People raved about Good Food on Montford, calling it one of Charlotte’s best dining experiences. Honestly, glancing at their menu online, nothing particularly jumped out and grabbed my attention. It all seemed… fine. But with such strong recommendations, I knew I had to check out this spot and see if it lived up to the hype and if it really is one of the Good Food Places Charlotte has to offer.
Perfect Ambiance for a Relaxed Date Night
The restaurant occupies a cool, mid-century modern building. Inside, the renovations respect the original architecture, creating a space that feels both updated and timeless. The atmosphere strikes a great balance – it’s casual enough to feel comfortable, yet stylish enough for a special date night. If you’re looking for good food places with a great vibe for a date, this could be it.
The Menu: Unassuming but Full of Surprises
Usually, when I’m browsing a restaurant menu, there’s always that one dish that immediately excites me, something I absolutely must try. At Good Food on Montford, nothing screamed “must-have.” Nothing looked bad, but nothing particularly wowed me either. Despite my initial lukewarm reaction to the menu, the overwhelmingly positive reviews convinced me to give it a chance. I was on a mission to find out if this place was truly one of the good food places worth the buzz.
Tapas Galore: Dive into a Variety of Flavors
Staying true to my dining style, I decided to go all-in and experience as much as possible. Good Food on Montford specializes in tapas-style plates, perfect for sharing and exploring a range of flavors. Here’s a breakdown of what we sampled:
Local Greens. This salad featured oven-dried strawberries, pickled rhubarb, and Ricotta Salata. While it wasn’t groundbreaking, it was a solid, refreshing salad with a zesty, acidic dressing that woke up the palate.
Steamed Bun. Filled with five-spice rubbed pork belly, hoisin sauce, and pickled vegetables. The texture of the bun was a tad dry for my liking, but the flavor combination was incredible. The pork belly was rich and savory, perfectly balanced by the sweet hoisin and tangy pickles. Flavor-wise, this dish was a knockout!
PEI Mussels. Cooked in a fragrant green curry, creamy coconut milk, and fresh cilantro. This was hands down my favorite dish of the night! The green curry was mild yet incredibly flavorful and well-rounded, served with two pieces of warm pita bread. After devouring the mussels, I unashamedly used the pita to soak up every last drop of that delicious curry broth – it was so good, I almost drank it like soup! Seriously, this is one of the best mussel preparations I’ve ever tasted. If you’re seeking good food places with amazing seafood tapas, order this.
Pan-Seared Scallops. Served with smoked corn, ripe tomato, shell beans, and fragrant basil pesto. This dish was light, simple, and highlighted perfectly seared scallops. The scallops were cooked to absolute perfection – tender and caramelized. The accompanying ingredients were fresh and bright, creating a harmonious and delightful plate. An absolute must-order!
Jerk Chicken. Paired with sweet potato purée, braised collard greens, and grilled pineapple. Honestly, this dish was a huge and pleasant surprise. We ordered it almost as an afterthought, needing a larger plate to balance out the tapas. But it turned out to be phenomenal! The chicken was cooked to juicy perfection and the flavor pairings were spot-on. The textures worked beautifully together, and that sweet potato purée? It was simply divine, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It wasn’t just me – everyone at the table felt the same way. This dish alone makes Good Food on Montford one of the good food places you need to experience.
Deconstructed Lemon Tart. A light and refreshing dessert featuring lemon curd, toasted meringue, and graham cracker crumble. It was a perfect balance of sweet and tart, ideal if you’ve indulged in the savory tapas.
Ricotta Cheesecake. This savory peach cheesecake was beautifully presented. It was rich, creamy, and utterly delicious, but not overly heavy. The texture was perfect and paired wonderfully with the sweet peach topping.
Don’t Miss the Cocktails!
To complement the food, we explored their cocktail menu and ordered three different drinks:
Ms. Collins. A refreshing mix of Ketel One vodka, hibiscus, grapefruit, fresh lemon and lime, and soda. It was light and not overly sweet, unlike many hibiscus-based drinks, making it a perfect palate cleanser.
Montford Mojito. Made with white rum, peach, simple syrup, local fresh mint, and soda water. This one wasn’t my favorite. The peach flavor was too subtle, and the mint tasted a bit too earthy, dominating the entire drink.
Shipwrecked. A unique concoction of Kraken rum, five-spice mandarin syrup, fresh lime, and ginger beer. This drink was surprisingly delicious and complex. I was initially skeptical about the combination of flavors, but they worked together incredibly well. It’s definitely a memorable and unique cocktail.
Initial Verdict: A Solid 8/10
My first experience at Good Food on Montford was overwhelmingly positive. While there are minor areas for improvement, such as perhaps pushing the boundaries of creativity even further with some dishes, the overall experience was excellent. Before dining here, I was slightly concerned that some dishes might be too spicy or lack balance, but the chef clearly excels at ensuring each dish is perfectly harmonious and well-rounded. Next time, I won’t hesitate to order anything on the menu. And yes, I will definitely be back to this good food place!
