On Saturday night, Ryan and I headed out for a date night in Charlotte!
I would say we drove to downtown Charlotte for our date night, but no one calls the city “downtown.” The city is referred to as “Uptown” which seemed kind of strange to me and Ryan at first, but we’re slowly learning the lingo!
Because I’m a total nerd, I naturally researched why the city is called Uptown and found this explanation from NBC Charlotte’s Brad Panovich: “It dates back to when Charlotte was just a trading post at Trade and Tryon. The early residents of Charlotte would walk or ride their horses to Trade and Tryon to buy and sell their goods. They literally had to go uphill so they would say they were going ‘Up to Town.’ It later was shortened to just going ‘Uptown.’ As the city grew, it slowly went back to the term downtown, when the industrial revolution took place. It was later resurrected in the 1980s as a PR campaign to make downtown sound better.”
I probably just bored your socks off (unless you live in Charlotte and have always wondered about this!), so let’s move onto recapping our date night!
Copper
Ryan and I spent most of Saturday hiking, so after an hour or so of relaxing at home, it was time to get ready and head back out for dinner at Copper, an Indian restaurant located just south of the city.
Ryan selected this restaurant after reading a great review in the Charlotte Observer. We were excited to try it out, especially after some of you recommended it as well.
The restaurant is located in a beautiful house with lots of windows and has a cozy yet upscale atmosphere.
We were lucky enough to snag a table at the front of the house so we could enjoy some natural light and views of the neighborhood.
My meal began with a minty blue martini on the rocks.
It tasted like Icebreakers gum (in a good way)!
As we looked over the menu, we basically inhaled the naan that was delivered to our table.
It was warm, fresh and a little doughy. In other words, it was perfect and we had no problem polishing off the four pieces. I topped mine with the mango chutney and it tasted fantastic.
I was a sad girl when it was all gone.
When it came time to order, Ryan and I decided to heed the advice of a few Yelp reviews I read that said entrees are served “family style” and that an appetizer and entree would be enough for two people. This ended up being a bit of a mistake since the appetizer and entree portions weren’t large. I actually think the entree portions were perfect for one person (not ridiculous or over-the-top), but a single entree was too small to share.
Our meal began with a shared bowl of tomato soup and the gun powder prawns.
Ryan gravitated toward the soup while I ate most of the prawns. The lemon olive crème sauce added the perfect punch of flavor.
For our entree, we shared the duck leg confit with a Tandoori spiced cherry glaze, soy mushroom black cumin broth and parsnip-kale fricassee.
And lots of rice!
Plus a side of vegetables for some greens.
Another basket of naan came with our dinner and we ate all of it once again. I think the naan may have been my favorite part of the whole dinner!
Thanks to the naan and the rice, we didn’t leave Copper feeling hungry, but if we would not have had rice or naan, I know I would’ve left craving more food. If you visit Copper, I wouldn’t recommend listening to the Yelpers who said one entree and an appetizer is enough for two people.
When we left Copper, Ryan and I agreed that the food was delicious, but we’d want to try a bunch of other restaurants before returning. And next time we’ll each order an entree!
Amelie’s French Bakery
Once we hopped in the car, Ryan suggested dessert and I remembered your recommendations for Amelie’s, so we headed to the French bakery in Charlotte’s NoDa Arts District.
Amelie’s is clearly quite popular because a long ling greeted us when we walked through the door.
Fortunately the service was quick and within five minutes, we were selecting sweet treats to enjoy!
Ryan went with a slice of lemon blueberry white cake and a pistachio macaron while I opted for the salted caramel brownie and a mini chocolate mousse cup.
Ryan and I both agreed that I won the dessert battle, hands down. Ryan’s macaron was tasty but his cake wasn’t so great. My salted caramel brownie was unreal. It reminded me of the homemade chocolate sauce my mom makes for on top of ice cream sundaes but in brownie form. The mini chocolate mousse cup was rich and indulgent and I had no problem clearing my plate!
We arrived back at our apartment feeling full and happy. A Saturday date night success!
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Wow that food did look delicious. I would have been sad when it was gone as well. Great move on getting different desserts. The problem is for us I always seem to do a better job picking the dessert and my wife ends up stealing most of it! Our anniversary is coming up so we’ll finally get a weekend away from our lovely Emma, 4 and Esther, 2. Everyone needs a break.
