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Aria
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants American (New) Italian, American (New) [Edit]
100 N Tryon StCharlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: First Ward
(704) 376-8880
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
66 reviews for Aria
Review Highlights
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"I thought the wine list was reasonably priced." In 6 reviews -
"Osso Bucco and Angus Rib-Eye Filet were equally note-worthy." In 3 reviews -
"...them so my friend enjoyed his veal scallopini in peace." In 2 reviews
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66 reviews in English
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Review from Kellie S.
Garland, TX
I loved everything about Aria. The food was excellent, my server (Richard) was wonderful and the decor was beautiful. I stopped by on a Thursday evening after work to grab some dinner. The bar was getting pretty packed with men and women in suits and ties.
The menu looked good but the bar bites menu looked even better. Each plate was $5 and that was what sold me. I am always one who wants to try everything on the menu but my eyes are bigger than my stomach so I stuck to just three of the items. I ordered the caramelized gnocchi, beef short ribs and the bone marrow.
Before my orders were brought out I was presented with a small bowl of tuscan beans and a nice loaf of bread. It was crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The beans were drizzled with olive oil and had a hint of lemon juice, salt, parsley, black pepper and salt. You eat the beans with the bread. I've never had this before and it was really good.
When my entrees came out they were beautifully plated and they tasted as good as they looked. My top favorite is the bone marrow. In close second was the beef short ribs and then the gnocchi. You scoop out the bone marrow, spread it on your buttered toast and top it off wit the veggies (parsley, red onions, capers). The beef short ribs were sitting on top of polenta and was topped with some greens (don't know what type) and what looked like cubes of beets. It was drizzled with a fruity, acidic sauce. The dish was pulled together nicely. The gnocchi was also beautifully plated but I got this only because it was a dish I have never had before. It looked like little balls of dough but did not taste doughy at all. It was soft and chewy but did not have much flavor. If it wasn't for the toppings (Prosciutto di Parma, Pear, Gorgonzola, Truffle Oil) I wouldn't have liked it.
I was pretty full at the end of my meal and didn't finish everything but wanted to get dessert to go. I opted for the chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Hazelnut Gelato & Vanilla Cream. Since I did not have a freezer in my hotel room for the gelato and ice cream, I had to get a substitute of berries. The slice of cake was pretty big and I could not finish it. The cake itself was a little dry but if you take in the hazelnut and the cake along with the chocolate together it is absolutely decadent. I would have been sinful if I had the ice cream and gelato too because I was told that it compliments the cake beautifully and brings out even more flavors. Ugh, I wish I had saved room to eat it the way it was supposed to be eaten. Oh well. -
Review from Eric W.
5/5/2012
Note: dinner was for large group on a pre-set menu
Started with the Caesar Salad that was somewhat light in flavor but they gave the option with or without anchovies. Had steak (wygo?) for dinner. Pretty good but again nothing to write home about. The service was pretty good. They started trying to take orders for wine by the glass but realized that was futile and simply opened numerous bottles... We also started in on the Cranberry and Kettle One...until they ran out of Kettle One. Normally that would disappoint me but knowing how many we're ordered, not surprising. Very cool staff as they put together special dessert for one of our party celebrating birthday. Interested to see how they do from the menu next time. -
Review from Jessica M.
Gastonia, NC
3/28/2012
I wouldn't normally think of Aria for lunch, but my coworkers wanted to take me somewhere different for my birthday, and who am I to refuse that? I mean, it is a national holiday for me. So after some negotiation, someone suggested Aria, and I love trying new places, so I was all-in.
We got there early (around 11:30, which is the perfect time for uptown lunch, btw), and were seated at the table by the kitchen, which was actually kind of annoying (we were basically in a room with one entrance besides the entrance to the kitchen, with no room for the server to move behind our chairs). No big deal, though, and it was interesting to see the chefs at work.
The menu for lunch was pretty extensive and there were a lot of choices. They even had a lunch deal that was pretty reasonable (and included dessert!). I opted for a lamb salad with butter beans and some other delicious stuff on it, and it was awesome. I always jump at the chance to order lamb, because it's rare that I eat somewhere that has it, and I love it soooooo much (baaaaaaaaaaa). Salad was a pretty decent portion, but that doesn't mean I didn't almost lick the plate clean. A lot of the others in our group got salads of all different kinds, and they all enjoyed their lunches thoroughly (although I may be the only plate licker... lay off me, I'm starving).
