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In one sense they have encouraged diners to seize the moment whilst the team at Carpe Diem Restaurant have diligently taken care of the culinary nitty-gritties, and yes, they've been doing it commendably well since 1989. Whether it's laying out the décor in a beautiful art nouveau style or creating a menu that is based on 'New American' cuisine, the proprietors have indeed invested much time to understand the impulse of Charlotteans.

The kitchen team have the skill of pepping up the most mundane of ingredients; take goat's cheese for instance, which arrives in a hazelnut crust, over mixed greens with wine poached red onions and apricot jalapeño vinaigrette, or angel hair tossed with sautéed calamari. The entrées are well-executed too, coriander and brown sugar cured grilled salmon fillet and grilled pork chop basted with a chimichurri orange glaze, while a crème brûlée or berry cobbler is a wise choice at dessert time.

Vivace Italian Restaurant in Charlotte is a young restaurant with bright, well-lit and spacious seating. This is an ideal venue to meet up with friends for a quick chat over a drink and appetizers, or settle in for an elaborate meal. Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the Queen city's skyline from the elegant patio alongside the greenway, or from the alfresco lounge on the second floor.

Try grilled hanger steak, served with fried egg, Tuscan potatoes and red wine reduction, and four cheese pizza for brunch. Start your evening meal with Puglian style fried-stuffed olives, served with sausage and ricotta and vivace caprese, oven roated tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and pesto served in balsamic syrup. For main course consider crab-potato ravioli, served with herb salad, and tomato-cipollini vinaigrette and pork chop alla Milanese, served with tomato and arugula salad, balsamic and olive oil.