warmth
immediately change the mood.
And because Dim Sum is an ancient tradition, no
recipes are written - the cooks at Kam’s restaurant
had to learn how to make the meals as children.
Golden poppy toned walls decorated with Asian inspired paintings absorb soft overhead lighting. There
is no need for windows as streams of scarlet radiating
from empty seats energize the intimate space.
“What we serve is not from any recipe,” she said. “We
still use what we know from what our parents and
grandparents taught us a long time ago.” Kam is a
native of Hong Kong, the city where the Dim Sum
tradition began. She moved to North Carolina 35
years ago and has operated the restaurant for seven
years.
Dim Sum, translated from Chinese into English,
literally means “touch of the heart,” and if one
imagines how a journey into the inside of life’s center
would feel, the dining room at Yee Kam’s restaurant
would be a suitable taste.
“It is like a food from the heart,” said Yee Kam, owner
of Dim Sum. “I love Dim Sum, there was nothing like
it here, so I wanted to start it.”
“During the Chinese dynasty days, the King and
Queen would ask for a little something,” she said.
“They didn’t eat much sweets, so they would get
small bites of food.”
When Kam opened Dim Sum in 2002, she would
drive from Shelby to Charlotte each day to serve her
customers. She now lives in Charlotte and enjoys the
warm atmosphere - one she hopes her customers feel
when they visit her restaurant. “I lived in Germany
and other big cities, there no one has the time to say
hi,” she said. “Here, I love the weather, its wonderful and the people, I love them too. They are more
friendly, so much more laid back.”
Lunch prices at Dim Sum range from $2.65 to $5.45.
Dim Sum is like an American brunch where instead
of large meals, small servings are offered during the
day, Kam said.
The Dim Sum menu is complete with bijou offerings
of traditional Chinese meals such as shrimp rice
noodle crepes, stuffed duck feet, or 8-treasure sweet
“sticky” rice.
El Pulgarcito de America | Salvadoran & Honduran
Author: Cassie Garrett
EL PULGARCITO de AMERICA
4816-A Central Avenue | Owners: Henry & Delmi Chirinos
The love story of how the El Pulgarcito de America owners Henry and Delmi Chirinos came together is only
outweighed by the love of the food that is served at their
east Charlotte restaurant. Delmi was the pioneer of her
family, moving from the devastated war-zone of El Salvador to New York in 1990. Meanwhile, Henry moved to
New York in the same exact year from Honduras. Little
did either of them know when making that big trek into
America that eventually they would come together in
love and food.
Delmi had big dreams, wanting to come here to study
and take hold of the many opportunities America had
to offer. Henry was working in a restaurant in New York
when he met Delmi. They partnered with friends in
opening a restaurant in New York and thrived for two
years…until the shocking 9/11 tragedy occurred. This
made Delmi and Henry decide it was time to move on.
During her stay in New York, Delmi visited her brother
& sister in Charlotte and loved the city. She says it was
quiet and peaceful. Henry and Delmi decided this was
the place to which they wanted to move and open a new
restaurant. Thus, the birth of El Pulgarcito de America.
They have now been in business for over 12 years.
El Pulgarcito specializes in Salvadoran and Honduran
food, in honor of Delmi and Henry’s heritages, but
rounds out its menu with Mexican dishes. One item
that is very typical to El Salvador is the Pupusa, so much
so that it is considered the national food of El Salvador.
Pupusas are variations of meat (usually pork), beans
& cheese stuffed within a thick-style handmade corn
tortilla, complimented with a traditional spicy cabbage
slaw that is called curtido. The Honduran choices on
the menu are heavily weighted towards fish and shrimp.
A favorite on the menu here is the Mojarra, fried fish
served with sides of rice, salad, green plantains &
tortillas. A dish that is popular in both El Salvador and
Honduras is Huevos Al Gusto, translated in English to
“eggs to your pleasure”. Pleasure is indeed what you
will find in this hearty breakfast dish, offered Revueltos
(scrambled), Estrellados (sunnyside up), or Con Chorizo
Ranchero (with chorizo sausage). To fulfill any desire for
Mexican food, they also serve options like Fajitas and
Enchiladas. Interesting to note, plantains and yucca are
true to Salvadoran and Honduran selections and not
found in Mexican dishes. Additionally, the spices used
in Salvadoran and Honduran dishes are kinder to your
heat index than in Mexican dishes. The milder seasonings allow you to taste more of the key ingredients in
their food.
One dish closest to Delmi’s heart is the Beef Rib Stew.
She says, “This is very special. I remember when I was
little and everyone in my country would eat this. And
the little restaurants would always serve it.”
Though the restaurant interior has a golden stucco effect on the walls with beautiful, Pacific blue booths and
well placed art that represents El Salvador and Honduras, Delmi states that they do not have lots of décor, as
she wants the focus to be fully on their food. This is a
dream come true,” says Delmi.
Euro Grille Café | Bosnian | www.facebook.com/eurogrillcafe
Author: Karen Lockhart & Stephanie McKee
EURO GRILLE & CAFÉ
2719 Central Avenue | Owner: The Mehic Family
When you come to the Euro Grill & Café, you will feel
like you have dropped in for dinner with your family!
The bright dining room, checked tablecloths and
the personal attention from Dino, Amela, Minela
and Mehmed will make you feel at home. The food
is cooked with pride and tastes delicious. Dino says
that he “only makes good food” and this is an understatement!
The Euro Grill & Café is a Southeastern European
restaurant reflecting the owners’ Bosnian roots. You
will find home-cooked cevaps (grilled, skinless beef
sausage) on lepinja (Bosnian flatbread) and pijescavica (a Bosnian hamburger) that is so popular in
Bosnia that even McDonald’s could not compete
with it.
The restaurant specializes in dishes common to the
Balkan Peninsula (including the countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia,
Greece, Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia).
Dino also spent a considerable amount of time in
Germany prior to coming to the U.S., and you will
see influences from this experience on his menu, too.
The Mehic family is proud of their heritage and is
happy to share their native dishes with us. We are
excited to have this one-of-a-kind restaurant (and
market) here in Charlotte!
