DPAC Restaurants and Bars Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

September 10, 2014 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Rue Cler, Durham For a French Bistro Feel and Fare

Front of Rue Cler in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

Tucked away off of Chapel Hill Street not too far from DPAC is the tried and true, Rue Cler! A french bistro and restaurant, I had visited Rue Cler years ago on a Taste Carolina food tour and have intermittently come back to visit from time to time. For some odd reason, French food is usually not on the top of my To Eat list because I’m not a fan of escargot, cold cheese and pate. But put a steak frites or croque madame in front of me and I’m all in! Rue Cler does a little bit of everything, working well for brunch, lunch or dinner, let’s find out why!

Inside Rue Cler you’ll find a large open dining room with a bit of a weathered feel. Antiqued walls, partially exposed plaster, concrete floors and more give the space a European feel. Basic cafe seating and waitstaff decked out in crisp white shirts and black pants makes it all feel quite proper. While I’ve been here a couple of times for dinner, today’s visit is for brunch and a large group of friends take over the side-room for some afternoon eats.

Beignets at Rue Cler in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

Our wait-person starts us off with some wonderfully, rich coffee along with the requisite mimosas and bloody mary’s. I start off the table with a plate of beignets, there’s nothing like some fried dough and sugar to get your day going. And the beignets at Rue Cler are fantastico! Fried up without much grease, crisp on the outside, dense and yeasty on the inside, they are excellent starters for your brunching. We put in our orders for our mains which range from french toast, mussels, duck crepes and croque madame and it’s time to hang loose.

Croque madame at Rue Cler in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

It takes about 20 minutes for our next service given the size of our table. With a lot of the sandwiches you can choose from a green salad or frites but you can guess where I’m going! My croque madame looks AWE-some! A hefty portion of thick-cut bread with cheese, two fried eggs and some ham inside. The frites are beautifully fried along with some mayonnaise for dipping. I cut off a piece of the sandwich and there’s just the right amount of bread, ham, cheese and egg. I’m not sure who invented the croque madame but thank you! And the fries make for a great side when I add in a bit of ketchup. Sorry for being American! All the other dishes at the table looked pretty good, particularly the french toast and fruit, next time.

Service for our large table was not easy but our wait-person hung in there but seemed a bit stressed out. Rue Cler is pretty busy for brunch. Prices are reasonable, service is solid and decor is pretty rustic so I can understand why Rue Cler is a popular dining destination. So if you’re in downtown Durham or waiting for a show at DPAC, definitely put this French eatery on your short list. And while it may not be as popular as other downtown Durham hot spots, that may be a big advantage on a busy night. Because Rue Cler still does a very good job at dishing out tasty French bistro fare at reasonable prices. And there’s nothing wrong with that whether you’re talking brunch, lunch or dinner, bon appetite!

Rue Cler

401 E Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.682.8844

Location on Google maps

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March 29, 2017 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

First Take: The Viceroy in Durham Offers Up Delicious Indian Cuisine Near DPAC

Front of Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

The resurgence of the restaurant and culinary scene in downtown Durham has been mighty impressive. Over the past several years, burgers, pizza and beer along with national recognition have been showered upon the Bull City. But as an ethnic food lover, I was always concerned that the food scene wasn’t quite diverse enough in downtown Durham. But things are slowly changing in the Bull City, thanks to addition of the Viceroy on Main Street! This new, Indo-British gastropub has made a splash in downtown Durham. From food to decor and service, the Viceroy has come out of the gate strong with room to get even better. Why am I impressed? Read on about my first two visits to Viceroy…

Rich dining room at the Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Rich dining room at the Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Given the newness of the Viceroy, the signage up front is still not complete but just look for the armor stand and VIC decal at 331 W. Main Street. Even though the Viceroy bills itself as a pub, it has a hostess stand up front because it’s usually busy. The deep, rich scents of Indian food waft through the air here, a good sign. The Viceroy sports a smallish bar on the left and a long dining room to the right. In between the two spaces is a narrow table with stools for quick dining. Booths are lined up on the sidewall while 4-tops fill in the rest of the space. The decor at the Viceroy is detailed and eclectic, filled with lovely touches, rich wallpaper and hanging lamps. Viceroy’s walls are covered with vintage Victorian images and the ambiance is cozy and warm, great for a date!

Corned beef pasty with mustard sauce at the Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Corned beef pasty with mustard sauce at the Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Madras scotch egg at the Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Madras scotch egg at the Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Now let’s move on to the Viceroy menu, it’s a bit small with maybe 15 items in total. Given that Viceroy’s origins are from a food truck, the tight menu makes more sense. You can choose to go the more Indian route but there are also a handful of British favorites such as a pasties and shepherd’s pie. Over my two visits I can say that the appetizers shine. Make sure you try the pasty, I’ve done an oxtail and corned beef pasty which showcases a tender flaky crusty wrapped around tasty braised meat! The sausage rolls on the current menu also feature the pasty dough, delicious.

