Raleigh,Durham restaurant recommendations fit for visiting Chef/Rest. Owner.

[foiefoodies]

love a few spots for lunch and dinner. Quality cuisine, price not an issue.
One sushi spot, BBQ and fine dining but not stuffy. Have only two days. Thank you in advance.

[burgeoningfoodie]

I'm not sure about places where you can visit the chef of the restaurant, BUT with the open kitchens at both.. I'd look into ONE and G2B. Dos Perros in Durham sometimes you can catch Charlie Diehl but in my experience he tends to favor repeat customers as to who he goes and says hello to.

People also claim that Sono in Raleigh is an awesome (if not a little chic) sushi spot but I don't think you'd meet the owner.

[foiefoodies]

We dined at G2b and had the pleasure of meeting the Chef.
Two Chefs together going through the restaurant, equipment etc is always a joy to see.
Thanks for your suggestions.
We will be back. This is a fantastic foodie area.

[pamdemic3]

Although not purely a sushi spot, I'd recommend Yamazushi in Durham for kaiseki-style dining (dinner only Tues-Sat)

[brsmith2]

A little research will go a long way with this request, but here's a few suggestions anyway:

For bbq, definitely Allen & Son's.

For sushi, I don't know personally but people say that Waraji (Raleigh) is one of the best.

For fine dining, I'd go to Panciuto in Hillsborough.

Other good bets: Poole's (Raleigh), Mateo (Durham), Lantern (Chapel Hill), Watts Grocery (Durham), Rue Cler (Durham), Scratch Bakery (Durham), Beasley's (Raleigh), L'Uva (Durham)

[chazzer]

Haru in Raleigh is also very good nice selection of items, very fresh and sometimes may have 4 or more different types of tuna alone.

http://www.harusushiusa.com/index-4.html

[foiefoodies]

Thank you! Dinner at Lantern was wonderful. Last night tonight.thinking of Mateo. Appreciate you wonderful suggestions.

[mpjmph]

It doesn't get a lot of love here, but St. Jacques in Raleigh is my favorite for fine dining. It is formal, but not stuffy.

[megabytes]

We were just there and it was excellent as ever!

[veganhater]

I just had a nice lunch there and would recommend it if you're in the market for fairly authentic French food. Great value at lunch. I'd also throw in J Betski's, my current favorite Raleigh eatery. Waraji is the best sushi I've encountered in town, but kurama is a short drive away. If you call ahead and explain you want real Japanese food, you will have one of the best dining experiences in the triangle.

[Tehama]

+1

[Tehama]

Agreed!

[LulusMom]

Fine dining but not stuffy: Elaine's (actually Chapel Hill, not Raleigh or Durham). Sit at the bar and ask the bartender for recommendations on food and wine.

[LulusMom]

Was just having dinner at Elaines this evening. Wonderful. And as usual the bartender picked wines for us that were perfect, and the chef is almost always there and willing to chat and sit with you, etc. I'm sure they'd love to meet you - just mention you're a chef from out of town.

[carolinadawg]

Allen and Son, between Hillsborough and CH for BBQ. Just check to make sure its open the day and time you want to visit.

[JayL]

If you want BBQ, definitely seek our Allen and Son. Be sure you go to the one on Millhouse Road. There are two and the other is owned by someone else...and not in the same league according to reviews.

A&S is about the only good BBQ choice in the area...and not that far outside of town. Certainly worth driving a few minutes for...and it is just a few minutes away.

As suggested, be sure to check their hours. I have been disappointed before when stopping by on a whim.

[foiefoodies]

Had lunch at Allen and Sons today. Was good, but we are not BBQ experts and I know NC BBQ is different than others.
TY!

[JayL]

Actually...other bbq is different from NC's...not the other way around.

;-)