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518 West Italian Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Italian, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
518 W Jones StRaleigh, NC 27603
(919) 829-2518
- Hours:
Mon 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Tue-Thu 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Anne K. said: "Love this place! Especially the staff who always seems to remember my name as I go every weekend LOL. Try the special monthly pancakes, the other month was red velvet with cream cheese icing. Amazing! Its worth the wait, and a great…" read more »
53 reviews for 518 West Italian Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Our friends ordered the Fresh Banana Brioche Pudding." In 3 reviews -
"Highly recommend the Whole Wheat Fettucine and Lemon..." In 3 reviews -
"The cinnamon ice cream was particularly good." In 3 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Korrie B.
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
I first discovered 518 West way back in the day when they had dancing once a month! Back then, I fell in love with the look on the inside (it is gorgeous) and now I love it for its wonderful menu options.
518 makes my favorite salad (the Stella.) It is a must order and I often eat is as my entree with an app. Their Italian entrees are good but not exceptional. Their more "specialty" choices are the draw here. They also offer pizzas, one of which my husband loves and order every time. Their calamari is really nice too!
It has a dressed up feel but you will see people in jeans and tees. On the weekend, it's a good idea to make a reservation or go early. During the week, I haven't needed a reservation. -
Review from Katherine J.
Chapel Hill, NC
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Our party made a reservation at 915pm at this lovely establishment. We walked in at 904pm &was pleasantly surprised by the bustle. We hadn't been to 518 so we were excited to see that so many people appeared to be enjoying themselves! However, I was not pleased to find that our table was not ready. Nor was it ready 30 minutes later. We ended up not being seated until 955pm. I know that the restaurant business is difficult but I just appreciate being able to sit down around the time that I made the reservation. Am I alone in thinking that 45 minutes is too long a wait for a dinner WITH a reservation?
The manager was very apologetic but her flustered appearance and lack of composure made our group a little uncomfortable. She was kind enough to offer a free appetizer to make up for the 45 minute wait.
Our waiter however was the restarants saving grace. Without him I doubt that I would have given them even 518 three stars. The food however was a little inconsistent. Some of the dishes we got were absolutely amazing &delicious while others were terribly bland. I would like to give this place another try but I don't think that'll happen anytime in the near future. -
Review from Leo B.
Knightdale, NC
3/18/2012
We decided to try another place for Sunday brunch while the grandmother was in town. We initially wanted a buffet but chose 518 West due to the lovely pictures of their decor and the reviews on Yelp. We do not regret this decision!
I absolutely loved the Arnold 518's take on the classic Arnold Palmer mixing of iced tea and lemonade with a blend of unsweetened tea and citrusade, which is a blend of fresh squeezed lemon, lime and orange juice. My Eggs Piedmont which is an eggs Benedict with prosciutto, instead of Canadian bacon,extremely fresh spinach, a tomato hollandaise sauce instead of the traditional.
We will go here again. Next time for dinner. -
Review from Margaret M.
Broadway, NC
1/24/2012 3 photos
My first time at 518 West - Triangle Restaurant Week - yesterday.
So, I'll start with dessert because I never thought I'd have something so sinfully delicious that I could out-"oh" Meg Ryan in public.
The tiramisu was XXX rated! The spongy cake soaked in espresso had just the right amount of espresso flavor and sweet syrupy wetness to make this melt in my mouth. Balanced perfectly with the creamy marscapone center and placed upon a healthy drizzle of vanilla bean sauce. Ooohhhh, it was so good, it made me blush! My boyfriend was a bit jealous, too :-) I could go on, but Yelp is rated G :-)
Now starting at the top... we arrived early and were served complimentary country style bread. There was olive oil, balsamic, salt, and a pepper mill on the table, so I knew exactly what to do. Since it was Triangle Restaurant Week, we stayed on the special menu they had, and what a deal. Looking at what I had and the cost of it on the regular menu, I would have paid $35 for three course meal off menu. For TRW, the price was $20 - a terrific bargain! (I'm scared to post that in case 518 realizes what a deal it is!)
My first course was a Caesar Salad. I enjoyed it because it wasn't so heavy in garlic that I wouldn't be able to taste my entree and dessert. The croutons were flavorful, and there was just the right amount of dressing that you could taste it but not so much that the romaine was wilted. Lots of parm cheese, and thinking back, the server who brought our main entrees offered fresh grated cheese - would have loved that perk for my Caesar salad but in actuality, there was plenty.
