Here’s the dish! I met my mom in Charlotte to celebrate my birthday in October. I had already made plans to meet up with one of my foodie friends from college, and I asked her for restaurant recommendations for my actual birthday dinner with my mother. She offered a few, but mentioned that the Cellar at Duckworth’s is one of her favorite places to go when her family visits, so I made a reservation for two the night of my birthday.

Now arrival at the restaurant can be a bit tricky. What I didn’t realize at the time that I booked our reservation is that Duckworth’s is a sports bar. So we walked in the door dressed to the nines and were confused momentarily by how casual it was. The sports bar hostess quickly informed us that the Cellar was in the basement of the sports bar, so we headed downstairs. As I’ve gotten older, my mom has lost some of her mobility, and it’s worth noting that the Cellar is not ADA accessible. There is no elevator to take you downstairs. A few gentlemen who worked at the restaurant were kind enough to escort my mother, who needed a bit of help, up and down the stairs. This is something to keep in mind if you are visiting with guests who might have mobility challenges.

We were seated and greeted by our server who explained the menu to us. The Cellar offers both small and large plates for guests to choose from, but in all honesty, the food portions are not that filling on the large plates. My mother and I decided to share the Ground Duck Flatbread (small plate) as an appetizer, and I ordered a Rum-less Punch to drink. For entrees, I ordered the Black Grouper (large plate), served with Anson Mills Carolina Gold Pesto Rice, Artichokes, Candied Carrots, and Leeks. The Pesto Rice reminded me of the Broccoli, Rice & Cheese Casserole I loved as a child, and the Black Grouper was nice and buttery. My mother ordered the Filet Mignon (large plate), served with an Arugula Salad, and ordered the Smoked Forest Mushroom Medley (small plate) to accompany it. She enjoyed the flavor but commented on the small portion. To celebrate my birthday, our server provided me with a complimentary dessert. The kid in me chose the Campfire Almond S’more, which was delicious.

I would definitely revisit the Cellar, perhaps opting to taste more from the small plate side of the menu. My mom isn’t as adventurous as I am when it comes to food, so us ordering our separate large plates was the better option for us. However, their small plate offerings include options ranging from $9 to $17, and includes an array of options like Tuna Tartare ($17), Lamb Gyoza Dumplings ($12), Truffle Mac & Cheese ($14), and Chargrilled Oysters ($16).

Until next time, keep dishing!