February 24, 2010 | Story by: Matt Young | Categories: Food, Go Local, Restaurants
CaryCitizen photo by Hal Goodtree
Cary, N.C. – Late last summer, Stone Creek Village (corner of Davis and High House) was abuzz with the news that the Chop House Grill was closing. People wondered how, in such a such a prime location, a restaurant could fail. Enter Tribeca Tavern, which just opened.
The Skinny
I stopped there last night. Tribeca is upscale but with TVs everywhere; beer and burgers, but real good beer and fancy burgers; elegant decor, but with some slightly disturbing huge pictures of people eating pizza and sandwiches on the walls. There’s outdoor seating for 100 people in addition to the restaurant’s inside area.
Dean Ogan, owner of Rocky Top Hospitality calls it “family friendly”. Tribeca is the latest in its line of eclectic restaurants. Rocky Top’s other ventures are in Raleigh and Fayetteville, including Michael Dean’s, The Red Room, Bogarts, Hi5, the Twisted Fork, 1705Prime and The Mash House (a brewery/chop house in Fayetteville). As an aside, I had a Mash House IPA. Wow. I woke up thinking about it.
Just a Guess…
I am assuming it got its name from “TriBeCa” - an upscale part of New York City which literally means “Triangle Below Canal Street”. Canal Street is known for it’s interesting, diverse shopping and of course, Chinatown. When Soho became too well known to be chic anymore, the locals who were in-the-know moved to TriBeCa. TriBeCa became the place to live for actors and artists and has just about the highest priced real estate in Manhattan.
I’ll Be Back
I wish them luck. The place was busy last night. But the service was still good. We didn’t stress the waitstaff too much, just ordering wings and microbrews. And…by the way – Buffalo wings served with Gorgonzola fondue! Brilliant! The menu is made up of items that are all under $15. The items on it are best described as “gourmet bar food”. That’s meant as a compliment.
I’ll do a full review after they get into the swing in a couple months. Guaranteed. Tribeca is within walking distance from my house.
Matt Young
February 25, 2010 at 8:49 am
Well, that didn’t take long. The owner – Dean Ogan contacted me:
My best friend came up with the name. We are both from the NY/NJ area.
We strongly suggest reservations, especially for groups over 4. We
were on over an hour wait Wednesday
The heated patios will be open in the next 2 weeks.
Lunch starts a week from Monday.
Brunch starts 2 weeks from this Sunday. Can you say Smores Pancakes?
I can!
Every day we have a $3 pint special.
The burgers are certainly our specialty. The chefs burgers and cheese
list will knock your socks off. Also, the different protiens we are
grinding in house are cool. Lamb, Veal and others are currently
featured. We also Have some cool sandwiches including the 12 hour
short rib French dip that’s my favorite! Homemade ice cream for our
shakes and malts and killer desserts round things out. The ice cream
is amazing.
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Matt Young, Managing Editor CC
Over Watch
April 2, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Ordered two different burgers (Gruyere & Mushroom $10 / The Blazin’ Asian $12) that were supposed to include SHITAKE MUSHROOMS. When the burgers came to the table, I immediately saw that both different burgers came instead with the cheap common button mushrooms.
Brought this to the attention of the waiter and miraculously, a small serving of shitake mushrooms were brought to the table. Shitake mushrooms are more expensive and flavorful mushroom and asked if they tried to pass button mushrooms off as Shitake for those who would not know the difference.
Mind you that your paying premium price for these burgers and to have cheaper ingredients being passed of, as “top shelf” is wrong and a rip-off. Make sure you get what you’re paying for.
NOTE: Tribeca Tavern has changed their menu to read and offer “wild mushrooms” instead of the Shitake. Skimping on the ingredients they have without lowering the price of their burgers.
Five Guys Burgers, which is around the corner from them, is a waaayyy better deal. If you don’t need to have alcohol and flat panel TV’s to accompany your meal, then do try Five Guys. Your tab will be much lower and feel more satisfied that you got more than you paid for.
Elizabeth Brunner
August 2, 2010 at 10:59 am
I also had the same experience of Tribeca Tavern substituting low-quality items for the specific gourmet ingredients specified on the menu. The vegetarian burger was still frozen in the middle, and the staff didn’t seem to care. I really like the honey dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries, but otherwise nothing lived up to the well-written descriptions on the menu.
Hal Goodtree
August 2, 2010 at 11:12 am
Thanks for the report, Elizabeth.
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