Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
Issue link: https://ballantynemagazine.epubxp.com/i/42111
BALLANTYNE | date night No, Pete Watters and Erin Hunter aren't competitive at all. "We love to eat," Hunter says. "We love to try new places and sample new things, so we're always going out to dinner." Sports fanatics that they are, Hunter and Watters said they loved the television sets tuned into the latest sporting events, and appreciated the alternative music playing over the sound system. "You don't feel like you are in a dingy, dirty bowling alley," Hunter says. You also don't have to stick to bowling. The Sports Connection offers several activities for adults, ranging from Wii games, virtual simulators, retro games, mini-bowling, car games and sports leagues to its well known laser tag. "Laser tag is extremely popular with our adult guests," Stern says, noting that corporate clients will come for group outings and bonding activities. "It's a chance for them to get the lead out without actually getting the lead out." Foodies at Heart After bowling, it was time to eat. "We're such foodies," Hunter says. "We try to incorporate food into any part of our date." One of the places they frequently visit is Cantina 1511 on Rea Road. One of the first restaurants to bring authentic Mexican fare to Charlotte's dining scene, Cantina 1511 lures patrons with traditional south-of- the-border dishes. "We are Charlotte's original Mexican cantina. We have cultivated loyalty among our THE SPORTS CONNECTION 11611 Ardrey Kell Road 704-583-1444 Hours Sunday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Website www.sportsconnectionnc.com 46 46 BAL ANTYNE BALLANTYN BA LA TY ALLANTYN MAGAZI YNE MAGAZINE AZ NEZIAZINE CELEBRATING TEN YEARS 2000-2010 WINTER 2010-2011 customers by consistently serving fresh, inventive cuisine," says Stephanie Kalish, project manager at the FS Food Group. "Whether you come in for a tried-and-true favorite dish or something completely new, you can be confident that your meal will be fantastic." The menu features Queso Fundido, Tacos Marco Polo and Mexico City-style tacos and burritos. The cantina's secret? Its culinary team uses made-from-scratch cheeses and tortillas when preparing their signature dishes. "My standard there is the guacamole dip. I always get that when we go there," Hunter says. And this date was no