My second course was the grilled salmon over Fettucine Alfredo. I typically avoid Alfredos because they are so heavy and rich in cream and garlic, that there's little else that can be tasted. This one had fresh spinach (which was the selling point for me) and sun-dried tomatoes. So, the results? The pasta was PHENOMENAL! It's really wonderful to go to an Italian restaurant where they use fresh pasta - not dried pasta that has to be rehydrated in boiling water and comes out slippery and slick. Cooked al dente, this pasta had some 'bite" to it... it was pleasantly chewy the way fresh pasta is supposed to be. The amount of sauce was perfect. It had enough sauce to flavor the pasta, but I could actually taste the linguine instead of the sauce. Other places put so much sauce on the pasta that the pasta itself is just an excuse to eat the sauce.
I was asked how I want my salmon cooked. I asked for it medium rare, and the waitress nodded her head with the understanding that I'd ordered it perfectly. The salmon was delicious and had light grill marks, cooked exactly as it should be where it melted in my mouth (no, it wasn't raw inside). The portion was pleasing, maybe 4 or 5 ounces and perhaps two inches wide and an inch thick at the center - but not a slab of fish. The chef clearly cut the pieces himself on order.
I've been to some Italian restaurant's whose main catch is that they serve very large bowls of food that the customers can't finish, so doggie bags are always offered. This isn't that type of place. Heavy eaters may think the salmon portion was small, but when you eat fresh pasta, it tends to be a bit more filling than the dried pasta. Take a look at the photo I posted to get a good idea of portion size. If you think it's small, wait til you actually eat it and you'll see how fulfilling it truly is. You'll be able to appreciate the QUALITY of the food instead of the quantity being the focus.
I ended my meal with the tiramis-oh :-)... Enough said. -
Review from Marc C.
11/11/2011
It's a shame we don't get to 518 West more often. It has solid Italian food in a great atmosphere. If you really want to impress your date, ask for the table for two on the stair landing. Very cool.
I've always found the servers to be pleasant and knowledgeable.
Most recently, I visited for lunch with co-workers. I had "The Crab": red pepper papardelle pasta tossed with a dill cream sauce and a mix of wild mushrooms, with scallions and bacon. Topped with a generous portion of fresh crab meat... The portion was ample and it was very nicely done.
My co-worker had the grilled rib eye panini. It was cooked perfectly and looked tasty.
In short, it's a good spot for lunch or a date night. -
Review from Heather B.
Raleigh, NC
Americano-Italiano Old Faithful
Visits: Many, many over last 14 years
R-Line Stop: R6 or R7
518 West was one of the first Italian restaurants we discovered when we moved to Raleigh in January 1998. Over the last 14 years, 518 West has been consistently serving good 'Americanized' Italian food. I call it 'Americanized' because I don't think it is authentic Italian. My family is Italian and I would not find these pasta dishes on my Grandmother's or Great Grandmother's table. BUT the pasta dishes are very good, quite tasty and 518 West has always been a restaurant we can count on for a good meal. Up until 5 years ago, I was a carboholic and pasta was one of my mainstays. My favorite pasta dishes were Lemon Linguine, Mediterranean Primavera, and The Crab. The lasagna is some of the best in the Triangle. My husband really likes the Chicken Parmesan with a helluva good marinara sauce. However, I haven't had many of these dishes in a while after changing to a low carb diet. (BTW, I lost a lot of weight on a low carb diet and I'm sticking to it.) But I have dined at the restaurant many times with friends over the last few years and I always take a bite (just one) of their pasta dishes so I know 518 has maintained high quality and taste. The pasta entrees are as good as I remembered from years past.
I often have dinner at 518 on Wednesdays. Why Wednesdays? They have a $5 martini special on Wednesdays. Well, duh! And they make some really fantastic martinis. They have a list of creative combinations with fresh ingredients and real juices. Two years ago, they added new martinis, The White Cosmo and the Pear Tree, to the list that contain my favorite liqueur, St. Germaine (elderflower liqueur). I bet you can guess that these are my two favorite martinis. The bartenders mix up a good drink...not strong but not weak and not syrupy sweet. They are always very friendly. We sometimes visit on Mondays because 518 West offers 1/2 price bottles of wine. They have a decent wine list with several good Italian varietals. My husband and I chose to eat in the bar area at the high top tables. Mostly so we don't have to eat in the main dining area where it is too bright and there tends to be a lot of kids.
