Gallery Restaurant At The Ballantyne Hotel

If you’re in Charlotte and not staying at The Ballantyne Hotel (but seriously, why wouldn’t you?), make sure the Gallery Restaurant At The Ballantyne Hotel is on your list! It’s such a unique dining experience that puts an amazing twist on wonderful dishes, all while supporting Charlotte’s and the Carolina’s local area farms.

For starters, aside from the posh seating, luxurious setting, and attentive waitstaff, I for one loved all the paintings! It is called The GALLERY restaurant, after all. Similar to the hotel itself, the restaurant features local artists’ paintings that are available for purchase. They get switched out whenever one sells, or just for a change of scenery every once in a while, so it’s always worth returning to see what’s new. For example, unlike in the restaurant’s professional picture above, when we went there was an awesome car canvas featured above our table, which is pretty fitting considering Charlotte is huge on that stuff.

Anyway, we were unbelievably excited to dine here!

Honestly, this is one of those places in which EVERYTHING on the menu looks good, and I was right. Some of my personal favorites/highlights included the French Onion Soup, Foie Gras, Caesar Salad, and the Beef Tenderloin. Dessert is a total throwback, and an amazing one at that – with offerings such as three scoops ice cream and s’mores! I mean, how adorable!

We also got to try some really cool things that weren’t on the menu, and although I’m not a whiskey person, Josh is, and we really enjoyed learning about The Whiskey Club of Ballantyne (and getting to taste some with our Foie Gras)! The bar here is unbelievable!

There are so many drinks I wanted to try, and hearing all about the restaurant’s expanded whiskey collection was so fascinating! The hotel offers courses and special events on this stuff, and if you’re ever around when one is going on, do yourself a favor and go!

This was such a memorable meal in a gorgeous setting, and really, what more can you ask for?! We already can’t wait to return, and I hear the Sunday Brunch is something to write home about as well. I am so looking forward to trying that next time!

Our meal was comped, except for the tip we gave our waitress because she was so spectacular. It’s pretty simple – food is either good or it’s not. This was good. Maybe a free meal can buy love (you’re not human if you don’t adore free food!), but as far as my stomach knows, all food is free. My stomach loved it. Trust the stomach.