You will also see a German influence in the schnitzel
dishes and a Mediterranean spin in the Eggplant
Napoleon. Whatever you do, do not miss the Bosnian coffee served with sugar cubes and crystallized
ginger.
Dino Mehic arrived in the U.S. in 1998 and opened
the Bosna Market in 2003. In February 2013, he
expanded by adding the Euro Grill & Café in an
adjoining space.
Fiesta Jalisco | Mexican | www.fiestajalisconc.com
FIESTA JALISCO
5317 East Independence Boulevard | Owner: Alfonso Coyotl, Ramiro Rodriguez &
Clemente Rodriguez
“Fiesta” is exactly the perfect word to be in the name
of this restaurant, Fiesta Jalisco. This establishment
provides a large area for diners, a sports bar, several
private dining rooms for various functions, and a ballroom for weddings, concerts and large parties.
Lively music plays in the background, and the décor
is idealistically Mexican, with rich colors of terra cotta
and gold, palm trees, brick and clay tile accents, iron
and Mexican tile tables, and beautiful artwork and
murals. You can find playful tunes being sung by diners during Karaoke Night every Friday from 9 PM to
2 AM.
But fun is just half the experience you get here. At
Fiesta Jalisco, you will get delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine with flavors that are built with only the
highest quality ingredients. Their menu takes you
beyond the standard Mexican fare of tacos, burritos,
and enchiladas. They will treat you to a huge range of
choices to please the entire family, even those pickierthan-normal little ones. And they have a fully stocked
bar to provide you your drink of choice to accompany
your feast.
They even have daily $3.99 specials to keep your wallet in check. And you can choose to dine outdoors and
enjoy their south of the border culinary offerings with
the setting sun.
Ramiro & Clemente Rodriguez own Fiesta Jalisco
with Alfonso Coyotl. Their other family member,
Emilio Rodriguez, was brought on as Manager. So
they know the importance of family, typically a much
cherished bond in the Latin American culture. Ramiro
legally emigrated from Mexico to the United States
to find a better job and a better life. He believes often
times that the Spanish-speaking community is not always put in the best light. But he hopes to emphasize
that people from Mexico, and countries afar, simply
come to the States to fulfill their dreams and that
these dreams should be achievable for everybody.
Ramiro, his family and friends have come together
to support each other in these dreams. Fiesta Jalisco
is just one of those dreams. And they will extend this
cherished feeling of “familia” to you when you dine at
Fiesta Jalisco.
What is also impressive about this restaurant is that
you are truly guaranteed to get a hearty, fulfilling
fiesta of flavors while saving so much money.
Fonda La Taquiza | Mexican | www.fondalataquiza.com
Author: Denise Botello Coleman
FONDA LA TAQUIZA
5135 Albemarle Road | Owners: Ruben Granados & Jose Celaya
I am a fan of so many good restaurants in Charlotte,
but when I’m looking for some home-cooked Mexican food, there is only one place that can fill the spot-Fonda La Taquiza!
The owner, Ruben Granados, arrived in Charlotte in
1999. Since then, he has been an extremely popular
local radio host and family advocate. While Fonda La
Taquiza has been open for less than one year, Ruben
has had extensive restaurant experience--having
co-owned other restaurants in Charlotte including
the popular Fonda La Cazuelas on N. Tryon. Owning
Fonda La Taquiza with his brother Jose Celaya
however, is a dream come true for Ruben. He wanted
to establish this restaurant in east Charlotte, close
to the Hispanic community but with easy access to
clients coming from other areas of town.
Ruben’s goal for the restaurant is to create a place
where customers, whether from Mexico or elsewhere,
can enter the restaurant and feel immersed in Mexican food and culture. That is why he recently ordered
authentic furniture and decorations from Mexico
and why he insists that the food be authentically
Mexican. In fact, many would say they feel like they
are at home when they come into the restaurant because the food tastes just like their mother’s cooking!
how to cook his secret recipe sauces using his mother’s favorite condiments. His mother has been giving
him tips about how long to simmer the food and
which condiments work better for his dishes since he
was young boy. He says the best advice she gave him
was, “Make sure you cook everything with love.”
Some of the favorite dishes served here are Barbacoa
de Borrego, lamb meat with spicy sauce simmered
for hours, and Enchiladas Huastecas, made with
black beans, pork meat/chicken or beef with fresh
crumbled cheese on top and a secret recipe sauce!
Tacos de Alambre, only found here, is my favorite
dish! It is made with thin corn tortillas made inhouse,
steak, grilled bell pepper and onions, Chihuahua
cheese and bacon. For dessert, try the luscious
Flan, also made in-house!
La Fonda also features live mariachi entertainment
on Thursdays and Saturdays from 6:00pm to
11:00pm and wonderful Taco Tuesdays--where carne
asada tacos are available for 99 cents all day!
Ruben’s mother has owned a small eatery in Mexico
for many years, a real “Fonda,” where he first learned
Fu Lin Asian Cusine | Asian Fusion | www.fulinasiancuisine.wix.com/fulin-asian-cuisine
Author: Mike McCray
FU LIN ASIAN CUISINE
5301-F East Independence Boulevard | Owner: Francis Lin
Francis Lin, owner of Fu Lin Asian Cuisine, helps his
customers carry boxes of food to their cars. Because
of the lunch take-out traffic, the air around the Independence Boulevard restaurant is filled with spicy
aromas from the Asian and Indian inspired cuisine.
With one couple getting enough food for the entire
office, this place must be good.
Lin’s parents, who moved to India from China, ran
a restaurant in Calcutta. It is an exact copy of what
customers get in Charlotte. Americans would call this
style of food “fusion cuisine,” but for Lin, it’s all he
knows.
It only takes minutes to see the rapport he builds with
his regular customers and newcomers alike. Lin also
regularly gets requests from Indian transplants living in Charlotte to make dishes they remember from
home and tries to oblige as many of those as he
can.
Menu items at Fu Lin range from $1.50 to $13.95, and
features vegetarian options and specialties from
India.
Lin says he’s been serving the mix of Indo-Chinese
cuisine most of his life. “It’s spicy Chinese food with
an Indian taste,” says Lin, who uses more ginger and
garlic than the average Chinese restaurant.
