Charlotte Restaurant Week July 20-29

There are only a few times when I actually enjoy a “week” being more than 7 days. Charlotte Craft Beer Week (11days in 2012) is one and the other is Charlotte Restaurant Week (10 days), which kicks off this Friday. It’s a simple yet genius concept where restaurants put together a menu with several 3 course dinners for $30. A little more than 100 restaurants across Charlotte are participating and CRW is a great excuse to try a new restaurant and take advantage of a good deal.

South End has 4 participating restaurants this year: The Liberty Gastropub, Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Pewter Rose and Sullivan’s Steakhouse. I’ve eaten at these restaurants more times than I should admit but they are all delicious and all very unique from one another.  Review each Restaurant Week menus below and make certain to go online and make a reservation soon so you don’t miss out.

The Liberty Gastropub

1812 South Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28203 704-332-8830 www.thelibertycharlotte.com

Reserve online now

The Liberty is Charlotte’s first gastropub. Owners Tom Condron and Matthew Pera have opened a casual spot with great food and drink at a reasonable price. Enjoy chef-driven comfort food, 20 beers on tap (50 more in a bottle!), 30 wines by the glass, a unique dining room, and Charlotte’s most comfortable bar.
Named one of the “25 Best Restaurants” by Charlotte Magazine, 2011.

To Begin

• Georgia Boiled Peanuts – Old Bay seasoning!

Small Plates (choice of one)

• Local Silver Queen Bisque – with buttered poached with Maine lobster, white truffle oil & crispy “oyster” crackers
• White, Red, Baby & French Round Carrot Salad – mâche, raitha, red sumac, raisin purée & pistachio
• Grilled Italian Burrata – with marinated mushroom salad, lemon, arugula, pickled onions & Benton’s country ham
• Heirloom Tomato Salad – with local melons, sheep’s milk feta, California olives, micro basil, & avocado Green Goddess dressing
• Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi “Alla Carbonara” – with English peas, guanciale & farmer’s market organic eggs

Large Plates (choice of one)

• Roasted Alaskan Line-Caught King Salmon – with fresh shell bean succotash, rocket greens, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes & cucumbers
• Southern Seafood Boil – with fresh local white shrimp, James Island littleneck clams, black mussels, crab stuffed mushrooms, house-made andouille, red rose potatoes, garlic butter corn on the cob
• Green Garlic & Summer Artichoke Pistou – with heirloom white beans, fava beans, grilled trumpet royale mushrooms & conserved tomatoes
• Double “R” Ranch Flat Iron Steak – with goat cheese roasted potatoes, wild spicy cress, skillet bacon-onion jam & portobello mushroom
• The Lucky Gastro-Pig – slow roasted shoulder of Long & Bailey Duroc pork with fresh corn tortillas, pickled pineapple, chile roasted peanuts, pickled jalapenos, lettuce cups & more!  Some assembly required…

Sweets (choice of one)

• Lemon Meringue Pie in a Jar – with candied lemon peel, mint & lambic-marinated raspberries
• Salted Caramel Budino – with chocolate cookie crust, white chocolate & fresh local cream
• Deep Fried Carolina Peach Pie – Bourbon & brown sugar caramel & French vanilla ice cream
• Milk Chocolate Mousse & White Chocolate Brownie – chocolate ganache & chocolate porter sauce

Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

325 Arlington Avenue, Suite 108 Charlotte, NC 28203 704-370-0100 www.nikkosushibar.net

Reserve online now

Nikko Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar has a high energy atmosphere with a contemporary style.  We are known for innovative, excellent, award-winning sushi including the finest modern Japanese cuisine.  Nikko has the feel of a upscale New York City restaurant with the promise to be hot and sexy.  We have an assortment of over 300 bottles of fine wines and a full bar and feature a private dining room with a full projection for any special occasion.  Joanna’s welcoming personality with feather boa, trademark cowboy hat, and tambourine overwhelms guests with “Sushi Love” when sake bombs are requested.