I would love to try Aria out for dinner and maybe sample some wines! I'll definitely be back :) -
Review from Joana L.
Charlotte, NC
5/15/2012
I've never been to Aria before, but was invited to tag along with a coworder after work Thursday night. The menu was overwheming, but our server, (Richard) suggested the Grilled Salmon and the Seared Scallops....so we went with that and were very, very pleased. His suggestions were spot on!
The place really filled up fast, but we were well taken care of. We'll defintely be back! -
Review from David kasey K.
Southern Pines, NC
1/11/2012 1 photo
Wow!!! Aria Tuscan is amazing. From the moment you arrive you feel right at home. The staff is unpretentious for such a prestigious address. Located in Center City @ Founders Hall/Bank of America Coporate Center I would think the place would have an "Uptown Aura", but it really doesn't. High Class without the attitude. One Block from Time Warner Arena, or Epicenter the location is perfect.
Now to the food. The Five Stars in my opinion are an understatement. Presentation is so important, but so are the quality of ingredients. Chef Frank and his staff have obviously put a lot of thought and effort into each course, and I have yet to meet one I did not like.
Try their 3 Course lunch for $9. I had the salad, spaghetti with meatballs, cheesecake, and plenty of La Bozza Toscana bread. Just the right amount of food, and I felt outstanding when I left.
For dinner try Grand. B's Lasagna, the Pan Seared scallops or salmon and follow it up with House Made Ricotta.
I live two hours away from Aria, but frequent Charlotte for business. I will drive to Charlotte though just to eat here. It is simply that delightful!
The Chef here is top notch, and one of the best around!
If you haven't tried Aria you are truly missing out.
Important tip: Request they validate your parking. -
Review from Stephanie K.
Charlotte, NC
Updated - 12/30/2011
Fluctuating between 4 and 5 stars, Aria has yet to disappoint. Before seeing Rock of Ages at the Belk theater, we filled up on a couple noteworthy appetizers.
Lamb sausage and feta pizza. We ordered this to "appease the Greeks" but holy smokes, this is a delicious pizza. Greek heritage not required.
Caramelized gnocchi: served in a truffle oil cream sauce with prosciutto. If you like truffles, you will LOVE this gnocchi. It's "scraping the bowl with your fingers" good.
Our server was extra friendly and very helpful with recommendations. I had a glass of Barbera (eh, 2 glasses) that was excellent and under $10 a glass!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/2/2011
The two visits I have made to Aria have been excellent. I came once for a romantic Valentine's… Read more »
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Review from Michael E.
Asheville, NC
Updated - 1/13/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I am upping the stars on this place only due to Jennifer G the server that has consistently made me want to come back here.
I avoid the bar at all costs, but in the dining room and with Jennifer as our server it can be a great place to dine.
For this evening it was people close to me. 5 of us sat down at a table and Jennifer took care of the rest...suggesting wines...pairing them with food, etc.
I had the Lasagna...others had chicken and pork and the list goes on.
Lots of food - so well worth the price, though wine here can run above $16 a glass????3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/8/2011
A date night here had me an my girl decided to have dinner and some drinks at the bar.
Service… Read more »
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Review from Karen B.
3/11/2012
I had lunch with a friend last week at Aria. We showed up a little after noon and were immediately shown to a table. Our waiter was incredibly attentive throughout the meal and kept the (slightly-cheesy) banter going and our water glasses full. I asked his opinion between the flatbread special and the mushroom pizza, and was surprised when he recommended the standard menu item over the special (was pleased I didn't get talking into something just to clean out the kitchen). My friend got a salad with grilled salmon, and it was fresh and colorful. The fresh bread and olive oil/bean spread is droolworthy. Their lunch prices are reasonable, and the portion sizes are plentiful (I took half my pizza to-go). A bit more of a scene at night, but a great Uptown option.
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Review from Jessica O.
Atlanta, GA
3/19/2012
We wanted to visit the champagne lounge, but it was booked for an event - luckily, they still serve the same champagnes in the regular dining room. We had appetizers, champagne and a dessert - all dishes were good - not amazing, but very good. The service was great and the atmosphere nice, just a little loud. Good experience.
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Review from Avi A.
Since I keep passing this place on my way to lunch everyday, I figured I had to try it out sooner or later. After I received two good recommendations about it, I decided it was finally time!
I went there last Friday with my co-workers and I will admit that I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the food delicious, but the variety of items offered on the menu allows for an expansive Italian taste tour. My only reservation about Aria is in regard to the appetizers which, in my opinion are far too small to demand the price that they do. It's literally ONE crab cake for $12 and five tiny morsels of cheese also for $12. I found the caramelized gnocchi a bit "doughy," but the calamari is the best I've had this side of the country.
