Chapel Hill Restaurant Reviews on NC Triangle Dining

March 15, 2018 by Ron Wen

Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill: Dishing Out Delicious Neapolitan Pizza

Front of Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Front of Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

In my constant search for great Neapolitan pizza, I’m not sure how Capp’s Pizzeria slipped past me! But given its location out in southwest Chapel Hill it probably didn’t make my news feed. Thankfully a friend posted some pictures of his visit on social media and now you’ve got my attention! Digging in, I found out that Capp’s Pizzeria opened up in October of 2016 after some years as a food truck. Owner John Cappelletti hails from Waterbury, CT so he knows his way around good pizza. So guess what? I guess it’s time for a trip out to Chapel Hill to see what the hub-bub is about!

The Dining Experience at Capp’s Pizzeria

Dining room and kitchen at Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Dining room and kitchen at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Heading over on a cold and rainy Sunday, a friend and I pull up into the Capp’s Pizzeria parking lot and I was a bit surprised. Brand new shopping plaza along with a modern looking building, it was not as I had imagined in my head! We’re greeted up front by the wait-staff and since it’s right after opening, we’ve got the place to ourselves. The dining room is bright with high ceilings and splashes of color (yellow, red), a very cheery space. And the pizza oven behind the counter has a red facing around it, a change from the usual dome-shaped wood-fired ovens you usually see. All in all Capp’s Pizzeria is a very updated rendition of an old-school pizza joint.

Interior of Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Interior of Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Peering through the menu you’ll find a nice assortment of flavor combinations in addition to your standard margherita and cheese pies. The house pizza combinations seem well thought out with nice touches such as house-made sausage, soppressata, shiitake mushrooms, honey and more. These pies definitely don’t fall into the traditional category! Capp’s also offers up a handful of grinders and pasta dishes if you’re not in the mood for apizza.

The Food and Pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria

Mama Mia pizza at Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Mama Mia pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Margherita pizza at Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Margherita pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

For my first visit, two of us shared a classic margherita pie and the Mamma Mia, topped with meatball, red onion and serrano peppers. The food doesn’t take long at all to come out given that blistering hot, wood-fired oven! The pies are individual pies, 6 slices to each and show off the leopard spotting on the cornicione (puffy end of crust) so common to Neapolitan pizza. I dive into the margherita pie first which shows off lovely splotches of melted mozzarella and bits of seared basil. Wonderful! The crust at Capp’s Pizzeria has a wonderful lightness and softness inside and the tomatoes are great. It’s a well balanced pie with just the right amount of cheese, sauce and basil. But wait, there’s more! Love, love, love the Mamma Mia pie! The meatballs here are fantastic but I also love how the onions are thinly slivered, providing a hit of flavor without needing to chew through it. And the bits of jalapeno pepper add just the right amount of spice, wow.

White clam pizza at Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — White clam pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

After my great first visit, I came back for a dinner visit because I saw a clam pie on the menu. You may not be familiar with clam pies but it’s a regional pie, common to the New Haven, CT area. A white pie, covered with fresh clams, garlic and cheese. The owner of Capp’s Pizzeria has roots in the Connecticut area so I was happily surprised to see it on the menu (Fridays and Saturdays). And my clam pie was a beauty, I did it Capp’s Way which adds thick-cut bacon on top, dee-lish! You get the wonderful sweet chewiness of the clams set off by garlic and salty bacon. A peek underneath shows off the perfectly baked crust and from what I can tell, Capp’s Pizzeria is VERY consistent with the bake on their crust which is key to a good Neapolitan.

Beautiful charred crust at Capp's Pizzeria in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Beautiful charred crust at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

The Verdict at Capp’s Pizzeria

Service at Capp’s Pizzeria has been solid for both of my visits but beware, this place can get slammed quickly. I imagine there aren’t a ton of good pizza options in the hood and Capp’s (IMO), is VERY good. Probably top three in the Triangle for me but I would love to try their pasta to see what they can do there. Overall I was really impressed with this Italian eatery. While certainly the focus is on Neapolitan pizza here, the addition of some appetizers, sandwiches and home-made pastas make it similar to Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro. Even the limoncello cake I had for dessert was fantastic. All I can say is if you’re a fan of great pizza and you’re in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area, stop on by for sure! I can’t imagine there are much better dining options in the hood…

Capp’s Pizzeria

79 Falling Springs Drive

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

919.240.4104

Capp’s Pizzeria menu

Location on Google maps

July 28, 2015 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Eating Outdoors in Chapel Hill and Carrboro- Patios, Roof-tops and More!

