"A couple weeks ago I headed to Stoke for some cocktails with a few coworkers. This was the first time any of us had been and we were pleasantly surprised. We learned that the establishment places a large emphasis on being a part of the community by using local ingredients and serving products from the surrounding area. Stoke offers many of the Charlotte and North Carolina beers which placed the state on the craft brewery map. Some of the beers on tap include NoDa Brewing Company, Wooden Robot Brewery, Triple C Brewing Co. and Wicked Weed Brewing. They also have a great list of unique craft cocktails. Many of the cocktails on their menu are old classics with a twist. We learned that one of these concoctions, The Uptown Sour, intrigued a Marriott executive so much that he jumped on a plane so he could try it for himself! The desire to use local ingredients can also be seen in their food. We had a few of their appetizers (pretzel brioche, beef bone marrow, crispy oysters) which were all amazing. We could tell that this group understands the importance of top notch service when the Director of Eat Drink, Sean Potter, delivered our appetizers to our table providing us with an informative description of the ingredients and preparation techniques. The staff was friendly, helpful and attentive. I loved Stoke's open kitchen design which compliments the modern yet welcoming atmosphere very well. Although the restaurant is located within the Charlotte Marriott City Center, this is definitely not your average hotel restaurant. Chef Chris Coleman is doing a fantastic job which has created national attention. Stoke was listed on USA Today's Top 20 Restaurants to Try This Fall (2016) and that's a well-deserved accolade. You should definitely add Stoke to your must try list in Charlotte."
