Peppervine is a fine dining restaurant located in the SouthPark neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina. Dinner is offered Monday through Saturday with brunch on Sunday. The décor inside Peppervine is breathtaking. Wooden sculptures hang from the ceilings. Wine cellars with glass windows offer a glimpse of critically acclaimed bottles. Beautiful art canvases are scattered throughout the dining space. The magnificent furnishings are reason enough to visit Peppervine for a cocktail.     

Guests visiting Peppervine will not be disappointed with their seasonal menu. A wide range of seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes are available. The menu is separated between small and large plates. Small plates are generally the size of an appetizer. Large plates can serve as one person's main entrée. During my visit to Peppervine, three small plates and four large plates were ordered for a table of four.

One of the small plates was the popular Yeast Rolls. The order of Yeast Rolls comes in a cast iron tray with six buttery rolls. Ashley and I split an order of the Roasted Beets. We were impressed with the complex flavor profile of the dish. The Poached Pear & Arugula Salad was split between another couple. They thought the salad was very good and would order it again. 

Our server recommended George's Bank Scallops and Charred Korean Beef Rib among the large plates available. Ashley ordered the scallops and thoroughly enjoyed it. Four large scallops were perfectly cooked with a nice crust on top. The parsnip cream paired well with the scallops and roasted vegetables. 

I ordered the Charred Korean Beef Rib. I was surprised by the generous portion of bone-in beef. The Korean sauce smothering the meat was excellent. The beef was very tender and easy to pull of the bone. I liked the poached egg inclusion in the basmati "fried rice." Mixing the rice and beef together offered a colorful and flavorful combination. However, I found the rice was underwhelming when eaten separately. I would recommend this dish to anyone that enjoys a great piece of beef and Asian-inspired cuisine. Ashley and I shared Peppervine's olive oil cake for dessert. While I thought the cake was a tad dry, Ashley found it tasty. I would have liked it more with the delectable whipped cream served on top. ​

While I have praised the decorations and food, I need to save a few compliments for the wine list. Peppervine's extensive wine selection is found on an Apple Ipad. Guests are able to search and scroll through bottles of wine from all over the world. There were some fantastic bottles available to celebrate a special occasion. If you are looking for a bottle of wine under $75, I would recommend ordering one from their menu featuring wine by the glass. Ashley and I enjoyed a bottle of the Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir. We like Willamette Valley Pinots and this one did not disappoint.   

The service we received at Peppervine was above average compared to other experiences in Charlotte. Our server was attentive, informative, and accommodating throughout the evening. Unfortunately, we did have one issue when our server went missing while we waited for the check. Beyond the service blemish, our evening at Peppervine was delicious and enjoyable. I believe Peppervine is one of the best restaurants in SouthPark and highly recommend it.   

Indaco is an Italian cuisine restaurant located in Charlotte, North Carolina’s South End neighborhood. It is part of the Atherton Mill shopping and dining center. Indaco offers lunch and dinner daily with a full bar. According to their website, a half-priced pizza happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
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I had the opportunity to dine at Indaco during Charlotte's Restaurant Week. Indaco was offering items on their normal menu as part of three courses for $35. My wife and I, along with another couple, visited Indaco for dinner on Thursday January 23rd, 2020. We were promptly greeted at the entrance and was informed of a small wait. The hostess recommended we grab a drink at the bar and thanked us for our patience. Once a table opened, we were seated in the upper level of the restaurant. 

First Course
Ashley and I choose different items to try per our server's recommendations. We ordered the Fried Artichokes and Calabrese-Style Sausage pizza as our first course. The artichokes were flavorful, but not as outstanding as I had hoped. However, our Calabrese-Style Sausage pizza was great and something I would order again. Ashley and I also thought the Calabrese-Style Sausage was a better choice that the Littleneck Clams pizza our friends ordered. In addition, our friends ordered the Burrata as a first course option. It was a delightful dish with fresh burrata cheese, butternut squash puree, and prosciutto. The bowl was empty by the time our second course arrived at the table.

Second Course
Each person had a choice among pastas and other entrées for their second course. Ashley ordered the Agnolotti; a pasta dish consisting of braised pork shoulder, mozzarella, and Pecorino in a red sauce. I ordered the Squid Ink Orecchiette with shrimp, saffron, and Parmesan in a red sauce. Both pasta dishes contained rich flavors and aroma. I would recommend either pasta dish depending on personal preference for meat or seafood. Our friends ordered two of the Pappardelle. This pasta option contains ragu alla bolognese, Parmesan, and parsley. They thoroughly enjoyed it as well. All the pasta dishes I saw served around us looked fantastic. Next time, Ashley wants to try the Bucatini. This pasta is Indaco's version of a Cacio e Pepe. 

