Wilmington Restaurant Week - 2009

Encore Magazine is running a promotion with several local restaurants to boost business this fall in the form of  Wilmington Restaurant Week. It's taking place October 21 - 28 (that's 2009, if this blog gets pulled up five years from now due to some weird search glitch). There are 28 restaurants participating. Each restaurant will offer a prix fixe menu at discounted prices. You can check out who is participating and what their days of participation and menu offerings are here.

Here is the list. If I have an opinion on the place, I'll either link it to a review, or if I haven't reviewed it, I'll give a brief rundown of my experience, for what it's worth. I'm breaking my rule a little on this - I don't normally say bad things about places, I just don't blog about them if I don't like them. But if I don't like the food at any of these, I'm going to let you know. (This time ONLY!)

The Melting Pot - New, and I haven't eaten there, but I have issues with fondue (see below).



Aubriana's - My friend Liz, whose opinion I value highly, says it's good. I will probably give them a go for this event.


Siena Trattoria - This is one of our favorite places. We love their pizza, and their pasta, while not the best I've ever had, is pretty good.


Fat Tony's Italian Pub - It's OK. It's Pub Food. I like the Copper Penny much better, but Fat Tony's downtown has a nice, laid-back vibe and a good beer selection.


Henry's - I've had lunch there a few times and drinks a couple of times. Their wine list is OK, their food is fine, but doesn't REALLY impress me. 


Ruth's Chris Steak House - I really dislike this chain, and always have. I haven't eaten at the one locally, but have had many a business meal at the others all around the country. It's fine. It's steak. But it is exhorbitantly expensive (seriously? I have to PAY for a baked potato that isn't even baked properly? It's wrapped in foil, rubbery and steamed? seriously?). You can get just as good a steak at some of the nicer restaurants in town, and they'll throw in sides that are much more imaginative than steamed broccoli and a day-old rubber potato as part of the meal!


Eddie Romanelli's - WILMINGTON - I know I am going to tick off a lot of Eddie Romanelli fans, but they do a booming business without my endorsement. I honestly do not think their food is very good. I've eaten there a few times at the behest of others, and have never had anything I liked. It's pretty standard tomato based Italian fare without much flavor. (Sorry! Someone's going to whack me for that.)


Eddie Romanelli's - LELAND - Haven't been to this one, but figure it's going to be about the same as the one here in Wilmington.


Hell's Kitchen - Hell's Bells! Why haven't I blogged about Hell's Kitchen! I need to remedy that. They are good pub food. Basic, standard stuff, but good. It's definitely a dive, but funky and fun, and I like eating there occasionally.


East (inside Blockade Runner) - Well, here's one I don't even know about. I'll have to check it.


Caffe Phoenix - I need to give Caffe Phoenix another try. We have a story similar to everyone else who has lived here as long or longer than we have: When we first moved here, Caffe Phoenix was one of our favorite restaurants. (I don't know how many people I know have said that - lots.) Then it got sold, and kind of went to pot. Then it started physically falling apart (the building was not maintained). Then there was some drama and scandal about the people who bought it. Something about not paying a bunch of people and leaving. I don't know - rumors. Then it closed for a while and was renovated. Then it reopened and I had lunch there and it was OK but not great, and I didn't go back. We need to try them for dinner and just see what's going on.


South Beach Grill - Best place on the beach, in my opinion. Even if it's on the sound side.


Riverboat Landing - I had lunch there once and had some of the best quiche I've ever had. I'm really not sure why I haven't been back. We should go for dinner and check it out.


Wrightsville Grille - I don't have a good bead on this place. I haven't heard anything about it, good, bad or indifferent. I should give them a try.


Deluxe - It used to be my favorite restaurant. But lately they've seen a shuffle. Keith Rhodes, who was the chef, left very recently, and we haven't been in a while. The food the past few times we went (before he left) was inconsistent and in some cases, disappointing, which is why I haven't blogged about it. I'm curious to see what happens now that Keith has moved on and they figure out what direction they're going to take.


Buoy 32 Bistro - We ate there and were not impressed. My husband's meal was so-so, and mine was really almost bad. The chef was screaming at the staff the night we were there, the food came out at an unbelievably slow pace, and there were only four other people there. I suppose it could have been a bad night, and I'll cut them some slack, because others have said they love the food, but I'm still not going back.


Hieronymus Seafood - Another Wilmington favorite that we aren't partial to. It's right down the road from us, but it's just not the kind of food we really enjoy. It's seafood, but kind of boring preparation mostly.


Islands Fresh Mex Grille - Don't know this one. Will have to check it out.


Nikki's Fresh Gourmet and Sushi - Nikki's is one of our standbys. We love the sushi, and they have a good wine and beer list.


Oceanic - OK. Close your ears, people. I'm going to be not very nice here. Oceanic food is TERRIBLE! I mean it! It's awful! Now, this is not about to hurt their business. They're the only place at Wrightsville with a beach view, and they apparently know it. I always cringe when I hear the old guy at the airport who greets tourists telling everyone to go eat there. I don't know if he's getting a kickback or what, but if you're a tourist, do NOT waste your money going there! Everything is battered and fried and I swear came out of a frozen Sysco box. If you want to eat at Wrightsville, eat at South Beach Grille. (See above).


Nikki's Hibachi Steak House - Oh, it's fun, but I like their sushi better.


Bluewater - Bluewater is all right. It's got a lovely view, and above average food. Nothing there knocked my socks off, but you can have an enjoyable meal there for prices that won't make you think you've lost your mind when you leave.


Sticky Fingers - My husband is from Memphis. I am from about an hour away from Memphis. Trust me when I say that is NOT Memphis barbecue. It is too sweet for starters. But that said, I like it better than NC 'cue. (Hey, give me a break. I'm not FROM here. We don't cook meat, toss vinegar on it and call it barbecue where I'm from.)


Caprice Bistro - I love Caprice. They have everything going for them. Excellent food, great ambiance, professional wait staff - you can't go wrong here.


Priddy Boys - Don't know them. Will have to check them out.


Yo Sake - Haven't been there. Have heard mixed reviews from friends.


Cape Fear Seafood Company - I've heard very good word-of-mouth on this place and it's on my list to try. Maybe I'll hit them during the restaurant week.


Little Dipper - OK. Here's the thing. For some reason, fondue is popular again. Now, truly, I love the melted cheese part. That's fine. And it's pretty good at Little Dipper. But the meats? I'm sorry. When someone brings me my dinner, I have to cook it, and the sauces they give me are just mediocre, why am I paying as much as if a chef prepared said meat and provided me a delicious, original, imaginative meal WITH sides? You don't know either? Huh. Maybe I don't "get" fondue. But the couple of times I've eaten there, I've left with an empty wallet, (it's expen$$ive), a mostly empty belly, and an empty feeling like I just paid a lot for a meal that wasn't very satisfying.
 
So there's my personal take on the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. I hope they really do well, though, and get a lot of folks out to discover new places they haven't tried. Wilmington really does have a lot of good locally owned eateries.