Living
With temps dipping to record lows this year, leaving the warmth of my fireplace was a challenge, but duty calls! I managed to rustle up one restaurant profile and review an old favorite for your enjoyment!
Luce is the perfect place for a date or to grab a bite before a special event uptown. All of the seating is oversized and plush, which makes it easy to relax.
Dre and I ordered a special three- course meal with a vintage pinot grigio. It is customary to begin a genuine Italian meal with a pasta dish, so for our appeitizer we had a tricolor pasta dish with crushed peppers. I enjoyed ricotta raviolo with cherry tomateos and parmesan cheese. I topped my meal with a fabulous, caramal glazed slice of cheesecake.
During the summer and spring months live music plays on the patio and compliments the “Italy in the 30s” vibe. The guests and staff were diverse and provided impeccable service. The table setting was formal but not lavish! I suggest brushing up on your table ettiquette before diving head first into your meal.
The executive chef is personable and introduced the selections himself! The price tag for dinner may be sticky for some, but don’t let that stop you! Instead, drop in for lunch and treat your taste buds to wonderful Italian without busting your budget.
Pewter Rose is a staple for my family and friends. We fiIt is very affordable and diverse. My bridal shower was held at this restaurant and I loved it! I recommend the brunch. They have several selections, from an $8 “straight up breakfast” featuring southern stone ground grits, apple smoked bacon and hashbrowns, to a more sophisticated selection of eggs benedict and a spinach omlet.
The restaurant has an earthy but chic feel. The crowd is young professionals, bohemians and fun retirees who look like they may have participated in Woodstock or marched with Dr. King!
If you don’t want to drive, take the light rail from south Charlotte and get off at the East/West Blvd station. It is right on the street! You can dine in or out when the weather is warm, they serve scones to snack on, and the sweet tea is mixed with clear, sweet syrup instead of sugar, giving it a great taste! Love it!
If you’ve been dying to try Luce or another Charlotte establishment but they don’t fit your budget, you’re in luck! Charlotte Restaurant Week starts today and runs through Jan. 31. Area restaurants are offering three-course meals for $30 – a steal at places like Blue or Morton’s! Click on the link for a list of participating restaurants and make your reservations today.
4. Now, burn those calories!!!
So you vowed to hit the gym in 2010 but lack the discipline? Try signing up for a class! Classes offer accountability and make exercising more enjoyable. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte offers a variety of classes various branches that cater to almost every interest and budget!
The Y offers something for everyone from the young dancer to the active older adult! I took two adult dance classes (ballet and hip-hop) and even got a chance to have a recital at the Belk theater uptown. I loved these classes! My teacher at the Harris Y, Mrs. Michelle, was classically trained at North Carolina Dance Academy. Not to mention, they encourage inviting friends and even husbands to watch certain classes! I now take a yoga class with Gina every Monday at the Morrison Y from 7 to 8 p.m. The Y is well worth the investment!
Preggers? Try a prenatal yoga class or water aerobics (with your physician’s permission, of course). The YMCA prides itself on caring for the mind, body and soul, which makes it a perfect pick for the January editions of B.L.I.S. Visit www.ymcacharlotte.org to see what’s on tap for this month and the next!
Until next week, live B.L.I.S.fully!
B.L.I.S 