His customers – many are of Indian descent – favor
the flavorful, spicier fare. “I can see that after people
eat here,” Lin says. “They are sort of amazed because
we have a totally different taste than most Chinese
food.”
Fu Lin’s signature dish, Chilli Paneer, is a vegetarian
delight with a recipe he protects from his “very smart
Indian customers.” The spicy dish is a great choice for
a people skeptical about vegetarian fare and features
an Indian cheese similar to ricotta. After the
cheese is fried, the meal could easily pass for chicken.
Jamile’s International Cuisine | Somalian
Author: Greg Lacour
JAMILE’S
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE
4808 G-H Central Avenue | Owner: Jamile Sheik
The tabloid-sized, one-sheet menu at Jamile’s
International Cuisine sort of resembles a board
game. With each of the 31 dishes photographed and
laid out in squares, it evokes the feeling of playing
tic-tac-toe or Connect Four.
You could make a game out of it; in the process,
you’d experience delicacies from all over the world.
“Our dishes come from everywhere,” said Jamile
Sheik. She points out that the spaghetti is an Italian
dish, the rice is from India, and the canjera, which is
made of flour and served liked bread, is from
Somalia, where Sheik hails from.
The hodgepodge on the menu is reflective of the
food they grew up eating in their native country.
Sheik moved to Charlotte in the mid-1990s, but it
wasn’t until last December that she ventured into
business to offer her favorite cuisine to the locals.
Avenue,” Sheik said—but the masses have begun
catching on too. An article on the restaurant was
published in The Charlotte Observer in 2011 and has
helped increase its popularity.
Most of the dishes range from $8 to $10, and among
the favorites of customers are the ones that feature
goat meat. You can have it served with fadirshan, a
combination of rice and pasta. And the chicken
sugar is tiny strips of meat with a slightly sweet
flavor.
In keeping with the international flair of this eatery,
one of the waitresses is from Ethiopia and one of the
cooks is from Guatemala. Most customers get their
orders to go, and it’s a popular carry-out spot for
several of the city’s cab drivers, many of whom are
from African countries. On weekends, you’re more
likely to find people dining in.
“I love to cook,” Sheik said. “It was always my dream
to open a restaurant.”
She had an immediate fan base—“A lot of Somali
people live on this side of town, around Central
Kabob House | Persian | www.kabobhousenc.net
KABOB HOUSE
6432 East Independence Boulevard | Owner: Nader Behrouzjou
For truly authentic Persian food and top notch customer service, do not miss visiting Kabob House Hookah
& Tea Lounge. Owner Nader Behrouzjou, better known
as Mike, is from Iran and has been in the restaurant
business for over 26 years, fine-tuning the way he
delivers the taste of his native region to the American
community.
Kabob House, opened in 1998, mixes the bold and
beautifully seasoned flavors of Persian cuisine with an
equally enthralling experience. They not only feature
a restaurant but a separate hookah and tea lounge.
In fact, they are the pioneers in the hookah lounge
experience here in Charlotte. And on Saturday nights,
they even feature the moving art of traditional belly
dancing.
The atmosphere may speak volumes with Persianinfluenced music typically playing in the background,
historical Iranian artwork throughout the space, and
the exotic interior décor, but the food amplifies things
to a loud roar of deliciousness once you bite into the
many savory dishes that are on the menu.
Start with the pita served with onions and feta (ask
for mint to add a more authentic Persian flair to it). At
this point, you can also order the yogurt-y goodness
blended with mint & cucumbers, called Mast-o-khiyar,
for dipping. Then segue into some appetizers like the
Kashk & Bademjan, sautéed eggplant prepared with a
special blend of herbs & spices topped with cream of
whey, sautéed onion and mint. Or try a khoresht (stew)
like Fesenjan, chicken breast in a sauce of ground
walnuts and sweet and sour pomegranate sauce.
Khoreshts are served with chelo (basmati rice served
with the crust that develops from the bottom of the
pan during cooking), and you spoon the stew over it
and savor it as a combination.
Continue your feast with what else? Kabobs! Whether
you choose the Chicken Kabob (a skewer of boneless
chicken breast chunks marinated in saffron sauce and
charbroiled) or go for the gusto with the Sultan Soltani
(2 skewers of charbroiled blended ground sirloin,
grated onion & spices AND a skewer of 2 pieces each
of chicken, lamb and beef), you will receive tender
and juicy cuts of meat. Most specials include a heap of
fragrant, nutty basmati rice dashed with saffron and
vegetables. The Persian seasoning sumac (comparable
to a lighter, lemony accent) sits in a shaker at each
table, allowing you to sprinkle its tarty, acidic goodness upon…well…anything. And of course, do not forget
to finish off with a dollop of the Persian Ice Cream,
rose water flavored ice cream in either plain or pistachio flavors.
Kabob House was voted best lamb kabob, chicken
kabob and shish kabob and also won Best in Middle
Eastern in 2003 by the Charlotte Observer. Additionally, they were included in the 2009 “Top 100 Best Restaurants in America” by LocalEasts.com. And the many
positive reviews they receive from fellow Persians
should be enough to tell you this food is the next best
thing to traveling afar.
Kabob House features a $5 lunch menu including
kabob wraps, sandwiches, sides and soup, available
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM for take-out and delivery only (free
delivery for orders over $10). You can view their full
menu on their website.
Krazy Fish | World Soul Seafood Fusion | www.krazyfish.com
Author: Krazy Fish / Cassie Garrett
KRAZY FISH
2501 Central Avenue | Owner: Giorgio Prisco
Krazy Fish opened its doors to the world in April 2011.
With an eclectic menu and funky art decor to match,
it is right at home in the historic Plaza Midwood
neighborhood.
The exterior gives you only an introduction to the
inside décor. Artcycled is the best term to use to
describe what can only be noted as Sanford & Son art
at its most refined. They have pulled pieces together
that you might only see in a junkyard and created
interesting and amazing sea-themed art. That is just
half the fun you will find at Krazy Fish.
The restaurant features an innovative metal “picket
fence” enclosed front patio and a rear Tiki Bar that
has TVs so you will not miss the games. Both are cozy
spots, perfect for spending time with friends. There
is a wide range of beer, wine and mixed drinks, and
there are always great specials every night of the
week. The Tiki Bar is available for private events, and
the restaurant also caters for events.