Even though their specialty is Italian pasta dishes, 518 has a stellar list of delicious salads. I love them all. Amazingly fresh ingredients. Great combination of flavors. Flavorful and light dressings. My favorites are the Grilled Pear Insalate and Stella's Insalate. On the small version, a half of pear thinly sliced and lightly grilled sits on top of fresh greens with meaty walnuts and gorgonzola crumbles. I don't care for gorgonzola so I always ask for a substitute of the gorgonzola with feta. No problem! The honey walnut vinaigrette is so wonderfully delicious. The Stella's Insalate has toasted walnuts, cucumbers, grilled red onions, little roma tomatoes, and I sub feta for the gorgonzola on this salad too and all is tossed with a very tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Another cool thing about the salads is the 'protein add-on' option. You can get grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon added to any salad for a very reasonable upcharge. I have a fondness for the grilled shrimp.
And for the finale, DESSERT! 518 makes some very creamy gelatos. I particularly enjoy the Gelato and Strawberries Agro Dolce, vanilla gelato with sliced strawberries in a vincotto syrup. Since I'm a fan of chocolate, I ask for chocolate gelato instead of vanilla. The wait staff and chefs have never had an issue with any of my substitution requests. The chocolate cake with white chocolate gelato with a tart raspberry sauce is fabulous.
Good all around restaurant that never disappoints! -
Review from Jeff S.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
This used to be our go-to date night restaurant. My wife loved their crab special dish.
I eventually got tired of the huge crowds and big waits for tables.
We had a baby-sitter the other night and decided to try it again after many years. We got there around 6PM and had a seat at one of the bar-serviced tables.
What an excellent idea! I usually find the bartenders to be better servers, and ours was excellent. Plus we had a great view of all the comings-and-goings.
They make a great mixed drink here, and have a way-better-than-avg beer lineup here for an Italian restaurant.
Don't forget they have complimentary valet parking here, you may need it if the garage across the street is too far for you to hoof it. -
Review from Ann-Cabell Baum A.
Raleigh, NC
8/24/2011
I was on my way to lunch at another nearby spot with a friend when we saw the door open and decided to check out lunch at 518. That was a Tuesday...we then ate lunch there Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, plus dinner on Friday and Saturday! Needless to say - we loved it!!
Of course, that was 1997 and it's been a personal favorite ever since! I'm not sure if they had the 'Stella' (-blue cheese, walnuts, balsamic vingrette, oh, and there's lettuce and grilled chicken too, but, it's the blue cheese that will win ya over!) back then, but it is definitely my go-to choice when I visit. And, of course, if you're not a blue cheese fan, they undoubted have the best creamy Caesar salad in Raleightown!
Plus the service is great, the drinks are fantastic, and on Mondays - they do have price bottles of wine! Don't need to finish a bottle? No worries, they can cork it for you. -
Review from Lori R.
Updated - 7/28/2011
I have to update my review now that I have had my first Sunday brunch at 518.
I tried a dish that I know I'll be craving in the future. Here's how the menu describes it:
Eggs Piedmont - Two soft poached eggs over a toasted English muffin with prosciutto di Parma, spinach, and house made tomato hollandaise
9.45
This is an adaptation of eggs benedict that was executed PERFECTLY. And was fabulous! That tomato hollandaise was tangy and so delicious on the perfectly poached eggs that oozed appropriately over the sauteed spinach and salty prosciutto.
Husband had the shrimp and grits that looked very rich. I took a small taste and thought it was delicious, but my dish was so amazing, anything else would pale in comparison. Husband said it was good, but he'd probably order something different next time.
We shared a small caeser salad for an appetizer which was good, but not as amazing as I've had there in the past. Not sure what was different, but something was slightly different. Biscuits with butter and orange marmalade were good.
Somehow we had room to share this for dessert, along with a couple cups of strong coffee:
Fresh Banana Brioche Bread Pudding - Caramelized bananas baked between custard soaked layers of rich, house made egg bread. Topped with cinnamon ice cream, toasted walnuts and caramel sauce... 5.95
Fortunately Husband ate most of the dessert. It was very good, not as banana flavored as I would have liked. The cinnamon ice cream was particularly good. It was just very rich after the rich egg dish I had enjoyed so much.
I KNOW we will have to go back so I can have that Egg dish again in the future!Listed in: Sunday Brunch Favorites
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/4/2010
I've eaten at 518 West quite a few times over the years, having worked right around the corner from… Read more »
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Review from Ari B.
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
So, I went here with a big group of friends and was able to sample a few more items than the average person.... The reason for one less star was the main course totally failed my expectations, along with one dessert I sampled....I'll explain shortly but everything else was excellent - including the service and ambiance.