Gobi suka at the Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Gobi suka at the Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Don’t miss the spicy gobi sukha, tender cauliflower florets fried with a spicy melange of onions, peppers and curry leaves. Love the simplicity and flavor behind this vegetarian dish. And the madras scotch egg I tried was decent, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the deep-fried egg and sausage app. Most appetizers are in the $7 to $9 range, very reasonable.

Murg mykanwala (tikka masala) at the Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Murg mykanwala (tikka masala) at the Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Jeera wings at the Viceroy in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Jeera wings at the Viceroy in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

The main entrees are in the $13 to $19 range which is great for downtown Durham and focuses on Indian dishes including tandoor (clay oven fired meat). Spiciness at Viceroy is from a range of 1 to 6 and on the money. You will get some sniffles if you order up a 3 or 4 and watch out at the high end! I’ve ordered up my favorite chicken tikka masala which goes by the name mug mykanwala at Viceroy. It’s a nice version of tikka masala served up with some slivers of ginger on top and basmati rice. My only concern was the $17 price for a smallish portion of this Indian favorite. An order of cumin-charred jeera wings really brought the heat nicely and is served up with flavorful onions and peppers, wow!

Service at the Viceroy is decent, they seemed well-trained but just a bit inexperienced given the newness of the restaurant when I’ve visited. Given Viceroy’s popularity, they tend to be a bit busy which will also impact service levels. But not a big deal and to be expected in the opening months of any new spot, I would expect it to settle down soon. Overall the Viceroy is a wonderfully decorated, warm eatery for good Indian food. And while I typically go bare-bones and inexpensive for my ethnic eats (i.e. cheap), Viceroy does a nice job of walking the line between upscale eatery and authentic flavors. They are off to a very good start and if the crowds we saw during our visit was any indication of their popularity, I’d have to say that downtown Durham was dying for some decent Indian eats! So welcome to the hood, Viceroy, I’m looking forward to my next, spicy visit…

Viceroy

335 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.797.0413

Location on Google maps

December 14, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: PiePushers in Durham Dishing Out Affordable NY Pizza Slices

Pizza signage at Pie Pushers in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Pizza signage at Pie Pushers in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

When it comes to pizza, I can never get enough! And it’s always great to see food trucks take the next step and move to a bricks and mortar location. So I was wondering what Pie Pushers had up their sleeve when they added a storefront to their food truck. Pie Pushers is one of the longer standing food trucks in the area so congrats to them! And their downtown Durham location had me even more curious, fellow foodie…

Front of Pie Pushers sitting over the Pinhook in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Pie Pushers sitting over the Pinhook in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

So if you’re looking for some pizza that’s not from Pizzeria Toro or Pompieri, you’ve now got another option. Located above the Pinhook Bar in a slate grey building with red trim, you’ll see Pie Pushers’ neon sign overhead. Up the stairs and you end up in a tidy little space with cool touches all around including a light bulb “PIZZA” sign on the climb up. Pie Pushers space feels like a modern, urban pizzeria with faux wood formica tables and the requisite stainless steel napkin dispenser with cheese and pepper shakers perched on top. Seating is scattered about the space ranging from two-tops, four-tops and some stools at the bar. It all feels, warm, cozy and well put-together.

Counter area at Pie Pushers in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Counter area at Pie Pushers in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Menu at Pie Pushers in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Menu at Pie Pushers in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Over at the counter, I peruse the menu. It’s pretty basic with pizza by the slice (nice!), 10 specialty pies and you can do the standard thin-crust or a Sicilian style pie. There’s also a small list of appetizers, salads and wings to add to your pizza order. Several nice touches is that Pie Pushers allows you to order a half-pie and the base cheese pie is only $12. Quite the deal in this pricey downtown Durham neighborhood! And Pie Pushers also offers several beers on tap along with a decent bottled selection to enjoy with your pizza.

1243 half-pie at Pie Pushers in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Jerry half-pie at Pie Pushers in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

I order up the Jerry pie which comes with pepperoni and sausage. It takes about 15 minutes and a beautiful half-moon pizza is placed in front of me. I dive in but of course check the crust first, taking a peak underneath. It’s slightly speckled with a black char, great job done here in the oven! Pie Pushers pizza is best classified as NY thin-crust and it’s quite good. Tender crust that still has some structural stiffness to carry all the toppings. There’s a good smattering of meat and the cheese-sauce coverage goes nicely to the edge. Pie Pushers pies are about 15″ or so in diameter, the half-pie is plenty to eat for one person!

