CLT Eats – A Charlotte Restaurant Review

Main Seating Area

I’m a fan of Harper’s restaurant and most of the concepts spun off from the Harper’s group. Tom Condron was an instrumental player for many years at the Harper’s group and so when I heard that a new restaurant, The Liberty, was an effort by him that he struck out on his own to do along with Matthew Pera, my expectations were quite high.

You’ll find The Liberty in the old Mcintosh’s restaurant location on South Blvd. just offset from the intersection of East Blvd. It’s a great location and a great building. The interior is wonderful with some serious mood lighting and a heavy-handed dose of beer-esque decor which includes kegs for pillars and a large beer divider that is sadly only a photo and not actually a huge fish tank filled with beer. That would have been far more impressive, but I suppose not terribly practical.

On my first visit I ordered the bacon-wrapped trout. I was told it was one of the chef’s specialties so it seemed like a very appropriate choice. Besides, anything wrapped in bacon HAS to be good. I can report that it WAS good. VERY good indeed. My first visit was for dinner. I’ve been back a few times since at lunch and have had fish and chips, calamari, and the pub burger which were all stellar. Service is usually pretty solid as well. Honestly, not quite as impressive as the food but I haven’t had much to complain about.

Pricing is a bit on the high end for an upper-mid level restaurant but the food quality is pretty superior stuff so for the cash you’re getting a real treat but it’s not particularly inexpensive. It’s not too bad though, and like I said, a heck of a value all things considered. Think of it as a fine dining restaurant without all the pomp and circumstance.

The Liberty has become one of my favorite destinations and the word from most other people that check it out love it too. I missed out on the chance to check out Mcintosh’s so I have no idea what Charlotte lost but I can tell you that it’s gained a real gem. One that you’ll want to check out sooner rather than later.

Pros

• Stellar Food
• Decent Service
• Great Value
• One of the finest restaurants in town without being one of the finest restaurants in town

Cons

• Service doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the food but I only mention it because that’s about the only con I can come up with

Rating: Recommended