While entertaining your sense of statement art, Krazy
Fish entertains your palate with soulful cuisine that
features a worldly flair. The menu ranges anywhere
from Southern comfort fried dishes to Asian fusion
with a heavy emphasis on seafood and spice. All the
food, down to the macaroni and cheese, is homemade
daily.
The fabulous entrees are moderately priced, and
they have an excellent selection. Offering dishes like
Red Thai Curry (baby corn, bamboo shoots, carrots,
celery, peppers, onions, and mushrooms sautéed in
a red coconut curry sauce with chicken, shrimp, and
tofu, served with Krazy Rice), Chilly Willy’s Po Boy
(your choice of seafood served with lettuce, tomato,
onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and remoulade, served with
a side), Seafood Creole (southern fried fish, shrimp,
calamari, and scallops sautéed with peppers, onions,
and celery in a spicy Cajun marinara over Krazy Rice,
served with a choice of side and cornbread) and so
much more.
There are things here for the non-seafood eaters, too,
like the Lemongrass Tofu Taco (two tacos on flour
tortillas topped with Krazy Slaw and salsa, served
with blueberry tamarind chutney and a side), the
Cuban Sandwich (roast pork and roast chicken with
Provolone cheese, pickle, and remoulade, served
with a side) or Szechuan Salt & Pepper Jumbo Wings
(fried then glazed in a Szechuan salt and pepper
glaze along with sautéed onions, peppers, and garlic,
then covered in cilantro). And do not miss ½ Priced
Taco Night featuring tacos stuffed with Blackened
Tuna, Cuban Chicken, Southern Fried Fish, Pulled
Pork or Brisket.
Indeed the portions are sizable, but the flavors will
knock you off your sea legs. They even nurture their
own garden of vegetables and herbs so as to infuse
the dishes with the freshest of ingredients. Krazy Fish
has definitely captured the wide world of cuisine and
reeled it in to their eclectic and humble home so that
they can provide you excellent creations of savory
seafood and beyond. So go visit, get Krazy and enjoy!
Landmark Restaurant & Diner | Greek | www.landmarkdinercharlottenc.com
LANDMARK RESTAURANT
& DINER
4429 Central Avenue | Co-Owner: John Kaltsounis | Head Chef: Milton Polemicle
John Kaltsounis and his wife Sofia arrived in New York
City from Karpensi, Greece, more than 40 years ago.
Joined by his brothers, Larry and Tommy – the
family had no money, no jobs, and a limited ability
to speak or to understand English. So, the brothers
searched for opportunities to do the only thing they
knew – work hard.
Not long after their arrival, Kaltsounis and his brothers found a place in the burgeoning New York foodservice business – a collection of restaurants offering
food reflective of the diverse population of the city.
Over the next 15 years Kaltsounis learned what it took
to survive as a restaurant owner. He worked in various
places as a busboy, a waiter, a cook, and as a member of
the kitchen and clean up staff. “My fondest memory of
those years – hard work,” Kaltsounis said. “Everything I
did was hard work.” - And the hard work paid off.
Kaltsounis would return to one of the restaurants at
which he worked to become its owner. And in 1989,
Kaltsounis and Larry joined their brother Tommy in
Charlotte to open Landmark Restaurant and Diner on
Central Avenue.
“In the beginning the food was based on New York,”
Kaltsounis said. “But as our customers started
coming in we had to change it to cater to more people,
add more southern-style cooking.”
But the brothers didn’t stop at tending to the taste of
the south. Today, the Landmark menu includes more
than 40 items from a variety of cultures including
American, Creole, Italian, and Greek, the culture of
their ancestors. With intended homage to their experience working in the northern city, Landmark’s menu
attracts a crowd as diverse as the restaurant’s food.
“Any day you can come in and see a group of businessmen in one booth, and the next booth over you see a
bunch of bikers, and the next booth over a group of
old ladies celebrating their 85th birthday,” said Milton
Polemicle, Landmark’s head chef and Kaltsounis’s sonin-law.”
“From eggs to lobster tails we have everything,” he
said. “Its hard to name a favorite.”With more than 40
family members now living in Charlotte, Kaltsounis
is grateful for the opportunities he and his family has
found in America and in Charlotte.
“It’s a good city, growing so fast,” he said. “When I
came it was a little town. It’s a big city right now, more
opportunity to do something, to do everything.” And
with more than 40 years of experience in the
restaurant business, Kaltsounis’s philosophy on
serving his customers has not changed.
His main goal in providing food for the people that
eat his family’s food is one that has remained since his
early days as a busboy. “I pray everyday for everybody’s
health,” Kaltsounis said. “Not just mine, or my family’s
but for everybody. That is most important.”
Lang Van | Vietnamese
Author: Greg Lacour
LANG VAN
3019 Shamrock Drive | Owner: Dan Nguyen
Lang Van, the venerable Vietnamese restaurant at
Eastway and Shamrock drives, doesn’t look like much
from the outside. It’s in a humble, boxy, single-story
building that practically hides from the street.
Inside, though, the décor is tidy and warm, and owner
Dan Nguyen (a woman, despite her first name) complements the interior with her own hospitality. This
is a place that, for over 21 years, has built a regular
clientele and Nguyen knows--and hugs, and serves-all of them.
Nguyen has a remarkable capacity for remembering regulars’ favorite dishes, said her young cousin,
Anh Phan, who works at Lang Van along with several
members of his family. (Nguyen speaks decent but
incomplete English.)
“She tries to follow the tastes of the customer, so it’s
kind of unique,” Phan said. “The first time you come
here, you order from the menu. But the next time, you
don’t need the menu.”
Which is amazing, since the menu features 139 dishes.
Vietnamese cuisine eschews the fat and oil common
to other Asian cuisine common in the United States,
preferring grilled meats, broth, noodles and fresh
greens.
Lang Van, of course, serves pho, the best-known Vietnamese dish: beef and noodles with basil and bean
sprouts in beef broth. You can also get the hu tien,
rice noodle soup with herbs and spices with chicken,
pork, squid, onion and ginger in chicken broth; and
beef, chicken, shrimp or squid lemongrass curry.