For a drink I had 250ml of a white wine that tasted exactly as it was described - for $7.50 it was a pretty good deal. As an appetizer I had calamari which was made perfectly - seasoned appropriately, cooked jus perfect (not rubbery) and it had a great dipping sauce. I also had a try of my friends fried mozzarella balls and they were awesome! Very fresh mozzarella and great sauce on the side.
My main course was utterly disappointing. I had the shrimp carbanora and I've had better at home. It had a bland taste, the sauce was dry and the peas tasted like they sat too long (or were reheated) they were hard. The shrimp tasted old, not fresh at all and I was very unsatisfied with it.
Dessert was good/bad. I had a very well prepared cappuccino and the banana pudding dish. It was amazing. Cinnamon with bananas - a perfect combination! My other friend tried the tir a misu and that was a big disappointment - bland and not what you'd expect.
Overall, three and a half stars but I roused up because the price was pretty decent - an appetizer, two glasses of wine, main course, cappuccino and dessert for about $40. Not bad...I'll go again and try something else. -
Review from Paula A.
1/26/2012
518 has been one of mine and my closest friends favorite choices for Italian in Raleigh for the past several years. I'm ashamed to admit I've never been to Bella Monica and I hear it's just as good if not better than 518 but, unfortunately, I can't compare it the two (this must change soon). But, in comparison to other Italian restaurants in the Triangle, it's one of the best. The food and service are consistently good and I love the open setting and bustling atmosphere. The servers are always friendly and their chicken parm is awesome (safe entree choice, I know, but it's always seasoned perfectly with just the right amount of herbs and the pasta is always cooked perfectly, and I love their sauce). Their desserts are yummy too, opt for their seasonal dessert choice and I doubt you will be disappointed!
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Review from Mur R.
Raleigh, NC
1/11/2012
First, take it all with a grain of salt because I am Italian and from the Northeast. i have had nothing even remotely close to real Italian food in Raleigh. That being said, I've had decent pasta here in the past and the wine choices are pretty good.
I went for brunch on Sunday and I wasn't impressed. I had Eggs Piedmont (I believe) and certain parts of it were just "off." The tomato hollandaise was overly sweet, which killed the dish. The poached egg was perfect, as was the spinach, but the prosciutto was hard as if it had been fried a bit (why?) which totally killed that wonderful consistency. What I disliked the most was the English muffin it was on. I expected something more high end. I ate 1/2 of it and then just decided it wasn't worth the calories. I decided to waste those on mimosas, which were very good and a generous pour. They go down easy and they do get pricey!
Overall, the service was good, and I would come back for dinner, but not brunch. -
Review from mimi c.
Van Nuys, CA
9/29/2011
Pros - complimentary valet parking, very accommodating to our growing party size, tasty pometini, good service and walking distance to nightlife on Glenwood.
Cons - serving size was a bit small for the price and desserts were unimpressive. worst tiramisu I've had to date. -
Review from Antony C.
Was in the downtown area looking for some lunch and decided to try this place that was recommended by a friend.
I started with the tomato basil soup, which was light and delicious. For main I had the Steak Tenderloin Pizzaiola. Two medallions cooked medium sat on top of gnocchi with a red olive sauce. Nice balance of flavor. For dessert I tried the banana brioche bread pudding. This thing was huge! The brioche was a vanilla cake with bananas baked into it with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream on top. Delish but more than I could handle, best probably shared by at least two people. I rounded off the meal with a cappuccino.
Ambiance was bright and open. Service was friendly and prompt. Would definitely come back and try dinner next time. -
Review from Mark S.
Ridgewood, NJ
12/28/2010
I'm hoping we caught these guys on an off night, but it really wasn't a great experience. We were brought in by their 50% off bottled wine promotion - a great deal, but didn't think we would have such a spotty experience.
We ordered a wine from their reserve list (since it was half off, why not?) You could tell right away that it hadn't been stored properly. It was uncommonly warm and the cork was dry as dust. I mentioned it to the waiter, but didn't get much of a response.
For my meal I got the tomato and basil soup - pretty much an Italian restaurant staple. It was way too salty and was inedible. I'm not all that picky an eater, but this was simply awful. I sent it back.
My Mom got a spaghetti dish that was obviously overcooked. the noodles were clumpy and starchy and the basil had no taste. Thankfully the waiter was able to return with a remade plate that was much better.
My wife's veggie lasagna was much better and the salads were tasty.
In the end, I'd like to think they usually do a better job than last night. Just be warned... -
Review from Leela S.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/9/2010
In the absence of half-stars on Yelp, I'm rounding up to 3. What could have been a reasonably good dinner was slightly, though not irreparably scuppered by 3 factors:
1) Overly bright lighting. Perhaps this is a good spot for lunch, but the ambiance was marred by the lights being turned up a tad too high for our taste.
