Favorite Restaurant

[lvscolencanes]

This might be boring, but I was needing some advice about resturants. What is everyone's favorite resturant, I am taking my sweetie out for our anniversary, and I want something good, but decent priced, but kinda romantic....I havent lived here that long...thanks!! :D

[CaniacManiac]

Definitely Biaggi's in Cary. The food is great and the prices are fairly reasonable for the quality of food and service you get. My husband, Section328Crazy, is a chef and we are REALLY picky where we eat. We go there at least every other week.

CaniacManiac

[Turbulence]

Biaggi's is a fantastic Italian restaurant...it is fairly upscale but it isn't overbearing. Prolly $10 for an entre...so not a horrible choice based on price. Good restaurant...
(http://www.biaggis.com/cary.htm)

[Turbulence]

Great minds think alike, CaniacManiac. :spin:

[Stormbringer]

I've never eaten at Biaggi's, but I definitely will check it out when I'm in the neighborhood. :) Here is a list of my current favorite restaurants in no particular order...

Los Tres Magueyes (I'm not sure about the spelling on the last word, but it's pretty close...one of my favorite Mexican eateries, especially the one on Falls of the Neuse Rd.)
Torero's (The other one of my favorite Mexican places. One great location on Atlantic Ave., and another on Guess Rd. in Durham.)
Blue Corn Cafe (A Southwestern style restaurant in Durham.)
Pepper's Pizza (In Chapel Hill...one of my most favorite restaurants in that town. :))
The Weathervane @ A Southern Season (Also in Chapel Hill.)
Tiramisu Cafe (On Falls of the Neuse, in Falls Village shopping center. A VERY SMALL, but AWESOME Italian place. Reservations wholeheartedly recommended.)
San Carlo (Another good Italian restaurant on Falls of the Neuse, except in the shopping center at Durant Rd.)
La Foresta (YET ANOTHER wonderful Italian restaurant (Billy Joel would be in heaven here... ;)) located in Wake Forest.)
Elmo's Diner (In Carrboro and Durham.)
Kanki Japanese Steakhouse (THE place for Japanese food in Raleigh...locations include North Square Market and Crabtree Valley Mall.)
Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant (In Wake Forest...if it was still open, I would have recommended Hunan Chinese Restaurant, which used to be in Mini City/North Boulevard Plaza on US 1/Capital Boulevard. That has been the only place to serve my most favorite Chinese dish ever, Scallion Lamb. :sad:)

If I think of anymore, I'll let you know... :)

[Shell]

My favorites are Maggiano's and Capital City Chophouse.. both of which can be pricy (unless you do family style at Maggiano's which case it is the best deal ever, but you have to have at least 4 people). On the slightly cheaper side I like Macaroni Grill as well. Michael Dean's is good and can range from cheap to expensive depending on what you order. I like Red Lobster too, they may be a chain but they can scampi up some shrimp just right ;). Carver's Creek is yummy too

Let me know if you want menus to any of those places.

[JaroFan]

Lucky 32 - my absolute favorite restaurant. If you can spend a little more, J. Gilbert's is excellent too!

[RIO]

I'm going to recommend a place I ate at for more than 10 years before we moved. We were on a first-name basis with the owner, Mary Lou, we ate there so much. lol

Side Street. Very out of the way in Oakwood in Raleigh. Has THE BEST sandwiches. It's a great place. Very small. Uncluttered. Very pleasant. Sis and I used to go there for lunch sometimes, and on days that weren't busy, our usual waiter would pull up a chair and chat with us while we ate.