The entrees are definitely the selling points of this restaurant. The slow cooked beef short rib was tender, pink, juicy, and fatty! Osso Bucco and Angus Rib-Eye Filet were equally note-worthy. I'd say the red meat is their forte. Moreover, the portions suddenly quadruple in size once you get to the entrees such that you may as well skip out on the apps all together. My compatriots weren't raving about their chicken or pasta dishes and I came to the conclusion that their judgments were reasonable. "Tastes like chicken."
One aspect I particularly enjoyed about Aria was the attention placed on the garnishes for each dish. The tuna sashimi is served on a salt board, which flavors the meat as time passes (Don't wait too long though!). The "italian mac/cheese underneath the rib-eye is absolutely amazing (not overly-cheesy) and the garlic swiss chard on the Osso Bucco was relished by all.
I would definitely come here again to try more things on the menu. Perhaps I would pass on the apps this time because I would trade one entree for three apps any day of the week.
Yum!
4/5 -
Review from Amiee H.
11/17/2011
Food:
1) Bar bites-fried calamari: Very lightly fried and tasted super fresh! Loved the dipping sauce! And only $5, what a steal!
2) Bar bites-short ribs: the beef seriously was just falling apart it was so tender! And only $5, what a steal! It was a very small portion, but totally worth it!
3) Squash Ravioli: Very tasty! Loved the squash stuffing and the ravioli skin was very well made!
4) prosciutto flatbread: LOVED IT!!! YUMMY!! 10inx10in of happiness on a platter! The cheese was thin and not overbearing, the toppings were delicious and the flatbread crust was very well made! PERFECTION!
Service:
Very friendly! Very good about refilling our water and attending to our needs!
Ambiance:
Very hip and trendy feel! There is a little bar off to the side with a LARGE selection of wines! Very nice place for a classy hangout joint! The restaurant side was very well decorated with modern decor! It had a more romantically dimmed lite setting but very appropriate for the theme they were setting! I loved it!
Price:
It's going to put a dent in your wallet but it's well worth it! The food is delicious, the service is great and the ambiance is really worth experiencing! I'd totally recommend this for a splurge or a nice date!
Overall:
I would LOVE to come back again but too bad I'm not from the East Coast and I don't live in Charlotte, North Carolina :( -
Review from Dan C.
Charlotte, NC
12/22/2011
Linguini vongole was well-prepared. The pasta itself was cooked to perfection - it wasn't undercooked, nor overcooked. Clams were a bit on the small side, calling into question whether or not they are really "fresh" as the menu states, but passable. Pancetta was different twist and added a little saltiness that complemented the white wine taste, but overall, would not get pancetta - personal preference, I suppose. If I'm in the mood for linguini vongole, I'll probably get it here. Solid bar scene after-work.
dmo out. -
Review from Kristine R.
Cambridge, MA
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Standard Italian place, though I liked the space - very spacious and lovely.
Came here with two other colleagues for dinner and it was good, but nothing extraordinary. They gave bread and olive oil, which is always tasty. I ordered the tuscan salad which consisted of arugula, beets, shaved fennel, red onion, endive, ricotta salata and a walnut vinaigrette, I loved this, very simple and the portion was just right. For my main course, I had the lasagna, I really liked the sauce and it was a generous portion. My colleagues liked their entrees. One had the penne with meatballs and the other had the seafood pasta.
All in all, nice place, good food and good service. -
Review from Grace Y.
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hello? Lunch special! It's under $10 and you get salad, entree, and dessert. It doesn't get much better than that. I don't know how long this lunch special is going to run- but it's perfect for a quick bite in between business meetings (especially if you work downtown).
I took some recruits here and chowed down on their super fancy mac'n'cheese. I believe it's called the Pasta al Forno. Molto delizioso!
The details of the restaurant is also brag worthy. The interior design is impeccable and the open kitchen view is encouraging (as the kitchen itself is very clean). Perfect for that hot date, near-to-empty wallet, business, fun, etc. -
Review from Aaron C.
Yorba Linda, CA
11/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Snuck in on lunch, and managed to get a seat without reservations. Shortly after (about 5 minutes) the place was packed and not a seat available.
The wait staff was prompt and courteous and helpful in recommending an entree.
