Media Archives ~ Page 3 of 7 ~ NC Triangle Dining

July 17, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: The 41Hundred at North Hills For Delicious Local Beers and Plates

41Hundred at the Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — 41Hundred at the Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

If you’re a fan of North Hills, you’ve probably seen and passed by the Renaissance Hotel many times. Located on the very southern end of North Hills, it hosted a nicely upscale restaurant named Flights for years. It was a fine restaurant, very upscale but more of a special occasions type spot. But time changes everything and Chef Dean Thompson has re-swizzled the culinary efforts at the Renaissance into a more relaxed and casual experience reflecting the changing tastes in Raleigh. Enter 41Hundred, part bar, part lounge and part restaurant. With an upcoming grand opening party on July 25th, you’ll get a chance to see what’s new at the 41Hundred. I had a chance to preview the menu last week and it was a very interesting culinary experience…

Bar at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Bar at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Dining room at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Dining room at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

When I first entered 41Hundred, which sits on the first floor of the Renaissance Hotel, I didn’t recognize the place. Gone were the 25′ ceilings with fabric wall-hangings from the old Flights. In was a funky looking bar with urban mural and a lot more. I met up with Kristen from Tabletop Media Group who was hosting the event from a PR perspective and the 41Hundred team, including Chef Dean Thompson. I first ran into Chef Dean years ago when he won two of the Fire in the Triangle competitions in 2013 and 2014, so you know he’s got some talent in the kitchen. Peering around the corner, I spy a retro looking dining room with artificial grass flooring, outdoor chairs, and patio lighting overhead. Past the main dining room is a modern nook area with a bookshelf library on display. The dining room feels very open and modern with a glass face shedding a lot of natural light into the space. This is definitely not your typical hotel restaurant and dining area!

We all gather round the tables set up for our media preview and Chef Dean takes us through the menu. While 41Hundred offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, we’ll be focusing on their popular shared plates today. Scanning the menu, it all looks very reasonably priced with all the plates and sandwiches running from $10 to $15. The shareable plates cover a wide range of cuisine types, a very eclectic assortment of flavors! Note the plates pictured here are a bit bigger than normal due to the media event and need to share across a larger table. 41Hundred has also amped up their beer and liquor selection by focusing on many of the great local options we now have in-state.

Menu at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Menu at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Roasted cauliflower plate at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Roasted cauliflower plate at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Halloumi plate at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Halloumi plate at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We start off with the roasted cauliflower plate which is served with baba ghannoush, pita, olives. It’s a healthy and flavorful offering and the side of harissa (hot chili sauce) adds some spicy pop. Next up is the fried halloumi (semi-hard cheese) served with figs, almonds and heirloom tomatoes, very satisfying! There’s some chewy, crispy and and crunchy happening here and the tomatoes show off a wonderfully crimson skin. If you’re a vegetarian, these are the best options for you out of the shareable plates at 41Hundred.

Tuna poke at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Tuna poke at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

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Korean BBQ wing at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Korean BBQ wing at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Next up is a lovely looking tuna poke plate! Served up with sliced avocado, wasabi aioli and plantain chips, you can keep the eats simple or add some heat by including jalapenos with your bite. A plate of crispy wings show up on the table. A heaping pile of flats and drums slicked with a sweet crispy crunch, these Korean BBQ wings could be very addictive! There’s some sriracha aioli for wing dipping if you’re in the mood.

Oxtail poutine at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Oxtail poutine at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Now we’re deep into the meats on the 41Hundred menu. A plate of tender steak tacos disappear quickly (missed a picture) and then the piece de resistance for me, oxtail poutine! I’ve been on a bit of a poutine kick lately. Popular up in Canada, we’re talking about fried covered in gravy and cheese curds, a real meat and potatoes type dish. 41Hundred goes with a luscious oxtail meal and deep brown gravy with chunks of that cheese curd atop. A sprinkle of chives fills out the plate and it is dee-licious! The oxtail meat is super tender and has that mouth-feel given the fat and collagen in this cut. A great use of tender meat and potatoes here, in my opinion!

Hot cheesecake at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Hot cheesecake at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Banana pudding at 41Hundred in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Banana pudding at 41Hundred in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We finish off the media tasting with Chef Dean’s famous hot cheesecake! This closely guarded recipe was handed down to him from the previous executive chef he worked under and after one taste you’ll understand why. The hot cheesecake is light, fluffy with some lemony tang and offers a nice contrast to your typically dense, cold cheesecake. I’m normally not a fan of cheesecake due to its density and texture but this hot cheesecake is eye-opening. And a small serving of banana pudding is wonderfully put together with a drizzle of caramel syrup and toasted coconut flakes.

