Rave Review Restaurant Report: 18 Seaboard

I’d like to start something new today. When I am fortunate enough to visit an outstanding restaurant which features many North Carolina products I’d like to blog about it. Let me make it absolutely clear. No one pays me anything to say what I say about restaurants. I go there and pay my tab just like anyone else. If I like it I will tell you about it.

"18 Seaboard" near Peace College in Raleigh gets my first Rave Review Restaurant Report. Several friends strongly recommended it so I thought I would give it a try Friday night. I was fortunate to get reservations. The place was packed.

I love the high-ceiling and hip atmosphere. The food was fabulous. You’d think an iceberg wedge salad would be pretty boring. But "18 Seaboard" served it with the best buttermilk blue cheese dressing I have ever encountered. I ate every delicious leaf on my plate.

The Atlantic salmon filet was cooked to perfection as was the seared zucchini and squash and sharp cheddar corn grits. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her penne pasta with Rich’s inlet shrimp and snow peas, roasted red peppers and white wine garlic broth. We were too full for dessert.

Restaurant specialities include chilled cucumber soup and mandarin mojito which I am told are fabulous especially on a hot summer evening. Next time I will try pan roasted North Carolina trout or the cornmeal-crusted Carolina classics catfish. The restaurant also features a number of Tar Heel ingredients in its desserts. I can’t wait to go back. Hats off to Chef-Proprietor Jason Smith, Chef de Cuisine Chris Jackson and Maitre D’ Lauren Martin!