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| - Okay, to be totally fair, I would give this place another half star if Yelp let me. Also, I've been to as many gastropubs in California as my waistline will allow, so I don't mean to discourage the fledgling gastropub scene here in Charlotte. But, I can't help but compare.
The good:
The bartenders on the first floor are always *phenomenal* and the mixed cocktails they serve are innovative and well-crafted. Absolutely try the fig cocktail, which is a great unisex drink: fairly sweet for the girls, but full-bodied and not overly sugary for the guys.
Atmosphere is warm and inviting.
Some of the plates are out of this world: standard pub fare like chicken wings have that extra zip from whatever seasoning they use. Also, you MUST try the ribs and the sausage-stuffed pepper. Foodie heaven. Lamb lollipops are also wonderful.
The bad:
The food is not as well-thought-out as it should be, considering this place's fame and what they're trying to accomplish. The bruschetta is only toasted on one side, making it soft on the top of your tongue, but hard and crunchy on the top of your palette. The black bean sliders should be delicious, but the rather bready and unremarkable buns they serve them on are very distracting to the taste buds.
Full service is slow and the servers are not very knowledgeable about the food that's being ordered. I know that good help can be hard to find, but Dandelion Market needs to step up the game with its waitstaff if it wants to have the best gastropub in town. Also, having to wait a long time for your food is silly in a place like this. You have one of the most popular joints in town, put more people in the kitchen!
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