Phew, that’s a lot of food and I’d have to say that my highlights were the Korean BBQ wings, oxtail poutine, and hot cheesecake! And if it all sounds mouth-watering to you, stop on by for the 41Hundred’s grand opening party on 7/25. They’ll be doing complimentary tastings of their menu and offer some beer and drink samples to the public. The 41Hundred has definitely switched things up here in North Hills. No longer a formal, special events type of destination, it’s brought a more international and casual menu to the dining room which you can enjoy with a nice beer or cocktail at the bar. So if you’re a N. Raleighite, come on by and check things out. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and your tastebuds tingled…

41Hundred at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel

Grand Opening, July 25th

4100 Main at North Hills Street

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.278.1478

Location on Google maps

July 9, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: J. Alexander’s in Raleigh for a Modern Steakhouse Dining Experience

J. Alexander's in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — J. Alexander’s in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Are you in the mood for a modern steakhouse and looking for something a bit different? If so, you might want to try out the new J Alexander’s in Raleigh behind Crabtree Valley Mall! I recently received an invite for a media visit to the new restaurant and had a great dinner here. While it has a menu that focuses on meats and seafood, there are a couple of twists in their repertoire. Here’s how my visit went down at the new J. Alexander’s in Raleigh!

Stylish bar at J. Alexander's in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Stylish bar at J. Alexander’s in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

First things first, if you’re looking for J. Alexander’s, finding it is not as easy as you would think. Your GPS will send you to the north side of Crabtree Valley Avenue (by Creedmoor) and you’ll see the restaurant but it’s located above you on a hilltop. Head towards the Edwards Mill Road stub off of Crabtree Valley Avenue, pass a new set of buildings on the left and J. Alexanders will be right in front of you on the left. It’s just not that obvious but stay focused, my foodie friend! Up front, you’ll find a large covered patio at J. Alexander’s along with a demure entrance enhanced by stonework and glass. A simple and quiet restaurant front but things pick up really quickly!

Modern dining room at J. Alexander's in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Modern dining room at J. Alexander’s in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Like most steakhouses, J. Alexander’s has an upscale bar in front and we’re brought around to a booth in the main dining room. The design here is clean and organic in rustic browns and clean blacks making for a very modern space. Tables and booths have plenty of space between them making for a more subdued dining room that works well for conversation. All around the dining room, you’ll find wood paneling and rough-hewn slats overhead giving the space a very warm and welcoming feel. While comparable to Seasons 52 around the corner in terms of price and decor, I like the interior design here a bit more at J. Alexander’s.

Deviled eggs with candied bacon at J. Alexander's in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Deviled eggs with candied bacon at J. Alexander’s in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

At the table we’re perusing the menu after ordering a beer and some wine to tide us over. J. Alexander’s does offer quite a few steakhouse classics ranging from deviled eggs, crabcakes along with salmon, steak and ribs. One interesting part of the menu is a selection of sushi rolls which gives J. Alexander’s a modern surf and turf feel. While most of the entrees are in the $20 to low $30’s range befitting an upscale steakhouse, J. Alexander’s also offers a selection of salads and sandwiches in the $10 to $15 range if you’re eating lightly. We start with some delicious deviled eggs which are heaped high with filling. What makes the deviled eggs is the candied bacon strips which provide some great contrast. Definitely get these delicious deviled eggs!

Filet mignon at J. Alexander's in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Filet mignon at J. Alexander’s in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

NY Strip and mac n cheese at J. Alexander's in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — NY Strip and mac n cheese at J. Alexander’s in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We move on to our mains which fall under the classic beef category. My tablemate goes with a filet mignon served with mashed potatoes and roasted peppers. It’s declared the best steak of the year, J. Alexander’s serves up wet-aged certified Angus beef that’s perfectly grilled and finished with a compound butter, yum! My NY Strip is thick and bears that beautiful cross-hatching that’s so pleasing to the eyes. And the mac n cheese au gratin? Really fantastic showing off the tang from some gruyere cheese and pecorino romano, highly recommend it as a side here.

We’re ready to fall asleep with all this food when we’re asked about dessert and, well ok, you’ve twisted my arm! We go with the classic molten chocolate cake served up with a dense vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Some serious dessert noms, the chocolate cake is gooey and huge. Even though we’re full we plow through this dessert and now, we’re ready to tap out. The staff here at J. Alexander’s is young but well-trained and are decked out in classic black befitting a higher end restaurant. I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised at my experience here. While it’s a bit on the upscale and pricier side, J. Alexander’s certainly delivers the goods in terms of decor, ambiance, food quality and portions along with service making for a strong dinner option in the Crabtree Valley Mall area! Once you’re able to find the place, it’s all downhill from there, enjoy!