I tried the special of the day which was a pan seared pork loin (medium) on polenta and spinach. Absolutely fantastic. Price was in check at 12 dollars.
What a bargain, would definitely try it again :) -
Review from Amber K.
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
No reason to make reservations, they won't be ready when you get there.
I had to wait 30 minutes for my table I reserved two weeks in advance.
I tried the Crab Cakes, Calamari, Bruschetta , Chicken Parm and Chocolate Hazelnut Cake. The starters were all yummy but I wish the Chicken Parm would have come with pasta instead of a tablespoon of spinach. The hazelnut cake was very good. If I had to do it again I would probably just do coffee and dessert. -
Review from Dion L.
8/13/2011
I call this review, High Hopes and Bubble Nightmares.
I too went to a benefit here, which is completely separate to how in feel about the Bubble Lounge. The organization I was there supporting, couldn't be nicer...but the lounge needs some serious work.
Having it be part of Aria, you know it's going to be trendy. The circular bar is nicely set up, as is the rest of the lounge. The finishes are rich and it feels modern and sleek.
The problem my friends and I had was the service, or lack of it. We waited a good, 10, 15 minutes at the bar, and watched as the staff served champagne to the other ladies around us, but ignored us as we BLATANTLY HELD OUT OUR HANDS WITH DRINK TICKETS. It was almost like being in middle school again. Ignored by the cool kids.
When passed apps came around, that's what they did. The servers with trays walked around, and didn't stop at our section of the bar. When FINALLY a tray of mini crabcakes was set down, we each took one, and immediately, the server took it back.
There were also no napkins passed at this time, so my friend and I at one point were left with a skewer of lamb...and left the sticky skewer on the bar. Classy.
The passed coconut shrimp was ok...but reminded me of a soggier version of that Margaritaville frozen coconut shrimp in the supermarket freezer section.
The creme de la creme...
I was sitting at the bar chair, and when the phyllo-wrapped asparagus came around, I stood up (butt still touching the seat of the chair) to get one. I felt something behind me, almost sat down, but REALIZED THERE WAS NO CHAIR UNDER ME!
A woman had taken it from under my bottom! I looked over her, asked her why she did it, and she, along with her smug boyfriend/manfriend said "you stood up, so it's mine". (Or something to that extent.)
The manfriend then proceeded to hug the bartender who saw the entire situation go down.
One server was kind to us, but he was serving Aria, so we didn't deal with him much...which brings me to the conclusion the Bubble Lounge has some serving issues to deal with.
In my book, it's all about service. I don't care who you are, you could be my grandma, a supermodel, a TV news anchor or unemployed. If you don't serve everyone equally, you've lost my service.
I may try this place again...but it's going to take a lot of improvement. -
Review from Kate M.
5/20/2011
I was really surprised to see this very well appointed restaurant and bar so empty, although that made it very easy for our small group to get a table.
The food all sounded delicious, plenty of inviting pasta options, but since this was my second dinner of the night (yes, 2nd) I went with the beet salad. It was very good. I tried a bite of the caramelized gnocchi as well as the orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe and they were also very good. The desert was the best I've had in a while. I had the lemon semifreddo with blackberries, it was fantastic.
The service was fairly good. It definitely got better as the night went on. At first, it really seemed like we had thrown our waiter off somehow, as if we snuck up on him. By the end of the meal he was cracking jokes and had redeemed himself.
Aria is a very pretty restaurant. It's slightly below street level, with a warm inviting glow off the white leather covering all the chairs and benches. There is a large window looking into the kitchen, which gave us something to look at while savoring our food.
I'm told Aria is pricey as Charlotte restaurants go, but I thought the prices mirrored the quality and size of the dishes perfectly. Maybe more expensive than other restaurants in the area, but worth every penny. -
Review from William C.
Brooklyn, NY
8/23/2011
I would prefer to rate it 3.5 stars, but there's no option for that.
The service, must like Flemings (the restaurant I loved down the block), is fantastic.
Excellent training and people who genuinely seemed interested in working with you to make sure you are satisfied.
It's probably the only reason I gave this a four instead of three when thinking of having to balance.
Why? Well, I'm from New York... home of more Italians than most of the rest of the world. This means that I'm a bit pickier about Italian food.
So, while the food isnt bad or anything, it just isnt amazing. I'd expect more from a place that looks and acts this good.
Would I eat here again? Maybe. I'd prefer Flemings any day, though. -
Review from JoAnn D.
