Owner George Fine's old-school steak house, Beef & Bottle, has been a Charlotte institution since 1978, the name recalling the city's brown-bag past before Charlotte legalized liquor by the drink, for which Fine picked up one of the first permits. Actor Mel Gibson and author Patricia Cornwell have been among the diners at the Beef, its unassuming exterior and darkened interior – adorned with high-backed booths – setting the stage for a classic steak house experience. Start with a salad with creamy house-made dressing and an order of oysters Rockefeller, which Fine is said to have introduced to the area – along with shrimp scampi. The no-nonsense, charbroiled steaks, from the New York strip to the thick filet mignon, have been likened to those at Peter Luger's famed Brooklyn steak house. Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.