DPAC Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining

July 1, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: COPA in Durham, a Restaurant Overflowing with Delicious and Classic Cuban Eats

Front of COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When you think of your favorite types of sandwiches, what comes to mind? A great BLT? How about lean roast beef and Swiss? Well one of my favorites sandwiches is the classic Cuban sandwich! Ham and roast pork layered with pickles, Swiss and mustard pressed together for a melty, cheesey bite. And out in Durham, the Old Havana Sandwich Shop was a great spot to get an authentic Cuban sandwich. Unfortunately for lovers of Cuban sandwiches, they shut down this past February but left a silver lining in the clouds. The owners of Old Havana Sandwich Shop would be opening up a new restaurant a month later, right down the street as COPA! Yeah, and they’d be serving up Cuban sandwiches and much more in the larger space. I managed to get in and dine at COPA for a couple of meals and it’s off to a great start! Read on for the details, mi amigo…

Bar at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you’ve been in the area a while, you’ll recognize COPA’s new space as the old Revolution restaurant. But once inside, be prepared for a shock. What used to be a modern, plush and upscale interior has been drastically transformed into a Cuban cafe! Owners Roberto and Elizabeth have done a total refresh on the space, similar to their dearly departed Havana Sandwich Shop. From the weathered wood plank floors, hanging glass-blown lamps to the sea-green paint, COPA has a classic Caribbean feel to the place. And given I’ve never been to Cuba, I can’t attest to its exact authenticity in decor but I’m guessing it’s pretty close to what you might run into on the island. Overall the space is quite open, bright and comfortable, it’s now time to eat!

Much like their old sandwich shop, COPA has a smaller and tighter menu in their attempt to bring traditional Cuban eats to the area. You’ll find a variety of Cuban sandwiches filled with roast pork, ham, cheese and other goodies along with some small plates on their dinner menu. COPA also offers a nice selection of period Cuban cocktails, expertly mixed to pair with your meals. One new option is a modified brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 2:30pm. It’s good to see COPA taking full advantage of their new space with these expanded offerings!

Cuban sandwich at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Patatas brava at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

During my first lunch visit, I had a chance to sample their patatas bravas and a traditional Havana Cuban sandwich! The Havana is a pressed sandwich layered with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickle and mustard on Guglhupf bakery bread. An excellent bite and a standard from the old Old Havana Sandwich Shop! Served with thin-sliced plantain chips, it makes for a hearty meal. Paired with a nice plate of papas bravas (fried potato wedges served with aioli), you’ve got a great lunch on your hands. However, these offerings are pretty much holdovers from the previous Old Havana Sandwich Shop menu so I was really curious to see what they could do with the new menu. Which meant I needed to get back for dinner!

Classic daiquiri at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

For visit #2 at COPA, I sat at the lovely triangular bar, topped with a speckled stone-concrete surface. It was a chance to try out their cocktail menu and the classic Cuban daiquiri. Loved this drink served up in a classic art-deco glass, a daiquiri is typically composed of rum, juice and a sweetener which is shaken with ice. A perfect start for dinner!

Pan de chicarrones at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Moving on the main meal, I started off with the pan de chicarrones which is FAN-tastic! A thick, rustic yellow bread studded with crunch pieces of pork belly (chicarron) makes for a wonderful bite. Served with some olive oil, you could nearly make a meal out of this appetizer alone. But what a shame that would be given the rest of the menu to try!

Arroz con pollo at COPA in Durham – nctriangledining.com

As a small plate, the arroz con pollo at COPA is served up in a little porcelain-cast iron dish, offering up a seared chicken drumstick and flat on a bed of deep yellow rice. It’s like a simple mini-paella to me with the toothsome and chewy rice paired with perfectly seared chicken. A small and wonderful treat in a bowl!

Given the newness of COPA they are probably still working out kinks in their operations but service was solid for both of my visits at the bar. Overall I am pretty satisfied with COPA and what it is trying to do here. While I always enjoyed their Cuban sandwiches, the addition of these small plates are really a game-changer in my opinion. The larger menu allows COPA to be a great restaurant choice versus being a good cafe. And I love the fact that they are sticking with more authentic options on their menu since Caribbean cuisine is not common in the Triangle. Maybe one day I’ll get to visit Havana, Cuba but until then, a dinner at COPA will have to do, buen provecho!

