638361 Tue Jul 21 13:47:22 -0700 2009 36 78 Southeast 0 4878227 Mine, in no order but these are the top 5: Allen and Son Barbecue (Millhouse Road, Chapel Hill, NC) for pulled pork 'cue Saffron (Morrisville, NC) for Indian Saxapahaw General Store Cafe (Saxapahaw, NC) for whatever they're cooking on a Saturday night Waraji (Raleigh, NC) for sushi and sashimi The Barbecue Joint (Chapel Hill, NC) for fun tricks with smoked meats, non-pulled-pork category Tue Jul 21 13:47:22 -0700 2009 10242 enrevanche 1 5198779 Tell us more about this Saxapahaw General Store Cafe... sounds intriguing. Sat Nov 21 13:43:14 -0800 2009 4878227 101616 Tehama 2 5199071 A couple took over the Shell Station in town and has turned the gas station grill into a really great little restaurant (and they still sell gas) This weekend's menu from the weekly mailer And in case you're around for supper, Jeff has prepared the following for this weekend: -Wild caught sturgeon over risotto, and braising greens, braised -NC trigger fish over chickpea succotash and braised napa cabbage -Pan-seared sea scallops with risotto and asparagus -Crabcake with duck fat fries and local green wax beans -Mussels, big bowl, garlic bread -Local beef short ribs with local mashers and local bordeaux spinach -Sirloin 8 oz., local, with duck fat fries and sauteed spinach -Local beef and pork meatloaf, mashed potatoes, local green beans -Quarter NC chicken with potato salad and house made cole slaw -Linguine with meat sauce and roasted garlic baguette -Chicken picatta, NC chicken, over mashers or linguine with local braising greens -Bib lettuce salad with bagon and herb dijon vinaigrette -Sweet potato and spiced pecan ravioli in pumpkin puree -Eggplant parmesan with local mixed greens side salad -Duck breast on baguette with local figs, local arugula, and local goat cheese -Tomato pumpkin bisque Sat Nov 21 17:05:08 -0800 2009 5198779 67996 brokegradstudent 3 5199655 Holy Cow that sounds good! What are the hours? That sounds like a good road trip from Raleigh! Sun Nov 22 04:45:52 -0800 2009 5199071 101616 Tehama 4 5199866 We were out that way (not meal time) and checked on the location. It was about an hours drive from Raleigh. It is a tie between them and Chef and Farmer in Kinston for our next dinner field trip! Sun Nov 22 07:58:44 -0800 2009 5199655 111267 meatn3 5 5201893 I'm from Kinston originally and never got around to Chef and Farmer and don't think I'll have the chance to any time soon, but I hear great things about it. The town also go it's first microbrew. I'm sure if you google search for it it will pop up. It's not far from Chef and Farmer (but then in Kinston what is really far). Mon Nov 23 06:56:40 -0800 2009 5199866 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 6 5201921 I saw the brewery when we were at Chef and the Farmer. It was about a block away, but I don't think it had opened yet. Mon Nov 23 07:07:14 -0800 2009 5201893 124150 Naco 4 5200899 the menu flyer i picked up in june has the hours: M-F 6:30-9:00 Sat 7:00-10:00 Sun 10:00-8:00 Everyday Breakfast is M-F 6:30-10:30AM, Sat 7-2,Sun 10-2 Weekend Brunch is Sat and Sun 10-2 Dinner themes: Casserole Sundays Taco Mondays Special Bistro Fare Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Again, this was from June, so not sure if this is the most up to date. But at least it gives you an idea of the hours. Sun Nov 22 16:55:00 -0800 2009 5199655 13959 cervisiam 5 5201040 Well, I am ready to go! Say no more! :-) Thank you so much for the times and the additional info. Meat-N-3: what is this Chef and Farmer in Kinston you speak of? Sun Nov 22 18:27:02 -0800 2009 5200899 101616 Tehama 6 5201046 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/625855 http://www.chefandthefarmer.com/ Sun Nov 22 18:30:29 -0800 2009 5201040 124150 Naco 5 5201108 The cafe is closed on Mondays. I think dinner may end a bit earlier in the winter. Sun Nov 22 19:01:22 -0800 2009 5200899 67996 brokegradstudent 1 5198867 I like casual and inexpensive places, so here's my list: 1. The Federal in Durham for highly creative and inexpensive food and the best fries I've had. 2. Backyard Barbeque in Durham for chopped pork and country sides, but family style at Barbeque Lodge in Raleigh is hard to beat. 3. Fiesta Grill in Carrboro for tasty Tex-Mex. 4. Weathervane in Southern Season in Chapel Hill for weekend brunch and eating outside 5. Akashi or Sushi Love in Durham for sushi. Sat Nov 21 14:46:32 -0800 2009 4878227 166778 wvurx 2 5199815 I prefer casual, unpretentious style. My Top 5 1) Wild Turkey Lounge (in Angus Barn) 2) Vin Rouge 3) Vic's Italian 4) Vinnie's Steakhouse 5) Fuddrucker's (still the best burger and bun) Sun Nov 22 07:27:18 -0800 2009 5198867 273363 Fu Dee 3 5246303 Is it me, or are 3 of those chains? I know 4 and 5 are, just guessing on 3. Come on, bro.. Get out more! Mine- 1. Superior for tacos lengua and consome de borrega (although my favorite place for consome was called taquito d'oro- it was a truck (NOT the bus) outside the old buckhorn market, and I haven't found its new home) 2. Fiesta Grill for whole fish and Caldo de 7 mares. 