Happy almost anniversary!
I love naan bread as well. With all the restaurants I have to choose from San Francisco, I’ve only done Indian once. I need to change that! Cute dress.
Definitely try Shalimar for Indian in San Francisco- it’s the best Indian in SF and soooooo inexpensive. Naan bread is out of this world and only $1!
You successfully schooled me on why uptown is called uptown! Pretty sad I never looked that up myself after living her almost 8 years! I still haven’t tried Copper, but definitely should. Oh- another awesome date place is Fig Tree if you haven’t put that on your list yet! My husband and I love it, and the location is similer- in an old converted house. You definitely picked the best thing on the menu at Amelie’s. Can’t go wrong with the carmel salted brownie. It’s my fav 🙂
Haha! Happy to share the knowledge! 🙂 And thanks for the rec!
Charlotte seems like such a pretty city. I think we may be doing a South Carolina vacation in September! Leaving a restaurant not completely full always makes me kind of sad ha! I like good portions, but it has to be good quality, not a massive portion at a chain restaurant!
I think the ONLY way to eat naan is to inhale it. And I would love to try that martini – such a cool color! The French bakery looks so cute… It makes me want to be in Europe again because they have so many little unique cafés to try 🙂
Amelie’s brownies are THE best I’ve ever had! SO yum! I dream about them sometimes…
It was ridiculously awesome. I want another one right now. 🙂
Charlotte looks so cute to visit. Can I ask where you went hiking? Those desserts looks amazing, now I am craving dessert for breakfast lol.
We went to the Lake Norman State Park on Saturday and to Stone Mountain State Park on Sunday! Both were great!
Fun little date night! That martini looks delish! 🙂
That bakery is ADORABLE! Love the funky lighting fixture!
I’ve never had Indian (gasp, I know!) but your experience sounds so yummy. We aren’t super exotic in Texas so I’ve never really even thought about trying Indian cuisine. I need to put it on my food bucket list!
No offense to your sweetie but I’ll take your dessert plate, please! 😉
I always go the chocolate route while Ryan typically gravitate towards fruit-based sweets. Chocolate is the way to go. 😉
Ooh so fancy! Looks like fine dining!
Amelie’s salted caramel brownie…what dreams are made of, for sure.
Both places look super good! I Loooove naan and I’m pretty sure I could make a whole dinner out of it 😉
You and me both!!
I’m loving your updates!! My family and I live in Concord. We have only been here for a year, so I am enjoying you sharing your new adventures. There is always something new to see or do within a short drive. We lived in a small town before moving, so I sometimes still feel like I’m on vacation visiting new places in the Charlotte area!
Ohh that brownie looks amazing! And your dress is so cute!
Thank you!
My first job was two doors down from Amelies! I remember when it opened!
You chose well. The Salted Caramel Brownie is what made them famous! Pioneer Woman recreated it after enjoying one in Charlotte.
Oh man, I will have to look up her recipe!
That cake looked delicious! What a bummer that it didn’t taste good 🙁
I think it didn’t taste as good as we thought it would because it was refrigerated so the icing was hard and not fluffy!
Oh that makes sense! I don’t live there, and over here on the west coast we always say downtown, but I’ve heard the uptown, and always wondered what it meant! And omg, Ryan’s cake is making me drool, and for some reason I’m sad that it wasn’t that good haha, at least yours was! Good caramel is to die for!
Everything looks so delicious! Definitely want to try out that bakery if I’m ever there. Looks cute!
This sounds like such a fun date night! That brownie sounds amazing- good choice! 🙂
At least you had more room for dessert! The setting in the house looks beautiful!
You can never go wrong with a brownie! Well, it’s very rare at least : )
Amelie’s Caramel Brownies are amazing !! There is an Amelie’s Petit location across from my office building Uptown and it takes all of my willpower not to get one some days 🙂
2 more fun places to try up by LKN are Epic Chophouse in Mooresville and La Patisserie also in Mooresville. My suggestion is to visit the new PB studio in Mooresville and then swing by La Patisserie for an amazing breakfast and coffee 😉
I love Indian food! Looks like you had a great meal. Your caramel brownie looks amazing. It’s definitely something I would have picked too.
