| rev:text
| - Revisiting an Old Friend - Still Good after all of these years.
Back when to the first time I lived in Charlotte in the early 1970's, The Open Kitchen was already a tradition having been in business for 20 years at that time. If you wanted a good dinner in the what was otherwise a culinary desert, you had two choices. One was The Open Kitchen which was more casual and the Gondola which was bit more upscale and catered to a slightly different crowd.
The Gondola is long gone but now 66 years later, The Open Kitchen is still going strong. Not as crowded as back in the 70's but a lot more dining options but still a good crowd this evening. Say's a lot about the quality of a restaurant to make it to 66 years.
For a change, i had to drop a package off at the UPS terminal this afternoon which was a Saturday and while I was down here, decided to go to The Open Kitchen for dinner.
Parking lot was full but got lucky because someone was backing out as I turned in so I scored a spot near the door.
Walked in and it was pretty much as I remembered it with a bit more whimsical trinkets added. Seated pretty quickly in a nice table in the corner where I had a good view of the dining room.
When I was seated, I was given menu's so did not have to wait for my server. She came out and took my drink order for 1/2 and 1/2 tea and while she got that, continued to study the menu. So many choices ...
She came back with my tea and with some bread for the table and I ordered a Small Greek Salad and the Veal Barcelona for dinner.
I was amazed how quick the Greek Salad came out and if that is a small salad, I would hate to see what the large one looked like. Had it with Mama K's which had a perfect balance of herb and vinegar. Lettuce was nice and fresh as was the tomato, olives, pepperonici etc. all topped with a generous amount of Feta Cheese.
The Veal Barcelona came out a bit later and it was nice and hot. A bed or Pasta with Veal pieces cooked with a generous amount of mushrooms cooked in a lemon oregano sauce and Marinara to add to your hearts desire. Other than the Marinara was a bit bland and while it had a good taste, it was not a vibrant presentation.
Still it was a great dining experience and were much like I remembered.
Atmosphere is interesting. A lot of miscellaneous things scattered throughout the dining room. One thing that I did not quite understand was a balancing jester on a string suspended over the dining room. Did not understand it till a father and his young son got up to leave and while the father held the little boy, probably about 2 or 3 in his arms, the owner of the restaurant raised the string and the jester started sliding across the restaurant. The little boy was captivated.
I took a picture of that and the little boys grandmother came over and we chatted and she reminded me that when I was here with my sons, the jester was a bear. She's right and now I remember.
Other thing I enjoyed was the collection of campaign buttons behind the front counter going back to the 1960"s.
Great Place. Warm and Cozy Feel. Good hospitality with Great Cuisine.
It's a bit worn in some places but what do you expect after 66 years.
Great Spot and give it a try. For out of town visitors, check hours first but if open, it's right off I-77 in Charlotte at the Morehead Street Exit on the west side.
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