Nguyen learned her craft as a young woman growing
up near Saigon. Her husband, Tuyen Tran, had moved
to Charlotte before meeting her, then met her in Vietnam, married her and waited for the U.S. government
to approve her immigration papers. It took five years.
Once she arrived in Charlotte, she worked at Lang
Van, then another restaurant, before buying Lang Van
in 2005.
On a recent weeknight, the place was busy and filled
with the murmur of conversation at 8 p.m. More than
one customer, sensing the presence of first-time Lang
Van diners, expressed their love of the food and the
place without even being asked.
“I love the customers here,” Nguyen said. “A lot of
them love me.”
La Shish Kabob | Middle Eastern | www.lashishkabob.com
Author: Tonya Jameson
LA SHISH KABOB
3117-A North Sharon Amity Road | Owner: Izzat Freitekh
Izzat Freitekh knows numerous Charlotte restaurants
serve shish kabobs and wraps. Some of those restaurants even say they serve Middle Eastern food, like his
restaurant does—but they’re not the same as La Shish
Kabob.
Freitekh takes pride in ensuring that all of the dishes
are homemade. Each day, there’s a different dish as a
featured special.
Like any cuisine, there are variations of Middle
Eastern cuisine. La Shish Kabob, a small café nestled
in a shopping center at the intersection of Albemarle
and Sharon Amity, serves food familiar to people
from Jerusalem, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and
Syria, Freitekh explained.
During a recent visit, Freitekh had an enthusiastic
conversation with a customer from Egypt who was
excited to hear about the ingredients used in La Shish
Kabob’s baba ghannouj. The customer, a woman who
has lived in Charlotte since the ’70s, said she has
watched the city’s restaurant offerings slowly begin to
reflect the diversity of its residents.
The dishes have similar names such as kabobs
and shawarmas (think gyro), but the meat tastes
different and the bread is different, Freitekh said.
At La Shish Kabob, Freitekh serves up Middle
Eastern mainstays such as chicken shawarma, baba
ghannouj, falafel and of course kabobs. Falafel, a
street food staple, is one of the café’s hottest sellers.
Freitekh said the mixed grill—beef, lamb and chicken
skewers—is another of the café’s signature platters.
The three large skewers come with a huge helping of
basmati rice and sides. The lentil soup is flavorful and
a good accompaniment.
“Everything is fresh and healthy,” he said.
La Shish Kabob is part of this shift. His restaurant is
beginning to get more customers who aren’t familiar
with Mediterranean cuisine, Freitekh said. After owning a popular restaurant in Jerusalem for more than
20 years, he finally opened La Shish Kabob at his
son’s urging.
“It is not secure [in Jerusalem],” Freitekh said. “I am
very happy here.”
Letty’s on Shamrock | Southern American | www. lettysonshamrock.com
Author: Kelly Reddecliff
LETTY’S ON SHAMROCK
2121 Shamrock Drive | Owners: Letty & Ron Ketner
Letty’s opened December 2012 in the original Pike’s
Soda Shop locale and features classic southern favorites as well as bistro style cuisine.
The restaurant itself is warm and inviting opening to
a vintage style bar area with the main dining room to
the left. They recently opened a patio as well complete with umbrellaed tables and plenty of greenery
for diners who prefer the outdoors.
With her own place Letty wanted to create a friendly,
comfortable environment. Nothing fancy, just a place
where neighbors, friends and families can catch up
over a good meal at a good price. No pretentiousness
here, as Letty jokes “All the desserts are homemade
and boy don’t they look it!”
bourbon glazed salmon. Standard southern fare like
shrimp and grits, chicken salad and flat iron steak
can also be had. The honey pecan chicken is a menu
favorite and one of Elizabeth Pike’s original recipes.
The creative talents of chef Thomas Gilewski are
highlighted in items such as the eggs salchicas, an
open faced biscuit topped with sausage, eggs and
gravy featured on the brunch menu and in the daily
specials like the BBQ glazed pork sliders with fried
onions served recently.
Letty’s is open for lunch and dinner daily. Brunch is
served on the weekends. Dishes range from $5 to $13.
Letty spent her entire career in the business and is a
seasoned veteran of the local restaurant scene. Making her way to Charlotte in 1985, she spent twenty
years as catering and dining room manager at Hotel
Charlotte then moved to Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Community before the opportunity to
open her own place presented itself.
Letty’s menu includes classics like burgers and dogs
served with a southern flair, think pimento cheese,
chili and slaw. Signature items include Hummachos,
a unique hummus/nacho mash up and a honey
Mama’s Caribbean Grill | Caribbean | www.mamacaribbeangrill.webs.com
Author: Rhiannon Bowman
MAMA’S CARIBBEAN GRILL
1504 Central Avenue | Owners: Vinroy Reid & Hazelyn Mills
Born and raised in Jamaica, Vinroy Reid now splits
his time between Brooklyn, NY, and Charlotte. “I
came down for a visit and fell in love with the country
life,” he says. “I used to listen to a lot of country western music back home. Charlotte took me back to that
frame of mind.”
Growing up in a vacation destination allowed him to
meet people from all over the world. Many of them, he
says, told him he would do well in America, so in 1992
he decided to give the country a try. Plus, he says, he
grew up reading Mark Twain, who he credits with his
“adventurous mentality.”
boiled ackee fruit served over yams with wild (green)
bananas, dumplings and jonnycakes -- a cornmeal flat
bread.
He’s glad to share the dish with Charlotteans who, he
says, are always willing to try something
different. “That shows that you have room to
expand,” he says.
While he says he loves the people of Charlotte,
he also admits the climate is a big draw. The only
difference between here and Jamaica, according to
him, is winter.
Once he got here, he says, “I noticed people don’t eat
healthy because there aren’t many restaurants that
serve the proper nutrients. I was a victim of that, too; I
ate a lot of junk.”
That’s why he decided to open Mama’s Caribbean
Grill, which has locations in both Charlotte and
Brooklyn. Most of the dishes are traditional, says Vinroy, but he puts his own spin on them -- that’s why he
won’t share his recipes. “In my country,” he says, “you
take a meal and improve on it.”
