tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post4922550447208609113..comments2023-10-18T04:26:48.183-04:00Comments on Mark's Journal: Saint Jacques is no longer a top Raleigh restaurantMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14054476535275659839noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post-48628590614886033682016-11-27T12:36:32.457-05:002016-11-27T12:36:32.457-05:00Sorry for not checking on its origin year.
It i...Sorry for not checking on its origin year. <br /><br />It is indeed in a strip mall.<br /><br />The high entrance is the clue, though, that the place you're recalling is not Saint Jacques, because it is all on one level (and has no entrance bar).<br /><br />Sorry I can't recall which place you're thinking about. Perhaps Sullivan's downtown?<br />Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054476535275659839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post-41107510088267516152016-11-27T12:34:19.023-05:002016-11-27T12:34:19.023-05:00Dear Mark,
The St Jacques has existed since 2004 ...Dear Mark,<br /><br />The St Jacques has existed since 2004 (and it would've been toward the early part of that time that we went). The smoking ban came in in 2010.<br /><br />The place I remember was in a mall.<br /><br />The most striking thing about the layout was that the entrance was basically at mezzanine level looking down on the dining area. I don't guarantee there was a bar in that entrance area (why would I notice?), but smoking was definitely permitted.<br /><br />The high entrance (of wherever) should be determinative.<br /><br />DaveDave Dralehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129140646117868155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post-12182915829858664602016-11-27T12:22:58.757-05:002016-11-27T12:22:58.757-05:00I can't recall, but I will think on it.I can't recall, but I will think on it.<br />Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054476535275659839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post-69074341661208964382016-11-27T12:20:58.127-05:002016-11-27T12:20:58.127-05:00Dear Mark,
Hmm. I wonder what I'm thinking abo...Dear Mark,<br />Hmm. I wonder what I'm thinking about, then?<br />DaveDave Dralehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129140646117868155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post-17702499862728054202016-11-27T12:12:53.250-05:002016-11-27T12:12:53.250-05:00I honestly believe we are not talking about the sa...I honestly believe we are not talking about the same place. For one thing, this place has never had a bar, nor was it open in the years when smoking was permitted. <br />Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054476535275659839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1381393706912671861.post-92230437582178475412016-11-27T09:46:39.425-05:002016-11-27T09:46:39.425-05:00Dear Mark
I don't usually care one way or th...Dear Mark<br /><br /> I don't usually care one way or the other about restaurants, but I remember the St Jacques from the one time we were there with the group. The entrance and bar, where smoking was permitted at the time, were at a higher level. Cigarette smoke enveloped our table throughout the meal.<br /><br /> Further, our server was conspicuous by his absence--as well as being clumsy and incompetent at the times when he appeared. I don't have high standards (I think you were there when I was having dinner with Tom Doherty at a WFC and the server dumped ice tea in my lap without upsetting me; it was an honest goof, and I was wearing khaki trousers), but I still recall the guy at St Jacques with amazement.<br /><br /> I'm willing to believe that the restaurant improved after we went there (and smoking was banned in bars, of course), but what you describe under the new regime is a less-bad experience than I had under the previous owners.<br /><br /> As always,<br /> Dave<br />Dave Dralehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129140646117868155noreply@blogger.com