Restaurant & Bar Reviews Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining

December 2, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham

Front of Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Front of Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to sandwiches, what comes to your mind? Couple of slices of bread, some protein in the middle, maybe some cheese. It just doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? But thankfully we’ve got a new sandwich shop in town, Eastcut Sandwich shop in Durham. Located in the same building as the short-lived, Finch’s Durham, Eastcut Sandwich shop is a modern and hip take on a traditional up North sandwich shop. And it also adds a bit of gourmet surprise to the mix. After two visits to Eastcut I’ve got a pretty good feel for what they’re doing, most of which is good but there is some room for improvement!

Bright dining room at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Bright dining room at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Heading over to Eastcut Sandwich shop, you may be surprised at its location. Sitting in what seems to be a mostly residential neighborhood, you’ll quickly spy a narrow driveway leading to Eastcut’s parking lot and building. While the lot in front has limited spaces, there’s plenty of room in back for your vehicle! Head on over to the building and you’ll find a large wrap-around patio but the side doors are not usable as an entrance. Enter up front and you’ll find yourself in the main dining room which has a bit of a Western feel with the knotted pine floor planks and wood slat separator. Eastcut is counter order, table service and the line forms to the left!

Plenty of seating at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Plenty of seating at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

The menu at Eastcut Sandwich bar is focused on guess what?! You got it, hearty sandwiches either cold or hot along with some salads and burgers. What’s nice is that at Eastcut you can also grab a beer, cocktail or adult slushie with your meal so they’re trying to traverse the lunch and dinner periods with some alcoholic bevvies. There’s also a daily specials board and it looks like they like to get a bit creative here. Sandwiches are sold bare here on round buns or hero rolls. You’ll have to add a side (curly fries, sweet potato tots, salad, potato salad) to make it a meal. With most sandwiches between $6 to $15, you can eat pretty affordably here! Eastcut Sandwich Bar also has an after dark and brunch menu for Sundays which I have yet to try.

Chicken parm sandwich with curly fries at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Chicken parm sandwich with curly fries at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Chicken alla vodka sandwich at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Chicken alla vodka sandwich at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Given that I’m not much of a cold sandwich fan, my eyes settle on the chicken parm and cheesesteak offerings. But after a mental coin-flip, chicken parmigiana it is! Eastcut does a very nice chicken parmigiana sandwich which is served up on a beautiful but smallish, seeded roll. The chicken cutlet is very well browned and nicely assembled with great cheese and sauce coverage. It’s a delicious sammich but let’s face it, it’s hard to go wrong with chicken parm. On a second visit I get to try their chicken alla vodka sandwich on special. It’s similar to a chicken parm but goes with a creamier alla vodka sauce, ham and smoked gouda on top. It’s a hit for me, albeit a bit messy! And I actually like the form factor of the Eastcut sandwich on a standard roll vs. a sub roll, you seem to get a bit more with the smaller roll.

Confit chicken wings with peanut satay sauce at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Confit chicken wings with peanut satay sauce at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

While the overall menu is pretty standard for sandwiches, one thing I noticed is Eastcut Sandwich Bar’s creativity around the specials. The peanut satay wings I tried on special were a very unique rendition of a Thai-style wing with lots of rich, peanut-ty flavor. Cooked confit style (double cooked in oil, once at lower temp and then finished in hotter oil), the wings at Eastcut fall off the bone with a lot of tender chicken meat. This confit preparation takes a bit of work and isn’t something I’ve seen a lot of in the area, so kudos to Eastcut Sandwich Bar for the effort.

Service at Eastcut Sandwich Bar is solid but they are definitely training up their staff so be patient. There’s a new covered patio which has recently opened up so the owners here have some ambition with the seating! Overall I think you’ll be pleased by the sandwiches at Eastcut Sandwich Bar. They’re prepared with attention and a bit of creativity although the final results are a bit inconsistent. But given how recently they’ve opened, I’m hoping that Eastcut Sandwich Bar will get settled in across all aspects of its service and menu. Either way, if you live in the hood, don’t miss out on this little gem and that great patio. With a delicious sandwich and beer in hand, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be happy and pleased…

Eastcut Sandwich Bar

3211 Old Chapel Hill Road

Durham, NC 27707

919.439.1852

Eastcut Sandwich Bar menus

Location on Google maps

November 18, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Pizza Times in Raleigh for a Serious Slice

Front of the Pizza Times in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of the Pizza Times in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

In my world, there’s never enough pizza to eat! And thankfully, the Triangle has been in a bit of a pizza renaissance over the past three years. From Neapolitan to NY-style, great pizzerias have been popping up in Raleigh, Cary and Durham. But one twist we’re just starting to see here are pizza parlors focused on pizza by the slice. More of an urban tradition, grabbing a slice and eating it on the run is usually handled on late-nights after an evening out. Benny Capitales was the first pizzeria focused on grab and go, now we’ve also got the Pizza Times brought to you by the Rocky Top Hospitality!

