A few tidbits on Raleigh

Not many highlights here, but I have provided some resaraunt reviews for people traveling through here.

Quick Tips:

Traffic is terrible on I40 between Raleigh and Durham during rush hour. Stay off the road from 6-9 am and 4-6 pm!

Best Way To Get Around:

Public transporation is not very good. Your best bet is a car.

The Angus Barn is an upscale steakhouse, with prices to match. But...service is absolutely impeccable, and the food is perfect.

As you can discern from the name, their specialty is beef, and they do it VERY well. I have never been disappointed with my meal, and have NEVER had to send something back to be cooked the way I like it (and I'm fussy about my steaks).

If you are interested, they also have an excellent wine menu to complement your meal. Deserts are also wonderful, if you can manage to save enough room for them.

Although this is a busy place, the service is always great (they have plenty of wait staff.) They are attentive without being overbearing, and will do anything to please you.

The atmosphere is not stuffy, but relaxed and friendly. A great place for a business dinner, and also for a special romantic meal with your sweetie.

If price is important to you, don't eat here, but if you are looking for a perfect dining experience, this is the place. One of the few restaraunts that I would give a 5 star rating EVERY time I've been there. Visit their website for more information at www.angusbarn.com

Ruth's Chris has a great reputation for great food and great service. My experience here was the food was very good, and the service was attentive, but not great.

As part of a small nationwide chain that built a reputation of greatness, this particular location fell short on the day I visited.

The service was good, but not very attentive, and the steaks were good, but not as good as they should have been for the price paid.

Overall, if you are looking for a great steak house in the Raleigh area, this might be 3rd or 4th best. (See my review on the Angus Barn for the best steak house in Raleigh)

If you've ever been to a Ryan's, this will not be a very revealing review. It is your typical steakhouse/buffet style restaraunt. Part of a national chain, you will find the same salad/hot/desert bar you find at every other Ryan's.

Somehow, this one does seem to be slightly better than others with respect to food quality, but who goes to a buffet to get good food? The name of this game is quantity. With the huge variety of food available, you are certain to find something that you'll be happy to gorge yourself on.

Hungry people, come on down. If you want atmosphere, or service, or fantastic food, go elsewhere. This is strictly an "all you can stand to stuff in your face" kind of place.