MJ's Restaurant and Catering

 

Located at 620 Dolley Madison Road in Greensboro, MJ’s Restaurant and Catering offers upscale cuisine with French and Southern influences and an emphasis on seafood. There is a full bar, and outdoor seating, private dining, and catering are available.

 

My last meal of 2021 was arguably the year’s best. Somehow, during the decade-plus I spent living in Greensboro, I had never been to MJ’s, but that changed when they were one of the few area restaurants still taking New Year’s Eve reservations come mid-December. Regardless of the circumstances, it made for an excellent dining experience.

 

A converted house (with limited parking), MJ’s is sectioned off into a patio, a bar, and upstairs and downstairs dining areas. We ended up in the upstairs section, and it felt cozy and intimate.

 

While MJ’s runs a small menu normally, it was further pared down for New Year’s Eve. That said, the few selections offered (including striped bass, Scottish salmon, prime rib) included several strong contenders. My wife and I went with an off-menu vegetable risotto (the chef can accommodate vegetarian requests, so don’t be afraid to ask) and a seafood and grits, respectively, followed by chocolate cake and caramel brulee cheesecake slices for dessert. The food was all-around very good. The risotto was cooked well and offered a medley of vegetables. The seafood and grits (a scallop-added take on their usual shrimp and grits) featured a delicious sherry tomato cream sauce, savory chunks of Tasso ham, and no shortage of shrimp. The grits were creamy and smooth, almost enough to make “grit” an ironic misnomer.

 

MJ’s also offered attentive and amiable service and a decent cocktail selection, but the experience doesn’t come cheaply. Entrees normally run in the mid-20s to mid-30s range, making this strictly a special occasion destination.

 

All told, MJ’s offers everything (food, service, ambiance) that makes for a great meal. Should you have an event worth celebrating, keep it in mind, especially if you enjoy the bounty of the sea

The Prescott

Located at 126 South Main Street in Kernersville, The Prescott offers locally sourced fine dining for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for brunch on Sunday. There is a full bar with signature cocktails, reservations can be made online, and catering is available.

We were in need of a meal to mark an occasion, and The Prescott’s strong reviews lead us to Kernersville. Housed in a cluster of shops, The Prescott is small and easy to miss. Try the food, however, and you’ll be glad that you didn’t.

Though not spacious, The Prescott does not feel cramped. It offers a comfortable atmosphere with appealing art. We showed up around noon for a Sunday brunch sans reservation and were seated immediately without difficulty.

As befitting a farm-to-table eatery, what’s on the menu may vary depending on what’s in season. No matter what time of year, however, expect a compact but tantalizing selection. The brunch offerings during our visit included an upscaled French toast, a full English breakfast, a lobster Benedict, steak and eggs, and more. We ultimately settled on the French toast with a side of potatoes and the lobster Benedict.

Good food takes time, but even with that maxim in mind, the kitchen was somewhat slow. To The Prescott’s credit, an amuse-bouche (fresh berries and Greek yogurt) was offered to tide diners over, a classy touch that was refreshingly tart and crisp. Service was otherwise sharp: prompt, courteous, and welcoming.

The thoughtfully plated food proved well worth the wait. The Benedict had no shortage of lobster, the eggs were poached perfectly, and the few accompanying blistered tomatoes helped offset the other components’ saltiness. The crisp, herby potatoes were addictively good. The French toast used pumpkin bread, an odd choice given how sweet and dense it is already. While that’s probably not the best fit for this dish, it proved tasty nevertheless.

While the dinner experience here may differ from brunch, a refined and competently executed menu and on-point service make The Prescott an appealing “occasion” meal spot.

Liberty Oak Restaurant & Bar

Located at 100 W. Washington Street in Downtown Greensboro, Liberty Oak offers upscale cuisine for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and a brunch menu on Saturdays. There is a full bar, food and drink specials rotate regularly, and patio seating is available. Reservations are recommended.

Liberty Oak is a venerable name within Greensboro’s dining scene, and it isn’t hard to figure out why. The restaurant goes back several decades, and its current location – the historic Vernon Building – is convenient to just everything downtown. Add to that the restaurant’s potentially revitalizing acquisition by chef Kristopher Reid, and all the ingredients are here for Liberty Oak to continue to thrive. Unfortunately, the actual dining experience falls short of realizing this potential.

First, the good: Liberty Oak has a fantastic menu. Apps include the ever-popular dynamite shrimp and a selection of ravioli that rotates daily while dinner offerings feature new interpretations of classics (i.e. buttermilk fried chicken with a tropical fruit and black bean salsa and a chipotle glaze) as well as several permutations of risotto. Options run the gamut from entrée-sized salads and vegetarian plates to 10-ounce strip steaks with two sides.