[lvscolencanes]

Thanks guys!!! Some wonderful idea, I know I am starving now.... :D

[SouthernCaniac]

Couple of questions....
Has anyone eaten at the new Hibernian on Kildaire Farm in Cary yet? Just wondering how it is.
And also, I love Macaroni Grill too, but keep hearing the Cary one is having sanitation grade problems. As in low B. Haven't been in a while because of it. Anyone know the deal?
And if you're looking for breakfast/lunch, cant go wrong with the farmer's market restaurant now that its under new management. Just plain old nc food. And a signed jersey and sticks from our favorite team:)

[Shell]

Unfortunately wake county quit posting specific violations but the Cary location did get a 85.5 last time (5/27/03). That is pretty nasty.. back when they did list specific violations, I saw restaurants with rat and roach infestations scoring an 83. :sick:
The new one by Triangle Town Center scored a 93.5

You can call the Wake County Department of Environmental Health and ask what the violations were.

[Canesluver]

My favorites -- a little pricey, but always great food and great service:
The Cosmopolitan (McGregor Village, Cary)
The Bloomsbury Bistro (in the Hays-Barton part of Raleigh)
Cafe Luna (downtown off Moore Square)
Michael Dean's (No. Raleigh)
Margeaux's (No. Raleigh/Creedmoor)
Irregardless (downtown Raleigh)-- especially great fish and veggie dishes and almost every night they've got live musicians (blues, acoustic, jazz, etc.) and a kind of funky decor -- least expensive of the 6 I've mentioned.

We adore the Cosmopolitan-- our new favorite restaurant. It's owned and menus planned by the same people who own the Bloomsbury Bistro. Both are excellent, but Bloomsbury is more intimate.

All require reservations.

Have fun!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Michael Dean's
Dos Taquitos (on Creedmore....best Mexican in the world. NOT Tex-mex, mind you, Mexican)
Waraji (best, largest and most reasonable sushi I've found and the best ginger house dressing and green tea)
PF Chang's
Caffe Luna
San Lucia (Italian in McGregor Village...looks like a hole in the wall from the outside but the food was great)

We just ate at the Macaroni Grille in Cary Friday night....ewww. Didn't know about the sanitation grade. :sick:

[JaroFan]

[San Lucia (Italian in McGregor Village...looks like a hole in the wall from the outside but the food was great)

We've eaten there...I swear we were the only people in the restaurant but the food was awesome!

[Stormbringer]

Lucky 32 - my absolute favorite restaurant. If you can spend a little more, J. Gilbert's is excellent too!

Aw man! How could I forget Lucky 32...another fantastic place that gets a recommendation from me! :)

[Jeff O Rocks]

My all-time favorite restaurant, although really pricey is Angus Barn.....it is so yummy and the atmosphere is great.....

I also love Crowley's...the one on Medlin and Dixie Trail...lots of choice, quiet and romantic...and great bar..

Enjoy wherever you go!! ;)

[nccanes]

Dos Taquitos (on Creedmore....best Mexican in the world. NOT Tex-mex, mind you, Mexican)


Dos Taquitos is great food and a lot of funk. Must be one of the darkest restaurants in town. That's pretty close to me SHC!

[AbNormal27]

Now, I know that it's a BIT out of your way, but we have this place in London, Crabby Joe's and it's pretty DAMN good (right, SHC?). Much like RIO and "Side Street", my wife and I are regulars at this place and on a first name basis. So, if you feel like the trip................ you also have a place to stay ;) .

Aaryn

[perfectstorm]

Angus Barn....never had a bad meal there.

:)

[Kat]

Caffe Luna ( http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/6177017/ ) would be great for a romantic dinner.

So would 518 West ( Italian, http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/6179189 ), which is somewhat more moderately priced. Both are in Raleigh, although 518 West has another location in Chapel Hill ( with a different name, 411 West, http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/6158350/ ). Oh, and go for the half portions there, since the full portions are HUGE.

Will agree with the above on Angus Barn, but it is definitely on the pricey side ($20-30+ entrees).

-Kat

[Stormbringer]

My all-time favorite restaurant, although really pricey is Angus Barn.....it is so yummy and the atmosphere is great.....

Angus Barn....never had a bad meal there.

:)

Y'know...I've lived in Raleigh my whole life, and have yet to eat at the Angus Barn. I have heard many good things about it, and would love to eat there being one who could always go for a good steak, at the risk of sounding like Tripp Tracy. ;)

Speaking of good steakhouses, there's one on the outskirts of Chapel Hill called The Farmhouse. :)

[talkingcanes]

The Angus Barn is fabulous!

