Good Eatin' at the City Tavern in Charlotte

City Tavern
Rivergate Shopping Center
14192 Rivergate Parkway Charlotte, NC
704-504-8888
www.city-tavern.com/ct/

Only a few miles from Charlotte's airport and just north of the South Carolina state line, I recently discovered City Tavern...a casual yet stylish restaurant located in an open-air mall that seems to be the trend these days, particularly in southern climes. Whether you're looking for comfort food or maybe in the mood for something a little more upscale, the City Tavern menu offers choices to satisfy every palate...so let's start with an appetizer or two...
SEA BAKE_ a wonderful blend of crab, shrimp, bay scallops & crawfish baked in Parmesan cream sauce...
CAJUN CHICKEN EGGROLLS _ Blackened chicken, corn & goat cheese served with Asian dressing & salsa roja..
For my entree, I chose the SMOTHERED CAROLINA TROUT-seasoned and covered with a seafood cream sauce ...and it was fan-tastic!! However, I was tempted by the CAJUN GRILLED SALMON- fresh Atlantic salmon topped with a Creole mustard honey glaze...and the RACK OF LAMB- tender New Zealand lamb, seasoned with herbs & spices, served with Parmesan mashed potatoes & asparagus... I'll try those dishes on future visits....There is also a nice selection of steaks and pastas to choose from...


In addition to being attractive and charming, Lexi was more than helpful making recommendations from an extensive wine list or mixing one of 45 special martinis while Georgie showed guests to their table in a well-appointed dining room...
As usual, I dine alone when on the road and my preference is always to find a seat at the bar...and City Tavern has a nice comfortable one...although not a sports bar, it does have four or five flat screen TV's, all tuned to a sporting event..but on the night of my visit, I did manage to cajole Lexi into changing one monitor to American Idol...it was an elimination show and it's always so emotional when someone gets booted off...all that crying...I mean me...I probably go through a box of Kleenex...I just weep uncontrollably...

And the patrons were quite engaging, as well...sitting next to me was Lynne and her friend Brad...they both seemed impressed that I was doing my USA Today crossword puzzle in ink...but they were quite fun and hoped they would see me again...well, I will certainly do my best to get back when I can...and I hope it's soon...
Here's to good food, good drink and good conversation....