DTR Dilworth — Restaurant in Charlotte

I'm not a fan of giving bad reviews to restaurants/bars, especially with experience working in the food industry, but I have to give an honest review about my recent experience. We came for a birthday celebration, and although they did accommodate for a larger party (from 10 to 14 people) than expected, the service was so incredibly poor. In short, there were a few things that caught our whole groups attention to where we are still talking about it about two weeks later. One- the checks supposedly could not be split. One of the ladies in our group had to leave early and asked for the check. The server brought the whole check to her, dropped it off with no explanation, and left. We later asked for the check to be split and he would not budge on this. So 14 of us had to go through a near $700 check to figure out what everybody drank and ate. Two- on the check, there were three items charged for that we did not get. Often had to remind waiter of our drinks ordered. Asked three times for a side of crushed red pepper and eventually got from another waiter, for example, as well as one lady's meal that came out 30 min later and said her dish was "just behind schedule". Typical hot drinks were warm at best. Empty water all around. Waiter often hanging around the outside bar area chatting with employees. Disappointing. Third- the prices. We ordered a few drinks like a baileys and coffee and a hot toddy off the menu. I can't see how we were charged correctly for these prices. One 5oz (not kidding) cup of coffee with a shot of baileys - $16. One also 5oz hot toddy (shot of whiskey with hot water and lemon) -$15. Never have I seen these prices even at high end restaurants/bars. I believe we were mischarged, but, again, waiter inattentive and difficult to discuss as we are were also going through extra food charges on receipt while splitting bill between all of us. Tried to talk to the manager but he seemed a little confused with having to split the checks and ultimately agreed with waiter. The whole experience was not pleasurable with the exception of the beautiful patio. I can't complain there. I've been here several times and this will be the last and most likely the last of anybody...

I'll start with a disclaimer that we recently moved from south Florida where the culinary scene is amazing. So on our 1st night in the city we sought out a restaurant that we felt would be comparable. We went with high expectations based on the reviews, seeing the food descriptions on their online menu, and the pictures they had on their website. Unfortunately we were quite disappointed. The execution of the food just fell flat for us. For me, it started with their olive medley, which on the menu stated it included castelvetrano olives which are my favorite olives. They are bright green and have a sweet buttery flavor, so I was super excited when I saw them on the menu. I can tell you the olive medley did not in fact include castelvetrano olives. But rather a mixture of other olives that were tossed in oil and herbs, so not what I had expected.

Then comes the charcuterie board. We got the medium sized one with 2 cheeses and 2 meats. We chose a soft and hard cheese, the prosciutto and the salami (the latter which was chosen as a recommendation to accommodate one of the cheeses we got). I have had some that have just blown my mind with some tasty and unique spreads, honeys, crackers, etc. This one included lots and lots of mustard, overly salted nuts, and the salami honestly just reminded me of deli meat. There were no crackers, although the bread in itself was tasty, but just not what one would expect from a charcuterie board. It felt disconnected and I wasn't even sure how to put it all together. (i.e. chunks of cheese, no crackers, and mustard...so when I put the salami and mustard on the bread, I felt like I was eating a salami sandwich that I made for my 8 year old). So it just fell very flat for us. The other food we got was tasty, but again, just not what we were expecting from a quality standpoint based on our perceived expectations of everything we saw beforehand.

On a positive note, the ambiance of the restaurant was very nice and their outside courtyard is quite adorable, but we probably wouldn't choose this...

I told the staff I'd be writing this dissertation but I'm not looking for a Ph.D. I've been to DTR once before, but the experience I had tonight absolutely blew me away. It was so FIVE STARS I felt not only obligated, but compelled, to tell my story. The service my girlfriend and I received tonight matched the excellence that the 2020 Cakebread Cellars delivered as it opened up in the decanter Nathan brought to the table. Nathan's knowledge of wine is outside of our dimension - I felt like I was talking to an oracle. An actual sage. That man is a SAVANT. I'm in my early 30's, I've drank wine in lots of places and cities, and I've never met someone with the skill and expertise that he displayed. He makes NYC look like McDonald's Burger & Fries. I'll probably never drink wine in Vegas again - I'll just come to DTR. He recommended we take the last bottle of Cakebread home, I absolutely obliged, and then he knew we wanted more and offered either a bottle or glass of a comparable wine. Outstanding service. After we crushed several entrees and small plates I needed dessert in the form of cheesecake and espresso martinis so we moved to the bar. Lindsey made the best espresso martini I've ever had. It was all around a great night, and Ricky and Frank checked on us multiple times. I had conversations with both, and I felt like I've known them awhile even though I just met them tonight. Imagine finding leaders like that in a restaurant in 2024 - it's rare. The precision and execution displayed in DTR tonight will stay with me long after this night is over, and I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone and everyone, here and afar. I observed the entire staff moving with PURPOSE all the way down to the food runners and hostesses. I can honestly say that's not only a testament to management, but also ownership. As a native Charlottean, WE NEED more places like this here. It was refreshing being in this place and we did not want to leave. DTR is (D)OING (T)HINGS (R)IGHT! I WILL BE BACK spending 500+ again REAL...