Waxhaw, NC
1/27/2012
Have been here a couple of times. Service is great, food is delicious and almost too pretty to eat. A fabulous choice for restaurant week as they do not do a special menu but use their entire regular menu. For restaurant week only they are open on Sunday. Great for special occassions.
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Review from Stan P.
Charlotte, NC
7/21/2011
You won't regret dining at Aria. I have tasted their (dinner entrees) veal, lasagne, and fettuccine. It's all about high quality ingredients that are delicious.
The dining area is beautiful. The rather large bar area is very upscale and hopping. The service is fast, not rushed but fast. The wine list is extensive and offers a large number of reds.
A very nice touch is the large chilled bottle of water that is brought to the table. It's Charlotte tap water in an unmarked bottle but it is a better option than the typical glass of ice water. It's just a nicely-thought-out small touch.
One last mention about the veal. So often you will find veal that is just so-so. The veal at Aria was the best that I have eaten. It was soft enough to cut with a fork. Served with a delicious lemon butter and with capers. Just great!
The kitchen is visible through a large window that runs across the back of the dining room. The cooking space is first class. The chefs are neatly dressed and move with precision and grace. -
Review from Angie P.
Some friends & I went to Bubble Lounge for a benefit tonight & we weren't too impressed.
The setting & layout is nice, but the service was "meh". My two friends were interested in ordering something & with waiter buzzing around, no one bothered to assist them. Yes, I know there was an event there; however, it was not "closed off" to the public & they had menus all over the place, which is an invitation to order.
The appetizers the waiters did bring around were tasty. I had a fried coconut shrimp & a pastry wrapped asparagus.
This place has potential, but it's clear they need to work out the kinks of having an event and continuing to service the public. -
Review from R S.
NY
8/28/2011 Seated via OpenTable
My three friends and I loved this restaurant. We ate at a number of different places on our roadtrip, including Little Italy in NYC, and this was by far our favorite meal of the trip.
We had reservations, which I would recommend. We didn't get sat exactly on time, but we loved sitting at the bar drinking wine and ordering their small appetizer bites. Definitely recommend the reduced price bar apps if you have to wait.
We ordered the gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, and chicken carbonara. No one complained that the food was heavy or undercooked, everything was just right.
The service could have been slightly more attentive, but nothing that detracted from the overall great meal we all experienced. -
Review from David T.
Haverford, PA
1/15/2012
Really 3.5 stars.
I went with my wife on a Friday evening around 8, no reservation, no problem getting a table. It seemed to get a little crowded after a Bobcats game let out later on, but it was fine. The service was without any problems, unlike many of the reviews here. Of course, we were at a table not at the bar. It is a bit trendy, but not unbearably so.
The food is good. I loved the warm ciabatta type roll that came out first, with some olive oil and pepper it was a great appetizer. We also had the fritti mixti. I had originally asked about the 5 dollar bar bites, but evidently they are only available at the bar. The mixti was fine, but nothing special for 12 dollars. We had two glasses of wine, which sort of bizarrely arrived in normal tumbler style glasses rather than wine glasses. I didn`t really care, but it was a first for me.
For an entree I had the sausage, broccoli rabe and orrechiette, with a very strong garlic flavor (plus in my book) and a good bit of spice. I have dairy issues, so it would have been nice if they had listed the cheese in the ingredients on the menu. Nonetheless, it was flavorful. My wife had the bucatini with pesto which she also like quite a good deal.
We had a good meal, but I don`t think that we will be back. It is a bit costly for what they offer, and it is definitely too trendy for us. It looks like it is trying to attract an epicenter crowd. -
Review from Julia S.
Charlotte, NC
2/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Luxxxe decor-wise but a tad flat nosh-wise. Maybe my expectations were a teensy bit high, or I need to go back for dinner?
I've had Tuscan-style pies that didn't resemble Tostino's quite as much as these, really, flatbreads, do - so dry, so unleavened, no chew, no bend, that the cracker takes over and there's crumbs flying everywhere, and taking a bite is work. Got the distinct feeling these were preformed and chilled somewhere, waiting to be covered with other prepared-this-early-morning toppings, the hope being that the oven would bring the mushrooms back to life (not so much).
Harsh. I know they can do better. But staring at that gorgeous bar, feeling so comfy-comfy on the couch, made the little mediocrities stand up and yell in my face. Despite the reasonable lunch prices and decent service. -
Review from Amanda G.
