Restaurant & Bar Reviews Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining

February 22, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Saint & Co in Durham for Stellar Pastries and Pizza

Front of Saint & Co. in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Front of Saint & Co. in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to bakeries and sweets, Durham has its fair share of tasty options. Guglhupf in S. Durham, E. Durham Bake Shop, Monuts Donuts and more. So I was curious when I first heard about Saint & Co. on 9th Street. I hadn’t heard much about this business but picked up some pictures on social media after it opened up. Saint & Co. is officially a Viennoiseries which specializes in croissants, brioche and more. With a menu covering sweet pastries and savory pizzas, I wasn’t sure what to expect out of Saint & Co. But I had my fingers crossed because I knew they had a wonderful space for their new business.

Space at Saint & Co. in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Space at Saint & Co. in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Order counter at Saint & Co. in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Order counter at Saint & Co. in Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you’re headed out to visit Saint & Co on 9th Street, just be aware that it sits on the far northern end of the strip in a newish plaza. Saint & Co took over the short-lived Piehole space which has a premium corner spot with a wonderful finished patio! Given all the previous baking equipment that was probably in the space from its previous owners, Saint & Co. makes a lot of sense. They offer a variety of delicious croissants, seet tarts and more here on display, under glass. And if you don’t have a sweet tooth, Saint & Co. also has some sandwiches and pizzas on the menu, cool! Counter order, grab a number and then hang out and wait for your food. It’s a chill space with plenty of Duke students taking advantage of their wifi and coffee drinks.

Chocolate croissant at Saint & Co. in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Chocolate croissant at Saint & Co. in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Salted caramel tart at Saint & Co. in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Salted caramel tart at Saint & Co. in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of my two visits to Saint & Co. I’ve dabbled in both the sweet and savory sides of the menu and have to give an edge to Team Sweet! Their chocolate croissant was loaded with high quality, dark chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar and sliced almonds, phenomenal. And their salted caramel tart is crunchy cooking topping sitting over a pool of soft dulce de leche in a buttery crust. All really, wonderful pastries if you’re not holding back on the calories and maxing out on taste.

Meat Lovers pizza at Saint & Co. in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Meat Lovers pizza at Saint & Co. in Durham – nctriangledining.com

And the pizzas at Saint & Co are solid, billed as Neapolitan but a bit more casual. While the crust is tender, they roll it up and I’m pretty sure they aren’t doing a wood-fired oven in back so let’s just call it Neapolitan-style! But it’s a good pie with excellent tomatoes, good cheese and more. I’ll have to work on the sandwiches on my next visit! But all in all I’m quite pleased with what Saint & Co is doing for Durham. It’s a higher end pastry and coffee shop with excellent service and some nice lunch items to keep you rolling through to the afternoon. While I’m not a huge fan of dealing with the traffic on 9th Street, there’s now one more reason to hoof it over to this side of the Duke campus, bon appetit!

Saint & Co.

810 9th St Suite 130

Durham, NC 27705

984.888-0190

Location on Google maps

January 31, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Pizza La Stella Shines Bright in Cary for Italian Food

Front of Pizza La Stella in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Front of Pizza La Stella in Cary – nctriangledining.com

While I’m a huge pizza fan and pretty much love it all, there’s something about Neapolitan pizza that just hits the spot for me! Between the tender, fluffy crust, tangy tomato and fresh mozzarella, pizza purists tend to focus on great Neapolitan pizza. So color me curious when I heard Pizza La Stella was launching a second location out in Cary. I was familiar with their downtown Raleigh location but felt they spun the concept of Neapolitan pizza too far from its origins to take them too seriously. There are very specific guidelines around Neapolitan pizza and most restaurants take some liberties around them. But I was hopeful heading over to the new Pizza La Stella Cary, hopes that would prove to be fulfilled with its new chef, Massimo Di Lascio!

