Sightseeing Sundays-Charlotte, North Carolina

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Although I didn't get to see much of the city, Charlotte is a very cool place--clean, lots to see and do, and has some great restaurants. I recommend Luce Ristorante e Bar; I placed a take-out order because I have been sick all week and just wanted to sit in my hotel room and look at the skyline while I ate alone (I was in town coaching a volleyball tournament for my 14 year old team). Anyway, when I placed my order for their Linguine Sinfonia del Mare and they said the total would be $26, I told them that in the guidebook I was using, America's Cuisine, listed the meal at only $18, they gave me the meal, Pellegrino water, and bread for only $20. I was pretty pleased with their service and willingness to budge their menu price. The mixture of clams, squid, scallops (the best part), and shrimp with a light and very slightly sweet cherry tomato and perperoncino sauce. I stopped and bought a glass of red wine from the hotel bar and had a great solo meal thanks to Luce. On my way to the restaurant, I saw live music on several corners, tons of bars I want to try next time I'm in town like Prohibition and RiRa's Irish pub (I'm a sucker for any Irish pub). They really push their cuisine with their website cuisineofcharlotte.com. This city, nicknamed "the Queen's City," does tend to lean towards the more expensive (they call part of their downtown "Uptown"), but there are plenty of budget options too.