Los Angeles, CA
3/9/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Food: 2 - 2.5 stars
Décor/Vibe/Service: 3.5 - 4 stars
After my second trip here for dinner last night, I have to echo the general theme of reviews for Aria: cool vibe, great décor, really average food (at best). I also have to echo the desire to want to like this place, because I really do...it's a bummer that the food's just so mediocre.
That said, I've specifically been disappointed by:
- The wine list: yes, they do offer a wide variety, but their by the glass selection is much less diverse. I realize it's an Italian restaurant (and so my desire for a sweeter/less dry white may fall on deaf ears) but it would be nice if they offered something on that end by the glass (not a glass of Riesling, Gruner Veltliner or Semillon to be seen...although they did offer bottles of each of these).
- The Pork Chop with Brussels Sprouts, Caramelized Apple, Mustard Balsamic Sauce: all around, I was just bored by this dish. The balsamic sauce gave the apples a little bit of a weird flavor, and the pork chop was either not cooked very well or was just not a good pork chop to begin with...not sure which. And the Brussels sprouts...where do I begin? I'm currently in the midst of a love affair with this vegetable, so believe me when I say I've tried them at more than a few restaurants in various cities over the past year or two. I've now been severely disappointed by them twice at Aria, and will NOT be ordering them again. Usually, Brussels sprouts in restaurants blow my home-made versions out of the water (much to my chagrin), but the chef at Aria saw fit to overcook and under season them, for reasons that I cannot fathom.
- The Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Hazelnut Gelato & Vanilla Cream: A few Yelpers were big fans of this dessert, but I found it very...blah. The gelato was super whatever, and the cake was...just cake. It wasn't bad at all, and I do think the texture was good...moist and everything. But I seriously had no desire to finish it, which is unusual for me as I'm normally the "lick the dessert plate clean" type.
Also had the Penne a la Vodka, which was fine but again nothing to write home about.
The one thing that I will say was legitimately good and I would order again is the Mascarpone Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce; if feel the need to come to Aria despite what you've read here on Yelp, get this dessert, because it might be the only good thing you have all evening. The mascarpone cheese just gives it this divine texture...yum. But seriously, I would save your $$ and skip Aria altogether.Listed in: Ch-Ch-Ch-Charlotte!
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Review from Alisa N.
Charlotte, NC
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
We went here to celebrate my husband's birthday based on a recommendation from a friend. The restaurant, wait staff and food were awesome! We started with the tuna and I'm not a fan of sushi but it was so good and they served it on a salt board. He had the prime rib which was cooked to perfection while I had the pork chops which were so delicious and tender. There are so many other dishes I want to try like the Beef Short Ribs and Fettuccine Carbonara. We will hopefully get back here soon!
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Review from Marc G.
Charlotte, NC
12/7/2010
Try as I might, I just can't bring myself to really like this place. I swear the first couple of times I had lunch there, I thought it was awesome. But then...
I have been back at least three times since and it's always underwhelming. I have had the short ribs, the osso buco, the margherita pizza, the grilled chicken panini (probably the best thing I have had there), and gnocchi (which was actually very, very good), and each time I leave thinking the food was good but not great.
Last night, I was there with a group of minds that I greatly respect. I think we were all in agreement. Decor is great. Location can't be beat. Vibe is good, even if the place seems to be populated with the typical cast of bankers. But the food is just good. Nothing special.
Blame the market I guess. Maybe there is too much risk to step outside the usual. But I sure wish someone would try, and you would think a successful chef would have the confidence and the backing to do it.
Oh well. I'm sure I'll go back. But at least I'll know what I'm getting. -
Review from Shauna H.
Updated - 3/30/2011
You know, I truly want to LOVE Aria. The food tastes great- albeit temperatures were way off during my last meal but I can handle that for bar food. I want Aria to be my go-to late night quick bite meal place (yay $5 plates)
But...
The bar service is atrocious! Seriously, the people are so snooty and rude it's hard to believe when it's happening!
My friend and I came in at about 8pm to have a cocktail and grab a few apps. My friend started to order a drink and the young female bartender barked at her to show her an ID - to which she obliged. Before I was even able to order (as I was still perusing the menu) she told me to show her an ID. I get it - ok- we look young, my friend is 22 and I am 25, but geez wait 2.5 seconds for me to pick out a drink! So I said I needed a moment to decide what I wanted. A few seconds later instead of asking me what I decided on, she demanded an ID again- I showed her it and then asked for a glass of Prosecco.
I had to track down someone for a glass of water - and to put an order in. At no time did anyone smile at us or even offer us service...there was maybe 10 people at the bar and 2 servers (and a manager? behind the bar).
