Beef & Bottle

I wandered into Beef and Bottle quite by mistake last night when looking for a place to eat while on a business trip. When I saw the place, I did not know what to make of the name and the exterior of the building reminded me of a BBQ place in Texas. I figured that with a name like Beef and Bottle, I had to try it, just so I could tell people that I ate there!

When I walked in, I was quite surprised at what I saw. It is dimly lit and I did feel under dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. They still welcomed me heartily and sat me at a great table.
The service there was impeccable and very friendly. After glancing through the menu I immediately ordered a ribeye, for about $27. It came with a simple salad of iceberg lettuce and a plate with onions, bell pepper, tomato and a couple of other salad bits on the side.
My Steak came medium rare, as ordered, and my impression with the first bite was that it was simply a good steak. While it is good, I think that comparisons to Mortons and other such places are WAY out of line. I would say that the steak was worth maybe $19.
The bread that was served with the meal was outstanding however.
Over all it was a *good* experience, but I am not sure that I would recommend going out of your way for it.

Pros: Awesome service, good food.

Cons: Not quite as good as they think it is. NOT like Mortons.

Posted 10/12/09

I loved it. It was a delightful surprise, I was expecting something not so good, boy was I fooled. Everything was wonderful. It rivals Ruth Chris in every way but the price. I'm from NYC and I know good food!

Pros: Steak is absolute perfection

Cons: Kind of dark

Posted 09/01/09

Last night my co-workers and I dined at the Beef and Bottle. From the outside, the restaurant doesn't look impressive, but on the inside the restaurant has plenty of character with time period pictures and old school flair. I had the ribeye steak which was flavorable and a Idaho baked potato cooked as desired. Also, had an appetizer of the largest oysters that I've tried in years. Overall, I'd recommend and go back to the restaurant again.

Posted 10/13/08

I heard many things about B&B and after living in CLT for several years, I finally gave this old staple a try. When I walked inside the door, I felt like we stepped into a time warp. This quiet den was dimly lit and had several framed pictures of old Hollywood stars adorning the wood paneled walls. When I said wood paneled, I mean painted plywood. The place had character and was fast becoming an experience. Once seated, the waiter took our drink order. The glasses of wine are extremely healthy and their cocktails generous. We ordered our steaks and delighted that they all come with a salad and side. The salad is unique in that it comes out as a plate of lettuce and all your accoutrement's (cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, etc,) are served on a platter for you to choose what you want. The dressings are all made in-house. The steaks were served and surprisingly well seasoned and cooked to perfection. There was butter on the steaks so make sure you ask to hold it if you're not interested. The meat is the same quality you would get at a grocery store. It wasn't prime but you're not paying prime prices. Overall, this was a good experience and place I am glad we visited. With drinks, appetizers and tip, it came to $50 a person. Try the Oysters Rockefeller...they're pretty tasty

Pros: Good service, good value and an experience to try

Cons: A bit smoky

Posted 04/10/07

The Beef & Bottle used to be my favorite steakhouse in Charlotte and I highly recommended it to everyone, but I think that George Fine (the owner) has lost his mind or has no clue as to what is going on when he's not there! My wife and I were very disappointed and quite honestly, embarrassed that we brought friends there!

We brought another couple in on Saturday, November 11th for a birthday dinner. We have always been treated great by the managers as well as most of the service staff that know us by name or recognize our faces. We happened to get a new waitress that had no clue as to what she was doing. I mean, no clue at all! Even though she was nice, that didn't make up for the fact that she seemed to forget about us once we got our first round of drinks! We had to ask if we were ever going to get our salads and when we finally got them, we had to flag another server to bring us dressing after having waited 10 minutes for Kelly to bring it. I don't know if the kitchen was backed up that night or if our order was not turned in, but it took over 30 minutes from the time we were done with our salads to get our steaks. That was just a little too long. Once our food arrived and I looked at it, I was not very happy. My wife had the "Bits of Tenderloin" which is usually very good and flavorful. On this night, it turned out that it was overcooked, greasy and had no flavor. I had the "Thick Filet Mignon" that was served on a greasy plate swimming in either grease or butter! I can honestly tell you that I was rather embarrassed to have brought my friends here.

