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February 19, 2020 by Ron Wen

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Raleigh – A Taste of New England Seafood in North Carolina

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a former, native New Englander, I can take my lobster rolls pretty seriously. And I certainly took them for granted when I lived up north. After living in San Francisco and then North Carolina over the past 20+ years, I came to realize that they were pretty much a regional delicacy given I rarely saw them served elsewhere. But time changes everything, thankfully! With Cousins Maine Lobster first opening up a food truck and then a stall at the Morgan Street Food Hall, some of my cravings were satiated. And now add one more lobster specialist to the mix, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls!

Order counter at Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in the older area of North Hills near the Renaissance Hotel, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls (MFLR) sits in a narrow little space on a corner of a building. Lots of plate glass windows and sidewalk seating, it’s all counter order and pretty basic here! And the menu is pretty basic too, offering up a handful of classic New England seafood items: NE and CT lobster rolls (lobster dressed in either mayo or butter), bisque, chowder along with a handful of other sandwiches. Lobster rolls are offered in two sizes, the regular ($16) and Bar Harbor (meat of full lobster, $20). The lobster is flown in twice a week from Maine to make sure it’s as fresh as can be!

CT-style lobster roll at Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
CT-style lobster roll at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Dipping a lobster cheese sandwich into bisque at Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dipping a lobster cheese sandwich into bisque at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of two visits I’ve had a chance to try the loaded Bar Harbor lobster roll, Connecticut-style, lobster bisque and lobster cheese sandwich. The CT style lobster is luscious, rich lobster covered in clarified butter on a toasted side-split hot dog bun. It’s a classic take on a lobster roll and worth the calories! The warm buttery, bun plays off nicely against the lobster. Highly recommend their ooey, gooey cheese sandwich stuffed with lobster pieces and dipping it into some lovely lobster bisque. You can even order lobster on top of your bisque for some extra flava!

Decor at Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Decor at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Service at Mason’s has been decent but given the counter service, it’s not that complicated. All in all I do like Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls and their seafood here. The lobster here is certainly pretty fresh and what they’re doing is right on par with what you might find up in New England. But let’s face it, the small menu means you really have to be craving lobster to come here. And with a concept similar to Cousins Maine Lobster, you’ve now got another good option to get your lobby on!

 

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls

4121 Main at North Hills Street, Suite 100

Raleigh, NC 27609

984.200.1845

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: North Hills Restaurants, Seafood Restaurants

December 1, 2019 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Best Restaurants, Food and Dining at North Hills in Raleigh

North Hills logo from business website- NC Triangle Dining
North Hills logo from business website- NC Triangle Dining

When you talk about shopping centers in Raleigh, several immediately come to mind: Crabtree Valley Mall, Brier Creek, Cameron Village and more. But probably one of THE most popular shopping areas is North Hills. With an interesting assortment of high-end shopping, restaurants and more, this growing area has evolved quite a bit when it comes to dining. And all in a good way! Located conveniently in Midtown Raleigh right off of I-440, this bustling district keeps on growing with more and more apartments and office space. Updates on the original side of North Hills along with the newer section on Park at North Hills by the Harris Teeter has brought some great dining options to the area!

To start with, there are two main areas at North Hills: the older section west of Six Forks Road and the newer development east of Six Forks. Not surprisingly, you’ll have a different feel in each area. While the older more established part of North Hills has a traditional, ITB (Inside the Beltline) Raleigh feel, the newer side feels a bit younger and has a more non-traditional crowd. The new area also is more of a mixed use space pairing the shopping plaza with apartments and office space.

Front of Coquette in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Coquette in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

First up is Coquette, a French cafe and restaurant from the Urban Food Group. This classic brasserie sports some nice Continental touches such as a long polished wood bar with brass step rail along with the white and black tiled floors. Staff is decked out in traditional white shirts and black pants to complete the Euro-centric ambiance.

Bar area at Coquette in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Bar area at Coquette in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Steak frites at Coquette in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Steak frites at Coquette in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Coquette’s smallish lunch menu of classics include croque madame, crepes, salads and sandwiches. I recently stopped in and did a very nice steak frites with brandy peppercorn sauce that totally hit the spot. Service at Coquette is excellent and about right for its slightly higher price point. But beware, the place is popular so if you need a seat in the dining room at prime hours, call ahead. Or dine casually at the bar if you’ve got some flexibility.