For the most part, the kitchen executes well. The salmon in my wife’s salad was grilled perfectly, and the accompanying citrus vinaigrette was bright and tangy. My seafood risotto carbonara was nicely plated and seasoned and featured sizeable shrimp as well as a welcome hint of sweetness from the corn. However, the risotto was al dente verging on undercooked and not as creamy as expected.

Liberty Oak recently received an interior remodel, and though the palette isn’t terribly exciting (lots of tans and beiges), this isn’t a bad-looking space (though my wife was convinced that it smelled like an old school). Staff are courteous and service is efficient if a bit distant.

When it comes to pricing, however, Liberty Oak’s reach definitely exceeds its grasp. Entrees run in the twenties, which puts Liberty Oak in Undercurrent/Print Works/Green Valley Grill territory. Unfortunately, compared to those establishments, Liberty Oak lacks the precision, creativity, and depth.

If a walkable downtown location is important and bang for your buck is not, then Liberty Oak offers a chance to enjoy a mostly satisfying meal in a historically significant venue and experience what was probably once the best restaurant in Greensboro. These days, however, there exist better options.

7.5/10

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

Undercurrent

Located at 327 Battleground Avenue in Downtown Greensboro, Undercurrent offers fine dining using locally and regionally sourced ingredients. There is a full bar, a private dining room, and patio seating. The menu changes every few months and wine tastings and specialty dinners are held periodically. Reservations are recommended.

“Downtown” plus “fine dining” plus “farm to table” seems like a winning formula for getting away with overcharging and underwhelming, but Undercurrent actually gives patrons reason to take those buzzwords at face value. Excellent food, competent service, and a comfortable atmosphere combine to make for a decidedly decent dining destination.

Though many of Greensboro’s downtown eateries tend to be a bit cramped, Undercurrent is fairly spacious. The main dining area features columns, high ceilings, and large windows that offer a view of the cityscape. The ambiance doesn’t compare to that of Print Works, and more space between tables would have been nice, but it still made for a cozy dining environment.

The menu here is narrow, but it does not lack appeal. Soups, salads, small plates, large plates, and entrees make good use of seasonal fruits and vegetables (they are big on compotes here), and the dishes are complex without seeming too pretentious to succeed. For my first visit, I opted for a garam masala rubbed duck breast. It came at the desired doneness and was plated beautifully atop rice and vibrant veggies. The duck had a nice char, and the accompanying blueberry puree added some welcome sweetness to play off of the dish’s savory components. My companion went with a red snapper dish on special and was equally satisfied: the fish was cooked well, and the sides (okra and a farro tabbouleh, if memory serves correct) seemed to suit it nicely. For as good as the entrees (and the fresh bread) were, however, dessert may have been the highlight. A white chocolate-blueberry bread pudding was gooey, rich, and decadent, but both the freshness of the berries and a sprig of mint kept it from tasting like pure sugar.

Both service and pricing here were what was expected given the level of food. The former was attentive without being overbearing. The latter was high but not exorbitant. Our entrees ran in the upper $20s, and portion sizing was adequate.

Undercurrent isn’t for the faint of wallet, but unlike certain other high-priced concept eateries, you will get what you pay for here, and you will most likely enjoy it.

8.5/10

Seoul Garden

Located at 5318 W. Market Street in Greensboro, Seoul Garden offers authentic Korean cuisine with pan-Asian flourishes. The menu includes soups, rice bowls, noodle dishes, and shared entrees. Lunch and drink specials are available.

Tucked amid a slew of other West Market businesses, Seoul Garden is quite easy to miss. The building is nondescript on both the outside (there’s signage, but nothing memorable about it) and within (the dark wood on white walls is classy albeit familiar). Indeed, the only thing that initially stands out about the establishment is the fact that it is Korean; there aren’t many in Greensboro.

Once the menu reaches your hands, however, everything changes. Seoul Garden has something for the newcomer and the Korean aficionado alike. Dishes range from simple, tried-and-true (udon and ishiyaki) to enchantingly complex (table-prepared gol dishes that combine everything under the sun). Our server recommended the bulgogi, so we tried one with beef and one with spicy pork.

Like any reputable Korean restaurant, Seoul Garden offers an assortment of banchan (side dishes). The kimchi and vegetable dishes were tasty, but a Waldorf salad-like concoction was perplexing. The bulgogi came as advertised, which is to say spicy (they can tone it down upon request) and sizzling hot. Throw in some complimentary miso and a sweet cinnamon iced tea dessert and you’re looking at quite a bit of food for the money ($9.99). It’s worth noting, however, that prices increase sharply among the more intricate shared dishes (including a reservation-only multi-course $100 halibut sashimi).