Menu at the Pizza Times in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Menu at the Pizza Times in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located at the top of Wilmington Street, you’ll find the small storefront for the Pizza Times. Two old-school plate-glass doors adorn the front of the place, one for hungry diners entering and the other for those with pizza in hand. The huge on-wall menu covers the basics here: pizza by the slice and pie along with toppings, salads (boo), drinks and a lunch special. A single cheese slice is priced at an affordable $2.50 while topped slices will be in the $4 to $5 range.

Tight interior at the Pizza Times in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Tight interior at the Pizza Times in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Display of pies at the Pizza Times in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Display of pies at the Pizza Times in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Up front, Pizza Times has some pies on display and your slice will most likely be re-heated outside of prime-time hours! I go with the standard cheese and pepperoni and it takes a bit of time to get them, 10+ minutes. The pies at Pizza Times are substantial with a nice, well-browned and chewy crust. The sauce is laced with a lot of garlic and they use a standard shredded mozzarella (along with other cheeses) at Pizza Times. Trying both the pepperoni and cheese, I can say that toppings are decent quality and the pies are nicely put together. It’s a bit thicker and more substantial than a thin NY slice by a little bit. So one slice makes for a nice snack while two should fill you up pretty well.

Open from 11am to midnight, I can definitely see Pizza Times as a good late-night option. As a pizza-holic, I’m always happy to have one more option for pizza in downtown Raleigh. But I’m going to have to put Pizza Times behind our other good options like Oakwood Pizza Box and Benny Capitales. The lack of seating, wait time to reheat a slice and overall style of pizza served here makes it an acceptable lunch or option for a quick meal if you’re in the area.

The Pizza Times

210 S Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.832.4411

Location on Google maps

November 6, 2018 by Ron Wen

Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – An Updated and Local Spin on Chinese Cuisine

Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the years, Durham’s food scene has been pretty progressive in my experience. Taking chances and trying out new concepts before other areas of the Triangle get them. And one eatery that had slipped off my radar screen was Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets. This quirky business had started in 2013 as a butcher shop and cafe but pivoted in 2017 to primarily a restaurant. And I admit that I was always confused about its initial incarnation as a “meats and sweets” shop. But Durham friends of mine, seemed to like the place so I kept it on my ToEat list. After a couple of visits, I’ve got a pretty good feel for what they are doing at Rose’s but yes, the quirkiness still exists here along with some solid Eastern Asian eats.

Kitchen at Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Kitchen at Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

While Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets (RNDS) is in downtown Durham, the location is actually a bit hidden on Gregson and out of sight from Main Street. But head on over to its busy corner lot and you’ll find a low, white-brick building with a sign hanging out front. Inside Rose’s you’ll find a casual cafe type set-up with limited seating. An open kitchen exposes all the culinary action to patrons with bar seating up front. A smattering of 2-tops line the rest of the dining space, you’ll have to check in with a hostess for a seat in either spot. And a small bakery area and cash register caps off the space in front. It’s all very energetic and simple, good for people-watching.

Taking a look at Rose’s paper menu you’ll quickly realize that the food is East-Asian inspired. While the menu items are fairly classic in name, Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets takes some liberty subbing in local ingredients to give it a more regional appeal. There are a handful of regular items like buns-bao, dumplings along with their popular house-made Shan-xi (thick) noodles. The menu rotates quite a bit given the seasonality of ingredients that Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets relies on. And I’m pretty sure that Rose’s is focused on more Northern Chinese fare which typically is a bit spicier and plays a bit with chile oils.

Steamed pork bun at Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Steamed pork bun at Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Pork belly and dumplings at Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Pork belly and dumplings at Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

For a starter, try out their popular steamed pork bun which has more of a tan texture vs. the typically white buns you’d find in Chinatown. Nicely steamed with a good texture, these buns have a slightly different filling, focusing on a spicier pork rather then the usual red-roasted pork. Their sliced pork belly is served up in a nice broth with plenty of scallions which is a nice treat if you find it on the menu!

