Venue Review: Hotel Charlotte

No, Hotel Charlotte does not offer overnight accommodations (it is not an actual hotel), but it does provide casual dining to south-central Charlotte patrons. Originally called “Danny's Speakeasy,” Hotel Charlotte has been around for more than 25 years.

Owner Steve Black has created a menu with American cuisine mixed with some New Orleans staples like a Creole platter and authentic po boys.

The restaurant is known for its large mahogany bar and for having an outstanding beer selection – more than 100 beers from around the world are available.

THE SCENE: A small outdoor patio sits at the front of the restaurant. Inside, the first thing you'll notice is the expansive bar area. Wooden tables are spread throughout the large, open dining area. A private dining room, which seats medium-sized parties, sits just to the left of the front door. The restaurant is filled with history and features photos taken from the early 1900s. Many people visit the restaurant during happy hour to take advantage of its expansive beer list.

THE MENU: Hotel Charlotte offers diners a little bit of everything, including a filet mignon salad, fried shrimp, Lowcountry shrimp and grits, and burgers. A whole section of the menu is devoted to Cajun and Creole specialties. Dinner entrée highlights: seafood jumbo gumbo (oysters, Gulf shrimp and crawfish on a bed of white rice smothered with gumbo), baked tilapia (farm-raised tilapia fillet baked with a French onion-parmesan crust) and chopped steak. On a recent visit, I enjoyed the chicken cordon bleu, which was served with new potatoes. I recommend getting it grilled.

THE CROWD: Hotel Charlotte tends to draw an older crowd, and it certainly has its share of regulars. It is not too unusual to see older couples dining next to families with young children.

WHAT THEY'RE KNOWN FOR: Those who sample all of the restaurant's beers receive personalized mugs that sit behind the bar like trophies. New Orleans-style meals are always popular. The menu describes its she-crab soup as “Charlotte's best.” In the spring, the patio is usually full.

THE CHECK: Most menu items range between $8 and $15. A few select items, such as the filet ($19.95) and 16-oz. double cut of roast prime rib ($24.95) are a little more expensive.

CASH OR CHECK: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and cash.

VEGETARIAN: The best vegetarian options are the Cajun veggie burger (vegetables, oat bran and soy seasoned with Cajun spices) and the fried green tomatoes with honey mustard. Don't forget to try the red beans and rice.

KID-FRIENDLY: Yes, Hotel Charlotte is family-friendly. Many children are often seen dining with their families.

FOR HERE OR TO GO? Both.

SMOKING, SMOKE-FREE? Smoking is allowed in the bar area (which isn't too far from the general dining area).