NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

  • NC Triangle Dining Food Blog
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants and Bars
    • The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Durham, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Cary – Apex, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh, NC
  • News
    • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics
Date Restaurants

Best Date Restaurants in Raleigh, Durham and Beyond!

Looking for a fun and hip date restaurant? Here are some of the best around, featuring great food, ambiance and decor in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

July 1, 2021 by Ron Wen

Barcelona Wine Bar, a High-Energy Celebration of Spanish Tapas

Front of Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Spanish tapas in the Triangle, Durham had the market cornered with the ever-popular Mateo and Taberna Tapas! As a Raleighite, I had tapas on my short list of desired restaurants and thankfully, Barcelona Wine Bar has come to the rescue! Part of the Del Frisco restaurant group (including bartaco), Barcelona Wine Bar has about 17 locations on the eastern seaboard and Colorado. Barcelona Wine Bar’s prime location in the Dillon building is its second location in North Carolina, woo-hoo! And after several dinner visits, color me impressed. Here’s why you should be considering a visit to this hot, new NC Triangle restaurant located at the new Dillon Building!

Corner location of Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Corner location of Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in a premium corner spot at West and Martin Street, the Barcelona is one of the new fun and hip eateries that continue to be opened up at the Dillon. A lovely patio area with greenery fronts the restaurant and you’ll usually find an energetic crowd milling about. Step through the narrow doorway and you’ll run into the centerpiece tapas bar in front (U-shaped) which is usually very busy. Overhead you’ll spy hollowed out, wood tubes and to the sides, rectangular “wood cinder blocks” which provides some separation between the bar and the kitchen or side dining room. Interior design at Barcelona wine bar is very organic and rustic, it feels a bit weathered even though it’s a brand new space!

Front room seating at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front room seating at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Cool bar at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

I’ve eaten many times here, usually at the bar and once on the patio. The large tapas menu offers up an array of charcuterie (3 cheese-meat choices for $17.50), salads, small plates, Chef’s items along with some desserts that are not on the main menu. Barcelona Wine Bar also offers up a handful of entree type dishes in the $20+ range (including paella) but where’s the fun in that? There is plenty to choose from for meat eaters or vegetarians but I’ll give a slight advantage to Team Meat at Barcelona Wine Bar! The wine list is pretty extensive and focused on European wine with glasses mostly $10 and up, don’t miss the cava. I’d expect to spend $30 and up for a meal with one drink so it’s a mid-priced type of meal for Raleigh.

Spanish tortilla at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Spanish tortilla at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For starters, the Spanish tortilla (omelet) is stellar! Tender, thin-sliced potatoes are layered with egg and olive oil to present a luscious take on a very simple dish and it is executed perfectly here at Barcelona. Don’t miss the croquetas de jamon which are delicately fried balls of deliciousness. The crunchy exterior breaks open to a soft and cheesy interior accentuated with salty ham, wonderful stuff. And yes, you must try the albondigas, meatballs made with a bit of lamb in a chunky tomato sauce. The albondigas are bites of savory meatiness and filling for a small dish. I usually skip the complimentary rustic bread basket but some of that country bread sopped in the tomato sauce from the albondigas would be heavenly.

Croquetas at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Croquetas at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Albondigas (meatballs) at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Albondigas (meatballs) at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Now while officially Barcelona is all about small plates, I consider some of the higher-priced chef’s specials to be more entree like given the meat-heaviness of the dishes here. I had a fantastic NY Strip paired with red chimichurri which was wonderful. Thinly sliced, perfectly cooked (medium) medallions of beef sporting that luscious fat on the edge topped with the flavorful chimichurri sauce makes for a taste sensation. Paired with the plump, charred sugar snap peas, you’d have a perfect meal with both the savory beef and crunchy greens to balance your plate!

NY Strip with red chimichurri at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
NY Strip with red chimichurri at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Charred sugar snap peas at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Charred sugar snap peas at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Paella salvaje at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Paella salvaje at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

And after all these small plates, make sure you save room for dessert. It’s a small menu but loved Barcelona’s crepes salguero (crepes with dulce de leche cream, hazelnuts) and their chocolate flourless cake. So small and decadent, the cake is filled with creamy chocolate ganache! A glass of port would probably be the happy ending to a wonderful meal here at Barcelona Wine Bar.

