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

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July 12, 2015 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Rye Bar and Southern Kitchen in Downtown Raleigh

Outside sign for Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Outside sign for Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

In the world of hotel restaurants, I’m usually not a huge fan.  They tend to be over-priced and under-interesting.  But recently I started hearing about Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen located in downtown Raleigh at the Marriott City Center.  I mean who can really resist down home Southern eats for lunch?  So I tripped on over to Fayetteville Street to check out this new spot…

 

 Sitting area for Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Sitting area for Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Located at the very southern tip of Fayetteville Street, just look for the overhead wooden Rye sign!  Inside the space you’ll find a spacious open dining room with sitting area and fireplace.  It’s a majestic looking space typical to a good hotel.  The dining room is busy but since I’m dining solo, I grab a seat at the bar.  There’s signage for the lunch menu and a list of local NC farms since Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen is doing a farm to table theme.

Meat and Three lunch plate at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Meat and Three lunch plate at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Appetizers at Rye go from $7 to $11 with lunch entrees at $8 to $15.  But I figure I’ll take advantage of their Meat and Three special at $10.  Choose from the meat of the day (fried chicken on Monday and three sides).  Service at the bar is friendly and they use a team service in the dining room.  Five to ten minutes later a staffer slips a large oval plate in front of me, yowza! I’ve got two large pieces of chicken a heap of collards and fries along with roasted sweet potatoes.  The collards and sweet potatoes are solid, love the silky sweet interior of the taters.  The chicken and fries come out a bit luke-warm but still tasty and it’s overall a lot of food.  A good lunch meal but daddy’s gonna need a nap!

Bar area at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Bar area at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Looking around the space I’d have to guess that most patrons are hotel guests or visitors.  But in all honesty, Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen does a good enough job to attract downtown office workers for a basic Southern meal.  If you’re willing to spend a touch more, walk an extra block or two, you can enjoy the higher end ambiance here Monday to Friday.  So thank you Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen!  You’re off to a good start, keep it going…

 

Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen

500 Fayetteville Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.227.3370

Location on Google maps

MEAT & THREE
House favorites served with your choice of three sides and sweet tea
$10

LUNCH MENU
MONDAY—Fried Chicken
TUESDAY—Pork Brisket
WEDNESDAY—Meat Loaf
THURSDAY—Country Fried Steak
FRIDAY—Local Fresh Caught Fish of the Day
SATURDAY—BBQ Pork
SUNDAY—Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

SIDES
Chard Carrots
Shoestring Fries
BBQ Beans
Parmesan Chive Grits
Mac and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Carolina Rice
Succotash
Green Beans
Mustard Glazed Collards

Save

Save

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Restaurants Near City Plaza

December 8, 2012 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Best Restaurants and Food Near the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and City Plaza!

Raleigh Convention Center- NC Triangle Dining
Raleigh Convention Center- NC Triangle Dining

When I first moved to Raleigh back in 2008, downtown was a sleepy little area under construction. But over the past 10 years, City Plaza, the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater have opened up to revitalize the downtown area.  Add in Broadway theater and shows at the historic Progress Energy Center-Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and you’ve got a lot of people visiting the south side of downtown Raleigh. And while it’s a busy area there aren’t a ton of restaurant or dining options on that side of town, yet.

Front of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, NC Triangle Dining
View from Red Hat Amphitheater stage, NC Triangle Dining
View from Red Hat Amphitheater stage, NC Triangle Dining

So where to go to eat if you don’t want to do McDonalds or hotdog cart?  Well my friend, just hoof it a couple of blocks further out and you’ll have some great, higher end options that are off the tourist path. From simple to fancy, downtown Raleigh has got you covered for some great eating!

Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Mac n cheese at Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Mac n cheese at Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining

On the pricey end of the spectrum, head over to Wilmington Street to find Ashley Christensen’s acclaimed Poole’s Diner! Known for it’s seasonal Southern fare, Poole’s takes classic Southern comfort food and puts it on its ear. From the moment you step in and ingest the quirky horseshoe shaped bar, hipster staff and cocktail menu, you realize it’s something special. There’s no online menu, just a chalkboard with some of the freshest food around. I’ve been here for brunch and dinner and tried everything from an amazing mac n cheese au gratin, to slow-cooked Berkshire pork. Preparation is everything at Poole’s and everything she puts out is tasty. The one drawback is that due to Poole’s popularity, they don’t take reservations and have only one dinner seating. Plan accordingly.

Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Sushi at Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Sushi at Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining

Moving over to Fayetteville Street, you’ll find some excellent restaurants managed by the Echelon Group. Sono is a chic sushi restaurant decked out in crimson and black. With the stylish decor you know you’re not in for a traditional Japanese experience but that’s fine because their sushi is pretty darn good. With rolls with names like Screaming O and G-Spot, it’s got a sexy rep to live up to. And Sono dishes fresh and interesting non-sushi entrees and appetizers too.  I was fortunate to attend one of their Chef’s dinners a while back and what an AMAZING experience!  Read about it here…

Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Taco plate at Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Taco plate at Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Further west near the Warehouse District you’ll find the very popular and reasonably priced Fiction Kitchen! Popular with vegetarians and vegans, Fiction Kitchen does some amazing things with veggies and tempeh. They also pour a mean cocktail here!

Interior at Jose and Sons, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Jose and Sons, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Chicarrones and waffles at Jose and Sons, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Chicarrones and waffles at Jose and Sons, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

In the Raleigh Depot you’ll find Jose and Sons. A modern take on Mexican with a Southern twist, Jose and Sons has a large, open dining room decked in a Latin American and country motif. Choose from amazing chicarrones and waffles, ceviche, tacos and more. Reasonably priced with great food and service, an easy choice for a pre-show meal!

Burger from Chucks, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Burger from Chucks, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Beasleys-ChickPlateMacCollards
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

And don’t forget some other restaurants I’ve reviewed:  Chuck’s for their gourmet burgers, Beasley’s for their fried chicken and honey, and Bida Manda for Laotian.  All are within 5 blocks of City Plaza, Red Hat Amphitheater and the Raleigh Convention Center and worth the effort.

Interior at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Honey ribs plate at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Honey ribs plate at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Overall while I’m sure the catering is decent at the Convention Center, if you’ve got an expense account or are visiting for a show, there are lots of options in the core of downtown Raleigh for great eats!  Or if you’re at the Raleigh Amphitheater for music, City Plaza for Winterfest, the Progress Energy Center for a show, take some extra time to find a good meal. And I guarantee you it’s worth the walk and effort, bon appetit!

 

Best Restaurants, Dining Near the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater, Progress Energy Center and City Plaza

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey (Southern)

Bida Manda (Laotian)

Capital Club 16 (American, German)

Clyde Coopers Barbeque (Southern)

Fiction Kitchen (Vegan/Vegetarian)

Jose and Sons (Modern Mexican)

Oak City Meatball Shoppe (Comfort)

Poole’s Diner (Southern Seasonal)

Sono (Japanese, Sushi)

Whiskey Kitchen (Southern, Bourbon)

Save

Save

Filed Under: Local Information, Overviews, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Restaurants Near City Plaza, Restaurants Near Progress Energy Center, Restaurants Near Raleigh Convention Center, Restaurants Near Red Hat Amphitheater

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