Dining room at Pizza La Stella in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Dining room at Pizza La Stella in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Conveniently off of Kildaire Farms Road is where you’ll find the new Pizza La Stella! Located in the old Hurricane Bar and Grill and across from the very busy Trader Joes, this parking lot gets slammed but thankfully they are located on the quieter side of things. A neat, little patio with umbrellas sits to the side with lights strung out overhead. Probably a great spot for a meal once things warm up! Inside, Pizza La Stella is decked out in dark woods along with a few TVs. The decor is modern cafe and there’s plenty of space to stretch out in, including a side-bar and side dining room. Italian songs and classics are crooning overhead to get you in the Neapolitan mood! Staff is decked out in navy t-shirts keeping the feel pretty casual at Pizza La Stella.

Kitchen window at Pizza La Stella in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Kitchen window at Pizza La Stella in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Meatball appetizer at Pizza La Stella in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Meatball appetizer at Pizza La Stella in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Scanning the menu you’ll find a short assortment of antipasto (appetizers), salads, pizza Napoletana, wings and calzones! Note that Neapolitan-style pizza is served as individual pies and are a touch pricey at Pizza La Stella, $14 to $18 per pizza. Definitely try the meatball appetizer which is simple but awesome! Three, thick meatballs served up seared with tomato sauce and nestled in a cast-iron skillet alongside hunks of oven roasted bread. The meatballs are dense with flavor in a rich, deep tomato sauce, fantastic. Dipping chunks of the oven-fired bread after you’re done with the meatballs is a nice bonus to finish this filling app.

Margherita pizza at Pizza La Stella in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Margherita pizza at Pizza La Stella in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Sausage lunch pizza at Pizza La Stella in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Sausage lunch pizza at Pizza La Stella in Cary – nctriangledining.com

On the pizza side of things I’ve tried their classic margherita which sports a leopard-speckled crust, nicely charred. An excellent fluffy crust (cornicione) with a fresh crushed tomato base and mozzarella make for a classic taste. A lunch visit shows off a more classic style of sausage pizza with a blend of cheeses on top but it’s still got that great crust! And at $10 for the lunch pizza with a soft drink, it’s also a very good deal. Overall I’d now put Pizza La Stella in the middle of the pack for Neapolitan because we’ve got some stiff competition out there in the Triangle now!

I’ve stopped by for both lunch and dinner, service has been solid for both visits so a thumbs up for the waitstaff. They are young but well-trained which is fine for the casual ambiance here. Given I didn’t have sky-high expectations coming in, I am really pleased with what they’ve done at Pizza La Stella, Cary. The focus on a simpler menu with the Italian basics works well in my book whether you’re talking about a family or quiet dinner for two. And while it’s certainly not cheap to eat here, it’s worthwhile for the price. And I’m also glad to see that the same changes in the menu have made it to the downtown Raleigh location which will save me 10 minutes of drive time. So welcome to Cary, Pizza La Stella! So glad to see you out here and love those delicious Neapolitan pies!

Pizza La Stella Cary

1389 Kildaire Farm Road

Cary, NC 27511

984.333.0773

Pizza La Stella Menu

Location on Google maps

December 31, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Anise Pho for Authentic Vietnamese Food in downtown Raleigh

Front of Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over on Glenwood South, a neighborhood better know for beer and dance clubs, we’ve seen a surge in new Asian eateries over the past couple of years! From Pho Pho Pho to Seoul 116 and now Anise Pho! Brought to you by restauranteur John Tang (owner of Sushi O), Anise Pho was moved from North Raleigh to a restaurant spot that used to be China O. And after a couple of visits, I can say that this eatery is doing a lot of things right for Vietnamese food fans!