Crepes salguero at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Crepes salguero at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Chocolate flourless cake at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chocolate flourless cake at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

One other note, Barcelona Wine Bar has added a weekend brunch (Saturday and Sunday) and it has become one of my favorite spots to celebrate the weekend! With the addition of some tasty morning sweets (olive oil pancakes, torrijas-french toast) along with some Spanish flavored brunch savories (gambas y grits, serrano benedict), makes Barcelona one of the best brunches in the Oak City in my opinion. Don’t miss out!

Gambas y grits for brunch at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Gambas y grits for brunch at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Torrijas for brunch at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Torrijas for brunch at Barcelona Wine Bar, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

While Barcelona is still evolving as a new restaurant, they do a good job training and preparing their staff. Just beware that the bar can be pretty energetic and boisterous (LOUD), if you’re up for a quieter meal you’re better off in the dining room or patio. But wherever you sit at Barcelona Wine Bar, your taste buds are in for a treat. The chef back in the kitchen has got some serious talent and knows how to take these simple dishes to another level which is to me, a perfect reason to celebrate the arrival of Barcelona Wine Bar and its Spanish tapas in the Oak City. We were way overdue for tapas and Barcelona Wine Bar was definitely worth the wait!

Barcelona Wine Bar

430 W. Martin Street, Dillon Building

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.808.5400

 

Barcelona Wine Bar sample menu

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Date Restaurants, Patio, Restaurants Near the Dillon in Raleigh, Small Plates

January 21, 2020 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

The 20 Best Restaurants Near the Durham Performing Arts Center – DPAC

The Durham Performing Arts Center at dusk - nctriangledining.com
The Durham Performing Arts Center at dusk – nctriangledining.com

If you’re lucky enough to have gotten Hamilton tickets (or Elf or Miss Saigon) at DPAC, you know you’re in for a special evening! And what better way to kick off a great night at the theater than with a great pre-show meal. And not surprisingly, there are a ton of great eating and food choices near DPAC ranging from Mexican nouveau, casual Italian sandwiches, Neapolitan pizza, gourmet burgers, and much more. And all of these great restaurant options are within walking distance of DPAC in three primary areas around Mangum Street, Five Points, and the American Tobacco Campus!

Check out each neighborhood and its dining options below, 20 in total.

Best Restaurant and Dining Deals around the DPAC in Durham, Part I (Walk to DPAC, Mangum Street)

Best Restaurant and Dining Deals around the DPAC in Durham, Part II (Walk to DPAC, Five Points)

Best Restaurant and Dining Deals around the DPAC in Durham, Part III (Closest to DPAC, ATC)

View Best Restaurant and Dining Deals Around DPAC! in a larger map

Best Restaurants near DPAC- Mangum and Main Street

Right across the railroad tracks you’ll find nine great restaurant choices around Main Street and Mangum: Alley Twenty-Six, Bull City Burger and Brewery, COPA, Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter, Luna Rotisserie, M Kokko, M Sushi and Rue Cler (on the map in red)!

Inside of Alley Twenty Six in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Inside of Alley Twenty Six in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Fried oysters at Alley Twenty Six in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Fried oysters at Alley Twenty Six in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Alley Twenty Six has been a Durham classic for many years, starting off as a cocktail bar and then expanding into a full-service restaurant. With a bright and modern interior, the menu at Alley Twenty Six matches the decor! A great selection of bites and charcuterie along with small and larger plates will whet your appetite before the show. I’ve tried the cornmeal fried oyster along with a burger here, good, high quality bar food. And obviously you can’t miss the cocktails here at Alley Twenty Six, they are good but pricey. So enjoy Alley Twenty Six for dinner or just a cocktail, I think you’ll be pleased with either side of this business!

Front of Bull City Burger & Brewery in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Burger from Bull City Burger & Brewery in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

First up is Bull City Burger & Brewery , a cool and casual dining spot! Bull City Burger & Brewery spins out fresh beer brewed on the premises along with top-notch gourmet burgers. Most everything is made in-house at Bull City Burger, the owner Seth, is very fussy about the quality of his wares. Bull City Burger & Brewery is also family-friendly with a play area in the back for children.

Bar and dining room at COPA in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Bar and dining room at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Arroz con pollo at COPA, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Arroz con pollo at COPA, Durham – nctriangledining.com

COPA sits in a prime location at Mangum and Main Street, about as close as you can get to DPAC. But beyond its great location you’ll find a delicious menu of classic Cuban cuisine along with a contemporary and open dining room. Inside COPA, the pea green dining room, stencils and interior design gives diners a feel of the Caribbean. Try out the pan con chicarrones (bread with pork) or arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) for a taste of the Cuban island. Enjoy a refreshing daiquiri cocktail in a thick-cut crystal glass and you’ll be transported to 1920’s Havana. All in all, COPA is a very interesting and unique dining experience in the Triangle!

