Michael Dean's Seafood Grill

My family has been going to Michael Deans for years. We go for birthday's, buy gift cards for Christmas, it's always been a consistant and nice place to go for a good dinner.
They have wonderful seafood and salad. I usually get a salad (they are huge) and nice glass of wine. If I go for an entre', I like the fish with garlic mashed potatoes as a side.
The Key Lime Pie is awesome, as are their chocolate desserts but it was the bread pudding that surprised me the most. That name "bread pudding" never sounded very appealing to me, but when my friend ordered it, I ended up eating half! It was so good!
I noticed another review where they didn't like the meal and were given a chance to try it again. Really, if you have any issues, let the management know as they are very concerned for their customers and want people to enjoy their meals.
I highly recommend Michael Deans. I can't wait to try the brunch some weekend!

Pros: Seafood & Breadpudding

Cons: None

Posted 08/17/09

My husband I have been a frequent customer for the past 5 years. Always happy with the service and food. This past year the service has been getting worse with each visit no matter which night of the week. The wait staff seems to be inexperienced and often forget to place our orders. They are not as attentive and pay attention to details as they used to be. We have waited 20 minutes before our drink order comes and 30 minutes before the appetizer arrives. The food is still good, but more often than not the poor service has ruined the dining out experience

Posted 06/20/09

Comparing Michael Deans to Ruby Tuesday and Chilis Restaurant is like comparing a mojito that is made using fresh mint leaves, puerto rican rum, ripe limes, sweet liquer (making sure not too tart) VS taking cheap rum, tossing a lime wedge or slice, and adding a mojito mix. I like Ruby Tuesday and chilis, but the atmosphere is different at Michael Deans---you get what you pay for. I used to work at Darryl's 1914 in Fay, Nc and had the pleasure of Dean Ogan as General Manager. He stressed the importance of "plate presentations", ensuring that guest were "repeat-guest", and insisted the staff be knowledgable of the menu, the micro-brews, imports, and wine selections--not just the servers and bar staff, but the host/hostess as well.
If you had alerted any dissatification to him or management, you would have been taken care of!

Trey Previtte

Posted 03/02/09

I highly recommend this restaurant. Tthe spinach and artichoke dip with tomato basil crisp bread is the best. We coupled our dinner with La Terre Merlot. Unpretentious, beautiful atmosphere and the food is absolutely second to none. Anthony is a fantastic waiter! The service was perfect. Thanks so much for an awesome experience. We will definitely return over and over again!

Pros: Fabulous food and service

Cons: Haven't experienced any!

Posted 01/26/09

I recently went to Michael Dean?s with some co-workers after work the other day and had a great time. They had buy one get one free appetizers so we ordered the calamari and crab cakes (which with both really good) and we enjoyed a really nice bottle of wine. If you are looking for some where to grab a drink, get great appetizers all for a good price ? I would recommend this place.

Pros: Buy one get one free apps

Posted 01/05/09

A group of my girlfriends and I were trying to find an entertaining place to go out on a Saturday night in North Raleigh. We decided to try Michael Dean?s karaoke night. We had such a good time. The crowd was great and the bartenders were fast and friendly. I would recommend Michael Dean?s karaoke night to anyone who is looking for a great Saturday night out!

Pros: Bartenders, great crowd

Posted 12/28/08

So I went here with my wife for an anniversary dinner, we started with an oyster sampler. They were clear and clean looking, they tasted fresh however the cocktail sauce was lacking and the horseradish was inadequate as well, dry and tasteless. I had the shrimp with grits which sat too long and the gravy had gained a skin. The gravy tasted like franco american canned, the serving size was also small. It has about 5 shrimp. My wife had the salmon which was dry. The dessert of creme brulee had no crispy sugar top it was more of a custard. The only saving grace was the server was nice. Lousy food and overpriced.

Pros: Fresh Oysters, Nice Service, Attractive Setting

Cons: Lousy Food, Gravy With Skin, Overpriced

Posted 12/21/08

I recently took a larger party to dine . We made reservations to reserve one of the private rooms. I got a little anxious because the room was not ready in time for my reservation and my group had to stand around but once we were sat the night totally changed. Our servers were amazing- very knowledgeable and funny even. The food was absolutely delicious and everyone loved what they got. The executive chef even took the time to come talk to our party. I feel that the wait staff and kitchen staff went above and beyond to provide an excellent experience. The bill can get a bit pricey if drinks and appetizers are involved but it is SO worth it! I would recommend this restaurant to absolutely everyone!

Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere

Cons: Parking

Posted 12/07/08

So I went to this place last night, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. I thought Michael Dean?s was a place for old business types, but it?s gotta pretty rockin atmosphere. I had the tasty shrimp and grits (who knew?) and I just had an awesome time. I definitely have a new outlook on Michael Dean?s.

Pros: Surprisingly cool inside, good food

Posted 11/23/08

i left and not come back.management saw the behavior not good at all. not do anything about it.male and children customers in a group get good service. not female customers,female groups only. hostess and Waitstaff rude to females.the hostess will not volunteer to wait on female customers,talk rude to female customers,not say much at all,not busy and rush to get rid of female customers,and walk away from customers and not come back at all,without saying anything at all beforehand. Waiters/waitress-waitstaff will do the same. they will not volunteer to wait on female tables,not volunteer to give food,drink and bill.not come back to see if needed.does not want to write down the menu. said it is not a job requirement. knows the food order is wrong to the female table.will not volunteer to correct. will give food,drink and bill,then run away,not busy at all. females have to get out of seat and ask the waiter and waitresses to come back to the table. and female customer tables have to ask the waiters and waitresses to come back to the table.to continue to do job. the waiters and waitresses interrupt female customers,and talk back rude. walk away from females while they are talking to them.the management sees the rude behavior and will not do anything.the food is not good at all.i have been given food that is not fully cooked.

Posted 10/16/08

This restaurant is REALLY close to where I moved to so after I moved in--I went with my family to this establishment. The atmosphere is okay, but the food itself was very unimpressive. None of us was really impressed with the meal here....so I am not sure if I will be going back again.

Pros: Nice for entainment, staff

Cons: FOOD, OVERPRICED,

Posted 09/27/08

I went here with some friends of mine last Saturday, and it?s just as good as people say it is. We all shared the Chicken Quesadilla as an appetizer and then I had the Atlantic Salmon for my entree, and they were both awesome! The service and prices were both really good. And with $9.99 pitchers of draft beer and karaoke on Saturday night, we didn?t want to leave. I really recommend this place.

Pros: Awesome food, Good prices

Posted 09/24/08

My friends had been trying to get me to check out the raw bar at Michael Dean?s for a few weeks, and so we finally went on Sunday since it?s their Raw Bar Night. The service and their raw bar selections were great. The steamed mussels were my favorite. Even though I knew ahead of time that it was half off all raw bar selections I was still surprised when we got the check, getting all that great food for such a low price was a steal! Also, the atmosphere in the restaurant was great. The servers were nice, the food was quick and overall I had a great experience.

Pros: Raw bar, price

Posted 08/04/08

We decided to try this place a few weeks ago during the week, figuring that there wouldn't be a large crowd and we would have decent service. Our waiter disappeared several times and would return without the item he was sent for. We had to find another wait staff twice to hunt them down. The food was very average at best. I think the menu was over priced for the quality of food. I would not recommend this one!

Posted 07/18/08

Last week, my sister and I went to Michael Dean?s for their weekly Monday dinner special. We started off with wild mushroom and goat cheese wontons, which neither of us has had before. They were phenomenal and really unique. The bottle of wine we ordered was really good as well. I tried the pistachio encrusted salmon and my sister enjoyed the pan seared corvina - we tried something you can't get everywhere and we both absolutely loved both entrees. The best part of the evening was that it was only $40 for all of that food! My husband and I are going back next Monday!

