GRAND OPENING: October 1, 2004
OWNER: Jim Emad
EXECUTIVE CHEF: William Schutz, a native of Long Island, NY, came to Charlotte with 23 years of experience. Some of the restaurants in which Schutz gained experience include Bouley’s and Tribeca Grill (co-owned by Drew Nieporent and Robert De Niro) in New York and Arpege in Paris.
AMBIENCE: On the 27th floor of the Plaza building, the view of the Queen City sets the stage for this upscale new arrival. With ceilings painted in copper metallic to give the restaurant that “classic gold look,” the crystal chandelier that greets each guest is not the only thing that shimmers: Jim and Kay Emad’s personal collection of glass art lines the long hallway that leads into the main dining area. Italian imported “burnt orange” leather chairs surround tables, while the scaling bar area is offset by one of the three fireplaces in the restaurant.
SEATING: Three private dining areas are available. Each seating area offers a different view of prominent Charlotte landmarks such as the Bank of America building, Bank of America Stadium, and the new Bobcats arena.
WINE LIST: A selection of 300 wines, 40 available by the glass.
PRICE RANGE: The lunch menu offers appetizers from a $7 Calamari to a $12 Prawn Cocktail, a $5 French Onion Soup, and salads from a $7 Queen Charlotte salad to a $12 Tuna Nicoise. Sandwiches range from a $9 10oz. burger to a $12 “Bobcat” Steak. Entrees include meat, poultry and seafood, including a $13 Plaza Salmon and an $18 Filet Mignon. For dinner, appetizers range from a $10 Butternut Squash Risotto to a $14 Maine Crab Cake. Salads range from a $7 traditional Caesar (with the anchovies) to a $14 Blackened Lobster Tail with sun-dried tomato dressing. Entrees are similar to the lunch menu, incorporating meat, poultry and seafood with a broader selection that includes the $24 Duck a l’orange, the $34 Veal Chop, and the $50 one-pound Australian Lobster Tail.
TYPE OF CUISINE: With what Emad calls “Classic American and French Cuisine,” Bentley’s on 27 adds a touch of traditional French service with the use of a gueridon, a mobile cart that brings food tableside. Bananas Foster, Cherry Jubilee and Chateaubriand Bouquetiere for two are just some of the dishes that may be cooked tableside, “contributing to the overall dining experience.”
ADDED BONUSES: Regular customers are recognized with perks to keep them loyal. The “27 Club” is a reward system for regular guests. Upon enrollment in “Jim’s Table,” guests receive a card and every time he or she dines at the restaurant, points are received. Rewards for points vary depending on the amount and begin after a guest accumulates at least 500 points. Guests can receive items from a Bentley’s gift certificate ($25 to $125) to a Center City evening for two that includes dinner and a show.
HOURS: Open 11:30am to 2pm for lunch. Open for dinner, 5:30pm to 10pm Monday through Thursday and 5:30pm to 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday.
RESERVATIONS: Reservations are not necessary, but recommended.
RECOMMENDED PARKING: Valet parking available.
CREDIT CARDS: All major credit cards accepted.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Wheelchair accessible. After the 27 floor elevator ride, the restaurant is on one level.
Fresh Start is Creative Loafing‘s bi-weekly snapshot of a newly opened restaurant in the Charlotte area. It is not a review. We wait at least several weeks before giving a recently opened restaurant a full-fledged review; Fresh Start is a way to give readers basic information about area restaurant newbies.
This article appears in Oct 20-26, 2004.
