READY TO 'FEAST'

Whether you want to dine like you're having dinner at a taverna in the Greek Isles, sink a fork into a juicy steak, or eat seafood like you're on the coast, Queen's Feast has something for you -- right here in Gaston County.

Four Gaston County restaurants will participate in the event taking place July 20-29. During that week, diners can get a three-course meal from a special menu. The cost ranges from $30 to $35 per person. That price does not include the tax or tip. Reservations are encouraged.

Queen's Feast includes 125 restaurants in nine counties in the Charlotte area.

This will be the first year Estia's Kouzina in Belmont is participating. Named for the Greek Goddess of hospitality, Estia, and the Greek word for kitchen, Kouzina, the restaurant opened in May in a refurbished steakhouse on Main Street.

On the Queen's Feast website, co-owner Gus Georgoulias notes the recipes and ingredients are like the ones you would find in Greece's restaurants "off the beaten path."

“We’re a newer restaurant it helps to get our name out there and hopefully educate people more about the Greek cuisine and make it a little more enticing,” said Vicki Georgoulias, who owns Estia’s with Gus, in partnership with Paul Lambrakis.

The Queen’s Feast menu features a mix of regular menu items and foods that will soon be coming to the regular menu.

“So far, all of our customers are excited and eager about it. We have a lot of reservations for it coming in,” said Georgoulias. 

Other participating restaurants in Gaston County are: Old Stone Steakhouse in Belmont, Webb Custom Kitchen in Gastonia, and Riverview Inn, just outside of Belmont. For a complete list of restaurants, visit charlotterestaurantweek.iheart.com.

Below is contact information for the Gaston restaurants and their special menus from Queen's Feast.

ESTIA'S KOUZINA

Address: 609 N. Main St., Belmont

Contact info: 704-825-7005 or estiaskouzina.com

Cost: $30 per person

APPETIZER (choice of one)

Spanakotiropita - spinach, feta cheese, leeks, dill, scallions, phyllo

Choice of 1 dip - Tzatziki, Tarama, Hummus, Htipiti

Keftedakia - beef and pork meatballs, spearmint, garlic, tzatziki

Horiatiki - tomato, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, olives, feta, oregano

ENTREE (choice of one)

Kotopoulo Souvlas – cage- and hormone-free rotisserie chicken

Souvlaki Hirino - marinated pork souvlaki, Greek yogurt, lemon vinaigrette

Fileto - USDA Top Choice petite filet mignon, lemon vinaigrette (supplement full-size filet for $8)

Solomo - pan-seared Scottish salmon, olive tapenade, lemon vinaigrette

Paidakia ($10 supplement) - Australian lamb chops, oregano, lemon vinaigrette

SIDE (choice of one)

Lemon Potatoes

Fasolakia Kokkinista - braised green beans, dill, scallions, tomato sauce

Horta - braised seasonal greens, choice of lemon or red wine vinegar

Gigantes - giant beans, carrot, celery, onion, tomato sauce, feta cheese

Cretan Pilaf

HOUSE-MADE DESSERT (choice of one)

Baklava

Galaktoboureko

Loukoumades

OLD STONE STEAKHOUSE

Address: 23 S. Main St., Belmont

Contact info: 704-825-9995 or oldstonesteakhouse.com

Cost: $35 per person (does not include tax or gratuity)

FIRST COURSE (choice of one)

Soup of the Day - Chef's choice, made fresh daily

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops - wrapped in applewood smoked, thick-cut bacon, cooked to perfection and drizzled with their signature homemade Cheerwine BBQ sauce

Sundried Tomato & Goat Cheese - toasted goat cheese topped with a sundried tomato and herb oil and served with toasted pita

Pan-Seared Crab Cake - homemade all-lump crab cake pan seared to perfection, drizzled with lemon beurre blanc sauce, and served atop a bed of sweet onions

SECOND COURSE (choice of one)

Tossed Caesar Salad - fresh chopped Romaine hearts tossed with homemade Caesar dressing and fresh-made croutons, topped with Kalamata olives and shaved Romano Parmesan blend

Beet & Potato Salad - fresh roasted beets marinated in a herbed oil and flash-seared potatoes served atop a bed of baby arugula, tossed in a horseradish-infused olive oil, topped with sliced red onions and fresh crumbled goat cheese

THIRD COURSE (choice of one)

