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Best Of 2009
BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)
Common House
Staff Pick
While other contenders for this award set out with high marks, they fell short due to bellowing interiors or food prices that didn’t meet the expectations of Charlotte’s new lean reality. Since September 2008, when Charlotte’s economy fell off the edge, dining has changed. High-end, chef-driven restaurants with mega-dollar upfits have made way for the new economic reality: solid, satisfying neighborhood (and wallet) friendly comfort food. Common House is a restaurant for the time. Co-owners Andy Robinson, Ryan Looney and Mike Fisher were smart to hire Chef Emily Hahn, a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, to man (so to speak) their kitchen. Hahn’s enthusiastic cooking brings to the table unpretentious, straightforward food, and she continues to cultivate relationships with local farmers and coastal fishermen.
Previous Winners
- 2013 Best New Restaurant (Opened In Last 12 Months) - Viva Chicken
- 2012 Best New Restaurant (Opened in Last 12 Months) - Fern: Flavors from the Garden
- 2012 Best New Restaurant (Opened In Last 12 Months) - 5Church
- 2011 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - HALCYON, FLAVORS FROM THE EARTH
- 2011 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - THE DIAMOND RESTAURANT
- 2010 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - THE BLUE TAJ
- 2010 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - Vivace
- 2009 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - Soul Gastrolounge
- 2008 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - New South Kitchen & Bar
- 2008 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) - Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe
- 2007 Best New Restaurant (Opened In Last 12 Months) - Terra
- 2007 Best New Restaurant (Opened in Last 12 Months) - Nolen Kitchen and Crescent Bar and Lounge
- 2006 Best New Restaurant (Opened in Last 12 Months) - Lulu
