Restaurant Review: Good Day Good Night – Raleigh
BY DATHAN KAZSUK
The Casso Hotel, in the heart of Raleigh’s downtown, is shaping up to be the perfect spot to crash for the night. Whether you’re an out-of-towner craving a staycation, or, like my wife Jen (fellow travel writer and food and wine connoisseur) and me, just looking for a night of good eats without breaking the bank, this place has you covered.
We were recently invited to the cozy lounge and restaurant Good Day Good Night at The Casso to try chef Andres Felipe Cortes’s new menu. From the moment we sat down, treated like royalty by the bartender, chef and general manager, we knew we were in for one heck of a culinary ride. The new menu will be introduced to the public starting Wednesday, October 16.
Chef Cortes personally greeted us shortly after we were seated and let us in on a little secret—there would be no menu tonight. Instead, he’d send out a selection of upcoming dishes. We were all in. We had prepped for this by skipping lunch, knowing we might have to loosen our belts by the end. (Spoiler: we weren’t wrong!)
As we started the night with drinks, Jen was instantly drawn to the daily special—a pumpkin spice espresso martini—and I swear, her eyes lit up when she ordered it. For me, it was the Black Mountain, a Manhattan-style cocktail made with Woodford Wheat, a Woodford rye and Amaro Montenegro. And if you know me, a good Manhattan or old fashioned is my go-to. In fact, I tend to judge a place based on how they craft my old fashioned, so I had high expectations!
Shortly after our first sips—of course, capturing the obligatory photos and videos of our drinks—the first dish arrived. The salmon ceviche ($13), with salmon bites, lime juice, cilantro, chipotle, red onions and avocado hit the spot. Raw, fresh and perfectly acidic with just the right crunch and a touch of heat.
Next, Chef Cortes delivered The Fantasy Burger ($18), in slider mode. As soon as we saw them heading our way, we were floored by their towering height. These double-stacked beauties featured perfectly charred beef topped with crispy onion rings, a rich maple bacon dressing, and a pool of melted cheddar cheese on the top bun. To crown it all off, a few deep-fried fries were tucked into the cheese like the ultimate garnish.
It was becoming clear that Chef Cortes was transforming classic lounge and bar food into something genuinely elevated. It’s the kind of menu a group of friends would crave after a night of Raleigh nightlife—perfect for sharing—but it’s also refined enough for a romantic night out, like the one we were enjoying.
Just as we came to that conclusion, the next plate landed at our table—the deluxe nachos ($11) loaded with grilled chicken, melted cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and house-made guacamole. Each seasoned tortilla chip made it easy to grab a bite with all the toppings. This is definitely a sharable dish—or perfect for a couple with a serious appetite. Even the leftovers were delicious the next afternoon, and that speaks volumes.
Then came my favorite dish of the night. Don’t get me wrong—I had loved everything so far—but I’m a “wing” guy, and Chef Cortes’ roasted crispy wings ($12) glazed in spiced maple were on another level. These were made exactly how I like them: extra crispy, with a sticky maple glaze and just enough heat to hit your lips at the perfect moment. Hands down, these were one of the best dishes of the evening. Honestly, I wish I could have ordered a dozen to go.
At this point, our appetites were satisfied, and if you caught a glimpse of our to-go bag, you’d see we tried to keep our portions in check that night. But we still made sure to sample enough to provide a thorough review—just a little sacrifice we made for our readers!
Next was the New York strip steak, sliced perfectly and topped with pickled onions and bread-and-butter pickles. This dish exemplified how Cortes transforms a familiar menu item into something distinctive that keeps diners returning for more.
As we neared the end of our feast, our final dish arrived—a hefty vegetarian pizza adorned with rich cheese, balsamic glaze and chopped figs, all topped with a generous mound of arugula. By this point, we could only manage one slice, but like the nachos, the pizza made for a delicious, reheated dinner for us the next day. So here’s our tip: don’t hesitate to order a bit extra. As we discovered, everything we took home that night was still tasty the next day.
Until the new menu is live to the public, be sure to check out the current menu at Good Day Good Night inside The Casso Hotel, located at 603 West Morgan Street. For reservations or more information, please contact 984-459-7185 or visit gdgnraleigh.com.
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