Dumplings from Dragon Court, a good alternative to Dim Sum on Central Avenue for those craving, well, dim sum. Kristen Wile/UP

Q: How legit is the Dim Sum spot on Central? Thinking about going.

UP: Pretty legit! There was some drama when Dim Sum closed temporarily in March of 2017, suspiciously close to getting a pretty low sanitation rating of 70. I’d also heard at the time that they were having a hard time finding staff, and needed to shut down because of that. They quietly reopened that following September, and not much has changed on the menu, which is a good thing. The sanitation rating, however, is now an A. If you’re really into dim sum, I’d also recommend Dragon Court in Asian Corner Mall. It’s not the best dining room, but the menu is solid.

Q: Any good recommendations for a restaurant that has a good gluten-free selection for my 88-year-old Daddy?

UP: Of course! Gluten-free or gluten-sensitive menus are becoming more and more common. Burton’s, in Park Road Shopping Center, has become a go-to for many folks with gluten intolerance. Legion Brewing in SouthPark also opened with a gluten free menu. If he doesn’t have an allergy, Crêpe Cellar in NoDa is a good option, too. They have a buckwheat batter for their crêpes, but they do use the same griddle as the regular ones, so be careful with an allergy.

Q: Where are you celebrating New Year’s?

UP: The Asbury! Jon and I have a reservation there this year, and it’s not our first. We actually spent New Year’s Eve there several years ago, I believe on Matthew Krenz’s first as executive chef. We’ll be there for Mike Long’s first NYE as executive chef, too. I showed Jon the menu and we booked our reservation shortly after. We put the restaurant on the list of UP’s top picks for New Year’s Eve, so we’re taking our own advice. It also happens to be Jon’s and my fourth wedding anniversary!

Q: What opening are you most excited about in 2019?

UP: There’s a lot going on in 2019, but I have to go with NoDa cocktail bar Idlewild. I interview a lot of people for this publication, and talking to Idlewild Bar’s owner, Vince, made me really excited about what he’s planning there. He seems really genuine in his love of hospitality and doesn’t have a big ego, despite having some pretty impressive bars on his resume. He doesn’t give off that “I’m-coming-to-Charlotte-to-make-it-better” vibe; he seems genuinely happy to have an opportunity to open a bar here.