Cary Archives - NC Triangle Dining

April 9, 2018 by Ron Wen

Foodie News: Cary Downtown Dine Around, April 25 to 29

Hey hey, Cary foodies (and others in the Triangle), I’ve got some great news for you! Coming in April will be the inaugural Cary Downtown Dine Around from April 25 to 29. Brought to you by the Heart of Cary organization, there will be a variety of special menus and offers during these five days. Participating restaurants and bars have been announced and I will be adding more details when available! I’ve included links to any reviews I have for participating restaurants.

Just another step forward for Cary, I have to admit that I’ve been spending more time in the area given the great new restaurants that have popped up downtown!

Academy Street Bistro
Annelore’s Bakery
Bosphorous
Bottle Dog Bites & Brew
Crosstown Pub & Grill
FRESH
Havana Grill
Kababish Cafe
La Farm Bakery & Cafe
Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar
Once in a Blue Moon Bakery
Pizzeria Faulisi
Postmaster
Pro’s Epicurean & Cafe
Roma’s Italian Deli & Pizzeria
Serendipity
Taipei 101
Upper Deck Sports Bar & Pub
Veranda (The Mayton Inn)
Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill

April 1, 2018 by Ron Wen

Cheers: The SideBar in Cary For Classy Cocktails and Conversation

SideBar in Cary - nctriangledining.com — SideBar in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Keeping up with my food blog can be a lot of work and I often find myself making special trips to check out a new hot spot in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. But over the past year or two, I find myself pointing my smartphone map to Cary! Previously known for its chain restaurants and relocated Yankees, new restaurant and food activity in downtown Cary has spun up a lot of excitement for this family-friendly city. And now Cary can also claim a great cocktail bar, the new SideBar on E. Chatham Street. So of course I had to stop in to see what the place was all about…

The scene at SideBar in Cary - nctriangledining.com — The scene at SideBar in Cary – nctriangledining.com

If you’re looking for SideBar, just head on over to the new building next to Bond Brothers Beer. SideBar is located next to one of my pizza faves, Pizzeria Faulisi so now you’ve got THREE good reasons to visit this neighborhood (beer, pizza and cocktails)! And even though Sidebar has only been open for a week or so, the place is buzzing with activity and customers. The decor at SideBar is retro and modern at the same time. Up front and to the right you’ll find a small table and lounge area while to the left, you’ll find a beautiful leather couch wrapping around the corner. Thick, jewel-cut glass lamps sit up above the L-shaped bar while interesting leather and wood Captain’s chairs provide seating. The side-windows at SideBar open to a small courtyard area where you can observe all the action at Bond Brothers Beer.

I’ve had the chance to drop into SideBar for a couple of visits and work through the cocktail menu a bit. There are about 20 or so house and classic cocktails to choose from in the $9 to $12 range. Given the warming weather, I tried two of their lighter drinks: a SideBar Rickey and Pimm’s Cup. Loved the Rickey, it was light on the tongue with a lot of citrus and Kaffir lime. The Pimm’s Cupp was equally well done and served in a tall glass, making for some great sipping!

SideBar Rickey at SideBar in Cary - nctriangledining.com — SideBar Rickey at SideBar in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Pimms Cup at SideBar in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Pimms Cup at SideBar in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Sitting at the bar, I get to chat with Matthew Bettinger, one of the co-owners of SideBar. I’ve known Matt for years from his days at C. Grace. Matt takes cocktails and mixology pretty seriously which is why I have faith that SideBar will become a Cary favorite, soon enough. Along with his partner Jeff and wife, Catherine, SideBar has been a personal vision come to fruition over the past 12 months. And I can tell you it was worth the wait, Cary. Well-made cocktails in a cool and mod setting works well for me and I’m pretty sure you’ll love SideBar!

SideBar

215 E Chatham Street

Cary, NC 27511

919.588.3063

Location on Google maps

January 10, 2018 by Ron Wen

Best New Restaurants, Food and Drink in the Triangle, 2017 Edition

All good things must come to an end so we say goodbye to 2017 and eagerly look forward to what may come about in 2018 for the Triangle food scene! It was an interesting year, probably not as strong as last year (Best New Restaurants of 2016) but there were certainly some great new restaurants that opened up in the Triangle. And I’ve got to say that there were some pleasant surprises out of Cary for me.

