Restaurants in Harrisburg

On Val Panizzut's first visit to his wife’s Mexican hometown, the co-owner of The Prickly Pear vowed he would name his first restaurant after the delicious fruit borne from cacti. Today, the fruition of that fruit-inspired idea offers expansive views of Lake Norman from its generous windows or patio seats, as well a menu of Mexican cuisine. Not content with just offering traditional tacos and burritos, the kitchen crafts modern Mexican dishes that have earned it numerous local press mentions. They pair the usual flavors of cotija cheese, chipotles and cilantro with, for example, fruits such as pear, mango, and pineapple, all in an effort to add savory, piquant, or sweet depth to shrimp dishes and adobo-rubbed chicken. To augment the adventurous atmosphere, live musical acts entertain guests on Thursday and Sunday nights—but they never say in advance exactly where in the restaurant they’ll hide as they play.

At both Charlotte locations, 1900 Mexican Grill's chefs grill up chicken for sizzling fajitas, prepare jumbo burritos, and craft classic Mexican dishes. The kitchen also prepares specialty entrees such as pan-seared snapper in an olive-and-tomato salsa, which diners can pair with a refreshing margarita.

Zizi’s serves up a menu of 100% vegan provender, including meat stand-ins such as lentil burgers and seitan steak, and veggie creations made from organic, natural ingredients. A starter of meatless chili nachos kicks off an evening of healthy eats before entrees like the mango tofu arrive bearing sautéed, non-GMO, soy-based sustenance swimming with bell peppers in a tangy red sauce that tastes vaguely of sunshine. Lentils replace ground beef in the gluten-free lentil loaf, served with cauliflower mash and broccoli, and the balsamic portobello reveals its piquant flavors under a balsamic glaze among fire-roasted red peppers and steamed veggies. The carrot cake softens palates with garden-grown confections as sweet but less time-consuming than manually mowing fields of sugar cane with your mouth.

Within a renovated, century-old former church, experienced chefs helm a wood-burning brick oven designed and built by Aztec Indians in the American Southwest. Atop live cedar and hickory planks, executive chef Cory Sharpe roasts a seasonal selection of fresh seafood and high-quality steaks and chops to a level of tenderness normally reserved for braised greeting cards. His elegantly prepared entrees emerge into the contemporary dining room, where tall windows and chandeliers cast light across the historic building's high ceilings and white columns. Servers can also shuttle meals to the verdant outdoor patio, which sits atop a stone walkway shaded by towering trees.

Not only has Bonterra's owner and managing partner John Duncan helped his neighborhood by revitalizing this once flourishing community center, he also strives to source ingredients from local farmers. In addition to fresh, seasonal fare, Bonterra's menu features artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and spreads designed to pair with selections from an expansive wine cellar that bursts with more than 200 vintages served by the glass or bottle.

The non-traditional bar food menu features a variety of apps, salads, sandwiches, and build-your-own burgers and quesadillas. Your Groupon can be used toward anything non-alcoholic on the menu, but does not include the chicken wings, as they are harvested from rare flying chickens and therefore cannot be legally discounted. Start with bacon and asparagus frites served with house avocado-ranch dressing ($6.50) or a cup of big, bad Corey's chili ($4.95). Lettuce lovers will go green with joy for salad selections including the toasted walnut and pear with blue cheese served with white-balsamic vinaigrette ($8.95). Build your own burger, starting with the basic hand-pattied burger ($6.50), and then add your choice of free toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles) and non-free toppings, like chili, fried egg, or blue-cheese crumbles ($0.25–$0.75). The custom build-a-dilla ($5.50) gets the same treatment with the extra bonus of adding additional meats ($1.25–$1.50).

Southern Living says Sonoma's dinner menu blends "a Slow Food philosophy, which focuses on local, organic, peak-season ingredients, with true culinary artistry." Menus change with the seasons; current appetizers include gruyere- and bacon-topped Kobe beef sliders ($7) and popcorn shrimp tempura with chili mayonnaise ($8). Main courses such as a roasted half chicken ($14), chipotle glazed pork tenderloin ($19), and a mushroom and bacon burger ($10) take aim at the freshest fruits and vegetables in Old MacDonald's inventory. Neptune also sacrifices some denizens to Sonoma's flavorful fare; sup on grilled Atlantic salmon ($19) and whole fried red snapper ($21). Salads, sandwiches, and daily specials populate the lunch menu.