Raleigh Restaurant Tips by FreeCloud

Sushi Blues Cafe: Trendy Japanese

On the newly gentrified Glenwood Ave in Raleigh, a popular Sushi place.

East (Japanese sushi) meets west (Jazz and Blues music in the background).

Favorite Dish: Many to choose from (see official website).

I had at lunch time:
Sushi, Sashimi, Shrimp Tempura $10.75
"1/2 order cucumber R, 3 pieces sushi, 4 pieces sashimi, shrimp tempura"
The food was good.

Address: 301 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603

Comparison: about average

Directions: See official website

Phone: 919-664-8061

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Sushi Thai: Large selection of Sushi and Thai food

A relaxed place with boat shape sushi bar. Sushi comes in boats as well. Two locations, one here and one in Cary.

The Raleigh location has a much more elaborated deco: the tables in Cary location are all rather simple, but the ones in Raleigh are all w/ a fancy wood carved top (not sure if directly shipped from Thailand), then topped with a piece of glass.

Favorite Dish: The sushi is fresh. Besides common types of rolls and sashimi, they also offer sushi rolls with own twist, e.g., adding soft cheese etc - some people like it, while others do not.

My favorite:
- Sushi/Sashimi Boat for one $28
With sushi, sashimi and miso soup (OR salad).
This will be enough for a regular sushi lover, even enough for two for light eaters.

- Pad Thai/Vegetables $8.95 (add shrimp, chicken or pork would be a bit more)
"Stir fried noodles with pad thai sauce, egg, bean sprouts and ground roasted peanuts"
Good but the sauce sometimes is a bit too sweet.

We tried some other stir-fried dishes, which are not too great.

See their official website for menu.

Address: 2434 Wycliff Rd, Raleigh, NC 276007

Comparison: about average

Directions: Beltway I-440 towards Crabtree Valley Mall, Exit 5B towards Art Museum/Rex Hospital; off ramp, pass the I-440 overpass, turn right into the shopping area.

Other Contact: jthongph@hotmail.com

Phone: (919) 789-8181

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Mo's Diner: Mo' than a diner

Located in downtown Raleigh, Moore Sq, in a small blueish /purplish converted turn-of-the-century bungalow. Serve simple and well prepared tasty food.

See Newspaper Review: http://www.triangle.com/dining/restaurantreview/story/1239618p-7350331c.html

Customer Review: http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/6177036?cslink=search_name_noncust&ulink=search__searchslot20_520__0_profile_2_1

Favorite Dish: I have not tried yet, but the following are the dishes interest me:
Starters:
- Grilled spicy shrimp and remoulade $6.95
- Sauteed lump crab cake & lemon butter $ 8.95
- Sauteed spinach & cheese with baked phyllo $5.95

Salad:
- Pear salad w/ gorgonzola, pecans,greens & balsamic veinegar $6.95

Entrees:
- Sauteed lump crab cakes & lemon butter $18.95
- Grilled, marinated chicken w/ saffron rice & lemon butter $ 14.95
- Pan fried catfish, remoulade & sauteed spinach $16.95
- Sauteed chicken, shrimp & sausage w/ rice & spicy tomatoes $15.95
- Squash, cabbage, beans, corn & mashed potatoes $11.95

Address: 306 E. Hargett St, downtown Raleigh

Comparison: about average

Directions: East side of the Moore Sq, Raleigh downtown

Phone: (919) 856-9938

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 0

Theme: Italian

La Vie Pan Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: Pan Asian

Sushi seems to be a trend now in the very conservative Raleigh. The hope is that it is getting better!

This will be a one-stop for all Pan Asian restaurant, with very interesting and extensive menus of Thai, Vietnanese, Chinese food and Sushi.

We will have a lunch together there tomorrow, so will report back.

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am - 2pm, Sat-Sun 12pm - 3pm;
Dinner: Sun-Thu 5pm - 9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm – 10 PM

Favorite Dish: Take a look at their menus online (see website).

Address: Tarrymore Square, 4011-133 Capital Blvd, Raleigh,

Comparison: about average

Directions: Intersection of Capital Blvd and Buffalo Rd

Phone: (919) 876-8621

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 0

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Website: http://www.zspotlight.com/establishment.asp?zWhat=restaurant&zHow=all&zWhich=all&EstID=9937&EstSub=profile

Duck and Dumpling: "Upscale" Asian Bistro

An elegant and comtemporary deco with red and black and light beige.