Bar at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Bar at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located right next to popular sister restaurant, Sushi O, Anise Pho sits in a convenient spot underneath the 222 Glenwood condos. Just mind the street parking on Glenwood, you may have to feed a meter unless you park on a side street. Inside Anise Pho, you’ll find a lovely centerpiece bar with a bamboo overlay and glow lighting underneath. The smallish dining room wraps around the bar so it’s a slightly cozy space. I grab a menu and start poking around excitedly. Anise Pho offers up your traditional Vietnamese classic in a shortened menu. It’s a functional menu with lots of picture but doesn’t have a ton of details if you’re not familiar with Vietnamese food. You’ll find summer rolls, noodles (bun), rice (com) and of course the ubiquitous soup (pho) available at Anise Pho. The lunch specials at Anise Pho is $9.99 for a pho and soft drink.

Summer rolls with grilled beef at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Summer rolls with grilled beef at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

I’ve had a chance to dine at Anise Pho several times and have had a chance to get the menu pretty well I go with my fave order of summer rolls (grilled beef) along with a brisket pho! The summer rolls at Anise Pho are delicious and huge! A wonderful Vietnamese starter, summer rolls are served cold and consist of rice noodles, lettuce, basil, mint, shredded carrots along with a protein (often pork or shrimp). Anise Pho spins things up a bit by offering grilled beef with their summer rolls and it’s fantastic. The beef really stands out and these rolls are very substantial, probably best shared. The peanut dipping sauce offered with the rolls is also very well done and served in a generous portion.

Brisket pho at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Brisket pho at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But of course, how can you got to Anise Pho without trying their namesake dish? The lunch bowl of pho is a large bowl of broth, noodles and meat. A smattering of thin-cut onions and scallions sit on top, completing the dish. I always recommend trying out the pho broth before adding any condiments (jalapeno, lime, thai basil) and the broth at Anise Pho is good. A bit lighter but with the proper essence of cinnamon, anise and other spices that pho is known for. The brisket are nice thick cuts of beef with fat cap on top, a good pho for someone’s who’s trying it for the first time. Other options include beef shank, meatballs and tendons which might be a bit much for a first-timer. With the weather turning colder, I can definitely see myself coming back here, soon.

Grilled pork rice plate with broth at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Grilled pork rice plate with broth at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

In some additional visits I get to try out their grilled pork rice plate (com) which is served with a bowl for warm broth, a nice touch. It’s a decent meal but flavored and spiced a bit differently then I’m used to but still tasty. The pork banh mi is perfectly toasted and served on a soft, white hoagie roll. It’s stuffed with a decent amount of pork, shredded carrot, cucumber and jalapeno, a very good sandwich.

Anise Pho offers up full table service and don’t forget about that great sidewalk patio! From a service perspective, they do a nice job here, the staff seems really well trained. So when everything is said and done, I”m really happy with Anise Pho. Didn’t have much expectations but I think they offer a more authentic Vietnamese cuisine experience than any other options ITB Raleigh. Not quite as good as say, Mekong in Morrisville but above average. Which is much appreciated because sometimes you just have to have some summer rolls and pho to satisfy your cravings! And Anise Pho delivers great Vietnamese food right here in downtown Raleigh.

Anise Pho

222 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.803.4539

Location on Google maps

December 19, 2018 by Ron Wen

Media: Lula’s in Chapel Hill is Now Serving a Fantastic Southern Brunch!

Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Over the past year, I’ve been pretty impressed with the food scene in Chapel Hill. Great additions like Hops Burger Bar, Cha House, MidiCi Italian Kitchen and more have really amped up the food scene in the area. And a recent media invite to the new Lula’s restaurant in Chapel Hill spiked my curiosity. I had known about the previous tenant in this space (Spanky’s) and had seen some social media on Lula’s eats so color me curious. And hungry! So I was excited to head out to the Thrill to try out Lula’s new brunch menu on a bright and cheery Sunday afternoon.

Dining room at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Bar at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Stepping into Lula’s, you’ll find yourself in a classic looking restaurant full of polished woods and a black and white checkered floor. The space is bright and sunny, perfect for an afternoon meal along with plenty of seating. For today’s meal, we head upstairs to the private rooms which seats about 90 people. A table full of local social media influencers are waiting upstairs to get the meal started! Lula’s is part of the Chapel Hill restaurant group and helmed by Chef William D’Auvray, formerly from buku and Fins in Raleigh.