Pros: Great selection of food, great service

Posted 06/25/08

my wife and i went on our anniversary. i had heard great things about this place, but never had been there. we called ahead, and made reservations. we showed up 30 min early and were seated before anyone else standing in the lobby. we were greeted by just the most knowledegable and plesant server (doc). he guieded us through their menu and helped us pick out items we would love. we started with a rosemary bread and a garlic shallot salsa dip that was absoultly delicious. then DOC guied us through the appetisers. we chose the 3 pepper calimari. this was searved with a lemon dipping sauce. we couldnt leave it alone. we had to force ourselves to stop so we could save room for dinner. my wife had the crabcake trio. 3 delicious CRAB cakes with rice pilaf and pan rosted veggies. the crab cakes were mostly blue crab meat. just enough "cake" to keep them together. the rice and veggies were wonderful and freshly cooked. I had the NC same day caught swordfish. with rice pilaf and broccoli. the sword fish was perfectly cooked and flacky and wonderful. the best i have ever had. we both couldnt stop eating. our server constatnly wanted to know how we were doing. great attention. For desert we had their famous crem bruley. this was the perfet topping to the best dinner we have ever had. soft and delicate, and perfectly done. Most places i go out to i have something to complain about, but here i had absolutly nothing to complain about. Not only was i happy but my wife was happy not to hear me complain. if you have ever thought of trying this place. i would recomend it. over and over again. no other seafood resteraunt in town can ever touch this place.

Pros: promt seating, service, food, desert

Cons: none

Posted 06/13/08

I am impressed each time I go to Michael Dean's. Nowhere else do you get the kind of service and food you get here. The place is nice enough for a date night out, but never stuffy or intimidating. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and well-informed. Their North Carolina-inspired cocktails are lovely and their seafood is some of the best I've had in NC. My favorite is their Sushi Grade Tuna, but my one nitpick is their daikon and wakame salas they serve with it, it definitely needs to be served separately, its flavor tends to infect everything else on the plate. Make sure you save room for their desserts, their creme brulee in particular is work a trip.

Pros: Great food, wonderful service

Cons: not enough parking

Posted 03/17/08

My wife and I went to Michael Dean's this past Sunday because a friend of ours told us that they had a really nice raw bar and we are big seafood fans. We were not dissapointed by the recommendation. We knew we didn't want an actual entree, so we decided to sit at the raw bar and have some fresh oysters and clams. The bar was fairly crowded for a Sunday (we soon realized that the crowd was there for the Sunday special - 1/2 off all raw bar items), but we found a couple of seats. The service was fast and friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed, but nice. The seafood was awesome - we opted for raw oysters instead of steamed, a risk for an inland raw bar, but the oysters were fresh and served with all the sauces we could ask for. The steamed clams were just as good. Overall, the recommendation proved to be well worth the trip out to Raleigh.

Posted 02/25/08

After being disappointed several times at the old location, we decided to give the new location a try since we received a gift certificate to Michael Dean's for Christmas. The new location is definitely a nicer atmosphere, however, we each ordered seafood at this seafood restaurant, and it was not only very disappointing but terribly overpriced. I ordered the wood-fired salmon and my wife ordered scallops. The scallops were very overdone and my salmon tasted like rubber. Neither had any real side dishes and the plates looked barren.

I will say that our waitress was very good, and our service was good. Their own beer selection is also very good, and the house sampler of beer was a good bargain.

Overall, given the overpriced meals and poor quality, the experience was disappointing and we will not be back to the restaurant. We may, however, give the raw bar a try.

Pros: Good in-house beers. Service was good.

Cons: Food was very overpriced and disappointing.

Posted 01/18/08

This used to be a staple for family and friends. Since they moved locations I haven't really been impressed. The raw bar looks nice, but as far as the regular menu is concerned, I find it lacking. Fresh fish selections that no one else in the area could match is now absent from the menu... Probably because they don't have enough customers to support all the fresh fish. We had the "Prosciutto" wrapped shrimp. Not bad, but seemed more like country ham than Prosciutto. We inquired to our waiter (good service, btw) which prompted a visit by the manager. We told him that while the app. was good, we didn't feel like it tasted like Prosciutto. He got very defensive and asked if we wanted to talk to the chef. Then he felt it necessary to bring out some actual Prosciutto on a plate to prove they actually had it. Since we were so unimpressed with the menu, we decided to leave and go elsewhere...

