Restaurant & Bar Reviews Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining

April 7, 2019 by Ron Wen

Media: Annelore’s German Bakery, an Authentic Taste of Germany in Cary

Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to bakeries, I try to avoid them to limit my sweets intake but every now and then, it’s a wonderful and special treat. Whether you’re talking about Guglhupf, La Farm Bakery or lucettegrace, I’m always tempted to order the entire counter! And a new bakery that’s been around forever has arrived on the scene for sweets: Annelore’s German Bakery! The name probably sounds familiar to you if you’ve been to local farmers markets. I remember running into Annelore’s at the NC State Farmer’s market many times over the years. They always had a stand next to Bee Blessed Honey and the flower vendors at the front of the farmer’s market. So I was really happy to get an invite to their local media event (Kaffee & Kuchen – Coffee and Cake) to check out Annelore’s new retail space in Cary!

Interior of Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Interior of Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Pastry case at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Pastry case at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Head on over Chatham Street in Cary and you’ll find Annelore’s German Bakery in a new, stand-alone building a couple of blocks down from La Farm Bakery, very cool! Inside I meet up with Annelore’s media contact, Tiffani and bump into some of the other local bloggers and news people attending the event. Even though I haven’t had a chance to visit Germany yet, I can say that Annelore’s interior design is clean and European with a large, curved display area full of bright colors and tempting sweets. There’s also a small cafe area to the side if you’d like to enjoy your coffee and sweets onsite.

For the media preview, we’ve got a beautiful display of Annelore’s baked goodies which spans a wide variety of categories, from sweet cookies and cakes to savory pretzels, breads and a lot more. I sample some of the goodies, love the classic Bee Sting cake layered with cream, honey, almonds and pastry, I remember this treat from the old NC State Farmers Market days! Some jam-filled cookies and Black Forest cake are also excellent, showing high quality ingredients without the overly sweet nature that some pastries might have. I’d describe Annelore’s pastries as your more classic European sweets without being overly complicated. Annelore’s bakes up a mean, butter spritz cookie along with a classic marzipan crescent dipped in chocolate and made of almond flour, chewy perfection!

Beautiful cakes and pastries at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Beautiful cakes and pastries at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

But Annelore’s German Bakery is not a one-trick pony only serving up sweets. Their large Bavarian pretzels are beautifully baked and show off a wonderfully, shiny sheen and the cheese-covered pretzels are as amazing as they sound. A row of bread loaves show off additional baking skills around multi-grain bread, purple wheat bread and more. These bread varieties are certainly different from what you usually see in the area. Ryes, purple wheat loaves and much more! I’m sure if you’re more familiar with German breads then I am, you’ll appreciate the variety turned out at Annelore’s.

Cheese and Bavarian pretzels at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Cheese and Bavarian pretzels at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Breads at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Breads at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Norbert and Annelore speaking at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Norbert and Annelore speaking at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

During the media event, owners Annelore and Norbert address the crowd and we learn more about the history of their bakery and construction of the new facility. Tours are given of the industrial kitchen which is super clean and well-organized. It’s also built super eco-friendly with an eye towards minimizing waste and energy usage. While everything inside is super-modern, it’s that old-school talent and human hands on the staff that makes their cakes and pastries so awesome. Annelore’s Bakery is definitely in a position to really increase their production volume and get their baked goods out to a wider audience beyond farmers markets, good for them!

Modern kitchen at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Modern kitchen at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Working hard at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com — Working hard at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

And at the end of the event, we’re all given goodie bags filled with tasty cookies, pastries, bread and more. It’s really great to see Annelore’s Bakery all growed up! While other businesses may have had more splashy entrances, Annelore’s has been slowly building up their reputation for high quality baked goods with a German flair, customer by customer, year by year. So congratulations, Annelore’s! If you’re in the Cary area it’s certainly worth a visit for their artisanal pastries and breads from Germany. I’m sure that for many, it will be a taste of home…

Annelore’s German Bakery

308 W Chatham Street

Cary, NC 27511

919.267.6846

Location on Google maps

March 26, 2019 by Ron Wen

Retake: Toast Paninoteca, Still a Hidden Gem for Sandwiches in Durham!

