Your servers were probably Cynthia and Mani then.

Ha, Leslie is actually the chick I'm talking about in this thread: http://www.brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=536692

8/9/2008 4:00:30 AM

Yep. Cynthia and Mani.

Overall service was good. I feel like the bartenders are still getting their shit together.

8/9/2008 4:04:08 AM

What happened was, we weren't planning on opening the doors like we did tonight, so everyone was totally unprepared for that shit. On top of that, more bartenders got cut before the doors opened up so we weren't even prepared staff-wise. I heard that the owner, Niall, said to just open the doors because it was Friday and he wanted to finally make some money. I don't know if you saw him, but the service manager actually got behind the bar on the first floor and was serving drinks because we were shortstaffed (he was the dude in suit). But the plan wasn't to let people come flooding in like that so no one was ready at all. Technically, we're still all getting paid for training. I don't expect service to be as bad as it was tonight, which I feel was limited to a couple of instances mainly on the first floor.

8/9/2008 4:08:28 AM

I totally understand. I could tell after about midnight that things were escalating to a clusterfuck.

Where were you working?

8/9/2008 4:13:12 AM

I was one of the bussers on the first floor for most of the night. I was outside on the patio quite a bit actually. More than the others bussers. I probably saw you but having never met you before I did not say hello. You might have seen me. After about 12:00 though I was just wandering all over the place trying to find something to do.

Clusterfuck was actually the word I was thinking of looking at the first floor from 11:30-12:00 or so. Clusterfuck of doom to be more precise. We actually had to move some of the servers to cocktail because they cut too many cocktails early. Oh well, live and learn.

8/9/2008 4:18:17 AM

Glad to hear good words on the food!

Any time a restaurant opens, you have to cut the service some slack. They have a lot more logistical shit to work out than the kitchen does. This place has a fucking huge service staff too, so its a lot of coordination and training, combined with the fact that the management/owners are pushing to get things rolling seeing as its already delayed almost a month from the initial plan.

The word i got tonight is monday is the official public opening.

Quote :

"Leslie waited on me"

Leslie is freaking hot!
unless theres more than one leslie and shes not the one im thinking of

[Edited on August 9, 2008 at 4:31 AM. Reason : ]

8/9/2008 4:30:23 AM

Nah, there's definitely only one and she's definitely fucking hot!

8/9/2008 4:34:57 AM

Heh, Leslie is one of two front of house girls i know by name, and the other one i hung out with along with a few others after hours last week. (ive met more, but im really shitty with names unless theres a major impression)

Theres definitely quite a few 8s and 9s working there though.

[Edited on August 9, 2008 at 4:39 AM. Reason : ]

8/9/2008 4:37:44 AM

Sorry man. I'm not giving the service a hard time. I was impressed and the place was definitely understaffed after they decided to open the doors.

8/9/2008 4:40:36 AM

Oh i know. I gotcha. really im thrilled to hear positive reviews, as way too many people are quick to be critical right when a place opens.

8/9/2008 4:43:06 AM

Tonight Niall actually told me to send him an email including any complaints and criticisms that I had about the place.

I told him that he wouldn't get an email because the place was perfect. No complaints. I even enjoyed standing on the third floor and watching the cops beat the shit out of a guy in front of the Bassment.

8/9/2008 4:47:06 AM

Did you see all 3 floors? What did you think of the style/decor?

8/9/2008 4:48:39 AM

Fucking brilliant. The ambient lighting absolutely makes the place.

8/9/2008 4:51:23 AM

Yeah, you really can't fully appreciate the place until you see the rooftop at night. I also like the chill atmosphere to lounge has.

8/9/2008 5:02:46 AM

I saw the roof around 8 when the sun was setting but everything had an orange glow to it. It was spectacular. After dinner we came back up and it was just as great. The third floor patio is one of the best things to happen to downtown Raleigh in years.

