Chapel Hill Birthday

[mary gerstle]

I am heading to NC to celebrate my 20 year olds birthday - we are both foodies - and plan to treat her & a couple of her friends for dinner
. Where to go? Elaine's? Lantern? Le Riz? Fearrington? Would love some guidance..............

[veganhater]

As I have in the past, I'll throw Il Palio into the discussion. Great fresh pasta and use of local ingredients. I like Lantern, but usually am happier ordering a few starters as my meal. I would still pick lantern over Jujube, although both are fun. Jujube is open for lunch, if there is another meal in the mix. Fearrington is easily the most formal setting, and the food is pretty good. I would give them top billing for presentation. Intricate plating, typically with multiple components on each dish. They also have a killer wine list. Irritatingly, I haven't been to Elaine's recently enough to comment. That all being said, my money is on Il Palio

[LulusMom]

I had a great meal at Il Palio with LulusDad just this past week. It's definitely come into heavy rotation on date nights in the past year, and while not every meal is perfect, usually they are at least very good.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Lantern and Elaines are good without being stuffy like Fearrington might be (dress up sorta places). I would also recommend Saffron if spicy is okay. IL Palio I can't comment on other than it is a hotel restaurant which may be great dining but maybe better for just mother/daughter or family. One has a nice look but I've not been since the chefs changed a year or so ago.

[LulusMom]

I had the same feeling about Il Palio until about a year ago. then I went on my own and sat at the bar, and my meal was pretty darned good. As a matter of fact I prefer the bar (which they seem to prefer I call a lounge) because it seems less stuff, but yeah, it is in the middle of a hotel lobby.

[veganhater]

Yeah it's in a hotel lobby, but its an independent hotel. And, therefore, an independent restaurant. It's kinda nice when you walk in and there are doormen to greet you and open the door. Once you enter the dining room, the hotel lobby aspect dissipates. I go for the great Italian inspired food, use of local ingredients and great wine list. Quite simply, the food is great and on par with the best triangle restaurants.

[LulusMom]

Right. And once you're facing the bar (as in sitting at it) you really don't notice the lobby at all. Their homemade pastas are, absolutely, on par with the best in the triangle.

[burgeoningfoodie]

The question I pose is this.. Why would you bring a group of friends to a birthday and sit at the bar.. in which case you would not be facing any of hte people you are wanting to talk to?

[LulusMom]

There are a few tables there, and a few outside (which I wouldn't do - the view of Franklin isn't that exciting). I suppose it depends on how many people (more than 4? no) and who they are. When I went about a month ago with Lulu's kindergarten teacher, we sat in the restaurant. If Lulu and I took my mother, we'd sit at the bar (suffice it to say the apple didn't fall far from the tree).

[Tehama]

chuckle chuckle!

[fussycouple]

Jujube is a good little restaurant down in Glen Lennox. They source some stuff locally and use better than average quality food ingredients in general.

[wvurx]

I've been happy with One in Meadowmont. Creative and not stuffy. That's where we take our daughter, who's just a little bit older than yours. Lantern wasn't my favorite, but I understand its appeal.

[bbqme]

I'll point in a separate direction. Since she is 20 she is likely more into adventurous eating than fine dining. Therefore, I think you guys should hit up China Gourmet and Cholanad.

[Remsleep]

+1 for Cholanad. Hands down my favorite Indian in the area.

[LulusMom]

+2. I love it.

[Rory]

+3 the best -and it's full of 20 somethings too.

[Rory]

okay after this thread I went to Cholanad for my birthday; it was last Thurs, totally rainy and cold & the place was packed. They deserve their success the food was amazing.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Confused.. You went to cholonad based on this thread? But you had been at least once before.. so why this thread?

[Rory]

sorry to be obscure, I went for my birthday, even though I have been there many times. It was delicious.

[bbqme]

Belated happy birthday Rory!

[Rory]

bbqme thank you:) the week after it was my dad's; we went to Vimala's - totally delicious, she had a green chili pork special & butter chicken specials...oh so amazingly good!

[brokegradstudent]

Drop La Res from the list. Either Elaine's or Lantern would be perfect.

[LulusMom]

I'm going to guess that the one you've heard the most about (because it gets the most national press) is the Lantern. If so, that might make it the most fun for everyone.

[mary gerstle]

True - but we wondered if it was worth the buzz

[LulusMom]

It is a very good restaurant. I've never been to Le Res, didn't care for Fearrington (although many on this board love it), and love Elaine's and very much like the Lantern. I think if you like Asian food with a sort of upscale twist you'll be happy with the Lantern.

[mary gerstle]

Perfect - thanks for the input