Who can resist a patio on a warm summer’s night? And out in Chapel Hill, summer is a great time to visit since the craziness of the student crush has passed on. Having gone to school at Carolina, I can tell you that there are definitely some cool and interesting spots to check out and patios to sit outdoors. Here are some of my favorites in Chapel Hill and neighboring Carrboro.

Covered patio at Top of the Hill in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

The first patio that usually comes to mind is Top of the Hill! A local landmark Top O’ overlooks the main intersection of Franklin Street and Columbia which is perfect for high altitude people watching. Order off their small American menu of pub food, my last visit was for lunch and included a filling pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato waffle fries, yum!

Most of the patio is under cover outside of a handful of seats at the edges. Top of the Hill is really known as much for its beer and drinking as it is for its food. And service at Top O is solid just be careful about coming here on a weekend evening after 9pm. Top of the Hill can become a full-on party spot when classes are in session.

Front of Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe – NC Triangle Dining

Further down on Franklin you’ll find the under-rated Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe. Known for its spicy, Indian eats, Vimala’s also has a large outdoor courtyard to sit and enjoy your mango lassi and a meal. An idyllic scene for some great Indian food for the area. Vimala’s specializes in Keralan cuisine with plenty of spice and heat for true Indian food lovers! Inside you can order at the counter and the eats will be brought to your table.

Garden setting at Acme Restaurant in Carrboro- NC Triangle Dining

Next, head over to Carrboro for the fantastic patio at Acme Restaurant! This casual but upscale eatery has a garden setting to enjoy a delicious brunch. A very civilized way to spend a Sunday morning or afternoon. Acme Restaurant has been around for over 10 years and offers seasonal Southern cuisine with a gourmet spin.

So there you go my friend! Some great patios to pass the time in lovely Chapel Hill and Carrboro. There are other great options like Crooks Corner, La Rez and more but you’re off to a good start with the five options above!

Great Outdoor Dining, Patios in Chapel Hill & Carrboro!

——————————————

Top of the Hill- Chapel Hill

Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe– Chapel Hill

Acme Restaurant– Carrboro

Save

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

Service at Hawkers has been excellent during my 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. Take your pics quickly and dive right on in!

Coconut curry benedict at Hawkers in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Coconut curry benedict at Hawkers in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Pandan and Kaya pancakes at Hawkers in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Pandan and Kaya pancakes at Hawkers in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

One additional option now available at Hawkers in Chapel Hill is brunch! Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm, choose from some fun, Asian-fusion type brunch items and specialty cocktails. A thumbs up for the coconut curry benedict which is served atop crispy baguette pieces. And their Pandan pancakes are stunning looking, a fun way to end your weekend meal.

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

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

September 11, 2018 by Ron Wen

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

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

Pizza comes in many forms and styles: NY thin-crust, Chicago deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza, thick Sicilian and more. But when it comes to REAL pizza in my mind, you have to go back to the motherland, Neapolitan pizza from Italy. Now there are strict rules for true Neapolitan pizza: 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and mozzarella di bufala. Quality ingredients that result in tender delicious, thin crust, soft melty cheese and fresh tomato flavor, perfection.

Neapolitan pizza is usually served as a single-serving pie and cooked in wood-fired ovens. But the reality is that when you find Neapolitan pizza in the US, it’s often more like Neapolitan-style and takes some liberties on the official guidelines. But in my opinion for pizza, Neapolitan is the only way to go to truly understand what great pizza is about. And thankfully, the NC Triangle is starting to sprout up more Neapolitan-style pizza places over the past five years! Here’s a quick tour of some of your best options for Neapolitan pizza!

Margherita pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill

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

Napoli Pizzeria, Chapel Hill and Durham – This food truck has gone bricks and mortar at the Durham Food Hall! Overall they are doing a solid Neapolitan pie and the pancetta garlic pizza I tried was excellent!

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

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

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

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

Poole’side Pies, Raleigh – The newest entry in this category, Poole’side Pies offers up solid Neapolitan-style pies in a stunning setting reminiscent of a classic swimming pool theme. Along with a handful of fun, fried appetizers and interesting salads, Poole’side stretches the Neapolitan concept a bit with some Southern style.