One of the waitresses informed us that the Beef and Bottle was under new management in both the front of the house and the kitchen and things were very different. They had all ready lost quite a few regular customers due to the decline in quality and management changes.

Please Mr. Fine, get the Beef and Bottle back to the excellent, unique, one of kind restaurants that it was!!! We really miss it.

Pros: Ambience, wait staff

Cons: Greasy steaks, terrible service by new server, slow.

Posted 11/15/06

Between the awesome steak, the fabulous service, and the wonderful setting, I didn't want to leave. I felt so welcome when I walked in the door, which seems to be more and more of a rarity these days. It's clear that the owner takes great pride in the restaurant. It was even clearer when I tried the Oysters Rockefeller! Such a great beginning to a great meal. The steaks were perfectly cooked and definitely rival the much pricier ones at Mortons or Sullivans. The restaurant was very dark and cozy. Loved everything about it!

Pros: Great prices, great ambiance, awesome steaks

Cons: Fills up fast, make a reservation!

Posted 10/09/06

Went there for my second time a couple nights ago. Everything was wonderful. Laurie, our server, provided great service! Could not ask for a better Filet. Cinnamon ice cream is a must!!!!! Plan to return again soon!!!

Posted 06/21/05

Mmm, mmm. I really liked this restaurant and can't wait to go back. Before you go be aware that the restaurant is basically in a double-wide and the food is old fashioned. Also - the wine list is limited so I recommend BYOB - hence "beef AND bottle". We think it is yummy and fun.

Pros: steak, different

Posted 05/26/05

It is such a pleasure to be served a steak that really tastes like steak - not wood, charred flesh, peppercorns or chemicals. This steak is grilled on a griddle, basted with butter and garlic - just like all of them used to be. The salad, fries and bread are unremarkable but perfectly suited to the main event. The onion rings are superb! I don't go to those really high-priced places that serve huge portions - I'd rather have the best in a rational size. Not cheap, but worth the cost. The waiters are memorable - lots of regulars are treated like family. Sit in the small dining room if you can. Love the music (Sinatra and such)

Pros: Best steak, Super service, Warm atmosphere

Posted 07/12/04

It's a tad pricey, admittedly, and there is a vague snobbishness ... but the food, the presentation, the service and the atmosphere are phenomenal. Our dinner cost about $80, all inclusive, but it was worth it. These apply: "you can't judge a book by its cover," and "you get what you pay for."

Pros: best shrimp sauce, salad presentation, the food

Cons: the price

Posted 07/18/03

Great steak and good service for less than haft the price of Morton's. Definitely recommend!

Posted 05/20/03

Terrible service, canned mushrooms, tough steaks.
Used to be the best in town. Waitress acted like a snob.

Pros: used to be a great place, bottled beer still safe.

Cons: EVERYTHING

Posted 05/14/03

very down to earth place. You have to be told to go there because the exterior is deceiving. Home made salad dressing. Very dark, but fabulous food

Posted 01/12/03

Neat Charlotte Old Tyme Steakhouse. Love the Shag Carpet and Southern Waitresses.

Pros: atmosphere, food, 60's environmrent

Cons: Cut up the lettuce!

Posted 01/12/03

It feels like I have stepped out of the hectic pace of the world when I dine at the Beef and Bottle. the atmosphere is romantic and relaxing and the food and service cant be beat.

Posted 12/23/02

If you want a great steak and subdued atmosphere, this is the place. Never had a bad meal here. It's not cheap, however.

Pros: Great steak

Cons: A little too dark

Posted 11/20/02

from the outside this restaurant looks like it is just another south blvd. establishment. deep red colors and warm lighting add to romance or just a quite place to get a great meal. i highly recommend beef and bottle!

Pros: atmosphere, filet, salad delivery

Cons: outside of building

Posted 09/08/02

I have been eating Steak at Beef and Bottle for many many years. The quality of food and service are always something you can count on. Why change a good thing?

Posted 08/07/02