Maybe it's me, but Cafe Luna doesn't do it for me. I have eaten there 3 times and didn't enjoy the food at all.

Mama Lia's is great Italian food.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Here's one I forgot! Tosca in downtown Durham right down the street from The Carolina Theater. Great Italian food in this really cool renovated tobacco warehouse. Love that place!

[Shell]

we went to Cappers the other night and that fits for romantic and yummy as well.. they have live jazz after 8 (and have had well know great acts). It is Spectator's choice for "Best Live Jazz and Blues" 12 Years Straight. I had a filet and guyute had some sort of grouper.. it is pricy though. we had a coupon for salad, dinner, dessert, and a bottle ofwine for $64/couple
http://www.cappersrestaurant.com

Has anyone been to Ronnie's favorite? Nina's Italian? I'd love a review

[perfectstorm]

Thought of another one...

Garinos in Cary right off US 1 and Walnut (same area as the Red Roof Inn). Mom and Pop Italian place WITH THE BEST GARLIC BREAD ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!!!

[All4Bates]

Angus Barn- Not bad food but always very busy, and might be difficult to carry on nice conversation. I went there for my wedding night , and have been back for 8 anniversaries. I have found that as I get a little older I prefer a bit more ambiance for such an occasion.

Michael Dean's- Great food, good price, but busy and loud, especially Thurs- Sat.

Nana's(Durham)- Excellent food, and worth the drive

Bloomsbury Bistro- Hands down has to be my favorite. Every bite ends in HMMMMMMMM!!!! This is my choice for celebrating my anniversary, if I have to stay in the Triangle.

If you really want to woo your woman, and have her in the palm of your hands, then head for Charleston S.C... Book a room at the French Quarter Inn, and make dinner reservations for McCraddy's resturaunt. That has got to be one of the best resturant's in the entire country, and it's only 5hrs. away. I would do anything my hubby asked of me if the reward was McCraddy's. You could probably pull off the whole thing for less than $500.00 for a weekend. $200-$250 for just dinner and a stay. I promise it will be the best cash you have ever spent.


Hope you have a great anniversary!!!

Let us know how it goes..

[All4Bates]

Forgot to mention my last two anniversaries... 2 yrs ago Bloomsbury Bistro, and a canes game on club level. Very nice evening. Last year we were both traveling so I ended up at a place in Atlanta called Joel, which was to die for as well. Does your wife have a favorite cuisine?

[Lady J]

The best Italian place I've ever eaten at is a tiny restaurant near Mini City, on Capital Boulevard, called Casalinga's. They even have a little old Italian man to guide you to your seats who doesn't speak a bit of English :) ~ it's a very pleasant place, and the food is wonderful. It's been awhile since the last time I was there, but from what I can remember, the prices were more than fair.

[Stormbringer]

The best Italian place I've ever eaten at is a tiny restaurant near Mini City, on Capital Boulevard, called Casalinga's. They even have a little old Italian man to guide you to your seats who doesn't speak a bit of English :) ~ it's a very pleasant place, and the food is wonderful. It's been awhile since the last time I was there, but from what I can remember, the prices were more than fair.

I've eaten at Casalinga a couple of times, and it is indeed a wonderful place. They have some of the best veal and fetuccini dishes I've ever had. Definitely recommended by me too... :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Now that we are all starving.....where are you going lvscole??? ;)

[lvscolencanes]

Now, I know that it's a BIT out of your way, but we have this place in London, Crabby Joe's and it's pretty DAMN good (right, SHC?). Much like RIO and "Side Street", my wife and I are regulars at this place and on a first name basis. So, if you feel like the trip................ you also have a place to stay ;) .

