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I'm from Raleigh and have been working as a server in the restaurant industry for years, while going to school and pursuing another career full time. Raleigh has become way too expensive for me and I'm looking into possibly moving to Greensboro or Winston Salem, as I've heard they each have a decent food scene and lower cost of living.
I'm wondering which city has more to offer restaurant wise (casual fine dining, not chains like Chilis or Applebees or bars with pub food only) and if any of you work/have worked/know of someone who's worked at restaurants in either place and if the ability to make a decent wage is there.
In Raleigh the higher end restaurants are quite plentiful and busy most days but I'm not sure if that's true for GB or WS. I've researched a few places which seem nice but it's hard to tell from their website, if they're actually thriving and have enough clientele to support their waitstaff.
If you're not a server and can't help me in that sense- does anyone have some "higher end" places they enjoy and can recommend?
This may not be the right forum to ask a question like this but I figured I'd give it a try.
I've never been a server in either city, so I can't speak to tip averages, etc., but here are some places that come to mind:
Winston-Salem:
Bernardin's, Willow's Bistro, Spring House, Ryan's (high-end independent steakhouse, not to be confused with the Ryan's Steakhouse chain), Mozelle's, Meridian, The Katharine Brasserie. There are quite a few more. I'm sure I'm missing some. One of my favorites, The Honey Pot, recently closed, which is a shame.
Greensboro:
Print Works, 1618, Green Valley Grill, Undercurrent. There are lots more, but I'm more familiar with restaurants in W-S.
Flemmings, Ruth's Chris, Leblon Brazilian Steakhouse in Greensboro.
Speaking of Brazilian steakhouses, a new one just opened in Winston-Salem as well called Cowboy. I haven't been yet, but it looks good.
And while not particularly high-end, the Crafted restaurants all seem to be pretty busy whenever I walk in and they aren't exactly cheap either. I've been to both Crafted restaurants in Greensboro several times and between me and my wife always walk always spending at least $40 (I always get at least a drink each and an appetizer at Art of the Taco and at Art of the Street Food I tend to be like "I'll have this, and this.... also this... how about this, etc"). There's also a replica of Art of the Taco in Winston-Salem now, but I've never been.
And there's also The Traveled Farmer in Greensboro. I haven't been yet, but I did go to Marshall Free House (the predecessor with the same owner) and I was impressed. In fact, everything in that general mid-town area has the same owner and I've enjoyed each place (Burger Warfare and Pig Pounder Brewery, which is my favorite brewery in the Triad).
I'm from Raleigh and have been working as a server in the restaurant industry for years, while going to school and pursuing another career full time. Raleigh has become way too expensive for me and I'm looking into possibly moving to Greensboro or Winston Salem, as I've heard they each have a decent food scene and lower cost of living.
I'm wondering which city has more to offer restaurant wise (casual fine dining, not chains like Chilis or Applebees or bars with pub food only) and if any of you work/have worked/know of someone who's worked at restaurants in either place and if the ability to make a decent wage is there.
In Raleigh the higher end restaurants are quite plentiful and busy most days but I'm not sure if that's true for GB or WS. I've researched a few places which seem nice but it's hard to tell from their website, if they're actually thriving and have enough clientele to support their waitstaff.
If you're not a server and can't help me in that sense- does anyone have some "higher end" places they enjoy and can recommend?
This may not be the right forum to ask a question like this but I figured I'd give it a try.
Thanks for any input!
In the same boat myself as I'm moving from overpriced, underpaid Central FL and will also be looking for a professional waitstaff slot at a nicer casual fine dining/non-mega chain restaurant. From my research I get the sense that Greensboro's restaurants seem more consistently busy through the week (versus just weekends) but haven't had enough feedback or experience yet to determine. I'm leaning very heavily toward Greensboro, but am worried Winston Salem could wind up the better fit. Have you received more information supporting either instinct or can anyone else add? Thanks!
[quote=UnderTheLiveOaks;48521570]I've never been a server in either city, so I can't speak to tip averages, etc., but here are some places that come to mind:
Winston-Salem:
Bernardin's, Willow's Bistro, Spring House, Ryan's (high-end independent steakhouse, not to be confused with the Ryan's Steakhouse chain), Mozelle's, Meridian, The Katharine Brasserie. There are quite a few more. I'm sure I'm missing some. One of my favorites, The Honey Pot, recently closed, which is a shame.
Definitely check out Bernardin's and Spring House - both of these are located in downtown Winston. I would also add Jeffrey Adams on 4th Street and Sweet Potatoes on Trade St. Best of luck to you!
In the same boat myself as I'm moving from overpriced, underpaid Central FL and will also be looking for a professional waitstaff slot at a nicer casual fine dining/non-mega chain restaurant. From my research I get the sense that Greensboro's restaurants seem more consistently busy through the week (versus just weekends) but haven't had enough feedback or experience yet to determine. I'm leaning very heavily toward Greensboro, but am worried Winston Salem could wind up the better fit. Have you received more information supporting either instinct or can anyone else add? Thanks!
I moved lat year from Central FL too and used to be a server/ bartender.
I did look into a few restaurants up here but ended up applying for jobs into my first career choice and something I enjoy way more than serving lol (veterinary) since my husband had found a better paying job here
where are you in central FL ?
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