Good Eats 

Page 5 of 9

NOVA'S BAKERY 1511 Central Avenue, 704-333-5566. A great Eastern European bakery. Wonderful Cranberry Pecan and Orange Chocolate bread, focaccia, baguettes, country bread, brioche, potato pizzas, and more. $

THE PENGUIN 1921 Commonwealth Avenue, 704-375-6959. Reopened in 2001 after being refurbished to the original red, black, and chrome 1950s interior. Menu features burgers, foot long hot dogs, Eastern-styled barbecue, veggie burgers, fried pickles and pimento cheese sandwiches. $-$$

SWING 1000 1000 Central Avenue, 704-334-4443. Familiar dishes in a glamorous neo-1940s/Lounge/Rat Pack setting. Entertainment and dancing with a dose of swank. $$$-$$$$

LAKE NORMAN

ASAHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 14211 Reese Boulevard, Huntersville. 704-948-7728. Prices are reasonable for this upbeat neighborhood spot filled with promise. Take out, too. $$$

BROOKLYN SOUTH PIZZERIA & ITALIAN EATERY Jetton Village Shopping Center, 19911-C N. Cove Road, Cornelius, 704-896-2928. A typical New York style, family-owned, neighborhood pizzeria where items are served in large sharable portions and kept at a minimal price. $$

FERRUCCI'S OLD TYME ITALIAN MARKET 20910 Torrence Chapel Road, Shops on the Green, Cornelius, 704-896-3190. A few tables let you eat some of their housemade lasagna in-house, or take home some eggplant parmesan, or meats, cheeses, and cold cuts. They grind their own Italian sausage. $

GREG'S FAMOUS B-B-Q 233 S. Broad Street, Mooresville, 704-664-4848. The menu has everything from barbecue to lasagna, chicken to foot long hot dogs and all at unbelievably low prices. $-$$

JASPER'S 127 Depot Street, Davidson, 704-896-1881. Secluded patio surrounded by a garden filled with fragrant herbs. Refreshingly light eclectic cuisine. L$$, D$$$.

KUDZU ON SOUTH BROAD 259 S. Broad Street, Mooresville, 704-663-1859. Chef-owner Chip Potts filters his culinary training in classical cuisine through his Southern heritage to arrive at a unique combination of tantalizing and mouth-watering dishes. Situated in a quaint Victorian house. Patio. L$$, D$$-$$$.

MAMA MIA TOO AT THE HOLBROOK HOUSE 101 Maxwell Avenue, Huntersville, 704-875-0575. New Yorkers love this place primarily featuring Southern Italian cuisine in a charming house in the center of town. L$$, D$$$.

MICKEY & MOOCH 9723 Sam Furr Road, Northcross Shopping Center (Exit 25), Huntersville, 704-895-6654. This stylish locally-owned restaurant has an infectious energy. Steaks and chops are served Pittsburgh style. Menu also has many Low Country dishes, pastas, barbecue baby back ribs, chicken, and seafood. Huge portions. Dinner only. $$$-$$$$

ROYAL SIAM 8301 Magnolia Estates Drive (Exit 28), Cornelius, 704-892-4811. Exceptionally fresh Thai food. Everything made to order in house. L$$, D$$$.

SARAGONI'S RESTAURANT & BAR 1459 River Highway, Mooresville, 704-664-6996. A neighborhood restaurant with pasta, pizzas, sandwiches and grill items with a view of Lake Norman. $$$

SOUTHEND BREWERY & SMOKEHOUSE 19441 Old Jetton Road, Cornelius, 704-895-BREW. Part of the locally owned, now regional chain featuring a micro brewery, house smoked meats, and regional American cuisine with southwestern flair. $$, $$$

SUSHI @ THE LAKE 19732 One Norman Road, Suite 300 (Exit 28), Cornelius, 704-987-8080. This West Coast styled Sushi bar offers traditional sushi and grilled items at very reasonable prices (for sushi, that is). $$$

MATTHEWS/SOUTHEAST

CHARLOTTE

BOARDWALK BILLY'S RAW BAR AND RIBS 1636 Sardis Road North, 704-841-8688. This beach-styled place may look like a bar, but offers much more. Their Billy's Steam Party (enough for two) is filled with steamed shrimp, oysters, clams, and crab legs. Serves food late. $$

THE FISH FARM 1200 Sam Newell Road, Matthews, 704-847-8578. Traditional fish camp food mixed with Southern country, steaks, and ribs set in a barn. L $$ D $$-$$$

GREG'S FAMOUS B-B-Q 10915 Monroe Road, Matthews, 704-847-5035. The menu has everything from barbecue to lasagna, chicken to foot long hot dogs and all at unbelievably low prices. Expect a line even at breakfast. $-$$

KRISTOPHER'S SPORTS BAR & RESTAURANT 250 N. Trade Street, Matthews, 704-845-6200. Popular sports bar with more satellite dishes and televisions than anyone else around. They serve New York style pizza, Buffalo wings, soups and sandwiches. $$

MONTERREY MEXICAN RESTAURANT Windsor Square Shopping Center, 704-841-8068. Full array of Mexican specialties, including fabulous Margaritas. $$

PICADELI Fullwood Plaza, E. Independence Boulevard & Hwy 51. 704-841-1918. Sandwiches galore and over 60 imported and domestic beers. $$

RAUCCI'S ON EAST JOHN STREET 131 E. John Street, Matthews, 704-841-8282. Family owned Italian restaurant serving New York-styled southern Italian cuisine (no pizza). This is hearty but unobtrusive fare. You can eat your fill of nicely turned out dishes. Wonderful desserts. L $$, D $$-$$$

TASTE OF ASIA, VIETNAMESE & CHINESE RESTAURANT 9626 Monroe Road, 704-846-2515. Fresh, large-portioned, and flavorful Vietnamese, Hunan and Szechwan cuisine prepared in an open kitchen. Eat in or take out. $-$$

TOWNSHIP GRILLE Matthews Festival @ Independence Boulevard, 704-847-2480. Matthews' version of Buffalo, NY with great wings, plus large selection of homestyle dinners and sandwiches and a massive beer selection. $