We ordered four dishes- which were dropped down in front of us without a word - we were not asked if we wanted anything else or if everything tasted ok. The bartender had no problems smiling at the men dressed in suits but treated us with a serious chill.
I want to go back - because I enjoy the food (and have always had good table service) but seriously learn how to treat customers at the bar! I am a New Yorker and you make us look like rainbow bright and her crew of my little ponies.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/26/2011
$5 small plates if you sit at the bar!!!!!!!The gnocchi is a dream and the calamari is pretty… Read more »
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Review from Brooke P.
Charlotte, NC
12/25/2011
If you are looking for a great atmosphere with wine and Italian food. Then Aria is it. I love their main dishes and their appetizers are amazing. They have a great wine menu, service is great and you will not leave hungry. The portions are worth the money (more higher end) and big enough to even share. Great atmosphere for a date, group of friends or even by yourself. Very modern sitting and a cool view of deco. Pierre the owner is a down to earth business owner and knows what he is doing when it comes to food. Highly recommended!!!
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Review from Annie W.
1/25/2011
Swanky decor, fantastic service, good food. The wine bar area was cool, I want a wall of wine in my house too.
Came here for restaurant week and they had their entire menu available, awesome.
Crabcake had tons of crab, very little filler, which is good, but the crab didn't taste very fresh. Grilled artichoke was nicely flavored. Gnocchi was bomb, super soft with a lot of flavor. Swordfish was overcooked, but the flavoring was nice over a bed of arugula. Had hazelnut gelato (nom), pistacho gelato (nom), and cabernet sorbetto (different, kind of grows on you after a while) for dessert. And I tried the hazelnut cake thing, delicious.
In conclusion, if I skip the seafood next time and stick to my vegetarianism, I think I'll love this place. -
Review from Emme E.
10/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is such a fun place to eat... the decor is elegant & modern and at the same time intimate. There is private room you can reserve that opens right onto the kitchen & it's super cool! The food is really good & we love the sautéed gnocchi. Jennifer is our favorite server & she is always funny & pleasant & on the ball. The bar area is small & always a great place to see and be seen. The caliber of diners here is high & definitely a fashion-show. If you love lemon get the lemon semi-freddo for dessert. Awe-some!
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Review from Jess C.
The decor is nice (like every other restaurant in Uptown), but the service is abominable. More importantly, the food here is just not good.
Short rib appetizer: extremely small, decent tasting, but a whopping $9 ($5 at the bar if it is happy hour).
Duck Pappardelle: Too much noodle, not enough duck. Duck was very fatty and tasteless. Plus, they don't use fresh pasta! $15.
Osso Bucco: Tender pork roast with NO flavor at all. $25.
Veal Scallopini: Aria's specialty. Tastes like it's from Olive Garden.
Tiramisu: Decent and decently priced at $6.
Overall, the highlights were the bread and tiramisu, but they weren't life changing. For the price you pay and the terribly slow and unfriendly service, it's not worth it. -
Review from Tor B.
Saint Louis, MO
5/7/2011
Bravo Aria, Bravo.
From the beginning, Aria was a hit. I had heard it was good, so I had to go see for myself. Yep, it is.
We sat at the bar (although the best tables are in front on the kitchen) to try the best they had to offer. I am fairly confident that everything we didn't try would be excellent too! We sampled the Arugula Salad, Gnocchi - very very good, Spaghetti and Meatballs (I can't remember the last time I was convinced to order spaghetti and meatballs) , and polenta with roasted mushrooms. We wrapped up with the Lemon Semifreddo.
Everything we had was excellent. The chefs at Aria know exactly how to prepare each dish with perfection. The ingredients are clean and simple...very Italian in their approach. It's never about how much you can put into a dish, but rather the a few high-quality components ...
Enjoy. I know I will the next time. -
Review from FoodLover Z.
Chicago, IL
1/24/2012
Went during restaurant week 2012. The restaurant was crowded as expected during restaurant week, but the service was still quite good. the wine selection was great, but the food was ok. not bad, but nothing to write home about. i had the tuna crudo for starters, which was a little too salty; the veal marsala for the main course which was great; and the trio of gelato for dessert, which was also just about ok. all in all, it was a decent meal.
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Review from Craig R.