Over the course of my two visits, I’ve found the service to be quite good, they’ve got a very lively staff here. The feel is a bit hipster but helpful and casual, I likes it a lot! As a bonus, Pie Pushers is also doing a Saturday brunch, check out the menu here. All I can say is that I’m really glad to have a basic type of pizzeria in Durham. While I do love my Neapolitan pies, there’s something to be said for an affordable and tasty, NY slice. After a night out at DPAC, I could see myself sliding in for a slice before hitting the highway back home. So congrats Pie Pushers on your new space! You’re doing an awesome job with your pizza and thanks for keeping it affordable for the locals…

Pie Pushers

117 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.294.8408

Pie Pushers menu

Pie Pushers brunch menu

Location on Google maps

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December 31, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham

Front of Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Over on Main Street in Durham, you’ll find the recently opened Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas. I had noticed it earlier in the year and mentally bookmarked it for a future visit. I’m a huge fan of Peruvian chicken and the Mami Nora’s in the area so I wanted to see what Luna was about. But make no mistake, that while the food may be similar, Luna presents a whole different experience!

Bar at Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

From the outside, Luna impresses you with its stylish slate-blue restaurant front. Artistic signage in a neat calligraphy overhead, the interior is just as nicely done as the outside. The space is longish with a bar to the back left, common table down the middle, booths to your right and lights strung overhead. With the smell of roast meats wafting through the air, it’s a wonderfully cozy environment for a date or dinner.

Cozy interior at Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

We grab a seat at a booth and poke through the menu as a first-timer. Thankfully it’s short with an assortment of Latin American appetizers, roast meats, grain bowls and interesting sides! For those of you that are gluten-free, there seems to be a LOT on the menu at Luna for you. I order up the arepas appetizer for the table along with the blackened pulled chicken with citrus herb simmer sauce.

Arepas appetizer at Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

As we wait for the food to come out, a look around the dining space shows that Luna is pretty popular with all its customers on a Thursday night. And I can understand why, given prices here. Apps and mains are all in the $10 – $15 which is really reasonable for downtown Durham. That’s about the same price as a cocktail at one of the bars in the area, eh? Our arepas come out and it’s apparently a Colombian arepa. Basically a toasted masa (corn) disk with meats, guacamole and cotija cheese sprinkled on top. And they are quite good showing off a crisp, seared bottom with soft savory meat on top. The arepas appetizer comes with four different meats: chicken, brisket, carnitas and bean. Very similar to what’s called sopes in some Mexican eateries.

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

My main of pulled chicken, maduros and jicama salad looks great, lots of rich colors and textures on the plate. The chicken and maduros are solid, but I wish the chicken had a bit more spice on it based upon the engaging description! And the jicama reminds me of a basic crunchy slaw which makes for a nice side. Overall I found the food at Luna to be decent but not quite spectacular, but I’ll admit that to me, Latin American food is more about the basics as comfort food. And while I wanted to try out their namesake empanadas, I never made it so maybe next visit. Service for the evening got off to a slow start but picked up as the night went on so no problems there.

Overall I felt the Luna experience was good all around but not quite memorable. With its great decor, solid food and decent prices you could certainly do far worse and I could see Luna being a nice alternative dining choice for a night at the DPAC. Because while it may not blow away your taste-buds, it’s a good experience with good food and an excellent space.

Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas

112 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

984.439.8702

Location on Google maps

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May 10, 2013 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Best Bars and Cocktails Near the Durham Performing Arts Center – DPAC in Durham

Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The Durham Performing Arts Center is a downtown gem and magnet that draws people from all over the Triangle for its line-up of great theatre, drama and music. I’ve written up several posts about great dining and restaurants around DPAC but man (and woman) does not live by food alone! What if you’re up for a quick glass of wine, cocktail or beer, pre or post-show? Well thanks to this booming little area, bars, cocktails and ciders are slowly making a comeback in this neighborhood.

First word cocktail at Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Bar Virgile is the closest and newest entry in the DPAC bar scene. Dimly and perfectly lit, Bar Virgile feels like you’ve stepped into some small cafe in Paris. There’s definitely an old-school European feel to the place. Medium sized bar with a nice array of bottles on display and small list of beers on tap, they cover all the classics. A small kitchen handles food for the bar and dining room dishing out charcuterie, sandwiches and more for a solid pre-show dinner. Bar Virgile walks the fine line between restaurant and bar really well!

Interior of the Oak House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Interior of the Oak House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up on Main Street is the new Oak House offering up a selection of coffee, beer and wine in a casual setting! While it’s a more casual setting a solid selection of beers and wine will keep you humming along! And with a very affordable menu, the Oak House is one of the more wallet-friendly drinking options out there near DPAC.