Entrees served with choice of baked potato, seasonal vegetables, steamed broccoli, steak fries, or mashed potatoes & gravy

Black & Bleu Sirloin 10 oz. - center cut sirloin blackened with Cajun seasoning, topped with melted Danish bleu cheese and drizzled with a red wine reduction and bacon crumbles

14 oz. Ribeye - USDA Choice, hand-cut daily and char-broiled to perfection, served with their signature herb butter melted on top

Bone-In Apple-Glazed Pork Chop - 10 oz. bone-in pork chop char broiled and served topped with homemade bacon apple glaze and drizzled with a lemon beurre blanc sauce

Char-Grilled Atlantic Salmon - 8 oz. fresh-cut daily salmon filet char-broiled to perfection, topped with roasted corn and asparagus medley and drizzled with lemon beurre blanc sauce

Tuscan Chicken Penne - sliced blackened chicken tossed with shiitake mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil chiffonade, penne noodles, and Asiago crème sauce, topped with smoked Gouda cheese, shaved Parmesan Romano cheese, and sliced tomatoes and scallions

12 oz. Slow-Roasted Prime Rib (based on availability) - traditional rosemary and garlic rubbed, slow roasted all day to seal in its juices and hand carved to order, served with hot au jus (try it traditional or blackened, served with creamy horseradish sauce)

RIVERVIEW INN

Address: 10012 Moores Chapel Loop, Charlotte, NC 28214

Contact info: 704-412-0181 or riverviewrawbar.com

Cost: $30 per person (does not include tax or gratuity)

FIRST COURSE (choice of one)

Blackened Shrimp – Cajun-seasoned large shrimp

Drunken Mussels - black mussels sauteed in white wine and garlic butter

Crab Cake - Charleston style-cake over mixed greens

Unlimited Fresh Garden Bar

House-Made Soup of the Day

SECOND COURSE (choice of one)

1 lb. Live Maine Lobster - fresh Maine lobster, garlic red potatoes, and Old Bay corn on the cob

Southern Shrimp & Grits - yellow stone-ground grits, seasoned Gulf shrimp, and caramelized red onions with a brown tasso ham gravy

Old Chub-Braised Beef Pot Roast - premium chuck roast and seasonal vegetables slow braised in a classic blend of herbs, spices, and Old Chub Scotch Ale, served over smashed potatoes

THIRD COURSE (choice of one)

House-Made Seasonal Fruit Cobbler - served warm al a mode

Key Lime Mini - with whipped cream

WEBB CUSTOM KITCHEN

Address: 182 S. South Street, Gastonia

Contact info: 704-864-8385 or webbcustomkitchen.com

Cost: $35 per person (does not include tax or gratuity)

FIRST COURSE (choice of one)

The Wedge - bacon, bleu cheese, bleu cheese dressing, tomatoes, and croutons

Classic Lobster Bisque - rich and decadent

Chophouse Cheese Toast - their famous four-cheese spread broiled atop fresh-baked French baguette croustades

ENTREE (choice of one)

Queen’s Cut of Slow-Roasted Prime Rib - 12 oz. garlic- and pepper-studded and slow-roasted prime rib of certified Angus beef with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, creamed horseradish and au jus

Charbroiled Thick-Cut Certified Angus Beef Heart of Ribeye - roasted garlic-Cheddar smashed Yukon Gold potatoes, beer-battered onion rings, wild mushroom glace de viande

Charbroiled Bone-In Heritage Farms Cheshire Pork Chop - maple-whipped sweet potatoes, chipotle stewed apples, Bourbon barbecue glaze

Herb-Roasted Airline Breast of Chicken - pancetta-Lyonnaise potatoes, thin green bean sauté, chicken gravy

Creole Seared Salmon Fillet – with shrimp etoufee, roasted heirloom tomatoes, Low Country Anson Mills cheesy grits, tasso, and kale

GRAND FINALE (choice of one)

Country Crock Bread and Butter Pudding - with raisins, Craisins, pecans, crème Anglaise and Bourbon caramel sauce -- house-made house favorite!

Webb Custom Indulgence – marquise au chocolat: triple chocolate pate with fresh berry and mint garni, laced with rich crème Anglaise

Not-So-Short Strawberry Cake – a double decker delight: strawberry and chiffon layers, sweet white buttercream, and macerated strawberry sauce