CLT Eats – A Charlotte Restaurant Review

Main Seating Area

So, I was trying to think of somewhere new to go check out and I remembered a friend raving about the Philosopher’s Stone. I have been known to disagree with my friends’ tastes for various restaurants on many occasions but we also overlap on loving several places too. Being a bit skeptical but up for being a bit adventurous, I pulled up their menu and gave it a good look. There were loads of things on the menu that sounded great so a coworker and I saddled up and headed out.

The Philosopher’s Stone is located on the corner of 7th and Pecan in the former location of the Bayou Kitchen which I wasn’t in love with but my friend who had been talking up the Philosopher’s Stone loved. A little foreshadowing. Upon walking up to and in to this place it doesn’t really instill much confidence. Actually once you get in the door it’s pretty sketchy. Thankfully that’s just the little bar area, the main seating area is right around the corner and it’s much cleaner over there, although that’s not saying a lot. There were plenty of people seating and appeared to be enjoying their meals. This scene help resurrect my hopes a a decent meal a bit, hoping that this was going to be one of those unlikely hidden gems.

Being pretty hungry we ordered up an appetizer of stuffed mushrooms. When they arrived they looked mediocre. Unfortunately they didn’t taste as good as they looked. They were edible to me but my coworker friend couldn’t bring herself to choke them down. I still had hope since I had ordered a Buffalo Shrimp Wrap. I absolutely adore anything Buffalo style and I’ve yet to come across a Buffalo item I didn’t enjoy at least a little. I’m glad I went with the safe comfort of a Buffalo sauce covered meal. Had I not I may have had to stop by Mickie D’s on the way back to the office. I was able to get it down but it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

Service was unfortunately of a higher caliber than the food. I say that because not having a single redeeming quality would make it slightly easier to complete disregard coming back. The waitress sort of acted like we were an inconvenience but this wasn’t the worst service I’ve ever experienced. This must be her second job because I can’t imagine she can garner enough tips with that level of enthusiasm. That being said, the level of expectation has been set very low so it may not take much to impress the regulars for a good tip.

It’s not hardly worth summing this one up other that to say we have a new winner! This is the new worst restaurant that I’ve had the honor of visiting. The previous award went to the Philadelphia Deli but they’ve been edged out ever so slightly. What really sums up our experience is the comment from another coworker when he asked where we went to lunch. When I told him, his response was “Why?”

Pros

• May be a good place to get hammered I suppose

Cons

• Everything else

Rating: Not Recommended