Third Course
​Indaco offered five different dessert options for restaurant week. Ashley ordered the Chocolate Budino; a combination of caramel, whipped cream, and a sweet biscuit. I asked for only Limoncello Sorbet, while our friends tried the Panna Cotta. None of us typically order desserts, but we all thought they contained fresh and flavorful ingredients.

Wine 
There are many affordable options on Indaco’s wine list. Wine by the glass and bottle are available. Most wine bottles on the list are Italian. There are wines available for pairing with many Italian dishes on the menu. We ordered two bottles of the 2016 Melini Terrarosa Chianti Classico DOCG. This Chianti is ruby-red with hints of dark cherry and raspberry.  I would recommend this wine to anyone looking for an all-around solid choice at Indaco.

Service
The service we received at Indaco exceeded expectations; especially, during restaurant week. Our server listened to our questions and provided excellent recommends. We were not disappointed in anything brought to the table. Our server checked on us intermittently and never left glasses empty. We enjoyed our dining experience and plan to return soon.

Angeline's is an Italian-inspired restaurant located in Charlotte's Uptown. The restaurant is also connected to the Kimpton Hotel. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are available via Open Table. 

Ashley and I went to Angeline's for a New Year's Eve dinner. We dined with another couple in Uptown to celebrate the holiday. This marked our second visit to the restaurant in about a year. Angeline's offered a special multi-course dinner for $75 a person. The special menu offered many options for the appetizer, pasta, entree, and dessert courses. A wine paring with each course was available for $35 a person. The normal dinner menu was also available. Our friends opted for the multi-course dinner while Ashley and I selected items from the regular menu.  

The food at Angeline's is one of the main reasons we went to visit again. We ordered the Charred Octopus for the table as an appetizer. It was a sizable and delicious portion to share. Our next course of food included multiple pasta dishes. Our friends had the stuffed ravioli on the special menu. Ashley ordered the Spaghetti Chitarra, while I ordered the Vongole. I had asked for the Vongole to be prepared without butter. I was appreciative that Angeline's was able to accommodate this request.  All three pasta dishes were outstanding. I would recommend any option for a future visit. 

We decided to share two bottles of wine in lieu of the wine pairing. The restaurant's sommelier assisted us with selecting our first bottle of Nebbiolo. The wine was a nice balance of dryness and fruity aromas. He did a good job listening to each person's interests and recommended something that pleased the table. Our second bottle was one of Angeline's more affordable Barolo bottles. This wine choice was a better pairing with our steak entree. Both of our wine bottles were very good. While I believe Angeline's bottle prices are higher than average for a restaurant, I was not disappointed with what was ordered.

​Our waiter did a fabulous job answering questions and catering requests. The food was brought out in the correct course order. Everything we ate and drank exceeded expectations. The only downside to our evening was how long it took for the food to come out. We were seated at 9 p.m. and did not leave the restaurant until 12:10 a.m. A multi-course meal does take time to enjoy, but I did not expect a three-hour dinner. 

Angeline's food, wine, and service impressed me for a second time. My wife and I enjoy the upscale atmosphere, service, and Italian-inspired cuisine. I would recommend Angeline's fine dining experience for any special occasion or gathering with friends.  

Over the holiday season, I went on a comedy bus tour for a friend's birthday celebration. We went on a Friday evening, rated R tour offered by Funny Bus. The comedy tour is a one and a half hour bus ride through various parts of Charlotte, North Carolina. The price for the tour was $30.00 per person. The bus stop is located across 7th Street Public Market and next to First Ward Park. A tour guide and driver hosted 28 passengers. Our bus was fully booked for the 6 p.m. time slot. We were allowed to bring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on the bus. Seats on the bus are a first come, first serve basis. On the particular tour I experienced, the bus traveled through NoDa, South End, and other Charlotte neighborhoods. We stopped halfway through the tour for restrooms and beverage purchases at Heist Brewery.

The tour offered a comedic take on the history of Charlotte. While traveling through the city, our guide pointed out historic landmarks and shared interesting information. He also threw out various jokes to engage the audience. The majority of the historical information was new to me. Each member of our group learned something new about Charlotte during the tour. Our guide did a great job entertaining and interacting with everyone. It was clear that our guide was well versed in this specific tour.     

I thought the comedy tour was a great experience for out of town guests and current residents of Charlotte. The tour also accommodates large groups of people. I would recommend taking friends and family on the tour who want a unique experience while visiting Charlotte. The Funny Bus Comedy City Tour is a good option for celebrating your next special occasion or outing in Uptown.