Shrimp and grits from The Stanley. Kristen Wile/UP

Q: I have a food recommendation question and I know you’d know the answer. My MIL is coming this weekend and really wants shrimp and grits. I’ve only ordered it like once at a CLT restaurant and I can’t even remember which one. Where would you take her?
UP: What kind of vibe are you going for? I’d bring her to The Yolk for Greg Collier’s take if you’re seeking something a little more casual. The King’s Kitchen serves a good plate, or you could go for Dish’s heaping portion and enjoy some down-home charm. For fine dining, try chef Paul Verica’s take at The Stanley. Somewhere in the middle you’ll find a tasty version at Dogwood Southern Table in SouthPark.

Q: Where is the best sushi in Uptown?
UP: Sukoshi, which is a fast-casual sister concept to O-Ku Sushi. I think O-Ku has the best sushi in the city, and the same chef (Michael Chanthavong) oversees Sukoshi’s menu.

Q: Do you know of any German food trucks in Charlotte besides Strudelteig and My Sausage Buddy?
UP: I reached out to Olde Mecklenburg Brewery to see if they had a mobile food truck, but they’ve only got a mobile bier truck. They also cater, though, so you could order the bier truck and some catering. JJ’s Red Hots has a mobile trailer, and they serve brats as well as hot dogs. Other than the ones you mentioned, that’s all I’m aware of. Readers, any other ideas? Leave them in the comments!

Q: I was elated that Charlotte got three James Beard nods yesterday, however I was a bit surprised that Bardo didn’t get any recognition. Did that surprise you, too? Any other restaurants or chefs you thought should have been on the semifinal list from the Charlotte area?
UP: You’re not the first person to say that! It did and it didn’t surprise me. As far as whether it’s deserving, yes, Bardo is definitely one of the city’s best restaurants right now. However, the Beard nominating committee is a small group with a big job. They can’t be aware of every new restaurant in the country. Most people in Charlotte, even, aren’t aware of how great Bardo is. As for a chef I think should have made it, I believe Ashley Boyd not yet being a semifinalist in the pastry category is a huge miss.

Have a question for us? Send it to kristen@unpretentiouspalate.com or on social media. We publish our answers each Thursday.