Appetizer (choice of one))

• Edamame – steamed and salted soy beans
• Gyoza – steamed, pan fried, or deep fried beef dumplings
• Kalbi – charbroiled Korean-style BBQ ribs with a side of cucumber kimchi
• Firecracker Popcorn Shrimp – flash-fried shrimp tossed with spicy gochujang sauce
• Vegetable Spring – seven-spice sauteed vegetables in crispy spring rolls

Entrée (choice of one)

• Sashimi Deluxe – steamed rice, 15 pieces of sashimi–Chef’s finest selection
• Sushi Deluxe – tuna roll, 8 pieces of nigiri–Chef’s finest selection
• Teriyaki (choice of one:  N.Y. Strip, Chicken, Shrimp, Salmon OR Tofu) – served with stir fry vegetables and a choice of steamed or fried rice

Dessert

• Tempura Ice Cream – choice of red bean, mango, or green tea

Pewter Rose

1820 South Boulevard, Suite 109 Charlotte, NC 28203 704-332-8149 www.pewterrose.com

Reserve online now

Pewter Rose is an eclectic fine dining bistro and metropolitan night club offering internationally American food and wine since 1986. The location is less than one mile from the uptown business district, in the heart of historic South End and the Dilworth neighborhood. Pewter Rose’s menu draws on the diverse, ethnic and cultural heritage of the United States, relating it to the palate of the region. Local produce, fresh seafood, poultry, beef, pork, game meats, and vegetarian items are all interpreted in unique yet “comfortable” ways. Emphasizing French and California wines, the extensive wine list consists of more than 250 selections, including 18-20 wines by the glass, and has received numerous awards from the prestigious Wine Spectator Magazine.

Wine (choice of one)

• Glass of house red or white

First course (choice of one)

• Strawberry Walnut Salad – mixed greens, candied walnuts, Maytag bleu cheese, housemade herb ranch
• Ahi Tuna Tataki – pickled seaweed, shaved cucumber, julienne carrots, tahini soy vinaigrette
• Hummus – pepperoncinis, pickle chips, Kalamata olives, pickled jalapeno, warm naan bread

Second course (choice of one)

• Cumin-Dusted Bistro Filet – roasted garlic whipped potatoes, wilted spinach, cremini mushrooms, red wine demiglace
• Andouille Crusted Flounder – corn & pea succotash, Wanchese Bay NC scallops
• Airline Chicken Breast – apricot mustard, haricot verts, chilled cous cous & dried fruit

Third course (choice of one)

• Rosemary’s Decadent Chocolate Cake – warm chocolate ganache
• Lemon Pound Cake – mixed berry compote

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

1928 South Boulevard, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28203 704-335-8228 www.sullivansteakhouse.com

Reserve online now

We are located just down from the intersection with East Boulevard.  We have a well-appointed private dining room that seats up to 70, a wonderful semi-private area called the Library, an enchanting patio, a very popular bar with live jazz every night, and a very inviting main dining room.  Sullivan’s steaks are cut to order in-house, and our sides are served family style and meant to be shared.  We also offer a variety of seafood dishes. Then there are the mouth-watering desserts: Warm Chocolate Brownie Cake and Crème Brulee are just the beginning.  Our fully stocked bar includes a complete inventory of bourbon, cognac, and single malt scotch, as well as an award-winning wine list.

First course (choice of one)

• Our Signature Wedge – crisp iceberg lettuce, bleu cheese crumbles, diced Roma tomatoes, & house made bleu cheese dressing
• The Classic Caesar – freshly cubed Romaine lettuce & garlic croutons tossed with traditional Caesar dressing, topped with shredded Parmesan
• Steakhouse Mixed Greens – chef’s choice of mixed greens, diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes and tossed with balsamic vinaigrette

Second course (choice of one)

• Broiled 8 oz. Filet – served with horseradish mashed potatoes & sautéed green beans
• Broiled 12 oz. NY Strip – served with horseradish mashed potatoes & sautéed green beans
• Broiled Atlantic Salmon Fillet – topped with crabmeat & Thai sauce over jasmine fried rice
• Oven Roasted Chicken Breast – herb marinated with lemon picatta sauce, served with oven roasted potatoes & sautéed green beans

Third course (choice of one)

• Bananas Foster Bread Pudding – housemade bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, & mint garnish
• Chocolate Mousse – with fresh strawberries & whipped cream
• Mango Sorbet – double scoop of mango sorbet with almond tuille-