When it comes to seafood, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of fancier dining options in the area! While I have no problem eating a pile of Calabash fried seafood out of a styrofoam container, sometimes you want something a bit more classy and upscale. And here’s where the Cape Fear Seafood Company comes into play. This small, local chain based out of Wilmington, NC by the coast now has two locations in the Raleigh area. The newer location in the Village District (replacing the long-standing Cameron Village Bar & Grill) is a great option for a higher-end meal seafood meal with family and friends. And here’s why!
Located in the front of Cameron Village off of Peace Street, look for the bright blue awning and white-washed brick facade at Cape Fear Seafood. Inside you’ll find a host or hostess and get a glance at the neat and tidy dining room done up in a nautical motif with a lot of beachy, blues, and whites. Paneled booths and bench seating gives the space a slightly private feel to many tables. And in the back left, you’ll find a pleasant bar with a white marble top and several TVs to catch the game on. Overall Cape Fear Seafood Company has an excellent dining room that works well for families and parties of 4 to 6 people.
For both of my visits, I’ve hung out at the bar as a solo diner, service there has been polite and attentive. Looking over Cape Fear Seafood’s menu, you’ll find the usual broiled and fried options along with some fancier dishes and pasta. Seafood risottos, saltimbocca (rolls wrapped in prosciutto) along with jambalaya stand out as some of the more unique menu options. Cape Fear Seafood also offers up some beef and chicken options for the non-seafood lovers in your party. Entree prices range from $15 to $30 with some more affordable sandwich, taco, and basket offerings in the $10 to $15 range. About right price-wise in my opinion for quality seafood!
One dish that I really enjoyed was their Figure 8 Stuffed Flounder ($24.99) which is served up with some rice pilaf and green beans. Two perfectly broiled flounder pinwheels (roulades) are stuffed with crab and covered with beurre blanc (light butter sauce). It’s a delicious and delicate preparation for whitefish and the surprise for me was the crisp green beans, perfectly sauteed on the side and served with bits of tomato. The broiled seafood platter is another good option with a mix of mussels, scallops, and cod, blackened with lemon pepper and served with rice pilaf and asparagus. Overall I find the light touch that Cape Fear Seafood’s kitchen has with their delicate proteins, very well done. The portion size is just right, don’t anticipate taking much home at all but it’s a reasonable expectation.
I’ve found my dining experiences at Cape Fear Seafood Company to be consistently good. The ambiance is just interesting enough, the service is solid and the menu is tasty, perfect for a family meal or visit from the parents. The crowd here does tend to be a bit older given the more traditional experience. And you know what? That works perfectly fine for me and is a great fit for people who are usually hanging out in the neighborhood. Cape Fear Seafood Company does seafood right and you would not expect anything less from a restaurant with that name!
