Top Three Restaurants for a Romantic Evening in Charlotte, North Carolina

You know there's nobody like that special guy or gal in your life, so what are you waiting for? Treat them to a romantic night out in Charlotte, NC that won't soon be forgotten...you lucky dog, you...

The Melting Pot--This is the perfect spot for a cozy, intimate evening. I'm not sure if my date called ahead and asked for a "special table," but we were tucked away into such a cozy corner that no other guest could walk past our table on the way to the bar or restroom.

The server brings a cooking pot and all the ingredients you and your beloved need to cook, dip and eat, but be prepared to drop a little cash (small price to pay for a night to remember!)

Plus, you and your date will need to make a decision--will your four course meal consist of Fondue Feast at $78 per couple, Fondue Fusion at $88 per couple, or Lobster Indulgence at $92 per couple? The Fondue Fusion and Lobster Indulgence come with lobster tail, pork, tuna, chicken breast, shrimp, vegetable dumplings and fresh vegetables. If you're not into lobster, the Fondue Fusion has everything but the lobster.

Choose your own cooking style, such as Coq au Vin, with fresh herbs and mushrooms. There are plenty of cheese fondues, too-try the Traditional Cheese Fondue with Gruyere and Emmenthaler Swiss cheeses, white wine, garlic, nutmeg, lemon and Kirschwasser). Finish up by dipping sweets in decadent chocolate.

Two Melting Pot Charlotte locations:
901 South Kings Drive- 704-334-4400
230 East WT Harris Blvd - 704-548-2432.

Bentley's on 27-This is definitely for a special occasion and since when is romance not? Located on the 27^th floor of the Charlotte Plaza Building, this one of a kind restaurant offers a panoramic view of the city, tableside service, in which classic French dishes are prepared tableside with the use of a gueridon, a mobile cooking cart.

Start the evening with an appetizer, such as Roasted Tiger Prawns, which includes applewood smoked bacon, black bean salad and yellow corn emulsion for $16 or the Crispy Brie Salad with a Jim Beam Glaze for $14.

Share the Chateaubriand Bouquetiere, 18 oz. tenderloin made for two, with asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, Potato Dauphinoise and Red Wine Reduction for $66. Or strike out on your own with a 6 oz. filet and the seafood of your choice, such as king crab legs and lobster tail, $58 and $50 respectively. These combinations are served with whipped potatoes, asparagus, crabmeat and béarnaise sauce.

There's also an extensive wine list, with prices ranging from the mid-thirties for a bottle of Pinot Grigio to $400 for a 1990 bottle of Dom Perignon "Oenotheque" Special Release.

Location for Bentley's on 27:
27^th Floor Charlotte Plaza
201 S. College Street - 704-343-9201

McNinch House Restaurant

If you want to impress your date, turn on the southern charm at the McNinch House Restaurant, housed in a turn of the century Victorian home in Charlotte's historic Fourth Ward.

You'll dine in ambiance in this Queen Anne style house, once the home of former Charlotte mayor Sam McNinch, who served from 1905 to 1907. McNinch issued an invitation to President Taft, who visited and stayed overnight in the home that has won nine consecutive Four Diamond Designations from AAA and has been voted Charlotte's Most Romantic Restaurant by both customers and critics.

Diners choose from three options, Grand, a seven-course meal with nine entrée choices at $89 per person, Premier, a five-course meal with seven entrée choices for $79 per person, and Bistro, a four-course meal with 5 entrée choices for $59 per person. Depending on the chosen option, meals come with appetizer, salad, sorbet, soup, cheese and dessert.

The Grand menu offers Elysian Fields Rack of Lamb with Rosemary-Mustard crust, Maitake Mushrooms, Creamy White Beans, Wilted Kale and a Burgundy Lamb jus. From the Grand and Premier menus, come the Roasted Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast and Pulled Duck Confit, Yellow Corn Polenta, Braised Red Cabbage, and Dried Cranberry-Walnut Chutney.

The Bistro menu (Grand and Premier, too) boasts Prosciutto-Wrapped Organically Raised King Salmon, Grass Fed Beef and Braised Short Rib with Gruyere Potato Puree, Pork Osco Bucco and Creamy Black Pepper Ricotta Gnocchi.

So sit back in style and revel in the knowledge you'll be well taken care of at McNinch House Restaurant, which will give you two ample time to concentrate on each other!

Location for McNinch House Restaurant
511 North Church Street - 704-332-6159

www.meltingpot.com

http://www.bentleyson27.com

http://www.mcninchhouserestaurant.com