Front of Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Front of Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

As a food blogger, I’m often chasing down the newest, latest and greatest restaurants in the area but I try not to forget the classic restaurants in the area. Take Toast at Five Points in Durham, for example. Opened up by Kelly and Billy Kotler in the early stages of Durham’s restaurant revival (February 2008), I remember stepping into Toast for the first time on a Taste Carolina gourmet food tour. And I remember being pretty impressed with the food and concept, right off the bat. And ten years later, Toast is still going strong, feeding the locals in the now busy, Five Points area in downtown Durham. And you’d be remiss to forget about this tiny, little, turquoise gem and it’s great eats. Here’s why!

Casual interior at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Casual interior at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Located in the hopping 5 Points section of Durham in a prime location, Toast is now sandwiched between great restaurants such as Mothers and Sons along with Viceroy. But what makes Toast a bit unique is its more casual, quick-casual, counter order setup. Bathed in bright blue colors, Toast paints a casual and comfortable interior. The stencil wall mural proclaims it culinary commitment as a paninoteca, otherwise known as an Italian sandwich shop.

Menu at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Menu at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the order area is a neatly scripted chalkboard menu outlining all the great eats at Toast. They range from panini (pressed sandwiches, to tramezzini (cold sandwiches, crostini along with soups and sandwiches. Given Durham’s culinary reputation, what’s amazing is that pretty much everything here is under $12, super affordable. Toast’s focus on high quality meats, cheeses and produce really uplifts the humble sandwich given the talent in the kitchen. The dining room at Toast is a bit tight but certainly take advantage of their sidewalk seating on good weather days!

3 cheese panini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — 3 cheese panini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

A recent lunch visit had me ordering up their popular 3 cheese sandwich stuffed with grana padano, asiago fresco, pecorino and accented with truffle oil. This rich and gooey was served on thick, white bread and perfectly grilled. Cut diagonally into triangles (hooray) the cheese spilled out onto the plate in a deliciously unctuous mess. Biting into this sandwich is a cheese addict’s dream and wonderfully addictive.

Arancini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Arancini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Paired with a crunchy and toothsome arancini lovingly served in a white porcelain cup, it was a fantastically simple and delicious meal. While Toast offers up the usual sodas and juices, I usually like to take advantage of their affordable house wines to really make it feel like I’m in Italy. Service here at Toast is always casual but attentive and professional, another plus.

Crostini at Toast in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Crostini at Toast in Durham – nctriangledining.com

I’ve eaten at Toast many times, trying out quite a bit off the menu and across the sandwich types. And the food here is always fresh and bursting with flavor. While you can certainly spend a LOT more money for your meal in the Bull City, I’m pretty sure you can spend half as much at Toast and walk away wonderfully satisfied no matter what eenie (panini, tramezzini, crostini) you choose. In the category of quick casual near DPAC you might also try Only Burger or the new Neomonde but I can guarantee you that a meal at Toast will never leave you disappointed, buono appetito!

Toast Paninoteca

345 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.683.2183

Location on Google maps

March 17, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh, a Delicious and Casual Spot for Bites and Beer!

Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

With the recent additions of Hummingbird and Lynnwood Brewing, Raleigh has seen Dock 1053 and its plaza take off in terms of activity! What used to be a concrete and gritty, industrial complex is slowly being transformed into a destination focused on beer, food, retail, and the arts. The most recent business added to the Dock 1053 plaza is Wilson’s Eatery! Spun up by the folks from Lynnwood Brewing, the need for a more permanent food offering to serve the beer-drinking masses became readily apparent. (Think Fullsteam and Parts & Labor). I’ve had the chance to drop in for a couple of meals and it looks like Wilson’s Eatery is off to a good start!

Doors to Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Doors to Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Given all the businesses in this Loading Dock 1053 plaza, there is plenty of parking. But the complex can get very busy so you may have to be patient or park in the outer areas of the lot during peak periods. Wilson’s Eatery is located right near the entrance (to the left) of Dock 1053 and its location used to be Wendell’s Siding. It’s a practical looking building with a corrugated sheet metal facing, wood factory doors and a beautiful wrap-around patio. A small connecting bridge to Lynnwood Brewing’s patio means you can carry food and beer over between the two businesses without ever hitting up the public lot. It’s a nice layout if you intend on spending some time here, drinking AND eating.

