Globe Restaurant and Bar

Nice martini special ($5) on Thursday nights - the perfect appertif to salads and small plates.  Light, fresh, slightly sweet spinach, blueberry, walnut salad followed by just seared tuna with tender artichoke hearts and crunchy chickpeas (the squeeze of lemon added a nice zip).  The sweet and sour pork belly with fried wontons and mixed green salad was just the right portion with balanced tastes and textures.  We’ll definitely return!

By Ames 05/14/10

Stopped in the Globe a little bit late last night and had what is definitely the best burger in Raleigh and might be the best I have ever had.

The crowd had a cool vibe, not your typical Glenwood South scene, definitely more relaxed, and on top of that the bartender made me a very good manhattan, so I will absolutely be back.

By {screen_name} 04/24/10

Beautiful interior: rosewood furnishings with sleek design. 

The menu has dishes reminiscent of stops in France, Italy, North Africa, Mexico, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam—- among others.  I ended up not having an entrée and ordering just appetizers.

I started with the Farmer’s Market Gazpacho (from Raleigh, I presume): very refreshing with just the right spicy finish. 

Cheese plate was fantastic: three selections (one Spanish, one Italian and one domestic).  Alongside there were a variety of olives and a scoop of what tasted to me like a compote of raisins and ginger.  Our waiter thought it was a mixture of more olives, but corrected himself after checking with the kitchen: it was, in fact, raisins.  Also on the plate: two different house-made salami’s—- excellent!  All this served with toasted pieces of what tasted like sourdough.

I also had the Thai Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps.  These were served with romaine instead of iceberg lettuce, and #1 was amused as I struggled to wrap the chicken salad with other ingredients.

A better choice, in my mind, was the Tacos Locos: pulled pork with pico de gallo and sour cream.  (A small spoon would have been handy when tackling this dish).

#1 did order an entrée: fish with ratatouille, spinach, orange oregano jam and parmesan in a tomato broth.  Must have been good: she ate the whole thing!

Although we enjoyed our visit to Globe, I doubt we will return.  There are just too many better choices: Enoteca Vin, to name one, just around the corner.

Total bill: $80 for two, before tip, booze included, no dessert.

By Chevalier 07/07/08