Lotus Bar & Eatery

I was really looking forward to trying this place after seeing so many positives. All I got to say is crap will not be back. Brunch country breakfast and eggs Benedict tasteless the hash browns basically potato all under cooked and hard in the middle. Coffee was burnt and Undrinkable. I got my food before my coffee don’t know how that happens. Place needs a clean sprucing up and a decent chef or cook. Avoid

Came here in late August. The beer selection is wide and they have craft as well as your usual beers they also had a large selection of wine but didnt have enough time to try those too. Sushi was delicious and the combinations were appetizing such as tuna and mango and so on. The entrees are also very good we had steak frites, lotus vegetarian, potstickers and a few other dishes all delicious but the ine named stood out. the steak frites come with a very fresh and yummy salad and the steak is cooked to perfection and pre sliced for you allyou have to do is enjoy. The potstickers were so amazing we had to order another one to satisfy our tastebuds. They are panfried to just the right crispy texture and the chili sauce is sweet and savory to the point i was looking for bread to wipe the sauce clean so not to waste a drop. Lotus vegetarian you don’t have to be vegetarian to love it especially if you like fried green tomatoes you’ll enjoy this. I was so full I wrapped the leftovers and ate it at room temp for breakfast the next morning and it was still just as yummy and not even soggy even though it was fried. Service is friendly and ambiance is trendy, great for date night or dinner with coworkers or friends.

Ok let me start by saying this has to be one of Gastonia’s hidden gems. We came out for Hubs birthday and wanted to try something that we’ve never tried before. I was pleased to see that they had a true vegetarian/​nearly vegan option on the menu and it was amazeballs! (Yes, I just used that word, lol). Lotus vegetarian was a mixture of tempeh wrapped w/​carrots, sweet onions, red peppers all pan crisped with the side of coconut jasmine rice, baby bok choy, sake butter sauce and a side of chili garlic dipping sauce (mouth watering now). And the interesting thing about the evening was that it was not the highlight of the restaurant. OMG the WINE and BEER list is bananas… B-​A-​N-​A-​N-​A-​S. The wine list is about as thick as the National Enquirer with far better content. And the beer list had Hubs impressed and he tripped out when our waiter told him the beer list changes with the seasons. What!?! Drop the mic! The prices were a little more on the $$½ side, so this is not an every week visit. However, we will be back maybe just to get some of those cinnamon glazed donuts that the chef comps hubs for his birthday. The glaze has a dash of whiskey and it adds another dimension to the flavor which brings out the cinnamon flavor. (Hell, anything with a dash of whisky is good). Well worth the visit! Fine dining in the Gas-​House??? Yep… it’s reality!

Visited this eatery a few days ago for the first time ever. American cuisine with your choice of Asian flair or plain old down home goodness, including a fresh sushi bar. Set in a small plaza of sorts, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot in the way of ambiance, but the place had a upscale, industrial kind of décor in my opinion. You don’t think it’s a very big place until you look up and see another floor of seating over the sushi bar.
Our server, Caitlin, was amazing, anticipating needs, suggesting specific drinks, appetizers and entrees based on the different individuals’ preferences. The shrimp bisque was very good, with plenty of small pieces of shrimp in a delicately seasoned soup base. Small slices of bread were served with oil and a balsamic vinegar for dipping, a take off on the herbs and olive oil you get plenty of places, but I liked it. One of the people in our party had the special watermelon salad which had mixed greens, citrus, and feta cheese. It was a very big salad but since she shared a taste or two, the plate was clean when it went back to the kitchen.
I had the house special sushi roll which had crab meat, avocado, cream cheese, and more wrapped in rice and a nori wrapper, then wrapped in a very thin layer of salmon and lightly fried. It was served, of course, with the usual wasabi and soy sauce, but I could have very easily eaten it without any additional condiments and been very happy. It was exquisite.
The special of the day was a pan seared grouper served over a bed of dressed up jasmine rice. It looked very good and the two who ordered it were pleased with their choice.
I on the other hand was «not at all happy with my choice» as described above, but only because I also wanted to order the house shrimp and grits, the salmon that was at the top of the menu, and the grouper special. That being said, the only real reason I was unhappy was because I couldn’t have a little bit of everything I wanted to try, and a little bit of everything everyone else in the dining room was having. It all looked divine. I definitely have to go back there soon to try the salmon, or the shrimp or grits, or grouper, or… oh, I’m afraid this place will know me by my first name very soon.

