Fresh Seafood and Politics
The 42nd St. Oyster Bar is a favorite spot for the movers and shakers in North Carolina's capital city. Fresh seafood is brought in daily from the restaurant's own fishing boats. The beer and wine selection is fantastic, including several regional and antional microbrews. Highland Kashmir IPA is a very good selection.

We waited for our party in the bar section and found that happy hour offers fresh oysters for $3/dozen. The cocktail sauce is homemade and they include extra fresh horseradish on the side to spice it to taste.

All the food we ordered for dinner was plentiful, fresh, and very very good. Fresh hushpuppies with butter are laid out while ordering and are almost a meal in themselves.

I was disappointed with the cheddar potatoes with my meal which are twice baked potatoes with cheddar cheese melted on top. However my wife's sour cream and chive mashed potatoes were great. I had the mahi-mahi, my wife had the scallops and shrimp. My brother won with the baked seafood platter - scallops, shrimp, and a halibut steak baked with bay seasoning.

The place is very busy and the service is outstanding. One of the better places I've been.    [30 Dec 1999 11:14:59]

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Recommended Dishes: baked seafood platter, catch of the day

     ­Anonymous   

Not Manhattan
I went to this restaurant after hearing it was the place to get good seafood in Raleigh, and was very disappointed with the quality of the food and the prices. I had fried shrimp, which were so overcooked and dry that they might as well have been frozen if they weren't. Sides were nothing special, except for the price. Way overrated.    [12 Dec 2002 16:01:44]

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Recommended Dishes: One and done for me.

     ­Anonymous   

Always been my favorite
I have been a regular here since they opened in '87. It's a terrific place to take clients and a great spot for good music, good beer and good service. If you've never been you need to check it out. Another thing, these guys always have the cleanest restrooms in Raleigh.    [18 Jan 2003 11:47:32]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: shrimp creole, specials, fresh catches

     ­Pete Sabonis   

Good Food
Pretty good over all. It wasn't my favorite but all around good. It's got good music too. I would go back if I could, but I moved away from the area.    [10 Feb 2003 18:27:37]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: catch of the day, specials

     ­Anonymous   

Fat Bastard and my baby
I had a fantastic dining experience at 42nd st. The service was good. The Fat Bastard wine was-despite it's name- a very good wine recommended by our wait staff. The steak was cooked to perfection. I had the love of my life with me- The atmosphere was not overly romantic but allowed just a bit of ambiance in...so it was a night with my best friend that may have allowed the friendship to spark even more than it already had. I look forward to my next visit.    [21 Mar 2003 14:04:45]

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Recommended Dishes: any

     ­wind chaser   

I dined for the very first time last night and was very impressed. The food was great and we had very good service. The only disappointment was the cheese potato. It wasn't what I was expecting. I will definantly go back!    [26 Mar 2003 16:21:59]

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     ­Anonymous   

Key Lime Pie
We ate here last night. The best thing? The Key Lime Pie....by FAR. The hush puppies were also very good.
The blackened Mahi Mahi was okay, not great. The salad was sub-par. The steamed vegetables, nothing special.
The service was great.

I would only go back for the pie, though.    [11 Jun 2003 10:11:59]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Key Lime Pie

     ­Marianne