Wilmington Restaurant Week Fall 2010

Here are my takes on the restaurants participating in the Fall 2010 Restaurant Week here in Wilmington. I have not been to all of them. I'll link to a post if I have one. This is one of the only times you'll see anything negative about a restaurant I've visited, if I do have something not nice to say. I mostly want to present the positive our city has to offer, but if anyone is interested, here is my experience with the participants. I know not everyone is going to agree with me. If you have a constructive comment to offer about your experience at any of these restaurants, please feel free to share!

Downtown:
Aubriana's
Solidly good food, great ambience, great bar. It's American upscale food - nothing cutting edge, but still very good. Definitely give them a go.

Caprice Bistro
French. And well done French. Thierry knows what he's doing in a kitchen.

Mixto
Excellent Latin American. You must go. I love this place. Oh, the rum drink I had there last weekend was SO good.

Yo Sake
Sorry, but I haven't been to this one. I hear it's pretty good.

The Little Dipper
Ohhh, when I gave my last take on it for restaurant week, I got a very ugly comment that had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with my person. Sorry, but what I said still stands. I do not dig The Little Dipper. I think it's overpriced for food you basically have to cook yourself and the sauces are nothing special. If you like paying the price of a fully prepared chef meal for raw meat and some mediocre dipping sauces, go right ahead. I do not "get" fondue. And if you want to call me names, knock yourself out.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Not to be ungenerous, but it's a chain. I've eaten there plenty for business in many different locations. They make a pretty good steak, but it's the same here as it is in Atlanta as it is in every other place I've ever visited. There are locally owned places that do a steak just as well.

Basics
Love this place. Need to get back for lunch soon and have a BLT.

Press 102
I've heard great things about them from fellow food lovers, but haven't made it there yet.

The Eat Spot
I like Eat Spot a lot. I've been several times and have always had consistently good food. That said, I have heard from a number of people I trust that sometimes it can be hit or miss and there have been a few not-so-great meals there. But I would expect that for Restaurant Week, they'll perform just fine.

Crow Hill
I love Crow Hill. I have not been since last week, when the chefs quit. However, the concept of the place is excellent, and frankly, I think it's pretty crummy for the entire kitchen staff to walk at once. I will continue to support them and hope that the food is as good as it was originally.

Midtown

Nicola's
I went once when they first opened and really wasn't very impressed. I'm sorry.

Priddyboys
Haven't heard anything about them and haven't been. You'll have to let me know!

Hieronymus
This place is down Market from us and I've eaten there a couple of times, but have never liked it very much. It's a standard seafood joint.

Henry's
Lunches are good enough. Never been there for dinner.

Saltworks II
Saltworks recently had a major makeover so their menu and food have apparently changed. Honestly, the couple of times I've eaten there, it's just been another greasy spoon - a lot of canned side dishes and nothing noteworthy. But I do want to give them another visit since they've done some revamping.

Jamaica's Comfort Zone
I love this place and need to get back there. Please do give them a try. Original, inventive, and solidly good food.

Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn
This is just a mainstay in Wilmington, and if you haven't been, you should. I never eat there - we always grab burritos on the run when we're headed to the beach or out for a sail. They've got some creative combos and the food is good. Their chips are pretty greasy, though, so I skip those.

Buffalo Wild Wings
Guys, I'm sorry. I'm just not a wings fan.

Flat Eddies
I haven't been there since they were Eddie Romanelli's and redid their menu. But from my food friends, I have not heard great things.

Wilmington North

The Melting Pot
Isn't this a chain? I'm pretty sure it is. Anyway, you know how I feel about fondue by now.

Catch
I have had some dissenting opinions about Catch, but I stand by my original take on it. I think Keith Rhodes is one of the best chefs in town, and I love his place.

Kornerstone
I haven't ever been, but I have heard good things about their pizza.

Port City Chop House
Another chain. I feel the same way about them as I do Ruth's Chris. They're good, but it's hard to mess up a steak. You can do better at a local non-chain restaurant, really.

Wrightsville Beach

South Beach Grill
I've always loved them. The owner is great, the chef is excellent, and it's a great place to go. If you haven't visited them yet, do yourself a favor and give them a try.

Verandah Cafe at Holiday Inn
Sorry, didn't even know about this place. Someone let me know if I should try them out.

East at the Blockade Runner
I keep meaning to get out there and keep forgetting. Maybe I'll scoot there this week and try them.

Wilmington South

Siena Tratorria
You can get a good glass of wine and a good dinner here. I like them, and we've eaten there quite a bit since a lot of our friends have desserted us and Midtown for greener and more Southerly pastures.

Cape Fear Seafood Company
I have heard great things about this place, and to my shame, still have not made it. Maybe this will be the week.

Eddie Romanelli's
I don't know anything about this new location. The one that was here in Wilmington was not very good. But hey, maybe they're doing better out there.

Pine Valley Market
I have several friends who live in that area of town and love, love, love Pine Valley Market. I should get out there and try them. Given what I've heard, you should, too.

Flaming Amy's Bowl
I've had lunch here a few times and it's good. I like the options and it's fun to create your own dish from what they have available. I love that they have buckwheat noodles.

Buffalo Wild Wings
See above.

Fish Bites
I am very sorry, but truly I had a terrible meal there, which is why there isn't a blog entry for it. Oh, it was just... not good.

Carolina Beach

Blackhorn Bar and Kitchen
I haven't been to this place. Someone let me know!