DILWORTH. The perfect place to spend time with family or friends and enjoy Charlotte's favorite for brick oven pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads. In the warmer months, ask for a table on the patio. Pastas are prepared a multitude of ways.

BALLANTYNE. Owner Ciro Marino brings Southern Italy to South Charlotte. Winner of "Best New Restaurant," Campania seamlessly blends varied Mediterranean flavors. Neopolitan influences are evident in the variations of dishes prepared with tomato based sauces, garlic, capers and olives. To accompany your meal, choose from a selection of wine which received the Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence." The ambiance, with amber walls and luminescent candlelight, sets the mood for an unforgettable dining experience. Reservations recommended.

UPTOWN. High ceilings, large windows and a colored glass bar adorn the interior of this sleek Uptown eatery, and outdoor tables offer a fun atmosphere. Meat and cheese plates, as well as soups and salads are available, but the kitchen specializes in hearty main courses such as fresh ricotta and spinach ravioli with meat sauce or slow braised pork shank with saffron risotto. Wine available by the bottle.

ARBORETUM. Located in the bustling Arboretum shopping complex, Dakotas is a pleasant retreat away from the crowds. The menu draws from a wide range of culinary influences, from Cajun to Italian, all complemented by delicious, hot breads and desserts made in-house. Reservations available.

UPTOWN. In a unique approach to adaptive reuse (and with a bit of wit), the owners of Fuel converted this filling station into a pizza parlor. Just beyond the retro gas pumps, you'll find a full selection of pizzas (slices and whole pies), as well as salads, calzones, nachos, and wings. Fuel offers a handful of locations in the area; the Plaza Midwood cafe promises an eclectic crowd if you're into people-watching.