Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Holiday Hotspot Charlotte North Carolina Charlotte in North Carolina has always maintained its southern tradition. It has a rich cultural history, its own unique art scene, and a wealth of activities, entertainment options, and interesting sights. A city brimming with culture at every corner, the Levine Centre housing a number of museum spaces really enhances the vi-
Award winning cuisine from Passion 8 Restaurant Chef & Owner Luca
brancy of this city through breathtaking urban architecture. One of the more impressive is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art housing works by artists including Picasso, Calder and Warhol all in a building designed by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta. www. bechtler.org Next door the Mint Museum is equally impressive with four floors of exhibitions! It’s best to start at the top, where the contemporary art is on view and make your way down. www.mintmuseum.org The Funny Bus Comedy ninety minute tour departs from the 7th Street Public Market and takes you through some of the Queen City’s most interesting suburbs. Your tour guide will put a comedic spin on the sights and sounds of the Charlotte as they highlight the history and architecture of the area. www.funnybus.net The Great Wagon Road Distilling Company in Charlotte’s South End neighbourhood is the first distillery in the state to have its own bar. Owner Ollie Mulligan of County Kil-
dare has a tradition of poitín making in his family that goes back generations. On tour visitors can sample spirits that the distillery produces while afterwards enjoy a cocktail next door in “Broken Spoke” bar. www.gwrdistilling.com The Great Wagon Road also serves as an example of how the food and drink culture are constantly adapting in this city. In fact Charlotte’s dining scene is fast becoming a foodie paradise. You’ll find inventive, unique and locally-sourced restaurants guaranteed to give you that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Leading the charge is “Passion 8” in its new location at Elizabeth Avenue offering three dining rooms, a mezzanine upstairs and one of the trendiest bars in town. The name itself suggests just how passionate Chef Luca Annunziata and his “Maitre di” wife Jessica are about their labour of love! With a focus on fresh, local ingredients expect outstanding Italian dishes with a southern fine dining twist plus an exceptional wine list. Be sure to try the chef’s table which observes their bustling kitchen through a plate-glass window. www.thepassion8.com Chef Jamie Lynch over at “5 Church” presents more casual, yet refined classical American dishes using
Betchler Museum of Art Charlotte
local produce and meats. The ambiance is chic, fits a diverse and hip crowd and the food memorable. www.5church.com Always bustling during lunch hour, Mert’s a community favourite since 1998, serves some of the best fried green tomatoes, cornbread and mainstays like barbeque beef ribs and famous salmon cakes. www.mertscharlotte.com For a more artisan lunch try Amelies Cafe & French Bakery a great place to simply relax, laze and enjoy a special treat. www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com The Dunhill a unique boutique hotel has been accommodating guests since 1929. Each room is furnished and decorated uniquely. It’s also in a great downtown location for walking to wherever you want to go. For longer distances they offer a
free London black taxi style shuttle service around downtown. The Dunhill’s restaurant, “The Asbury” offers dishes that are uniquely Carolinian and their weekend brunch is legendary. For best rates www.dunhillhotel. com Full tourist information on many more attractions are available at www.charlottesgotalot.com A reminder that American Airlines fly daily from Dublin to CharlotteDouglas International Airport. For best fares visit www.americanairlines.com My preferred car rental company on this trip was Hertz & pick up is available at the International airport. www.hertz.ie Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio in Northern Ireland. He is also Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com