8/9/2008 5:07:19 AM

i agree with everyone, this place was great, im glad to see a different scene on the 3 different levels, i feel bad for the rest of the places on glenwood

8/9/2008 5:54:06 AM

Quote :

"(Lead) Line cook."

so you do your share of yelling.

Quote :

"i feel bad for the rest of the places on glenwood"

i wouldn't. it'll bring more people who otherwise wouldn't go to downtown. if this joint is packed, they'll try somewhere else.

BIG QUESTION:

How is the parking situation? Same as any other place on glenwood? park far away and walk?

[Edited on August 9, 2008 at 9:21 AM. Reason : e]

8/9/2008 9:20:12 AM

They have valet.

8/9/2008 11:10:07 AM

Won,

Let's go for my house warming party, I'm moving in across the street on my birthday (the 14th). This week is going to be hell, so I'll need to be unconscious for the duration of the evening/most of Friday.

8/9/2008 2:19:42 PM

Leslie, Niall, Jennifer and Ashley

More pics here:
http://tinyurl.com/5q7j49

[Edited on August 9, 2008 at 3:12 PM. Reason : -]

8/9/2008 3:11:54 PM

I might go to this place after my wedding/reception at the end of sept.

[Edited on August 9, 2008 at 3:13 PM. Reason : ]

8/9/2008 3:13:12 PM

Any word on operating hours for this place when it opens this week?

8/9/2008 3:52:26 PM

Don't quote me on this but... I think they plan on opening at 4. Serve dinner from 5-10. That's when you can order from the full menu. Then from 10-1 you can order from the lounge menu which is smaller items but still very good. Serve just drinks from 1-2 and close shortly thereafter like any other bar.

So full hours are 4pm-2am or so. Dinner from 5-10. Lounge menu 10-1. Close a little after 2.

They weren't doing the lounge menu last night because we weren't ready for it, but the plan has always been to serve that menu.

8/9/2008 3:56:39 PM

Looks like I'm headed back tonight. Who's working?

8/9/2008 4:01:57 PM

I go in at 6:30

8/9/2008 4:06:40 PM

First floor again? I might have to stalk you.

8/9/2008 4:08:43 PM

Probably. I can't be sure though. If you see me, the code will be... "You don't know me, but I'm from the internet."

8/9/2008 4:11:00 PM

is there a cover if you just go there to drink (after 10?)

8/9/2008 4:13:11 PM

I couldn't tell you.

8/9/2008 4:19:45 PM

Quote :

"If you see me, the code will be... "You don't know me, but I'm from the internet.""

You do know that I'll will use that code. I'm serious.

8/9/2008 11:08:51 PM

Quote :

"is there a cover if you just go there to drink (after 10?)"

I dont think so, but i there will be a minimum tab to reserve some of the "sections" on the 2nd and 3rd floors (i dont know if they're doing it yet though)

8/10/2008 12:53:45 AM

My fam does the christmas carol in raleigh every year...would this be a good place for a reservation for 12? If so, are advance reservations available?

8/10/2008 2:09:10 AM

do they do bottle service?

[Edited on August 10, 2008 at 2:39 AM. Reason : m]

8/10/2008 2:39:30 AM

8/10/2008 2:44:58 AM

Quote :

"Did you see all 3 floors? What did you think of the style/decor? "

i liked everything i saw in the photos except the white cushions on a lot of the furniture, it is going to look like shit real quick

and

Quote :

"This has guido bar written all over it."

maybe not guido but def the old rush/aura i live in raleigh but think I'm in South Beach crowd.

Which is what to expect from a place like this.

I applaud the owner for going with a concept like this, it is going to set a new trend for bars/clubs opening up in Raleigh which i think is needed.

I hope it just isn't too upscale or ahead of it's time..... see Nelson's in cameron village for details

[Edited on August 10, 2008 at 3:14 AM. Reason : or don't b/c the concept failed.]

8/10/2008 3:08:26 AM

Quote :

"You do know that I'll will use that code. I'm serious."

Do it. I'll probably laugh my ass off.