COPA

107 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919. 973.0111

Dinner menu at COPA

Location on Google maps

January 21, 2018 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

Best Restaurants and Dining 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 8 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, 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!

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

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 — Dining room at M Sushi – nctriangledining.com

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

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, It’s a Southern Thing, Mateo, Mothers and Sons, Pizzeria Toro, 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 in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Linguine carbonara at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Linguine carbonara at Cucciolo 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 having opened up in late 2017. 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.

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.

The relatively new Pizzeria Toro is currently closed but should re-open shortly. Serving up wonderful, neapolitan-style pizzas out of a showcase wood-fired oven, Pizzeria Toro had 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!

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.

So these six restaurants near DPAC at 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

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 a 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

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 has a lovely polished wood bar, chandeliers above and was 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…

Counter at Only Burger near DPAC - nctriangledining.com — Counter at Only Burger near DPAC – nctriangledining.com

Texan burger with fries from Only Burger in Durham

Given its food truck origins, Only Burger is probably THE most casual and family-friendly restaurant on this list. The bright and cheerful space is highlighted by a food truck hanging over the menu. Choose from a variety of great burgers made with free-range beef and hand-cut fries, keeping ordering simple. While the menu is simple, the food is delicious and you can’t get much closer to DPAC.

Dining area at Tobacco Road Sports in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

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

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…

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

Best Restaurants near DPAC- Five Points Area

Best Restaurants near DPAC- American Tobacco Campus

Additional Help for your DPAC visit

November 24, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: It’s a Southern Thing in Durham Offers Up Southern Cuisine Done Delicious

Entrance to It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Entrance to It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Southern eats, we can’t seem to get enough of it in the Triangle because let’s face it, we’re really good at Southern eats in North Carolina! So it was with some excitement when I heard about the upcoming It’s a Southern Thing in Durham. Taking over the space that used to be Pop’s, Lucia and Motto on W. Main Street, I was hopeful that maybe a more accessible and affordable type of cuisine would do ok in this large space. And thankfully through a media visit and personal visit, I had a chance to experience first-hand what It’s a Southern Thing is bringing to the Bull City. Here’s my take on this new and tasty restaurant for Durham…

Rustic dining room at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Rustic dining room at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

First, if you haven’t been to this space before, it sits conveniently on Main Street between the downtown Durham core and Brightleaf Square. Which means you can do it for a visit to DPAC if you’re willing to walk a bit (leave the high heels at home). Street parking is a bit limited in this area so be aware! From the outside, It’s a Southern Thing is not that noticeable outside of a large brick wall with paned windows overhead. Find the side entrance and hop upstairs to the warm, cozy dining room. Inside, the space hasn’t changed that much since its days as Motto. You’ll still find the same bulb-lit “BAR” sign overhead but they’ve gone with a more casual interior. No more fancy fabric lamps, in with the barn-door plank tables and a more open and better lit space. With a view into the open kitchen it all feels like you can pop in here for a quick meal rather than a more formal dinner. And the prices here at It’s a Southern Thing reflect that: appetizers and salads are in the $8 to $12 range while entrees run from $14 to $22, pretty good for Durham!

Refreshed dining room at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Refreshed dining room at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Crab dip and pita points at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Crab dip and pita points at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Charcuterie board at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Charcuterie board at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

I’ve had the chance to dine at It’s a Southern Thing for a couple of meals, one a comped media visit and another out of pocket to get a good feel for what they’re doing. The crab dip with pita points is a great starter! Bubbly, cheesy and with plenty of crab inside for flavor, it’s a generous portion and best shared amongst 2 – 4 people. And the charcuterie plate offers a great selection of cured meats, pimento cheese along with these wonderful seeded crackers!

Smoked wings at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Smoked wings at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Pete-loaf with fingerling potatoes at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Pete-loaf with fingerling potatoes at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Moving on to the meat and mains, It’s a Southern Thing’s smoked chicken wings are simple but very tasty. Tender with a nicely browned skin, there’s a lot of deliciousness here in this simple preparation. And a big thumbs up for their meatloaf! It’s actually “Pete-loaf” and named after the owner. Instead of a mix of ground beef and pork, they’ve updated the meatloaf with ground bacon instead! So while you get two smaller medallions of meatloaf, it’s super-rich and flavor-packed. Served over roast fingerling potatoes, it’s a great example of the type of comfort food you’ll be served at It’s a Southern Thing and gets a big thumbs-up from me.