Aaryn

You better quit offering - we just might take you up on this, and then you will get some more wild ones!!! Me and my husband would love to go to Canada, and check out that Crabby Joes, I love seafood!! I would also love to talk hockey with you, you can teach me alot!! :D

[lvscolencanes]

Now that we are all starving.....where are you going lvscole??? ;)

Its between Biaggi's, and Angus Barn...Gohlee they all sound good. I love Italian, and of course he loves steak, so I might just do iniminiminimo....LOL!!!
Thanks to everyone!!!! I will let you guys know how it went!!! :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

IF you go to Angus Barn, of course make reservations or you will never get seated!! ;) and don't fill up on the crackers and cheese and olives and pickles like I always do..........and the bread they give you is just dripping with butter.....and the salad dressing is homemade......the 1000 Island is the best!!!!!!!!! Is it lunch time yet??????? :eek2:

**drools like Homer**

[lvscolencanes]

I know you got me starving!!! :crazy:

[Kat]

If you really want to woo your woman, and have her in the palm of your hands

I think that luvcolencanes is a female... not sayin that she wouldn't be wooing a woman or anything, just sayin.

-Kat

[CaniacManiac]

You should make a reservation at Biaggi's also if you decide to go there. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, see if you can seated in either Lisa or Sue's section, they are really great servers.

We went again last night and I had the Carpaccio as an appetizer and it was to die for.

CaniacManiac

[lvscolencanes]

Oh jees!! I dont know which place to go. They both sound good. I think I am leaning more toward Biaggi's since I have never been there. I went to Angus Barn like 3 years ago when I first moved here....But hubby might want to go there again....We will see, italian sounds yummy!! :D

[Shattered]

Has anyone been to Ronnie's favorite? Nina's Italian? I'd love a review


The food at Nina's is fantastic - however, I took my family there for a special dinner about a year ago. We had one bottle of wine, and ordered a second. The wine was one we drink often, and (silly me) I didn't think we needed to taste the second bottle. The waitress poured it, and it tasted like prune juice. :sick: Well, we asked for a different bottle. The owner came out and proceeded to snootily tell us that the wine was fine (while refusing to taste the offending bottle), that Barolo is supposed to taste like that (how did he know what it tasted like, since he wouldn't taste it), and, while he did replace the bottle he made sure the whole restaurant knew what uncouth barbarians we were. :roll: Mr. Shattered tried again after dinner to get the owner to taste the bad wine, but he still refused - although the bartender and waitstaff all tasted both the good and the bad wines and agreed with us.

It's a real shame that we were treated that way, because the food is reasonably priced and the best Italian I've had in the area (with the occasional exception of Il Palio). But there's no way they're getting another dime of mine. :mad:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Has anyone been to Ronnie's favorite? Nina's Italian? I'd love a review


The food at Nina's is fantastic - however, I took my family there for a special dinner about a year ago. We had one bottle of wine, and ordered a second. The wine was one we drink often, and (silly me) I didn't think we needed to taste the second bottle. The waitress poured it, and it tasted like prune juice. :sick: Well, we asked for a different bottle. The owner came out and proceeded to snootily tell us that the wine was fine (while refusing to taste the offending bottle), that Barolo is supposed to taste like that (how did he know what it tasted like, since he wouldn't taste it), and, while he did replace the bottle he made sure the whole restaurant knew what uncouth barbarians we were. :roll: Mr. Shattered tried again after dinner to get the owner to taste the bad wine, but he still refused - although the bartender and waitstaff all tasted both the good and the bad wines and agreed with us.

It's a real shame that we were treated that way, because the food is reasonably priced and the best Italian I've had in the area (with the occasional exception of Il Palio). But there's no way they're getting another dime of mine. :mad:

Good customer service means NOTHING in some places anymore!! :roll:

[nccanes]

Good customer service means NOTHING in some places anymore!! :roll:

I bet Ronnie gets some nice service, huh?

Sorry about that Shattered. I've never been, but we're not huge Italian eaters.