I’ve just started running and have been reading through your old running story posts. I thought you mentioned (a long time ago) that Leslie was going to do a guest post after running her first race..did that ever happen and I just can’t find it?
Unfortunately, no. She actually got injured while she was training for it. She made it to 9 miles but then hurt her foot and couldn’t do the race. 🙁
Wow, looks so fancy and so yummy! Also those desserts!! You seriously find the best food, and I love your dress! Where did you get it?!
That brownie looks amazing! What a fun date night. It is always great to try new places and explore. 🙂
that dessert looks incredible – i’m all about salted caramel!
Yay for a fun (and delicious!) date night! It’s so fun to explore new places in your new hometown. Glad you guys are enjoying it! And I adore your dress!
Thanks so much, Ashley!
it’s been years since i’ve had indian food – you may have just sparked a craving! =)
Ooh your desert looks delicious, especially the brownie. My girlfriends and I ate at PF Changs this weekend and decided to share entrees and sushi. It was a great decision for cost and food variety reasons, but we ended up having to order more food because we were still hungry!
It was so great running into you yesterday at Starbucks after class!! These are 2 places my husband and I will have to try. Another restaurant you should add to your list is Terrace Cafe at Southpark for breakfast.
Loved meeting you, Lindsey!!! Hope to see you at Pure Barre again! And thanks so much for the recommendation!
Your mom and I have the same birthday! Happy belated to her!
Happy birthday to you! Hope it was fabulous!
Looks like a fun date night! I love Indian food but haven’t had any in a while. I really like the flavors of the different spices they use. Naan is also quite addicting!
Looks like fun!! Love trying new places! I’m glad you guys are adjusting to the new place and “lingo” 🙂
Hi!! I love your dress – it’s gorgeous! Where’d you get it? 🙂
Thank you! I got it at Nordstrom Rack in Jacksonville a few months ago. 🙂 I can’t remember the brand but I’ll check when I get home!
That’s so interesting that they call it “Uptown,” but it makes sense in light of the story! I love little pieces of trivia like that. 🙂
Naan is something that I could probably eat for a meal. Just a basket of naan (or any carbs, really!), and I’m a happy girl. Although I sure wouldn’t turn away that salted caramel brownie for dessert!
Julie your dress is gorgeous!!! It sounds like you enjoyed your date night and are enjoying exploring your new home! You make me want to visit Charlotte some day 🙂
Yay for date nights! This looks like the perfect little evening and it’s so fun exploring new places!
I’ve lived in Charlotte my entire life (except for college) and I’ve always called it downtown. My parents grew up here too so I guess I get that from them – I still like to call it downtown since it seems silly to change just for a PR campaign 🙂 My bridal luncheon was at Amelie’s; you definitely picked the best dessert there!
I am a Charlotte native too and always called it downtown. My husband is a ‘transplant’ and calls it uptown. Growing up we always knew if you were not a local if you said uptown instead of downtown!
What a fun place for a bridal luncheon!!
So glad you are loving Charlotte! Every post since you got there is happy and positive–a great decision!
Thanks Rebecca! It’s a great fit so far! 🙂
I just adore Amile’s bakery. I completely agree that nann is so amazing and it is hard not to devour it immediately!
If you get a chance, stop by the Great Harvest Bread Company on South Kings drive or at Piper Glen (on Rea Road and Bevington Road). The bread is amazing and they also have sandwiches with spreads that they make in house!
Thanks for the tip!
Only 1 entree at Cooper to share? I’ve never heard of that! My husband and I always get our own, 1 modern and 1 traditional, and share.
I have never been a fan of Amelie’s cakes. The brownie is awesome though!!
That dessert looks TOO good! Jealous!
I love Charlotte! I live 2 hours from there in SC, and my boyfriend and I spent a spontaneous weekend there this past weekend and had a blast! A lot of good food and vibes. I will definitely be sharing with him why it’s called uptown!
So funny, I am a born and bred charlottean and I always called it downtown! The only people I knew who called it uptown were not locals!
I come from a place where the city center is called “uptown” as well. Almost the same story too…people had to walk up King St, which was a big hill, to get to shops, the market, etc and there is a big park at the top of the hill called King Square – naturally;)
I was just at that Amelie’s for the first time on Thursday night! I agree with you – the salted caramel brownies are wonderful!