518 West Italian Cafe

518 West, an Italian restaurant in Raleigh, opened in 1996 and is located in the heart of Glenwood South, a short drive from the Raleigh/Durham Airport (RDU) and the Research Triangle. The menu is inspired by the flavors of Italy and the Mediterranean and features locally grown ingredients whenever possible. We make our pasta on premise every day, and our delicious thin crust pizzas are baked in an Italian wood-fired oven. The menu features traditional Italian favorites, but we are best known for our creative pasta dishes, seasonal specials, fresh seafood, and hand-cut steaks. Enjoy your meal with a glass of wine from our extensive and affordable wine list and be sure to leave room for our incredible house-made desserts. 518 West has been voted "Best Italian Restaurant in the Triangle" five times by the readers of the Independent, the area's leading local magazine.

Our Mission

As with the entire Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, 518 West strives to provide the value of quality service and outstanding food at an affordable price. We are committed to creating the best possible dining experience from our first contact with the guest through the end of the meal. We have also chosen to accomplish our goals sustainably, and we are proud of our efforts to become a leader in our industry in this area. All our restaurants use compostable to-go containers, bags, bar stirrers and straws. 411 West, Spanky's Restaurant, Squid's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, and Mez Contemporary Mexican participate in a food recycling program that has reduced their solid waste by 75%. Mez was the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) - designed restaurant in North Carolina. Squid's Restaurant and Oyster Bar participates in the North Carolina Coastal Federation's oyster shell recycling program, and all of our shells are carried back to the North Carolina coast to rebuild our states oyster beds. The Chapel Hill Restaurant Group is North Carolina's first Green Plus certified business, and was recognized by the Foundation for a Sustainable Community as the Sustainable Business of the Year in 2007.

Biographies

Josh Michael - General Manager

Josh was named General Manager of 518 West in April of 2012. Originally from Kitty Hawk, NC, Josh attended UNC Chapel Hill from 1997 to 2002, where he worked towards a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Environmental Studies. He and his wife Claire have a young daughter, Abigail. Josh has been with CHRG since 2003 as a waiter, bartender and Floor Supervisor at Squid's in Chapel Hill. He accepted the Bar and Floor Manager position at Mez Contemporary Mexican in early January of 2011 where he brought a great deal of organization, attention to detail and people skills to the management team.

Andrea Gates - Floor Manager

Andrea is a Chapel Hill native and started out with CHRG back in 1999 as a host at Squids while still in high school. She spent years learning the importance of excellent customer service while working at several well known restaurants in the triangle and returned to work as a server at Mez in August 2008. Andrea worked her way up to Banquet Manager at Mez and in August 2012 she was offered the Floor Manager position at 518 West. Andrea's gregarious nature and helpful attitude bring a welcoming feel to 518 guests and staff.

Serge Falcoz-Vigne - Executive Chef

Serge accepted the Executive Chef position at 518 West in April of 2012 after spending time as Executive Chef at 411 West in Chapel Hill. Serge is from Grenoble, France and has been cooking since he was an apprentice at age 16. As a young man he followed his heart to Paris to pursue his dream of becoming a chef in the culinary capital of the world. After several years of cooking and Sous Chef experience, he realized his dream when he opened his own restaurant in Paris: Au Passé Retrouvé. In 2007, after 13 years of operation, Serge sold the restaurant and moved with his wife and son Jack to Raleigh. In 2009 he was hired as Executive Chef at 411 where he brought a passion to create and develop new recipes based on classic, traditional cuisine using modern techniques while mixing local products with international flavors.

Joey Guennette - Sous Chef

Joey is a native Floridian and avid Miami Dolphins fan. He moved to Chapel Hill as a teenager and began working at Squids restaurant in the nineties. He eventually moved to Raleigh to work for 518 West and quickly moved through the ranks to become Executive Sous Chef. He was also a big help in the opening of Mez Contemporary Mexican restaurant. Joey is a loyal and long time employee at 518 and is a valued member of the management team.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Location: 518 West Italian Cafe
  518 West Jones Street
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  
  Website: www.518west.com
  Phone: (919) 829-2518
  Email: 518west@518west.com
  
  
• Payment: MC, Visa, AMEX, Diners, Cash
• Average Price: Lunch - $12 / Dinner - $24
• Reservations: Accepted by phone (919) 829-2518 / OpenTable
• Other Information:
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Full ABC permits
  • Parking: Complimentary Valet Parking Monday-Saturday evenings / Adjacent metered on street parking and parking lot
  • Private Dining: Yes
  • Large Parties: Yes
  • Off Premise Catering: Yes
  • Delivery: For large groups. See Catering
  • Take Out: Yes
  • Split Checks: Yes, for parties of 20 or less
  • Wheel Chair Accessible: Yes
  • Smoking: No
  • Gift Cards: Available for purchase during business hours at 518 West, or anytime Online