Char- Grill

Char Grill is a downtown Raleigh favorite. My first visit to Char-Grill was in 1988 when I was a freshman in college. I made the mile foot walk almost once a week to get my weekly fill of great char-grilled burgers. Char-Grill is one of those places I love bringing my out of town guests! Its a bit of "old charm" Raleigh that is being replaced, in my opinion, in the city for the trendier restaurants. If I want trendy, I'll go to another town. Raleigh is, in my opinion, for the electic and down home people. Those who don't care if there food establishment is "hip". Not caring, for me, is "trendy". Few places offer the history that Char-Grill does. It reminds me of my old college days and times that were less hectic. You fill out a form, send it down a shoot, and watch them cook your food to order. The grill is FABULOUS! I'm not sure what they smoke it with, but the burgers feel like you cooked them on your own grill, but better!

My suggestions for first timers is a few must haves:

Hamburger Steak (regular or Junior). This is not your typical burger. Its juicy and tastes like meat!

Shakes- Chocolate is my favorite. Don't worry about the straw. Throw it out. You won't be able to use it if you eat this shake fast enough. Straws only work in the middle of the summer because these shakes are THICK!

Apple Turnover: A little ordered item but they remind me of the old time McDonalds turnovers before McDonalds decided to make them look "pretty". Just brings back my childhood just a little bit...

PS. Don't dress up for Char-Grill as the only seating is outside on two picnic benches. You can eat in your car too with the windows down. There is a mix of downtown workers and college folks there all the time. Fast service but don't forget to read your "number" before you send your order down the shoot.

Legislative Building Cafeteria



Yes, a little known fact by non-downtowners is that the Legislative Building has a cafeteria. You have to walk through the front door and go to your left. Take the elevator or stairs down to the parking garage and walk through the lower parking deck and there in all its 70's glory is the cafeteria.


The cafeteria reminds me of being in high school. While nostalgic, its not for those looking for trendy eateries. Its barebones. You normally get a choice of a few entrees and then a half dozen to a dozen vegetable/starch choices. Today I had the roast beef, eggplant parmasan, the BEST southern sweet tea and a nice cake. The food was fine but was a little overcooked. I liked the eggplant parmasan the best and was actually quite impressed by it. The cake was a homecooked cake that tasted like Duncan Hines but it was good.

Overall, the selection at the Legislative Building was on the low side but the price was a bargain. Two lunches cost me $10! Its the local government flavor that is not for everyone but I'll be back when the craving hits me.

July 19th 2006

Going to another restaurant, I saw the Brass Grill in downtown Raleigh. I changed my plans and found a parking space (hard to do in Downtown). Its been years since I've been to the Brass Grille and their menu has been updated a few times to add a little more flavor. I tried the Thai Chicken Wrap. The chicken was juicy yet the thai sauce was a little runny and maybe too much for the wrap to handle as it "buckled" under the pressure of the juice! The lunch is VERY reasonable and the service hasn't changed (its normally quick). This is a sit down restaurant in the loosest of terms. You must stand in line to order and then you get your drink and sit down in a typical restaurant style atmosphere. Very unique!

The one big con I have is that the kitchen seems to be quite loud. Although it didn't run over my conversation, there seems to be no way to keep the kitchen noise out of the dining area. The big pro is that the food is cheap, well cooked, and relatively fast! There is plenty of HUGE salads to pick from also.

You can go to the Brass Grill website at http://www.brassgrill.net

They have the menu selections listed on their website. They even advertise that they deliver if you put in an order for six or more lunches! Great for a company meeting!

Location: 208 S. Wilmington Street (convenient to the bus station)
919-833-9595

NC State Farmers Market Restaurant

Today was a wonderful day to visit the NC State Farmers Market in Raleigh. This little treasure is located right next to the State Farmers Market off of Lake Wheeler Road (near downtown). The State Farmers Market Restaurant has all the fixins of home. I had BBQ chicken with two veggies. I chose Okra and Macaroni and Cheese. The Chicken was plump and juicy and was an extra large value! It was more than I could eat! But, the BBQ sauce was a little over the top as it drenched the delicious chicken. But, the down south atmosphere and the wonderful fresh veggies are a reason to come back! For about $10, you can afford to get a huge plate of food, drink, dessert (comes with the lunch combo) and great service!

The State Farmers Market should definately be on your place to go!

Caffe Luna lunches are the talk of the town!

Tucked perpendicular to Moore's Square, Caffe Luna has a great atmosphere for those business people looking for a good lunch! Attire was mainly business casual but I found a few diverse people coming in to take a look at the menu. The Terrace is quaint but not often for those who want to hear their lunch companions. Its close to the street and is near the bus station. I would recommend eating inside where the atmosphere is a little more charming.

Our waitress was knowledgeable of the menu and was helpful in picking out something for me to eat. I ventured for the Penne Cappesante. It was enough for two to eat! It was a nice change from the "Americanized Italian" food that you can find elsewhere in downtown. Caffe Luna's fare is light yet nice to the taste buds. The Penne Cappesante was flavorful enough to make the Italian side of me satisfied.

Pros:
Extensive Lunch Menu
Great Pasta
Not extremely saucy (light plates are plentiful for those on special diets)

Cons:
Outside Terrace can be distractingly noisy
Not enough parking (as usual with any downtown eatery)


On the Leslie List to check out again!