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Nothing Beats Walking Downstairs for Dinner: My Night at the Gallery Restaurant

On a bitterly cold and rainy evening, nothing beats leaving your hotel room and walking downstairs to dine on fine cuisine. It’s effortless! I don’t even care if there is valet parking at your fingertips, and you may not get THAT wet if you venture into town.  Why get in your car and go anywhere else when the best is right where you are staying for the night?

Gallery Restaurant located in the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge
Charlotte, NC
If you’re joining me for the first time this week, my husband and I recently spent a night at the beautiful and luxurious Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, North Carolina without our kids. This Starwood Luxury Collection property is absolutely top-notch. The lobby and rooms are gorgeous, and, well, the spa is nothing short of fabulous. We were only there for one night, but we packed a lot in that one night, all without leaving the hotel. 

This staircase near the restaurant made me want to come down the stairs and channel my inner Scarlett O' Hara 
We had dinner reservations at 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery Restaurant. It’s the hotel’s only restaurant, but it’s one restaurant with a lot of accolades. It’s a Forbes Four-Star, Best of N.C., award-winning restaurant with an emphasis on contemporary American fare. The farm-to-table inspired menu changes seasonally to provide the freshest local ingredients.


We're so happy that we only had to walk downstairs to get this fabulous meal.
The restaurant is also well known for its beef. It serves 100 percent USDA-graded Prime Steak, a superior grade which accounts for only 2 percent of all the beef sold in the USA.

I knew that little fact prior to dinner, and, as a result, I had visions of a filet mignon dancing in my head all day. Our server, Ryan, couldn’t convince me to do the five- or seven-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, which comes highly recommended. As soon as he mentioned the filet and scallops special with truffle herb crispy potatoes and broccoli, I was sold on that entrée.

My filet, cooked mediurm rare, was served with a peppercorn cognac sauce. 
It was outstanding and so tender. The savory pairing of the filet and sautéed scallops was a perfect selection for me.  I would have eaten all of it had I not been so full from devouring my exquisite roasted beet salad, on top of the other little surprises that Ryan brought for us to try.  

A favorite surprise was mini buttered poached lobster, which I honestly may be thinking about for years to come now.  I don’t eat a lot of lobster, but I’m truly spoiled after eating this decadent dish.  It was absolutely divine.

But let’s talk about the true shining star of the night: the sensational toasted coconut cake.

I've ranked this coconut cake as the best that I've ever tasted.
I think the chef put a heart on it because he knew I was about to fall in love. The Gallery Restaurant has a sweet dessert list. In all honesty, I was so full that I didn’t know if I could even eat dessert, but when I saw the coconut cake on the menu, I couldn’t resist. Coconut cake is my absolute favorite dessert. You may even call me a coconut cake snob.  I never make it myself, but I’m critical of those who do, in an expert tasting kind of way.  My husband is not as big a fan of the Southern delicacy as I am, but we always share our desserts, so he let me have my choice.

All I can say about this sweet sensation is that it is EXTRAORDINARY. Hands down, my favorite dish of the night, and the competition was really stiff, too.

And Will agreed. As a non-coconut cake fan, he told Ryan that it was the best he had ever eaten, too.

We ate every last bite. We joked with Ryan that he needed to get us a luggage cart to roll us upstairs to our parlor suite. We walked, though, and I probably burned 15 calories as we raced to the Gallery Bar for a nightcap. 

The Gallery Bar, well-known for its extensive single malt Scotch collection, is open to 2AM on the weekends. 
And then the next morning, I managed to eat again.  The restaurant's breakfast specialty is french toast.


Well, time to get back to reality, and back to our kids.  But, I'll be dreaming about my time at The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge for many nights to come.  It was a perfect stay.  We left feeling refreshed, renewed, and reconnected.

