#2: [REVIEW] Rada 🍸

A hag's first restaurant review + 5 things I consumed in CLT last week

Jan 14, 2025

The winter storm came and went and sadly left me with less time to cosplay as Strega Nona than I had hoped. However, the impending storm did give me an excuse to hit up Pasta and Provisions for wine and a $22 meal kit. I’m not sure why people rush out to get milk and loaves of sad, white sandwich bread when there are clearly better alternatives, like rosemary focaccia.

Before the sprinkling of snow, I also bravely ventured out of my home (it was 29 degrees!) for dinner on Thursday night at the new Rada in Myers Park. The restaurant quietly opened in the former littleSpoon space this past week.

First impressions

I went in knowing very little about Rada. There’s no menu listed on their website, which feels like trying to stalk your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend and finding out their Instagram is private. Devastating.

it’s the arched doorway and globe lights for me.

First of all, I was very into the overall aesthetic. It’s cozy, intimate and feels like a spot you’d duck into after wandering around some trendy neighborhood in NYC. It gives off an air of understated cool you don’t often find in Charlotte (and definitely not MP).

One mildly upsetting thing to report is that they require you to order all of your food at once instead of letting you feel it out as you go. I’ve encountered this a few times recently and I need someone from the restaurant industry to explain why this is a thing. Even if there’s a good reason, I hate it. If you don’t see what the big deal is, congrats, you probably don’t take anxiety medication.

Another thing to get out of the way: the space is a little moody i.e. dim. Not egregiously dim, like a Hollister, just a tasteful level to create some ambiance. But you know what ruins the ambiance? When a woman nearby is using her iPhone flashlight to read the menu. I’m not trying to judge anyone who’s visually impaired (I also can’t see shit) but, for the love of god, hold the menu near the candle or something. Better yet, force the person you’re with read it to you like a sonnet.

Everything we ordered

Cocktails

San Sebastian martini (gin, dolin vermouth, bay leaf, basque pepper brine, anchovy olive) — $19
- QCH take: A sea hag’s delight. More on this drink later.
Selwyn spritz (alma blanco, amaro nonino, lemon, bubbles) — $16
- QCH take: A lovely patio sipper that I will be returning for in the spring.
Rada negroni (gin, campari, tximista vermouth) — $19
- QCH take: Enjoyable but not worth the price tag IMO. I think The Jimmy, across the street, has a more interesting one with a Prosecco ice cube.

Small plates

Croquetta, ham, gribiche — $14
- QCH take: Crispy on the outside. Soft on the inside. The sauce is the true star.
Meatball, harissa — $5
- QCH take: Confusing.
Tuna carpaccio, mandarin, cilantro — $21
- QCH take: Light and bright. Olive oil forward. Enjoyed the dish but would try something else instead next time.
Coperta, lamb bolognese, ricotta, pecorino — $24
- QCH take: One of the BEST pasta dishes I’ve had out.

Large plate

Seabass, field peas, chanterelles — $34
- QCH take: Fish was cooked to perfection but the chantrelles got lost in the sauce and, therefore, I did not.

What I loved ❤️

The $19 martini: Ok, let’s talk about this martini. Yes, it’s a bit pricey BUT it comes with accessories, including a side vessel of additional martini kept cold in ice (that’s fucking service). It strikes a perfect balance between dirty and refreshing. It tastes like the sea in a good way.

don’t let the anchovy garnish scare you.

The bolognese: My god. This dish. I wanted to curl up in it’s warm layers and take a long winters nap. The pecorino, the lamb bolognese sauce, the fresh pasta—every element really hit. I would order this every single time.

the picture does not do it justice but wowowowow.

The croquettas: These little guys had the outside breading of a really good mozzarella stick and the interior of like…a moist hushpuppy with ham. I could not stopping drenching these in the sauce, which was kind of a chilled herb, olive oil, garlic deal.

What I didn’t love 💔

The menu formatting: I know they were shooting for minimalism here but I either couldn’t understand the dish I was ordering or didn’t have a clue how it was prepared. One menu item is simply referred to as “lettuces”. Could be a salad. Could be two dry leaves. There’s no way of telling.

The “meatball”: I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this is not a meatball. It’s a meat stick. The harissa flavor was nice (kind of spicy) but it feels like false advertising. Does the ball composition really change anything? Probably not but, on principle, if I order a meatball, I am expecting an ORB OF MEAT.

don’t look me in the face and tell me this is a meatball.

Final take: Hag recommended 🔥

I genuinely enjoyed every dish we ordered (even though we had to order it all at one time *screams*). The food had amazing flavor, the drinks did not miss, and the service was solid.

It’s not an inexpensive place to eat, so this isn’t a spot we could frequent but we’ll definitely be back. Next time, I want to try the steak or chicken, and dip into the wine menu. I might even get crazy and find out what “lettuces” are.

5 things I consumed last week in Charlotte

This is a weekly round-up I’m trying out (inspired by a version

Haley Nahman

releases in her Friday edition of Maybe Baby that isn’t Charlotte specific but I deeply enjoy), so let me know if you like it. If you don’t like it, keep it to yourself.

A “White Moose” sandwich combo from Groucho’s Deli off of Park Rd. This sandwich isn’t winning any awards, and I’m 90% sure they just use a microwave to melt the cheese, but the Formula 45 sauce is a substance I would consider being embalmed in. I dip both the sandwich and chips in it. This isn’t a sexy or cool thing to admit consuming so I think I’m establishing some reader trust here.
The bento lunch special ($12) from Oshen, a new sushi spot in South Charlotte. It included: edamame, Oshen salad, a Baja California roll, hibachi chicken and fried rice. Honestly a steal. I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience and I’m ready to go back and try more of the menu.
Two glasses of “Turbullent” wine from Bar à Vins (and two to-go bottles). Hands down my favorite wine they serve there. Harry Hoover, their GM and wine buyer, said it was their 2nd most popular bottle last year. “Explosivo” took the number one spot—another great option, especially for winter.
The new buffalo chicken wrap ($12) from Milkbread. I hoped to score one of their new sourdough bagel sandwiches but they were sadly sold out. I pivoted to the wrap and it was…a disaster. The wrap itself hadn’t been heated so immediately fell apart. The flavors were honestly great but I can’t recommend ordering due to the harrowing experience that comes with eating it.
A cocktail and oysters from Chief’s, Bob Peters’ new cocktail spot. I opted for the “Apple Brandy Should Be More of a Thing” cocktail ($16). I was drawn in by the honey miso syrup but it mostly just tasted like apple juice so I’d go for something else next time. The “Tinned Oysters Rockefeller” ($16) is pretty fun and worth a try. Add some hot sauce to it.

Where should I go next? Tell me in the comments and stay warm this week.