[Guyute]

Yes, there are Plenty of nice restaurants around.... but the service is SH*T in most of them. Drives me batty (being a fine-dining server for several years).

not only the servers.... but management in general. It seems nobody knows how to RUN a restaurant. :roll:

Shattered... props to you and your hubby for not taking that a few steps further. I might've forced that punkass to taste that wine, whether he wanted to or not. how ridiculous.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Regarding the service thing..I totally agree...

I do have to say on my earlier suggestion of Crowley's...the service is excellent...I have been there many times and have never had to want for anything...great food too!! :spin:

[Shattered]

I might've forced that punkass to taste that wine, whether he wanted to or not. how ridiculous.

If my mom hadn't been there, he probably would have :evil: We were thinking of going back and bringing our own bottle in - maybe a fine jug of Carlo Rossi. Wonder what kind of corkage fee they'd charge?

[Stormbringer]

Good customer service means NOTHING in some places anymore!! :roll:

Tell me about it...as often as we've eaten out, my family and I will tell you that we have had our share of horrible service at certain restaurants, most of which have not surprisingly closed down. The three most notorious restaurants in our book were Cooker, Houlihan's, and The Longhorn. Cooker used to be an immense favorite of me and my folks a few years ago, but their service fell, and it fell HARD. The last two or three times we ate at Cooker, we waited god knows how long for our meal. When we finally got our waiter/waitress and management's attention, they acted like they could care less despite finally getting our meals to us and/or letting them be free. And on top of that, some if not most of the food was lukewarm/cold when the entrees finally arrived... :mad: A darn shame, really, because Cooker had some of the best prime rib and drop biscuits I've ever had. :sad:

But, my family and I's final Cooker experiences are NOTHING compared to my dad, brother, and I's final Houlihan's experience AND my family and I's Longhorn experience. At Houlihan's, my dad, brother, and I got a waiter who took his sweet time in doing everything and bringing everything to us AND practically did nothing we asked of him. It was so pathetic...a meal that normally took about an hour to hour and a half took at least two and a half hours, or felt like it did. As for the food itself, it was ok, but the horrible waiter left such a bitter taste and aftertaste in our mouths and minds. Ironically, Houlihan's happened to be in the same building in Falls Village shopping center that used to be occupied by The Longhorn steakhouse. And, The Longhorn was where I chose to go for my thirteenth birthday dinner...everything went ok, until the waiter started taking longer in coming back to my family and I's table. It got to the point where he didn't come back, and we finally found out about twenty-thirty minutes later that our waiter had either been fired or had quit and walked out. Either way, it was absolutely pathetic, and marked the only time I ever stepped foot in The Longhorn when it was The Longhorn.

As for Nina's...I really hate bad mouthing Ronnie's most favorite restaurant, but your story Shattered is unfortunately not the only bad one I've heard about Nina's. When my mother and I were at Williams and Sonoma in the Triangle Town Center a few weeks ago, one of the women working there was getting ready to recommend Nina's to us. Then another woman working there told us about how her and her husband ate at Nina's on New Year's Eve, and their waiter somehow got drunk and lost their check. Well, the woman and her husband returned about a month or so later with a couple of friends. And right in the middle of their meal, the manager comes and asks why the woman and her husband didn't pay for their meal on New Year's Eve. It was bad enough that the manager had the gall to ask the couple this in front of their friends, but the woman said that he asked in such a way that almost the whole place could hear him. After hearing this story, the woman who was getting ready to recommend Nina's instead recommended the Tiramisu Cafe, and that turned out to be a winner. But needless to say, I'm shocked at both stories regarding what I heard is overall an awesome Italian restaurant. My mother and I were considering still going despite what we heard at Williams and Sonoma since things are crazy on New Year's Eve, but now after your story Shattered, I'm not so sure...

(whew!) Sorry for being so long winded, but bad restaurant service really does not set well with me and my folks...

[glace]

I am new to the area and I have made a list of restaurant to try from this thread. Thanks guys! Now someone needs to start the best diet thread. I will need it after eating at these place.