Modern dining room at Jack Tar and the Colonel's Daughter in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Modern dining room at Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Poutine at Jack Tar and the Colonel's Daughter in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Poutine at Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter in Durham – nctriangledining.com

While the name is quite a mouthful, Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter keeps things pretty basic a modern diner. But it flips the concept on its head for Durham diners, offering up a super modern wood-paneled dining room along with spun up diner fare. Enjoy poutine, banh mi and Sichuan peppercorn chicken along with the usual grill type eats. Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter has a bit of a split personality with a more cozy bar and lounge opposite the main dining room. Don’t miss out on that space!

Lovely interior of Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Lovely interior of Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Pulled chicken plate at Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Pulled chicken plate at Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Conveniently on Main Street, you’ll find the new Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas! This hip and casual eatery offers up wood-smoked meats (chicken, brisket, pork) along with other Central American favorites at a reasonable price ($10 – $18 entrees). Inside the decor is warm and sultry, the delicious aromas of roast meat, will have you ready to eat. Add in a very nice bar and communal table and I’m pretty sure you’ll find Luna Rotisserie to be a great pre-DPAC show option for dinner.

 

Korean fried chicken at M Kokko - nctriangledining.com
Korean fried chicken at M Kokko – nctriangledining.com

M Kokko is the brain-child of Chef Mike Lee and offer some eclectic Asian preparations focused around the humble chicken. Choose from ramen, Korean fried chicken and more, all featuring their delicious bird. The space is small (15 to 20 seats) so it fills up quickly, keep your eye on the chalkboard menu on the wall to figure out your eats. If there’s a wait at M Kokko head on over to  their sister restaurant, M Sushi and grab a drink.

 Dining room at M Sushi - nctriangledining.com
Sushi bar at M Sushi – nctriangledining.com

Barbeque eel bun at M Sushi

And while M Kokko is quite good, M Sushi is great! This classic sushi restaurant utilizes some of the best and freshest fish around in their sushi, chirashi bowls and omakase offerings. The inside is simple and industrial sporting a long sushi bar, bare brick walls and concrete floors. Don’t miss the barbeque eel buns here, served with some crisp salmon skin and pickle, they are fantastic. But you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! Note, you’ll probably need a reservation to eat here in prime-time hours, most nights.

Interior of Pompieri Pizza in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Interior of Pompieri Pizza in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Pompieri pizza

The interesting Pompieri Pizza sits in an old firehouse so it’s a large and open space. Pompieri specializes in Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizza, a classic Italian pie. Order in back at the counter, grab a soda or beer and they bring you your individual pie with shears! Snip away a slice that’s perfectly sized with some shears, the pizza is served unsliced here. I’ve tried their pork belly pie and name-sake Pompieri pie, both were excellent with a great chewy crust.

Front of Rue Cler in Durham - NC Triangle Dining
Front of Rue Cler in Durham – NC Triangle Dining
Interior of Rue Cler in Durham - NC Triangle Dining
Interior of Rue Cler in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Another good dining choice would be Rue Cler, a solid French bistro with great service. They’ve also got a very affordable ($35) three course prix fixe menu, perfect for theater night. Mix and match from the seasonal menu or from the a la carte portion to your heart’s content. Recently I had a lovely lentil soup, braised asparagus and steak frites with bearnaise sauce as my prix fixe meal. Just keep the stiletto’s at home for ease of walking since Rue Cler is a bit further away off of Mangum Street!

Best Restaurants near DPAC- Five Points Area

This DPAC dining post will take a look at some great restaurants in the Five Points area, also a short walk from DPAC: Cucciolo Osteria, It’s a Southern Thing, Mateo, Mothers and Sons, Pizzeria Toro, Thai at Main Street, Toast and Viceroy. On the DPAC dining map above, you’ll find the restaurants profiled in this post colored in green.

Long and narrow space at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Long and narrow space at Cucciolo Osteria in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Linguine carbonara at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Linguine carbonara at Cucciolo Osteria in Durham – nctriangledining.com

First up for great restaurants in the Five Points neighborhood is the newer Cucciolo restaurant. A spot for fine Italian food in a more sophisticated setting. The long and narrow space at Cucciolo is highlighted by a centerpiece bar perfect for single diners or couples. Ambiance is clean and a bit romantic with the dimmed lights here, perfect for the classic Italian menu. You’ll find a well-curated and shorter menu with some starters, pastas and entrees ranging from bruschetta, butter chicken, pasta carbonara and more. Prices are a bit higher than average but the food is well worth it! Reservations recommended due to the smaller dining room.

