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Tryon Street in Charlotte is one of those long roads, stretching from residential suburbs through an industrial belt before entering the business district. Trust me that the drive is worth it, as the downtown section of Tryon is home to a number of excellent restaurants making up Charlotte’s burgeoning dining scene. Our latest discovery is The Cellar at Duckworth’s, right in the heart of downtown.
As the name implies, The Cellar is below street level, sitting under Duckworth’s Taproom. But the atmosphere is much more sophisticated, as is the menu. There is lots of exposed brick and beams, which can sometimes be dark and claustrophobic. But whoever designed The Cellar paid a lot of attention to the lighting, which is perfect – not too bright, not too dim – and added a nice ambience to our meal.
Ah yes, our meal. I dined with three clients and, since I had not scouted out The Cellar in advance, I was a bit apprehensive while leading them down the stairs to the restaurant. I need not have worried. If there was ever a doubt about The Cellar being a good spot for a business meal, put it to rest. In addition to working at several of New York City’s top restaurants, Executive Chef Fred Quinones has served as Corporate Executive Chef for the NFL, J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Ernst & Young, and Goldman Sachs. So, he knows what executives like: good, flavorful food that is well prepared. Which is precisely what we got at The Cellar.
We started by sharing three of the most interested appetizers: truffle mac ‘n cheese, calamari, and bruschetta. All were outstanding. Sticking to what I know and like, my entrée was the bone-in Berkshire pork chop, topped with an unexpectedly tasty green apple and walnut wild rice, saffron tomato leek compote, and smoky vinaigrette. Perfectly prepared and exceptionally delicious. Still, I eyed a dining companion’s rib eye steak hungrily enough that they offered me a sample. Also scrumptious. As was the blackened sea bass and butter basted scallops enjoyed by our compatriots.
The wine list was fine, and the extensive beer list revealed the connection to Duckworth’s Taproom upstairs, with an array of highly interested ales, IPAs, lagers and stouts worthy of another, more leisurely visit.
I fully subscribe to the philosophy that “a good waiter makes a great lawyer.” The wait staff at The Cellar were superbly trained and alert to our needs, attentive without hovering. They really added to our enjoyment of the evening.
Spending so much time on the road and in different cities, I generally have a pretty critical assessment of the restaurants I visit. I am ranking the experience I had at The Cellar at Duckworth’s right up there with the best of them.
The Cellar at Duckworth’s
330 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
980.349.4078
330 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
980.349.4078