A long curved low wall divide the dining area from the bar. The seats are comfortable with.

The owner David Mao had 30+ years experience in restaurant business.

Best table: site next to the window watching the world going on at Moore Square.

Favorite Dish: The food was delicious. Besides their regular menu, daily specials provides a spectrum of traditional Chinese dish, such as Lion Head meatballs etc.

- Edamame (steamed or boiled soya beans in shell) $ 4.50

- Steamed sea bass $ 18.00
Light, healthy and tasty

- Lemongrass Chicken Salad $ 12.50
Big quantity of vegetables, tasty.

Lunch:
-Moo Shoo Duck: $11
Came with 3 crepes with lean duck breast slices, seems to be stir fried with shreded cabages. Very tasty.

The crepes are of those freshly made for making authentic spring rolls found on the streets in Shanghai/Suzhou area, but NOT the typical pancake you thought from those Peking duck restaurant.

-Duck and Dumpling Soup $12
Not sure the restaurant name after the dish or vice versa. A big boal of very ducky flavor tasty soup with noodles, green vegetable (could be more!), a huge piece of roasted duck breast chopped for bite size (w/ a bit fat and easily to remove) w/ crispy skin and 1 dumpling. The SOLE dumpling was filled with ground pork etc, appealing to neither eyes nor stomach. In my opinion, they can simply leave this dumpling out, or make a better one.

View their website for complete menu.

Address: 222 S. Blount St, Raleigh, NC

Comparison: about average

Directions: West side of Moore Sq. You will not miss it especially when in dark, you will see the red hue through its large windows (which attracted us to see what it was).

Other Contact: mail@theduckanddumpling.com

Phone: 919-838-0085/fax 919-838-0087

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Website: http://www.theduckanddumpling.com/

The Brass Grill: Good lunch place for people work in downtown

A popular lunch place for people who work in downtown.

Very crowded at lunch time.

Favorite Dish: Many types of salad, soups, quiches, etc.

Address: 210 S. Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Later

Phone: (919) 833-9595

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: American

Rockford: Small quiet casual corner with decent food

Its entrance is through a narrow wood stairs between 320 Glenwood Ave and a hair salon. It is a small quaint restaurant with two dining areas, one with a bar also considered 'smoking' area, the other bit away from the smoke. A table interestingly set at one of the door way between the two, so one person sits on this side of the wall, the other, other side.

Go there early, you may sit next to a window overlooking the trendy constantly changing Glenwood Ave (lined with many new restaurants now, from a warehouse kind of district years ago).

See others' review: http://triangle.citysearch.com/review/6179183/?cslink=cs_profile_tabs_user_review

Favorite Dish: The menu is rather interesting.

You can have an appetizer with banana and peanut butter, an ABC sandwich includes Smith Apple, bacons, and power sugar on top of the sandwich roll.

The grilled eggplant sandwich layered with eggplant, tomato slice, grilled cheese on top, then chopped basil, rather freshing.

They also have grilled portebella mushroom sandwich etc.

If you want something spicy, try the chowder, otherwise artichok tomato soup is mild.

Address: 320 1/2 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: From downtown, Capitol, take Hillsborogh street towards west, then right turn onto Glenwood Ave. It is between Lane and North St. Parking on the street or side street.

Phone: (919) 821-9020

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

Website: http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/6179183

42nd Street Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant: A popular gathering place downtown Raleigh

This is a very popular restaurant, hence very noisy as well. It is located at the downtown.

If you want to have a dinner Thur-Saturday, do remember to make a researvation, otherwise you will end up waiting for hours at the bar or waiting area.
<BR>
<BR> It is a rather large restaurant, with tables at the center of the dinning hall, plus booths along the wall.

Favorite Dish: Raw Oyster

Address: 508 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27603

Comparison: about average

Directions: See its official website

Phone: 919-831-2811

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Seafood

Website: http://www.42ndstoysterbar.com

518 Italian Cafe

It is a...

