08/24/09

Wow! Pretentious has a new name.

by CSMobileUser

I expected a first class experience at An. The Mrs and I love sushi and don't mind paying for good food, service, etc. We couldn't get out of An fast enough. The presentations were over the top. The food was mediocre to poor, and the prices were, while in line with the arboretum, out of line with the food. Sono, in downtown Raleigh is still our favorite place for sushi. (Ask for Jessica). Highly don't recommend.

07/27/09

I wish I could talk to the head chef

by funnyornot

consistently great food, dessert and sushi.

impressive sea bass.

definitely the best romantic place for desserts in this area.

beautiful decor (maybe not every environmental) but very luxurious.

you can tell the chefs cares about the food and i appreciate they change the menu and tables according to seasons.

a pricey place of course, i just wish the Chef share more generosity with the staff.

• Pros: everything except price
• Cons: pricey

05/31/09

Way Understood by rob1977nc

by caryite90

Dear rob1977nc....you just do not understand. First of all, if you would have checked your surroundings, your were at the "Arboritum", not a "Strip Mall". (duh). The Arboritum was developed by Ann Goodnight (the wife of Jim Goodnight, owner of SAS). The Arboritum in comprised of Restuarants including Ruth's Chris, where on any given night, you can find at least 58 full-length, fur coats. There are several boutiques that sell Goodwill Remnants for 2000% mark-ups. There is also a large, exclusive apartment building ($850-3000). ....So you see rob....the prices at An are by design, to keep common riff-raff like you out.

• Pros: Located within Walking Distance of the Umstead Hotel and Spa
• Cons: More Snobs than Allowed by Fire Department Regulations

03/26/09

OK food but way-overpriced!

by rob1977nc

The food was good. Didn't really have any complaints. Service was good too. But I can't see myself going here again. For less money I could have gone to Duck & Dumpling and gotten more food and taste just as good.

Location is odd too...for these prices you'd expect the top floor of a downtown skyscraper, not in a sprawling suburban strip mall.

• Pros: dishes tasted pretty good
• Cons: ridiculous prices, obscure location

02/09/09

Fantastic!

by Andrew621

I recently took my daughter to An for her birthday. We've been going to An since they opened a couple of years ago and this is her favorite restaurant. She loved it. Our server was very knowledgable about the menu. They do change the menu quite often and that's one of the things we love. Mary (my daughter) actually always gets a soft shell crab entree that is no longer on the menu but their Chef has made it every time we've come in. The beauty of the restaurant alone is breathtaking, but to have the food and service be just as great, what more can you ask for? There's not another restaurant like An in this area and whenever I have family or colleagues come into town, An is where we go. They take the time to make sure you are happy with everything and they have gone out of their way to do so many special dishes for our family. If you are looking for something different and are wanting to try something new, come to An. They even brought in Japanese Kobe for a group of mine. It's not cheap either but well worth it! You can always get something you've never had before and I bet you that you'll love it so much, that you'll order it next time you come in. This is a MUST try restaurant!!

• Pros: Beautiful decor, great ambience, wonderful staff
• Cons: can get noisy..but they again so can we

02/05/09

High dollar prices, Low quality food

by cdjohnson

I went to this restaurant with my wife on Wednesday. We started out at the bar for drinks. I thought both bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable. However, I felt as though the female bartender's choice of attire was highly inappropriate. I've never been to any restaurant considered to be fine dining that allowed their employees to dress in such a low scale manner. A beautiful girl like her does not need to show so much skin, and the fact that management condones it is appalling. After drinks we had dinner in the dining room. The service was great, but the food was terrible. When our entrees were brought to the table the presentation was great, and I was looking forward to enjoying my meal. I was very disappointed!!! The presentation did not live up to the actual taste of the food. I always give restaurants a second chance. So many things can go wrong in a dining experience so I don't like to base my opinion on one experience. This place came highly recommended so I hope the next time I visit it will live up to the reputation it has among other guests. As I said, the service is great, but I hope the quality of the food will get better. In this economy, nobody wants to pay for a high dollar meal and get low dollar quality. And I almost forgot, the restaurant smelled like sewage. I don't know if this is a common problem, but nobody wants to smell sewage while they are eating. I hope by the next time I come back these issues will be addressed. Running a restaurant isn't just based on quality service, the food has to be up to par as well.

