Q: Do you think the restaurant scene is growing too rapidly?
UP: Overall, yes, I’m not sure the current growth is a great thing — mostly because Charlotte doesn’t have the workers to fill all of these new restaurants. While it’s good that the high demand means higher wages for deserving people in extremely demanding jobs, most restaurants can’t afford to keep up. I think in a city like Charlotte, the rate of growth is especially difficult because we’re a city so obsessed with the new, which can hurt the great chef-owned restaurants we need to be a culinary destination. One positive is it may weed out the restaurants that need to improve, but the lack of staff means a lot of restaurants that could be great simply don’t have to people to do so.

Q: Do you know of a restaurant that serves Cold Sesame Noodles? I lived in NYC in the ’80s and I loved them but I have not seen them here in Charlotte.
UP: We do! We actually know of a few, though I can’t say I’ve ever ordered them. Dim Sum on Central Avenue serves them. You can also find the dish at Ho Ho Cherry House on 7^th Street where it hits Pecan. 88 China Bistro is another option. If you try them all, let us know which you like best!

Q: Is there somewhere fun I can take my team at work for a holiday outing in the middle of the afternoon?
UP: We’ve got plenty of ideas! We did a round up last year of non-traditional office parties. Some ideas, though: a cooking class at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen or Sweet Spot Studio, a cocktail class with Liberate Your Palate, or a food tour with FEAST Food Tours.

Have a question for our experts? Send it to us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it next Thursday!