What do you Crave?

www.charlottefineliving.com — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:31:54 +0000

On the corner of N. Graham and West 5^th street is one of Charlotte’s sweetest nightlife spots: Crave. A dessert bar and lounge, this delicious venue offers seven varieties of desserts, as well as 35 signature drinks. If you were born with a sweet tooth, Crave has the menu you’re looking for.One of the bar’s most popular treats is Le Crme. Unlike the traditional vanilla crme brulee, this dessert comes with a passion fruit cream and a portion of mango sorbet. Another Crave favorite is the Chocolate Neufville: a lava cake with espresso flavoring. However, if you have a preference for baked goods, there’s still a number of treats to choose from; such as Coconut Dream cupcakes, Double-Decker Strawberry Shortcake, and the Banana’s Foster.To compliment your decadent dessert, Crave offers a list of signature drinks. The menu is themed to a relationship, starting with Flirtations and Lust, and moving into Euphoria, Intimacy, and the Morning After. The Flirtations list offers a mix of bubbly drinks, such as a Mimosas and Bellinis. Meanwhile selections like the Caffeine Rush (Crme de Cacao and Kahlua with coffee) are found in the appropriately named morning after list.Crave opens at 5pm everyday but Monday and hosts a variety of events. Previously, the lounge has thrown Sunday Recess parties as well as a weekly Date Night.

Need a Caffeine Fix? Check Out Our Pick for the Best Coffee Shops in Charlotte.

www.charlottefineliving.com — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:31:09 +0000

If there’s one area where Charlotte is thriving, it’s great coffee shops. Coffee-lovers can join the locals at the ultra-cozy Smelly Cat Coffee House in NoDa or bring their own high-speed Internet to the bustling Starbucks in the heart of Dilworth. Whether you want a coffee shop that offers the strongest beans in the city or just a cool atmosphere, there are great options across the city for everyone.For the flavor-obsessed: You can find the city’s most delicious flavored coffee at Dilworth Coffee – hands down. And our personal favorite is the Roasted Caramel Vanilla. With 11 locations throughout the Charlotte area, Dilworth Coffee delivers the feel of a neighborhood coffee shop, with the variety of beverages you’d expect at a national chain. They change their flavors every day and offer free refills on their smallest coffees after 5 p.m.Couple coffee-drinkers: Caribou Coffee on East Blvd. offers the perfect setting for a daytime date or late-night cup of coffee. The popular coffee shop boasts tons of outdoor seating and is within walking distance to some great restaurants. The Atlanta-based chain also offers some surprisingly strong blends at affordable prices.Bookworms and studiers: The Starbucks on the corner of Scott Avenue and East Blvd. is your best bet. Not only is this place enormous, it also has dozens of comfy chairs and large tables. But be wary on the weekends when large groups get together to chat. It can be a little distracting. Starbucks charges for wireless internet, but thanks to CLEAR – a new high-speed internet provider in Charlotte you can get online without paying Starbucks. The CLEAR USB plugs into your laptop so you can get high-speed Internet across the city and at any of the coffee shops on our list.For everyone: The top pick in the city goes to Smelly Cat Coffee House in NoDa. Whether you show up for the great environment (music and artwork from local artists) or for the delicious desserts and espresso, this funky coffee shop has something for everyone.

Charlotte Fine Living » Charlotte Coffee Houses

What do you Crave?

Need a Caffeine Fix? Check Out Our Pick for the Best Coffee Shops in Charlotte.