I’m a bit embarrassed by how long it’s taken me to publish another Charlotte restaurant review here (and it stings that the subject of my last review is no longer in operation). Yes, I’ve been busy highlighting some of my favorite coffee shops and bakeries, but sharing my city’s worth-the-trip restaurants is something I truly love.
Charlotte’s dining scene has a bit of a reputation (“Applebee’s” is a frequent punchline on the city’s subreddit), and I can’t say it’s entirely unearned. Chain restaurants with hefty PR budgets tend to dominate the headlines and advertorials—making it easy to believe that’s all we have.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and I paid for my meal at Restaurant Constance
But if you choose to dive just a little bit deeper, you’ll find a sea of eateries that are worth your hard-earned dollars. So when I’m not off traveling the world one weekend at a time, I like to place the spotlight on Charlotte’s truly excellent food and drink scene.
Looking for more of the best of the Queen City? Find all of my Charlotte Guides in one place.
Today, I’m excited to share a restaurant that has been on my radar since its opening, but I was waiting for just the right splurge-worthy occasion: Restaurant Constance.
After much anticipation, I finally gave up waiting for the “perfect” moment and booked a spontaneous date night for Michael and me one random Wednesday in August. I have absolutely no regrets—except for not visiting sooner. Learn from my mistake and don’t wait either (well, at least until you’ve finished reading today’s review).
ABOUT RESTAURANT CONSTANCE
Restaurant Constance was born out of a deep connection to the local community and a passion for storytelling through food. In March 2020, Chef Sam Diminich, like millions of others in the food and beverage industry, faced the uncertainty of the pandemic as his restaurant career came to a sudden halt. But amidst these challenges, Chef Sam found inspiration in supporting local farmers and suppliers—the heart of our community.
The doors of this tiny West Charlotte restaurant bearing the name of Chef Sam’s daughter opened in January 2023, and though today it is popular both with the general public and critics alike, it is refreshingly easy to snag a reservation.
THE DINING EXPERIENCE AT RESTAURANT CONSTANCE
Despite Michael’s insistence that we were going to be late, we arrived at Restaurant Constance right on the dot for our reservation. The parking lot in front of Restaurant Constance and its neighbor, City Kitch, is a bit of a tight squeeze, but there’s more around the corner if you can’t snag a spot out front.
Stepping inside, I was struck by how much the space had transformed since its time as counter-. While still petite, the atmosphere felt cozy and homey rather than cold. The only things that stood out for their incongruity were the projector looping videos of local farms and a sign from the Matthews Community Farmers Market. I suppose it’s a subtle reminder of just how locally sourced Restaurant Constance’s ingredients are.
The previous party was still finishing up at the table that would become ours, so we waited by the host stand, catching up on our day. Soon enough, our predecessors drained their glasses, and we were seated at a snug four-top with a banquette on one side and two chairs on the other.
After ordering drinks from the curated wine and beer list, it was time to dive into the seasonal menu. One reason I opted for a mid-week reservation was the $65 prix-fixe menu available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For that price, you get one item from the raw bar, starters, or salads list, an entrée, and a dessert. The chance to sample so much of the menu at such a fair price felt like too good of a deal to pass up.
I don’t know about your household, but in ours, we have a general rule: we don’t order the same thing. This sometimes leads to a sort of tug-of-war, where we weigh options and make trades until our orders feel balanced and fair. Not that it matters much in the end, because we always share.
Having finished negotiations, we found a suitable compromise (or “compromise”): Pork Belly Dumplings, Ricotta Gnocchi, and Peach Shortcake for him, and Summer Tomato & Burrata Salad, Roasted Wagyu Flank, and Chocolate Miso Tart for me.
Our first courses emerged rather quickly, which for once was alright with me as my eyes had already wandered over to my neighbor’s plates and I realized I was hungrier than I thought. I could feel a smidge of envy emitting from Michael as I greedily split my burrata in two, allowing the creamy stracciatella to ooze onto the season’s ripest tomatoes.
But soon we were both content, enjoying the spicy, smoky pork dumplings and the bright summer salad. Eventually, we swapped plates for a few bites and then returned them once more. Michael polished off his dumplings, but I made sure to save half of my entree-sized salad for the following day.
