Ethos

This place is closed for good. Too bad, they had really good food before changing chefs and a great atmosphere.

This place will not last with it’s lack of professionalism and poor cooking. I ordered the filet medium rare and received a steak medium well. I did not complain about it, but my girl friend did. They said they wanted to take our meals back for the chef to see. I had eaten half of mine and my girl friend had ate just a few bites. They told us they would comp her meal, but not mine. I wanted my food back, but they said they had tossed it already. So, I paid 35 dollars for a half of a meal. I won’t be back.

Whoa. Great atmosphere and server, but the bartender/​manager was very rude and terse about accepting the Unilocal coupon I bought. Would not return.

I went to Ethos for the first time last night, after really wanting to go for a while. I had heard great things about Chef Vernon. When I went in, the waitress had no knowledge of the dishes and how they were prepared, and she actually asked another patron to tell me how the dish was prepared. We were not given the specials, drink or otherwise. Our food came and I had the blackened catfish and grits. The grits were cold, no flavor, and very dry (I know what good grits should taste like…). The fish was decent, but did not have a good blackened flavoring. We were not offered dessert, either. The waitress did ask our feedback on the food, to which I did not give a complimentary answer. The chef did not come out to address these concerns. I paid $ 18 for the fish plate and I do not feel it was worth it. I probably will not return. I just hate I didn’t go before Chef Vernon left…

I visited for the first time in May and had an awesome dining experience! If it were proper I would have liked my plate. Chef Vernon visited every table and we were not being overly polite when we complimented him on his outstanding creations. I went back last Saturday (July 20^th,) and everything had changed! I would have excused the staffs’ inattentive, bland, and lack of knowledge of the daily specials if the food were to the same highest of caliber palette as my first visits experience. The tobacco road steak ($ 26) was not rubbed, and the Kentucky bourbon butter was not on the plate. The only flavor was of the grill, the kind you burp for hours latter. We did not finish it. The grits and my stuffed rainbow trout were cold and bland, with no flavor. No flavor! Before I departed I learnt that Chef Vernon has left Ethos. I repeat, CHEF VERNON HAS LEFT ETHOS. I had intended on returning every month to try every entrée. Sadly I will never return again.

This is my second visit here this week! I just wished that I had stumbled on this site early on in the week! The food is great! The staff are friendly and helpful and Chef V is absolutely fantastic! Traveling all over the country, I have had the opportunity to try different places for dinner; however, Ethos has become one of my favorites. It is just a few hours away from me and I will be back. The Chilled Pinto Bean and Tomato soup was a great way to start this Friday night visit! Thanks Chef V for a great experience!

Great place but bring your credit card. The specials coast 30 to 40 dollars. But the food is worth it! I meet the executive chef and he is a very cool dude. Old school Charlotte man but has cooked all over the world. Everything is fresh and made in house. If you have the money this is the best place in town.

This place is legit!
Really nice ambiance with soothing jazz music.
I had the following:
Veggie flatbread
Chicken flatbread
–both flatbreads were very tasty, the bread was crispy and the veggies were very fresh!
Beef short ribs
— Excellent! It is packed full of flavor with a little bit of a kick. Meat is very tender and comes In a good sized portion.
Side of kale
–the kale is also very tasty! It has a vinegar flavor and topped with carmelized onions! Highly recommend it.

What an urban jewel in a small downtown and so worth the short drive (just over a mile) off the Salisbury exit off I-​85. We happened on this place by chance when we needed to kill an hour before meeting friends for a murder mystery themed dinner at a restaurant in nearby Spencer. We found ourselves wishing we had just stayed at Ethos!!! The sign on Ethos’ front door touted martinis, so we entered for drinks but sampled the pimento cheese pâté as well. My husband ordered a dirty martini and I ordered a Crispen Cider whose sparkling tart sweetness played nice with complimentary corn muffins. Perfectly large size these muffins had a slightly crisp exterior with a moist cakelike interior that balanced manchego and jalapeño with buttery corn flavor. Arbol pepper infused honey was blended with butter for the spread. This taste tease was enough to ask for a full menu and making plans for a return visit. When the chef came out, we were excited to learn that the finesse shown with the muffin was no accident of a creative cook, but of global restaurant experience after earning graduating from Johnson & Wales 20 years ago. His passion for subtle flavor layers extends to the infused vodkas on display behind the beautiful bar. Am looking forward to sampling the full menu.

Our party of eleven celebrated my mother-in-law’s 89^th birthday at Ethos. Chef Vernon greeted us and prepared a special shrimp dish in her honor, exactly what she wished for — fried shrimp.
The food, service, atmosphere was wonderful and I can not say enough about how pleased we all were.
The menu and beverage list is well planned and I only want to return to try out more items.
Around us, all tables were having a grand time. The level of ambient sound, unlike most restaurants, was not bothersome. We easily carried on conversation without having to shout or strain to hear what was being said.
And finally, my husband’s test of a fine restaurant is the coffee. All good restaurants serve great coffee, the coffee at Ethos is exactly as coffee should be.
Kudos to Chef Vernon and his staff!

Tried it last night and so glad. Can’t wait to go back! Great food, great drinks and great service.

Southern Gourmet, Southern Hospitably in a Charming Bistro in Historic Downtown… Live Music on the weekends! Great place to «Meet the Parents»! My Girlfriend meets mine!
The food was AMAZING!!!
Soup — She Craw (Craw Fish instead of Crab) Creamy New Orleans style — Very Nice!
Short Rib Mashtini WOW! Appetizer served in a Martini glass! Perfectly prepared Short Rib meat on Grits (the finest Grits I have ever tasted — I never knew Grits could be this Incredible!) — Topped with Cheese and Green Onion — This was a Superb dish! Moonshine BBQ Sauce was so good I’m starting my «Moonshine Inside» Unilocal list!
Rosemary Fries! Theses were Exceptional! Thin and barely Crispy with just the right amount of Rosemary!
Mac and Cheese (they may have been called White, there was some white cheese… It was a nice blend of Cheese!
Here’s the tricky part… The next Dishes were Specials (not always on the Menu).
Lamb Chops in a Muscadine Sauce with Mashed Potatoes! This was my favorite and everything was Delicious… These Lamb Chops were the standout for me: Extremely Tender, Fantastic Flavor and the Muscadine Reduction was PERFECT! I was dipping the Fries in the Muscadine Sauce!
The other Entrée was a New Orleans style Seafood Dish: Lobster, Shrimp and Craw Fish in a Cream Sauce that had Cajun upbringings! Fried Bread «garnished» this dish
The Chef came out and spoke to us, Talked abut the Food and asked how we liked everything… I told him he was smart to meet the guests and he told us he always takes time to visit each table and meet everyone! That is too Smart!
This Bistro has about 50 seats, a waterfall behind the Bar and live Music on the weekends!

Delicious take on Southern food, and very well decorated.