We have a few local restaurants in Charlotte, NC that I regularly go to, depending on what I'm in the mood for...
Upper end: First would be a great little Italian place, Dolce Ristorante. The next would be a Japanese-French fusion spot, Restaurant i. Dakotas for southern style food, and 300 East for the usual-with-a-twist fair. Cantina 1511 for Mexican. McCormick and Schmicks is consistent for good seafood. Ilios Noche for tasty lil gourmet pizzas and good appetizers, though the seating is bleh. Providence Cafe is great for a nice lunch, yummy fried green tomato sandwich.
Fun Food: South 21 Drive-in for a burger, Price's Chicken Coop for fried chicken (when I can get up there, they have early closing hours...if not, Bojangles, lol), Shell Inn between Lancaster SC and Rock Hill SC for fried seafood (very hard to find place, way out in the country, know about it because my Dad used to supply them with fish)