Looking to celebrate Bastille Day this Saturday?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end French restaurants around Charlotte, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you're on the hunt.
1. The Fig Tree Restaurant
Topping the list is The Fig Tree Restaurant. Located at 1601 E. Seventh St. in Elizabeth, this is the highest-rated high-end French restaurant in Charlotte, boasting 4.5 stars out of 355 reviews on Yelp.
According to its website, this establishment is located inside the historic Lucas House, and offers "a wine list and menu of country European classics that have garnered awards from outlets including Charlotte magazine and Wine Spectator."
Appetizers include beet carpaccio, featuring red and golden beets with pickled strawberries, basil pesto and apricot-dill scented goat cheese. For your main course, check out the sea bass: sauteed over bacon, lobster and red bliss potato cake with asparagus and lobster beurre blanc. (Find the full menu here.)
2. The Melting Pot
Next up, international chain The Melting Pot is opening a location at 901 S. Kings Drive, Suite 140B. With 4.5 stars out of 130 reviews on Yelp, the spot to score fondue has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge in French cuisine.
According to its website, The Melting Pot began in 1975, with only three menu items: Swiss cheese fondue, beef fondue and a chocolate fondue dessert. Today, the menu has diversified greatly, and includes dishes like bacon and blue spinach salad: spinach, tomatoes, egg, bacon and gorgonzola with buttermilk blue cheese dressing.
Visitors can cook their meals in four ways: in fresh seasoned vegetable broth, Caribbean-seasoned bullion, Burgandy wine or European-styled fondue.
3. Aix en Provence
Elizabeth's Aix en Provence, located at 545-B Providence Road, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the fancy French spot 4.5 stars out of 47 reviews. The establishment focuses on Southern French cuisine and sources its ingredients locally, according to its website.
Menu items include roasted Scottish salmon: Parisian gnocchi served with pea puree, zucchini, squash and roasted tomato. Or, sample the ricotta salad, made with sugar snap peas, pickled shallots, buttermilk vinaigrette, prosciutto and radish.
4. Bentley's on 27
Bentley's on 27, a French venues and event space spot in uptown Charlotte, is another high-end go-to, with four stars out of 126 Yelp reviews. Expect panoramic skyline views and table-side presentations.
Menu items include tuna carpaccio: herb and pepper-crusted rare tuna, served with soba noodles and soy mustard butter sauce. Ready for more? Check out the Alaskan king crab legs, served with drawn butter, mashed potatoes and green asparagus. Head over to 201 S. College St. 27th, Floor 27 to see for yourself.
5. McNinch House Restaurant
Over in Fourth Ward, check out McNinch House Restaurant, which has earned four stars out of 65 reviews on Yelp. The interior of this high-end establishment was designed by Victorian craftsmen led by world-famous architect Karl Bitter, according to its website. Visitors can expect fine, richly molded woodwork upstairs and down, ten tiled fireplaces and a foyer, library and dining room.
The main course menu includes rosemary and djon-crusted New Zealand lamb, served with blistered cherry tomatoes, carrot spirals, chiffonade cabbage, roasted purple potatoes and chimichurri. Or, try the pan-seared rabbit, a dish that includes orzo pasta, brussels sprouts, roasted tri-colored carrots and tomato puree. Treat yourself at the French spot by heading over to 511 N. Church St.