J. Alexander’s

4600 Crabtree Valley Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27612

984.200.4493

Location on Google maps

June 11, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: Cortez Seafood + Cocktail Offering Up Fresh Flavors and Seafood to Raleigh!

While the S. Glenwood neighborhood has always been known for fun bars, lively clubs and friendly pubs, good food was always tougher to find. There are some half-decent options for dining but not as many as you would expect on this popular and busy street. So when I heard that Cortez Seafood + Cocktail was coming to S. Glenwood, I was pretty pumped! Brought to you by the Ibarra family that runs Jose and Sons along with several other Mexican restaurants in the area, Cortez would be taking over the old Helios space next to Solas. And since I live in the neighborhood, I was able to watch its build out over the months. Thankfully, I received and invite from the Ibarra family to preview Cortez Seafood as it was in its final shake-down run before its opening. And it was a great experience, here’s how it all went down!

Ambiance and interior at the Cortez Seafood + Cocktail, Raleigh

Patio at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Patio at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Heading on over to 413 S Glenwood, the first thing you’ll notice is that the patio area at Cortez Seafood has been opened up. Previously a wall of hedges to provide privacy, the lovely patio is now more visible from the street and sidewalk making for a more inviting destination and dining location. The staff at Cortez is decked out in more traditional black slacks and white shirts. I check in at the small hostess kiosk up front and head on over to the bar to wait for friends.

Bar at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Bar at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

At the bar I get a chance to scan Cortez Seafood’s menu for the evening. Given it’s a friends and family night, there are no prices and it may not be the official menu for the public opening but it should give you a good idea about their food concept. Raw oysters, seafood salads, some larger plates and sides along with a short selection of wine, beer and cocktails! So you need to be a seafood lover outside of a handful of dishes with meat.

Stylish dining room at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Stylish dining room at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Cortez Seafood seats about 70 people in the dining room and on the patio. The dining room is clean and gives a Mediterranean feel with the turquoise leather bench seating, chamfered table tops and chairs along with speckled floor. It all feels very comfortable, open and stylish, very nicely done on the interior. With about 12 seats at the bar you’ve got some good seating options depending on the weather. My hungry friends show up ( including Kristen, @gadaboutfood) and we’re seated at a 4-top and ready to eat!

Food and menu at the Cortez Seafood + Cocktail, Raleigh

Fresh NC oysters at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Fresh NC oysters at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Poached shrimp w dill at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Poached shrimp w dill at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We start off with a plate of raw NC oysters on ice served with rose mignonette and cocktail sauce. These bivalves are beautifully briny with the pure taste of the ocean. Raleigh’s been on an oyster roll of late, don’t miss these! Our next small plate is the wonderful cold, poached shrimp. These plump shrimp are paired with tzatziki and some dill making for a bright and light bite, loved this fresh starter plate of shrimp. The dill really pops out on the palate and pairs perfectly with the seafood.

Mackerel gazpacho at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Mackerel gazpacho at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Leche de tigre ceviche at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Leche de tigre ceviche at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Yellowtail poke nori at Cortez Seafood - NC Triangle Dining — Yellowtail poke nori at Cortez Seafood – NC Triangle Dining

My friend has ordered up a beautiful mackerel gazpacho that’s full of color and texture. I’ve always been impressed with Chef Oscar’s food at Jose and Sons and I think you’ll see the same great preparation and plating here at Cortez Seafood. And it will be interesting to see what he comes up with, moving into a different category and cuisine of foods! But I have full faith he will dazzle your taste-buds like he usually does. The leche de tigre consists of yellow tail in an aji sauce and mixed with corn nuts, red onion, and avocado. Very creative and a bit creamy. We finish up with a yellowtail poke nori served with crunchy seaweed crackers, yum! All of Cortez’ cold plates are nicely balanced in terms of textures and colors along with taste, of course.

Mexrib sandwich at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Mexrib sandwich at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Seared mackerel with rapini at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Seared mackerel with rapini at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Now it’s on to the warm plates! At the table we’ve got the Mexrib sandwich (rib and pork shoulder patty) served with Carolina gold barbeque sauce and chips, it looks great. My seared mackerel is soft and tender on the tongue with a bit of crispy skin on top. I haven’t eaten a lot of mackerel, it’s usually considered an oily fish but the seared fish here is delicious and plays off nicely against the bright Carolina sunshine sauce. The warm potato salad and charred rapini are huge hits mixed with a bit of salty country ham and love the rapini topped with a soft poached egg.