Staff at Seoul Garden are polite, but the service leans toward slow. This is not much of a problem from a hunger standpoint – the side dishes can tide you over until the bulk of your food arrives – but be sure that you plan for a leisurely meal.  Crowding was not an issue during our visit.

Don remains the more convenient option for a quality rice bowl, but with so many eye-catching options left unexplored, Seoul Garden begs for a return visit. This time, we’ll know exactly where to find it.

8/10

Josephine's Bistro (CLOSED)

NOTE: Josephine's closed, and the owners launched Scrambled Southern Diner in its location. Josephine's still operates as a catering business.

Located at 2417 Spring Garden Street, Josephine’sBistro specializes in upscale cuisine. It is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and offers $11 dinner entrees before 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Specials rotate daily and include free wine tastings on Thursdays and periodic wine dinners. Josephine’s caters and is available to host private events.

The sister restaurant of Lindley Park Filling Station, Josephine’s is a relative newcomer, but it is already leaving an impression on Greensboro’s dining scene. Months after friends gave it a favorable recommendation, I finally had an occasion worth celebrating and gave it a try. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the owner, Sara Keith, who apologetically explained that they were in the process of putting in a new roof. The renovations didn’t harm the aesthetics much, but the aesthetics weren’t a strong point to begin with. In contrast to the quaint patio, the inside is rather compact and adorned with muted tones. Josephine’s is also fond of unconventional dishware: my entrée came on a rectangular, trough-like plate, and bread was dispensed in small metal buckets.

These odd visual touches are hit-or-miss, but the menu is considerably less ambiguous in its quality. I showed up in time for the pre-6p.m. early bird special, which left me three choices: a gourmet burger, sautéed trout, or flounder and a black bean cake. Choosing between those three was tough enough, but throw in the rest of the menu (steak au poivre, pork Milanese, buttermilk sage fried chicken, and more), and the decision became torturous.

Ultimately, I went with the burger. A beef-lamb blend, it came topped with creamy Boursin cheese, greens, tomato, and bacon, and served with pomme frites and a garlic parm aioli. Both the burger and the veggies were juicy, and the soft, somewhat tangy cheese added a nice contrasting flavor. The aioli also made for the perfect dipping sauce. Gourmet burgers are often a cynical way to gouge diners with unsophisticated palates, but this one was an exception. Everything was so flavorful that I had trouble remembering I was eating a burger and fries, let alone what I was paying for it. I then followed that up with a white chocolate Frangelico cheesecake, a dessert so rich it deserves an entry on the Forbes 500.

As has been said on this blog and elsewhere, good food does not come cheaply. Appetizers run from $6 to $14, and entrees are $14 and up. Josephine’s does offer both small and large plate options for many of its entrees, so it is possible to have a meal here without breaking the bank.

Servers at Josephine’s are both friendly and attentive. Conveniently, they leave you with a carafe of water instead of circling to refill your glass. The food didn’t emerge from the kitchen quickly, but the wait was not unreasonable.

All in all, Josephine’s might not offer the ambience of Print Works or the bonafides of the other Quaintance joints, but on food and friendliness, it should definitely stay in the conversation as a special occasion dinner destination.

8.5/10

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

Located at 1421 Westover Terrace in Greensboro, Lucky 32 offers seasonal Southern fare. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and offers brunch on the weekends. Food can also be ordered in individual or family-sized portions to go. Wine tastings are held periodically, each emphasizing a different region.


I wanted to make my last meal of 2010 a steak. After balking at the crowds at two steakhouses, I ended up at Lucky 32. Had I known what I was in for, I would have made it my first choice rather than my third. Owned by the Quaintance-Weaver group (the folks responsible for the Green Valley Grill and Print Works), Lucky 32 offers top-notch food at fairly reasonable prices.


The Southern-influenced menu offers dressed-up versions of regional favorites. Shrimp and grits, chicken and dumplings, and pulled pork all make an appearance, but nobody will be mistaking the presentation for Cracker Barrel. There were enough enticing options that I nearly abandoned my planned steak. In the end, I stuck to my guns and was richly rewarded: the blue cheese and herb crusted sirloin was tender and flavorful. Creamy mashed potatoes and a crunchy grit cake provided a good balance of textures and flavors.


For upscale dining, Lucky 32 is remarkably wallet-friendly. My steak and three sides cost only $21, and most of the entrees run under $20. That’s decidedly cheaper than Print Works or Green Valley, and the food compares favorably.


Ambience, however, is a different story. While Print Works is known for its bright, open atmosphere and Green Valley exudes stately and cavernous, Lucky 32 is a darker, more intimate space. There is plenty of seating, but space between tables is at a premium.