518 Italian Cafe
<BR>
<BR>It is a sister restaurant of the 411 Italian Cafe in Chapel Hill (on 411 W. Franklin St), both serve the same menu. 518 is much larger a place than 411.
Interesting yet simple Italian flavor deco, with ceilings painted as a Carolina blue sky with clouds (yes, free clouds!).
<BR>
<BR> Many families have dinner here together with young DINKs.
<BR>
<BR> It has two floors, each floor has its own bar, kitchen etc. Second floor seems quieter than the first one, if one has a table next to their ''balcany' looking railing, one can have a birdview of the downstairs.
<BR>
<BR> On Saturday, they open at 5 pm for dinner, go there early to enjoy the beautiful afternoon sunshine shining through the huge window over your table.
<BR>
<BR> The most unique table was the one 3/4 towards the second floor on the side of the stairway. It is an isolated place of its own, sitting two people, the afternoon light really makes it a very romantic setting, however, the restaurant could make it more appealing.
<BR>
<BR> I will attach a photo here soon.

Favorite Dish: Although it is an Italian restaurant, it also serves dishes from other cuisine such as Thai (curry dishes) etc. The food is average, not bad.
<BR>
<BR>Appetizers:
<BR>- Wood fired focaccia bread - with choice of herbed artichocke dip, salsa fresca or sun-dried tomato artichoke spread
<BR>- Whild mushroom poltenta- assorted wild mushrooms pan seared with fresh rosemary, mushroom broth and cashewnut butter. Served over baked poltenta and topped with fresh parmesan.
<BR>
<BR> Chef's special pasta salad - house greens tossed with rotini pasta, artichoke hearts, pimento, grilled chicken, prosciutto and mozzarella in a creamy Italian vinaigrette
<BR>
<BR> Pasta and Etc
<BR> - whole wheat fetticine - with wood grilled chicken, fresh mushrooms, marsala, rosemary butter and garlic cream sauce, topped with fresh parmesan
<BR> - Chicken marsala - chicken breasts sauteed with mushrooms in a dark chicken marsala sauce, served with over roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables
<BR> - Wood grilled shrimp poltenta - grilled marinated shrimp served on cheese polenta with mushrooms, leeks and prosciutto di parma, topped with parmesan
<BR>
<BR> Desserts (all made fresh in house)
<BR> - Tiramisu torte - Layers of sponge cake, esperesso custard and fresh whipped cream with bittersweet chocolate sauce (could be also with some Brandy if you prefer)
<BR> - Dylan's Belgian dark chocolate fudge cake - moist, fudgey chocolate cake served with white chocolate chunk ice cream and raspberry sauce

Directions: 518 W. Jones Rd (NE corner of W. Jones and Glenwood Ave.)
<BR> Raleigh downtown
<BR>
<BR> The parking lot is on the W. Jones Rd, east of the Glenwood Ave
<BR>
<BR> From there, you can also see the po

Other Contact:
Phone: (919) 829-2518

Rating: 0

Theme: Other

The Angus Barn

Traditional...

The Angus Barn
<BR>
<BR>Traditional American fair, seafood plus steaks.
It is claimed the only one 5-star restaurant in NC. However, other people say it was partly due to the food, popularity and partly, the politices.
<BR>
<BR> There are restaurants in the area serving finer food - again, the taste is a very subjective thing. Just also like we are not beef eater, I cannot give you any idea on how good or bad their steaks are.
<BR>
<BR>To many people, it could be pricy, however, the quantity is large, e.g., a $23 soft-shell crab entre will come with 3 large softshell crabs, while most other restaurant $17 for only one medium size crab.
<BR>
<BR>We could never finish our entres, therefore the best strategy, and fortunately one can, is to order its 'apetizer' portion of entres, so you can have more varieties yet not stuffed.
<BR>
<BR> The restaurant has two major dining halls, very large, thus the tables at the center of the hall could be noisy. Be sure to ask a table along the hall usually divided from the main hall, which is much quieter.
<BR>
<BR> Although many business dinners are done here, the atmosphere is casual.
<BR>
<BR> There are no sign or lables on the restroom to tell the lady's room from men's room. HOw can you tell? The hens and roosters on the door of course.

Favorite Dish: Soft-shell crabs, small ribs, salmon, raw oyster.

Directions: 9401 Glenwood Ave (US Hwy 70)
<BR>Raleigh, NC 27612
<BR>
<BR> When you fly from north, you will see it, a red color barn, when the plane approaches the RDU airport.

Other Contact: (919) 787-3505

Rating: 0

Theme: Other