Rotelli

 Rotelli "Italian" Restaurant

Disgusting!!

I can usually find something nice to say about a restaurant, but I am really struggling with this one. First off the server brought out their version of garlic rolls, which was basically store bought refrigerator rolls  shaped into knots then drizzled with butter and garlic salt.  Definitely NOT Mama Ricotta's!!

 I ordered the Penne Ala Vodka with a side of meatball and sausage- boy was that a mistake!  The meatball was mushy with a texture of thick mashed potatoes and the sausage was an Italian sausage wanna-be and tasted like school cafeteria sausage. 

 My husband and step daughter ordered the calzones and can be summarized best in my husband's words "I've had better hot-pockets". Yikes!!  And the side of "marinara" was nothing but watered down tomato paste.

I cannot even give this restaurant a second chance, I'm not a masochist.

Oh!!! I forgot to mention- the whole place reeked of Windex because the hostess was squirting (more like dousing) all the tables with the stuff to clean them off.

Web:  http://www.rotellicharlotte.com/

Hours:  Who cares

Ballantyne Resort's Afternoon Tea

Lovely!! Afternoon tea takes place in the formal lobby of the hotel, but didn't feel that way. I felt like I was sitting in an old English estate's library, with a  fire roaring in the fireplace. The only problem today, the resort was hosting some event and the check-in for the "swag bags" was right behind my seat- loud chattering and flashes from the photographer going off. Granted, last time I was in that situation there- Paul Newman was behind me (a guest at the hotel).

Anyway- I digress.  And for the little interruption we did get complimentary champagne with our tea.

The tea service came with an array of  different sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries. The petite sandwiches were fairly traditional: cucumber with a dill spread, roasted vegetables in pita, chicken salad with toasted pecans in phyllo, salmon with cream cheese and capers, and a Boursin cheese. Actually it was quite alot, there were 3 of us and we ate this as our lunch- so we were hungry ladies, and there was plenty left over. The tea was constantly monitored by lovely Ms. Patricia who kept the hot water coming and the tea seeping. I felt pretty spoiled.

Web- http://www.theballantynehotel.com/

Hours for tea- Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1pm -5pm

Terrace Cafe

I really enjoy this restaurant and it's unique twist on dishes such as red velvet waffles and filet eggs benedict. The red velvet waffles I had for "breakfast"- which to all that know me know I don't arise til around 10am.- were sweet without being sickly sweet with a yummy cream cheese drizzle topping. The croque madam was also very tasty and the traditional eggs benedict were perfect.

What I did not enjoy was the shrimp and grits swimming in sausage grease (about 1" was floating on top of the entree). I tried dabbing at it with a napkin, but not even the Bounty guy would have been able to help me.

 Gag me with a spork!

 The buffalo chicken sandwich which was quite tasty without alot of fried batter- BUT the brioche bun was so hard it tasted stale. And the onion rings were so-so, cut a little too thick for me.

ooops- I forgot to take the picture until after me friend already dug in!

My ultimate complaint is the S'Mores french toast, the whole reason I wanted to go to the restaurant originally- the PICTURE of this rich looking, oooy-gooey marshmallow and chocolate concoction. I ordered it as dessert (because it looked too rich to eat as a meal- especially breakfast)- see picture I took. My pic looks NOTHING like the luring picture they dangled out in various local magazines to get me (and you) to come in the door. Soooooo sad was I! And I ordered it TWICE (on two separate trips) to give them the benefit of the doubt that maybe on the first visit they were running low on ingredients and the chef had to skimp on the marshmallow and chocolate- but I got the same result.......dry toast disappointment.  Please guys try to make it look like the picture!!!

They've got a fun concept and a great thing going-just needs a little tweaking.

Order carefully and make sure you bring a sweater, it has always been fairly chilly inside (and I'm usually hot).

Web http://www.terracecafecharlotte.com/

Hours Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm
            Sunday 8am-2:30pm

Tic Toc Diner

I recently went uptown to get my car serviced  and decided to wait the customary "two hours", so I checked out the Tic Toc Diner a couple doors down at 512 North Tryon Street.

When you walk in you order at the register, pay and take a table. If you order coffee (gourmet blends, freshly ground then brewed), Linda the owner, hands you a ceramic mug (the mugs are a hodge podge collection of different designs- some even had holiday prints, just like at grandma's house!).

I sat down feeling comfortable, safe and homey- two of the four tables had bankers in business suits having breakfast meetings (well, maybe not so safe!). Linda knows almost everyone by name and the gentleman at the table next to mine works for BofA and is there everyday for lunch and some breakfasts (hey single ladies, I know where all the men are!).

I ordered the stuffed hash browns  (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside- perfect! -with sour cream, cheese, green onion and bacon all inside), buttered toast and two eggs any style- all less than $10. I was very happy with my choice- I love, love, love when I "out order" everyone, even myself.

I really wanted to stick around for lunch with a menu including, but not limited to:

• Homemade pimento cheese
• A turkey, cheddar and apple slices sandwich
• Homemade chicken salad and tuna salad
• Burgers, quesadillas and plenty of vegetarian choices.

The building is dated back to the 1940's when it was a diner then too (and still has the original linoleum on the floors)! Check it out, I'll go back!

Web:  http://www.tictoc2go.com/  
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am til 2:30pm