Garland

3 Best Day Trips from Charlotte

"Black walls, cool decor and lighting, and bold artwork makes Garland look like it was decorated by a rock star—wait, it was. Chef and co-owner Cheetie Kumar is the lead guitarist for Birds of Avalon, and the rock n' roll–meets-India vibe is all her—in collaboration with her co-owner, partner in life, and fellow musician Paul Siler, that is. Kumar's menu, too, mixes together various influences, including her northern Indian childhood, her time in the Bronx, and North Carolina. The corn cake and greens are topped with marinated field peas; the Bhel Puri has tamarind-mint chutney, tomatoes, and jicama; and there's so much going on in lamb shank osso bucco that you can't even begin to figure out why it tastes so good." - Stephanie Burt