Choosing the best new restaurants for the year is always a huge challenge but in the end what really helps guide my choices revolves around a single question: How excited am I to go back for a meal? If a friend calls and says, “Let’s meet at xxx restaurant”, how excited am I? Do I feel meh and just alright about dining there? Or am I grabbing my car keys and running out the door with my foodie tail wagging?!

The other consideration I had for this best of 2017 list was: Are they likely to be successful in the long run? Are they getting better over the course of the year after opening? Predicting long-term success is a bit tricky in the restaurant and hospitality business but with all the years I’ve been reviewing, you just get a strong gut feel on which restaurants are built for the long haul!

So without further adieu, my best new restaurants and bars for the Triangle, 2017 edition! Click on the restaurant name for a full review with details.

Pool table at the Accordion Club in Durham

Accordion Club, Durham – Opened February 2017

First up on my list of the best new restaurants and bars of 2017 is the fun and cool, Accordion Club! This newer lounge out on Geer Street really is a fantastic neighborhood bar offering inexpensive drinks and a fun crowd. Toss in the interesting decor, table games, and discrete location, it all makes the Accordion Club a hidden gem in my opinion. Over the course of the year, they continue to innovate and try out new things. The Accordion Club is currently serving up green chile breakfast burritos (on Sunday) along with their hot dogs, pretty cool!

Dining room at Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh

Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh – Opened March 2017

What’s there to say about the Brewery Bhavana that hasn’t been said in the national press?! Super interesting decor and dining concept built around a brewery, floral shop and dim sum (Chinese small plates), I’m mostly focused on the food and beer here. While Brewery Bhavana may be a bit pricey, I respect what they’ve done here offering upscale, spun up Chinese eats along with really fresh and interesting beers. Love Brewery Bhavana’s space, the sleek decor and white interior design makes for a very elegant dining and drinking experience without being stuffy.

Ni bento box at City Market Sushi
Ni bento box at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining

City Market Sushi, Raleigh – Opened December 2016

The emergence of City Market in Raleigh as a food destination in the Triangle continues on in 2017! While City Market Sushi officially opened up at the end of 2016, I’m rolling it into this 2017 list! Love the sleek and modern Japanese decor at City Market Sushi along with its cute, little sushi bar in the corner. They do a fantastic and different bento box, offering up soft-shell crab sliders, pork belly salad and ahi poke, dee-licious! City Market Sushi does great sushi and fish along with hearty portion sizes in a cool environment, so glad to have you in the area!

Grub Durham – Opened July 2017

While Durham is well known for its upscale culinary scene, I always hoped for more affordable eats when visiting the Bull City and now you’ve got one, the new Grub Durham. Located in a renovated gas station, I love the retro space! Front patio, rooftop seating and then a classic diner counter with some 4-tops inside, Grub Durham works really well as a modern diner. The smaller menu covers a variety of breakfast plates, bowls, sandwiches and a handful of blue plate entrees. Their grub is well-prepared and shows a lot of care and talent in the food coming out of the kitchen. A fun spot for Durham locals and visitors to this neighborhood!

Front of Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville

Dining room at Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville

Combo shrimp and pork bun at Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville

Mekong, Morrisville – Opened February 2017

Oftentimes choosing the “best” for me is not about the money spent and Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville is the perfect example of great, low-budget dining. Simple but excellent Vietnamese food across all forms, they do a great banh mi, bun (vermicelli), com (rice plate) and pho (soup) which is extremely rare in my experience. Personable service and a more modern dining room makes this “hole in the wall” Vietnamese eatery a wonderful culinary surprise. You can’t go wrong with anything off the menu here, I can say that with confidence after 8 or 9 meals at Mekong! And while the address says Morrisville, Mekong straddles the Raleigh line for those of you in N. Raleigh.