• Pros: great service
• Cons: over priced

02/01/09

Coolest restaurant in Triangle

by Tippler

Superb evening. Exquisite rooms, exquisite tableware (check out the napkins!) and presentation. Beautiful and creative look to our appetizer plate and arrangement. All 4 entrees were deemed excellent in taste, creativity, quality of ingredients and consistency to the intent and description on the menu. Desserts were likewise very satisfying, with rich garnishes, subtle flavors, satisfying without being overwhelming. Wines chosen by steward, white and red, were superior. Service was impeccable -- relaxed, friendly, fun, yet highly professional and accommodating. It was easy to see that the staff were proud of their restaurant. Nice tour of their wines by youthful sommelier who spoke with satisfaction of of "building" several varietals over the past year and helping patrons understand his choices and offerings. Cannot wait to get back

11/29/08

Average

by FoodJunkies18

This has been one of the consistent venues that I always choose to dine with my out of town guests and business clients, but that will be changing soon. I have always been a fan of an. Unfortunately, I have just been disappointed the past few times that I have dined there. The last few times, the kitchen has been a disappointment. Sometimes the food is overcooked, served luke warm, or just salty. Some of my guest just commented on how the food is okay.

Now a days the food is just average and the wine selections are blah. As for the service side, it lacks professionalism. I had guests dining there and the server was not genuine and lack service knowledge. One of my guest placed an order for a medium rare filet, but did not get what he asked for. The server tried to fix the problem, but made remarks as he walked away. If that wasnt enough, the service staff were goofing around, while others have a ear piece on when greeting my guests.

As for the bartenders, they are not friendly and dont offer service with a smile.

Its sad to lose a great place like an. I definitely no longer recommend an to anyone, unless they are looking for average. Maybe since the prices have dropped, the food and service have followed.

• Pros: Ambience and Parking
• Cons: Food, Service, Wine Selections

07/04/08

Truly unique and exciting dining experience

by edwardjohnson

The imaging thing about this restaurant is that is incorporates everything you would expected from a "Asian Fusion" metro city restaurant. Every single dish I have ever tried here is incredible; Chef Michael Chuong tasting menu always find ways of blending items in an unexpected ways. The miso sea bass with shiitake mushroom and ginger meunier sauce is my all time favorite. The waitstaff are sincere and excited about explaining about their favorite dishes, and the wine list speak for itself.

Best restaurant in the triangle.

• Pros: Best Chef in Triangle
• Cons: none

06/25/08

Trendy Atmosphere - Known what to order and you'll be happy

by zilch321

After coming across An several times my wife and I decided to give it a shot.

The atmosphere is certainly trendy but some of the pieces on the wall are actually very good so the style does have some merit. Lets get this out of the way right off the top, you will pay extra here because its trendy. If you cant live with that then stay away. If you're ok with that keep moving forward.

To really enjoy An you need to understand what you are walking into and order appropriately. This is an Asian fusion restaurant so order fusion dishes or order the tasting menu. This is far from the best sushi restaurant in town so dont treat it like one. We ordered a tasting place of appetizers and it was very good, crisp, clean, fun dishes.

We followed this up with some sushi rolls which were mediocre. You simply dont torch the top of Toro fatty tuna, under any circumstances. Tragic.

Order the fusion dishes and your dining experience should be above average, just avoid the sushi rolls, that money is better spent elsewhere.

• Pros: Nice Ambience, staff was attentive, fusion dishes seemed well executed
• Cons: Sushi rolls were overpriced for the quality received