Pete-loaf at It's a Southern Thing in Durham
Pete-loaf at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham
Crab dip with pita points at It's a Southern Thing in Durham
Crab dip with pita points at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham

It’s a Southern Thing is one of the newer dining options on this list. Blessed with a beautiful and large dining room along with very reasonable prices, It’s a Southern Thing offers up classics such as meat loaf, shrimp and grits, smoked wings and more. A fun options within walking distance to DPAC but a bit off the beaten path.

Mateo-Interior2

Mateo-TortillaEspanola

Two hot dining spots in the neighborhood are located on Chapel Hill Street, Mateo for Spanish tapas and Mothers and Sons. Both follow a similar theme: fresh, ethnic eats in a super-hip, rustic environment. Mateo is the most upscale restaurant on this list, the type of place where you can get dressed up or go more casual. But that’s the beauty of tapas! You can come here to snack or build a full meal. And you can come as a pair or do it up as a large party, there’s plenty to choose from. Mateo puts out really authentic small plates such as pan tomate, braised oxtail toast and gambas ajillo. With a standard of decor that would fit into any major metro, Mateo does authentic small plates in a lively environment. Just be warned that the place can get loud, due to its busy crowd.

At Mothers and Sons you’ll find a bustling dining room with happy patrons and knowledgeable servers. The menu is authentically Italian offering up hand-made pastas, roast meats and more. Love the crispy arancini here along with the gnocchi ala romana! And the decor here is wonderfully done, you will probably need reservations to eat here on most nights.

PizzeriaToro-Oven

PizzeriaToro-MargheritaPizza

Serving up wonderful, neapolitan-style pizzas out of a showcase wood-fired oven, Pizzeria Toro has a great reputation for artisan pies. The crowd here was super-hipster and with fire-fly, Edison lights over each table, the space feels like it was pulled out of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I’ve got my fingers crossed that Pizzeria Toro will be re-opening soon and I’ll let you know as soon as I find out!

Toast-Front

Cheese sandwich with arancini at Toast in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Cheese sandwich with arancini at Toast in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Further down on Main Street is the wonderfully inexpensive but delicious Toast. Think panini’s, crostini’s, sandwiches and soup. The ingredients are all locally sourced and high-quality, I’m in love with their chicken salad sandwich. Add in a beer or glass of wine and you can still walk out of the place for $15. An amazing deal for food this fresh, it’s just not a fancy meal out. Be sure to check Toast’s website before making any plans to eat there. It’s a small operation run by a lovely couple but it may be closed from time to time for family reasons. Toast is typically open until 8pm which makes it a great choice for a pre-show dinner with some vino!

Rich interior at the Viceroy in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Rich interior at the Viceroy in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Spicy jeera wings at Viceroy in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Spicy jeera wings at Viceroy in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up on the Five Points list is Viceroy! A super popular Indian-British gastropub serving everything from classic curries to creative fusion type dishes. I think the best deal here are the small plates ranging from gobi sukka (spicy cauliflower) to the pasties (crescent pastries stuffed with assorted fillings. The menu here changes pretty frequently but it’s always a lot of fun and spicy. What really makes Viceroy special is the rich and textured dining room full of polished wood, paintings and Victorian wallpaper. Reservations recommended here for most nights before a DPAC show.

Thai at Main Street in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Thai at Main Street in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Crispy catfish at Thai at Main Street in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Crispy catfish at Thai at Main Street in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Thai at Main Street is a newer choice near DPAC and offers up flavorful Thai eats in a casual setting

So these eight restaurants near DPAC and in Five Points are all great dining and restaurant choices. A quick 5 to 15 minute walk will have you back at DPAC and in time for the big show!

Best Restaurants near DPAC- American Tobacco Campus

Ribeye and truffled cauliflower at Nana Steak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Ribeye and truffled cauliflower at Nana Steak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The menu here is pretty traditional ranging from $18 to $60 and covering the usual array of grilled beef, seafood, chicken, and pork. I tried an Angus beef ribeye which was a bit fatty and luscious all at the same time. Along with the truffled cauliflower, it’s a solid meal and an overall good experience here. Given its proximity to DPAC and upscale environs, I suspect Nana Steak will soon become a favorite for the DPAC crowd!