Warm potato salad at Cortez Seafood - NC Triangle Dining — Warm potato salad at Cortez Seafood – NC Triangle Dining

Charred rapini with country ham at Cortez Seafood - NC Triangle Dining — Charred rapini with country ham at Cortez Seafood – NC Triangle Dining

Over the course of my meal at Cortez Seafood, you’ll notice the homage and tip of the hat to local NC ingredients. Which in my mind says, fresh! And the seafood preparation cuts across a swath of cuisine categories, playing with a lot of different styles and flavors. But all quite delicious.

Creamy creme brulee at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Creamy creme brulee at Cortez Seafood in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We finish off with a dense and creamy creme brulee that’s perfect for a single person or a sharing couple. A really wonderful ending to our meal. The staff at Cortez Seafood is fairly new and working into their roles but they are well-trained and amenable. Again, I have no concerns here given my experience at many meals at Jose and Sons over the years. So a slow round of applause for the new Cortez Seafood + Cocktail! Love the concept, love the food and the great space. And while there may be a bit of menu overlap with what Vidrio is doing across the street, I think you’ll find the experience to be quite different here at this cozy little seafood eatery. Looking forward to my first visit after your official opening!

The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

413 S. Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.342.8227

Location on Google maps

May 24, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: Neomonde, Forty Years Old But Fresher than Ever

Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Out in W. Raleigh just past NC State campus you’ll find the ever-popular Neomonde! Known as a market, deli and bakery, this long-standing Raleigh institution has been feeding the area with great Mediterranean eats and breads. In business for nearly 40 years, of course you have to expect some changes over time! As the business has grown, the Saleh family who owns and runs Neomonde has grown, resulting in the expansion of Neomonde to Morrisville and also a spin-off group of restaurants as Sassool. And recently I was invited to partake in a preview and tasting of Neomonde’s new menu and learn more about what’s in store for the restaurant and their eats!

Market at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Market at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Deli counter at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Deli counter at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Inside Neomonde, the overall space seems to have been refreshed! The market area to the left seems very neat and nicely stocked while the counter order area seems a bit brighter. We’re seated in the back right corner of the dining room at Neomonde, right next to a large painting of a Lebanese village scene. We’ll find out more about this painting later! Soon enough, fellow bloggers and foodies Elliot @EatRaleigh and Heather @CandidSlice are at the table to join us for the tasting. Manager and drummer Chris Saleh welcomes us to Neomonde and offers us some vino and beer to get the meal started. He’s excited to show us what’s new at Neomonde with their expanded menu and service changes since he’s been back to manage the restaurant.

Refreshed menu at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Refreshed menu at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

One of the first things I notice is the menu. It certainly has been been upgraded and covers the expanded menu well but Neomonde also has a great glossary covering the types of food served here. Falafel, kafta, shwarma, tabouli, fatoush and more. While some Mediterranean food lovers may not need these descriptions, I’m pretty sure some people will appreciate the expanded definitions! Note that Neomonde has gone with a simpler pricing structure, no weighing needed at the cash register.

Babaghannoush and hummus plates at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Babaghannoush and hummus plates at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Back at the table, we start off with a couple of their new plates of spreads: sun-dried tomatoes hummus, jalapeno hummus and babaghannoush! I focus mostly on the hummuses (hummi?!). The sun-dried tomato is bright and sweet with a smooth texture, perfect paired with pita bread. And the jalapeno pepper while not too spicy, had enough back-end pepper flavor to make its presence known. The babaghannoush was beautiful but eluded my searching piece of pita!

Beef man'ousheh at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Beef man’ousheh at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Spinach-feta man'ousheh at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Spinach-feta man’ousheh at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Pomegranate salad at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Pomegranate salad at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We moved on to Neomonde’s flatbreads which are listed as man’ousheh. I dig into the beef man’ousheh which is ground beef, tomato and onion which is like a cheese-less pizza! Great crust and a good bite to the crust, it all feels a bit more healthy than pizza with cheese. We also dig into a spinach-feta flatbread and a unique option spiced with zaatar and veggies which looked fabulous. A beautiful pomegranate salad is also brought to the table and presents a nice contrast between the juicy red strawberries and deep greens.

Chicken, beef and kefte kebabs at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Chicken, beef and kefta kebabs at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Lentils and rice at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Lentils and rice at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Next up is a platter of Neomonde kebabs ranging from chicken to beef and kefta (beef-lamb). The kabobs sport dark grill marks but still remain tender and tasty, a bit of spicing/marinade make them all wonderfully tasty. The kebabs are paired with a lentil rice dish which makes for a fantastic plate, the charred onions on top give this simple vegetarian dish tons of flavor.

