We went to The Mint, for our first time, over the weekend of July 25th 2008. Valet Parking was a very nice start to the evening. Was completely "wowed" entering the building and climbing the stairs to grab a cocktail while waiting for other friends to arrive. The atmosphere is fantastic and something that Raleigh had lacked. The lounge upstairs is definitely a nice place to relax with friends and the live music was an extra treat! Our friends arrived and we headed downstairs to eat. Lucky us - we were seated in one of the huge booths and promptly welcomed by our server. The service was excellent from start to finish and we were treated very well from the "team" that worked with our server. I was ready for the food to knock me off my feet - but that didn't happen. I had the lobster bisque with the knuckle sandwich. It seemed to be under seasoned and was quite bland. The server did mention that it wouldn't be lobster bisque as usual - still seemed under seasoned - but I finished every drop of it! For dinner I chose the a la carte menu - 8oz fillet and my two sides were the mushroom risotto and garlic fingerling potatoes. The sauce I chose was the truffle butter. The steak was cooked perfectly to order and tasted great on its own - and even better with the truffle butter (of course). The risotto was not very good at all. The texture was there but the creamy and earthy tones I was looking for in taste were all but lost in the over-powering red wine flavor. The potatoes were good and simple. I shared some sides with friends. The collard greens reminded me of Levi-Garrett chewing tobacco. It's been a decade since I had Levi-Garrett but the taste and texture were so similar.....compare it for your self - but just don't swallow the Levi!! The asparagus was par for the course. The big winner was the mac and cheese side! Wow it was good! We didn't get a dessert - we were all full and saving room for cocktails…but they looked and sounded delicious! Dinner took a long time - which was great! Keep this in mind when you go. Give yourself plenty of time to eat and soak up the conversation and atmosphere! I'm giving The Mint 3 stars. On the upside for the service and decor. The food was expensive - which I didn't mind, but thought would be better. I will go back – but not for a while, for dinner. I could be talked into going there for a cocktail any time though!! Oh – almost forgot. One of my friends tried the kangaroo appetizer – he said that he enjoyed it.