Front of Midtown Grille in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Midtown Grille in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Midtown Grille in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Midtown Grille in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Moving across Lassiter Mill Road you’ll find the recently refreshed Midtown Grille. I always knew it as a tony and mature restaurant that focused on classic American eats but new chef John Childers has switched things up a bit. A recent beer dinner that I attended at Midtown Grille shows the same focus on classic American and Southern but with a more gourmet twist.

Chicken confit at Midtown Grille in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Chicken confit at Midtown Grille in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

During my dinner I was able to sample a variety of plates including a fantastic chicken confit with apricot glaze and seared broccoli. Midtown Grille also served up a wonderfully soft sweet potato with pork belly which was presented beautifully on some rock salt. Service at Midtown Grill is fantastic and they’ve got a great wine list to boot so if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale at North Hills, Midtown Grille will do it for you.

Interior at Cowfish Sushi in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Cowfish Sushi in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Moving across Six Forks Road you’ll find the newer side of North Hills. Complete with a Harris Teeter and Kings Bowl, it definitely has a more modern feel to the place. You’ll also find North Hills favorite Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar restaurant which specializes in both sushi and gourmet burgers. A favorite with families, as soon as you step in you’ll notice the kitschy decor and amazing cylindrical aquarium. If your kids aren’t mesmerized by that bad-boy, I’m at a loss!

Sushi bar at Cowfish Sushi in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Sushi bar at Cowfish Sushi in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Brento box at Cowfish Sushi in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Brento box at Cowfish Sushi in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Cowfish can keep nearly anyone pleased given its gargantuan menu. From eclectic and interesting sushi rolls to gigantic 1/2 lb. burgers, you’ve got a ridiculous amount of eating options. I typically go for the Brento box which includes a mini-burger, sushi roll of your choice along with edamame, spicy cucumber slices, and fries. Service at Cowfish is professional and prompt, you should be able to get out quickly here but need to work through potential waits on the front end.

Dining room at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Another dining option in the newest section of North Hills is the Tex-Mex eatery, Chuy’s! Based out of Austin, Texas you’ll find all your Mexican favorites but with a bent towards the spicy green hatch chile. Chuy’s has a very vibrant and kitschy decor full of colors and sass. They have a great patio in back that I have yet to try but it looks great! And if you’re here during happy hour (Mon to Fri), don’t miss out on their complimentary nacho car full of chips, cheese, spicy beef and more.

Nacho car at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Nacho car at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Smothered enchiladas at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Smothered enchiladas at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The Chuy’s menu sticks to the basics: tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, For mains, I’ve tried out their enchiladas and burritos, it’s all been solid if not amazing. Tortillas are made fresh, onsite and everything else on the Chuy’s menu is from scratch! While it may not be the best Tex-Mex in the area, it’s decent and reasonably priced for the hood.

Patio at Yard House in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Patio at Yard House in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Happy hour snacks at Yard House in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Happy hour snacks at Yard House in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

And finally, Yard House! A modern brewpub hailing out of California, the Yard House offers up a slew of fresh beers on tap along with a very eclectic menu. Choose from Asian, Mexican, American plates, sandwiches and entrees amongst the very large menu. Like Cowfish Sushi which is right next door, it’s hard to imagine someone coming here and NOT being able to find something to eat.

Kung pao calamari at Yard House in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Kung pao calamari at Yard House in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Inside Yard House you’ve got a monochromatic, dark and grey feel to the space. Modern and a bit austere, with a hit of hipness. Staff here is well-trained but it does have a national chain-like feel to it all. My most recent visit was for their happy hour special (Mon to Fri, 3 – 6pm) and we ordered up a slew of plates out on their patio. The highlights for me were the spinach-artichoke dip which comes with crispy and large fried tortilla chips along with some excellent onion rings and kung pao calamari. While the food at the Yard House won’t blow you away, it’s a bit different and a good dining experience overall.

 

Rosewater Kitchen and Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Rosewater Kitchen and Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Shrimp in phyllo at Rosewater Kitchen and Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Shrimp in phyllo at Rosewater Kitchen and Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The newest restaurant at North Hills is the lovely Rosewater Kitchen and Bar brought to you by Giorgio’s group. This lovely restaurant has a uniquely continental-brasserie feel to the space with tiled floor and a greenhouse like dining room. Roast meats, tartines and more for lunch, brunch and dinner covers everything you need. Given the interior can get a bit loud, dining outside of prime time hours is a smart choice.

