Smack dab in the middle of Charlotte Restaurant Week, I dined with my Dinner Group girls for the first time at Fran’s Filling Station. It was delicious and cozy and the service was fantastic. It takes a special kind of server to keep up the frenetic style of a group of gals who have been meeting monthly for supper for the past ten years. We are an excitable, chatty, easily distracted by something shiny bunch, and I’m always impressed when waitstaff keeps up with us.
Even fried, I'm not a pickle fan. But if I were, I would have loved these.
Fran’s take on upscale, yet affordable, comfort food with thoughtful and creative ingredients is what Charlotte needed. Fran will be sharing her love with the uptown crowd when a smaller outpost of the restaurant opens soon in the 7th Street Public Market.
Bacon wrapped tater tots. On a stick. Don't mind if I do.
For a mid-priced restaurant, I was impressed with the value of the Restaurant Week menu, which includes a glass of house wine or craft beer in the $30 prixe fixe menu.
Fran's Lamb Ragu. Had the leftovers for lunch, and it was even better the next day.
Seriously, that Lamb Ragu is crazy good. Goat cheese galore! Bacon wrapped sweet potato tater tots, too? Shut. The. Front. Door.
Big old slices of goat cheese. That's right.
Normally I don’t get dessert. I’m usually too full, and don’t see the point of the added expense. But during Restaurant Week, why not?
Coconut Cream Cake. The alliteration makes it yummy.
Fran's Apple Crisp with Maple Gelato
Fran, will you be my best friend? You are my new favorite.
Fran’s Filling Station
2410 Park Road
Charlotte, NC
704.372.2009
www.fransfillingstation.com
12 Comments on "Fran’s Filling Station: Charlotte, NC"
OK..this looks super yum! I haven’t heard of this place and I must try it! Is it a kid friendly place or is this better for a night without the kids? Well, actually I think almost every restaurant is better without kids but you know that only happens so often. :)
Dre, you could definitely take the kids. If you must. :)
Excellent dining experience ! I loved our big table tucked away just enough for us not to be inhibited about our candid talk. The shrimp and grits and pan fried chicken was wonderful. For me, the dessert was the hit of the night . . . . of course second to the company.
Oops, I meant to type WERE wonderful. I really do have a college degree :).
It was a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to seeing you next month, Julie!
P.S. Thanks for commenting! xoxo
You make me want to eat. More than I already do.
I know. It is a pitfall of the job. All I think about is food and wine. More than I already did.
Okay, heading there on Wednesday. Do you recommend the lamb ragu, shrimp & grits, or something else? And duh, I’m going to make Marc order the mac & cheese regardless of any pasta/grain dish I order, because that’s just what you do and how you do it. Preach it, sista.
That lamb ragu was dang good. One of my companions got the shrimp and grits and loved it. I’m pretty sure everything there is on the awesome side.
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