After my trip, I conversed with W. Siegfried about the trip in general. I thought it would be of interest to the general community (or just flip to the SUMMARY at the end of all of this). THE ORIGINAL NOTE: As far as Uptown Charlotte goes, I would describe the city as 'sterile' - much like nearby Stamford CT. There's a modern downtown but no character or soul. I was floored that the shopping downtown was nonexistent (for the most part) after 6 PM and after 4 PM on Saturday. For that matter, the Uptown area was virtually devoid of people Friday PM and all day Sat. and Sun. The worst experience, however, was that there was only one elevator to the top of the Nationsbank Tower [on a beautiful) Sat PM, and the crowd in front of me overloaded and jammed the elevator to a dead stop. So I never made it up to the top (they didn't have another operating elevator and wouldn't let me walk). The lady in the used bookstore on 10th St. recommended Alexander Murphy's in the 'historic' (if you like churches and cemeteries) 4th ward, as well as the Monticello. I kind of liked the description of AMs and ate there. The food was average (blackened chicken over pasta was too salty and the fries were tasty but greasy. That was OK because I was nursing a bad sore throat). Service was a bit inattentive but that's probably because I looked like a Yankee. In retrospect, I wish I had checked out Monticello before making a decision as to where to eat lunch (was it open at 2 PM Saturday?). For dinner, we went (by shuttle van) to the Blue Marlin, based on another recommendation. Definitely a class act. My companions had no complaint about their dishes (a tuna special and blackened mahi-mahi). I had the grilled mahi-mahi which was good, except that I thought there was a bit too much dark meat (which I don't care for). The key lime pie was way too sweet for my taste, but my wife had an excellent fruit cobbler. BTW, when I was served ice tea, I put my usual 3 bags of sugar in and drank some down before being informed that it was pre-sweetened. Is this a common way of making iced tea in the South? Charlotte seems to be an Atlanta wanna-be. It has a good shot if it gets some character Uptown. Otherwise, I'm not all that anxious to come back. Lest you think I'm generally biased against NC, I should tell you that I would love to live in the Triangle area, and had such a good time on vacation on the Outer Banks (Corolla) that we are planning to return there next summer. Regards, SWM THE REPLY: Subject: Re: Charlotte, NC Author: ,[email removed] (William D. Siegfried, Jr.) at *Internet* Date: 11/17/94 1:07 PM Thanks for sharing your impressions of Charlotte. It was interesting to see it through the eyes of a vistor. > As far as Uptown Charlotte goes, I > would describe the city as 'sterile' - much like nearby Stamford CT. > There's a modern downtown but no character or soul. I was floored > that the shopping downtown was nonexistent Yes, it really is. The shame is that there used to be two large department stores down town and they both closed. One was where the NationsBank tower is. I am in charge of starting UNCC's uptown campus in the CityFair building, and I think uptown is a great place to be during the day but I sure wish it had some life and soul at night. Maybe when the NFL stadium is finished. > I wish I had checked out Monticello before making a > decision as to where to eat lunch (was it open at 2 PM Saturday?). Yup. I agree with your description of the other place. You would have liked Monticello. > > For dinner, we went (by shuttle van) to the Blue Marlin, based on > another recommendation. Definitely a class act. Never been there - I'll check it out. > BTW, when I was served ice tea, I put my usual 3 bags > of sugar in and drank some down before being informed that it was > pre-sweetened. Is this a common way of making iced tea in the South? Yes - sort of shocks the system. I order mine "unsweetened" which most (but not all) places have on hand. I can't stand the syrupy flavor of it otherwise. But yes, true southerners seem to like it sweet. > > Charlotte seems to be an Atlanta wanna-be. It has a good shot if it > gets some character Uptown. Yes. We regularly say we don't want to become the next Atlanta, but we sure are trying hard to do so. I'm not sure Atlanta has that much character downtown, either. Otherwise, I'm not all that anxious to > come back. I grew up around New York, went to college in Connecticut, etc. so I am a northerner. I think what I miss most is living near a big and "vital" city. Even though I seldom went into Manhattan, it was nice having it close. Charlotte is an ok place to live - relatively inexpensive, ok climate, etc. But it isn't a place to visit and I don't find that there is anything special about it. Thanks for your note. William D. Siegfried, Jr. UNC Charlotte Charlotte, NC 28223 (704) 547 4752/4006 voice (704) 547 3096 facsimilie SUMMARY Alexander Murphy's - just OK local hangout for salads, burgers, etc. The Blue Marlin - Classy seafood establishment. Very good fish cooking and presentation. Charlotte the City - A nice place to live in, but would you want to visit there? Regards, SWM [email removed]
North Carolina