Service during my visit was prompt – a pleasant surprise given the New Year’s Eve crowds. Servers were courteous, though not the chatty sort. Questions regarding the menu were quickly answered.


Refined yet affordable, Lucky 32 is a must for anyone who wants to savor Southern cooking done right. It hasn’t edged Print Works as far as I’m concerned, but it still merits several return engagements.


8.5/10

Print Works Bistro

Located at 702 Green Valley Road next to the Proximity Hotel, Print Works Bistro offers European-influenced fine dining. The bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a brunch runs through 4 p.m. on weekends. Amenities include a full-service bar, outdoor seating and a private dining room. A buffet and live music are offered during special events.

Both Print Works and the adjacent Proximity pride themselves on being green and it shows. The inside of the restaurant is bright and airy thanks to light hues and abundant natural lighting. Hanging balls of foliage and a view of the gardens round out the earthy facade, but the real marvel is in what you don’t see – both the restaurant and hotel are powered by 100 rooftop solar panels and utilize energy saving technologies.


The emphasis on sustainability may put your conscience at ease, but it will do little to placate your stomach. Fortunately, the food is up to the task. A Spring brunch menu featured both dressed-up classics (Eggs Benedict with Black Forest Ham, Croque Madame on challah) and less traditional fare (black rice with leeks and Portobello mushrooms, confit duck hash with potatoes, poached eggs and hollandaise). The duck hash was a revelation – the meat was succulent without being overly fatty and the eggs were neither rubbery nor runny. The quiches (both Lorraine and a shrimp/crab combo were listed on the menu) drew plaudits for their buttery crust, while the Eggs Norweigan (poached over smoked salmon with hollandaise) was described, without excessive hyperbole, as “the best thing I’ve ever had.” One diner thought the breakfast sandwich would have been better-paired with a salad than potatoes, but none of the food missed the mark. Neither did a round of peppery, garnish-laden Bloody Marys, for that matter.


Of course, food of this quality doesn’t come cheap. Brunch entrees run from $10 to $15, which seems like a bargain until you realize that portions don’t run large and you may have just shelled out $10 for a cheeseburger or an order of French toast. On the other hand, Print Works is the kind of place you go to savor, not to fill up.


Service at Print Works was brisk and our server was affable. Though far from empty, the restaurant did not feel crowded – there was plenty of space between tables. Reservations are not required, but they are probably a wise bet if you are bringing a group.


Print Works may not be quite as inventive as its nearby sister restaurant (the similarly priced and similarly excellent Green Valley Grill), but it’s more inviting and a palate-pleaser through and through.


8.75/10

Green Valley Grill

Located at 622 Green Valley Road next to the O’Henry Hotel, the Green Valley Grill offers fine dining, Guilt Free (reduced fat and sodium) selections and an extensive wine list. In addition to lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays and a daily afternoon tea in the O’Henry lobby from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Private rooms and catering are available.

Fine dining is as much about the eating experience as it is about the food, and in that regard, the Green Valley Grill comes through. High ceilings and spacious booths ensure that the restaurant never feels crowded, even when it is full. The wait staff is prompt, professional and polite.



Of course, this would mean little if the food was not up to par with the presentation. Fortunately GVG acquits itself nicely. An eclectic assortment of small plates includes everything from high-end burgers (the short rib sliders come recommended) to seafood to flatbreads. The truffle fries are full of zest, while faro, pine nuts and squash put a unique spin on a salmon salad.



The entrée selection is limited and several chef’s features rotate regularly. The traditionalist will be comforted by the presence of such staples as loin of lamb, steak (New York strip or filet mignon) and roast chicken. Those looking for an international bent can go for the jagerschnitzel (German breaded veal cutlet) or the paella (saffron rice with seafood and sausage), the latter of which is seasoned to perfection.



Portions are reasonable – you won’t go hungry, but don’t anticipate leftovers. If you do have room afterwards, be sure to take in a dessert. Like the rest of GVG’s fare, there’s a good balance between traditional (an apple tart and crème brulee) and inventive (white chocolate cheesecake and the Nutty Irishman, a frozen cake/cream/coffee concoction). You really can’t go wrong in either direction.



Needless to say, food of this quality will agitate your wallet while mollifying your stomach. Small plates and salads are in the $11-$12 range, entrees go from $19 to over $30 and desserts run between $6 and $7. Dinner for two can easily put you out half a c-note and lunch/brunch is barely less costly.



As a hotel restaurant, the Green Valley Grill has an unspoken obligation to convention: it must appeal to guests and travelers of the simplest tastes. It takes up this mantle well while still finding plenty of room for creative flourishes. This deft balance makes it one of Greensboro’s premier dining spots for special occasions, as long as you have the dough.



8.5/10