From wikipedia
From wikipedia

So there you go North Hills lover! Whether you’re in the area for bowling, a movie or some shopping, I’m sure you’ll need some delicious eats to fuel your way through the day. And here are seven solid choices to keep you happy and humming along with quite a few others outside of these suggestions. Whether you’re hungry for Japanese, French, Sushi, Tex-Mex or American, North Hills has got you covered in delicious style…

 

Best Restaurants and Dining at North Hills, Raleigh

bartaco (Tacos)

CO (Asian Fusion)

Coquette (French)

Five Guys Burgers and Fries (American)

Midtown Grille (Southern, American)

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar (Sushi, American)

Chuys (Tex-Mex)

Rosewater Kitchen + Bar (Continental)

Vita Vite (Wine)

Yard House (American, Eclectic)

 

North Hills- Restaurants and Dining

4321 Lassiter at North Hills Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.833.5263

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Overviews, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Best, North Hills Restaurants

April 8, 2018 by Ron Wen

Media: Fantastic Asian-Fusion Fare and Decor at the new CO in Raleigh!

Front of CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the past several years, while downtown Raleigh has grown dramatically, so have other popular areas within the city limits. North Hills is a perfect example of what’s come about in the Triangle. The addition of the new North Hills East area has brought about a slew of fun restaurants like Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Chuy’s, Capital Grille and more. The newest restaurant on the block is the new CO Restaurant located at the base of the AC Hotel! A smaller chain of restaurants with eight locations in the Southeast, CO Raleigh opened on March 17 and I was able to get in for a media lunch and visit. And while the glam decor may immediately catch the eye, I was so happy to find that its food exceeded my expectations…

Bar at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bar at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

From the outside, CO throws off a super modern and chic face to the street. Both the front and side of the restaurant front is lined by large glass windows and highlighted by some bright red signage above. And once you get inside, that theme of gray, black and red continues. The dining room is quite modern with a large bar and funky sitting area to the right, main dining room and side dining room to the left. Seating is primarily in red and black leather with some neon lighting to the side. The whole space feels a bit clubby and fits in quite well with the ambiance created by the AC Hotel it’s located in.

Dining room at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For our media visit, we’re pretty much given the entire menu to choose from which is a wonderful luxury. What’s interesting is that CO has the same menu for lunch or dinner with entrees in the $10 to $15 range, very affordable! Choose from dumplings, banh mi, noodles, rice, along with poke bowls and a handful of desserts. There’s also a nice selection of appetizers which are discounted for CO’s happy hour, 4 to 7pm from Monday to Friday. (Note: I came back in a week after my first media visit and paid out of pocket, this post covers both visits.)

Pork belly buns at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pork belly buns at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Malaysian chili wings at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Malaysian chili wings at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For the small plates, I managed to try both the pork belly buns and Malaysian chili wings. The pork belly buns were spot-on, nicely steamed and showing off some unctuous belly paired against crisp cucumber and shredded carrots. A delicious start and things only got better with the wings! CO’s Malaysian wings are sticky-good, perfectly tender and tasty. At five to a plate, it makes an excellent starter for two people but you may be fighting over that 5th wing!

Vietnamese fried rice (com chien) at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Vietnamese fried rice (com chien) at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

And now on to CO’s entrees which are fantastic! CO has managed to serve up Asian cuisine that’s been fancied up a bit but stays true to its roots. The delicious com chien (Vietnamese fried rice) is a heaping portion of fried rice packed with edamame, chicken and sausage. Adding the optional fried egg on top makes it a wonderful meal, there is a lot of food here. I also tried the Hanoi noodles with curry. This fragrant dish is loaded with zucchini, onion, shrimp, sausage and is again, super filling and tasty. I love how that even with the upscale environs, CO keeps the food real and plentiful for diners…

Hanoi noodles at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Hanoi noodles at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Chicken hibachi at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chicken hibachi at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

My tablemate’s chicken hibachi also looks wonderful, served with black sesame seeds and a wonton on top with two sauces on the side. All of CO’s dishes are colorful and well presented, making them pleasing to the eye and stomach. And I ended up bringing home leftovers from both visits. I’m looking forward to future meals and working through the banh mi and small plates menu!

