Gallery Restaurant — Restaurant in Charlotte

This past weekend my family and I had visited Gallery to see what they had to offer for Queens Feast. We were very excited to try this restaurant as we just moved to Charlotte last year. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a very friendly bar staff. We had ordered a cocktail each while waiting for the rest of our party. I had the Ballantyne Old Fashioned and my fiancé had the Cucumber Gimlet. BOTH VERY WELL MADE, VERY DELICIOUS! Very good first impression! Once the others arrived we made our way to a well dressed table in a great spot. The restaurant was clean, eclectic and inviting. We browsed through both menus, and everything sounded wonderful.

Turning point of the evening..... Our waiter was Billy from Long Island. Right off the bat his approach to the table was bland and uninviting. Nonetheless our hearts were set to have a good evening. He attempted to take drink orders, however most of us sat with our drink from the bar, so we requested water. "I'm taking drink orders now, and then you'll get water" he said in a very irritated manner. The correct steps of service would be to offer, or approach the table WITH water while he gave us a moment to look everything over. A few dining room attendants then came by with water and fresh slices of citrus and cucumber, which was a very nice touch.

Now we order.... We had all ordered off the Queens Feast menu. My fiancé had requested to have her Kale Salad swapped for Mixed Greens. Simple request. He scoffed as if it was an inconvenience and shook his head as he wrote it down. My mother upgraded to the scallops and requested that they were cooked all the way through. AGAIN, Billy seemed irritated and scoffed at the request assuring her that "the kitchen is great at what they do". We understand that substitutions on a fixed menu are not honored, but this was a simple change of lettuce and simple request of cooking temp. Nothing else. I wanted to express to him how OFF-PUTTING his attitude was, but I had kept my composure to ensure the situation didn't escalate. Though, his NEGATIVE demeanor was definitely a topic of discussion at the table.

Our food arrives. The Braised Lamb over a Panna Cotta appetizer was delicious. The salads were super fresh and flavorful. We had all ordered different dishes so we had a variety at the table. The steaks and veal were cooked to our liking. Portion size was great. The food was EXCELLENT! The wine selection was decent too.

Moments before we were finished with our entrees I had requested to another server for our desserts to be packed to-go. Billy wasn't around and we wanted to catch the desserts before they were plated. Billy then comes back a few seconds later to confirm the "to-go" request, and shook his head as he walked away. 2 desserts were boxed and 4 were not. So we nibbled on the 4. Coffee would have been nice since we were forced to stay for the dessert, but we weren't offered any.

I have been in the industry for 11+ years including fine dining. I have worked restaurant weeks before in a similar setting and understand it can be hectic and guests can get a little testy. I always give the server the benefit of the doubt. He could be having a bad week or bad day. It happens to all of us. But composure and patience is key; especially when dealing with 6 heads at the table. I still left a 20% tip on a decent size bill. I immediately regretted it. Before we (including the dirty dishes) got a chance to leave the table, he came over to collect the checkbooks in a hurry. Without a word of gratitude and thanks, he sent us off.

The food was wonderful, but his attitude really stood out and put a damper on the evening. We know there are a lot of great restaurants in Charlotte with great service. I know this mans performance is not a reflection of what Gallery has to offer, but we will be hesitant before coming back. Which is a shame, considering we live right...

