Counter-

"Everybody loves to talk about consistency when it comes to their favorite restaurant. Counter says f*ck that. The restaurant puts together constantly changing 10- and 14-course tasting menus that are fully immersive experiences guaranteed to be a highlight of your year. Each meal is themed, and each course is served with a corresponding music playlist—some recent dinner themes were Prince and Night at the Symphony. Each meal is open to only 16 guests, who are seated at a U-shaped counter around the kitchen. You’ll definitely need a reservation (they fill up fast), but it’s worth it to fight for one: the food and service are always excellent, and this place is unlike anything else in Charlotte." - tess allen

"Everybody loves to talk about consistency when it comes to their favorite restaurant. Counter says f*ck that. The restaurant puts together constantly changing 10- and 14-course tasting menus that are fully immersive experiences guaranteed to be a highlight of your year. Each meal is themed, and each course is served with a corresponding music playlist—some recent dinner themes were Prince and Night at the Symphony. Each meal is open to only 16 guests, who are seated at a U-shaped counter around the kitchen. You’ll definitely need a reservation (they fill up fast), but it’s worth it to fight for one: the food and service are always excellent, and this place is unlike anything else in Charlotte." - Tess Allen

"Chef Sam Hart never follows the rules. The original Counter, with themed tasting menus focused on cutting-edge culinary inspirations, opened in commissary space the City Kitch on Charlotte’s Westside in 2020 and held on, pandemic-be-damned, through 2022. Hart took a short break and has reopened in an elegant space on West Morehead Street that’s tucked in next to Hart’s wine bar, Biblio. The experience isn’t cheap — $175 for 10-course menus and $235 for 14 courses (most courses have more than one item, pushing the number of creations to as high as 50 bits and bites), and wine pairings can add $100 to $300. But it’s regularly selling out, proving that Charlotte eaters are willing to go all in on an experience." - Timothy DePeugh, Kathleen Purvis

"The groundbreaking, fully immersive, sensory experience from visionary Chef Sam Hart and the Counter- team. The first of its kind in Charlotte, our tasting menu concept is paired with art, music, a story, and high-level international cuisine. Our team welcomes you into our newly designed restaurant to acquaint yourself with a whole new world of culinary excitement. We look forward to serving you!"

"Transcendental experience that left the body, mind, and soul satisfied." - Erin Perkins