Jaguar Bolera Now Open in Raleigh, North Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"I found restaurateur Robert Thompson’s imagined 1950s–1960s ‘Betty’ persona channeled into a stylish, bold, slightly eccentric eatertainment spot that’s equal parts dining and play: a loud, colorful, 20,000-square-foot, two-floor space in Raleigh’s Ironworks development with duckpin bowling, darts, a karaoke room, foosball, borrowable board games, and purchasable activity kits (leather-crafting, Legos), plus Cornhole and more. Culinary director Manny Barella — a current Top Chef contestant and 2022 James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist — delivers a Mexico-meets-South menu: a beet hummus inspired by Monterrey pig-roast beets with lime; a lamb birria served as a taquito with the braising broth mixed back in until almost ragu-like; smoked meats throughout including a standout smoked burger with pimento cheese and serrano mayo, cochinita pibil tacos, baked mac ’n’ cheese, smoked pork ribs al pastor, and brisket tacos with chihuahua cheese, black pico de gallo, and avocado crema in handmade flour tortillas specially ordered by Barella. Desserts come from a vending machine (Carlota de limón, arroz con leche, a tres leches with strawberries on a Japanese-style steamed sponge base) while churros must be ordered at the counter; drinks include cocktails (boozy and NA), beer, and wine on one of 73 self-serve taps, with the blood orange mezcal margarita recommended and the Jalapeño in the Coconut (jalapeño-infused tequila, coconut syrup, and lime) popular in previews. The space is counter-service, accessible, set up for dinner and weekend brunch from the start, can host private parties, and is the first of several planned Jaguar Bolera locations (the next slated for Atlanta in 2025)." - Matt Lardie