Charlotte, NC near Verizon Ampitheater

[Andiereid]

Is there anything decent in that area? We're going to a concert there and will have a car, but would prefer to eat somewhere near the venue, so that we aren't late for the show. Any kind of cuisine is fine. We're pretty open to all kinds of food. There will be two, possibly four of us.

[cackalackie]

You should have stopped by our truck. We had asian chicken skewers, broccoli carrot and cucumber toss (in a ginger vinaigrette), tortellini salad, marinated pork tenderloin with a dijon beer sauce, and orzo with everything. Oh - and a nice sauvignon blanc, some Magic Hat ales, and vodka tonics. Oh - and salmon spread and pesto hummous.

[Andiereid]

Well, we wound up meeting friends for dinner, and they were staying at the Hilton down the road from the show, so we ended up eating there near the Hilton at the Boardwalk at Lava. It was OK. Not great, not terrible, not worth the money, but certainly not the wost meal we've ever had. We'd planned to eat at Zapata's but a glimpse inside scared our friends off. It looked a little on the tired, grungy side. So we settled for Lava.

We'll be going back to see Mark Knopfler at Ovens in July, and I'll be checking back for downtown recommendations for that weekend. We'll be a little more adventurous on that journey.

[littlegirltree]

Ovens is alot easier to work with than Verizon Wireless. The Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood neighboorhoods are close by with plent of nice, buzzing choices. Also, there's plenty of interesting ethnic choices near the Eastland mall area, which is nearby.

I grew up near the pavillion and always travelled far into Charlotte to escape the bad restaurant choices in that area. I feel your pain.

[Andiereid]

I'll be posting about Ovens later this summer - we're going to see Mark Knopfler there with my parents in July and would love someplace good that's reasonably nearby.

[gsquared81]

Old Hickory House BBQ
The Coffee Cup

[littlegirltree]

I second the Udipi recommendation - Vegetarian Indian, cheap and good. It's right accross the street from UNCC, in the strip mall behind Arby's.

Antonny's Caribbean Cafe on W Sugar Creek and Harris is pretty good. Jerk chicken and a red stripe would make Thom drool. http://www.anntonys.com/locations.asp

[waitress]

There is a dive mexican restaurant off of 85
Miguel's Restaurants
4252 Business Center Dr, Charlotte, NC 28214 [phone]

it is good, it isn't a chain and you can have a margarita! Inside it looks like an old diner and it is beside a closed seedy motel. oh lala

[mcap]

There are places in that area, but you do have to look for them:

If you like Indian food, then I would recommend Udipi. It is on Hwy 49 not far from Verizon (http://www.udipicharlotte.com) The website is being built, but you can find directions. The food is great.

The best pizza in the area is at Due Amici's. (5346 Prosperity Church Rd) They also have good Italian entrees.

Another good Italian and pizza place is Amalfi's. The place is owned by a nice Italian couple, and the food is good. (8542 University City Blvd

)

Other recs:

Thai House (230 E Wt Harris Blvd)
Zapata's Mexican (8927 J M Keynes Dr)
Down to the Bone - good soul food (7945 N Tryon St)

Enjoy the concert!

[dumplingfiend]

This Radiohound is going to Lang Van before the show. Not close to Verizon, but their yellow pancake is simply irresistible. Thom Yorke + Tom Yum Gai. Does life really get any better?

[southernitalian]

There's a ton of restaurants up by the Hilton, just a few miles down 29. Ciro's is good. There are always folks posting about the good Indian restaurants up there. Lots of chains but some gems if you know where to look.

[ToothTooth]

southernitalian,

Care to elaborate a little on the "gems" you mentioned on Hwy 29? I want to get some good grub in my gullet before the Radiohead show. Thanks.

[southernitalian]

How about Ciro's? It's right by the Hilton. Very good Italian. It's been there for years.

[ickymettle]

Hate to break it to you, but I don't think there's anything halfway decent close to the ampitheater. There's not much around it in general, and it's on the outskirts of town.