Maybe it's a backlash to all the hype I've heard about this place, but I was seriously disappointed. Yes, Sugar Bowl has old-fashioned charm. Yes, it has history. Yes, it has many Family Circus prints on its walls. But the ice cream just isn't that good. It's not homemade; it's just Dryer's. When we went, we also got to try the caramel and the chocolate sauces. They were almost the same thing: overwhelmingly sweet, but lacking in real flavor. If you're in the mood for a nostalgic experience, Sugar Bowl might be for you. If you're looking for good ice cream ... keep looking.

negative

Food is good service has been consistently rude and dismissive. Ive eaten here several times. I will happily find other places to spend my money at that has a staff that will not lie and be rude. I've been in the food and beverage industry for 33 years, I always am saddened when I find a place that has good food but poor or substandard service.

negative

Husnus....definitely my "date place" freshman year before I could a) afford anything else and b) get anywhere off campus. On the first block of Street....this place is a great value. $12 for salad and an entree. I love the kabobs and anything with lamb in it. The yogurt dressing is really good and the bread is very traditional. Don't miss it, no matter how many much more expensive meals I have, I always return to this favorite. 5 stars.

positive

New restaurant in uptown Charlotte, located within the vicinity of The Green and the Bechtler museum. Upon entering the restaurant, I'm approached with a sweet rendition of minimalistic meets modern. Half of the restaurant is plastered with earthly toned stones, complemented by applewood tables and gray chairs embellished with silver embroidery. Very simple yet so chic and classy.. just my style! I noticed a projector beside the bar so I assume Red Ginger is planning on upholding the trend of many new restaurants-restaurant by day, bar/lounge by night. There are also designated hibachi grills, if you're looking for dinner and a show. We ordered their specialty dish, the "Red Ginger," which comes with 4oz. filet mignon (cooked to your liking of course), lobster tail, shrimp, spinach and a truffle mushroom sauce. If you're aiming to please a date, this is a must order! The presentation is enough to make you drool. Close your eyes and now, imagine a castle made of a piece of filet mignon that sits over a bed of veggies. A moat of light mushroom sauce surrounds this castle with several shrimps swimming around the mignon. The lobster meat sits on top, completing the castle structure. The casting of the lobster tail acts as the turret as it hovers behind the entire plate. Mmmm.. well, now you can check out the photo I posted! We also ordered the Wasabi Shrimp. To be honest, we were deciding between the Black Cod and the Wasabi Shrimp, but just wanted the bragging rights of ordering WASABI Shrimp! Luckily, the dish turned out to be delicious. About 8 pieces of prawn sits on a bed of string carrots. A sweet and sour wasabi sauce is drizzled over the shrimp, while maintaining the shrimp's crunchy/flaky texture. I took small bites, hoping to savor every moment. My only complaint is that I was expecting the shrimp to come with rice, veggies, etc since it was under the main entrees section. This seems more like an appetizer than an entree to me, but nonetheless I enjoyed it. Overall, I had a great experience at Red Ginger (I'm guessing they can never serve white ginger though?). The ambiance is modern, yet simple. The staff is friendly and the food delicious. Prices range from about $12-$27, depending on what you get. It's a good place for a nice date or a special occasion. Besides, $27 is not bad at all for a castle made of filet mignon and lobster (or, you know, whatever you imagine it to be).
positive