3.5 stars. Caveat can be found in the food section below.
I was here for a company group dinner last night and would have to say that I was a nice experience.
Ambiance: being on the penthouse level of downtown Charlotte, this restaurant has (I think) a 360 degrees view of the city. Just magnificent and romantic.
Service: along with the top prices you pay here, the services is TOP NOTCH, which I would say that I'm quite impressed with the wait staff. Just very professional and very polite which positively contributed to my overall experience.
Food: I would have given this restaurant 5 stars if I my meat would have been done right. Let's break it down:
Apps:
shrimp cocktail was fantastic. The shrimps were humongous and my colleague really liked them. I did not try them myself.
Tuna carpaccio: I thought this was pretty good.
Escargot: omg so delicious on the tiny toast! Very nicely seasoned with garlic and herbs. I really have enjoyed this dish.
Fried calamari: OOOMMMGGG! Best fried calamari EVER! You have not lived until you've tried this calamari! Well if you're a calamari person. I called this fried calamari steaks! Lol. Cut into thick slices and delicately breaded and seasoned, they were fried to a perfect consistency. The slices of sliced calamari were perfectly cooked, juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Just absolutely amazing! the aioli was just phenomenal!
Side salad: standard salad but the balsamic dressing was way to acidic for my taste.
Entree:
Bourbon filet mignon: I didn't eat this but my colleague told me that this was very good.
Mixed grille: I was a little disappointed with this dish... The mixed grill included 3 different meats: lamb, bison, and filet. The lamb was fantastic! The filet was a little too salty and over cooked (medium instead of medium rare) and the bison hanger steak was cooked correctly but lacked flavor. I was surprised how lean the bison hanger steak was, and I thought it lacked flavor. The red wine reduction was too salty. The bamboo rice was very good.
Bananas fosters saves the day!
For dessert, I shared a bananas foster with my colleague and we were all pining for more!!! It was a show and a desert because they prepared it table side and we can smell the caramelizing sugar while the waiter prepared it. I would have licked the bowl if I was alone! Lol
Overall, very good restaurant and had the prices to match it. However next time I will order fish instead of the steaks.