Update (February 2022): Elevated to a Favorite!
Since my initial visit, I’ve returned to Good Food on Montford five or six times, and it has solidified its place as one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Charlotte. It consistently delivers an 8 to 9 out of 10 experience for me, and here’s why:
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Exceptional Staff & Service: The staff is genuinely friendly and welcoming; their positive energy is contagious. More importantly, the service is incredibly attentive without being intrusive.
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Seasonal & Ever-Evolving Menu: The menu is seasonal and changes frequently, keeping things fresh and exciting. While the menu descriptions might appear simple at first glance, don’t be deceived. Every dish and cocktail is expertly crafted and impeccably balanced. The flavors are complex and beautifully layered, while the textures are perfectly harmonious. This is one of those rare good food places where you could close your eyes, point randomly at the menu, and be completely satisfied with your choice.
On my most recent visit, here are some standout dishes we enjoyed:
Amy’s Pretzel Twists: Served with a house-made beer cheese. Visually appealing and delicious! The pretzels were light, fluffy, perfectly salted, and had a delightful crispy underside. The beer cheese was more of a smooth sauce than a thick cheese dip, making it ideal for coating the pretzels.
Pommes Frites: Truffle oil, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. These are unequivocally among my top favorite truffle fries – and definitely my favorite in Charlotte. They’re larger than McDonald’s fries but not quite steak fries, perfectly crispy on the outside with a light golden-brown hue and just the right amount of crunch. The inside remained fluffy and potato-y. Generously topped with Parmesan, truffle oil, and served with a side of aioli, they are simply irresistible. For truffle fry aficionados searching for good food places, these are a must-try.
Brussels Sprouts: Served with red pepper ricotta, fresh mint, and red onion. These Brussels sprouts were tender yet perfectly cooked, avoiding any mushiness. There was a beautiful crispness from the leaves and red onion, which provided a wonderful contrast to the creamy ricotta. The dish also had a bright, fresh quality, adding another layer of complexity.
Garganelli: Pasta served with fennel sausage, rich tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese. This was excellent! Pasta isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Good Food on Montford, but it should be. The garganelli noodles were cooked al dente. The sauce was packed with flavor yet perfectly balanced. I wish I hadn’t filled up so much on the fries, but those were also too good to resist!
Tagliolini: Cacio e Pepe. This was the creamiest cacio e pepe I have ever tasted. I believe they followed the traditional method of using only pepper, cheese, and pasta water. Or perhaps they added an egg yolk, given its incredible richness and creaminess. Regardless of the technique, the flavor was spot-on, and the texture is something I’ll be dreaming about for days.
Mussels: Green curry cream, coconut milk, cilantro. I’ve ordered this dish every time I’ve visited Good Food on Montford since my first time, and they never disappoint. It’s one of the few dishes that remains consistently on the menu, and I sincerely hope it never gets removed. Without a doubt, these are my absolute favorite mussels in Charlotte. Seriously, for mussel lovers seeking good food places, look no further.
Larry’s Buns: Spice-rubbed pork belly, hoisin sauce, pickled carrot & daikon. While these buns have been on the menu since my first visit, the presentation has been updated. Initially, it was served as one large bun. Now, it’s served as two smaller buns – a welcome change! The flavor is still an excellent rendition of classic five-spice pork, but serving it as two smaller buns makes it much easier to share.
ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE COCKTAILS! Seriously. The cocktails at Good Food on Montford are phenomenal. They are incredibly unique, and even when I sometimes question the ingredient combinations on paper, they always work together so harmoniously. You’d think I wouldn’t be surprised by now, but I am every single time. If you value creative cocktails at good food places, this spot is a must.
Lola: A surprising and delightful blend of Ketel One vodka, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, limoncello, carrot, and vanilla. Shockingly amazing! It’s sweet and creamy without being cloyingly so. It’s like a sophisticated, mellow version of a 50/50 bar (also known as an Orange Dream or Creamsicle). I highly recommend trying this unique cocktail.
Last Text: Bombay gin, Green Chartreuse, lychee, citrus, and egg white. This cocktail was incredibly refreshing. It was crisp, light, and bursting with citrus flavors, while the characteristic sharpness of gin was completely smoothed out by the egg white. I would happily order this one again as well.
Final Thoughts: A Charlotte Gem for Good Food
Good Food on Montford has truly become one of my favorite good food places in Charlotte. From the consistently delicious and innovative tapas to the exceptional cocktails and warm, welcoming service, it offers a dining experience that is both memorable and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed date night spot or simply seeking out some of the best food Charlotte has to offer, Good Food on Montford is an absolute must-try. Don’t let the unassuming menu fool you – this restaurant is a culinary gem that consistently surprises and delights.
