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By far the best known and most celebrated restaurant in
the area is Magnolia Grill in Durham. Ben Barker has
been nominated by the James Beard Foundation as Best
Chef in the Southeast for the last two years, and his
wife Karen, was nominated for best pastry chef. I had
dinner there last June, and the meal was, for the most
part, worthy of praise that has been lavished on this
place. It's extremely popular, so reservations are
essential. Another highly regarded restaurant in
Durham is Nana's, operated by a former sous chef at
Magnolia Grill. In Raleigh, Bistro 67 reputedly has
some good French-inflected cuisine, and Bloomsbury
Bisto is touted as Raleigh's answer to Magnolia Grill
and Nana's. Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill was
recommended for food with a more southern accent.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance during my brief
stay in Durham to try out the local barbecue, as I had
wanted. The best known BBQ place is Bullock's, but
some of the locals brushed it off as a "tourist" joint.
If I'd had the time, I would have tried Allen and Son
between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, which received
the most consistent praise. Other BBQ recommendations
included Hobgood's in Hillsborough, Skylight in Ayden,
Melton's in Rocky Mount, and Wilber's and Scott's in
Goilsboro.›2 Replies-
re: Tom Armitage
I just moved to Columbus, OH after 7 years in Raleigh
and Durham, and I agree with the above post. Nana's
and Magnolia Grill are certainly the best in Durham,
and Bloomsbury Bistro in Raleigh is also top notch,
but they are, accordingly, among the most expensive,
with entrees from the high teens on up to $50. They
are also among the few restaurants where dressing up
is required. Triangle restaurants are for the most
part moderately priced, casual and don't take
reservations. Pop's, near Brightleaf Square in
Durham, is one of my personal favorites. It's mostly
Northern Italian, trendy (for NC) but friendly and
unpretentious - and very good. Entrees are b/w $8 and
$18. 411 West (as in 411 W. Franklin St.) in Chapel
Hill is also a very good, "in" place with similarly
good prices. As for Carolina Barbecue (shredded pork
with a vinegar based sauce - NO tomatoes), the best,
for both flavor and southern atmosphere, is Cooper's
in Downtown Raleigh. And for a real Southern
breakfast, try Big Ed's in Raleigh's City Market.
NC's reviled Senator, Jesse Helms, eats there all the
time. But don't bring your kids, Big Ed doesn't like
'em (a sign on the door tells you to come back when
you can leave the kids at home). Feel free to email
me if you have any more questions.
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