For our main courses, Michael’s choice of gnocchi surprised me, and in return, I think my decision to order a steak surprised him right back. His pillowy gnocchi were swimming alongside lion’s mane mushrooms and zucchini in the brightest tomato-sherry jam (imagine the freshest, most tomatoey-tomato sauce you can), and were such an easy target for me to repeatedly poach from his plate.
My steak – a thinly sliced Wagyu flank – came paired with all sorts of accessories: a sweet onion jus, a jalapeño-potato puree, and a tart filled with tomato, onion, and eggplant. Ultra-rich Wagyu is served in the tiniest portions; I could only make it through one slice before the richness overwhelmed me. In retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have gone for the shiny object, because I typically prefer leaner cuts.
Not to worry, Michael polished off the remainder while I focused on the sides. The tart was a bit tricky to eat gracefully, but the deep, earthy flavors were well worth the effort. The jalapeño-potato puree wasn’t as spicy as its green hue implied but instead the dish felt just like a bowl of silky comfort.
If my sweet tooth could talk, it would tell you how grateful it was to have room for dessert. This course is almost always my favorite, and I was thrilled to have the chance to try two of the restaurant’s desserts. The biscuity Peach Shortcake came with a tangy (buttermilk?) cream and a jammy peach filling, accompanied by blueberry syrup and mint whipped cream. The Chocolate Miso Tart was like a grown-up Snickers bar—rich, with umami caramel and dark ganache atop a sesame-studded shortbread base.
The former was fresh, soft, and fruity (with the exception of the mint dollops which veered a little too close to toothpaste for my liking), and the latter was a dentist’s dream. The perfect balance of sweet and savory with a plethora of stick-to-your-teeth textures, I could only manage a few bites before boxing it up. But even still, it was tough to put the fork down…
By the time we looked up from our sugary haze, we realized we were the last two people in the restaurant. Our server kindly boxed up the rest of our meal, and we tumbled out into the night, already looking forward to enjoying the leftovers the next day.
RESTAURANT CONSTANCE DINING TIPS
Reservations for Restaurant Constance are highly recommended, and can be made up to two months in advance. At the time of booking, you’ll be required to pay a $25 per person deposit, but don’t fret—it will be credited to your bill after your dinner.
While the menu prices feel so reasonable to me given the locality of ingredients and care that goes into each meal, to get the most bang for your buck, consider visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday when you can order three courses for $65. If we were dining on another day, I would consider ordering one starter, one or two main courses, and one dessert for two people.
The menu changes with the seasons, which means most of the dishes above are no longer available and you’ll be treated to something entirely new instead. I recommend that visual diners follow the restaurant’s Instagram for a helpful preview of platings and portions to make your decisions easier.
The unstuffy atmosphere means you can dress up if you’d like (I wouldn’t go as far as wearing formalwear, but sure, throw on those heels or that jacket if you feel like it), but it’s also nice knowing you don’t have to. As you’re dressing for the evening, just be mindful that the dining room is on the small side, and some tables are placed quite close together.
Don’t be surprised if your bill arrives a little earlier than you’d expect; to balance out the demand for the number of tables, a ninety-minute time limit may be enforced if the next party arrives. And though it’s pretty common nowadays, I’ll still go ahead and share that Restaurant Constance only accepts credit cards.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON DINNER AT RESTAURANT CONSTANCE
I feel like it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find intimate, authentic dining experiences that truly reflect our city’s culture. Too often, “best restaurant” lists feature oversized establishments with gymnasium acoustics and menus that seem suspiciously similar. Thankfully, spots like Restaurant Constance fill this void in Charlotte’s dining scene, making it a must-visit for out-of-town guests looking for a genuine taste of the city.
Personally, I’m keeping Restaurant Constance in mind for date night (I can’t wait to see how the menu evolves with the seasons!). But I also think it deserves consideration as a celebration spot—in fact, it offers even better value than many of Charlotte’s other celebratory restaurants. With its focus on local ingredients and an unpretentious atmosphere, it just might be the best option of them all.
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Questions for you
What night of the week do you typically go out for date night?
Do you like to share with your dining companions, or do you tend to keep your dish to yourself?
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