Oakwood Pizza Box, Raleigh – Opened September 2017

When it comes to pizza, there are a ton of options in the Triangle but few as consistently good as Oakwood Pizza Box! Given the pizza pedigree of owner Anthony Guerra I’m not really surprised but I am so happy to have the Oakwood Pizza Box in ITB (inside the beltline) Raleigh. Thin-crust NY pizza with quality tomatoes and cheese makes for a great foundation pie and the handful of toppings offered are also excellent. Love the neighborhood vibe and simplicity of this modern pizza joint, they’ve done a great job so far and I’m hoping for an expanded menu in 2018!

Pizzeria Faulisi, Cary – Opened March 2017

Continuing on with the pizza theme in my best new restaurants of 2017, how about the top-notch Neapolitan pies at Pizzeria Faulisi? Cary has been hopping when it comes to new restaurants and this pizzeria sports clean and stylish decor along with a great location near Bond Brothers Beer. And the pizza? Some of the best Neapolitan in the area serving individual thin-crust pizzas topped with high-quality and delicious Italian ingredients. Don’t miss their $10 pizza special on Tuesdays (great deal) which truly shows off the pizza-making skills and delectable crust at Pizzeria Faulisi.

Red drum over crawfish butter at Saint James Seafood

Saint James Seafood Restaurant, Durham – Opened November 2017

Even though I’ve only eaten at Saint James Seafood once, it was enough to blow me away and put them on my best of 2017 list. Everything across the board was impressive and memorable at Saint James Seafood, starting with the dining room decor, service and menu. Love how they’re offering up an array of fresh seafood for the Bull City covering raw oysters, fresh fish dishes and fried Calabash seafood. And their quirky tiki drinks and cocktails are a lot of fun. Truly an impeccable dining experience for the Bull City, I expect more and better from Saint James Seafood this year!

soca, Raleigh – Opened March 2017

Over in Cameron Village you’ll find a slew of average restaurants with not many stand-outs except for the new soca on the corner of Clark and Oberlin. This stunning restaurant combines modern and upscale decor with an interesting selection of small plates from south of the border. Choose from Jamaican lamb patties, crab mofongo and conch fritters as a nod to Latin-American cuisine. All the plates are beautifully presented and their waitstaff is very well-trained and knowledgeable on the expansive menu. Definitely do not miss dessert or the patio here, they are both exquisite!

Viceroy, Durham – Opened November 2016

Last up on my best of 2017 list is the newer Viceroy out in Durham. Officially it opened up late in 2016 but I’m rolling it forward to my best of 2017 list! The rich Victorian decor, dining room details and ambiance, makes for a wonderful dining experience and great date spot. I really appreciate the tasty Indian-English gastropub menu which highlights updated classics such as short rib pasties, goat samosas and curried Shepherd’s pie. While the wait for a table can be a bit long, I love that the Viceroy has brought spicy eats to the downtown Durham dining scene and Main Street!

So there you go, my top 10 for 2017 and let me tell you that I spent hours trying to figure out where to finish the Best of 2017 list from the restaurants (My list of new 2017 restaurants) that opened up this past year. There were quite a few restaurants that were on the cusp for me so honorable mentions go out to Cortez Seafood, Hummingbird, Namu, MOFU Shoppe, Quarter Horse Arcade, and Saigon Grill and Bar. Your list may be a bit different than mine so feel free to comment and let’s discuss!

And what do we have to look forward to in 2018? More pizza with the upcoming Pizza Times and Pooleside Pie along with food halls! Some delays mean that Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co, County Fare (food trucks), and Blue Dogwood Public Market should all hit the Triangle in 2018! If you want to keep up on my lists of new and upcoming restaurants, bookmark the links below which will be updated throughout the year. It’s always fun to explore new restaurants in the Triangle, here’s to the new year along with whatever foodie delights it may hold!

New Restaurants and Bars in Cary

New Restaurants and Bars in Durham

New Restaurants and Bar in Raleigh

December 26, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: Milk Lab Cafe in Cary for Ice Cream Rolls Made Right in Front of You!

