Chip R.
Yelp
Bottom line: This Scratch Kitchen & Taproom location in Apex has given positive experiences for the most part. No reservations, so be prepared for that. Good service each time. The bibimbap bowl and appetizer selections were delicious (Scratch Fries for me especially) but the Sesame Salmon, while relatively good, fell a bit short for me in my most recent visit.
The Deets:
I've been to this (original) location of Scratch Kitchen & Taproom a couple of times, both of them for work team related dinners actually. They do not accept reservations so be sure to get there well before your intended time to get your name in as they will seat you for groups only if at least half of your party is present. This Scratch is located in the back of a multi retail store building, with plenty of parking in back as well as street parking available. There is a nice bar area where we stayed each time waiting for those others in our party. The bartenders/service at the bar each time was good and friendly. There is a moderately sized seating area, but not huge, so again get your names and party there in good time to get good available seating. Scratch has a varied menu but most all have a Southern flair to them even if they are not a primarily Southern cuisine on its own (I guess the term would be "Southern fusion" here). An example was their take on the bibimbap bowl which I had on my first visit. It is menu-described as "Seared Rice Bowl with Shaved and Marinated Ribeye Steak, Fresh Spinach, Carrots, Green Onions, Pickled Red Onions, Cucumbers and Over-Easy Egg. Served with Spicy Bib Sauce." This bowl was excellent, you can ask for the sauce on the side as I did so you can adjust the spice to your taste. All the ingredients made for a delicious meal experience and I recommend this one. On my most recent visit, I did remember our appetizers we selected (they escaped my memory from the first visit quite a bit ago, unfortunately). The group agreed upon Firecracker Shrimp, Smoked Cheddar Rangoon Dip, and the Scratch Fries. All were eagerly received and enjoyed by the group, with my favorite standing out as the Scratch Fries that are menu-described as "Hand-Cut Fries Topped with Shaved and Marinated Ribeye Steak, Worcestershire Cheese Sauce, Spicy Bib Sauce, Candied Bacon, Buttermilk Ranch, and Scallions." Sorry on not having apps pics but we dug in immediately with those selections! For my main entrée, I decided to venture out of my usual picks and went with their Sesame Salmon (see pic). The presentation of the menu-described "Pan-Seared Salmon Over a Mushroom and Edamame Sticky Rice Risotto, Garnished with A Mirin-Soy Glaze" looked nice, but honestly the taste fell a little flat for me. Overall it was cooked well but I really wish I had more of the mirin-soy glaze taste coming through, it looked like it was really not evenly distributed on the salmon so it was lacking flavor impact for me in those areas it was not seen. The risotto was good but again not a power packed flavor choice to at least compliment the salmon. This entrée was a relatively good one, but not a great standout one like I had hoped and not like I had experienced with the bibimbap bowl in the past. Our server did pretty well with serving a large group, as good as you would expect with trying to please a long table of diners. Most of my experience at this Scratch has been positive, and I think my selection of the Sesame Salmon was one that was not the right choice for me personally. I look forward to trying more of their many selections and taste choices on the menu in the future.