Want to Go:
The Gallery Restaurant
Located in The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, which is a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel, and a Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four Diamond recognized hotel.
10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway
Charlotte, N.C.
http://www.gallery-restaurant.com/

Related Posts: 
Pack Your Bags: We're Heading to the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge
Every Day Needs to be a Spa Day: My Heavenly Experience at the Spa at Ballantyne






Disclaimer: My thanks to the Bissell Corporation for having me as a media guest. Even though my visit was complimentary, all opinions are my own.
Gallery Restaurant at Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge on Urbanspoon
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Every Day Needs to Be a Spa Day: My Heavenly Experience at the Spa at Ballantyne

As a stay-at-home mom, I can assure you that not many of my days are spent at a spa.  In fact, it’s safe to say that my days are usually the polar opposite of tranquil bliss.  Truthfully, I rarely look this calm and happy.

At the Spa at Ballantyne in Charlotte, NC
As you read on Monday, my husband and I packed our bags, arranged overnight childcare, and took a three-hour road trip to spend a luxurious night at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, North Carolina.  We had just over 24 hours without kids, and boy, did we pick the right hotel for us.

After we checked in to our parlor suite, Will made a trip to the fitness center, and I made a beeline to the Spa at Ballantyne, located on two floors of the hotel.  What woman in her right mind would not check out the spa of a luxury hotel if given the opportunity?

Guests check in on the top floor of the Spa
The Ballantyne Hotel recently completed a substantial renovation to the spa.  Oh. My. Gosh! It is gorgeous.  The ladies’ lounge exudes soft blue, khaki, and expresso tones, creating a bright and airy setting.  

Photo Courtesy: Bissell 
And this is what you get to snack on while in the lounge.

Chocolates and Truffles

Fabulous fruit water, coffee, and tea
Hello.  I think I could sit in the lounge all day. 

Believe it or not, you actually can camp out in the spa area all day if you book just one appointment, and you don’t even have to be a hotel guest. 

If you live in the area and book any type of spa appointment, then you have full use of the spa’s amenities all day long.  That includes use of the sauna and both the indoor and outdoor pools.  Now, that is a perk!  I’m jealous of all my Charlotte-area friends. 

The Spa's indoor pool 
In addition to the renovation, the Spa at Ballantyne also has a new menu that is inspired by the Four Elements — Earth, Water, Air, and Fire — and focuses on customization to address each guest’s personal goals for his or her spa experience.  Based on Native American elemental philosophy, each treatment category aligns with a corresponding element.

I know you are on the edge of your computer wondering what element I chose for my hour of relaxation.  Truthfully, I think I needed about 10 different spa treatments to get me back into total balance.  Being a parent has certainly taken a toll on my 43-year-old body, but one treatment was certainly a step in the right direction.

Since it’s winter, and I do a terrible job about taking care of my body, I chose a body treatment, which is in the “Water” category.  Body treatments offer cleansing and nourishment for the skin, conveying the soothing and balancing attributes of water.  Simply speaking, I chose it because I was scaly like a snake and really needed to shed some dry skin.  

This is me as I underwent the Shea Sugar Smoothie Envelopment. My treatment room overlooked the golf course.  Olga took great care of me. She applied a shea butter and sugar scrub to remove dead skin cells.  Later, I was enveloped in a honey oat yogurt mask while enjoying a relaxing foot and scalp massage.



After showering, Olga then applied sweet agave nectar oil and shea butter to seal in a dewy complexion.  When finished, my skin was velvety soft, and, surprisingly, it is still soft more than a week later.  It was just what my body needed.

I also felt relaxed, renewed, and energized after my hour with Olga.  And I absolutely love Olga because she said I looked much younger than 43 and that I had good skin genes.  That made my day.  Who am I kidding?  I think it’s made my year.  I’m asking for her when I get to go back.


The Spa at Ballantyne has so many fabulous treatments that it was hard for me to choose.  I couldn’t go wrong with any choice, really, but I am glad that I chose a body treatment for this experience. It was my first time being wrapped up like a baked potato, and it really did make a difference with my skin.  

