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!

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!

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.

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!

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

Out on the newer side of North Hills you’ll find tons of construction and new businesses popping up left and right. You’ll also find the brand, spanking new Capital Grille offering up an upscale and modern steakhouse experience! I had the chance to preview this new fine-dining restaurant during their service training week and it was an impressive visit, overall. Here’s what to expect if you plan on eating at the Capital Grille.

Even though the Capital Grille has a Six Forks Road address it’s located right off of Dartmouth Road and near the entrance for the newer section of North Hills. Up front you’ll find two regal lions greeting you at the entrance and inside, the Capital Grille goes with a refreshed steakhouse feel: a bit opulent, a bit formal and definitely upscale. There’s a large wine bottle display in the entrance area, cocktail lounge to the right and staff is either dressed in classic white-black or a more formal short-waisted tan jacket and tie. The staff is on high-alert today given the service training session, I’m visiting on day 2 of their practice week.

We’re brought to our booth-table by the host and introduced to our server, Derecka who greets me by name. We’re dealing with a shorter menu today but the full menu has all the classic cuts, steak tartare, oysters, shrimp cocktail and the usual suspects with entrees in the $40 range, sides at $10+. The wine list is presented on an iPad with options by the glass, 1/2 bottle and full bottle. We go with a white wine even though we’re doing some red meat today…

I’m starting off with a lobster bisque which is fantastic! Full of flavor and a hint of sherry, it’s served with some finely diced chives and loaded with lobster meat. Definitely recommend. The shrimp cocktail is nicely presented on a bed of crushed ice for the table. As the meal continues we’re greeted by Joseph (Capital Grille’s managing partner) and Chris (manager) and so a quick thank you to both of them for the preview week invite!

Next up is our entrees and as you can guess, Capital Grille specializes in dry-aged beef! While my dining partner goes with a fork-tender filet mignon, I’m doing my favorite cut: the rib-eye. And having just eaten at NanaSteak last month, I can definitely pick up the difference in quality of beef here. My rib-eye is perfectly cooked medium and served bone-in with no sauce. It has some fat for flavor but is lean and tender with great mouth-feel, yum!  When you’re dealing with quality beef you can serve it naked and it stands out on its own, great job Capital Grille!

We’ve got a side of asparagus chosen for the table but it looks a bit plain and sad. But our attentive server Derecka has heard me bemoaning the choice and brings over a platter of brussel sprouts spiked with thick-cut bacon! Now we’re cooking with gas…  We finish off the meal with an excellent cheese-cake (with sugar crusted topping) and chocolate mousse. A perfect and lighter way to end dinner on a sweet note.

Suffice it to say that we had a great time and great dinner at the new Capital Grille opening Monday, July 11. You’ll get the classic steakhouse feel but in a much more modern setting, similar to what you might have at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. And its location in the booming North Hills area means you’ll have plenty to do before or after the meal. Given price points at the Capital Grille I suspect it will be more of a special events and business dinner type of destination which is perfectly fine given the menu, ambiance and service levels here. So welcome to the neighborhood, Capital Grille and best of luck on your opening week. Raleighites now have another great dining option at North Hills! 

The Capital Grille, North Hills

4242 Six Forks Road

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.787.3901

Location on Google maps

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