One meal he’s particularly proud of on Mama’s
menu is known as Jamaica’s national dish, according to Vinroy. The ackee and saltfish is cod fish and
Mily & Lalo | Peruvian
Authors: Mily & Lalo Villanueva
MILY & LALO
3210 North Sharon Amity Rod | Owner: Mily & Lalo Villanueva
Mily and Lalo Villanueva are the owners and chefs
directly in charge of preparing your culturally typical meals and desserts from Peru.
The original restaurant “Mily”, named after Mily
Villanueva, was founded in 1990 in Passaic, New
Jersey. Mily and Lalo ran the restaurant in that
location until the year 2000. During this ten-year
period, Mily and Lalo had the opportunity to visit
Charlotte, North Carolina. They liked the climate
and the city’s family-friendly atmosphere. As a result, they moved their business in 2001 to Charlotte.
Over the past several years, while their restaurant
location has changed from S. Tryon (2001-2005)
to the Plaza Hotel on Carowinds Boulevard (20062007), and now to 3210 N. Sharon Amity Road, their
commitment to quality, authentic food remains
constant.
The freshness and quality of their Peruvian food has
no comparison anywhere in the Queen City.
Established and new customers are always
welcome to enjoy true Peruvian cuisine from a
result of more than 30 years of experience, with over
22 of those years spent in the United States. Mily
and Lalo look forward to transporting you to Peru
through the flavors of its food, beer, and wine.
Mily and Lalo have been recognized in media
such as Spotlight, the Charlotte Observer, Creative
Loafing, Que Pasa, and El Progreso Hispano.
Due to its outstanding traditional Peruvian food,
it has been selected to participate in the “Taste
of the World” for multiple rows in a row.
Lalo is the only Peruvian Chef in the Carolinas
that still maintains truly authentic and traditional
Peruvian food. The food prepared at Mily and
Lalo’s is made from products directly from Peru and
prepared for you the moment you make your order.
They do not serve pre-prepared food dishes. Their
fish and seafood dishes are fresh and of the highest
quality. The chicken is cooked in a Peruvian oven
with a 100% coal-based guarantee.
Motherland Cuisine | Nigerian | www.facebook.com/motherlandcuisine
MOTHERLAND CUISINE
6024-A The Plaza | Owners: Chef Dola Way & Leonard Wey
As a big southern city, Charlotte has a large
African-American population. Motherland Cuisine
& Market brings to our local community the touch
and memories of African dining with their unique
environment. Motherland has been in operation
since 2008, offering authentic fresh delicious dishes
in the restaurant and featuring an adjoining market
where you can shop for different spices and African
groceries.
Now she is cooking for even more people, as their
restaurant serves lunch and dinner six days a week.
Among the popular items are Jollof Rice, Moin
Moin (blended, spicy black-eyed peas), Plantains,
Meat Pie, and Puff Puff (sweet bread, often referred
to as African Doughnut). Also, they serve Chin
Chin which are mini fried crackers, such a favorite
among patrons that they prepackage and sell them
as snacks.
“By God’s grace, business is picking up and people
are referring others. They Google us on the net,
and because Charlotte is growing, we’re growing as
well.”
In the market, the setup resembles a small corner
store that you would find in cities that have a large
African population like New York. The shelves are
filled with spices and raw ingredients such as jerk
seasoning, curry powder, eggplant, palm nut sauce,
African yam, and Ukazi leaves.
Motherland is a family business, and the Weys are
native Nigerian. After living in Los Angeles and
then Greensboro, they moved to Charlotte in 2004.
Leonard had an investment business in L.A. called
Motherland. When they started to build their lives
here, they decided to enter the restaurant industry.
“As a young lady growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I
loved to cook and help others. During the summer,
we had various activities, with my big brother being
the manager of our neighborhood soccer team and
I being in charge of their feeding and welfare. This
grew into a hobby and passion,” says Adedola.
“We serve people from all over: those passing
by, Charlotteans from different nations, Africans,
Americans, Latinos, and people that just love fresh,
tasty food. Our clients enjoy the uniqueness of
our service because we have taken African food to
another level,” Adedola explains, “where you can
relax with your loved ones, as well as your business
partners.”
Nano’s | Dominican | www.nanoscharlotte.com
Author: Nano’s
NANO’S
3428 North Tryon Street | Owners: Dalton & Miriam Espaillat
After many years talking about opening a good Dominican restaurant in the Queen City to cater to the
American culture, a dream came true for Dalton and
wife Miriam Espaillat.
where stew meats, rice and beans play a large role.
Just like in the countryside of Dominican Republic,
Nano’s specializes in serving the freshest, most authentic, made to order dishes. No compromises.
Nano’s has been serving the Dominican Community
in the Charlotte area since 2007, and after many
years frequenting the place, the Three Amigos restaurateur Dalton Espaillat decided to run its favorite
Dominican restaurant in town.
At Nano’s, we are passionate about our food AND
our community. We take every opportunity to support local producers and brewers. It is our true belief
that deeply rooting ourselves into the community
helps strengthen the environment and economy,
which ultimately promotes the greatest experience
for all.
Nano’s is the nickname for retired owner Julio Victoria Sr., for whom many in the Queen City have great
respect and love.
To Dalton and Miriam, Nano’s Dominican Grill is
more than a contemporary Dominican full service
restaurant. It is a part of their heritage.
With that, the team who brought you Three Amigos
Mexican Grill & Cantina and Sabor Latin Street Grill
now invite you to experience Nano’s Dominican
Cuisine.
Nano’s Dominican Cuisine will give you the scents,
tastes and flavors as if you were wandering the
streets of Dominican Republic.
Nano’s, encompasses the Dominican culture where
food is made fresh daily three times a day, with different plates having influences from around the world,
Pint Central | Argentine | www.pint-central.com
Author: Pint Central
PINT CENTRAL
1226 Central Avenue | Owners: Brothers Mario & Carlos Flynn
CENTRAL
By name only, one could expect a selection of beer at
Pint Central to appease even the most experienced
craft beer drinker, but what one would not expect at a
50-foot bar is high quality farm-to-fork cuisine. “Not
your regular bar food” has been spoken numerous
times by the patrons of Pint Central.