Milk Lab Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Milk Lab Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of frozen treats and ice cream, you may have heard about Thai ice cream rolls. I had run into a Youtube video online a couple of years ago and ice cream rolls puts a spin on the ice cream making process! Instead of churning cream, sugar and toppings over some hours and then freezing the mixture, cream is poured directly on a freezing surface and prepared right in front of you. Well guess what, we’ve finally got some options for Thai ice cream rolls in the Triangle, people! One of the newest places offering ice cream rolls is Milk Lab Cafe in Cary (Opened on 12/8). And I had a chance to see what the deal is all about with this upcoming ice cream craze…

Menu at Milk Lab Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Menu at Milk Lab Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Head on over to a small plaza over at Tryon/SE Cary Parkway and you’ll find the Milk Lab Cafe in the far corner, far away from both streets. It’s a spartan little spot decked out in white, blacks and woods with modest seating near the front window and a handful of small 4-tops. A chalkboard menu up front shows off 12 ice cream flavors along with an assortment of toppings for $6.47 each. (I’m guessing it rounds up to $7 with taxes!) In addition to ice cream rolls, there’s also milk teas with boba on the menu, very Asian!

Toppings at Milk Lab Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Toppings at Milk Lab Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

I’m a bit unsure what to order given I’m a ice cream roll virgin and all the flavor combos sound pretty good. Campfire Delight, a smores spin, sounds wonderful along with Monkey Business (nutella, banana). But my eyes settle onto Unicorn Poop, I mean who can resist that name? Fruity pebbles? Caramel and honey? Count me in! So I send in my order and you can choose your toppings after your rolls are made.

Making ice cream at at Milk Lab Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Making ice cream at at Milk Lab Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

The Milk Lab Cafe has two ice cream prep surfaces but they’re not too busy today so only one is being run by a young guy in black. Cream is poured on top and spread across the freezing surface along with a cup of fruity pebbles. Choppity-chop-chop-chop, he quickly smashes up the cereal and scrapes up the ice cream mixture across the surface again. Honey and caramel are drizzled on top with squeeze bottles and the process repeats itself. In a couple of minutes, the mixture has frozen pretty solid and he scrapes the mixture off into six separate rolls. They’re placed in a cup where you can finally add unlimited (well, limited by the size of the cup!) toppings to your frozen treat.

The unicorn poop ice cream rolls are speckled with bit of fruity pebbles giving it its name. For my toppings, I decide to go with gaudy and ask for more fruity pebbles and gummi worms. With a little whipped cream on top, my ice cream rolls makes for super colorful sundae! The ice cream rolls are very light and easy on the tongue. And while I do like the colors in my Unicorn Poop rolls, the gummi worms get pretty hard and chewy with the cold, so I’d pass on them in the future. Overall it’s a tasty cup and a nice little snack for the afternoon.

So what can I say but Thai ice cream rolls are a lot of fun to watch being made. The ice cream itself is ok but I’ll have to come back to try some different flavors. But If you’re in the area and have some kids, it’s a fun way to do ice cream as a performance. Just understand it takes some time for these rolls so you may be eating your cream on a staggered schedule. But very cool, Milk Lab Cafe! Thanks for bringing a different take to ice cream to the Triangle and I’m looking forward to cup #2…

Milk Lab Cafe

6418 Tryon Road

Cary, NC 27518

Location on Google maps

September 11, 2017 by Ron Wen

The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Durham, Cary, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh

Sneaking a peek at the speckled underside of pizza — Sneaking a peek at the speckled underside of Neapolitan pizza

Pizza comes in many forms and styles: NY thin-crust, Chicago deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza, thick Sicilian and more. But when it comes to REAL pizza in my mind, you have to go back to the motherland, Neapolitan pizza from Italy. Now there are strict rules for true Neapolitan pizza: 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and mozzarella di bufala to get that tender delicious, thin crust, soft melty cheese and fresh tomato flavor. Neapolitan pizza is usually served as a single-serving pie and cooked in wood-fired ovens. But the reality is that when you find Neapolitan pizza in the US, it’s often more like Neapolitan-style and takes some liberties on the official guidelines. But in my opinion for pizza, Neapolitan is the only way to go to truly understand what great pizza is about. And thankfully, the NC Triangle is starting to sprout up more Neapolitan-style pizza places over the past five years! Here’s a quick tour of some of your best options for Neapolitan pizza!