Spacious dining area at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Spacious dining area at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Inside Wilson’s Eatery, the industrial theme continues with its decor. Polished concrete floors, sturdy wood and metal seating, the corrugated metal is left intact for the interior. Exposed metal beams stretch out overhead along with some large ceiling fans. It’s a large, open dining space with a bar area to the right and the order counter back-center. A hostess kiosk up front carries the Wilson’s Eatery menus, grab one and order at one of the two cash registers in back.

Order area at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Order area at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Wilson’s Eatery is probably best classified as a casual American grill. Sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, along with a small selection of appetizers. The ingredients and sandwiches are spun up a bit with pork belly and arugula but everything is pretty much under $15. And as you can guess, there’s some great options for beer at Wilson’s Eatery along with craft, in-house sodas (cherry-cola, root beer, etc), just be aware that you don’t get refills on the in-house sodas. Once you order at the counter, you’re buzzed on your smartphone with a text so when the order-taker asks for your number, she’s not flirting with you! After you order, feel free to grab some condiments, cutlery or napkins at the self-serve area to the side.

BLT with mac n cheese at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — BLT with mac n cheese at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For sandwiches, I can definitely recommend the BLT made just a bit more decadent at Wilson’s with pork belly! Served up on thick-cut white bread, shredded lettuce and tomato, there’s plenty of belly in this sandwich and it’s perfectly seared with the luscious mouthfeel you expect out of pork belly. Note that the sandwiches and Wilson’s Eatery come bare so you’ll likely want to pair it with a side (fries, slaw, beer cheese mac, broccoli salad). A big thumbs-up for the rich and creamy, mac n cheese! It’s made of orechiette shells holding creamy, cheese sauce in its tender pasta.

Pork nachos at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Pork nachos at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The nachos are served with pulled pork, jalapenos, beer cheese and crema which makes for a tasty mess. Not a bad starter but I would have preferred more of the beer cheese and less of the crema which overwhelmed the dish. Right now, I’d say stick to the sandwiches and flatbreads versus the other options. Note also that most food here at Wilson’s are served in paper containers, food truck style.

Old school flatbread at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Old school flatbread at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

A third visit gives me an opportunity to the the flatbread at Wilson’s Eatery. But I admit that I would personally call it a pizza, as much as anything! But who cares what you call it because, Wilson’s dishes out a great flatbread-pizza. The Old School is spun up with tomato, mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, peppers and red onions, a classic combo. Loved the crust which was light but chewy and the balance of sauce, cheese and meats was excellent. Paired with a LBC black IPA made for a great meal. I’m definitely eager to try more off the flatbread list.

It’s great to finally have a food complement to the wonderful Lynnwood Brewing. While the beer was always good, it tastes even better with the excellent eats here. Wilson’s Eatery is off to a good start with its array of gourmet sandwiches, flatbreads and plates done up in a casual warehouse setting. And I suspect that they will continue to tweak and evolve the menu over the next six months. While it’s not perfect, the great space and patio make for a wonderful addition to the Dock 1053 party! Here’s to more and better from Wilson’s Eatery in 2019.

Wilson’s Eatery

1053 E Whitaker Mill Road

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.977.5442

Location on Google maps

March 13, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Cucciolo in Durham, a Classy Option for Italian Eats

Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Italian food, Durham definitely has a leg up on most of the cities in the Triangle. From Gocciolina to Mothers and Sons and now, Cucciolo Osteria! A new option conveniently located on W. Main Street, Cucciolo is definitely bringing some new and different eats to the Bull City Italian food game. And if you’re up for great Italian food in a more proper setting, I think you’ll like Cucciolo quite a bit.

Bar at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Bar at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Brought to you by Duke University alumni Jimmy Kim, Cucciolo Osteria comes from a small 5-restaurant chain that started over in S. Korea. Built out next to old Durham standby West End Wine Bar, Cucciolo Osteria has a pretty convenient location except for ONE thing: parking. The lot the restaurant sits in is usually full and most of the spaces seem to be reserved for residents rather then for retail parking. I’ve had better luck parking directly on Main Street but that is a bit of a crap-shoot with the parking meters.