Discrete front of Nana Steak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Discrete front of Nana Steak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Lux bar at Nana Steak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Lux bar at Nana Steak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The newest dining addition to the ATC is the upscale NanaSteak located at the base of the new Aloft Hotel! The discrete front entrance hides a very upscale, well-appointed interior, typical of a steak house. The front bar and dining area have a lovely polished wood bar, chandeliers above and were filled with a more mature crowd on my visit. A second dining room and upstairs event/group area fill out the rest of the large dining space here. And while the ambiance is all steakhouse, prices here are pretty reasonable for what you get…

Press Coffee Crepes and Cocktails is one of the newer and closest options near DPAC! This casual but beautiful cafe specializes in coffee drinks, sandwiches and crepes so you can come here at any time in the day. Currently the hours are a bit limited but I imagine they will be expanded once DPAC has a more regular schedule.

Front of Tobacco Road Sports in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Front of Tobacco Road Sports in Durham – nctriangledining.com

One super-convenient option that puts you steps away from the DPAC entrance is the lovely, Tobacco Road Sports Cafe. Serving upscale bar food at reasonable prices, you will definitely not go hungry here. Yes, they’ve got tons of televisions. Yes, they serve pitchers of beer. But Tobacco Road Sports barely qualifies as a sports bar given its upscale decor, full bar and solid service.

Nachos from Tobacco Road Sports Cafe in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Nachos from Tobacco Road Sports Cafe in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Love their nachos, sliders and frizzled chicken, and beef ribs. A large dining space, bar and patio means you’ve got plenty of seating options. But you’ll need ALL the space here because this place can get insanely busy. After you’re done, take a leisurely short stroll past the fountain over to DPAC, you can’t be much closer than Tobacco Road Sports…

Beauty and the Beast at DPAC in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

In the end it all just depends on your mood: fancy and frilly or tasty and simple! Getting in for an early dinner around DPAC is typically not that hard unless there’s something very popular showing. Just don’t go to the DPAC hungry because outside of some cookies, gelato, candied nuts and adult beverages, you won’t find much to tide you over for three hours! And it’s really hard to enjoy a show when you’re famished, take advantage of the great dining options in the area, bon appetit!

 

Best Restaurants near DPAC- Main and Mangum Street

  • Alley Twenty Six (American)
  • Bull City Burger & Brewery (American)
  • COPA (Cuban)
  • Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter (American)
  • Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas (Latin American)
  • M Kokko (Asian, Chicken)
  • M Sushi (Japanese, Sushi)
  • Pompieri Pizza (Neapolitan Pizza)
  • Rue Cler (French)

Best Restaurants near DPAC- Five Points Area

  • Cucciolo (Italian)
  • It’s a Southern Thing (Southern)
  • Mateo (Spanish, Tapas)
  • Mothers and Sons (Italian)
  • Pizzeria Toro (Neapolitan Pizza)
  • Thai at Main Street (Thai)
  • Toast (Italian, paninis)
  • Viceroy (Indian)

Best Restaurants near DPAC- American Tobacco Campus

  • NanaSteak (American, Steak)
  • Press Coffee Crepes and Cocktails (Cafe)
  • Tobacco Road Sports Cafe (American, Bar)

Additional Help for your DPAC visit

  • Best Bars and Cocktails Around the DPAC in Durham
  • Tips and Tricks to get the most out of your DPAC Visit

Filed Under: Durham, Local Information, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Date Restaurants, DPAC Restaurants and Bars

January 25, 2017 by Ron Wen

Crawford and Son, Raleigh – An Upscale Comfort Food and Dining Experience for Raleigh

crawfordson-frontnight
Front of Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

In the Triangle, it’s not too hard to keep up with the changes, comings and goings of culinary talent in the area. But it was interesting to see what James Beard-nominated Chef Scott Crawford has been up to over the last two years. Moving from Herons at the Umstead Hotel in Cary to Standard Foods in Raleigh took a bit of time. Then his departure from Standard Foods to start his own restaurant threw another twist into the plans. So it was with great fanfare when he finally opened up Crawford and Son at the end of 2016. Located in the old Piebird space on Person Street in Raleigh, his new restaurant was only a hop, skip and a jump from his previous stint at Standard Foods. There was certainly a lot of buzz around Crawford and Son but I decided to wait a bit before I popped in for a visit. But given it’s only about 2 blocks from my gym, I would eventually get sucked in on a warm Tuesday evening…

Dining room and bar at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Dining room and bar at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

As I walked over to Crawford and Son, I realized that I hadn’t been to the departed Piebird in ages, so I had nearly forgotten about this space over the years. But I can certainly tell you that Crawford and Son has gone in a totally different direction than its predecessor in terms of decor. Sleek, grey and minimalist is what leaps into mind when I stepped inside. Lots of dark palette hues in brown, blacks and grey dominate the space and it all feels quite modern and well put-together. The dining room has some good energy with light indy rock playing overhead along with the buzz of the crowd.