Treforni, Durham – Probably the most authentic and affordable option in the area, with three wood-fired ovens you know they mean business. They do a very traditional and simple Neapolitan pie (1 or 2 toppings) at about $12. Casual with table service, Treforni hits all the high points for me when it comes to Neapolitan pizza. Great crust, nicely charred with quality ingredients is what Neapolitan is all about.

Interior of Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill

Margherita pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill

Mama Mia pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill

Capp’s Pizzeria, Chapel Hill – A bit off the beaten path in southwestern Chapel Hill near Pittsboro, I am really impressed with the pizza coming out of this joint! Great crust, crushed tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, Capp’s spins things up a bit with its combinations. Don’t miss the Mama Mia with meatball, red onion and jalapenos. They also do a traditional (for Connecticut) clam pie on the Friday and Saturday!

Pizzeria Toro, Durham – One of the first Neapolitan pizza spots in the area, Toro does some really good pies in a hipster setting. Expect to get a little fancier with their pies and the prices rise accordingly ($14 to $18). While they still do a good pie, I’ve also got some burnt ones here which is not cool if you’re paying a premium. But a good spot if you’re hanging out in downtown Durham and want some Neapolitan pizza.

Pizzeria Faulisi, Cary – A newer entry in the Neapolitan pizza craze, Faulisi does a very solid pie and crust (mix of 00 and Boulted Bread flour). Decor-wise it sits neatly between casual and hipster with a bright, light and white interior along with some counter service. Love their pies, it’s got a snappy crust and keeps things simple the way Neapolitan pies should be. And it sits conveniently right next to Bond Brothers beer so who can complain about great pizza and beer?

Pizzeria Mercato, Carrboro – A cool little pizzeria run by Gabe Barker in a funky little corner of Carrboro. They are doing more Neapolitan style with a snappier (stiffer) crust but it still holds mostly true. They also offer some great appetizers and entrees, do NOT miss their arancini (serious noms). Pizzeria Mercato is more of an Italian restaurant to me, doing really good za. I just wish it was a bit closer to me!

Pompieri Pizza, Durham – Pompieri was one of the earlier entries into the Neapolitan pizza race in the Triangle and it’s still chugging along. The concept and space is quite different, located in an old firehouse, lined with aquariums and family-friendly. The pies are very thin crust and are served uncut with a pair of shears. While they definitely use quality ingredients here, it’s not quite traditional Neapolitan pizza here which is fine for most people.

Flirting with Fire food truck, Various Locations – This very cool food truck hauls around a SERIOUS wood-fired oven all around the Triangle! And the one time I was able to try them out at a street fair, I was pretty impressed. Solid crust and they stick to the basic topping options. If you find them in the neighborhood, Flirting with Fire is definitely worth the visit!

Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza, Morrisville – Ok, feel free to laugh at me but I do think that this chain is doing an excellent job serving up Neapolitan style pizza! Given their unlimited toppings model, it’s definitely not traditional but the crust is pretty close! And for $8 you really can’t beat the price. I love my pizza but try not to be a pizza snob, and Blaze hits all the right notes. The casual but cool interior along with Chipotle style ordering makes Blaze super family-friendly, too.

And there’s more great pizza coming with Capps Pizzeria in Chapel Hill and PooleSide Pies finally being opened up by Ashley Christensen in 2018! Which is great news for us all because, not everyone has a friend with a wood-fired pizza oven. As a huge Neapolitan pizza fan it just makes me happy to see these options popping up. I’ve made the pilgrimage to great pizza places around the country like DiFara, Totonno’s, Motorino, Antico and more. It’s just wonderful to have some good local options here near home! So if you’re a budding pizza fan, give one of these spots a try and I’m sure you’ll be loving that thin-crust za, too.

Foodie News: Cary Downtown Dine Around, April 25 to 29

Academy Street Bistro

Annelore’s Bakery

Bosphorous

Bottle Dog Bites & Brew

Crosstown Pub & Grill

FRESH

Havana Grill

Kababish Cafe

La Farm Bakery & Cafe

Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar

Once in a Blue Moon Bakery

Pizzeria Faulisi

Postmaster

Pro’s Epicurean & Cafe

Roma’s Italian Deli & Pizzeria

Serendipity

Taipei 101

Upper Deck Sports Bar & Pub

Veranda (The Mayton Inn)

Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill