18 Seaboard

Reservations on Open Table was really convenient. But our dining experience ends there. We received hard stale bread for starters. When we tried to get the attention of the waiter, he would just rush by. There were at least five other empty tables and mostly 2 or 3 people per table (Saturday night) so we don't understand what was wrong. When the waiter arrived to take our order, I asked questions about what he would suggest and he couldn't think of anything??? Didn't have a favorite dish? Said Nothing. So I got the shrimp appetizer. The shrimp was overly sauced with BBQ sauce, the potatoes that lied beneath it was literally doused with a large amount of strong grainy mustard. Way over the top!! When I placed my entree for wood-fired salmon, he never asked how I wanted it cooked. SO we had to flag him down a second time. The texture of the salmon was mushy not flaky. Like it had been sitting around awhile. My husband's strawberry salad was more dressing than salad. Dressing/sauce does go a long way, overuse suggests that your trying to hide something. \r \r I didn't find the service particularly helpful. Acting as if you could care less about the diner says little to me and says even less about the restaurant.\r \r more

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary there last night and the food was awesome! Nice and reasonable wine list and a not ""so pretentious"" menus and atmosphere. Our waiter Josh was great and really helped make it a special night for us. Chef Jason even stopped by our table to check on the food and wish us a happy anniversary. There was a little glitch with our reservations but all and all, a very nice evening, we will definitely be back. more

From the call for a reservation to leaving the restaurant, by far our best experience in Raleigh. I called to make our reservation for an anniversary dinner and the gentleman who took the reservation was the most welcoming and genuine person. He thanked us for choosing 18 for such a special occasion. As we entered the restaurant, the ambiance was spectacular, exposed brick, dark wood, and wine glasses. Our service was exemplary from the time we were taken to our private booth to the time we walked out the door. There was always someone coming by to clear a dish or ask if we needed a new beverage. The food...The food was magnificent. Easily the best tuna in my life. The wood fire grill is magnificent. My husband ordered the pheasant ravioli and was not disappointed. I appreciate that 18 Seaboard uses locally sourced foods. You will not be disappointed by 18 Seaboard. I guarantee it! more

I have been to 18 Seaboard three times and am always very impressed with the restaurant. Each time that I went there, the chef gave our table small samples of a new appetizer. Our waitresses were very attentive and the food was delicious. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. more

Excellent seafood and soups. Waiter was a little slow and did not offer bread to our table of 8 when only three people ordered apps. However, delicious fails was worth every second. Very pleased! more

We have been local fans of 18 Seaboard since it opened. We attend the North Carolina Symphony classical and pops series and find ourselves stopping by for dinner before or after the concerts. Jason and his staff support our Symphony members and our volunteers!\r This Friday we stopped by for some delicious plates of oysters after the classical concert.\r Saturdays are busy, but we find a trip downtown for lunch at 18 Seaboard a weekend treat. We like to stop by for Saturday lunch as Jason is often there, and we can chat, although we love all the folks who work at this friendly, high quality restaurant. Try the chicken salad!\r The dishes are delicious and prices are affordable. It is high on our list as a place to offer our friends gift cards for special occasions and to take new friends, who have not had the 18 Seaboard experience.\r We wish the Jason Smiths continued success in their newest venture in Cameron Villlage, Cantina. We look forward to a visit there in the future. January 16, 2011\r Mike and Ginny Byrne, Raleigh more

Not one to go out for fancy dining too much but this place is real affordable. The dishes are prepared with local ingredients and very tasty and just the right size. On my list to take folks to. more

My husband and I dined at 18 Seaboard last night and the food was just ok. To start off with the wine selection was limited and the cheapest glass of wine on the menu was $9. Next, we shared the fried green tomato appetizer. It was good and the portion size was good. For dinner, I ordered the special which was Wahoo with smashed sweet potatoes and asparagus. The wahoo was bland as was the butter sauce that was served on top. I did mention this to my server and she alerted the manager and he did offer to switch out my dinner so I commend them for that. They did try to make it right. My husband ordered the ribeye steak and it had a lot of fat on it. All in all 18 Seaboard was just ok. Like another reviewer mentioned, there are way too many great restaurants nearby....I think I will eat nearby. more

My wife and I have eaten at 18 Seaboard a number of times and always enjoy it. The food is excellent and the service is usually very good. I recently noticed that they were holding a wine dinner event that sounded like fun and was going to sign up for it until I noticed that they required a 20% gratuity. First of all, a gratuity is defined as a voluntary payment for service and should not be required. If they are going to require it, they should just include it in the price and pay their staff an actual living wage like other business. And 20% is absolutely ridiculous! While I often pay that for outstanding service, requiring it regardless of the level of service is completely wrong. Tips used to be suggested at 15% which, as prices go up, the tip would go up as well. Increasing the tip and making it required is unacceptable. Needless to say, we will not be attending the wine dinner and will have to decide whether we want to go to 18 Seaboard again at all for dinner. Hopefully, they will return to a reasonable policy for gratuities -- like suggesting an amount and letting their customers decide what to pay. more