Smoke detector cocktail at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Smoke detector cocktail at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Reservations are needed for most tables at Crawford and Son unless you want to dine before 6 or after 9pm but the bar has plenty of open seating on this Tuesday evening! And while the food and menu is on the more upscale side for Raleigh, it’s a more casual environment so I’d describe the dress code as casual or dressy but neat! I grab a seat and chat with the bartender Rachel a bit, I had run into her several times previously at Tazza Kitchen so it was good to see a familiar face here!

Phenomenal malted wheat rolls at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Phenomenal malted wheat rolls at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The menu at Crawford and Son is tight and carefully curated. Three to five items in each of five food categories: appetizers, raw, entrees, sides and dessert, mostly upscale Southern-comfort fare. Along with a smallish list of wines, beer and cocktails, I start off with their Smoke Detector which mixes mezcal, smoked honey and grapefruit, delish! The menu is pretty much all a la carte with appetizers in the $10 to $15 range and entrees from $20 to $30. One good thing about the small menu is that it doesn’t take long to decide, you just put your meal in the hands of the talented chef and let her rip!

Yellowtail crudo at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Yellowtail crudo at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

My first dish out of the kitchen is the very popular yellowtail crudo. It’s a visually stunning presentation with slices of pink tuna in a miso-lemon-pepper broth. Translucent triangles of radish and white rice puffs dot the bowl along with the darkened bits of seaweed. There’s a lot of luscious mouth feel in this dish along with different textures ranging from soft and supple to crunchy and light, a very satisfying starter.

Menu at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Menu at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining
Ribeye with mushroom at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Ribeye with mushroom at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

For my entree I kept things simple, going with the long-favored and a well-marbled rib-eye steak. Crawford and Son does things a bit differently here. They serve up a sizable piece of tender beef about 1″ thick and slit to expose some surface area. A bacon jam, mushrooms and braised root vegetables sit on top of the rib-eye to provide some texture and earthy flavor to this beefy cut along with the wonderfully savory bread pudding. Note that while Crawford and Son is an upscale restaurant, portion sizes here are on the generous side, you certainly won’t go home hungry!

Sugar cream pie with huckleberry sherbet at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Sugar cream pie with huckleberry sherbet at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

And even though I can’t finish my entree after the large crudo plate, I can’t resist dessert here given it’s my first visit. Crawford and Son has a wonderful sounding sugar cream pie with huckleberry sherbet, thank you very much! The pie is a wonderful creation with a thick buttery crust, smattering of granola and the tangy berry sherbet. Again, a great mix of textures, flavor (sweet and tart) making for a very happy ending.

Dining room at Crawford and Son in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Crawford and Son in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Service at Crawford and Son is excellent, they are professionals here, know the menu and how to provide attentive service without overdoing things. I recognize several people on the staff from some of my other favorite area restaurants so they’ve done a great job recruiting talented people at Crawford and Son to complete your dining experience. So a slow round of applause for Chef Scott and his namesake restaurant. In several short months they have already established themselves as a Raleigh favorite and the praise is certainly well-deserved. Hope to be back again soon and finish up another one of my workouts with some culinary curls at the very tempting Crawford and Son!

Crawford and Son

618 N Person Street

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.307.4647

Crawford and Son menu

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Date Restaurants

August 22, 2020 by Ron Wen

St. Roch Fine Oysters and Bar in Raleigh – A Taste of New Orleans Seafood for the Discerning Palate

Front of St. Roch in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of St. Roch in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

While Raleigh may be a bit land-locked in the center of the state, thankfully great seafood is only a couple of hours away at the coast. And in the past two years we’ve seen the addition of great seafood restaurants like Saint James out in Durham along with Cortez Seafood in Raleigh. One restaurant that had slipped past my food radar screen was St. Roch (pronounced “saint rock”) out on Wilmington Street. It’s funny because I never ate much at this location given the previous tenant (Joule) and that just continued on as it transformed into St. Roch. But eventually I decided it was time to see what this eatery was doing for seafood in the Oak City!