Pros: Service

Cons: Fresh fish variety, Management

Posted 01/11/08

I have been to Michael Deans four times in four months, usually only because others want to try it.
First time had fish which was just BLAND. Second time had a pizza that was over cooked and DRY. I can not believe that any cook would have let it leave the kitchen! The waitress agreed and did not charge for it.
Third time got a tuna appetizer that was just o.k, but too much $ for what you get. Fourth time ordered a hamburger medium well and it came out bright pink throughout. I sent it make to be cooked more, but it still was undercooked. No one ever apologized or noticed that I left three quarters of it on my plate. If I have to go here again because I can not talk people out of going, I will stick to something to drink and eat before or after.

Posted 11/17/07

We really love Michael Deans, and have for years. The new location is even better than the old. What a great atmosphere.
The food on this visit was great with a down half-proced clams (their Friday special). We also had raw oysters and to be honest they were very small. But other than that, which is more reflective of the season for Oysters, Michael Deans is a great restaurant.

Posted 08/25/07

had dinner with friends last weekend - what a GREAT time! service was spot-on and the food was delicious. the oysters are so good and the server really helped us choose between all the different specialty oysters. The patio was great and the drinks flowed probably too smoothly!

if you haven't already been there you are missing out!

Pros: service, food and atmosphere

Posted 07/24/07

I can get the same food at Chili's or Ruby Tuesday's for 1/3 the cost. When we visited there were a lot of flies. And for a place of this "caliber", please get your sanitation score up higher.

Pros: wait staff

Cons: everything else

Posted 07/13/07

If im spending $145 for dinner and drinks for two, I think they could try and get that sanitiation rating up above 95. Thats gross. I also like the old location better.

Posted 06/19/07

Michael Dean's is one of my top restaurants for a romanitc evening. I have tried many of their dishes and have loved them all. They also have some great deserts!

Pros: wonderful service

Cons: can take a while to seat if no reservation

Posted 11/12/06

Sine my wife and I have moved to Raleigh, we have been consistantly impressed with Michael Deans. We go about 3 to 4 times a year! Even though they are a seafood restarant, they have a very good menu for people that do not prefer seafood. You can get decent food anywhere, but when you combine the excellent service, with excellent food, this is the place! We always ask for our favorite server (Kevin), who not only remembers our favorite wine, but remembers to ask about the family members that we have introduced to the restarant over the last few years. My family visits each year from Australlia, and Michael Deans is the place they request every time! Good job...very impressed!

Pros: SERVICE, FOOD, WINE SELECTION

Cons: BAR IS SMOKEY, PARKING

Posted 07/13/06

My friend and I were looking for something to do this past weekend, and we were pointed to Michael Dean's! Great idea. We went in for dinner, which was unbeleivable! Not only was the food excellent, so was the service. We finished our meal with the best bread pudding I have had in years! After dinner we moved into the bar area and stayed all night listening to the live band. Not only was the music good, the bartenders are worth staying for too!

Pros: food, service, atmostphere

Posted 03/26/06

Michael Dean's is so overrated. I've eaten there about six or seven times over the last five years and other than the first time I ate there, it's been below average ever since (not just me, but everyone I've dined with had the same opinion). The food is not prepared well, it's bland, and the portions are small. And adding insult to injury are the prices. The staff is good and the place looks great, but if you want good food at a decent price, forget this place.

Pros: ambience/decor, wait staff

Cons: prices, food

Posted 03/20/06

I have been dragged here twice by friends and have been consistently dissapointed each time. Service was the only thing good about this place (our server was Donald). The place needs updated and looks like it could be an outdoor flea market on the weekends!

Pros: Service

Cons: Parking, Atmosphere

Posted 02/17/06

the new location - actually not that new since it's been a year since it moved - is even better than the old one. the oyster bar is beautiful and the new menu has the old favorites with so many new things! I had great service last weekend and our dinner was fantastic. I will not wait long to return to this restaurant as it was one of the best meals I have had for the money. oh and don;t forget to get the bread pudding bcs it was as good as I remembered.

Pros: food quality, service, atmosphere

Cons: need reservations bcs the place is popular!!!!!!

Posted 10/27/05

Restaurant less than half full, group seated next to similar sized noisy party. Poorly lit - couldn't even the menus. Drinks & soup slow to arrive and cold. Bread not out until appetizers were finished - served cold with cold tomato-basil sauce and no butter or olive oil. Dinners took forever to arrive and were mediocre quality and lukewarm to cold in temperature when served. Second time I've been here - was not impressed the first time - defintely won't be back after this poor (Grade - F) dining experience.

