Best gourmet markets in the Triangle?

[Pigeage]

Hiya, 'Hounds - Got any rec's for great markets in the Triangle? Not farmer's markets, I think I have them wired, finally (and I like West Wake) but bricks and mortar joints. Been to the big Asian market in Cary, was pleased (not with the sanitation or off smells, but still). Thanks!

[BriMar]

I saw this thread in another market thread and I thought I would also direct you over to Antonio's Gourmet Market in North Raleigh. They are in that new shopping center off of 540, Lafayette Village. The whole village is great (still new) - but Antonio's has the best looking seafood and meat I have seen in a long time. We go there often and talk to the owner... he is always recommending something for dinner!

[meatn3]

Here is a link with some reviews for the shopping center:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/769270

[ToothTooth]

This may be of interest to some of my fellow food nerds: The annual inventory sale at A Southern Season is going on right now.

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A Southern Season
201 S Estes Dr Ste 101, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

[brokegradstudent]

The happiest month of the year.

[rockycat]

The poorest month of my year, :- (

[dinersaurus]

I have been very impressed with Antonio's meats. We've had some of the best NY strips we've ever had there. The fish has also been very good. The fishmonger and the meat...um...mongers have been very helpful and knowledgeable too.

[suse]

Tiny Halgo market on Alston near the 54 intersection in Durham. Polish grocery with a selection of kielbasas and frozen perogis from Chicago.

[meatn3]

I recently found a Korean grocery in Cary. I arrived too late to check out the fresh seafood, but found many items that I had not seen else where. There is a little cafeteria there too.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=...

[chicaraleigh]

sorry I didn't think about this on my first post but The Meat House in Cary has been getting rave reviews from my friends. Since I tend to eat out for lunch a lot (ie. gluttony), I tend to stick to salads and other non-meat meals for dinner. Add to that the fact that I work in Durham and live in Raleigh it just hasn't made my personal "must do" list yet.

With that said, I do hear rave reviews from my carnivorous pack. It's in the same shopping plaza as Trader Joe's and there is a Whole Foods just around the corner from there....From there, Grand Asia isn't far nor is the Farmer's market. Wow, you could make a whole epicurean adventure out of it.

Just pack a cooler with some ice packs and a fat wallet and you'd have the perfect Saturday! Well, maybe not your perfect Saturday but it would rank up there for me.

[Suzy Q]

Just for clarification, the Meat House is in the Saltbox Village shopping center, which is NOT the same one with Trader Joe's. It's just down Kildaire Farm, though. Saltbox has Outback and Ace Hardware.

An d yes, the Meat House is excellent!

[chicaraleigh]

good catch - thanks for pointing that out. Even after 20 years of living in the Triangle I still manage to get lost in Cary!

[chicaraleigh]

While certainly not upscale, I always enjoy going to Compare Foods (Raleigh and 2 locations that I know of in Durham). Plenty of interesting ethnic produce, meats and other goodies that you can't find anywhere else. The prices are great too!

[brokegradstudent]

I wouldn't say Southern Season can be all things to all people but it is pretty darn close. I've been all over and never seen as comprehensive a gourmet market under one roof.

[Pigeage]

Thanks, will Google it! Anybody else? :-)

[dinersaurus]

Oh my. If you live in the Triangle and haven't been to Southern Season in Chapel Hill, then you need to go. Right now. They have a great selection of cheeses, wine, accesories, and any non-perishible food item you can imagine...great oils, spices, pastas, etc. Note that they do not cary produce or meats, aside from deli/charcuterie type meats, sausage, etc.

For Italian items, check out Capri Flavors in Morrisville, or is it Cary? Neomonde has a good selection of Eastern Med items. They're in Raleigh and Morrisville. Around the World Market in East Cary, on Hillsborough has a big selection of Indian items.

[Rory]

I second Around the World Market
; they had chutneys and biscuits & items from South Africa and curry powders from Sri Lanka. Impressive. Plus a huge freezer of Indian frozen foods.

[durhamois]

They also have a location on Hwy 54 in Durham, near 54 & 55.

[Rory]

yes it's right near Southern Season & has a huge selection.

There used to be a tiny Phillipine market next door in the tiny strip mall with some unusual things like Coconut vinegar.