Dining room at St. Roch Fine Oysters in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at St. Roch Fine Oysters in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The first thing you’ll notice about St. Roch is the unique entryway: white tile floor, long, glass display windows to either side that give away its origins as an old men’s clothing store. Out front, St Roch exudes an early 20th century art deco feel but inside, it all gets hip! St. Roch’s dining room is a great looking place with a long bar to the right (perfect for slurping oysters), leather button-tufted booths down the middle and little two-tops to the side.

Main dining room at St. Roch Fine Oysters in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Main dining room at St. Roch Fine Oysters in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Showcase dining area at St. Roch Fine Oysters in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Showcase dining area at St. Roch Fine Oysters in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

A white metal stamped ceiling and stainless steel lamps hanging overhead give the space a great evening ambiance that’s dark and sultry. Some chalkboard menus behind the bar show off the daily specials along with the raw oysters available. If you’re feeling a bit daring, grab one of the little tables that sit in a glassed-in showcase area at the front of the restaurant! You’ll get a great view of people passing by but of course, they’ll get a great view of your meal…

Oysters, crab claws and peel and eat shrimp on ice at St. Roch in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Oysters, crab claws and peel and eat shrimp on ice at St. Roch in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The staff at St. Roch is young, hip and they know the menu very well. I’d recommend starting with a plate of fresh oysters on the half-shell. Here at St. Roch, they are served with cocktail sauce, mignonette (red wine vinegar-shallots-pepper), jalapenos and fried saltines, yum! Putting a plump bivalve on that saltine with a dollop of cocktail sauce seems like a classic way to go. Take advantage of dollar oyster Tuesday’s if you want to save some money!

Fried oyster poboy at St. Roch in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Fried oyster poboy at St. Roch in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Crab St Roch at St. Roch in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Crab St Roch at St. Roch in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Roasted oysters at St. Roch Oyster Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Roasted oysters at St. Roch Oyster Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For the rest of the menu, I’ve tried an fried oyster poboy which literally had oysters spilling out of the roll. Perfectly fried plump oysters served with remoulade, lettuce and chives, a great sandwich. The crab St. Roch is a chilled mix of crab, shrimp, and egg (seafood dip) served with those fried saltines again. And the fries at St. Roch are excellent, served skin-on with aioli and ketchup.

Fries with aioli at St. Roch in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Fries with aioli at St. Roch in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Brioche beignet at St. Roch Oyster Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Brioche beignet at St. Roch Oyster Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Sinner roll with pralines at St. Roch Oyster Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Brioche beignet at St. Roch Oyster Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of several visits at St. Roch, I got the feel the St. Roch has a bunch of regulars here given its innocuous and slightly hidden space. And it’s earned that loyal following by dishing out great seafood prepared as a homage to the Big Easy. While it’s certainly not inexpensive, good seafood rarely is and St. Roch is serving up very good seafood with a touch of New Orleans. Offering up brunch, dinner and now lunch, you’ve got a lot of options to try out this great seafood eatery out on Wilmington Street!

 

St. Roch Fine Oysters and Bar

223 S Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.322.0359

 

St Roch Oyster Bar menu

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Date Restaurants, Oysters, Seafood Restaurants

September 12, 2020 by Ron Wen

It’s Good Eating at the Morgan Street Food Hall

Neon sign at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Neon sign at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

While food halls in the Triangle seem to be pretty trendy right now, it was the Morgan Street Food Hall that started it all! Located in the popular Raleigh Warehouse District, the Morgan Street Food Hall is conveniently located off of Morgan Street and near the soon to be Pendo Headquarters. If you stop in at the Morgan Street Food Hall you’ll have about 18 different food choices along with a lively indoors/outdoors bar. And from what I’ve seen, it’s a good mix of popular stand-bys along with some newer dining options along with some axe-throwing. But color me impressed overall! From dinner to dessert, you’ll probably find something you like here!

Interior of Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

I’d recommend visiting in off-hours (any time outside of 11:30 to 1:30 and 5:30 to 7:30pm) since the place is super popular right now. Parking is tough in the area, but there is some street parking along with some parking structures in this popular district. After I’m able to visit a restaurant, I’ll give it a star rating and short description. It’s a tough job but somebody has gotta do it, I’ve included menus when available to help you get a better understanding of prices and food options at the Morgan Street Food Hall! And if you’re curious about the Transfer Co. Food Hall on the other side of town, details here!