Olga, in her lovely Ukrainian accent, told me that I smelled like a cupcake, the perfect dessert for my husband, later that evening.

Oh, Olga, you make me blush.

But, speaking of dessert, I tasted the best coconut ever during my dinner at the Gallery Restaurant.  That story will be on the blog later this week.  Stay with me for Charlotte week.  Lots more to tell.

Want to Go:
The Spa at Ballantyne
Located in The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, which is a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel, and a Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four Diamond recognized hotel.
10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway
Charlotte, N.C.
http://www.theballantynehotel.com/index.cfm




Related Posts: 
Pack Your Bags: We're Heading to the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge

Disclaimer: My thanks to the Bissell Corporation for having me as a media guest. Even though my visit was complimentary, all opinions are my own.


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Pack Your Bags: A Traveler's Look at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge

It's long overdue, but I’m ecstatic to be reviving my “Pack Your Bags” segments with a hotel stay that was actually recent, and not before the birth of my children.  Yes, children certainly change things!  It took a lot of outside help, but my husband and I finally got out of town for a night without the kids.  This was our first overnight getaway in two years.  TWO years.  I can’t believe we let that happen.

For this momentous occasion, we chose the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, North Carolina, as our destination. 

The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, NC
Photo Courtesy : Bissell
The luxury hotel is a member of Starwood’s prestigious Luxury Collection and is an easy three-hour drive from Raleigh.  It's  located in the Ballantyne area, which is about 20 minutes from Charlotte’s uptown.  The area is filled with boutiques and bistros. In the center of the area is the Ballantyne Hotel, with its championship PGA golf course and spa.

Photo Courtesy: Bissell 

On this cold and rainy February day, the hotel was our only destination for the night.  Our time was short, and we wanted to relax. We didn’t need to go anywhere else.  We’ll save that for another time. This trip was about recharging our batteries.  Kids can wear them down.  Besides, we had everything we needed with a beautiful spa, fitness center, and the award-winning Gallery Restaurant on the property.

The minute you walk into the Ballantyne Hotel, you immediately get a warm and inviting feeling.  Being a Southerner, I believe it embodies the grandeur of an Old South Country Club with a lot of Southern charm, but without any stuffiness.  Flowers, original art, and cozy sitting areas make you feel right at home.

The flowers in the entry way of the hotel

Original art can be found throughout the Ballantyne Hotel 
The lobby of the hotel around 5:30 pm
The delightful Juan-Carlos showed us to our room on the fourth floor.


We stayed in a grand deluxe king room overlooking the golf course with a parlor suite.   The parlor is an optional connection. It would be great for families because it has a sleeper sofa, another TV, and a second full bathroom. 

The Parlor Suite has an additional closet and a second full-bath

I cannot say enough great things about our room.  I loved the décor because my personal style tends to be more traditional.  I felt as if I were staying in a person’s Southern antebellum home on the golf course.

Even though we were in a deluxe king with the parlor connection.  All standard rooms look like our bedroom.

The view from our room

The true star of the room, though, was the bathroom with its lavish soaking tub and glass walk-in shower.  Even the tissue box matched the artwork and wallpaper.  As far as bathrooms go, this ranks as one of the best. 

I loved the mirror for make-up

Shhhh! But I am still enjoying the Remede and Gilchrist and Soames bath amenities back in Raleigh.  I love to take a little bit of luxury home.  Juan-Carlos told me that I could take the bath slippers, too, but I left them unused for the next lucky guest.  I also want to commend the hotel on cleanliness.  I was quite impressed.


Our room at the Ballantyne Hotel was a tranquil haven for us.  I found the perfect spot to read and sip on some wine, compliments of the hotel.  It is a delightful place to be. I know a lot of people don’t share my love for hotels and see them as just places to sleep, but, for me, what I’ve described to you is the most important part of the travel experience.  It sets the tone for my vacation, and it’s what I remember the most.  

I could really see myself coming back in the warm, summer months and enjoying the outdoor pool, too.  

