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The Loop Pizza Grill Review

eat2winraleigh — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:51:31 +0000

The Loop is located in Cary off Kildaire Farm road in the Kildaire Plaza shopping center and in Chapel Hill off Franklin street in the East Gate shopping center.

The New Yorker – Great variety of salads. Great portions. I didn’t like the chicken noodle soup at all–nothing special, tasted like it was out of a can.

The Raleigh-ite – Good casual place to go for a good salad and a decent sandwich. I like The Loop for dinner when I want to eat lighter. I like the Gorgonzola walnut salad, but it is kind of strange to me that it has sun dried tomatoes in it. The next time I order it, I’m going to ask for it without them, I think the fresh tomatoes taste better. The tomato soup is delicious; it’s very thick.

Do over? Will eat at the Loop again to try more of the menu. Want to try the pizza.

10/2/2009- We ate here for lunch and ordered: 1 Gorgonzola walnut salad, 1 Crispy Chicken salad, 1 Cup Tomato Bisque, 1 Cup Homestyle Chicken Noodle soup, 2 drinks. Total: $28.76

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Bella Italia Restaurant Review

eat2winraleigh — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:22:01 +0000

Bella Italia is located in a shopping center near the intersection of Falls of the Neuse and Durant road in North Raleigh, close to Wake Forest.

The New Yorker- I ordered the Chicken Parmesan. The chicken was tender but I didn’t like the red sauce. Good hot bread served before the meal. Mediocre salads come with the meal. The Pasta Fagioli soup was loose and liquidy. The pizza looked and smelled good but we didn’t get a chance to try it.

The Raleigh-ite- I ordered the Italian Wedding soup and the Chicken Saltimbocca. I really enjoyed the soup; it had 3 medium sized meatballs and great flavor. The pasta and the sauce on the Chicken Saltimbocca was good, the sauce was a thin, light, lemon sauce. The chicken with proscuitto tasted rubbery and kinda bland. The green beans on the side tasted like they had been frozen.

Do over? Bella Italia is a 20 minute drive for us, and we won’t be doing the drive again just to eat at this Italian restaurant. If we are in the area, we could be tempted to stop by and try the pizza.

9/07/09- We ordered 1 diet pepsi, 1bowl Italian Wedding soup, 1 bowl Pasta e FaFagioli, 1 Chicken Parmesan, 1 Chicken Saltimbocca. Total: $44.53

Bella Italia Chicken Parmesean

Bella Italia Chicken Saltimbocca

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State Farmers Market Restaurant Review

eat2winraleigh — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:02:51 +0000

State Farmers Market Restaurant is located off Lake Wheeler road in Raleigh near North Carolina State University campus. Its a free-standing building across from Farmers Market.

The New Yorker- BEST breakfast in town (so far). Great atmosphere. Great service. We put our name on the list for a table (there were lots of people waiting), but ended up sitting at the counter after only about 10 minutes. Waiter, Todd, very friendly and helpful. Very fast order, hot delicious biscuits to start. I ordered Cousin Syd’s big boy omelette; it was reschmickulous (absolutely ridiculous). Well cooked–perfect. Ordered 1 pancake to try–it was great just as I suspected.

The Raleigh-ite – Great, very low-key place. Great atmosphere–the waiters all wear overalls, and they have farmers market themed murals on the walls. I ordered chicken salad and it was mostly chicken with celery and onions. NOT like other chicken salads with minimal chicken and lots of mayo. If you want a good country breakfast–this is your restaurant.

Do over? Can’t wait to go back for their omelettes!

8/16/2009- We ordered: 1 diet coke, Cousin Syds big boy omelette, Garden salad with chicken salad, 1 pancake. Total: $25.18

Cousin Syd's Big Boy Omelette

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Red Hot & Blue Restaurant Review

eat2winraleigh — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:47:57 +0000

Red Hot & Blue is located on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, near North Carolina State University.

The New Yorker – I ate the 5 meat treat. All the meats were good, but the pork was probably the best. The ribs–meat fell off the bone, but was slightly fatty. Sweet potato fries were delicious. A little pricy for lunch–should have lunch specials.

The Raleigh-ite – Pleasant, spacious atmosphere for a bbq place. Large menu. I had pulled pork sandwich which was delicious- pulled pork with cole slaw served on a bun. Potato salad was horrible– no flavor, completely bland. Kinda expensive for what it is.

Do over? Will go again , but no rush.

8/13/09- We ordered 1 5 meat treat, house salad, 1 pulled pork sandwich, 1 diet coke. Total : $28.87

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Jade Garden

eat2winraleigh — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:26:48 +0000

Jade Garden is located on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh near North Carolina State University.

The New Yorker- Basic Chinese takeout. Nothing special. Edible. I had chicken with brocolli– if you are in a jam for takeout not a bad place. Otherwise abstain.