2) Overcooked shrimp. My husband ordered the proscuitto-wrapped shrimp on sauted spinach for an app. We didn't try bouncing them off the floor, but I bet we could have. Did they spend too long under the heatlamp? Shame, because the flavors had good potential.
3) Otherwise slightly inconsistent food. For the record, I liked my entree (which was a special - red snapper over butternut squash risotto with cremini mushrooms) although I was a little duped on the 'shroom front, with only 2 half mushrooms in my entire dish. And the dessert, a banana brioche pudding with cinnamon ice cream, was pretty good. But other items were less memorable - a salad that was only meh, a crab pasta dish that again felt like it had had the heatlamp treatment, and of course those rubbery shrimp.
On the plus side: pleasant service, reasonable wine selection, bar area looked fun.
All in all, if we were passing and needed lunch or drink and an app at the bar, I wouldn't object to popping in - but I wouldn't actively seek it out and probably won't do sit-down dinner there again. -
Review from Tom S.
Raleigh, NC
"It will take a lot to get me to go back again." - Well, it took a last minute decision to go out to dinner on Fathers Day to make that happen, and I'm happy we did it.
We wanted something different, and came up short on options, except for 518, which was still serving and had a table available for us in the back (we showed up around 9pm). I was a bit hesitant to go back, but thought, why not, I'm not expecting much anyway. Being it was Fathers Day, I figured the kitchen had already turned out the best they had, and would rush our meal to get us out and call it a night. Yep, I was wrong.
Our waiter was great, friendly, helpful, not overbearing. I ordered a nice bottle of wine, didn't try to up-sell, and came back to refill from time to time. To me, a waiter doing that is the equivalent of you opening the door for your date: classy.
I started with a small grilled pear salad. Pear was still warm, the salad was fresh, and the honey-walnut vinaigrette had the right balance that kept it from being overbearingly sweet.
For my entree, I stuck with an old faithful: chicken parmesan, figuring it was a safe dish. It came out great, and made kind of regretted going with safe after that. My wife had the whole wheat pasta, also excellent, not overcooked, and the sauce on it was fantastic.
Lesson learned here. Be willing to give someone a second shot (maybe not a third) because sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/8/2009
This was my second trip to 518 West, and unfortunately it was the same experience. The decor is… Read more »
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Review from Rich W.
Raleigh, NC
12/31/2010
A great Italian joint for vegetarians, but for vegans, the options are a bit thin. The vegetarian Stromboli is good (nowhere near as good as Lilly's pizza though) and you can get it without cheese.
Atmosphere is ok. It's pretty loud and open, so not really an intimate dining spot.
Finally on my most recent visit, the service was spotty. Orders were messed up and things forgotten. But overall pretty good. Perhaps a good option for a sole vegan with non- veggie friends. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Durham, NC
8/28/2010
This was my second time visiting 518 for a late lunch. It is on the of the few restaurants in Glenwood South that stays open until 2:30 for lunch not 2:00pm btw. The service and ambiance were excellent. The restaurant was fairly empty so not much noise and the decor is pleasant. Nothing too mind blowing but I appreciate its openness.
I had soup and the pizza special of the day which consisted of figs, goat cheese and honey. It was excellent. I could really taste the richness of all of the ingredients. The same could be said for the vegetable soup I had. I am usually not a big fan of Italian restaurants but I do like 518 and its ability to provide both lighter and more creative dishes than you would find at a typical Italian restaurant. -
Review from Renee S.
Tamuning, GU
6/27/2010 1 photo
"This is going to sound pretentious, but is the sour mix made from scratch daily?"
Despite my admitted pretentiousness, 518 West does in fact make their sour mix from scratch daily. Score! To celebrate I ordered the Pear Tree Martini with Absolut Pear, St. Germain Elderflower Liquor (liquor of the month), and da-da Sour Mix. Very sweet and fabulous.
It was an evening made for an interesting dinner. The two Air Force F-15 fighter pilots (that's interesting enough in itself) and I were craving 518 West's Marinara sauce. The kitchen closes at 1030 on Friday nights, and we strolled up about 1000. We didn't want to do that to the staff and were going to divert, but the staff welcomed us in and we sat comfortably belly up to the bar. Service was quick but not rushed surprisingly - the tempo was perfect.
I ordered the Grilled Organic Scottish Salmon from the Small Plates menu (small stomach - small plate - what a novel idea. Love it!) It was well cooked and flavorful and the perfect portion size for me, especially when paired with the small Grilled Pear salad.
