Someone wrote: : In article , Clint E. wrote: : > : The problem with 518 is that its *too* good. At 6:00 on Friday night, : there was a 45 minute wait for a table. Granted, there was a nice article : about the place in the N&O that day, but still... There were some skanky : folks in there attempting to be trendy, too. HEY! Faux-leopard skin : patterns are NOT in style, thank you very much. : : Good food and ugly people... I'll live. : : Eric : Their food is just okay. Their acoustics are awful - they need sound dampening. By and large, it's more of a scene than a restaurant. I like restaurants where the personality of the proprietor is evident. 518 feels too faux-Italy ... trying too hard to be cool. It really has no soul, just the opposite of what Italian restaurants are like. It definitely is not worth waiting an hour in a noisy din. Didn't think the wait-staff was good, either - I like them friendly, natural, and knowledgeable, but not kiss-ass or formal. Get the impression they think they work in a place where standoffish attitude is cool. I'm sure this varies, of course. Don't get me wrong - the place isn't awful. The food is average but I find the atmosphere annoying. Places I've gone lately that I think are cool: G&M French Cafe - Food was good and it's cozy - I wouldn't go there all of the time but it's a nice change of pace. Second Nature Cafe - Nice place with fresh food in Old Raleigh Village. Greek Restaurant (don't recall name) in former Bo's Cafe America spot - food was good and they didn't over-do the decor. Very reasonably priced. Vertigo Diner - Food was quite good. Can take or leave the Pulp Fiction atmosphere, but they are friendly there. Bali Hai - Despite the change of the cook after years (often affectionately referred to as "stick-boy"), it's always about the food and always good. Don't know why they bothered upgrading the interior, though. Dalat (Mission Valley) is a nice change of pace. Dalat rolls are a must have. Of course the Magnolia Grill gets a smashing recommendation.
Raleigh-Durham, NC