2/20/2011
I went here with a party of 16 from work. The place is upscale and oozes slight cool without being snobby. The wine list is pretty solid. The food overall was well done. The bread they serve before dinner is excellent. I had the capreses salad which was good. Firm but tender tomoatoes and very nice Mozzarella with a splash of balsamic and EVOO. For my main i had the scallops which were cooked perfectly. No dessert here so i cannot comment on that portion of the menu. Other folks had various fish, pasta and steak. Everyone was happy with their meal. The bill wasnt outrageous for a party of 16.
Service was friendly, fast and efficient. -
Review from Dana M.
Charlotte, NC
2/11/2012
I visited for lunch and I'd like to try dinner b4 giving a 5. The atmosphere and the serving details were spot on. My food was solid.
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Review from Alessandra S.
Charlotte, NC
2/17/2010
I went into Aria with mediocre expectations, as I do with all restaurants that boast "Tuscan" cuisine. But any reservations I came in with began to fall away right when I walked in the door. I also literally had no reservations. Who needs to call ahead on a Wednesday night to make a reservation for four people? You do, if you plan to come here. We were baffled at the crowd, but the host sprang to action and offered us the only table available - the "chef's table" - right in the kitchen. A "chef's table"? In Charlotte? We jumped right on it.
I headed to our special table with visions of hibachi restaurants, with chefs putting on a show. I was certain that it would be just a few moments until my girlfriend's and I were catching shrimp in our mouths, tossed from the cooks while singing and cheering, flames in the backdrop. I recently read an article from Charlotte Magazine in which the author described the Chef's table as a "small space off the dining room where they can enjoy dishes with commentary from the kitchen." Hmm. Commentary? At one point during dinner, one of my friends sneezed and I think - I think - one of the line cooks said "Bless you." Other than that, we kind of felt like we were intruding, and within five minutes we were all sweating like a group of menopausal women.
Anyway, once we cracked the menu we forgot we were in the kitchen. Everything sounded delicious and, between the four of us, it's safe to say that no one's dish disappointed. We ordered the bruschetta and, as Stephen said, it wasn't what we had pictured but once the first bite was taken, nobody cared anymore. We also had the eggplant parmigiana, equally delish. The bread was pretty average, and the white bean dip that came with it took it up a few notches. For entrees, we ordered the Wild Mushroom Pizza (very good,) the potato gnocchi (tasty), and the butternut squash ravioli. This last dish was a bit sweet, but soooooooooo good - I was craving it again the next day.
Overall, great experience here. Again, I agree with Stephen that there is nothing that indicates it is a "new" restaurant in terms of quality and service. -
Review from Veronica O.
Charlotte, NC
1/24/2011
I want to like Aria. I really do.
I've given it at least three tries, but it's always the same...the food is OK; the quality is OK; the portions small; the prices high for what you get. I'd be willing to try again, but please bring it up a notch. -
Review from Tim G.
Charlotte, NC
12/16/2010
I had a pretty good experience at this place, so let's get under way with some pro's-con's.
Some of my coworkers came down from NYC, so right off the bat, it was going to be a LBD kind of night. We began craving some good food around 930, so because they were staying at the Omni, all signs pointed to Aria. This was my first time going here.
It was pretty crowded (which is weird for any place in Charlotte at that time) so we had to wait maybe 5 minutes before we got seated. I was alright with that because I already had a few Jameson's in me, so all I really cared about was staying out of the cold. The waitress was phenomenal, never letting our glasses go dry. This was really spectacular because by that point, I couldn't even tell you right from left.
We scoured the menu and I came across the love of my life. Artichokes. Yes ladies and gents, I will take a nice artichoke over ALOT of things. So that was to be my appetizer paired with my main course of Potato Gnnochis (hey, I was trying to see if I could do veggie for a week).
First off, the artichokes were sent from heaven. The leaves were sooooooo juicy and tender that you can almost eat it like a muffin. My only complaint was that they were a tad garlicky. Once I pounded that out, I got started on my gnocchi's. They were pan-seared with asparagus, onions, etc. This was soooo good that it made the NY guineas I was with blush. The food, bless it's heart, was splendid.
Now on to the ambience of the place. It's a very clean, trendy restaurant. The crowd (not sure if it was just that night) was a little strange. Let's just say, I saw a 55 year old guy with a pony-tail kiss 6 different call-girls as they came strolling in one at a time. How did I know they were call girls you ask? Well, they all had slammin bodies, but their faces look kind of busted. Plus they were wearing outfits straight out of J-Wow's closet.
Any, this place is pretty LBD. On my LBD scale, it has to be an 8 trending to a 9. If I went back, I'd probably just order the same thing because it was THAT GOOD.
Holla.