[Shattered]

I do like Cafe Tiramisu - another good one (in the same shopping center) is Jean Claude's French Cafe. In Cary, a neat and intimate place with EXCELLENT service is Chef John's on Harrison Avenue.

(felt bad for only talking smack!)

[Jeff O Rocks]

I am new to the area and I have made a list of restaurant to try from this thread. Thanks guys! Now someone needs to start the best diet thread. I will need it after eating at these place.

If we all keep reading this thread, we will all be eating diet food too! ;)

[opuntia]

I loved Santa Lucia in MacGregor, but I believe it is gone now :cry:

I have eaten at the Hibernian; it is pretty good food, but there is no non-smoking section, which put me off.

Maggiano's is great, but the Firebird Grill right across from it is also really good; awesome cheesecake!

[Shell]

we're going to Nana's in Chapel Hill for the first time this weekend.. anyone been there? recommendations?

[folgersnyourcup]

Sorry shell, I've never heard of Nana's. I wanted to recommend Mellow Mushroom. It's on Peace St. right next to the Starbucks and it's pretty good. They've got pizza, calzones, and subs and it's a sit down place where you can eat inside our outside. The service is pretty fast though it is generally quite packed around lunch time. The pricing is reasonable for the type of restaurant it is (a little over 6 bucks for lunch) and the food tastes great though I find it an impossiblity to finish the Calzone (it is FAR to big and the two times I have eaten there I end up taking it home in a box which is definitely not a bad thing). It's got large mushroom statues outside and the like. Also, it has several Canes stickers and banners inside. So check it out if you're in the area and looking for a new place to try!

[Stormbringer]

Sorry shell, I've never heard of Nana's. I wanted to recommend Mellow Mushroom. It's on Peace St. right next to the Starbucks and it's pretty good. They've got pizza, calzones, and subs and it's a sit down place where you can eat inside our outside. The service is pretty fast though it is generally quite packed around lunch time. The pricing is reasonable for the type of restaurant it is (a little over 6 bucks for lunch) and the food tastes great though I find it an impossiblity to finish the Calzone (it is FAR to big and the two times I have eaten there I end up taking it home in a box which is definitely not a bad thing). It's got large mushroom statues outside and the like. Also, it has several Canes stickers and banners inside. So check it out if you're in the area and looking for a new place to try!

There's also a Mellow Mushroom in Chapel Hill when you come in on 15-501. I've yet to eat at both MMs, but will when I get the chance. :)

[Shell]

The beer and scenery at the mellow mushroom are great (being into the dead, etc as we are) but I am a freak and don't like pizza or sandwiches so their food sucks! LOL :p

[Jeff O Rocks]

but I am a freak and don't like pizza or sandwiches

Holy moly..NO pizza or sandwiches.....how in the world do you survive?? :D ;)

[Guyute]

The more important question is how do I survive!!! :p

[SouthernHockeyChick]

If that Mellow Mushroom is like the one in Boone the beer is DEFINITELY the best reason to go. They have a really extensive list of draft and bottles and they always have new ones. I miss drinkin' at that place!

[AbNormal27]

Now, I know that it's a BIT out of your way, but we have this place in London, Crabby Joe's and it's pretty DAMN good (right, SHC?). Much like RIO and "Side Street", my wife and I are regulars at this place and on a first name basis. So, if you feel like the trip................ you also have a place to stay ;) .

Aaryn

You better quit offering - we just might take you up on this, and then you will get some more wild ones!!! Me and my husband would love to go to Canada, and check out that Crabby Joes, I love seafood!! I would also love to talk hockey with you, you can teach me alot!! :D

I will NOT stop offering! You may not realize just how awful it is to live in an area filled with Leafs fans and (even worse) Wings fans. Hey, the food is great and they know my wife and I on a first name basis, so the service is always top-notch. I love talking about our team and the game, so come on up and we'll have a great time........ PROMISE! The only thing is I insist you let me buy, deal? THIS OFFER IS OPEN TO ANY lgc.com-er!

Aaryn

[puckin_A]

my favorites are Maggiano's and Biaggi's.