The staff was very friendly unfortunately that’s the only thing positive to say. The appetizers I had were bland (egg rolls, and shrimp tacos and somewhat over priced for quality and portion size, However I heard the sushi was good maybe one day I’ll try that.

The best kept secret in Gastonia area IMHO. Great sushi and original menu/​dishes. Consistently excellent food.

You would never expect a place like this to exist in Gastonia, and yet it does. (No offense Gastonia, but you’re heavy on the chain restaurants!). High ceilings swallow you up into a very romantic, classy dining room. Beautifully put together menus = works of art.
The drinks — an extensive drink menu that includes hand crafted cocktails (wanna try Absinthe with a flaming sugar cube?), wines and a two page beer menu (even a selection of bombers). I had an Abita Black IPA off the tap and a Hi Wire Contortionist Black IPA — great selection! My wife loved her Midori Pina Colada on the rocks.
The sushi — did not try this time — but they do have a full sushi menu from basic rolls to Ngiri sushi.
The food — Potstickers ($ 7) — good with a Thai Chili sauce. Baby Bok Choy side ($ 3) — simply awesome — cooked perfectly. Shrimp Carbonara (Daily Special $ 24) — incredible sauce but the shrimp were overcooked and a bit tough. Chilean Sea Bass (Daily Special $ 31) — just okay — wasn’t blown away — had potatoes and jasmine rice (one too many starches and the delicacy of the jasmine was lost with the other flavors) — peppers — cherry tomatoes — orange sections — and then dressed up like a macaw with a frisee salad. A little over the top for my personal tastes. The Bass itself did not have a pleasant texture — too moist and soggy/​mushy. Almost like it was partly grilled/​partly poached or sous vide. The kitchen did confirm it was 100% grilled. The last ten times I’ve had grilled Sea Bass, it was firm moist, delicious and totally different from this.
The dessert menu looked great, but alas no room.
Our server, Kari, a fellow New Yorker was a great tour guide for the evening and took really good care of us. Nicely done!
Compared with the standard menu items/​prices, I thought the specials were a little too pricey. An Alfredo with Shrimp is only $ 17 and the standard Big Eye Tuna Dish $ 26. Had the dishes been stellar I might not be complaining, but a Special had really better be Special indeed — or at least quote the prices when you read the specials unless you find it tacky. I don’t personally mind it — it helps me make a value choice when I’m teetering on making an entrée selection and I have a good idea of what market price is.
I think this place is neat and has a lot of potential. I rate it 3.5 stars but will round up due to our great server. If/​when I return, it will probably be for lunch and more of their beers.

Love this place!!! The sushi is amazing!!! And so is the rest of the menu. They have everything from flat bread pizza, burgers, pasta, and sushi. The drinks are a little pricey $$$ but no complaints otherwise

This is «the place» to try in Gastonia. I’ve been 5 – 6 times and have never been disappointed. The thing that awe great I particular is the House roll, filet, shrimp and grits, duck egg roll appetizer… I could go on but u get the point. The only downside is no kids menu so we have to save it for date night. Definitely try it esp if you have family or friends to impress from out of town.

Great atmosphere, EXCELLENT service, and the food was absolutely amazing. It is a bit on the pricy side, but you get what you pay for! It had a great ambiance and I will certainly be back.

I ordered and picked up a couple a starters, entrees and desserts to have a romantic dinner at home with my wonderful wife and was not disappointed. The meal was perfectly prepared and cooked. It was also ready at the time they said it would be.

Great atmosphere, service and food. the sauce is what makes the spring rolls (otherwise they are just ok), but check out the beautiful pic of the big — eye tuna. the rice is flavored wonderfully.
for a lighter dessert, be sure to try the green tea crème brûlée.

This is one of the best restaurants in the Gastonia area. My husband and I have been going here since we were seniors in high school. The sushi is the only thing we ever get but it is amazing. All of their rolls are phenomenal. The staff is friendly and the service is fast! This place is one of the only things I miss about Gaston County.

Love a place where the owner also bartends on occasion. We found this spot on TripAdvisor, and drove 2 miles off the main highway to try it out. Great food, relaxing atmosphere — well thought out. Support local business and skip the chains. Well worth the few extra dollars.

