Location: 401 W 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Verenigde Staten
Tucked into a small neighborhood uptown is the unassuming Alexander Michaels Restaurant and Tavern. The restaurant is in a beautiful, old home that has an historic feel to it, which gives it a great atmosphere. After visiting several times it’s puzzling to me that more people don’t mention this when discussing the top Charlotte restaurants. Maybe its not among the best of the best, but I believe it at least deserves a honorable nod. Alexander Michaels doesn’t have a fancy or unique menu, but it delivers simple, yet high quality food every time. What you get is a consistently good eating experience at a very reasonable price. It is also a great break from the chain feel that is so prevalent on the Charlotte restaurant scene.
The Good: I have always experienced top notch service at Alexander Michaels, not like an upscale restaurant, but rather like a local neighborhood pub where you are treated like as if you are regular every time you sit down. The older gentlemen who helped me on my last visit (who may be the owner) is one of the nicest people to serve me in any establishment. Helpful with your dish choice, always smiling and giving beer recommendations. This is the way service should be, but is severely lacking in most places.
The menu is not fancy, it is just comfort food at its best. The wings are better than most in the area, and came out hot. Hot food is a luxury I am starting to appreciate more and more these days. For lunch, while you can’t go wrong with the burger, which is a steal at $9, any turkey lover will want to try Mike’s Hot Turkey Sandwich. I almost found myself licking the plate trying to salvage every bit of the gravy. Every dinner item tried was also very good. If you feel like putting off your low carb diet for a day or two the WHAT IT IS pasta dish is definitely a great choice. It is hard to go wrong with chicken and pasta a in cream sauce.
As mentioned Alexander Michaels is located in a great neighborhood, the restaurant itself was converted from a house, which adds to its charm. The atmosphere is warm and inviting in a very low key way.
The Bad: Given that Alexander Michaels is a pub their beer selection is pretty good, featuring many local options on tap. Their wine selection however leaves a lot to be desired. Not like they have a menu that demands a wine pairing, but it would be nice to have some choices. I feel as if even the owners know this given that on the drink menu it says “a modest wine selection” which should be translated into “some bad choices we randomly chose”.
The packed crowd might also turn some off, usually a neighborhood pub with food of this caliber attracts a lot of people. This problem is further compounded by a smaller than average dining area. At times it feels as if it is too cozy, with the interior tables right on top of each other.
Lastly, the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations which means you are leaving your dining experience to chance.
The Ugly: The parking situation is bad during off peak times and horrendous at peak hours. The fact this restaurant is located in a neighborhood surrounded by homes exacerbates the problem. Parking is more like going to a party at someone’s home, with no real lot of their own. The various confusing signs and restrictions further add to the chaos. To their defense even the restaurant acknowledges this issue, but there isn’t much that can be done. Nothing is uglier than coming back from a nice meal to find a ticket on your windshield or boot on your tire.
The Verdict 8 out of 10 Eat it!: Alexander Michaels isn’t fancy and it’s not trying to be something it’s not. What it is a charming, fun, neighborhood pub that serves good food at great prices. When compared to others in its class it is one of the best places in Charlotte. This is not a place to celebrate an anniversary or birthday celebration rather when you want a low key, inexpensive night you can’t go wrong with Alexander Michaels.