Quote :

"My fam does the christmas carol in raleigh every year...would this be a good place for a reservation for 12? If so, are advance reservations available?"

Quote :

"do they do bottle service?"

Yes.

I thought everything went even better tonight than it did last night. We're really starting to get into the swing of everything. Also, anyone who was there tonight I was the busser on the 2nd floor basically the entire night.

[Edited on August 10, 2008 at 4:07 AM. Reason : ]

8/10/2008 4:02:16 AM

I was there earlier tonight taking pictures for an hour or so. A very nice venue and lots of creative design work.

8/10/2008 5:27:54 AM

I actually remember when you took that first picture. I had just set some glasses down at the bar. If I had known you were going to post that picture on TWW I would have jumped in there and ruined it or something

8/10/2008 5:40:28 AM

yeah, I was gonna go around and ask some staff if anyone knew a bus boy who's from the internet... but I was busy taking pictures and getting hit on by women... Damn women, won't let me do my job.

I will be there Monday for the opening. Hopefully I'll have some time to sit down and get some grub. Really want to take some product shots of the food since of what I've heard, they have pretty good presentation. I'll have to ask the owner to set something up.

8/10/2008 5:57:35 AM

Quote :

"yeah, I was gonna go around and ask some staff if anyone knew a bus boy who's from the internet... but I was busy taking pictures and getting hit on by women..."

Dude, all I said was I was right there when you took that picture. I didn't ask why you never came to find me so I could slob your knob or something. WTF are YOU smoking?

8/10/2008 6:36:35 AM

That place looks awesome!

8/10/2008 6:52:30 AM

It is awesome. The lady at the bar in the 5th picture's tits were falling the hell out of her shirt when they were trying to clear the place out after 2. She was durrunk.

[Edited on August 10, 2008 at 6:56 AM. Reason : shirt]

8/10/2008 6:55:49 AM

I like everyone was complaining about the techno being played. I thought it was good, but I LOVE techno... Don't hear it much at clubs/bars around Raleigh. If you want to hear top 40's shit, GTFO. I think it goes good with the "newage" setting.

8/10/2008 8:04:03 AM

Worst bar I have ever set foot in in my entire life. I have never seen such a high concentration of glittery dragon t-shirts and gel in one place and that's including Miami, from the 50 year old bald headed bouncers in night at the Roxbury suits to the clientele this place was an absolute dbag circus.

8/10/2008 9:26:08 AM

^^ I think the music is fantastic. It really helps to keep moving and be lively on your feet even though you've been standing for hours on end. And it's not even really ALL techno. I've definitely heard some jazzy type shit in there.

8/10/2008 9:44:54 AM

^^ so was the bar itself bad, or just the people who were there?

8/10/2008 9:48:55 AM

I had the lamb last night. Very good.

8/10/2008 10:02:10 AM

Quote :

"Worst bar I have ever set foot in in my entire life. I have never seen such a high concentration of glittery dragon t-shirts and gel in one place and that's including Miami, from the 50 year old bald headed bouncers in night at the Roxbury suits to the clientele this place was an absolute dbag circus."

He's probably just pissed he couldn't get up to the 3rd floor or something. Honestly, I remember seeing about 2 glittery dragon shirts the entire night and like 5 total people he's describing. Most of the people there are normal looking people you'd find anywhere just trying to have a nice drink and a good time. I mean honestly, do the people in the pictures look like the people he is describing? They look like pretty normal people to me.

^^ The bar does not suck. They were busting their asses the past couple of nights.

8/10/2008 10:56:38 AM

Website is up, including the menu if anyone hasnt found it aleady. Some parts are still under construction.

http://solasraleigh.com/

[Edited on August 10, 2008 at 12:28 PM. Reason : ]

8/10/2008 12:25:43 PM

You people certainly have a big seafood collection.

Is this a place I could take my parents to for a nice dinner? Or is there like, techno thumping on every floor

8/10/2008 12:30:02 PM