NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and the 919

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December 26, 2020 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh, a Haven for Coffee and Cats

Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of four-legged felines, you now have another option to get your scritches on: Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh! As far as I know, they are the second cat cafe we have in the Triangle in addition to the ground-breaking Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill. Located in a small house off of S. Wilmington Road, just south of downtown Raleigh, you can schedule some time in their cat room along with enjoying some hot coffee beverages and vegan snacks. They’ve also got a small patio out back to sip on your bevvy and enjoy some fresh air. I got in for a visit when they first opened in October and I’m happy to say they are already up to kitteh adoption #28 in late December! They are some good people doing some great work for our furry friends. Stop on in if you need a dose of kitty love, coffee or cat-themed items…

Coffee counter at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Coffee counter at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Interior of Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Chill cat at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chill cat at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Black kitty at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Black kitty at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PurrCupCafe-VideoVisit.mp4

 

Purr Cup Cafe

210 Prospect Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.322.4003

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Coffee-Tea

October 25, 2020 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

Photos: Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary for modern Indian eats!

Front of Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Front of Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com

I’m a huge fan of Indian food and hate to go to long without eating it but oddly enough, it’s been months since I’ve been to an Indian restaurant. The reason why? I think probably one of the best options for Indian food is oddly enough, Nepali restaurants which do a mix of Indo-Chinese, Nepali and Indian eats. But the recently opened Amber Flavors & Taste is a reminder of what we’re missing when it comes to excellent Indian cuisine. Helmed by Chef Gamer Rawat, I’ve eaten at his restaurants for the past 10 years, he previously owned Mantra in Glenwood South and Aroma in Cary.

Bar area at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Bar area at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com

I stop in for a quick sample of the menu and I can reassure you that Chef Gamer has skills in the kitchen. He’s great at cooking a traditional Indian menu but also provides more Indian-fusion type cuisine which is more sophisticated than what you can typically get in the area. Below you’ll see pics of a pretty amazing tandoori roti which is a LARGE flatbread that is served up crumpled due to its size. The tandoori here is excellent with several types of kebabs and even a grilled scallop dish in curry sauce. And finally, Amber chicken, a baked chicken with a spinach roulade. The space is modern and bright, colors pop out from the wall hangings and seating.  Prices are reasonable with the entree dishes in the $14 to $18 range. Overall I’d love to come back to try more off the menu but it’s a bit out of the way for me in W. Cary. But if you live in the hood, Amber Flavors & Taste is definitely worth seeking out for its refreshed Indian cuisine. They are currently doing dine-in along with take-out, enjoy!

Tandoori roti at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Tandoori roti at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com
Appetizer sampler at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Appetizer sampler at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com
Amber chicken at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Amber chicken at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com
Private room at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Private room at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com
Sitting area at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary - nctriangledining.com
Sitting area at Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary – nctriangledining.com

 

Amber Flavors and Taste

3607 Davis Drive, Suite 111

Morrisville, NC 27560

919.377.2559

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Cary Tagged With: Indian Restaurants

September 6, 2020 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Photos: The New Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille in Raleigh!

Front of Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to steakhouses, I’m a fan if you’re up for spending a bit more for a deluxe experience and special evening. The newest steakhouse entry in the Triangle is Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille! Based out of Texas, Raleigh is their first location in North Carolina. It’s a modern steakhouse experience with plenty of panache and style. The design is modern and open, similar to the Oak in Raleigh. The menu spans steakhouse favorites but one special item that Perry’s is known for is its famous pork chop! A smokey, succulent bone on tenderloin that offers a lot of deliciousness in one plate. I’ve only been able to stop by once and will add to this post when there is more information to share!

Hostess desk at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Hostess desk at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Main dining room at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Main dining room at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Wine room at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Wine room at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Bar at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Bar at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bar lounge at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Famous pork chop at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Famous pork chop at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Patio at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Patio at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

4509 Creedmoor Road

Raleigh, NC 27612

919.827.4158

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Photo Album, Raleigh Tagged With: Steakhouse

July 21, 2020 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill for a Mind-Bending Taste of Asia

Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

As we continue to work through the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, many restaurants are struggling to survive. And for those that opened up right before the North Carolina shutdown, it’s even harder. New restaurants that haven’t had a chance to establish a customer base, Hawkers Asian Street Food in Chapel Hill is a perfect example of that difficult scenario. But if you’re a fan of SE Asian street cuisine, you’ll really enjoy this new restaurant at University Place! Part of a smallish restaurant chain that has a locations in Charlotte and the Southeast, Hawkers Asian Street Food is dishing out some wonderful eats cooked with deft culinary talent.

Colorful decor at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Colorful decor at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Located next to the huge, Silverspot Cinema, Hawkers presents a simple modern face with side patio. But inside, you’ll find a bright, colorful and kitschy interior replete with a showcase bar in the center, booths to the right and tables in back with the open kitchen. Glowing neon, colorful posters and prints and bright metal chairs ring the dining space along with some cool architectural elements in the eclectic space. It’s a panoply of Asian-inspired nostalgia, decor and cool. Hawkers food menu is focused on bites and small plates from $5 to $12 along with noodles, rice and more. True to their name, Hawkers has food options and flavors across the Asian continent, from Singapore to China, Japan, Malaysia and more. A good selection for beers, wines, sake and island-type cocktails gives you some tasty adult beverages to pair your small plates with. Instinctively, I think beer or sake would be a great match for this type of flavorful cuisine.