Baklava plate at Neomonde in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Baklava plate at Neomonde in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We finish off with a wonderful assortment of baklava, I’m pretty much full at this point in the meal but love a couple pieces of this honey-laced sweet, the subtle orange flavor just makes it even better. Some final pictures are taken of the happy Neomonde ending and we are finished! We get together for a group pic, say our goodbyes to Chris and his mother Betty, and thank them for all their hospitality and wonderful food.

So it was great to get back to an old Raleigh favorite. You don’t stay around in the restaurant business 40 years without doing a lot of things right and it feels like Neomonde has been refreshed and is ready to feed the area its great, healthy eats for another 40 years!

Neomonde

3817 Beryl Road

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.828.1628

Location on Google maps

February 19, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: Vidrio, a Colorful and Luxurious Take on Mediterranean Small Plates in Raleigh

Front of the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Front of the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Over on S. Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, you’ll find a plethora of bars and clubs but surprisingly, not nearly as much in the way of restaurants. So it was with great curiosity as I watched a restaurant over in the 500 block of the street get built out over the past several months. I’m in the area frequently and the one thing I knew for certain was that it was going to be fancy and upscale! Eventually I uncovered that this new restaurant on S. Glenwood would be a wine and small plates affair and part of the expanding LM Restaurant Group famous for Carolina Ale House and Taverna Agora. Construction finished up at Vidrio in January of 2016 and I was finally able to go in for a couple of visits as a media person. If you’re curious about the newest restaurant in the S. Glenwood neighborhood, here’s what to expect!

First floor bar at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — First floor bar at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

As you approach Vidrio you quickly realize that’s it’s a fairly upscale spot given the valet stand up front. S. Glenwood can be a bit tough for parking so it’s a nice touch and a hint of what’s about to come. A gurgling blue tiled pool greets you at the entrance of Vidio and inside I was met by a trio of hostesses up front. The place smells great with its wood-fired ovens and it’s bustling for a pre-opening event. I meet up with the LM marketing representative, Kat and we start to tour the space. Facing the street-side of Vidrio, you’ll find a funky, modern space full of textures and patterns. Wood rods hang over the bar along with metal caged lamps in the seating area. A great spot to see and be seen off of Glenwood Avenue.

Amazing blown glass wall at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Amazing blown glass wall at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We head into the main dining room and that’s when you get the “oh, wow!” moment. Vidrio’s amazing blown glass wall shimmers and shines with color and organic shapes in the main dining room. There are over 700 of these beautiful custom glass plates mounted on the wall. And given its name (Vidrio – Italian for glass), you shouldn’t be surprised but you won’t find anything as impressive as the dining room at Vidrio. Thick, textured ropes hang overhead in a chandelier type configuration overhead to complete the decor here! In the back you’ll also find a raised dining area, the stage, with three large projection screens and a geometric cube installation overhead, very interesting…

Stage dining room at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Stage dining room at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We then move upstairs to Vidrio’s second floor and I’m not sure what to expect here! Kat shows me through Vidrio’s private dining areas which includes a brightly colored area and more subtly decorated banquet room (white-brown) which would be great for a wedding, party or special affair. But throughout all of Vidrio, the decor is done in a colorful and tasteful style, quite unique for the area.

2nd floor at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — 2nd floor at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Private room at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Private room at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We then check out the upstairs bar and lounge which is similar to the downstairs bar but sports sensuous, bent wood above, roll-up garage doors and some extra space. Vidrio is still figuring out details for this space but it will most likely be serving small plates and 50 wines on tap (350 bottled). But it’s a great looking spot, curious to see what they end up doing here.

2nd floor bar at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — 2nd floor bar at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Lounge area at the new Vidrio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Lounge area at the new Vidrio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

And while my first visit to Vidrio was just a tour of the space, I was able to get back for a media dinner which gives me a pretty good idea of the cuisine here. It’s Mediterranean-style small plates that focuses heavily on fresh ingredients and the grill. Everything I tasted was well prepared and lightly seasoned, I’ll come back for a second visit before doing a final review of Vidrio. It’s still a bit early for them and they’re still in new restaurant shake-down mode.

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So welcome to the neighborhood and welcome to the S. Glenwood party, Vidrio! Your space and decor are unmatched in the area for dining rooms and you’ve got an ambitious menu on tap. If you’re looking for a good date spot or private party, you should definitely stop in for a visit and check out their space and menu.

Media: The 41Hundred at North Hills For Delicious Local Beers and Plates