For Dessert (hey - I was pigging out) I ordered the Glenwoods South Best Brownie a la mode. I loved it but I felt the brownie could have been a bit more moist and rich. But that's just a small nit picky gripe of mine. Everyone else loved their desserts and I loved the overall experience so its whatevs! I really wished Yelp allowed for fraction stars - we'd be working with 4.67 here... -
Review from June L.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/9/2008
518 West is one of the best Italian Restaurants I've been to in recent years. It is located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. We went there for a few dinners when we were in Raleigh. 518west is a nice but not a quiet restaurant. Personally I think this is enjoyable. Good eats can stand up for themselves! A little noise may make you feel relaxed on weekends.
I dig out from my old blogs in June 2006. Let's go through a little history. Many of the dishes are not available now.
Appetizer:
Carpaccio - Thinly sliced rare beef tenderloin served with an Arugula salad tossed in a lemon vinaigrette and crostini. Topped with grated romano, scallions and capers... $8.95 (This is not available now.)
Wood Grilled Shrimp - Wrapped in prosciutto, marinated with freshly squeezed citrus and herbs. Grilled and served over sauted spinach with grated romano... $8.75 (Now the price is $8.95)
These two appetizers are great. One cold and one warm. Capers and Arugula are stars to the first one. Prosciutto with shrimp, hmm... I will do it at home.
Entree:
Angel Hair Primavera - Fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots and broccoli with your choice of garlic cream sauce topped with basil pesto, or a vegetable-herb sauce topped with a sun-dried tomato pesto...$9.95 (This is not available now.)
Shrimp con Aglio - Shrimp sauteed with garlic, broccoli florets, red pepper flakes and marinated tomatoes. Served over angel hair with lobster broth and romano cheese... $13.95 (This is not available now.)
Pepperoni - House red sauce, pepperoni, grilled red onions and mozzarella... $8.95 (This is not available now.)
These regular Italian dishes are already enough to make 518west stand out. With the low price, you can have a nice dinner without ordering appetizer.
The Crab - Red pepper papardelle pasta tossed with a dill cream sauce* and a saut of wild mushrooms, scallions and bacon. Topped with fresh crab meat and grated romano... $13.95 (Price increased to $14.25)
*dill cream sauce contains chicken and clam broths
I love dill cream sauce. It's a nice combination with crab meat, mushroom, and grated romano. Bacon? A plus!
Pork Loin Milanese - Romano breaded center cut pork loin sauteed in olive oil. Served with lemon butter sauce, romano baked tomato and fontina gratin potatoes... $16.95 (Price increased to $17.45)
This is the best pork loin I've ever had! But I would suggest that you share this dish with a friend. One piece is great, two are better, more... you may feel a little thirsty and want to try some pasta!
Wood Grilled Shrimp Polenta - Grilled marinated shrimp served over cheese polenta with a saut of mushrooms, leeks, prosciutto and lobster broth. Topped with grated romano... $17.25 (Price increased to $17.95 and they are not "wood grilled" any more?)
Polenta is a kind of corn meal originated from Italy. Grits are served in the southern states. Both of them must be boiled in water or broth. Alton Brown from Good Eats, Food Channel, once made an episode about Polenta and Grits.
If I have to make a choice, Shrimp Polenta is the one! -
Review from Emma A.
Raleigh, NC
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
The whole wheat fettuccine is creamy and seasoned perfectly. Please try it!
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Review from Don T.
Vancouver, WA
8/2/2011
Had Sunday brunch with friends. I got the eggs benedict. good stuff
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Review from Nikki K.
5/18/2009
My husband and I were planning a romantic evening out that included dinner at VIN and a movie at IMAX... Needless to say (refer to my VIN review) VIN was shut down, even though I was able to make dinner reservations on their website. So my husband suggested we shimmy up to 518 West since we happened to pass it a couple times trying to find that dang place Vin.
We ate at the bar and it was fabulous. The bartenders were very attentive and had great suggestions. I tried their Caipirinha which was really good (strong!). I had their crab pasta which I suggest you elminate the bacon because I didn't feel as though it went well with the dish. My husband had their lemon linguini which was DE-LISH!
Overall, a five star dining experience and I couldn't be more pleased with our accidental dinner at this establishment! -
Review from Donna B.
12/6/2009
My sister found 518West online when I asked her for a non-chain Italian restaurant recommendation in Raleigh. I just moved here from Charlotte and needed some ideas when my best friend came to visit me for a weekend. We had lunch here on a Saturday before going shopping.
