Food & Drink 

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200 S. Tryon St.
704-377-0201

4335 Barclay Downs Road
704-442-5522

BEST PIZZA

Wolfman Pizza

Wolfman was a frequent BOC winner until the rash of new kids on the block took off. But make no mistake: Their pies are as satisfying as ever (the Cheeseburger Cheeseburger Pizza is simply delicious delicious), and if you haven't checked them out lately, now's as good a time as any to return to the fold.

Various locations.

BEST CHINESE

Bistro 88

This small Elizabeth outpost has a delightful selection of conventional Chinese cuisines. On the Cantonese menu is a glorious crispy roasted duck.

1620 E. 4th St.
704-335-0288

BEST JAPANESE

Mai Japanese Restaurant

See "Best Sushi" below.

7731 Colony Road
704-542-4222

BEST INDIAN

Copper, Modern Cuisine of India

Copper pairs high-end innovative Indian cuisine with wines.

311 East Blvd.
704-333-0063

BEST ASIAN (OTHER THAN CHINESE, JAPANESE OR INDIAN)

Ben Thành Vietnamese Restaurant

A repeat winner. This place may not look like much, but the flavors speak for themselves. Nothing will make you feel better faster than a large bowl of Ngan Nguyen's Pho, a Vietnamese beef soup.

4900 Central Ave.
704-566-1088

BEST ITALIAN

Fiamma Restaurant: A Taste of Italy

A repeat winner. A New York styled Italian restaurant owned by Ecuadorians in Dilworth. How Charlotte is that?

2418 Park Road
704-333-3062

BEST EUROPEAN (OTHER THAN ITALIAN)

Global Restaurant

OK, I fudged a bit since Chef Bernard Brunet is European and his menu is global, but his duck with French lentils is one of the best dishes in the city. Besides, Global has been offering "you're crazy not to go" specials since last fall.

3520 Toringdon Way
704-248-0866

BEST MEXICAN

Cocina Latina

A repeat winner. This place is inexpensive, consistently good, and the weekend lamb barbecue is addicting.

5135 Albemarle Road
704-531-5757

BEST LATINO (OTHER THAN MEXICAN)

Los Paisas Restaurant

Charlotte has a burgeoning Colombian community, and for five years, Los Paisas has garnered praise from this community for its inexpensive, straightforward dishes with a rural bent. On the menu are picada pequeña (fried plantains with beef and sausage), bandeja tipica Colombian (national dish), and beef tongue in creole sauce and rice.

5033 South Blvd., Suite G
704-527-5553

8318 Pineville Matthews Road, Suite 702
704-542-5477

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN

Aladdin's Eatery

It's a whole new world at Aladdin's, a fast and casual Lebanese eatery with loubie b'zeit (Romano flat beans, chopped tomatoes and onions), shish tawook and shawarma (beef and lamb brushed with a sesame yogurt sauce) sandwiches.

7900 Stevens Mill Road, Matthews
704-882-3036

BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Zada Jane's Corner Cafe

A repeat winner. Zada Jane's disproves Kermit about the ease of being green.

1601 Central Ave.
704-332-3663

BEST SANDWICH

Cubana at The Tavern on Park

Everything about this sandwich works: flavorful mojo marinated roasted pork, thin slices of ham, the sharp notes of sour pickles, mustard, and Swiss cheese married into Cuban bread via a press.

1600 Woodlawn Road
704-519-4740

BEST SUSHI

Mai Japanese Restaurant

Mai first opened on South Boulevard in 1997, closed in 2006 and then reemerged in South Charlotte last fall. Owner Masanori was once a sushi chef at the fabled Charlotte restaurant Tokyo, so for me, the choice was relatively simple since what you want at a sushi bar is to establish a relationship with the Itamae.

7731 Colony Road
704-542-4222

BEST SMOOTHIE (INDIVIDUAL)

Mango Lassi at Sangam Indian Cuisine

A lassi is the best choice to offset the fire of vindaloo, but on its own this smoothie is creamy, sweet and smooth.

20910 Torrence Chapel Road, Cornelius
704-655-9600

BEST SMOOTHIES (OVERALL)

Carolina Smoothies

A repeat winner, time after time. The Floridays is particularly noteworthy, but really, you're not going to go wrong with any of their lip-smacking selections.

1408 East Blvd., Suite D
704-358-0006

4717 Sharon Road, Suite 1B
704-367-3425

BEST MILKSHAKE (INDIVIDUAL)

Apple Pie Milkshake at Big View Diner

Both the ice cream and pie are made fresh in house.

16637 Lancaster Highway
704-544-0313

BEST MILKSHAKES (OVERALL)

CookOut

A repeat winner. Having to choose between the flavors of Banana Pudding or Strawberry Cheesecake: priceless.

Various locations.

BEST APPETIZER (DISH AND RESTAURANT)

Sardinas en Escabeche at Las Ramblas

Sardines may be the emergency food in most pantries, but these are the large Mediterranean variety served hot, and they are the bomb.

2400 Park Road, Suite M
704-335-8444

BEST DESSERT (DISH AND RESTAURANT)

Pastry Chef Frank Kaltsounis' Creations at Big View Diner

Pastry chefs often get short shrift, but Chef Kaltsounis, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, finds both children and adults in his fan base. Whether a modern take on Greek pastries or a fine slice of layer cake, his desserts at Big View, Ilios Noches and Nolen's make the finale memorable.