Charlotte is not a B & B type of town. It's a corporate, working town. I live in a bedroom community of Charlotte and a friend of mine bought an old mansion and opened a lovely B & B.He couldn't make a go of it. No one booked except German tourists. LOL. There are a few, as you mentioned, but the area does not lend itself to that type of lodging. It's slim pickins! Now, go to Asheville and the mountains and that's another story!!!!

Thanks for the info! We actually are staying at a B&B in Asheville for several days and then at a B&B in Blowing Rock prior to coming to Charlotte! Can't wait.

Do you have any restaurant recommendations in Charlotte? We're getting together with a couple old friends and are looking for good food and a quiet place where we can sit and talk for a long time. We like steak, seafood, Italian. Thinking about Melting Pot as it's usually quiet and you can sit there for hours...

Las Ramblas on Park Rd is a new favorite of mine... it's a tapas restaurant is you like tapas. I enjoy Firebirds - both at Stonecrest in S. Charlotte and at NorthLake Mall on I-77 north ( though I prefer Stonecrest). My favorite steakhouse in Charlotte is Ranch House - on the west near the airport ( on Wilkinson Blvd). It's a classic 1950's style steakhouse - dimly lit with killer shrimp cocktail and wonderful steaks...it's a "sit and talk" place...and their homemade bleu cheese dressing is to die for.

There are several intimate eateries in the Dilworth and South End areas.... go to www.gocarolinas.com and click the restaurant tab and look in those areas ( and other areas as well). If you see something that catches your eye, come back on here and ask us about it.

Best wishes.

Oh forgot to mention my favorites for seafood and Italian. You know, I've eaten at most Italian places in town...I just keep going back to Carrabbas because it is consistently good. When my wife and I want a quiet evening and wonderful food, we go to Carrabbas on S. Blvd. in Dilworth. For seafood we go to any of the fish camps in Gaston County ( Belmont - just across the river from Charlotte) - Captain's Cap, Graham's, Twin Tops, etc.... Now, those are old time Calabash style places. If we want more upscale and nouveau or fusion dishes we go to Bonefish in Pineville or McCormick & Schmick at SouthPark ( though I prefer Bonefish).

The Morehead Inn is a smaller B&B compared to the Duke...in the same general area...Its a great place. I love it there, the food is great, the staff is friendly, the place is very nice.

The VanLandingham estate is also another one. The area that it is in, is growing and still has some iffy areas....the property itself is beautiful...

of the two, I would stay at the Morehead.