My wife and I had an absolutely unforgettable evening at the Gallery Restaurant. From the moment we arrived, everything just felt easy and welcoming — including parking, which was a pleasant surprise given how busy the resort was. Despite the lot being full, there were still plenty of spots available right by the entrance. Walking into the grand hall with the piano as a centerpiece immediately set the tone — upscale and elegant, yet warm and inviting. The restaurant itself is beautiful, with high-backed booths that provide a wonderful sense of privacy while still letting you enjoy the atmosphere. We were greeted and seated right away, and our server Gerry arrived almost instantly. She introduced herself, thanked us for coming, and asked about our plans for the evening. We told her we weren’t in a rush — just looking to relax, enjoy great food and drinks, and meet some people along the way. She smiled and promised we’d have a lot of fun. And she was absolutely right. The evening unfolded like something out of a movie. As we settled in with appetizers and drinks, Gerry introduced us to Sal from Italy — a server who’s been with the team for over a decade. We casually mentioned that I had proposed to my wife at this very table ten years ago, and that sparked a really special conversation. Shortly after, Robert, the restaurant manager and sommelier, came by to introduce himself and warmly welcome us. Then came the food. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Juan, the F&B manager, came out personally to greet us — which gave us the chance to thank him directly. We had chosen the lamb for our main course, but my wife had mentioned earlier that the only time she’d ever had truly perfect scallops was years ago. Not long after, a surprise plate arrived — a special scallop appetizer, sent by the Chef de Cuisine, Bryan Peterson, just for her to try. It was a complete surprise and absolutely incredible. The fact that Gerry had quietly passed along what my wife said, and that the chef took the time to create something just for her, really blew us away. A few minutes later, Bryan himself came out to our table, told us about the dish, and chatted with us. My wife told him — sincerely — that he’s a rising star, and she wouldn’t be surprised if one day he’s running a Michelin-starred restaurant. Throughout the evening, Gerry kept us smiling with thoughtful wine pairings and wonderful conversation. Sal returned later to share a few laughs with us, and by the end of the night, it genuinely felt like we’d spent the evening among friends. At one point, I glanced at the clock and couldn’t believe it — we had arrived at 6:30 PM, and it was already 9:30. Three hours had flown by. We dine at top restaurants often, and while many of them are excellent, I rarely leave reviews. But this experience was different. It wasn’t just a great meal — it was a truly special night. Gerry and the entire team turned what started as “just dinner” into something we’ll remember for a long time. Thank you, Gerry, Sal, Robert, Bryan, and Juan — you truly made our night....

Just as you cannot remember pain, it is difficult to remember the extreme joy and pleasure we've consistently experienced at The Gallery. It was our last night in Charlotte, and upon first taste we expressed wonder we had not gone earlier in our stay, to catch at least two glorious evenings of romance, fine food and European service. In all our years and of all our Charlotte restaurants, none match The Gallery. We treasure long, slow, romantic fine dining evenings together where we talk and order throughout the evening. We often start with just a drink. Perhaps 30-45 minutes later we may pick up a menu and select an appetizer to share. So few places are as accommodating. When unsure of which wine by the glass to choose, The Gallery offers a taste. Our favorite server never asks to take a complete order and never treats us as if we'd never been out to dine before. When we ask, he'll relate the night's specials, and not before. Just as we enjoy one another's company, The Gallery enjoys our company. We feel as treasured guests whether we order two entress or share one; whether we spend lots or a little; whether we drink water or wine. There is no finer atmosphere nor hospitality available anywhere in all of uptown, downtown, or Ballantyne. Now, let's get to the food. It is extraordinary. There are times stars for The Gallery begin where Michelin stars leave off. The menu is small but presents a puzzlement of what to choose. We've even ordered asparagus, mushrooms or brussel sprouts as an appetizer. The Gallery takes pleasure in doing it our way. No other place compares. Whether it be fish, beef, pasta, or vegetables, the preparation, presentation, texture, and pleasure delivered with each dish creates a memory and sets a standard for next time. When you order rare, it's rare. When you order medium well, it's medium well. On our last visit we failed to find a dessert we favored, so we declined. Nevertheless, The Gallery sent us home with a couple of the world's most delicate and ethereal pignola cookies -- never suggesting we should have ordered a dessert, coffee, or an after dinner drink. If there was disapointment in our order, you'd never know it. It's not to say The Gallery doesn't struggle to train some of less experienced staff. This last time, we first were seated amongst other tables and within feet of the noisy bar, but we refused the table and everything was made right. When our favorite server was out one evening, we endured a sales girl. It happens, but the money we've spent at The Gallery has proven a far better value than less spent elsewhere. We promised one another next time we BEGIN at The Gallery. It will save us money in the long run. At the risk of repeating myself, there is no finer atmosphere or fine dining to be had anywhere in or around Charlotte. Oh, should you want romantic European dining service, tell the hostess you...