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Bombay Cuisine, 230 East W.T. Harris Blvd., 704-503-5558. Exquisite Northern and Southern Indian dishes set before you in a setting where every detail has been noted. $$$
Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen, 501 E. 36th St., 704-331-9898. Po'Boys and muffalettas at lunch, inexpensive traditional Creole and Cajun dishes at dinner served in a spacious, artsy dining room. Sunday Brunch, too. $$
Bubba's Barbecue, 4400 Sunset Rd., Exit 16 off I-77, 704-393-2000. Eastern NC-style barbecue. $
Cabo Fish Taco Baja Seagrill, 3201 North Davidson St., 704-332-8868. Set in a humble NoDa historic building, these well crafted, tasty dishes will bring you back for regular feeding forays. There are vegetarian, chicken, and steak selections. $$
Ciro's Italian Restaurant, 8927 J.M. Keynes Dr., #100 (University Place), 704-597-7511. Simple New-York-styled southern Italian red and white cuisine served in a lively Italian-wedding/happy family atmosphere. Enormous portions, steaming fresh baked bread, marvelous marinara, reasonable prices. $$$
Fat City, 3127 N. Davidson St., 704-343-0240. This mainstay of the N. Davidson arts district serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, and apps, with a good vegetarian selection. $
Gert's Lil' Diner, 3658 Beatties Ford Rd., 704-392-0485. It's in a trailer, and there isn't much of a sign outside, but this diner serves up the best country food in the world. The okra and tomatoes will save your soul. $
Grandma's Country Kitchen, 6615 N. Tryon St., 704-392-0485. Small, make yourself at home place featuring Southern country cooking. Excellent freshly baked johnnycakes with molasses. Menu roster changes daily, but look for fried croaker, meatloaf, veggie burgers, tuna melts, fried okra, macaroni and cheese with as many as eight cheeses, collard greens, and homemade desserts. $$
Kelly's Cafe, 3100 N. Davidson Street, 704-372-0103. A small restaurant located in a renovated NoDa house, the menu offers strictly, but flavorfully, vegetarian dishes. $
Melting Pot, 230 E. WT Harris Blvd., 704-548-2432. A Florida based franchise that has been around since 1975, but is now primed again to catch the latest fondue wave. You will find all kinds of fondues: cheese, beef, seafood, chicken and chocolate. $$$
Old Hickory House, 6538 N. Tryon St., 704-596-8014. Western-NC-styled barbecue at its finest. Sliced or chopped, served on paper wrapping, in a dining room that features a smoky hickory pit and a 60's (and TV's Bonanza ambiance. Cash only. $
The Roasting Company, 9311 JW Clay Blvd., 704-503-3335. Rotisserie chicken that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Excellent cornbread. $
Pineville/Hwy 51
Campania, 6414 Rea Rd., 704-541-8505. Charlotte's nexus to Naples. Copious portions of remarkable dishes with Italian wines to match. Beautifully appointed dining room. Pricey, but considerably less than airfare. $$$$
Ciro's Italian Restaurant, 10420-F Centrum Parkway, 704-543-1550. Simple New-York-styled southern Italian red and white cuisine served in a lively Italian-wedding/happy family atmosphere. Enormous portions, steaming fresh baked bread, marvelous marinara, reasonable prices. $$$
Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill, 7716 Rea Rd., 704-752-7979. This stunning facility resembles a Colorado lodge complete with roaring fire and aspen columns. Menu items, served in huge portions, are simple, straighforward, and have a southwestern flair. $$$
Katz New York, 8045 Providence Rd., in the Arboretum Office Park, 704-543-4666. Hand cut fries, potato knish, matzo ball soup, housemade corned beef and cole slaw, egg creams, and well-made cold cut sandwiches, all Big Apple deli style. $$
The Peaceful Dragon, Tea House and Cultural Center, 8324 Pineville-Matthews Rd., 704-543-8899. Small dining area offers light vegetarian fare. All dishes made from scratch, including veggie burger. Many vegan items. $$
Siboney Cuban Restaurant, 8706 Pineville-Matthews Rd., 704-542-2996. Featuring upscale Cuban dishes and mojitos set in a semitropical "courtyard". Expertly crafted dishes such as Cuban snapper and Pierna asada make their appearance here. Cigar bar, too. $$$
Trio Restaurant, 10709 McMullen Creek Pkwy., 704-541-8000. Friendly place for an imaginative and eclectic selection of entrees, gourmet pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and pastas. Emphasis on creative taste combinations. $$
Tsukiji, 8320 Pineville-Matthews Rd., 704-543-4081. Less expensive than other sushi restaurants, and the sushi is pretty good. Other Japanese dishes offered. $$$
Waldhorn Restaurant, 12101 Lancaster Hwy. (Rt. 521), 704-540-7074. This restaurant is located in an imposing two-story Alpine building feted with geranium flower boxes. Chef and owner Thomas Maier's attentive care may cause you to jettison stereotypic views of German cuisine. From grilled duck breast in lingonberry sauce to wienerschnitzel, it's all good. $$$
Wan Fu, 10719 Kettering Dr., 704-541-1688. Upscale Americanized Chinese restaurant in which dishes are beautifully presented. $$$
South Charlotte
Azteca, 116 Woodlawn Rd., 704-525-5110. A favorite of many, Azteca offers a legnthy roster of flavorful dishes. $$