Photo Courtesy: Bissell 
Even though we used this time without kids, the Ballantyne Hotel is kid-friendly.  My children would love the indoor and outdoor pools, and the hotel offers supervised summer activities,  a kid menu, as well as the SPG KidsPass program for dining.  I glanced at the kid’s menu briefly, and it had a number of options, from macaroni and cheese for my picky Baby Diva to a kid’s filet for my luxury-hotel, fine-dining-loving son. 

Can you tell I loved the hotel? Well, I loved the spa and restaurant, too.  I have not one thing to say negative about this hotel.  We did learn, though, that key cards don’t work if they’re placed near smartphones, but thanks to Juan-Carlos, he got us back in our room.

Stay tuned for the rest of the week, and I’ll update you on those adventures plus some great things to do in Charlotte.  Be sure to check out the great packages that the Ballantyne Hotel offers if you want to plan your next getaway.

The Ballantyne Hotel was just what we needed to recharge our batteries.



Want to Stay:
The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge
A Starwood’s Luxury Collection Hotel and a Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four Diamond recognized hotel.
10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway
Charlotte, NC
http://www.theballantynehotel.com/



Disclaimer: My thanks to the Bissell Corporation for having me as a media guest. Even though my stay was complimentary, all opinions are my own. 
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Why a Leotard is a Royal Pain in My Prissy Crown by Leigh Powell Hines

North Carolina, USA
I remember the day so vividly. Why wouldn't I? Everyone typically remembers the day when an ultrasound tech delivers the news of the sex of your unborn baby. It's a happy moment, but hearing “It’s a girl!" brought on a feeling of elation for me.

At 40, I knew she was going to be my last child, and to be told that I would be able to experience life with both a son and a daughter was certainly a blessing. After two miscarriages and the diagnosis of “You’re just getting older, and it's more difficult to find a good egg," we really felt blessed just to be able to have a second child. That was the miracle.  Having a girl, well, that was just icing on the cake.

And sweet icing it was, indeed!

Growing up, I guess you could call me a prissy girl. Even though I wasn't big on wearing bows or dresses, dirt certainly wasn't my friend. Neither was any type of ball or physical education class, unless we learned a dance routine.  On those rare dance days, I didn't fake a stomachache.

All I wanted in my life were tutus, pompoms, a baton, white majorette boots, a tiara, makeup, and a leotard.

Raising my son, we didn't have any of those items in the house, except I did sneak in some pompoms one day. Unfortunately, our fat cat kept eating the pompom strings, so I had to give them to my girlfriend's daughter. My son got to play with all of those items weekly when he went to his little girlfriend's house, and some of my fondest memories are of him dressed in a tutu and a crown. 

So naturally, when I heard, "It's a girl!" visions of pompoms and tiaras danced in my head.

As a toddler, Baby Diva loves balls, climbing, and dirt- everything that her mommy didn't. In fact, she likes all of that more than her brother, actually. But she loves to dance and tumble, too. 

Naturally, as soon as I could, the prissy side of me enrolled her in gymnastics classes.

I also couldn't resist buying her a blue leotard.


What was I thinking? 

I should have bought pompoms instead to drive my husband crazy with the fall-out strands on the carpet.

But, no, I didn't do that. Instead, I bought a one-piece leotard for a diaper-wearing child, and this one piece of clothing has essentially become a royal pain in my prissy crown.

She loves the leotard.  he wants to wear it on Monday when gymnastics is on Wednesday.   She doesn't want to take it off so I can change her diaper. 

She doesn't want to put on pants over the leotard when it's 45 degrees outside.

I have created a leotard-wearing monster.

But I think it's made her ready for dance class. And she may be the only girl I know who wears a leotard while shooting some baskets. 
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Checked In



Just wanted to tell you that I am loving the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte.  I will tell you all about it the week of Feb. 27.

I missed snow in Raleigh last night, but I don't even care.  Life is too grand here.

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