Amazing Charlotte Restaurant Week Finds During Weekend Out And About
This past weekend was a perfect storm of good fortune in the fun department.Β For the first time in I don’t know how long, we literally had NOTHING on the books.Β No commitments.Β I was prepared (and looking forward to) a weekend of staying home, indoors (damn, it was cold) and watching playoff football.Β Then our best friends called.Β Reservations had been made for Charlotte Restaurant Week shenanigans for both Friday and Saturday nights.Β So, get off the couch and get ready.Β WOW.Β That’s the word for what we added to our life repertoire this weekend.Β Wow.Β Amazing find number one…
Friday Night-Deluxe Fun Dining
The best part of attacking restaurant week with our crew is that we’re 100% up for new places and experiences where we literally have NO IDEA what to expect.Β Deluxe Fun Dining is just such a spot.Β By looking at the menu, it sort of prepares for whimsy.Β However, it in no way does the place justice.Β Deluxe Fun Dining does not disappoint any expectation with its name.Β From drinks to entrees, everything was a sensory eye-opener.Β And that’s before the Vegas-like showgirl dancers just appeared out of the clouds by the time dessert arrived.Β The key word for Deluxe Fun Dining is PRESENTATION.Β It is WAYYY over the top.Β Which is good, as long as the food and drink live up to it.Β The food at Deluxe Fun Dining exceeds the presentation hype.Β And that’s a tough ask.Β Deluxe Fun Dining was a truly amazing find on our weekend out during Charlotte Restaurant Week.
Saturday Night-Runaway Whiskey & Wine
Okay, as great as the experience of Friday night at Deluxe Fun Dining was, THE find for us this weekend during Charlotte’s Restaurant Week is Runaway Whiskey & Wine.Β EVERYTHING about this place is, in a word, perfect.Β First off, I love the location.Β It’s downtown, but NOT downtown.Β By that I mean, you’re definitely in the city, but its location is by itself and free of expensive and mandatory parking fees.Β Sorry, these lots are the bane of my existence when hanging out in downtown Charlotte.Β Anyway, if I was overjoyed by the parking situation (even though we took an Uber), I have no words for the positive emotions once we walked inside.Β The craft cocktail scene is DEFINITELY on the rise in the Queen City.Β If you’re looking for a place that’s already got if figured out, look no further than Runaway Whiskey & Wine.Β From ambiance to, cocktails, to food, I just don’t think RW&W has a peer right now.Β If I was to recommend to someone coming in from out of town a place to go, Runaway Whiskey & Wine is atop the list.Β An unreal find on our weekend out during Charlotte Restaurant Week.
Saturday Night-The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar
Since Uber was doing the driving, our crew decided to make an after dinner stop at The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar.Β Be warned.Β First, this is a private club (because of the smoking indoors).Β However, you can visit for the night for a $10 guest fee.Β Warning number 2:Β this is a cigar bar.Β Even though it’s amazingly ventilated, if you or someone in your party is sensitive to smoke, this ain’t your place.Β And warning number 3:Β even though women are welcome and there were plenty there (including our wives), this really felt like a guy’s joint.Β The enormous and well-stocked humidor is on point.Β And as far as the cocktail menu goes?Β Well, I’m a sucker for a good old fashioned, especially if it’s smoked.Β VW&CB’s offering is “Table side, decanted, smoked, old fashioned service.”Β Um…uh…yes, please.Β For this alone, The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar makes the list of amazing finds on our weekend out during Charlotte Restaurant Week.
10 Fun Vodka Cocktails To Try That Aren't A Vodka Soda