Bar at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Amazing roti canai at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Amazing roti canai at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

After two visits I can say that Hawkers’ food menu is excellent overall but the roti canai is a must-try! This savory and layered fried pancake is served up with a powerful curry sauce that will blow away your taste-buds. Somehow they manage to make their roti canai both flaky and non-greasy which is a rare combination. Tear off a piece of the pancake, dip it into the curry and bam, a taste sensation hits your tongue.

Salt and pepper ribs at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Salt and pepper ribs at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Chili crab at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Chili crab at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

The salt and pepper ribs are a twist on my usual favorite, salt and pepper pork chops but this dish holds its own. Three meaty ribs, dry-fried and covered with grilled onion bits, garlic and sliced jalapenos offers some savory meatiness with a hint of heat, yum. And don’t miss the chili crab, a fried soft-shell crab covered in an umami-laded brown sauce. Served up with some wok-fried tomatoes to cut away the richness and a fried bao for dipping into that delicious, thick sauce. Chili crab is a Singaporean favorite and the first time I’ve tried it, super tasty!

Yaki udon at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Yaki udon at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

For a main dish the yaki udon is super satisfying. While I typically eat udon noodles in a broth or soup, these thick noodles are stir-fried with sliced chicken, egg, scallions and sprouts for a satisfying and toothsome bite. The portion size is on the smaller size (since it’s only $10) but this dish is wonderful and filling. Hawkers also offers up a smattering of sweets and desserts but I’d rather focus on the savory instead.

Open kitchen at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Open kitchen at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HawkersAsianFareChapelHill-Scan-July2020.mp4

Service at Hawkers has been excellent during my two visits and during this current pandemic, you can call in an order for pick-up, do a delivery app or dine-in socially distanced. They are spreading patrons about their large, open dining room and there are plexiglass dividers between some tables. Overall they are holding up well under tough conditions and I do feel that street food like this, deserves to be eaten straight out of that kitchen once it hits your table.

Small plates menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Sample small plates menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Noodle and rice menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Sample noodle and rice menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Cocktail menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Sample cocktail menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

While Hawkers Asian Street Food had the unfortunate luck to open right before the pandemic closures, I’m relatively certain they are here for the long run! Delicious pan-Asian fare in a raucous environment, the food is super-charged with flavor that all of us can appreciate. Toss in the great prices and you’ve got a deal for family or date night! Even with the 30 minute drive for me from Raleigh, I’m already looking forward to visit #3 and exploring more off of their menu. So hey, don’t forget this new hidden gem in University Place. Their menu is the real Asian deal and cooked with some talent, you don’t want to miss it even while you’re sheltering in place, bon appetit!

 

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

201 S Estes Drive, 400A (Next to Silverspot Cinema)

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919.415.1799

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Chapel Hill, Featured, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Asian Restaurants

May 18, 2020 by Ron Wen

News: Durham Food Hall at Liberty Warehouse Opens Up in May!

Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC - nctriangledining.com
Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC – nctriangledining.com

Exciting to see the new Durham Food Hall begin opening up after a long wait! I popped in to grab some provisions and the space is very light, airy and sunny, a more upscale approach to food halls in the area. There’s plenty of space and seating in this food hall along with a second floor bar and lounge named the Riggs Lounge!

Signage at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC - nctriangledining.com
Signage at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC – nctriangledining.com

While the Durham Food Hall will slowly bring vendors online, you can hit up the Durham Food Hall website to get your orders in. If you have multiple orders, they recommend setting them up to be picked up at the same time, there will be tables set up front while we work through this Covid-19 situation.  Get excited Durham! By the end of May, you’ll have a great new food option to nosh at…

Entry area at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC - nctriangledining.com
Entry area at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC – nctriangledining.com
Dining area at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC - nctriangledining.com
Dining area at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC – nctriangledining.com
Bar at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Durham Food Hall in Durham, NC – nctriangledining.com
2nd floor bar, Riggs Lounge at Durham Food Hall - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor bar, Riggs Lounge at Durham Food Hall – nctriangledining.com

Here’s a list of Durham Food Hall Vendors and Opening Dates:

Afters Dessert Bar on May 26
Cookie cakes and dessert flights, giving you delicious small tastes of multiple desserts – you can try them all!

 

Bowerbird Botanical Bar on May 27

Seasonal blooms thoughtfully sourced and artfully arranged to bring the outdoors in – treat yourself or someone else!

 

Everything Bagels on May 22
Gourmet bagels made in house to create avant-garde bagel sandwiches and bagel-burgers.

 

Ex-Voto Cocina Nixtamal on May 29
Heirloom corn and nixtamalization to produce items like tacos, tamales, and tostadas that celebrate both Mexican and regional agriculture.

 

Liturgy Beverage on May 19
Creative tea and coffee beverages inspired by both the growers and producers who provide the ingredients, and the people who enjoy drinking them.

 

Locals Seafood Market & Oyster Bar on May 29
Seasonal North Carolina seafood, fresh daily from the coast. Everything from oyster plates and simple ceviche to market fish you can take home and prepare yourself.

 

Lula & Sadie’s on May 29
A seasonal, Southern eatery highlighting the cultural roots and bounty of produce our region produces, from scalloped potatoes and hot cakes, to tomato salad, chicken potpie and eggnog-pecan French toast.

 

Napoli Pizza and Gelato on May 28
Neapolitan style wood fired pizza with naturally risen dough, and sweet gelatos and sorbets made from scratch.

 

Old North Meats and Provisions on June 3
House-smoked meats, sausages and charcuterie for deli sandwiches or sliced. They will also have a selection of local cheeses – to enjoy at the Hall or to make your own charcuterie and cheese board at home.

 

Durham Food Hall

530 Foster Street

Durham, NC 27701

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham Tagged With: Food Hall

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