The Raleigh-ite – I think edible is a stretch. I would eat the spring roll or hot & sour/wonton soup again—but NOT the chicken with cashews. The chicken was rubbery and cashews didn’t taste like cashews.

Do over? We will try again, but not looking forward to it.

8/6/2009- We ordered takeout: 2 lunch specials- 1 chicken with brocolli and hot & sour/wonton soup. 1 chicken with cashews and spring roll. 1 Diet coke. Total: $14.70

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Lilly’s Pizza

eat2winraleigh — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:46:26 +0000

Lilly’s pizza is located on Glenwood Ave at the Five Points intersection.

The New Yorker – Good pie. I had pepperoni & sausage. Good bread, thin crust. Tasty. Not NY pizza but in their own style its pretty good- good pizza joint. Authentic sauce– some secret ingredient, something sweet.

The Raleigh-ite – I get Gorgonzola & tomatoes on my pizza and its phenomenal. They have a 2 slice deal + soda for lunch –$6 . The slices are huge so its a pretty good deal. Very good hole-in-the-wall- y place for lunch.

Do over? Definitely be back for lunch. Can’t place why but I crave the pizza at Lilly’s.

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Mo Joe’s Burger Joint Review

eat2winraleigh — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:18:03 +0000

Mo Joe’s is located on Glenwood Avenue at the intersection of Glenwood and Peace Street. Small parking lot in the back. There are tables inside, covered tables outside as well as some tables uncovered.

The New Yorker- A nice fresh burger–not a frozen patty. If you are looking for a good burger and fries, definitely hit this place up.

The Raleigh-ite – Great lunch place, or casual place to hang out outside. Patio right on Glenwood.We went for lunch today, and I ordered the blue cheese chicken burger and it was excellent–great flavor! Fries are pretty salty, onion rings have fairly thick breading but come with a flavorful dipping sauce.

Do over? Love this place for a burger lunch.

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Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant Review

eat2winraleigh — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:51:01 +0000

Fiesta Mexicana is located in the shopping center at the intersection of Jones Franklin road and Tryon road in Raleigh.

The New Yorker – I like the chips, nice & thin. Refried beans are very good. Great margarita. Service is good. Nice place. We had the Texas Quesadilla, on a recommendation from a friend, and it didn’t disappoint. It had steak, chicken and shrimp; it was HUGE-very filling.

The Raleigh-ite – Excellent margarita, not too bitter–one of the best I’ve had for Mexican Monday. I don’t like the sauce on the enchiladas–its a thick brown sauce instead of a light red. A hole in the wall place, not my favorite but OK for a meal.

Do over? Would be back, other than I prefer Toreros or Los Tres Magueyes every time.

7/20/2009- We ordered: 2 enchiladas, #5 (2 enchiladas, rice, beans), 2 medium margaritas, queso, 1 Texas quesadilla. Total: $44.10

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Torero’s Restaurant Review

eat2winraleigh — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:11:49 +0000

Torero’s has several locations: in Cary on Kildaire Farm road, in Chapel Hill on US 15-501, in Raleigh on Atlantic Ave, and in Carrboro on Highway 54. The Cary location is dim with mediocre seating.

The New Yorker – Great Taquitos–they are ridiculous!! Excellent chips. Big portions. Very fresh. Anything with the shredded chicken is amazing.

The Raleigh-ite – Great Chicken Taquitos!!- A must order! Seriously though, the chicken taquitos are special. The queso is creamy, spicy & delicious. The portions are huge here so consider yourself warned. Very fluffy Mexican rice. We have been to both of the locations above. The location on Atlantic Ave in N. Raleigh had a live Mexican band and a better, more lively atmosphere. The Cary location has the same great food.

Do over? Will definitely be back–I would drive across town for the Chicken Taquitos!!

7/13/2009- Mexican Monday. We ordered : 1 grande combo (beef enchilada, chicken burrito with rice and beans), 1 chicken taquitos, 1 order of queso, 2 margaritas. Total: $26.83

9/24/2009- We ordered: 9 Margaritas, 1 order of queso, 1 broiled chicken, 1 vegetable enchilada, 2 grilled cheeses, 1 grande 1 plate, 1 grande 2 plate. Total: $94.72

Torero's Chicken Taquitos

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Mellow Mushroom

eat2winraleigh — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:04:02 +0000

Mellow Mushroom is located on Peace Street at the intersection of Peace Street and Glenwood Avenue in downtown Raleigh.

The New Yorker – One of the best pizza places I’ve been to since I’ve been down here. We had meatball & pepperoni pizza. Thin, crisp, crust. Mmm. Great place for lunch. Outside seating.

The Raleigh-ite – One of my favorite places to go for lunch during the Summer–they have a great outdoor patio right on Glenwood. I love the Hawaiian pizza here–something about the little bit of sweetness in the crust makes the pineapple on pizza a great combo. Summer nights–great place for margaritas.

Do over? When in the mood for pizza or to sit outside and drink margaritas- definitely will be back.

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