January 26, 2023
Q&A: The best at Optimist Hall, Uptown lunch
Each week, we answer reader questions
Q: What’s the best single thing at Optimist Hall?
Kristen: Whoa, that’s a tough one! If I had to pick just one thing, I’d say the vintage amaro at Billy Sunday. It’s such a unique experience to sample those. Food-wise, I love the masala smashed potatoes at Botiwalla. Tom argues it’s the soup dumplings at The Dumpling Lady when offered, and if not, the pork and scallion dumplings. Then the amaro.
Q: I have a lunch meeting and need somewhere to go with good food in Uptown. Ideas?
Kristen: Go to Fin & Fino or Mariposa, which just reopened its doors for lunch this week. You can book a reservation at either, which to me is an important part of a business lunch.
Mariposa recently opened for lunch. Lunahzon Photography/Plaid Penguin
Q: How did Salud get a James Beard semifinalist nomination?!
Kristen: I really don’t know! I think it’s a great sign, though, that the Foundation is serious about changing the way it gives out awards. The three nominees for Charlotte — Greg Collier, Sam Hart, and Salud — have all done great things for this city. The fact that they’re our nominees show that the James Beard Foundation really is doing things differently since returning after the pandemic break.
Have a question for us? Email us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it on our next Concierge Thursday!
Fin & Fino is A+ for lunch meetings. I go there for that all the time and it is always a hit.