Aunt Betty’s Gin and Absinthe Bar

Aunt Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Aunt Betty’s Gin and Absinthe Bar: 4 1/2 Stars

A great-looking speak-easy tucked behind a plain door on Morgan Street. Fun cocktails and decor for some casual conversation and drink!


Bad Cat Coffee Co.

Bad Cat Coffee at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Bad Cat Coffee Co. Menu


Bella’s Wood Fired Pizza & Tapas

Bella's Wood-fired Pizza at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Bella’s Wood Fired Pizza & Tapas Menu


Big League Waffles and Scoops

Big League Waffles and Scoops at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Big League Waffles and Scoops Menu


Boba Brew at Morgan Street Food Hall

Boba Brew at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Boba Brew at Morgan Street Food Hall Menu


Buena Papa Fry Bar

Buena Papa Fry Bar at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com


Chopsticks & Forks

Chopsticks & Forks menu


Cousins Maine Lobster

Cousins Maine Lobster at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Cousins Maine Lobster menu:  4 Stars

The food truck turned food stall has done a great job here with its lobster rolls. In fact, it may even be better eating their food indoors with AC so a big thumbs-up from me!


Cow Bar

Cow Bar at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Cow Bar menu: 4 and 1/2 stars

A fun and delicious spot for a decadent and flavor-filled burger! Great selection of fries as a side, choose from Original, Italiano and Truffle. Just be aware that service can be a bit uneven and slow.


Curry in a Hurry

Curry in a Hurry at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Curry in a Hurry Menu


Epic Axe

Epic Axe at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com


Iyla’s Southern Kitchen

Iyla's Southern Kitchen at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Iyla’s Southern Kitchen Menu

Iyla's Southern Kitchen Menu, March 2022
Iyla’s Southern Kitchen Menu, March 2022

KupKake Fairy

KupKake Fairy Menu

The KupKake Fairy Menu, March 2022
The KupKake Fairy Menu, March 2022

Makus Empanadas

Makus Empanadas menu: 3 1/2 Stars

A pretty quick meal of empanandas and S. American basics (black beans, rice, salad) will keep you happy here. Love the variety of baked empanadas here, they are light and crunchy but not super filling.


Oak City Fish & Chips

Oak City Fish & Chips at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Oak City Fish & Chips Menu: 2 1/2 Stars

Unfortunately, Oak City Fish & Chips has some serial service issues even with such a small menu. Running out of seafood items on the menu, slow cook times, lack of condiments, the staff needs better training and more kitchen help. The food is decent once you get it but not worth the stress.


Opa! Raleigh

Opa! Raleigh Menu


Primal Cuts

Primal Cuts at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Primal Cuts menu


Raleigh Popsicle Co.


Raleigh Raw

Raleigh Raw Menu

Raleigh Raw – Coffee Lattes
Raleigh Raw – Juices
Raleigh Raw – Poke bowls
Raleigh Raw – Smoothies

The Arbor and Garden Bar

The Arbor and Garden Bar: 3 1/2 Stars

A decent bar with reasonable prices but service has been slow the handful of times I have been here, even in off-hours. Fingers crossed they get better with time and experience.


The Bowls

The Bowls at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

The Bowls menu: 4 Stars

A pan-Asian eatery offering rice bowls, poke bowls and small plates with Japanese, Chinese and Korean flavors. A good deal for the money, don’t miss the bulgogi egg rolls!


The Katsu

The Katsu Menu


Wicked Taco

Wicked Tacos at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Wicked Tacos Menu


YoHo Hibachi & Sushi Burrito

Yoho Asian Bistro Menu


Morgan Street Food Hall

411 W Morgan Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.307.4481

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Overviews, Raleigh Tagged With: Date Restaurants, Food Hall, Warehouse District Restaurants

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 5
  • Next Page »

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Popular Reviews

Two Roosters Lands in the Bull City and is Dishing Out Great Ice Cream

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Raleigh – A Taste of New England Seafood in North Carolina

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

Don’t Miss

  • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021 Edition

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • The Willard Rooftop Lounge in Raleigh for Cocktails and the Golden Hour
  • A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library Offering Up Fruity Cocktails and Fanciful Food Presentation
  • PrimoHoagies in Raleigh for Stuffed Sandwiches with a South Philly Flair!
  • CowBar Burgers & Fries in Raleigh for Beefy Perfection at North Hills

Connect with NCTD

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NCTD Email Subscription


Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework