Restaurant Review: NOFO at the Pig

I love the rare opportunity to go out to dinner with one of my good friends from high school, and we end up going to some pretty good places. NOFO at the Pig (meaning the old Piggly Wiggly) was no different. Located in the 5 Points area of Raleigh, on the same strip as other local favorites, Lilly's Pizza, Third Place Coffeehouse, and one of my favorites Fresh at 5 Points, NOFO is a hot spot for those who prefer lighter fare as well as Ladies that Lunch. The decor is bright and colorful, cleverly hiding pigs in the hand blown glass chandeliers, and a fairly small dining area. Two stories with the dining area, small bar, and kitchen down stairs and a boutique upstairs that sells all local items from cheeses to jewelry, and repurposing old coolers as displays (really one of those stores that you could walk around for an hour). There is nothing on the menu that doesn't look good. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, and blue plate specials, we both had a hard time choosing between a dinner salad or a non-beef burger. We both ended up going for the shrimp burger after it being highly recommended by our waitress. Service was quick and attentive, which is good because we usually spend a good ten minutes talking before even looking at the menu. The only unpleasant thing was the hostess who wore too much perfume, and was noticeable to the both of us every time she walked past. The burger was delicious and unlike any other shrimp burger that I have had. Typically a shrimp burger ends up being a Po' Boy, fried shrimp in a bun. At NOFO, they puree cooked shrimp and then fold in chopped shrimp with onion and pepper. Only the smallest amount of breading and pan fried until golden brown. The burger is served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a key lime tartar sauce. The tartar sauce was light, not too mayonnaise-y, and had a noticeable lime flavor. We both paid extra to get the sweet potato fries (which I think the up charge was a little high), but well worth it, and came with a Cajun citrus mayonnaise-which also would have been great on the burger. The burger was rich and filling, we both ended up eating half, which I am sure our husbands were happy about as they got the leftovers. Needless to say, I would definitely go back and it would be hard not to get the sweet potato fries again.