CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - Counter- in West Charlotte has become North Carolina’s first Michelin Star restaurant, earning the prestigious recognition in the inaugural Michelin Guide American South.
The restaurant also received a Green Star, which is awarded to establishments with a committed vision to the future of gastronomy.
Lang Van received a Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes restaurants for great food at great value.
Ten Charlotte restaurants will be recommended dining destinations in the upcoming guide. Three restaurants from the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group — Ever Andalo, Haberdish and Supperland — are among the recommended establishments.
Colleen Hughes, head mixologist at the Tonidandel-Brown restaurants, received the “Exceptional Cocktails” award. She was the only mixologist celebrated at the event.
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Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown of the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group said they remain focused on bringing heartfelt dining experiences to their community.
History of the Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide traces its origins to 1889 in central France, when the Michelin Brothers founded their tire company. The brothers created a small guide to help motorists plan trips, including maps, tire-changing instructions and lists of places to eat or stay overnight.
The guide was distributed free for two decades until one of the brothers saw copies being used to prop up a bench in a tire shop. They decided to start selling the guide so people would value it more.
The guide relaunched in 1920. In 1926, it began awarding stars for fine dining, initially with just a single star. Today, the guide rates more than 30,000 restaurants across three continents. Restaurants can receive up to three stars.
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