At Long Last

I know that I have been neglecting you, faithful readers, but my new job has kept me so busy that I haven't been able to update lately.  Today's post will be the first in a series of three that will chronicle my food adventures (and misadventures) during a recent trip to Charlotte, NC.

During my trip, my coworkers and I attended a business dinner at Andrew Blair's Comfortable Dining, a cozy restaurant on the outskirts of downtown Charlotte.  The waitstaff was very accomodating of our large (26 hungry associates) party; our wine and water glasses were always filled, and they were not cowed by any of our special (strange) requests.

For my appetizer I had marinated artichoke hearts stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto, and finished with a balsamic drizzle.  The combination of flavors was spot on; the tangy goat cheese contrasted nicely with the saltiness of the prosciutto and the sweetness of the balsamic.  It was much more elegant than most of the artichoke applications that appear on standard appetizer menus (like spinach and artichoke dip).

Next, I had a small cup of French onion soup, and this was the one big disappointment of the night.  The onions weren't caramelized at all; some of them were actually a little crunchy.  The soup desperately needed salt, and the broth was extremely beefy, as though it were a beef stew instead of French onion soup.  None of the flavors were harmonious, and the meal would have been much better if I had just bypassed the soup altogether.

I completed my meal with the stuffed pork tenderloin.  The pork was perfectly cooked (done, but not dry), and the stuffing of apples and onions added a nice sweetness.  The pork was served with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini, and the plate was finished with an apple cider reduction.  The broccolini needed more seasoning, but that was my only complaint as the rest of my main course was savory, filling, and left me feeling quite satisfied.

Final Impressions: This joint is classy, yet casual.  You should feel comfortable bringing a date, or hitting up Andrew Blair's for a night out with the girls (or guys). There is a full bar with several specialty drink options, an extensive wine and beer list, and if you just avoid the French onion soup, you'll have a fun (and tasty) time.

Tiffany's Favorite Part: Prosciutto wrapped artichoke hearts

Tiffany's Rating: :) :) :) out of :) :) :) :)

Andrew Blair's Comfortable Dining
1600 Montford Drive
Charlotte, NC 28209
(705) 525-8282

Average Appetizer Price: $7-$14
Average Salad/Sandwich Price: $10-$16
Average Main Course Price: $17-$28
Average Dessert Price: $6-$10

Operating Hours
Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday 5:00pm-10:00pm
Bar Service: Tuesday-Saturday 5:00-until

Comments

[Italian Food Lover]

Thank you for sharing the information. I would like to recommend eating at Vivace which offers great Italian cuisine. I have eaten at Vivace a few times and must say I had a wonderful dining experience.

[Scott]

Vivace is a really wonderful place to go with friends - great vibe and excellent food! The food is beyond compare!