text: Oh Lulu my sweet Lulu five stars for you darlin nnFOOD I went here on two occasions First for a lunch experience in which I got the nicoise salad I did not like it Why did I give this place five stars if I did not like the nicoise salad This is because I was just made aware that I am not a fan of nicoise salad and that is no fault of Lulus just my own tastes run differently Because I could not handle the strong sardine and anchovie taste does not mean that the eggs were not boiled to perfection the greens beans and tomatoes were not crisp fresh and beautiful and it does not mean that the potatoes were not seasoned perfectly and the tuna was not seared the exact rare that I adore This salad did in fact accomplish all of these things the flavor of anchovie and sardine was just too strong and I was not aware at the time that this is the main staple of a nicoise salad So if you do like strong flavors or do happen to love nicoise salad you probably cannot get better nnMy friend got the petit filet braised in shallots and red wine reduction with frites on the side Absolutely flavorful and delicious highly recommended nnWe shared The Moviestar appetizer which is fried calamari with a spicy slaw and Asian love sauce which is all amazing I highly recommend this calamari with a spicy twistnnOn the second occasion I went here with some friends One got the breistuffed halfchicken with whipped potatoes gorgeous juicy and delicious the other got the calamari stuffed with cream spinich and salmon also really delicious but if you are put off from the texture of calamari if it is not fried you may not like this dish nnI got the Moules mussels which is what they are famous for I believe They come three ways and I chose moules Normande which is mussels served in a flavorful thyme mushroom and bacon bechamel This is now one of my favorite dishes in the entire world Not only was everything rich creamy flavorful and complimented the mussels on every taste facet but the mussels themselves were very high quality Instead of getting some that are small tough or shrivled these were all plump juicy tender and plainly put perfect I cannot think of anything that would make this dish better it is stunning in its entirety As a side I ordered the braised fennel which was an entire fennel bulb split in half and braised until brown and delicious I soaked it in the leftover bechamel from my mussels and it was a great finishnnSERVICE Here is a contender Service while being polite and attentive is very very slow If you are on a schedule I would not count on keeping it if you go to Lulus This is one of those places where if you do not get an appetizer the wait is very noticable On the other hand the food that they serve here is fresh made to order skillfully and perfectly done with wonderful presentation and I understand that that can take time so I cannot really count it against them Just make sure you will be able to extend your lunch hour if you go around thennnPRICE This is going to surprise you the prices are actually very reasonable especially their lunch menu They have moderate pricing for very fresh wellprepared and exquisit food Fill yourself up with amazing mussels at lunch or dinner for or if you add sides Burgers apps and small plates will run you and at lunch the steaks are around as well Dinner your price goes up with your selections to about with the highest being the duck and you get what you would at an upscale restaurant in Charlotte for a platennOVERALLnnFood delicous intricate and authenticnService slow for preparation so make sure you have some time to killnPrice truly amazing for what you getnnThis place is a gem I cannot wait to go back