Published: May 09, 2008 11:00 am         

Charlotte’s expands summer options

Warmer weather brings many changes to people’s lifestyles, but not usually in their choice of restaurants. But one well-known dining spot changes and expands in the warmer weather and offers more options than it does during the rest of the year.

Charlotte’s once again will transform itself this season into an al fresco adventure. Not only will dining outdoors be an option, but an expanded menu will be offered from 4-8 p.m. daily.

Steak, chicken, pork and both Bubba (half pound) and Bubbette (quarter pound) burgers are grilled to order and served with sides. Five dinner salads also are available daily. Guests also may order from the regular menu in the evenings.

And three nights a week, live entertainment will once again be featured — weather permitting.

“We stated cooking outside four years ago,” owner David Quick said. “Since then, we’ve expanded the food, the entertainment and even the seating.”

Jared Yates sang the first year that Charlotte’s offered music outdoors. Since then, the offerings have expanded to Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Deeper Blues takes the Friday slot, Benny Jenkins and Flat Head 6 alternate with Mike Harmon on Saturday and Todd Gallagher and Friends takes every other Tuesday while James Hathaway plays on the other Tuesday.

Hathaway, from Rossville, sings and plays guitar when he performs. He had four different guitars with him Tuesday to best communicate the song styles he would perform.

The 17-year-old junior at Bismarck-Henning High School described his music as “similar to late ’60s new folk but with a modern edge and a contemporary inspiration. There’s a real Chicago influence, too.”

Quick said Yates’s voice matured and his following grew each year he performed. He hopes that Hathaway will grow in a similar way.

Hathaway said he sings about two dozen songs each appearance. He performs some of other people’s songs, but most are his own.

“I love the atmosphere of performing outdoors,” he said. “People who come here like it, too.”

Hathaway said his audience includes family, friends, teachers and “just random people.

“I play what I feel,” he said. “I hope the crowd feels it, too.”

The singer felt some concerns that friends wouldn’t drive to hear him perform now that gas prices were higher than last year. About a dozen of them proved him wrong and came to hear him Tuesday night.

Jake Herman, also a Rossville resident and a Bismarck-Henning junior, said, “He’s worth it no matter what gas is. I came here every time he played last summer.

“I’d never been here before that,” Herman said. “Now I bring girls here and stuff.”



IF YOU GO

Charlotte’s, 402 N. Gilbert St., is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Entertainment is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.