Dumplings in chili oil at Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Dumplings in chili oil at Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

And of course, how can you miss Rose’s namesake dumplings? I’ve tried a couple of types, the basic dumplings in chili oil and the pork and ginger dumplings. In both cases, you’ll find a soft and supple dumpling that’s been boiled and served in a spicy sauce. Tip your hat, I’m pretty sure all these dumplings are hand-made and folded in-house but I do find the skins here at Roses Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets to be on the thicker side. Thin dumpling skins are definitely a sign of some skill, they provide a more tender outside but have to hold up to the cooking process which can be tough.

Shan xi noodle bowl at Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Shan xi noodle bowl at Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up at Rose’s are their hand-pulled noodles which are thick and have some chew. Served in a variety of broths and toppings, it makes for a filling meal, perfect for colder weather! And after all this Chinese food if you’re still hungry, dive into some of Rose’s pastries or try their super popular hand-made ice cream sandwiches. They look fantastic on Instagram but I have yet to try one myself, yet.

Baked goods at Roses's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Baked goods at Roses’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Now in the end, I’ve enjoyed my meals at Roses Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets even though it might not be authentic. Given I grew up on Chinese cuisine, I’ve got a pretty broad perspective on what they are trying to do here. Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets gets close but spins things up in the end with local ingredients. While the overall concepts and flavors may be true to form, the end product is definitely different than what you would likely get at a big city Chinese restaurant. Which makes it a real challenge for me to review them. Is it tasty food? Sure. And the culinary talent is certainly trying to respect all that goes into authentic Chinese fare, here. But there’s part of me that feels that there’s something missing. I think that’s always a challenge when trying to spin up food that’s meant to be hearty, comfort food for the masses. Sometimes you’re better off leaving it just as it is!

Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets

121 N Gregson Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.797.2233

Location on Google maps

October 28, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh

Front of Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As Raleigh continues to grow and evolve over the years, I’ve found myself traveling further out from the downtown areas to find good eats which is wonderful proof of the vibrancy of our food scene. And a great excuse for me to go explore new neighborhoods in the Triangle! One business that hit my social radar screen was Brookside Market and Pizza. Located a bit north of the Oakwood and Person Street corridor, I really don’t spend much time in the hood. But let’s face it, they have “Pizza” in their name so you know eventually I was going to get pulled in. Because I will travel ANY-where for good pizza. Here’s how my first visits to Brookside Market and Pizza turned out!

Retail area at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Retail area at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Wine selection at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Wine selection at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in an odd little plaza off of Brookside Drive, this area is primarily residential outside of this spiffy little retail center. Housing an apartment building, Raleigh Tattoo and the Produce Project, Brookside Market holds a premium spot on the corner showcasing a lovely finished patio and Ice Cold Beer mural. Hmm, I wonder what else they’re selling here besides, pizza? Step inside Brookside Market and Pizza and you’ll find yourself in a long, cavernous space replete with shelves and shelves of beer bottles. Lots of bottled beers and beers on ice to choose from along with a decent wine section. And at the far end you’ll find a beer bar along with their pizzeria area, a very interesting and different layout.

Beer bar at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Beer bar at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But what pulled me into Brookside Market and Pizza is the eats! They offer a handful of pizza by the slice, full pies along with a small selection of sandwiches and calzones. Over my handful of visits, I can tell you that they are doing an excellent Italian thin-crust pizza with very good ingredients. The “Piggy” topped with pepperoni, sausage, ham and roast pork can get a bit soggy but is delicious! A big thumbs-up for their Sicilian slice and its thick but soft crust, I love how they add the basil leaf on top for color and added flavor, a nice touch.

Piggy slice at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Piggy slice at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sicilian slice at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Sicilian slice at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

And the sandwiches come on Amoroso rolls, a hoagie roll brought in from the Philadelphia area. Light and crusty, it makes a great foil for cheesesteak sandwiches as seen here, it’s $13 served with a side of chips. Of course to wash all this delicious food down, you can grab a great craft beer at the bar. Brookside Market and Pizza is super casual, order at the register, bus your own soft drink and then the food is brought to your table/number. Note that they’ve also got some great, umbrella-covered, patio seating out front.

Cheesesteak at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Cheesesteak at Brookside Market & Pizza in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

So thank you Brookside Market & Pizza for your patience! After months of social media reminders I finally made the effort to get in and it was worth it! Excellent thin-crust pizza in a casual setting. The closest comparison I have is Hutchins Garage out in Durham but this option is far more casual and retail which is still fine with me. If you live in the hood, it’s hard to go wrong with a quick bite and slice here at Brookside Market & Pizza, dee-lish!