3. Poole's Diner for, well, anything 4. Jujube on an "on night" 5. Saigon Grill for Canh Chua and pork crepes Sat Dec 12 04:45:58 -0800 2009 5199815 185225 Pigloader 1 5201017 Boy it's hard to do just 5 but.... 1-The Federal for the braised pork sandwich and fries. I've lived here 35 years and I think I might prefer this to NC BBQ, sue me. 2-La Vaquita-If I could find a place that served tacos de lechon and panuchos that would make the list but until then. 3-Magnolia Grill-best pork chop ever and that grits souffle, oh boy. 4-Humble Pie 5-Randy's Pizza, I've known Randy for years so I'm biased but it's still my favorite pizza by the slice in the area. Sun Nov 22 18:15:25 -0800 2009 4878227 168938 LBD 1 5201043 Add me to The Federal in Durham Rest in Raleigh: Soloman's for Meditterean Waraji for Sushi Mo's Diner and Bloomsbury Bistro for special occassion Oakwood Cafe - my favorite "hole in the wall" and the best churrasco steak ever! Sun Nov 22 18:29:49 -0800 2009 4878227 101616 Tehama 1 5201082 My top 5 at the moment, and subject to change: - Cypress - Poole's Diner - J Betskis - An Chau cause I needs my pho - Kashin for rustic Japanese and ramen Sun Nov 22 18:48:17 -0800 2009 4878227 254408 dinersaurus 1 5201915 Hmmm this is a toughie as I've not really explored as much of the restaurants (Fins, J.Betskis and such) that I'd like to.. This may be more of where I've had the best meals and not my top favorite restaurants (places I go to often because I really enjoy the food) but that may be due to price. In Chapel Hill/Durham Mint (not THE Mint) Revolution Bonn Soiree Med Deli It's a toss up between Momoyama and Sushi Love (for Sushi). I'd list others in different areas like Coquette and Mo's Diner in Raleigh. Mon Nov 23 07:05:41 -0800 2009 4878227 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 1 5245775 These are the ones I visit frequently and am always very pleased with: Raleigh- Porters Coquette Fortune Palace Cary- Bosphorus a little bit of a drive in Williamston- Sunny Side Oyster Bar Watts Grocery would be on our frequent rotation if it were closer and a little lower in price. (They are reasonable for the fare, just a little higher than we can do frequently!) Fri Dec 11 17:48:43 -0800 2009 4878227 111267 meatn3 1 5246065 Hello from the SF Bay Area of California! I'm already missing Triangle offerings, so here's my top 5: 1) Magnolia Grill - Chez Panisse in CA may have invented the philosophy, but Ken and Karen Barker take the idea of intricate interplay of dozens of fresh, local ingredients in a single dish to a whole new level. 2) Bonne Soiree - the epitome of classy yet wholly approchable cuisine and service. 3) Watts Grocery - casual, fresh, local, Southern - who can ask for more? 4) Yancey House Restaurant in Yanceyville, NC - winner of "best dish in NC" this year, this place is outstanding. Gorgeous home out of which the restaurant is run. Best casual-style seafood I had in my 3.5 years in North Carolina, including scores of seafood places along the coast. The Aunt Maude's sampler on Sunday with all-you-can-eat gumbo, beef brisket, mashed potatoes, fried pork chops, collards, squash casserole, and dessert - is the best comfort food spread I've had anywhere in the state, including the buffets. 5) Tonali - a dark horse place that people tend to forget, but it's rare to find a restaurant that does "upscale" Mexican, much less using high quality ingredients and deft preparations. Fri Dec 11 20:51:31 -0800 2009 4878227 15293 mikeh 1 5246739 I've chosen the five places I've been going to recently with some frequency. None of them special occasion restaurants - that would merit a different list. Federal Saigon Grill Twisted Noodle Vit Goal Chubby's Tacos Sat Dec 12 10:05:57 -0800 2009 4878227 26542 suse 2 5246998 I just saw that the Chubby's Tacos at Woodcroft opened. I almost stopped by, but the place was PACKED full of people, and I had the kids. But I'm sure we'll get takout from there for dinner sometime this week. Sat Dec 12 12:29:11 -0800 2009 5246739 20064 durhamois 3 5248198 Thanks for letting us know, Durhamois. I like the super weird chili relleno taco. I'm sure it's not authentic, but i love it. Sun Dec 13 07:34:33 -0800 2009 5246998 26542 suse 1 5247060 In No particular order: Bin 54 (Chapel Hill, very pricey, but fantastic. I heard from an employee that the food lately has been somewhat uneven). Waraji (Raleigh, sushi, always on point) Twisted Noodles (Durham, just opened a resto in Chapel Hill. Rockin' Thai food) Los Comales (Durham, the king of Taco Row) Revolution (Durham, often maligned on the website, and while I understand the reasons for that, I still think it's the crown jewel of Durham's restaurant scene) Sat Dec 12 13:00:42 -0800 2009 4878227 20064 durhamois 2 5248133 I've definitely noticed a problem with quality control at Bin 54 over the past year. Disappointing, because it used to be our go to special occassion place. At those prices, you really want it to be perfect. Anyone been to the CH Twisted Noodles yet? Is it as good as the Durham branch? Sun Dec 13 06:33:50 -0800 2009 5247060 56762 LulusMom 3 5248211 Not really. I've been to both Twisted Noodles locations three times each, and Durham is always superior. But that's just my opinion. And still, it's quite good. I'd be hard-pressed to find a better Thai/Asian restaurant in Chapel Hill...though I'm more than happy to be proven wrong. Sun Dec 13 07:43:57 -0800 2009 5248133 51394 peetoteeto 3 5282121 I've heard that it is not as good as the Durham resto, but I don't know firsthand. Tue Dec 29 10:54:43 -0800 2009 5248133 20064 durhamois 1 5247144 Mostly lunch spots- Cloos' Coney Island Oakwood Cafe Battistella's New Orleans Kitchen Pizza Italia Stephenson's BBQ Sat Dec 12 13:41:11 -0800 2009 4878227 162138 jiminea 2 5248202 Jiminea - I think you may have wandered off your path and ended up smack in the middle of a North Carolina thread.... Sun Dec 13 07:36:55 -0800 2009 5247144 26542 suse 2 5248245 jiminea, Thanks for the reminder about Battistella's! I think since they are so tucked away from view they keep falling off my radar. Appreciate the mention and hope to finally try them soon. Sun Dec 13 08:08:28 -0800 2009 5247144 111267 meatn3 3 5248518 Their location (Crabtree Inn) is supposed to be replaced with a new Hilton starting spring of 2010......they're scouting for a new location. Sun Dec 13 10:51:04 -0800 2009 5248245 162138 jiminea 4 5249327 oops - sorry about my response before. I had never heard of any of your places on this site, but I'm not in Raleigh much so maybe I just overlooked them before. It was the "Cloos Coney Island" that totally threw me off. Sun Dec 13 19:18:17 -0800 2009 5248518 26542 suse 5 5251347 That's OK- you oughta try these spots....here's what I like about them: Cloos'- best chili cheese fries and patty melts. Oakwood Cafe- very good Cuban & Argentinean dishes...try the Ropa Vieja w/plantains as a side! Battistella's- best gumbo I've ever had..and they've got beignets and chicory coffee for dessert. Pizza Italia- Authentic NY pizza by the slice and a great philly steak. Stephenson's- Eastern NC 'que cooked over wood...'nuf said. Enjoy! Mon Dec 14 14:01:21 -0800 2009 5249327 162138 jiminea 1 5255214 my faves are-- Sitti Lantern Rue Cler Neomonde Blue Ridge Restaurant at NC art museum Wed Dec 16 00:17:18 -0800 2009 4878227 40743 lawyerlady 1 5274210 many good selections. too hard to pick top 5 i think. but no mention of Glass Half Full in Carrboro? well executed food, nice decor, wine deals Thu Dec 24 12:18:28 -0800 2009 4878227 31629 aenverga 2 5274316 I'd put Glasshalful on my list, if I was making it up today. They're doing a great job recently. Thu Dec 24 13:34:35 -0800 2009 5274210 56762 LulusMom 1 5282007 Our top 5. Cypress on the Hill. So good that our daughter took us there for Father's Day and my wife chose it for her birthday. We are going there on New Year's Eve. Elaine's on Franklin. We've been there a number of times, most recently on Christmas Eve. Has always been very good, but just a smidgen below Cypress. Lantern, Rue Cler, and Vin Rouge. All very good. Lantern when we have been in the mood for Asian food, Rue Cler and Vin Rouge for French food, although they have different types of French. You need to check their web sites to see the differences. For example, Rue Cler has coq au vin at dinner and beignets at Sunday brunch, Vin Rouge has sweetbreads and liver with onions (both of which I love to have occasionally, depending on my mood) at dinner. Tue Dec 29 10:13:23 -0800 2009 4878227 115448 karrlink