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| - Had dinner and drinks at The Cellar At Duckworth's on Sunday night. For drinks we had Where There's Smoke, Smoked Buttered Pecan Old Fashioned, and a Classic NY Gin Sour. To eat we shared the Ground Duck Flatbread, Tuna Tartare, and Butter Basted Scallops.
Quality
The Cellar At Duckworth's turned out to be one of the highlights of my short trip to Charlotte. Excellent drinks and outstanding food in a very stylish environment. We started the evening my each selecting a cocktail, I went with the Smoked Buttered Pecan Old Fashioned. It was probably my least favorite of the cocktails I tried, but still very fun. I would recommend saving it for after dinner, as it is quite sweet. My girlfriend started with Where There's Smoke, a spicy smoked peach margarita. It was delicious and came with a real kick. Before the evening was over we also had a Classic NY Gin Sour, which combined gin, rhone wine, lime, simple syrup and egg whites in a fun and flavorful concoction. And while I came in expecting some tasty drinks, it was the food that really impressed. First, I had some of the delicious Ground Duck Flatbread, which came with duck, sun-dried tomato, pear, mushroom, and a balsamic fig reduction. Next was the Tuna Tartare, which came with a generous portion of fresh tuna, topped with sesame seeds and chili oil. On the side came chunky guacamole and wonton crisps. Mixed together was a fresh, rich, sweet, and spicy bite. Then there was the Butter Basted Scallops, which I believe are a must order. Served with this mix of currants, cauliflower, turmeric, and chorizo, the accompaniments were nearly as good as the main attraction.
Quantity
The drinks were a good size and contained a fair amount of alcohol. For food I came in expecting more snacks than meals, but each dish was large and hearty.
Value
Expect to pay around $15 for the signature cocktails, which was high, but not unreasonably so. The food meanwhile varies greatly as they have plenty of appetizers and snacks in the under $15 range, but also large plates from $30 to $60.
Ambiance
The Cellar At Duckworth's is located in the Uptown area of Charlotte. This speakeasy-style bar and restaurant is nestled beneath a more casual restaurant in Duckworth's. To enter you first walk down a set of stairs to meet a host in the dimly lit waiting area. The walls are brick and a large sliding door blocks the restaurant itself. When it is your turn to enter they slide the door open and you enter the tightly packed dining area with a long bar on the far wall. Everything about the space has been carefully constructed to make it look and feel like a prohibition era secret space. Wood and bricks give the basement an unfinished look, but also stylistic charm. Dim lights hang from the wall, but allow strategically placed candles to do the work. Towards the back they have a storage room full of their large beer collection. The music is a mix of jazz and R&B and the the staff are dressed very dapper. It is a fun spot and one that fully embraces the spirit of the 20s.
Crowd
It is a small space and on weekend evenings it fills up fast. Since we did not have reservations we were relegated to the last seats in the bar area. I highly recommend making advance reservations, because if we had showed up even a few minutes later we likely would have had a long wait. Also, do not be fooled by the casual sports bar on the ground floor, the cellar is much more sophisticated and intimate. It makes for a nice date spot or a location when trying to impress.
Service
The host did not make the best impression, but everyone else in the place was incredible. The girls behind the bar were delightful and very enthusiastic about the drinks they were creating. It was also clear that everyone from the bartenders to the waiters, believed in what the restaurant was doing. They beamed as they described the selection of high quality beer, great unique cocktails, and awesome food.
Parking
Located in the Uptown area of Charlotte, we made the walk over from our hotel. However, I saw a paid lot across the street and a few garages in the area.
Extra
The Cellar At Duckworth's is simply great. Drinks, food, service, and style all make it a wonderful place for dinner and cocktails. Just make sure you grab reservations because the magic of this secret bar is definitely not a secret around town.
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