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| - With a name like Halcyon Flavors from the Earth, I wasn't sure what I was getting into, but color me impressed!
After a tour of the Mint Museum next door, I had worked up an appetite and the desire to sit down and reflect quietly for a bit. What a beautiful space! With a large wall painted a Carolina blue with white birds silhouetted, neutral-nature upholstered comfy chairs paired with wooden tables, some of which looked like they were cross-sections of large trees, along with the chandeliers made of soft lighting and branches... wow. They also had exterior patio seating with beautiful views of uptown Charlotte. I really was wowed by the space itself and was looking forward to my lunch.
My waiter, I believe he said his name was Noah, was polite and helpful. I asked him for his suggestions and went with his first suggestion of a Monte Carlo, which was an open-faced sandwich of custard soaked brioche, topped with cheddar cheese, BBQ and cole slaw, and served with house-made fries. Noah was quickly over-sat with the uptown lunch time crowd and did his best to keep up but I rarely saw him once my order was placed - he seemed to be working twice as many tables (indoor and outdoor) as the other 2 waiters that I saw.
The sandwich was quite good (I have added photos of the sandwich and the fries). The cole slaw was creamy without being drenched and the BBQ was well flavored. It was a bit of a mess to eat, so if you are on a date or with your boss, I would pick something a little neater. The fries were delicious and the house-made ketchup was sweet and subtle, letting the taste of the fries come through.
My total for water and sandwich/fries was just over $14, so by no means a crazy-expensive lunch, and well worth it to enjoy the restaurant itself. Had it been a slightly cooler day out instead of a late-June mid-80's, the patio seating would be wonderful, though this time of year, the seating along the railing was full sun and I imagine a little warm.
Should I find myself at this end of Charlotte again, I would not hesitate to stop at Halcyon for a meal.
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