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

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

Grandma pie at Hutchins Garage, Durham - nctriangledining.com — Grandma pie at Hutchins Garage, Durham – nctriangledining.com

And there’s more great pizza in the area with more traditional pies such as Hutchins Garage, Trophy Brewing and Pizza along with Oakwood Pizza Box! Which is great news for us all because, not everyone has a friend with a wood-fired pizza oven. As a huge Neapolitan pizza fan it just makes me happy to see these options popping up. I’ve made the pilgrimage to great pizza places around the country like DiFara, Totonno’s, Motorino, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Apizza Scholls and more. It’s just wonderful to have some good local options here near home! So if you’re a budding pizza fan, give one of these spots a try and I’m sure you’ll be loving that thin-crust za, too.

November 2, 2015 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Media Event: Il Palio in Chapel Hill Doing Rustic and Regional Italian Fare

Entrance to the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Out in the NC Triangle we’ve got several great examples of hotel restaurants ranging from the Fairview Dining Room at Washington Duke Inn to Herons at the Umstead and Flights over at the Renaissance Hotel. Hotel restaurants may not be at the top of your list as a dining option but you’d be remiss in not considering them. And Il Palio at the Siena Hotel is a new, Italian option in this category. I received an invite for a VIP dinner with their new chef Teddy Diggs and here’s how the evening played out…

Lobby at the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Il Palio and the Siena Hotel are conveniently located off of E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and is certainly one of the more upscale options in this college town. The lobby is full of polished marble and columns presenting an age-old, antiqued European feel. Il Palio sits to the right of the lobby entrance with a bar and lounge area in front, impressive wine display to the side.

Wine-display at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

We meet with Il Palio’s PR representative, Cherith from Clairemont Communications, who has organized this soiree and gathering of local food media and bloggers. It’s an impressive and chatty group for the evening. I manage to get a quick tour of the dining room before dinner kicks off with General Manager, Anthony Carey who shows off the refreshed dining space. While elegant and upscale, the decor is still comfortable and shows off hints of a post-mod 70’s feel.

Cul de sac seating at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

We’re seated at two long tables and the dinner will be coursed with a variety of items off the Il Palio dinner menu. We start off with some beautiful large crostini slathered in a variety of pate, jam and mousse, quite good but I’ll confess that I’m not a huge fan of pates!

Crostini at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Roasted chestnut soup at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Course two is a variety of antipasti (appetizers) which range from a roasted chestnut soup to tuna carpaccio and squid in red sauce. A warm basket of olive-oil infused focaccia is actually MY favorite appetizer, sometimes it’s the simple things in life!

Olive oil focaccia at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Hand-cut taglierini with porcini at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Next up is an array of pastas and entrees. The hand-cut taglierini pasta with black truffle-porcini butter and walnuts is rich and exquisite. A plate of gnocchi to my left, lamb chops to the right and a lovely grilled seabass in front of me.

Grilled lamb at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Il Palio specializes in wood-grilled fare so everything comes out with a hint of smoke and char from that specialty oven. I loved the seabass but you do have to be careful picking through its small bones. General Manager Anthony is also taking care of our wine needs over the course of the evening making it a lavish meal. Again, I find some of the simpler items on Il Palio’s menu to be some of my favorites, don’t miss their creamy aquarello risotto!

Whole grilled sea bass at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

The table finishes up with a variety of desserts and I absolutely adore mine: a simple-looking olive oil cake! Served with olive oil gelato and these wonderful roasted grapes, there’s a lot of simple complexity happening on this plate. Warm and luscious cake paired with the cool gelato and the fruit with a swirl of balsamic makes for a wonderful ending and sweetness to finish the meal.

Olive oil cake with roasted grapes at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Over the course of the dinner, Chef Teddy comes out to tell us a bit about his vision for the menu here at Il Palio and he’s a talented chef with a passion for regional Italian fare. Il Palio is certainly doing Italian cuisine that goes far beyond what you’ll find at most Italian restaurants in the Triangle. So if you’re up for a trek to Chapel Hill and Italian treat for the taste-buds, seek out Il Palio at the Siena Hotel. It’s worth the effort if you’re looking for modern European cuisine in lush surroundings. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, bon appetit!

Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill: Dishing Out Delicious Neapolitan Pizza

The Dining Experience at Capp’s Pizzeria

The Food and Pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria

The Verdict at Capp’s Pizzeria