by Marty Minchin

Created on: April 14, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

Uptown Charlotte's restaurants are a vital part of this city's urban core, offering everything from North African cuisine to meals built around food from local farms. Whether you are staying uptown or driving in for a meal, you won't be disappointed at the selection or the ambiance.

All of these restaurants are rich in atmosphere and excellent food. They also are well-situated for a post-dinner stroll around beautiful uptown Charlotte or for checking in on the city's thriving nightlife. Here are some of uptown's most outstanding places to dine:

Bentley's on 27
27th floor of the Charlotte Plaza
201 South College St.
704-343-9201

Bentley's offers possibly the best view in Charlotte, a look at the city from the 27th floor of the Grant Thornton building. The restaurant's windows overlook the uptown skyline and south Charlotte, providing a gorgeous backdrop to your meal. Longtime restauranteur Jim Emad opened Bentley's on 27 several years ago, wanting to bring a sense of the theatrical back to the dining room.

Emad has achieved that with the restaurant's dramatic views and by presenting his food on a gueridon, a French cooking cart used for tableside service. Entrees include classic French-stlye dishes such as stuffed shrimp provencal, filet mignon and steak au poivre. The menu is heavy on seafood, but it also includes a few chicken and beef dishes, and the chefs will accommodate vegetarian diners. Bentley's offers a bar and an extensive wine list.

To maximize your dining experience, arrive early or call ahead to reserve a window seat and enjoy the sunset while you eat. Entrees range from $22 to $64.

Blue Restaurant and Bar
Corner of 5th and College streets
704-927-2583

For multi-cultural dining, try eating at Blue. The restaurant is known for its cool atmosphere, Mediterranean-style food and unique dishes, such as wild boar. The menu is drawn from the foods of Spain, France, Greece, Italy and Morocco, and the restaurant is popular for its harmonious paring of flavorful food and live music.

Blue offers a $34.95 three-course prix fixe menu, which includes soup or salad, an entree and a dessert. Regular menu selections include lamb tagine and mushroom bolognaise, and Blue's seasonal choices can range from osso buco to "crispy chicken" from a local farm. Diners rave about the molten chocolate cake.

Reservations are recommended, and a live jazz band plays in the late evenings Thursday-Sunday. Entrees are between $30 and $50.

McNinch House
511 North Church St.
704-332-6159

Dining is elevated

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