Vino at the bar at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Vino at the bar at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Once you find your parking space and get inside of Cucciolo, you’ll be greeted by a host or hostess up front which gives the restaurant a slightly upscale feel. The long space is a tribute to understated simplicity. Industrial concrete floor, high ceilings and a very long, white marble-top bar dominate the setting. Lighting is dim with good ambiance, it all feels a bit industrial and modern. Given the price-points at Cucciolo, it seems to be drawing an older crowd based upon what I’ve seen during my visits. A handful of 4-tops sit up front with smaller 2-tops lining the space. Seating is somewhat limited so you may need a reservation if you’d like to dine at a table versus the bar.

Fried gnocchi with mozzarella mousse at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Fried gnocchi with mozzarella mousse at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Butternut squash arancini at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Butternut squash arancini at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

With the short menu, you’ll get a chance to try most of your favorite dishes, pretty quickly. For starters, check out the very interesting prosciutto with mozzarella mousse and fried gnocchi! On the plate, Cucciolo serves up some tender slices of prosciutto paired with pillowy, fried gnocchi and crumbled mozzarella. I’m not entire sure how to eat this plate (wrap the gnocchi and dip into mozzarella mousse?) but most of it made its way into my mouth. An interesting play on several Italian classics. The butternut squash arancini is offered as six generous pieces of arancini with a spicy aioli which makes for a great starter.

White ragu tajarin at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — White ragu tajarin at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Moving on to the pastas at Cucciolo, you’ll find a short assortment of primis as both fresh and dry pasta in the $14 to $20 range. The white ragu tajarin I tried was fantastic, toothsome and flecked with cheese, pork and parsley. The pasta serving sizes at Cucciolo are just enough to sate your appetite but probably not enough for a full meal unless paired with an appetizer. Overall I was impressed with their pastas but feel that all the offerings should be house-made at these price points.

Moving on to the entrees at Cucciolo, you’ll find a small assortment of meat-forward dishes across the beef, pork, chicken and seafood spectrum. The butter chicken ($19) is served at the table in a sizzling hot cast-iron mini-skillet. Lightly breaded and fried crispy, you’ll find the chicken to be extremely tender and rich. A very simple but delicious preparation for a normally boring chicken breast. I also tried the porchetta ($27) which is an Italian standard for me: slow-roasted pork belly and loin wrapped around herbs and nuts. Cucciolo’s version was a miss for me, heavily fatty, luke-warm and covered in some sort of sweetish, nut-based sauce. I really scratched my head on this one, typically it’s a very simple preparation that shows off the simple roasted meat but at Cucciolo it was just doused and covered nearly beyond recognition. I couldn’t taste any crispy, pork skin or tender loin which was a surprise.

Porchetta with sauteed vegetables at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Porchetta with sauteed vegetables at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When you look at Italian food in Durham, you’ve got some delicious contenders and Cucciolo fits right into the mix of better Italian for the Bull City. But even given its great online reviews, I feel like they’ve got some areas for improvement. More house-made pastas and better execution on the porchetta given their price points seem like reasonable expectations. And given how new Cucciolo is, I think there’s definitely room for growth in this Italian food concept, buon appetito!

Cucciolo Osteria

601 W Main Street, Suite C

Durham, NC 27701

984.243.8744

Cucciolo menu

Location on Google maps

March 10, 2019 by Ron Wen

Media: Sushi Mon in Raleigh, a Sumptuous Sushi and Japanese Dining Experience

Sushi bar at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Sushi bar at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Usually at the end of the year as a food blogger, I’m trying to wrap up my visits to new restaurants to pull together my list of the best. And every now and then your plans get thrown awry by a new and excellent spot. This year it was Sushi Mon out on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. An invite to visit hits my email inbox and I had seen some very positive reviews for the place so who can resist? I head over on a chilly Thursday evening to see what this new Japanese restaurant is about.

Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sushi Mon is conveniently located off of Hillsborough Street in Raleigh in the old Mama Jee space I was so fond of. For first-timers looking to visit, parking is not super obvious. The lot next to restaurant actually belongs to Zaxby’s so do NOT park there! You’ve got options around the corner, in the Stanhope building structure or do what I do, park over on Dixie Trail and walk over. The front to Sushi Mon is dark and subtle but it sits right at the corner. Inside you’ll find a super-cool and hip, urban oasis, perfect for a fun date or small dinner party. I’m met by the owner, Chris Lee who shows me around the place. He points out many of the unique pieces of decor at Sushi Mon, all sourced in-state!

Cool interior at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Cool interior at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Live moss hanging at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Live moss hanging at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

From the tables made at Raleigh Reclaimed to a polished granite installation behind the sushi bar from Asheville, a lot of the exquisite decor at Sushi Mon was made right here in North Carolina. The piece de la resistance is the live moss wall-hanging on the side, very very cool! Overall the space has a very slick, West coast feel that would be good for an upscale dinner or date. Both Chris and Sushi Mon’s chef, Tom, have previously worked in the South Bay (CA) and Las Vegas which now makes more sense. But I’m sure you’re wondering, how about the food?

Mother's miso soup at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Mother’s miso soup at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sitting at the sushi bar, we start our meal with the miso soup. Now I don’t know about you but miso soup is usually not something to get excited about. A bit of broth with seaweed and tofu cubes usually just cleans the palate but not the miso soup at Sushi Mon. Their version (known as Mother’s miso) is a thick, cloudy broth laced with salmon, mushrooms and more, wow! Lots of flavor and umami in this little bowl so enjoy it.

Oysters with oriental salsa at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Oysters with oriental salsa at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Seared salmon lettuce wrap at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Seared salmon lettuce wrap at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sushi Mon’s menu is small but focuses on cold and hot appetizers, sushi (nigiri) and rolls. For appetizers, we opened up with the oysters which are beautifully prepared with oriental salsa and chives. A fun and colorful play to these popular bivalves offering up more flavor then the typical mignonette! We move on to a seared salmon in lettuce wrap which is topped with thin strings of kataifi. A savory but clean presentation with warm and cool, savory and crunchy for the palate.

Hokkaido scallops tiradito at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Hokkaido scallops tiradito at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Seared fish cheek at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Seared fish cheek at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Next up is Sushi Mon’s Hokkaido scallop tiradito drizzled with balsamic! An artistic dish offering a bit of soft, supple scallop with the crunchy strings featured in the previous appetizer. There’s definitely a subtle contrast of flavors and textures here at Sushi Mon. We follow up with a seared Kama dish, grilled sea bream fish cheek with yuzu salt which is a simple but wonderful preparation of super tender, white fish with just a hit of salt. You work out the fish meat around the bone and it’s super-moist and tasty!

King shrimp with seared brussels sprouts at Sushi Mon

Rainbow roll at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Rainbow roll at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Next up is an array of nigiri ranging from sea bream, king shrimp, and salmon! Sushi Mon offers up its nigiri with all the extras. Either a soy sauce (home-made) lacquered on top, wasabi spread underneath or whatever else Chef Tom is inspired by. The nigiri is in the $6 to $7 range with custom toppings for an additional dollar which I’d recommend for some unique taste combinations. And while we are slowing down for dinner, Chef Tom offers up their version of the Caterpillar roll: tuna, salmon, yellowtail and avocado in a dense, sushi-rice spiked roll. A great finish to a long but indulgent dinner.

Sushi Mon surprises us with one last plate, a small slice of tiramisu with gold leaf to finish off the meal and I was impressed. I really had no idea what Sushi Mon was about and had expectations based upon the previous business in this space, a favorite of mine, Mama Jee’s. But I was very pleasantly blown away but what they are doing here at Sushi Mon. With an upgraded interior, excellent Japanese food and sushi, along with friendly service, they are really trying to upgrade the dining scene on Hillsborough Street and at NC State. And while I wouldn’t expect to get out of here for less then $40, the overall experience is worth it. Sushi Mon is also adding ramen for lunch along with an omakase (Chef’s choice) tasting menu soon which will give you some other dining options. So enjoy Sushi Mon for what it is, an upscale Japanese and sushi dining experience for Raleigh. And I promise you that once you find parking, you’re in for a culinary treat at this special restaurant!

Media: Annelore’s German Bakery, an Authentic Taste of Germany in Cary