Mo's Diner
Mo's Diner is one of those places that isn't on everyone's radar.
It's been around for over ten years in downtown Raleigh near the
Moore's Square area. Mo's is located in a little old house painted
a periwinkle/purple color on the corner of Hargett and Person
Streets. Many people would assume by the name, that Mo's Diner
is like a typical diner with the long counter and the salisbury
steak special. However, Mo's Diner is actually an intimate restaurant
without any kind of diner traits. Inside, the restaurant is decorated
with many vintage French posters, black and white table cloths,
red wooden slat chairs and curtains that you would expect to see
in a house of that age. The dining rooms are in the preexisting
bedrooms and family room of the house. They also have a few tables
out on the front porch for warmer weather. Entering through the
front door of the house, feels like you are going into someone's
home for dinner. The mood is completed with a pottery barn cd
playing for background music.
I had read a lot about Mo's Diner and how it was a really great
place to eat. Many people put it in the one of the best restaurants
in Raleigh category. Needless to say I had really high expectations
based on what I had read. I knew that the outside of Mo's looks
deceiving, but I was expecting the interior of the building to
be a little nicer than it was. However, it did match the theme
of the old house. Mo's has a pretty nice selection of American
style cuisine and a really extensive dessert menu. One great aspect
about the restaurant is that they bring out a basket of hot bread
to the table before the meal. I don't think you can go wrong with
hot bread. I decided to start out with a house salad and have
that evening's special of salmon topped with crab meat and sides
of corn, squash, and garlic mashed potatoes for my meal. My salad
was good and my meal was good. But, I was expecting great things
and I got a meal that I have cooked a hundred times at home. There
was no flare or fancy presentation. There was nothing special
about it. In fact, I think I'd be brave enough to say that I could
cook that dish better than Mo's. Two of us got the salmon special
and had the same opinion. However, everyone else at the table
enjoyed their meals. The Seafood Stew and the gumbo seemed to
be a hit.
This should still probably be on your list of places to take
a date. It definitely has that romantic feel. However, I would
have to say that although my food was good, after all of the hype
I was a little disappointed. Most of the entrees are in the $22+
range and I don't think the food warrants the price. But, I may
have to try Mo's out again and see if I can discover what everyone
is talking about.
Summing it all up....
Rating? RRR
Cost? Tier 4
Reservations Recommended
Menu (NA)
Sanitation
Grade
Location and Contact Info:
306
E Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27601-1436
Phone: 919.856.0980
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