Have eaten here several times. Would eat here more, but it is a little too pricey. The name makes me think of a Chinese or Japanese place. The tag line of ‘modern American comfort food’ is not very inviting. The interior is classy and comfortable. I was wearing a tshirt the first time I dined and felt out of place among men with suits and polo shirts. Since then, I at least have a polo shirt on. Usually it is not very crowded. Makes me wonder how they stay in business.
The food has always been very good to top notch. I have eaten filet mignon at many restaurants and this is the best I have ever had. Delicious and melts into your mouth. Ruth Chris and Morton’s weren’t even in the same league. Salad is unique, but still very good.
Staff has at most times been attentive and usually the manager stops by to make sure everything is alright.

Living near by, my family and I eat/​drink at Lotus regularly. Don’t be turned off by the fact that it is located in a strip mall. Once inside, the atmosphere is inviting… modern, comfortable décor that doesn’t try too hard, a great place for a date, drinks with friends, or dinner.
Let’s start with drinks: Lotus tends to hire very good bartenders, and I have rarely had a drink here that wasn’t great. I really enjoy the Grand Margarita, and the Tai Boxer (after dinner). My husband enjoys their wide variety and ever-​changing selection of beers. I have also had great mojitos and dirty martinis.
Food: excellent, excellent, excellent. Great sushi, great shrimp and grits, fabulous flatbread pizzas, best ever watermelon salad. The menu changes seasonally, and I have never had anything that wasn’t great. Every single soup of the day I have tried has been expertly prepared and flavorful. I have tried most of the apps and enjoyed them all. Caesar salad with anchovies is terrific as is the iceberg wedge salad.
Service: This is my only negative point. The service at Lotus is GREAT sometimes and below average other times. If I didn’t enjoy the place so much I would not tolerate the level of service. The wait staff is always friendly and hard-​working. It is obvious it is an issue of understaffing by management.
All in all, Lotus is one of my favorite restaurants!

I had the pot stickers and the Lotus panini with fries. The fries were really good. I would eat those again. The other food was ok… not bad. but nothing to go gaga over.
They had good service. I will give them that.

I’m filing this one under one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I’m 30 and fat. I’ve had a lot of meals.
A friend and I were in town from Nashville to visit Carowinds and I basically just looked up restaurants near our hotel. This one popped up and the menu looked great. Variety, fusion, unique.
First of all, it may be in a strip mall, but the ambiance is wonderful inside. We sat down, tired from a day of driving and were promptly greeted by our waiter. I always try to eat and drink local when traveling so I asked him what local brews they had. Unfortunately, the only local brews on tap were IPAs, but they did have a Charlotte-​made pale ale, Jam Session, and it was awesome.
We couldn’t decide on one appetizer, so we got two. potstickers and spring rolls. They. Were. Delicious. It was the sauce that topped the potstickers that made them extremely unique. Some of the best I’ve had. The peanut sauce accompanying the springs rolls was perfect and had a little kick to it. Very unique.
Since we were both craving grits, we each got the BBQ pork. What a great-​sized portion. It came with two slabs of BBQ pork and the sauce was sweet (our waiter even told us it’d be on the sweet end, just in case we didn’t like that kind of sauce). The pork was on top of cheese grits (phenomenal), along with green beans and sided with fried green tomatoes. What an awesome, southern dish.
We loved it so much that we actually filled out the comment cards and handed them to the hostess. I’d love to go back the next time in town and try the sushi. But what a unique restaurant that we were able to enjoy Asian and southern cuisine in the same place!

Terrible service. Absolutely the worse dinning experience one can have. I ask the waiter to recommend a Cabernet or Merlot wine, he walked away and came back with a glass of red wine (?) suggestion? As I swirled the glass, my hand felt a crusty coating surrounding the glass. Held it to the light.filthy. The 34 minute wait from after consuming the appetizer, until the main meal arrived was unacceptable. No water service or check in from the waiter. No lighting in the bar dinning area except tea lights. I had to use my phone to illuminate the menu. Other guest did as well. The place was not busy, yet service was awful.
Great place to retire as it may be that long before you see either the waiter or your food. Eat elsewhere. Coal miners lamp required.

Pretentious, expensive, and you WILL leave hungry. That’s about all there is to say about this establishment.
The portions are small and came out cold, I ordered the shrimp and grits. It was completely… gross. The shrimp was cold and the grits were mushy. The presentation was lovely but I want my food to look AND taste good.
This place might’ve been redeemed had it not been for the uppity waitstaff that didn’t bother to take our drink orders for 20 minutes and then never refill our glasses, not even once. They weren’t even busy! It just blows my mind how you can have 5 – 7 waiters and waitresses standing around not even trying to get a good tip.
So anyway, pretentious, expensive and bereft of substance.