Photo: The Club Sandwich and Walnut Raisin Salad.
By The Raleigh Telegram
RALEIGH – Sometimes when you find a neat restaurant or place to eat that’s unique, it’s like finding a secret hideaway that you can call your own. The Cafe Caturra restaurant, wine bar, and coffee shop located near the Fresh Market in Cameron Village in Raleigh is one of those unique places that offers both an upscale atmosphere but with casual dining or drinks all at the same time.
The interior of the restaurant is lit with candles and is romantic, but the exterior of the restaurant features a front porch and a stone fireplace is open and inviting. Reminiscent of Parisian cafes, it’s a great place to meet friends over a bottle of wine or simply coffee, while you enjoy an evening outside.
The cafe also offers a wide selection of food, with some unique dishes that we haven’t seen elsewhere. They have charred beef and lamb meatballs served with tomato sauce, fontina cheese, and grilled bread for only $10 and also mini-sliders that include selections of barbecue, crab meat, and other choices as well.
A large selection of salads are on the menu also in the $10 range that include arugula and goat cheese, fattoush, raspberry walnut, chargrilled romaine, and other selections. All of their dressings are made in-house.
Our favorites though have to be the sandwiches, which are reasonably priced and taste delicious. We consistently enjoy the club sandwich which is a giant, heaping sandwich priced at only $10, and which includes a large raspberry walnut salad that is more than just a minor portion. Their reuben and smokehouse BLT are also favorite selections and if you’re into a vegetarian menu, then their garden panini sandwich is a great choice as well.
The only thing that we tried that we thought was not up to par was a beef shishkabob appetizer that we thought was a little pricey at $11, but it was a new item and may not be on the permanent menu. There are mini-desserts and coffees are only $2, so we feel like the restaurant overall though offers great value for your money.
The service at Cafe Caturra has always been great. Matt, our waiter, and the other friendly wait staff are usually very attentive and fun to talk to during our visits.
If you are looking for a fun place to hang out and enjoy a drink over some conversation or even a great meal in an upscale atmosphere, we highly recommend Cafe Caturra as a new place to try out. It will quickly become one of your favorites that you will treasure time and time again. ::
Photos: The Telegram
