Dear Mr. President,
Forget the state of the economy, medical insurance issues, and the never ending tax-rate debate--politics just isn't my cup of macaroni and cheese, if you will. As a fervent foodie based in Charlotte, the host city of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, I am writing you to advise you on the Queen City's culinary scene. North Carolina is the birthplace of Cheerwine, Bojangles', and Texas Pete hot sauce and there's much more to our food than collard greens, pimento cheese, and sweet tea.
North Carolina barbecue—not to be confused with the chicken- and ketchup-based goop you find up north—is the heart of Charlotte's food scene. Down here in Charlotte, where barbecue is a noun not a verb, it means pork cooked low and slow and finished with a tangy vinegar-based sauce. There are several barbecue joints around town, but my favorite is Midwood Smokehouse. Their custom built wood-burning smoker fills the restaurant with an intoxicating aroma—if it weren't for that smell, I reckon I'd still be a vegetarian.
In addition to barbecue, Charlotte is a big burger town. Top-ranked burger joints include Bad Daddy's Burger Bar and the Liberty, which is also well known for its Devils on Horseback and salted caramel budino. If you're hit with a bout of indecisiveness, check out the Cowfish, which specializes in burgers, sushi, and burgushi. Oh yes, burgushi. I understand bipartisanship is important to you, Mr. President, so I highly recommend you also stop by both the Penguin and the Diamond. These two spots have quite the storied rivalry, and both claim to offer the best fried pickles in the city. Come to think of it, there are at least a dozen spots in town with the "best" fried pickles. Jarrod of Dixie Dish swears the best can only be found at Pinky's Westside Grill.
Do you like Italian food, Mr. President? Mama Ricotta's is the top ranked Italian restaurant in the city, and their warm goat cheese and mascarpone dip is so good it's downright stupefying. Homemade gnocchi is surprisingly popular in Charlotte, and you can find some of the finest at Portofino's and Dolce. If you're searching for a good slice of pie, try out Hawthorne's New York Pizza, which has been voted the best pizza in Charlotte for several years running, or check out Intermezzo Pizzeria (and be sure to try their homemade ravioli while you're there).
Here I am drooling over thoughts of garlic knots and brisket Sloppy Joes, and not a word about breakfast. My apologies, Mr. President! My favorite breakfast spot is Toast Café, not only for their toast (which is astonishingly fluffy) but also for the southwest chorizo scramble and the peanut-butter-banana-stuffed French toast. Special for the 2012 election season, Toast Café is holding an official omelet poll. You'll be happy to hear that the Obamelet is beating out the Romnelet by large margins. Since I'm admittedly biased, I took the liberty of asking Curtis of the top-ranked Charlotte blog Urbanfoodlife for his breakfast recommendation. He stands firmly behind the Bunny Rancheros at Zada Jane's Corner Cafe.
Tapas restaurants are sprouting up all over the city, and my favorite small plates are the sausage-stuffed poblano pepper at Dandelion Market and the roasted garlic pesto flatbread at Soul Gastrolounge. To be honest, I was initially opposed to the small serving sizes, but then I realized the concept gave me free rein to steal food off the plates of others. Not that I'm advocating theft, Mr. President, just gluttony.
Fine dining establishments are somewhat sparse in Charlotte. Local food bloggers Kelly of Foodie Fresh and Vanessa of Life Undeveloped rave over The Fig Tree's elk chop and escargot (a rare find in the city), which is served in a creamy gorgonzola sauce. Personally, I've got my eyes set on their lobster hushpuppies. Another option is Customshop, which is home to the best charcuterie in town. Laura of Chef Laura at Home highly recommends their barbecue octopus.
I would be negligent if I did not end this culinary guide with dessert. Charlotteans and visitors alike rave over Bistro La Bon's bourbon brioche bread pudding, Ten Park Lanes' moonshine pecan pie, and Amelie's salted caramel brownies, which have a cult following. If you can have only one dessert during your trip to Charlotte, you must go with a Carolina classic: the banana pudding with Nilla wafers from Mert's Heart and Soul.
Well Mr. President, I hope this letter leaves you feeling well-versed in Charlotte's culinary pleasures and ready to embrace this city with an open mouth and a pocket full of Tums.
For your reference, here's a link to the Urbanspoon guide I created for the DNC. I'm Mary Cowx, and I approve this message.
Post written for Urbanspoon by Mary Cowx from Fervent Foodie
Source: http://www.urbanspoon.com/blog/99/Urbanspoon-Travel-Guide-Charlotte-the-DNC-edition.html
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