They feature Argentinean-influenced tapas and
entrées, which complement the 28 drafts, over 50
craft beer bottles, custom cocktails, local coffee (Pure
Intentions Coffee), and even kombuchas. First-generation Argentineans, brothers, Managers, and Owners
Mario and Carlos Flynn definitely have raised the bar
on bar food.
“We realized that most people have their preferred
bar where they spend their time drinking and their
preferred restaurant. We wanted to be both”, says
Mario. The Head Chef at Pint Central, Mario has
been a Chef for 10 years, learning the majority of his
skills from his mother and from the many restaurants
in which he has worked in the Charlotte area. After
being in the culinary field for many years, he decided
to attend Johnson and Wales for a culinary degree,
where he both excelled and honed his skill.
Formal culinary training helped him to realize the
importance of fresh ingredients. As such, his mother
makes their goat cheese, sausages, and grows loads
of the fresh veggies (squash, asparagus, tomatoes,
figs) and herbs used in dishes at their family farm in
Concord, NC. Such dishes include Argentinean classics like hand-made empanadas, churrasco, provoleta, milanesas, and chimichurri sirloin beef tips, as
well as other dishes inspired by American, European,
and Asian cuisines, like the beet panini, avocado egg
rolls, and the pork belly with house-made kimchi.
As Argentineans nationally consume, on average, 12
gallons per year of wine, the Flynn brothers decided
to have a well-curated wine selection. They boast 10
different quality Malbecs from Argentina, the world’s
main producer of that wine, and other delicious red,
white, and sparkling wines. They also feature custom
cocktails produced by the bar staff, who have been
trained under some of the area’s finest mixologists.
Not to forget the curated beer selection by Bar Manager Nate Devillers.
They have many recipes at Pint Central, but the one
recipe on which they rely is a warm atmosphere,
fresh quality ingredients, and an amazing beverage
selection. “When you walk in, we want you to feel
welcomed in the same way as if you were walking
into our house”, says Carlos, and customers do feel
welcomed in that way by the congenial staff, warm
atmosphere, and the constant presence of Mario or
Carlos.
Portofino’s Ristorante Italiano e Pizzeria | Italian | www.portofinos-us.com
Author: Rhiannon Bowman
PORTOFINO’S RISTORANTE
ITALIANO e PIZZERIA
3124 Eastway Drive #500 | Owner: Josh Coppola & Gino Villano
Portofino’s story is one of family, friends, and love of
food. Our story starts with two young men, Giosue
(Josh) and Luigi (Gino), who were childhood friends
in Naples, Italy. They immigrated to the United
States when they were very young – Josh to the
north, and Gino to the south.
friend, also became a manager during this time.
Josh went to New Jersey to work for his older brother, Valentino, who had opened a restaurant there.
Gino went to Winston-Salem, NC to work with his
cousin. When Gino’s and Josh’s paths crossed again,
they saw an opportunity to work together. This
joint venture was the birth of Portofino’s Ristorante
Italiano e Pizzeria as the two friends opened their
flagship restaurant on Eastway Drive in Charlotte in
July of 1996.
So remember, when you dine at Portofino’s Ristorante Italiano e Pizzeria, you are truly sitting at the
family’s table.
Most recently, Portofino’s at the Arboretum opened
in the summer of 2012. Carmela got married in
September 2008, and her husband Raffaele is the
manager at the Arboretum restaurant.
Josh’s little sister, Carmela, who followed in his footsteps via New Jersey, and Josh’s wife, Margherita,
helped open the first Portofino’s and were there for
the subsequent openings. Portofino’s on Park Road
opened in 2001.
The call of family beckoned, and big brother Valentino sold his restaurant in New Jersey, made his way
south to Charlotte and the third Portofino’s opened
on South Tryon Street at Ayrsley. Giovanni, a family
Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant | Ethiopian | www.queenshebacharlotte.com
Author: Karen Lockhart & Stephanie McKee
QUEEN SHEBA ETHIOPIAN
RESTAURANT
4808 Central Avenue | Owner: Noah Mesgane
Noah Mesgane was a patron at Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant before he was the owner. After years of
living in different places across the globe, he took a
job that brought him to Charlotte, and it was not long
before he discovered the Queen Sheba restaurant.
Noah felt at home with the food he was raised on (he
was born in Ethiopia of Eritrean parents) and saw
the potential in the restaurant to become a gathering place. When the opportunity came up to buy the
restaurant, he seized it and has been the owner since
February 2013.
Noah and his wife, Eden, have studied and worked in
many places from Africa and the Middle East to the
northwestern United States. Their background has
given them an appreciation for human and cultural
diversity, and they see the restaurant as a place to
share perspectives along with food. Noah offers an
“open mic” night each Wednesday to encourage
people to express opinions and dialogue about current issues, and this seems easy to do while sharing a
wonderful Ethiopian meal.
At Queen Sheba, you will find many healthy and
delicious items made from scratch. To start, avocado
salad and sambosas are very popular. Then share a
combination plate to enjoy several Ethiopian specialties such as Doro Wat (spicy chicken drumsticks),
Kitfo (beef seasoned with butter and spices), or YeBeg Key Wot (lamb slow cooked in spicy sauce).
The combination platters will also include miser
(lentils), salad, gomen (collard greens), cabbage,
string beans and fresh cheese. Injera, a kind of
spongy flatbread, is your fork: use it to scoop up the
wonderful flavors in front of you. And do not forget to
try the honey wine, which is a lovely complement to
the spicy food and made by a local Charlotte woman
just for the Queen Sheba restaurant. Coffee is also a
big part of the Ethiopian culture. Be sure to check out
the traditional coffee ceremony area while visiting
Queen Sheba.
The environment at Queen Sheba is open and welcoming, and the Ethiopian practice of sharing food at
your table makes for a great experience. Noah hopes
that the food will be a bridge between cultures, and
welcomes more and more people into the restaurant
for an amazing meal and open conversation.
Three Amigos | Mexican | www.threeamigoscharlotte.com
Author: Jarvis Holliday
THREE AMIGOS MEXICAN
GRILL AND CANTINA
2917-A Central Avenue | Owners: Dalton & Miriam Espaillat
You might like Mexican food, but if you haven’t
tasted the real thing--authenic Mexican fare like the
food you’ll find at Three Amigos, you’re missing out.