Kingfisher Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Kingfisher Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up on the list is Kingfisher on E. Chapel Hill Street! This subterranean bar next the Durham Hotel does a LOT of things right. Cool and sexy ambiance, check. Beautiful ceramic barware, check. Creative and flavorful cocktails, check! With a lot of space, private booths and even a short food menu, you’ll love your visit to Kingfisher before or after a DPAC show.

A newer cocktail choice on Chapel Hill street is the very popular, Alley Twenty Six! Discrete front face, inside the space goes in deeply and you’ll find old-school bartenders behind the long bar. Similar to Foundation or C. Grace, Alley Twenty Six has a short list of seasonal specialty cocktails along with tried and true favorites. They make most of their mixers in-house so there’s some serious love in their drinks. Which is also why they’re at the higher end of the cocktail price range: $10 – $12. The interior is better-lit and more modern than other bars in this categories so don’t expect a dark, speak-easy vibe. But there’s plenty of space to move around in, though I’ve heard it can get super busy and packed.

Bar at Counting House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Bar at Counting House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

A fun spot to grab a pre-show drink is the super modern and artsy, Counting House! Located in the 21C Museum Hotel, grab a cocktail at the long bar and sure you could hang out there. But the 21C Museum Hotel is exactly that, a hotel AND modern art museum. So stroll around with your cocktail up to the second floor and check out their latest exhibits. Both the cocktail list and art rotates pretty frequently so you’ll always have something new to check out at the Counting House!

The new Pour Taproom in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — The new Pour Taproom in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

New to the DPAC scene is the Pour Taproom in the Unscripted Hotel. This modern beer bar offers a large selection of self-serve brews along with a handful of ciders and wine. Pass your credit card up front for a sensor wrist band, grab a glass and then head on over to the automated taps! With about 50 different choices across a variety of styles, I’m sure you’ll find something to quench your thirst. Wave you band over the sensor pad and you pour as much or as little as you want. You’re charged by the ounce so enjoy! The space at Pour Taphouse is very modern with high ceilings and a lot of wood. It does get a bit loud in here and the crowd is pretty casual but I can see it being a quick pit-stop before or after your DPAC show.

Another option within reasonable walking distance is the West End Wine Bar! Located a bit further west on Main Street, West End is an interesting spot for a beer or glass of vino. Small patio outside, loft on the inside, there’s a lot of space to stretch out here. While West End obviously focuses on wine, but they’ll typically have a couple of beers on tap along with some cocktails on the list. They’ve also got some small plates and pizza’s but West End is really mostly a bar with some lightweight food offerings. While it’s not nearly as interesting as its sister location in Chapel Hill, West End Wine Bar- Durham is perfectly fine for a quick stop and drink before a DPAC show.

Front of the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Front of the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Two final DPAC bars you might want to consider is the new Bull City Ciderworks the Wine Feed on Roxboro Street. It’s perfect if you’re gluten-free and/or not a beer person. Bright, open casual space with a lot of Durham 20 or 30-somethings hanging about! I’ve done most of the ciders that Bull City Ciderworks puts out and they are solid, usually a bit on the sweeter side but a good beverage to cap off the evening.

Cider bar at the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Cider bar at the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham – nctriangledining.com

The Wine Feed in Durham - nctriangledining.com — The Wine Feed in Durham – nctriangledining.com

On the flip side of the Bull City Ciderworks is the popular Wine Feed! A modern wine bar and wine shop, you can grab an interesting glass of vino here just steps away from DPAC. With a great crew of wine advisors and a small lounge, the Wine Feed is a very comfortable spot to meet up at, before or after your DPAC show.

Given the alcohol laws in NC, true bars are much less common in the Triangle than most other areas I’ve lived in. But thankfully, more and more are popping up and brewery options continue to pop up, frequently. While this list of bars and breweries around DPAC is a bit short, I’m expecting it to grow over time and I’ll be adding entries in when I can! Because a night out at DPAC is a special event so who really wants it to end?! So just enjoy Bar Virgile, The Oak House, Criterion, Alley Twenty Six, Pour Taproom, the Wine Feed and Bull City Ciderworks for their adult beverages. Cause before or after a show at DPAC, a drink may be the perfect way to cap off an evening…

Bar Virgile

105 S. Mangum Street

919.973.3000

Location on Google maps

Kingfisher

321 E Chapel Hill St

Location on Google maps

Alley Twenty Six

320 E Chapel Hill Street

919.213.1267

Location on Google maps

Counting House at the 21C Museum Hotel

111 Corcoran Street

919.956.6760

Pour Taproom

202 N. Corcoran St., #200

919.972.8771

The Oak House

126 W Main Street

919.339.1383

Location on Google maps

Wine Feed Durham

307 S. Roxboro Street

919.748.4115

Bull City Ciderworks

305 S. Roxboro Street

919.237.2357

Location on Google maps

Rue Cler, Durham For a French Bistro Feel and Fare