This building's character cannot be beat, and I liked the decor on the inside. There was no wait. Everyone in my party loved their food, and the prices were very reasonable for lunch. We had to park in the neighboring garage, but it was only $1.00 for the time we were there for lunch (the restaurant doesn't validate parking).
I agree with other reviewers' "upscale Olive Garden" description...I'd definitely put it a few notches above Olive Garden. This place is good for dates or meeting friends after work. I'll come back here, and would bring friends here. -
Review from Brian W.
Raleigh, NC
11/25/2008 1 photo
Last time I went here it was about forty-five minutes before they closed, and we were just going in for snacks and drinks. We were seated immediately, then waited for about fifteen minutes before anyone came to the table... granted we came in a little late, but I think forty-five minutes is pretty ok if we're just ordering something quick.
After we got things moving along it was quite nice. I had a glass of port and shared a HUGE slice of tiramisu with my fiancee. The tiramisu was sort of more like a cake, but it was a good cake. The port was excellent. We hung out for quite a while and were not rushed at all, even though we stayed a little past closing time.
The crowd here is a mixed-bag: lots of Raleigh business-types and their guests, but also some mature college crowd; a few downtown hipsters; and a reasonable helping of condo denizens from the neighborhood (Glenwood South that is). The atmosphere is very elegant, but I wouldn't feel uncomfortable walking in in jeans and a t-shirt. -
Review from Kenny M.
Raleigh, NC
12/21/2009
Excellent location.
Sweet decor -- very cool atmosphere to the entire place.
Below average food across the board. I keep going back, hoping it will be better, and it never is. The staff have all been good, but from appetizers thru dessert, just not very good. Not even average the last 2 times. Irritating, really, as I would like to hang out there more. -
Review from Jason F.
Richmond, VA
8/1/2008
Very cool ambience. Good choice for a group of people.
We started with the artichoke dip, which had the texture of a hummus more so than your traditional spinach and artichoke dip like you might expect. It was good, though. We also had a caprese salad (which serves 4 - luckily our server gave us a heads up on that!) and calamari. Salad was great, calamari was ok.
There were a lot of selections on the menu, but not as much diversity as I was expecting. I had the pork milanese, which was served with spinach and roasted potatoes. The pork was great, but the spinach and roasted potatoes were a little bland. -
Review from John B.
Raleigh, NC
8/3/2008
518 used to my an area favorite in Raleigh but the food has definitely regressed or maybe there are just better options.
The ambiance is still great and the building has amazing character. Plus the location cannot be beat if you are planning on working the Glenwood South scene after your meal.
I will still likely visit 518 again but I was disappointed on my last trip compared to my previous visits. -
Review from lashayla H.
Raleigh, NC
5/12/2011
Ok so after riding around for about 30 minutes my husband and friends stumbled up on this restaurant .. While most restaurants had a 2hr wait we got in and seated in less than 10 minutes.. That's big for a Saturday night!!! Within minutes of being seated and ordering our appetizer our food was right back out.. They were pretty packed so I was pleasantly surprised. Our waitress did slack up at bit and forgot our friends drink.. But overall the food was excellent and the service was pretty good(: I will definitely recommend someone eating here.. Very nice place!!
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Review from Jessica B.
Raleigh, NC
5/4/2009
The food was very good and there's something on the menu for everyone (from picky eaters to the semi-adventurous). They take typical Italian dishes and spice them up with interesting twists.
It was definitely an interesting setting. It seems like an upscale Olive Garden at first, but it's very nice. It's great for a romantic date but is also very appropriate for friendly gatherings, family dinners, or business meals.
The wine selection was also very nice with wines from all over the world that were the perfect complement to each meal. -
Review from Ben M.
Durham, NC
12/12/2008
I love the way this place set up, first and foremost. It just looks great. A big main room, that seems like the place may be endless that brings you to quiet, intimate corners along the walls. There's even a little table for two at the landing going up the staircase.
From dishes as simple as lasagna to more difficult to perfect things like the grilled pork loin (excellent use of a wood-fire grill), there is nothing here to disappoint. Be prepared to spend, though, as the entrees are a little on the high side and you'll most definitely want to save room for one of their desserts.
They have a great selection of beers to compliment pretty much any imaginable dish from their menu, though that selection has less of a local flavor to it than it did a few years back.
Feel free to pop in, the waitstaff are even instructed to show you how the oil and saucer are supposed to work for your bread, so you don't have to feel like a newbie. Just pretend you knew it was going to happen. -
Review from Joseph D.
Raleigh, NC
12/4/2008
I came here on my 1 year anniversary with my girlfriend. If you are looking for a romantic table, make a reservation, and ask for the table next to the lion fountain. It's nice and makes for a good effect.