While the restaurant has been open for three years,
until May it was known as La Casa de Las Enchilada.
“La Casa de Las Enchilada was hard to say for American customers,” said Dalton Espaillat. “We were well
known [within the Mexican-American community],
but we changed the name to Three Amigos, something more people can relate to. I think before, some
people were afraid to come in because they weren’t
sure if we would have a bunch of people who don’t
speak English. Now we have bilingual staff. It’s something we’ve put a lot of effort into.”
Another thing your friends at Three Amigos put
great effort into is the food preparation. Everything
is made from scratch and with fresh ingredients. And
anything you eat there was prepared that day.
Everything is fresh and our food reflects that. It’s
original Mexican food—nothing Americanized.”
Three Amigos is most known for two things: its
enchiladas and its margaritas. One of the things that
makes the enchiladas so sought after is the mole
(pronounced mo-lee), a sauce made with 16 spices
that takes an entire day to make. And the margaritas
are made with fresh lime juice; no .margarita mix
here.
At Taste of the World, Espaillat said you can expect
a very traditional Mexican meal, “like you would eat
if you went to Mexico.” And if you’re looking for a
bargain, try the 99-cent tacos each weekday from 2-5
p.m.
“We don’t save any rice, beans, or cooked meat for
use the next day,” Espaillat said. “Usually Mexican
restaurants cook their rice for two or three days. We
don’t do that.
Woodlands | Vegetarian Indian | www.woodlandsusa.com
Author: Jarvis Holliday
WOODLANDS
7128-A Albemarle Road | Owners: Leslie & Agnes Lobo
As Americans strive to eat healthier, we can learn a
lot from natives of the East. At Woodlands Pure Vegetarian Indian Cuisine, where South Indian culture
has inspired the menu, you’ll do quite well without
meat. And freshness is the order of the day.
“Everything here is fresh. Nothing is made from
frozen [ingredients],” said Leslie Lobo, who owns the
east Charlotte restaurant with his wife Agnes.
Woodlands has developed a reputation for
serving some of the most authentic Indian food in
Charlotte, which is why people drive from all over
town—from parts of South Carolina to north of Huntersville, Lobo said.
They indulge in appetizers like the samosa
(fried potatoes, onions, and peas) and entrees like the
masala dosa (a large rice crepe filled with
vegetables). Variations of paneer (a vegetable and
cheese curry) are also popular among customers,
and the desserts, which aren’t as rich as many people
are used to, like the badam halwa (ground almonds
cooked in honey and butter) can be an interesting
jolt to the palate. Woodlands won the Best Appetizer
award at the 2012 Taste of Charlotte for their masala
dosa, and was awarded Most Unique Taste at the 2013
event.
But there are still plenty of people who are pleasantly
surprised when they stumble upon the restaurant
that’s tucked away in a nondescript building. Taste
of The World, which Woodlands has participated in
each year since its inception, has exposed its offerings to many first-timers.
“We’ve done it every year. I like the concept, and
it’s helpful for me and my community. We get new
customers who have never had my food. They like my
food and my price point,” said Lobo, who’s originally
from Bombay, India (now known as Mumbai).
The restaurant is open every day for lunch and
dinner, and if you want to experience a large sampling of the flavorful (some very spicy) dishes, you’ll
want to visit during the lunch buffet, which is only
offered on Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FOUNDED AND ORGANIZED BY E.A .S.T.
We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed Taste of the World, presented by the Eastland Area Strategies
Team (E.A.S.T.). E.A.S.T. is a volunteer board representing businesses, non-profits, civic organizations and
neighborhoods created to develop and strengthen the economic and social capital in the greater East area.
In addition to the extremely popular Taste of the World, always a quick sell-out, E.A.S.T. is working presently to bring together key stakeholders to support local businesses and to brand the area; to honor our
history by saving the Eastland “Rising Sun” Icons; to let others know the many opportunities available here
through our website and Facebook; and to advocate for positive economic development, transit options and
quality of life.
To learn more about E.A.S.T., go to www.CharlotteEast.com or “like” us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/TOTW.Charlotte. Want to help? Contact [email protected].
From the beginning, founders Nancy Plummer & Dr. Nini Bautista and the E.A.S.T. Board have brought
together neighborhood and community volunteers, supportive sponsors and willing neighborhood restaurants. You are bus guides, restaurant coordinators, on-site volunteers and those who work tirelessly behind
the scenes - over 90 volunteers this year! You know who you are - and we cannot thank you enough!
Our thanks go to our Web Master Carol Sawyer for her tireless efforts promoting “All Things EAST” through
our website, Facebook, and newsletters; the Levine Museum of the New South; the traditional string band
The Kollard Kings — featuring Tom Estes on banjo, Donny Murray on guitar, Tom Hanchett on fiddle, and
Michael Plumley on bass; The Charlotte Museum of History; music by Ron and Jane Brendle; The Dance
Troupe presented by Xiao Song and the Little Lotus Company; TOTW Steering Committee Members Maureen Gilewski, Kay Peninger, Tamela Fennell, Maddy Baer, Letty Ketner, Tracy Ryals, Frank Quattrocchi,
Brooks Shelley, Nimish Bhatt, George Hite, and Brenda Slade; Kelly Reddecliff for assisting with the restaurant features/photos; Colonial Florist, Raymond Chance, and Nancy Carter for their donations towards the
flowers at the event; Karen Sullivan for promotional support; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department;
WBTV; and to our exceptional event consultant Cassie Garrett of All the Trim Events by Design, LLC and
Carmen Garrighan, Taste Guide designer.
Thanks also to Charlotte Chamber of Commerce President Bob Morgan; Nancy Pierce of Nancy Pierce
Photography; Dr. Nini Bautista and Nancy Plummer. Further thanks to International House, Midwood Baptist Church, The Vine UMC, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Plaza Presbyterian Church, International Minute Press, Shook Kelley, The Nichols Company and the E.A.S.T. Board.
,
John Hadley, Taste of the World Chair and Louise Woods, Taste of the World Vice-Chair
Billy Maddalon and Therese Bohn, E.A.S.T. Co-Chairs
TASTE OF THE WORLD I WITH APPRECIATION 43

October 2, 2014 - Charlotte EAST

Transcription

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