Modified On August 14, 2006
We had the pleasure of filling in last week at Goodnights in Raleigh, and the double pleasure of working with Blake Clarke. That club, you’ll recall, was among the ten that we cited in the USA Today piece from a year ago April 1, in which they listed “Ten great places to sit down and watch standup.”
New owner Brad Reeder has spent considerable time and energy (and a few bucks) re-branding the club as “Goodnights Comedy Club,” dropping the “Charlie” part. “The club never really was named Charlie Goodnights,” says Reeder. “That was the name of the Mexican restaurant downstairs.” Old habits die hard, however, as customers are still using the Charlie handle when making reservations.
Speaking of restaurants, among the many changes the new Goodnights regime has brought about is a new menu. Chef Richard is enthusiastically introducing such items as Tournedos of Beef King Louis (which was last week’s aptly named Special!). We must say that The Grille at Goodnights just might have the best food of any comedy club in America. (And, while we admit that we haven’t eaten at every comedy club in America… and we also admit that most comedy clubs don’t exactly offer five-star cuisine… it’s still darn fine club grub!)