Q: positive

A: This Starbucks can be found seamlessly unified with the office buildings of downtown. On the Starbucks level they've got all the usual stuff so I don't feel the need to repeat myself in every review about all the Seattle-chain greatness I like to order here. The fact is it's overpriced coffee, tea and sweets when you're in a hurry and just looking to kick back. Which is where this place earns its fourth star by the skin of its coffee-blackened teeth. It's overrun with well-dressed middle-class office workers from Charlotte's namesake banking sector. You won't find low-class trashy folks or those annoying hipsters hanging around in here. BUT you do have to sit by and tune in to the boss's golf-related banter and see how everybody here knows eachother. Spiff architecture aside, this place is great for people-watching! Prop at a tall seat in front of the glass and gaze at the city going about its day while you sip away some hot tea and peruse the 'zines with lemon pound cake crumbs. Perhaps the most entertaining point about this Starbucks is watching the steady stream of office socialites J-walking Tryon Street with that "get-out-of-my-damn-way-now-I-need-CAFFEINE!" expression that could flip cars if they dared come near.

Q: positive

A: Another fantastic meal at Coach & Willie's! Not only are you surrounded by large flat-screen TVs to watch the games, the food is equally incredible. We have been there 5 separate times now and I have personally ordered 5 separate entrees, and each was amazing! Tonight the rib-eye coupled with the lobster bisque was equaled only by the incredible service we received from 'Ife' [pronounced "E-Fay".........he was friendly and was always there when we needed something. Honestly - I have never been to a 'Sports Bar' where the food was on par with a fine dining restaurant. Truly amazing! You must try this place!

Q: negative

A: If this is Charlotte's best restaurant then I better not eat anywhere else in this city. I'm in town for a short visit and stopped by here after reading the local press. To be fair this would be a 1.5 to 1.75 star rating. Service: 1.5/5 Sat at the bar for a quick bite before the dinner rush. I don't know if the bar is not used to serving food but food coming before cutlery was interesting. I also had to lift up my appetizer as I was eating so a napkin "placemat" could be out down. There was no cutlery exchange for the main course while not a deal breaker isn't pleasant in mixing flavours. The bartender was not particularly attentive, no water, no asking if I needed a cocktail nor a check in with how everything was. She did seem preoccupied with talking about just turning 21 and chatting socially with bar patrons. Not really professional and definitely did not make me want to order more drinks. That's the kind of bartending I expect at a sports bar. It's a shame that a solo diner spending $50+ gets less service than someone having one drink order. It's a bigger shame since I'm a big fan of cocktails and usually spend $100+ on a meal and good drinks but the service did not compel me to do so. Drinks: 1/5 I ordered the namesake "5church" with the intent on trying more but it was not well made. It was way too sweet and not balanced. As I watched the bar I noticed the bartenders weren't tasting the cocktails to see if they were proper. If you have a serious cocktail program you'd want them perfect and consistent. Unfortunately it seems more occupied with the trend rather than concerned about quality. It did not instil confidence in the rest if the cocktails. If the service was better I may have tried another one. Food: 2/5 The artisan cured meat plate was okay. I was told it was house cured and I was expecting more for house cured meats but it wasn't bad nor spectacular. The shortribs...where to start. The meat was bordering on dry but it was at least hot while the rest of the dish was cold. It was bland but the sauce and potato garnish was way over salted. I really could have used some water. Unfortunately mixing under seasoned meat with over seasoned sauce isn't pleasant either. The Brussels sprout leaves were spot on though but it was not a good dish. Dish presentation was good. To say it's hotel convention food quality would be a disservice to hotels. Usually I would have said something but no one bothered to check in at anytime during the meal. When I asked for the bill, the bartender did ask how things were. I let her know about the sauce and that the dish was meh, she said sorry and there was nothing else. I would have sent back the dish if there was better service but at that point I was famished from not eating all day. I was so unimpressed that I just wanted to cut my losses and leave as soon as possible. Go if you want to be part of the scene. Avoid if you like good food and drinks or good service. Disappointing effort tonight and if this is an example of the food scene here then Charlotte is not a food destination.

Q: negative

A:
Visited this location for lunch with small group and was certainly a bit disappointed with the food. I had an Italian Panini sandwich and I guess I was expecting the domestic interpretation of a Panini - a warm, pressed sandwich. Instead I received a cold sandwich with lots of meat (mostly ham) that was far different from my expectations. If their intent is to use a non-American definition of Panini on the menu they should be more clear as to what they are actually serviing. The others in the group expressed similar sentiments - not hot pizza; not hot fries; too little dressing on the salad; a nominal amount of bacon in the salad. Service was fine and prices are reasonable but the execution of the food simply wasn't there.