Brookside Market & Pizza

1000 Brookside Drive #119

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.307.3115

Brookside Market & Pizza menu

Location on Google maps

October 21, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Pro’s Epicurean Market & Cafe in Cary

Front of Pro's Epicurean Market & Cafe, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Front of Pro’s Epicurean Market & Cafe, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Over the past two years, Cary has been popping with new restaurant and bar activity making it a must-visit on my food adventures. One little corner of Cary has been particularly interesting since Bond Brothers Beer launched back in 2016. A little wedge between Cedar and Chatham Street has slowly filled out with Pizzeria Faulisi, Postmaster, SideBar, Big Dom’s Bagel Shop and Pro’s Epicurean. It’s a great selection of eats and drinks for downtown Cary! Pro’s Epicurean Market and Cafe had caught my attention a while back but it’s hard to sway me from the great Neapolitan pizza over at Faulisi. But a conversation over cocktails next door at SideBar convinced me that they were worth the effort (thanks Jewel!), here’s what you can expect if you visit.

Dining area for Pro's Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Dining area for Pro’s Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Head on over to a small plaza on E. Chatham street and just beware, parking here is TOUGH. Given the popularity of Bond Brothers and the other spots mentioned above, it fills up very quickly at peak hours. You may have more luck parking on Cedar Street or on side-streets off of Chatham Street. Pro’s Epicurean has a great corner location with plenty of glass to look in and out of, their set-up all feels very European. Seat yourself or you can order at the counter since it IS a market. Along with the meats and cold salads Pro’s Epicurean has a large selection of bottled beers and wine available to customers. But what’s got me interested is the menu at Pro’s Epicurean. It’s Continental focusing on Italian and French offerings ranging from sandwiches, crepes, pasta and more.

Order counter at Pro's Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Order counter at Pro’s Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

The dining room at Pro’s Epicurean is open and lively on a Wednesday night. Well-filled with couples and families, the usual Cary crowd! This is definitely a mom and pop type cafe with plenty of attentive staff on hand and my ears detect some Italian in the dining room. Scanning the menu, my eyes fall on several tasty looking items! When it originally opened up, Pro’s was primarily a small plates, charcuterie and sandwiches spot but the menu seems to have really expanded over the past year or so. Now you’ve got about 10 hot-cold sandwiches along with crepes, quiche, pastas and entrees covering chicken, seafood and beef. I start off with a glass of house white which is a huge pour, thank you very much!

Roast porchetta sandwich at Pro's Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Roast porchetta sandwich at Pro’s Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Since I’m visiting for the first time, I plan on over-ordering. For starters I go with the Donatello sandwich filled with slow-roasted pork. The thinly sliced pork sits in a beautiful seeded Italian roll and is layered with provolone and chimichurri sauce. It’s a nicely balanced sandwich, love the fresh bread, succulent savory pork and hit of parsley from the sauce. A great choice if you like pork, the Donatello is served with a side of kettle-cooked chips.

Parisienne crepe (chicken, mushrooms) at Pro's Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Parisienne crepe (chicken, mushrooms) at Pro’s Epicurean Market and Cafe in Cary – nctriangledining.com

For my second entree I do the crepe Parisienne stuffed with chicken, gruyere and dijon creme mushrooms. Served with a side salad, the crepe looks pretty substantial covered in melty cheese and a light sprinkling of tarragon. A decent crepe and plenty to eat but definitely a different crepe than I’ve had in the past. Pro’s Epicurean also has and interesting sausage pie on the menu (which I tried on a second visit), it’s a cross between deep-dish pizza and sausage quiche, pretty unusual and satisfying! Pro’s Epicurean does a great job with their salads and greens, offering a refreshing mesclun mix with a light viniagrette. I am NOT a salad guy but still happily ate the side salad here.

Limoncello cake at Pro's Epicurean Market & Cafe, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Limoncello cake at Pro’s Epicurean Market & Cafe, Cary – nctriangledining.com

But given all that healthy eating, I still can’t resist the dessert case and finish off my meal with limoncello cake! Two layers of light, lemon cake and creme topped with white chocolate shavings, yum! A lovely happy ending to my first meal at Pro’s Epicurean. Most everything at Pro’s is in the $9 to $17 range with the majority of choices under $15 so it’s all very affordable to eat here. And I’ve heard they will deliver across the street to the SideBar and their shared patio. So excellent job, Pro’s Epicurean Market and Cafe. Your name is pretty long but I get what you’re doing here. Think upscale delicatessen from up north and an affordable Italian-French restaurant for the neighborhood. I think they’ve done an excellent job overall, broadening the menu while still keeping the casual feel of a local deli and market. The food here is worthwhile if not life-changing but I’ll be back soon to try more off that menu!

First Take: Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham