Bardo. The first of it’s kind here in good ol’ Charlotte. Chef-driven and owned, high-end, unique spot perfect for romantic date nights, happy hours after work, or birthday dinners. Located in the Gold District (right outside of Uptown), Bardo is very un-assuming to the eye. Upon walking in you’re greeted by the hostess. The space is small and cozy with an open view into the kitchen.  Bardo is also very dark and moody. I personally like bright spaces but this fits the vibe they’re going for. We went pretty early on a Friday night around 6PM and we didn’t have to wait to be seated. As the night went on, seats started to fill up so I would recommend a reservation if you’re unsure.

Our server was awesome. She explained how everything worked and was knowledgable about the menu items and even had recommendations for us. Bardo does serve their dishes family style. If you are not familiar with family-style, it’s when you order multiple dishes to share with your entire table. This means that not all entrees will come out at the same time because they come out as they are ready. My favorite part about family-style is the fact that you can taste a little bit of everything on the table.

The menu at Bardo is super small. I’ve realized that many people hate small menus, but I don’t, I actually love them. Why? Well, a smaller menu usually means a more focused menu. A focused menu at a restaurant will showcase what they’re BEST at (or should be best at). Imagine, a large menu with tons of options, out of all those options how many do you think they nail perfectly? Probably not a lot. Restaurants with large menus may have a couple of good dishes but the rest are probably mediocre. A small menu allows the restaurant/chef to shine with what THEY’RE really good at, and that’s why we dine out for, no? To experience the way restaurants and chefs think and operate through the food they serve us.

Bardo also changes out their dishes from time to time. The menu online is only an example of dishes they may have. So what did I order? Let’s get into my favorite part.

Cocktails:

• The Cooling Effect. I have been on a Mezcal/Tequila kick lately and I’m here for it. This drink tastes just like how it sounds, cool. It’s smokey, calming, and carries the right amount of spice. So good, you should definitely try it.

Dishes:

• Lobster. The lobster shouldn’t be missed. The creaminess of the Tom Kha is so rich that it complements the lobster perfectly. The Guanciale (pork jowl) is an added extra that adds texture to the dish. Months later and I can remember the flavor vividly.

• Egg and Grain. Aka God’s gift to earth. While the dish may not look the most appetizing, the combination of flavors leaves you wanting for more once it’s gone. The crunchiness of the kale is divine and the creaminess of the yolk enriches the “grains.” Honestly, just order this dish.

• Black Cod. This dish was just alright, imo. Nothing out of this world or stellar but still good. If you’re on the fence about this one, I would suggest just skipping it unless you would like to try it.

• Pork Belly. Wowowow. A perfect pork dish. Usually pork dishes tend to be on the drier side, but not this one. It’s juicy, tender, and not to mention the dish itself is beautiful. Good choice for pork and non-pork lovers!

• Aged Rib-eye. It was okay. For such a classic dish, this one can be a skipper on the menu. If you aren’t an adventurous eater, get it but I won’t promise that it will be delicious.. it was just okay. But that Carolina Gold rice? I could eat a bowl of it every day. I probably wouldn’t get it again because its more expensive than other menu items but not as delicious.

Overall, I truly enjoyed my experience at Bardo and believe that it’s a great spot for date night, girls night, special celebration, even an after work happy hour. The vibes inside are super chill and not pretentious at all, and my favorite part? Hip-hop music plays throughout the restaurant. It doesn’t even feel like you’re in North Carolina once you step foot into the restaurant. note: if you dine at the bar on Monday or Tuesday you get 20% off of your bill. win!

I can’t wait to go back to try more of their cocktails and to try the desserts as well!

PIN IT!