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Brasa Steakhouse
Category:
Romantic Dining
8551 Brier Creek Pwky
Raleigh,
North Carolina 27617
First off, if you're not familiar with Brazilian steakhouses or Rodizios, you just need to know...
More 4 months ago
First off, if you're not familiar with Brazilian steakhouses or Rodizios, you just need to know they're the best kind of steakhouses in the planet. Nothing beats waiters one after the other showing up at your table with SWORDS (they're really huge skewers but Rodizios get me medieval) where impaled steaks of several pounds of the best cuts in the world are to be carved in front of you at your command. It's an endless parade of steak worship not for the faint of heart. I live in southern Maryland and being a Rodizio aficionado myself, the total lack of this restaurant type in my area is very depressing. I was driving to a Friend's weeding in Burlington, NC and having lived in North Carolina for several years in the past I knew I was entering Rodizio territory once more, so I decided to plan my trip to Burlington, making a little detour in Raleigh just to try this Rodizio Steakhouse. Now onto the place itself. Even thou this guys close at 11 pm on Fridays, I walked though the door at 10:45 and was treated just like if it was 7 pm. (Most restaurants give you "a look" and bad service if you do this). The service was INCREDIBLE, the place looked amazing. If you want to impress a lady, this would be a home run. Now, the food. Simply......perfect. The meats were simply out of this world. My favorite Brazilian cut of meat, "picaña" was cooked just the way I requested, with a medium rare center. My wife is more of a "well done" steak kind of girl and they had a completely different skewer sizzling at the mercy of the flames in the kitchen just for her. (Most Rodizios scuff at customers requests of well done meat since this is considered faux pass, and they will simply take a couple of cuts ant throw them on the grill for the customer which ruins the whole experience. I have visited probably 10 Brazilian steakhouses in the U.S. Only at the top 2, Brasa Raleigh being one of them, will they put a separate skewer on the flames for customers who request well done cuts), Like I said in the title, second best Rodizio steak house in the U.S. only topped by the Juggernaut of Rodizios, New York's Time Square area located cathedral of Rodizio, (let alone Number 1 Brazilian steakhouse in the world and personally best restaurant I've ever been to in my life), The Mecca of meat.......... "PLATAFORMA". How close does Brasa come to the holiest of the holiest, Plataforma? Surprisingly close. Steak wise.......and this could be blasphemy....... almost identical. The salad bar at Plataforma is also FAR superior, probably one of the best salad bars EVER, But whereas a meal for two at Plataforma with beers will run you $250 with tips, at Brasa I paid only $100 with tips which is a HUGE difference. Let's put it this way: Plataforma is still reigning champion but if instead of Brasa being located In Raleigh, NC and Plataforma in New York, they were located both across the street from my home in Maryland, 9 our of 10 times I would eat at Brasa, almost the same steak for half the price. I would still treat myself to Plataforma on my birthdays. Now for those of you Maryland residents who are wondering, if you have to drive all, the way to NC or New York for a decent Rodizio experience, don't fret. I also have you covered. You'll find in my opinion which is the 3rd best Rodizio in the U.S. just 45 minutes away in Washington D.C. The name is "Fogo de Chao" a meal for 2 will run you about $140. All in all, in the best value for your category, Brasa Raleigh takes the crown. Now, If you're a Millionaire and own your own jet, fly to New York's Plataforma. But rest assured, Brasa will also give you a run for your money.
Pros: Perfect Rodizio
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Enoteca Vin
Category:
Late Night Dining
410 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh,
North Carolina 27603
It has always been a challenge to find a great brunch in Raleigh. I finally found it today. The...
More 1 year ago
It has always been a challenge to find a great brunch in Raleigh. I finally found it today. The food was wonderful and service was good. Maybe all of the poor reviews helped, not sure, but I had great service. Everyone was very friendly and attentive. I work in the service industry and my clients always ask me for recommendations on where to go for good food. Sometimes it is hard to think of a place, but I will absolutly be telling everyone about Vin.
Pros: food, drinks, service
Cons: none
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What a memorable experience for me to recently have been taken to dinner at the Hayes Barton Cate...
More 5 months ago
What a memorable experience for me to recently have been taken to dinner at the Hayes Barton Cate when visiting Raleigh. I love the concept and the creativity. It is so nice to go somewhere unique. I think what makes it great is the fact that the owners put their heart and soul into it. It's not just a place to eat, it's a destination - great food, amazing desserts and friendly service.