Cons: Poor Service, Mediocre Quality, Food served cold

Posted 10/15/05

This resturant was the best in the triangle, the food was out of this world and the service exceptional. The best part of the evening was the bartenders, their eye for details and drinks are among the best in the city, and the boys aren't bad to look at either.

Posted 09/19/05

Not sure why some of the negative posts - I've only had positive experiences here. Fantastic foor and service! Finally had the opportunity to stay for a live band and it was a great time.

Pros: Seafood (Oscar Style), great service

Posted 08/22/05

My wife and I dined last week. We are regulars and had an incredible meal. The negative posts that are written about this restaurant must be as the result of rare occurrences. We have never had a poor experience there. Positve things are never posted, I just wanted to state my opinion to the previous reviews. Thanks.

Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Fun Bar

Cons: Loud at times

Posted 08/05/05

This February a group of us lunched here. My grilled fish was overcooked and chewy, and I sent it back. The waiter asked if I wanted anything else; I said no. I was billed for the fish. When my VISA bill arrived I called and spoke with a manager, who said that they'd issue a credit. They didn't. After a month, I called again. Another manager said he'd credit me that same day. Nope. A few days later he said it would appear soon. A few days later it did appear. Both managers volunteered coupons - but never sent any. I guess that is how good management functions. Nobody at Michael Dean's seemed to really care that my meal was poorly prepared, and when I finally complained they tried a song-and-dance. This is a good place to avoid.

Cons: indifferent staff, poorly cooked fish, manager slow to respo

Posted 05/03/05

My husband and I were anxious to try this highly-rated spot in North Raleigh, but ended up very disappointed. Our waiter knew almost nothing about food or wine, and yet managed to be condescending and ridiculously slow. They were sold out of several types of fish, and what we ended up with lacked flavor and originality.

Pros: nice decor, decent wine list

Cons: , average fish

Posted 09/11/04

I love evrything about Michael Deans, well excpet the quesadillas, but I've been many times and like everything else. The gazpacho is heaven. The cocktails are great super Sunday brunch and always pleasnt service. Great for business lunches, happy hour or a date.

Posted 06/26/04

Good food, and great dirty martinis! Be sure to ask about the woodsmoked flavor that some of the dishes have as it can overwhelm the other flavors. They've got a good thing going! Will go back again!

Pros: nice staff, good flavors, good parking

Posted 02/09/04

09/07 Since their move to this location, the food is no longer a value for the high price. I was impressed with their menu's boldness in the previous location. Now its just a poor selection of bad productions of the usual selections. The food is average, and the waitstaff is average. Worst lobster bisque. Limited menu, not very good choices.
waitstaff is convinced they are better than they are. Worth an occasional visit .

Pros: atmosphere

Cons: food, waitstaff, selection, taste, cost

Posted 02/07/04

This place is awesome. Lisa at the front desk is great and the food looks, smells, tastes fabulous. A little spendy, but the portions are easily split over two meals. Take a chance when you're in Raleigh the next time and try them out. Don't forget the dessert... to die for!

Posted 09/04/03

Where else can you spend under $100 on a party of four? Monday nights deal is awesome and the choice of entree covers all of the bases (meat, poultry, pasta and fish). Oh...not in the mood for wine that the deal includes? Take it home! They don't mind and the Cabernet Sauvignon is not that bad at all; I am not a connoisseur by any means, but I know a yummy red! MOM & DAD, take your well-behaved child, they are very accommodating to our little ones, but be mindful that it is a nice place and be sure to give 'em a nap before hand and bring a few activities even though they do offer crayons.

Pros: Inexpensive, Valet, Service

Cons: The flies ouside

Posted 07/31/03

We all ordered fish and it was all fresh and prepared simply. No one was impressed by the apps or salads and our desserts were ordinary. Better than their other two restaurants, but that's not really saying much.

Pros: bar area, live music, patio dining

Cons: appetizers, wine list, desserts

Posted 07/30/03

Valet parking is definately a plus. Parking staff is great. Food is to die for, especially the seafood dishes. Great atmosphere and service. Bartenders actually know how to make drinks!

Pros: Valet Parking, Monday night special

Posted 07/22/03