Strawberry spring rolls at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Strawberry spring rolls at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Crispy cheesecake wontons at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Crispy cheesecake wontons at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Even with all that food, we are totally tempted by dessert and CO has four options, all at $5 (very reasonable). A big thumbs-up for the crispy cheesecake wontons and strawberry spring rolls, two plays on traditional dishes. The strawberry spring rolls are served with a nutella dipping sauce, wonderful! And the perfectly fried wontons are beautiful crimped brown purses filled with creamy, lemon cheesecake. Slide them into the cream sauce and you’ve got some yum on your fork…

Lounge area at CO in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Lounge area at CO in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of my two meals at CO Raleigh I’ve been impressed with the service here. While the staff seems a bit new, they are well-trained and friendly. So I can honestly say I was very pleasantly surprised at both my CO Raleigh meals. I had expectations given the location and decor that the menu would be a bit over-priced, that’s been my usual experience at North Hills. BUT CO is anything but, offering spun-up, gourmet Asian cuisine with great presentation and taste without breaking the bank. And it all stays true to the food’s roots which is a nice change of pace to me. So thanks so much CO for doing so many things right! So happy to have you in the city and can’t wait to get back for visit #3..

CO Raleigh

101 Park at N Hills Street

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.258.2070

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Media, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Asian Restaurants, Noodles, North Hills Restaurants

September 11, 2015 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Chuy’s North Hills Brings the Spiciness and Tex-Mex to Raleigh!

Southwestern style building for Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Southwestern style building for Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Based out of Austin, TX, Chuy’s is a popular Tex-Mex chain that’s known for its bright decor and spicy food! I’m typically not a fan of chains and prefer small mom-and-pop ethnic joints so I was a bit wary about dining here after it opened in November of 2013.  With three restaurants in North Carolina, Chuy’s Raleigh is located in the North Hills area so it was finally time for a quick meal and visit.

Bright and casual dining room at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Bright and casual dining room at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

From the outside, Chuy’s is a large, brick presence in North Hills. Bright, neon signage, painted benches out front, it’s got an immediate Southwestern feel to the place.  Oddly, there aren’t many exterior windows to the place. Stepping inside, the regional theme continues. Brightly colored and painted interior, tons of multi-hued decor with themed rooms! The bar area is littered with painted fish on the ceiling and dog-centric kitsch.

Painted ceiling fish at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Painted ceiling fish at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

What initially caught my attention about Chuy’s is their happy hour special, a nacho car! From 4 – 7 pm Monday to Friday, they offer free nacho chips and sides. Chuy’s chips are super thin and crispy and served with queso, crushed tomato, seasoned ground beef and refried beans. And yes, you could make a small meal out of the complimentary nacho car.

Free happy hour nacho car at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Free happy hour nacho car at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The bartender at Chuy’s greets me cheerfully, I grab a Negra Modelo while I wait for my friend and contemplate chips and queso. Chuy’s menu is pretty tight with a mix of burritos, tacos and enchiladas, the usual Tex-Mex offerings. Entrees are mostly under $12 which is pretty reasonable.  What makes the food at Chuy’s a bit different is the emphasis on New Mexico hatch chiles which tinges the menu. I order up the chicka-chicka boom-boom enchiladas with beans and rice.

Chicka-chicka boom-boom enchilada at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Chicka-chicka boom-boom enchilada at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

But first a quick trip to the nacho car for a starter of loaded chips, yum! It takes 10 – 15 minutes for my main meal. I get a plate of two rolled and stuffed, chicken enchiladas covered in a creamy cheese, pepper and cilantro sauce. Some nice Mexican rice along with beans fill out the plate. And it’s a solid meal, plenty of food but not quite as much food as I expected based upon online reviews I had seen for Chuy’s! Spiciness for the enchiladas was a solid medium, so nice job there.

Queso fundido at Chuy's in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Queso fundido at Chuy’s in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Service at the bar was very attentive and personable, they definitely train their staff well at Chuy’s and take pride in their service. Looking around the room it was filled with happy North Hills peeps enjoying their eats and nachos in the colorful space. And overall I was impressed by Chuy’s even though I didn’t expect that much. Their Tex-Mex is above-average and once you tie in the colorful decor, great space and even a large patio out back, you feel like you’re getting a deal in this casual eatery! So come on out to North Hills and check out Chuy’s. I can tell you for certain it’s nacho typical Tex-Mex eatery…

 

Chuy’s Raleigh

4020 Market at North Hills Street

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.571.2489

Chuy’s menu

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Mexican Restaurants, North Hills Restaurants