Sample brunch menu at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

While Lula’s has been open since June 2018, their brunch menu was just launched in November. They’ve still got the great skillet chicken on the dinner menu but have also added classics such as chicken and waffles, eggs and sausage along with a biscuit benedict. Just be aware that Lula’s has a pretty short menu that’s really focused on fried chicken and Southern classics. Lula’s also offers up some great brunch cocktails with quirky names like the Breakfast Bramble (vodka, yogurt, fruit, blackberry jam, granola), Damn Fine Sunday (vodka, coffee liqeur, vanilla bean syrup) and more.

Breakfast Bramble at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Biscuits with spun sage honey at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Over the course of two hours, we are treated to a barrage of wonderful Southern eats on Lula’s menu! First up are the wonderful biscuits at Lula’s. Now biscuits are a pretty simple food item but Lula’s elevates them to another level. Browned and bumpy, the biscuit here show off a crunchy, perfectly salted exterior along with a wonderfully fluffy interior. Paired with a thick and sticky sage honey, they could be a meal in themselves. But wisely, Lula’s uses them as a carb base for several of the other brunch dishes on the menu.

Maple bacon donuts with vanilla custard at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Sweet potato-squash strata at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

The next winner on the menu is Lula’s raised maple-bacon donuts with vanilla custard! Fresh out of the fryer, cake donuts are doused in syrup and served up with a round of baked custard and piece of crispy bacon. It hits all of your foodie senses with sweet and salty crunchiness along with the luscious custard. A fun play on the common donut and done very well. Counter-balancing the sweet of the donuts is the wonderful, layered strata! Thin slices of sweet potato and squash along with egg are stacked together in a tasty casserole and topped with cornbread and tomato. A great choice if you’re a vegetarian looking for something to eat. I found it quite satisfying even as a confessed meatatarian.

Skillet of fried chicken at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

Biscuit benedicts at Lula's in Chapel Hill, NC - nctriangledining.com

But of course, given Lula’s homage to fried chicken, we were all waiting on the main course! Served up in a cast iron skillet fit for a giant, a heaping pile of lovingly, browned Southern fried chicken is placed on a display table. Our group of influencers swarm about the chicken skillet but all I can tell you is that it’s very good! Soaked in a buttermilk wash and fried in a spice-laden coating, Lula’s does a great Southern fried chicken with plenty of taste and just enough salt. Although I admit, I wish I could have tried some of this cluck-cluck chicken in a dark meat, the breast still held up with good moist tenderness. We’re also served up a wonderful biscuit benedict topped with fried green tomato, country ham and hollandaise. Really nicely done, that biscuit steals the show again, offering up a great alternative to the classic English muffin.

Our lovely brunch finishes up with Chef William’s classic dessert, funeral cake! Apparently given out as solace for grieving friends and neighbors, the funeral cake is stacked high and tall with four levels of what I think is Devil’s Food cake along with a light buttercream frosting. A wonderful finish and touch to this Southern brunch. As we thank our gracious hosts and pass along good-byes to each other, I’m just trying to figure out when I can get back for a repeat visit. While the menu at Lula’s is not that big, they are executing really well on what’s coming out of that kitchen. And what’s coming out of Lula’s kitchen is some wonderful, heart-warming Southern fare with some slight twists. Add in those wonderfully crafted cocktails and I suspect you’ll be a happy camper at Lula’s for brunch. I’m glad to have it here on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill because while Spanky’s may have been a Carolina legend, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t stand a chance against the great eats coming out of the kitchen now. So thank you Lula’s for a fantastic brunch and raising the bar for the Chapel Hill dining scene!

Lula’s

101 E Franklin Street

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919.967.2678

Lula’s menu

Location on Google maps

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…

First Take: Saint & Co in Durham for Stellar Pastries and Pizza