Mark's

Located at 616 Dolley Madison Road in Greensboro, Mark’s offers upscale drinks and dining using local ingredients. It is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner only on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. There is a full bar with a cocktail menu, and private dining is available.

Situated in a converted house across the street from the Quaker Village shopping center, Mark’s is easily overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. Owner/chef Mark Freedman claims 40 years of experience, and it shows in what comes out of the kitchen.

Though a small space, Mark’s is handsomely appointed. Vibrant art adorns the dining room walls, and there’s a homey yet elegant feel. This would make for an enjoyably cozy environment were it not for the room’s acoustics. Conversations at nearby tables tend to sound louder than they are.

Mark’s menu offers a variety of apps, salads, small plates, and entrees with enough potential to render decisions difficult. My wife, who had a fried chicken craving, was freed from this dilemma, but I was torn between salmon with black butter, duck confit, or shrimp with lobster ravioli before finally settling on the latter. Good food takes time, so we knew we would be in for a bit of a wait. Thankfully, fresh bread and olive oil kept hunger at bay.

When they finally did arrive, both dishes were nicely plated, and they tasted even better than they looked. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, the lobster and mascarpone ravioli were addictively good, and the tomato cream sauce was rich and complex. The fried chicken was not only moist but more flavorful (some kind of pan sauce?) than most renditions of the bird. It paired well with boursin mac (shells) and cheese and mixed vegetables. Execution was spot-on across the board.

Mark’s servers are polite and attentive, and they seem dedicated to making sure that you are having a good meal. Mark himself will also make the rounds, which was a nice touch.

As to be expected, the food here isn’t cheap, but it is in-line with other Greensboro establishments of this caliber. The fried chicken came out to $18 while the shrimp and lobster ravioli were $26. While the former was a respectably sized portion, the latter ran rather small.

Mark’s may not be the first name that comes to mind for a celebratory meal, and it's definitely a small-scale operation, but on taste alone, it belongs in the conversation.

8/10