Pros: Great food and ambience
Cons: none
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115 Midtown
Category:
Thai Restaurants
4421 Six Forks Rd Ste 115
Raleigh,
North Carolina 27609
My wife and I dont regularly get the chance to go out on a "date" anymore so when we do...
More 10 months ago
My wife and I dont regularly get the chance to go out on a "date" anymore so when we do we want it to be very special. The folks at Midtown and Bar 115 definately made it just that for us on Saturday Night. The weather was perfect for grilling out but we opted to dine out instead. The service on the patio was superb!! Great wait staff and management. Even the chef came out to check on us, where else do you get this kind of service. We had the best mussels ive ever had, my wife never had Gnochi and shes already wanting more. The management was very attentive as well, as the temperature dropped they were asking if we wanted to have the patio heaters turned on. Very Special place and great staff too. Dont miss out on this hidden gem.
Pros: Staff, Product Knowledge, Wine List
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We went this past monday night....there was only about 10 other people there, if that.....It was...
More
We went this past monday night....there was only about 10 other people there, if that.....It was 50 cents oyster night...so we enjoyed that.....There was only 1 server behind the oyster bar...so service was a little on the slow side....but he apologized for it repeatedly...and he was funny....and we didn't really mind....it gave us more time to watch the game that was on and enjoy the few date nights we actually get being so busy.....The oysters were good....it's not really 'in season' so they weren't gigantic, but i don't like it too big anyway....My husband had the fried seafood platter...the breading was a little bland, but there were two sauces to pick from....and it was a good bit of food too....I had the seafood newberg pasta.....very good....i get scared to order pasta out because it always ends up bland, but this was filled with flavor......oh, and from reading all the bad reviews....i was a little nervous using the gift certificate i bought from zspotlight for 1/2 price....but when i presented it....it was no problem.....our bill was $55.....we had 2 dozen oysters, a house salad, 2 entrees previously mentioned, a soda and a sweet tea.....All that for $55?? It was wonderful....Only the difference of $15 was charged to our card after the $40 certificate...and we tipped our server cash.......It's not a high class five star restaurant with 'stepford wives' type servers.....but its a good intimate date spot for seafood lovers......
Pros: 50 cent oysters!!
Cons: ambience is a little drab/depressing....
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Poole's has a great atmosphere and the food is always amazing! Service can be slow if they are...
More 6 months ago
Poole's has a great atmosphere and the food is always amazing! Service can be slow if they are full and it is pricey but we'll definitely go back. The fried oysters on the corn and cucumber salad was a delightful surprise. The beet salad was a great mix of flavors. The mac and cheese was amazing. All in all, a great night out!
Pros: The oysters, the mac and cheese, the okra
Cons: Not many beers on tap
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Sawmill Tap Room
Category:
Notable Beer List
7701 Lead Mine Rd
Raleigh,
North Carolina 27615
Sawmill tap room rocks. We love going to Sawmill. We go at least once a week for dinner. They have...
More 11 months ago
Sawmill tap room rocks. We love going to Sawmill. We go at least once a week for dinner. They have the best cheeseburger and cheeses fries. The people are so friendly. They have a bar with TVs for watching sports. It is a great place to go.
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My friends and I love to go to karaoke at Napper Tandy's on Wednesday. They have awesome drink...
More 3 months ago
My friends and I love to go to karaoke at Napper Tandy's on Wednesday. They have awesome drink specials and the staff there is quick and polite. Collin is a great DJ who is easy to talk to and makes it a point to get to know the regulars. Definitely try them out!
Pros: Great drinks and karaoke.
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Old Bar
Category:
Tapas Bar
861 W Morgan St
Raleigh,
North Carolina 27603
I think Underground has closed. Its really a shame because this was one of the best hidden...
More 2 years ago
I think Underground has closed. Its really a shame because this was one of the best hidden restaurants by far in raleigh
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The Borough
Category:
Late Night Dining
317 West Morgan St Ste 117
Raleigh,
North Carolina 27603
(919) 832-8433
The Borough is probably my favorite place in Raleigh. The bar is inviting and the food is...
More 3 months ago
The Borough is probably my favorite place in Raleigh. The bar is inviting and the food is delicious (although I'm sad that they got rid of the Vizzini, which was my favorite). Their drinks menu features kitschy drinks with out-there ingredients, and I've never met a person who hated the PomBR--but they also have an extensive beer and wine list. I've never had a bad experience here.
Pros: Excellent drinks, friendly staff
Cons: None
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