The food was great, but the ambiance was much more casual than i thought. I thought before i got there (as this was before i was a Yelp'er) that it was white table clothes, and candles - however, it was very laid back and casual (most likely for the glenwood south crowd.) So surprised by that, i was hoping for a more fancy place on that particular night - but the food made up for it. The chicken parm is HUGE! Order it and take half for lunch the next day. -
Review from A S.
Raleigh, NC
12/1/2011
The Crab! A must try. Not too keen on their tiramisu.
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Review from K H.
Philadelphia, PA
12/10/2010
Not that impressed.
We had a small dinner party here for my mother's birthday. The waitstaff seemed disorganized, rude, overbearing and inattentive all at the same time. They lacked the gracious ease that one would expect from a dining experience. They herded us like cattle into a makeshift large party seating table. Then half way through the meal they started removing unused chairs and table from our seating thus disrupting the meal. Our waitress wrapped up the ordeal by walking around asking people who all was on their bill and how did they want to split it after being told many times it was one check. Tacky and classless
Of the food.... it was good. I ordered the crab. Delicious. My cousin had the whole wheat fettuccine and it was yummy and a hearty portion. To be clear it was good but nothing great. I could have had an equally good frozen Barilla or Stouffers meal at home.The salmon was a teeny tiny portion with little accompaniment which was unfortunate. -
Review from Lauren R.
7/19/2011
I decided to celebrate my birthday with a group of friends here. When we arrived, the table was set and was truly reserved. We didn't have to wait for someone to finish dessert or pay their bill. I enjoyed the dining room(s), and the live music playing upstairs. It was loud enough to hear but not over powering. The fried fresh mozzarella was delicious. I had mussels and pasta. The port of mussels was rather large so my pasta went to waste, but the food was hot and had good flavor. When I say a "group of friends" there were 10 of us. Not too big, not too small, but our server forgot some drink orders, and we had to ask for more beverages. When it came time for checks, we split checks (which comes with a standard gratuity added) but the checks had to be re-worked because they were not all split properly. The meals are very reasonably priced, especially for being downtown. Over all, I really enjoyed my time at 518 West and would go back.
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Review from Scott H.
Morristown, TN
11/19/2008
I used Yelp to find this restaurant on a recent visit to Raleigh and appreciate all the great reviews. This place was great! Sure, the lighting was a little bright in one of their dining rooms, but the place was awesome and the food even better. I would highly recommend the Shrimp and Scallops Bienville as an appetizer and the Wood Grilled Beef Tenderloin as a main course. And, as was mentioned in other reviews, this place is reasonably priced as we spent about $80 for apps, two bottles of house wine (1/2 priced on Monday nights), two salads, two entrees, and two desserts, including the incredible Glenwood South's Best Brownie. Next time we're in Raleigh, we'll definitely go back and I highly recommend that everyone give it a try.
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Review from Adam H.
Raleigh, NC
7/6/2010
A real nice Italian place on Glenwood. Went here with a large group and had great service. I ordered the mediterranean primavera and would highly suggest it to anyone. Great food for a night out!
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Review from Lee B.
Garner, NC
1/16/2010
We walked in and were seated right away at 8:30 on a Friday night. There were quite a few empty tables. The food was a-ok. I ate the baked pasta which was just right. My friend had a pizza which he enjoyed as well. The bread was good, very hearty. My friend pointed out that menu choices contain a lot of seafood which is why he ordered a pizza. The waitress was ninja-like in her serving skills...she got the job done without either of us realizing she was there.
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Review from Matthew C.
Raleigh, NC
2/14/2011
Had a very solid meal here during my recent visit, even if I suspect it should have cost about $25 less. I started off with the Tuscan bean soup, which really hit the spot. I then had two of the "small plate" entrées: the tenderloin pizzaiola and the oven-fired mussels. The former came thinly-sliced and daintily-portioned and was served with a decent tapenade sauce and delightful potato gnocchi. And I'd never had mussels before, but they were a nice addition, served in a wine sauce that was perfect for soaking up with the accompanying bread. The house Cabernet (a Chilean wine) was not bad at all; it actually went well with everything on the table. I found myself feeling quite full before too long. But we still got dessert, and the banana brioche pudding was outstanding; it really surprised me. The biggest reasons for holding back a fifth star (at least on this visit) were the overly-bright ambiance and the high prices. Service was good but unremarkable. To have an optimal night here, you need to get one of the very few "good" tables; most of them don't leave you with any sense of warmth or intimacy.
