In the world of hotel restaurants, I’m usually not a huge fan. They tend to be over-priced and under-interesting. But recently I started hearing about Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen located in downtown Raleigh at the Marriott City Center. I mean who can really resist down home Southern eats for lunch? So I tripped on over to Fayetteville Street to check out this new spot…
Located at the very southern tip of Fayetteville Street, just look for the overhead wooden Rye sign! Inside the space you’ll find a spacious open dining room with sitting area and fireplace. It’s a majestic looking space typical to a good hotel. The dining room is busy but since I’m dining solo, I grab a seat at the bar. There’s signage for the lunch menu and a list of local NC farms since Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen is doing a farm to table theme.
Appetizers at Rye go from $7 to $11 with lunch entrees at $8 to $15. But I figure I’ll take advantage of their Meat and Three special at $10. Choose from the meat of the day (fried chicken on Monday and three sides). Service at the bar is friendly and they use a team service in the dining room. Five to ten minutes later a staffer slips a large oval plate in front of me, yowza! I’ve got two large pieces of chicken a heap of collards and fries along with roasted sweet potatoes. The collards and sweet potatoes are solid, love the silky sweet interior of the taters. The chicken and fries come out a bit luke-warm but still tasty and it’s overall a lot of food. A good lunch meal but daddy’s gonna need a nap!
Looking around the space I’d have to guess that most patrons are hotel guests or visitors. But in all honesty, Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen does a good enough job to attract downtown office workers for a basic Southern meal. If you’re willing to spend a touch more, walk an extra block or two, you can enjoy the higher end ambiance here Monday to Friday. So thank you Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen! You’re off to a good start, keep it going…
500 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.227.3370
MEAT & THREE
House favorites served with your choice of three sides and sweet tea
$10
LUNCH MENU
MONDAY—Fried Chicken
TUESDAY—Pork Brisket
WEDNESDAY—Meat Loaf
THURSDAY—Country Fried Steak
FRIDAY—Local Fresh Caught Fish of the Day
SATURDAY—BBQ Pork
SUNDAY—Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
SIDES
Chard Carrots
Shoestring Fries
BBQ Beans
Parmesan Chive Grits
Mac and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Carolina Rice
Succotash
Green Beans
Mustard Glazed Collards
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