My fiance' and I went to 18 Seaboard this weekend. Let me just say that with the both of us, we are the most difficult people to please, as far as food goes. He is a Chef and I am a self proclaimed foodie, so we are extremely picky. We had one of the best meals ever here. I don't even recall any place else that compares. My fiance' got the Cracklin' Pork Shank with the blue cheese grits. AMAZING! He was sweet enough to share the very generous portions you receive there. I got the Ashley Farm stuffed chicken. ...again, AMAZING. The chicken was cooked to perfection. The pesto alongside the rice with the stuffing was delicious. I would HIGHLY recommend this restaurant. It saddens me that is is so far away. (we live in Charleston, SC) But I guarantee this....we will be eating there every time we go to Raleigh! more

My husband and I ate at 18 Seaboard last week. It was our first time there. I had been trying to find places that we hadn't been before and read all the great reviews so we decided to give it a try. The only thing I can say is I'm sorry we didn't find this place sooner! I asked the waiter and he said they have been open over 4 years so that's too many meals we have missed there. Our waiter, Matthew, was fantastic. A great server and very knowledgeable of the menu. Starting from the delicious bread to the she crap soup, to our entrees of the salmon and beef brisket, everything was exceptional. Matthew recommended the blue cheese balsamic sauce for my salmon and it was the best. The portion sizes are very generous. You won't leave here hungry and we didn't have any room to try the desserts. Will definitely but 18 Seaboard on our list of regulars to return to. Thanks for the great dining experience. more

I decided to take my girlfriend to 18 seaboard for her birthday yesterday and couldn't have been more pleased! As we were walking in, we were greeted by the head chef who was very polite. After being seated, we were immediately helped to a wine list and had our drink orders taken.\r \r My meal consisted of a grilled asparagus and blue cheese salad and a barbeque glazed beef brisket. It is no exaggeration when I say that the salad was the best i've ever had. The beef brisket was no slouch either! I also could not believe how fast our food was served. I forgot that I had mentioned it was my girlfriend's birthday while making the reservation, but they sure didn't! We ordered a chocolate cake mug (amazing by the way), and they brought us a complimentary cake for my girlfriend.\r \r Great atmosphere, better food, and a staff eager to please made it a great night! Do not hesitate to eat here, you won't be disappointed. more

I started going to lunch at 18 Seaboard a long time ago becasue it was convenient and parking was good. I keep coming back because the food is consistently great (especially love the salmon salad and the lunch specials!) and the service is great. Today, I had an experience that was over and above customer service expectations. Highly recommend....again!. more

My husband and I don't eat out much, but when we do this is our #1 pick. We've always had a great experience here. The food is fresh, local, and always cooked to perfection. The atmoshere is perfect for a romantic night out and the service is good. It's nice to see such great restaurants doing well in Raleigh. Pros: great atmosphere, great food, great service more

We love18 Seaboard! It is such a great restaurant. I have been going for years and I always get a warm welcome when entering. The food is a great price and we usually see the chef Jason roaming around greeting people and talking to tables. Will continue to visit for many years to come! Highly reccommend! Pros: Great Food! Cons: sometimes noisy more

My husband and I had dinner at 18 Seaboard last night. Everything was delicious from the madarine mojoita to the blueberry poundcake with homemade peach ice cream! The heirloom tomato bruchetta was addictive; we wanted to lick the plate. Our server was attentive and the wine director, sorry, I can't remeber his name, was so helpful with our wine choice. He even brought me 2 to taste with my entree. What Service! They made our anniversay very special. We'll be telling others as we make plans to go back. Pros: heirloom tomato bruchetta, service, flavors more

Great food with distinct contemporary flavors. The service was attentive and informed but not overbearing. A definite to return. Pros: Food and service more

This has become one of my favorite places to eat in Raleigh. I work in downtown and try to get out for lunch at least once a week. 18 Seaboard has become my Go-To restaurant. \r \r The staff is amazing (especially the Wine Director, Cory Sloan) and everything I've tried on the menu is absolutely delicious. My favorite item is the Grilled Salmon Mixed Greens Salad - the salmon is cooked to order and the dressing is to die for.\r \r Two words: Dine. Here.\r Pros: Where to begin? Staff, wine list... the grilled salmon salad more

Dined here this past weekend and was very impressed. The food is dressed up just enough for the flavors to shine through. I am tired of going to places where there is so much done to the dishes that you are not even sure what your eating anymore. Our srever was prompt, professional and helpful with selections but not over oppinionated. Will return and send people as well. The only bad thing was the place was very busy so it was a bit loud but not to the point we could not talk amongst ourselves. After relocating from Boston it is nice to find a place on this level. Pros: Great dinner Cons: a bit noisy more

What a great place. The folks working here go out of there way to take care of us. The menu changes with what is most fresh at the time and the prices are such that you can come as often as you like. Keep up the great work 18 Seaboard! Pros: We go once a week Cons: Can be very busy more