Rada
The Best of Charlotte: A Review of Rada
If you are looking for one of the most interesting restaurants in Charlotte right now, Rada is the answer. Located on Selwyn Avenue, this spot has brought a level of culinary sophistication to the city that feels both fresh and long overdue. This should come as no surprise given Chef Callan Buckles’ background, drawing from his experience at some of New York City’s most iconic institutions, including The Four Horsemen, Claud, Lodi, and Momofuku.
The Drink to Start
Before you even look at the food menu, order the San Sebastian Martini. It is a gin-based masterpiece infused with bay leaf and Basque pepper brine. Served with a Spanish gilda on the side (if desired), it is easily the best martini in Charlotte—savory, bright, and perfectly balanced.
A Seasonal, Rotating Menu
The menu at Rada is highly seasonal, often changing every few weeks to reflect the best available ingredients. Because of this, every visit offers a new perspective - not just in terms of flavor, but their technical skill as well.
Small Plates and Starters
Gildas: A classic preparation with piparra, olive, and anchovy. The pickled pepper provides a sharp brightness that balances the rich, almost provolone-like flavor of the anchovy.
Veal Tonne: Sliced thin and incredibly tender, topped with capers and a luxurious, tuna-flavored sauce.
Beef Tartare: I have tried several versions here, but the standout featured sunchoke and pimentos. It is a perfect harmony of salt, pickle, and fresh herbs.
Tuna Carpaccio: Constantly changing, I’ve seen it paired with citrus like mandarin. I’ve seen it with strawberries. I’ve seen more savory versions with green tomato and tonnato too — but it’s always one of my favorites.
Main Courses and Pastas
The Pasta Program: The pasta at Rada is always tender and thoughtfully composed. Highlights have included a ricotta stuffed ravioli with sweet tomato sauce, a comforting lamb bolognese with creamy ricotta and a beef-stuffed agnolotti that was a personal favorite.
Dave’s Clams: Cooked in vin jaune, cream, and scallion, the sauce is soft and slightly sweet. It is mandatory to have extra bread on hand to soak up every drop of this liquid gold.
The Striploin: This is arguably the best thing they make, though it is a commitment. It is a massive two-pound cut served rare and smothered in a luscious au poivre sauce. It is best reserved for a special occasion or shared with a group.
Other Favorites: I don’t see it often anymore, as people favor the striploin — but there was a delicious bavette steak on the menu in a French onion soubise that was outstanding. There was a huge veal milanese coated in breadcrumbs made from their house sourdough, fried to perfection, and served with brown butter and lemon. And if you see the pork chop on the menu, that is also excellent!
The Vegetables and More
Rada treats vegetables with as much respect as their proteins. Their Celery Caesar was a revelation—topped with a mountain of cheese and anchovies, it became a dish I craved weekly while it was on the menu. There’s a charred cabbage that rotates on and off the menu that’s pretty tasty. There was a tuna sausage patty with white beans that I enjoyed. Their ricotta fritters are delicious - super light and fluffy with a pop of salt and lightly herbed. They’ve done a fried squash that I like a lot too.
The Sweet Finish
Just like the main menu, Rada offers a rotating selection of desserts. I usually order whatever they have that’s chocolate, since I love chocolate - they make a delicious Chocolate Torta which was deep and rich but surprisingly light, paired with Luxardo cherries that provide a tart contrast to the dark chocolate. There was also another — I forget what they called it, but it was like a cross between a chocolate cremeux and caramel texture, topped with a dollop of chantilly — that was my favorite. But they also make ice cream, and cheesecake, tarts and more. You never quite know what you’ll see, which keeps it interesting.
The Verdict
Rada is the high-end restaurant Charlotte has been waiting for. It strikes a difficult balance: the vibe is casual enough for a spontaneous, high-quality weeknight meal, yet sophisticated enough for an anniversary or major celebration. Be prepared for the bill—this is not an inexpensive evening—but for the quality of the ingredients, the uniqueness of the wine list, and the level of execution, it is worth every cent. Rada is definitely a restaurant worth experiencing if you’re looking for a nice night in Charlotte.