October 17, 2013 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

First Take: Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar for Satisfying and Diverse Fare…

Front of Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Now I like to think that I’m pretty picky about where I eat and when I heard that the uber-popular Cowfish Sushi was coming to Raleigh, I wasn’t sure what to really think.  I’m not a fan of mixed ethnic eateries because I think they cater to the lowest common denominator, choosing a broad menu over a great meal and experience.  Japanese-Korean, Thai-Japanese, whatever, I sorta scrunch up my nose at that concept.  And with Cowfish Sushi trying to fuse the all-American burger with Japanese sushi?  I’ll have to say I was far from convinced.  There’s a saying that when you try to please everybody, you please nobody which was in the back of my head.  Add in that my first attempt to eat at Cowfish Sushi resulted in a 90 minute wait on a Saturday at 5:10 pm and it meant they had an uphill climb.  I only had to wait 40 minutes for Cochon in New Orleans which is a nationally renown restaurant so yeah, I was scratching my head.  Long set-up here, but I finally made it into Cowfish on a Sunday evening at 8:30pm and here’s how it all went down!

Cool fishtank at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

A group of 10 of us strolled in a bit after 8pm on a Sunday evening and it was pretty empty, a shocker to me!  We got seated quickly in their covered patio area which was fine on a temperate evening.  First thing you’ll notice about the Cowfish interior is the modern black and crimson red decor.  Sharp and striking, the centerpiece fish tank is really impressive along with all the faux Japanese prints and decor poking fun at the cows and Japanese pop culture. Definitely a place where your kids will be kept entertained and amused at the dinner table.  We had one young server covering our table of ten and she seemed very well-trained, they must do a serious volume business here.  Unfortunately we don’t do apps given some earlier snacks at Sparians but just be warned that the Cowfish menu is very long and deep with tons of options for starters.  I go with the Brento box which is a mini-burger, four pieces of a specialty roll along with some sides.  The crowd here at Cowfish was mostly young professionals, no surprise for this neighborhood and I’d have to guess that earlier in the evening it’s more of a mix of families.

Interior at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Before the entrees come out we get a surprise from the manager who brings over several complimentary sushi plates for the table.  I’d have to guess he realized we were a table full of Yelp reviewers which sometimes happens.  As the entrees start coming out, it’s visually impressive. Big plates full of food and interesting presentation makes for a spectacle.  My brento box comes with some steamed edamame, sweet potato fries and spicy cucumber slices along with the sushi and mini Texas Longhorn burger.  I start with the sides, the edamame is decent but lacks a bit of salt, the cucumber slices are nicely done with some spiciness but the stand-out side is the sweet potato fries!  Crisp exterior, sweet interior with just the right sprinkling of kosher salt, yum!  My burger with cheddar, BBQ sauce and onion strings is decent and comes on top of a sweet bun (I think  Hawaiian sweet roll).  Nicely grilled with some meaty heft for a burger.  My firecracker roll was stuffed with tempura and topped with yellow tail/salmon.  Thick pieces that held up fine, the ponzu sauce it was served with was pretty salty unfortunately…

Bento box at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Bento box at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
WOOOOO–shi BuffalOOOOO–shi Roll at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
WOOOOO–shi BuffalOOOOO–shi Roll at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Service through the meal was team-based and spotty from time to time, even though the staff is eager to please and responsive.  I’ll chalk that one up to the party size!  And we all left full and happy, not a bad deal for my $17 bento box!  So what’s the final call? In the end, I’m still not a big fan of these mixed-concept type restaurants.  They’re really designed for a suburban diner who wants quantity and distractions versus a more sophisticated and subdued meal.  BUT if I did have kids, sure I’d come to Cowfish Sushi and Burger to enjoy their quirky decor and large portions.  Most of the flavors and presentation of our meal were on point if not authentic and the staff was definitely trying hard.  So while Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar may not be my favorite type of place, there’s a high likelihood you’ll still like it!  Let’s just call it the Cheesecake Factory done Japanese style.  Which is totally ok from time to time as long as I don’t have to wait 90 minutes.  So best of luck to you, Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar!  I’m pretty sure you’re going to do great in Raleigh…

 

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

4208 Six Forks Road, Ste 100

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.784.0400

 

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar menu

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Burgers, Family Friendly Restaurants, North Hills Restaurants, Sushi

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