I was provided with a free meal in exchange for a review. All opinions are mine alone.
My husband and I are so busy right now with packing up our house, it’s been hard to find time to go on a date. Luckily, I always find time to go shopping, so we combined a recent shopping trip with a day date in Raleigh. Recently, a new restaurant called Seasons 52 opened at Crabtree Valley Mall. It was the perfect way to enjoy a break from shopping and get fueled for a fun afternoon with our family.
Seasons 52 is a gorgeous restaurant that offers seasonal American cuisine. They change their menu four times a year to incorporate seasonal food. I absolutely love the idea of seasonal menus, and it actually reminds me a restaurant near us that offers local, seasonal fare. They also incorporate rustic cooking techniques, like a brick oven and open-fire grilling. Seasons 52 boasts an extensive wine list. Since we were there for lunch, we did not get any alcoholic drinks. The next time we eat there, I will definitely be trying a wine or two!
To start off, I tried their Ginger Agave Soda. I’m not much of a soda drinker. But, guys, this sounded so good I had to try it. It was delicious. In fact, it was so delicious, I really need to know how to make it at home. I (not so) shamefully had two!
For appetizers, we went with our server’s recommendations of the Duck Wing Lollipops and the Shrimp and Grits. The duck wings are covered in a Korean Gochujang red chili glaze and sesame seeds. The appetizer came with a slice of lime to squeeze over the wings. This was my husband’s favorite of the two appetizers. I loved them, but the next appetizer was my favorite.
Anytime we eat somewhere that serves shrimp and grits, I just have to get it. It’s basically my life’s mission to try it anywhere and everywhere to find the best shrimp and grits. These grits were so creamy and a little cheesy. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, and there were small pieces of sausage that really added to the meal. This was the first time I’ve had shrimp and grits with sausage, and it was so good!
In between our appetizers and entrees, the executive chef brought out this delicious seared ahi tuna with fruit and cilantro. If you love seafood, you would love their ahi tuna. We were actually debating which seafood to get, and the ahi tuna was definitely a contender. We ultimately decided on two different fish entrees, so I’m really glad he brought out the ahi tuna for usu to try.
My husband decided on the Mahi Mahi Tacos. I’m a huge fan of tacos, especially when they’re a little different than what we normally cook at home. The Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked and the mixture of the sauce, salsa verde, and cilantro sour cream was so refreshing. For his side, he ordered the warm potato salad, which was a rustic version of potato salad. I love that the skins were on the potatoes, and the chunks of bacon added another layer of flavor.
Since our server mentioned that halibut is on the menu right now, because it’s in season in Alaska, I had to get it. When we lived in Alaska, I always ordered halibut when we were eating out. It’s definitely one of my favorite fish. This halibut was served over a bed of creamy risotto and fresh, seasonal vegetables. The vegetables were so good. They were cooked exactly how I like them, and the fish had the perfect amount of seasoning without taking away from the rest of the flavors.
Now, I’m a huge fan of dessert. However, after having such a good meal, I really didn’t want a huge amount of sweets. So many restaurants offer humongous cakes or ice cream dishes. Seasons 52 has a large variety of mini indulgence desserts. They are the perfect amount of sweetness to finish off your meal. My husband and I got our favorites flavors — s’mores and raspberry.
If you’re in Raleigh, you should definitely check out Seasons 52. It was the perfect day date for my husband and I to enjoy quality time and really, really good food.
Rebecca has been writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle topics since 2011. Thank you so much for reading this post! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. I love hearing from you!
