Flame: Asian Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Pineville

Tucked in the McIntyre Commons plaza in Pineville, right near the Amazon warehouse. It’s a modern Asian-fusion spot with a wide-ranging menu that leans American-Chinese but blends Korean, Thai, and Japanese influences too.

Inside, the space is clean and simple, some might say too simple. There’s not a single piece of art on the walls, which makes the space feel a bit empty and doesn’t help the acoustics. That said, the chairs are comfy, the bar is fully stocked, and yes, they serve Cheerwine.

Our server Sylbi was warm and attentive. She explained that the concept is fusion-focused, not traditional. You’ll find dishes like Shanghai-Style Beef Borscht and Cheese-Baked Filet Mignon alongside familiar favorites.

Here’s what we tried: • Chicken Gyoza: Served under a crispy, lacy cracker-like pancake that added a satisfying crunch. Not overly doughy like some spots in town. • Crab & Brie Wontons: Crispy on the outside, stuffed full inside. Tastes like a classic crab rangoon. The brie was hard to pick out, but the filling was clearly house-made. • Chicken Egg Roll: Packed tightly and not overloaded with cabbage. One of the better versions I’ve had locally. • General Tso’s Chicken: I asked for no spice and still got a mild kick, but it was tolerable. The chicken was crispy, flavorful, and came with a side of steamed white rice.

The plating wasn’t anything flashy, but everything tasted fresh and light, not greasy or overly salty. Prices were fair, especially considering the portion sizes and variety.

This isn’t an authentic Chinese restaurant, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s casual, Americanized Asian-fusion done with care. If you’re nearby, it’s worth...

We came last night to try this place out for my cousins birthday - the food was good but the waitress we had was not pleasant at all. She looked irritated from the moment we sat down. When taking our order, she kept confusing all of us asking if we were planning to share entrees or appetizers - we kept replying yes because we assumed she was asking if we were going to share our food with each other and, i mean, yeah we're family so why not. But she kept asking the same question over and over like she was going to get a different answer. We started thinking maybe we misunderstood the menu and the food was family sized portions or something, so i asked her if that was the case. She looked so irritated that we were confused and then, after an awkward silence, told us she was trying to figure out how we were going to split the bill. Why didn't she just ask that in the first place? She then seemed irritated at us for not reading her mind. Whether she was just having a bad day or whatever, we didn't deserve to be treated that way. That really left a bad taste in our mouth throughout the rest of the experience but we remained respectful, finished our meal, and left. Unfortunately we had 8 people in our party so gratuity was automatically charged - which makes me wonder now if she acted the way she did because she was going to get a tip no matter what anyway.

TLDR - The food is not bad but you can easily get the same quality food with better service elsewhere (open rice, lams kitchen, etc.) so if you're on the fence, maybe order take out to give it a shot or just pass...

Flame Bistro and Bar was a great Saturday night pick. We had a reservation (highly recommend), and I can definitely see how the place could get packed as the night goes on, especially around dinner time.

We started with the chicken wings, which came out piping hot and full of flavor. The General Tso chicken was a hit, crispy, saucy, and everything you’d want from that dish. I ordered the duck bao buns, which were good, but next time I want to try the roasted duck to really get a feel for how they prepare it. The Singapore curry vermicelli was another standout, packed with flavor and came with both chicken and shrimp. Just a heads-up: they’re good about substitutions if you want to skip one of the proteins.

Of course, I had to try the lychee martini (if it’s on the menu, I’m going for it). It was okay, not the best I’ve had, but I’m willing to give it another shot next time. Could’ve just been an off night behind the bar.

Overall, I’ll definitely be back, especially to try that roasted duck. Solid spot with a good vibe and...