Shrimp and grits at It's a Southern Thing in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Shrimp and grits at It’s a Southern Thing in Durham – nctriangledining.com

And of course you couldn’t do a Southern restaurant without the ubiquitous shrimp and grits plate! It’s a Southern Thing amps up the flavor of their shrimp and grits with some andouille sausage, tomatoes and chiles, an interesting combination! We also tried their desserts in a mason jars, banana pudding, chocolate mousse and more to finish off your meal in style. Service for both my visits was attentive and pleasant. While the staff is dressed down pretty casually here, they are very service-oriented and well-trained. Overall I think you’ll find It’s a Southern Thing to be a pleasant and tasty dining option in downtown Durham. The food is good, the space is beautiful and it’s all paired with solid service. At the price points they have their menu, It’s a Southern Thing is offering up an excellent option for the lunch and dinner crowd in Bull City. So give em a chance if you’re in there area! Along with Maverick’s Smokehouse, Saint James Seafood and Grub, you’ve now got some interesting new dining options on (and off of) W. Main Street in Durham!

It’s a Southern Thing

605 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.294.9632

Location on Google maps

October 18, 2017 by Ron Wen

Ten Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Your Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) Visit

The Durham Performing Arts Center is one of the busiest venues in the world, bringing top-notch Broadway shows, concerts and more to the Triangle area. Since its opening in 2008, the downtown Durham scene has totally transformed due to its presence. So if you’re going to one of the many shows at DPAC, I’ve pulled together some tips and tricks to get the most out of the show. Having been a previous Broadway season-ticket holder and fan I’ve probably seen over 25 shows at the DPAC over the years. Here’s some ideas on how to get the most of your DPAC visit.

DPAC Pre-Show Tips and Tricks

Ordering tickets – You’ve got several options here to get your tickets and while Ticketmaster may be the easiest, it’s also the most expensive. Some other options include over the phone which will still incur a phone service fee, but the box office will be the best option to save money. Standard box office hours are 10am to 5pm (Mon to Fri) and 10am to 2pm (Sat) but it’s also open three hours before show time. And given DPAC’s heavy performance schedule, that means it’s open A LOT.
Ticket Management – If you order your tickets online, you can certainly do e-delivery to save on mailing fees but sometimes for special shows, I just prefer an old-fashioned ticket that can go in a scrap book. So ordering tickets and doing Will Call where your tickets can be picked up at the box office is my preference. Note that if you are meeting someone at the show, you can put multiple names on your tickets so that a date or friend can pick up their ticket separately. Also if you have a problem with a conflict for your show, DPAC will do ticket exchanges for a new date/time but it will probably incur a service fee and any price differentials.
Parking – While you can certainly pay for a lot or parking structure, I prefer street parking. Oftentimes you’ll have to pay a bit for a meter and then parking will be free after 6pm. Most Durham parking meters take coins and cards, you’ll need your license plate number to use these meters. I’ve had luck on Pettigrew and Ramseur Street if you get there a bit early for your show. And if you’re early, don’t miss my post on the best restaurants and food around DPAC!

DPAC Show Tips and Recommendations

Beer, Wine and Cocktails – DPAC is well equipped for snacks and drinks but I’d certainly try to eat before your show. If you’d like to enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail for your show, you can bring drinks into the auditorium and usually there are two bars on each of its three floors. If you’re a wine fan, note that the bars can do double-pours into a plastic cup to save you a trip back out. You can also pre-purchase drinks before the show starts for intermission to save time on waiting in a line.
The Nutty Bavarian – One of the things you may pick up on when entering the DPAC are wonderful sweet, cinnamon smells on the first floor! That’s the Nutty Bavarian, a cart specializing in candied pecans, almonds and cashews served up in a small paper cone. The Nutty Bavarian is ONLY on DPAC’s first floor so don’t miss out! It’s my show tradition to grab some nuts at the Nutty Bavarian during intermission so sometimes I’ll have to hustle from the 3rd floor down to the 1st and back up, after grabbing some nuts.
Rest rooms at show intermission – Intermissions are usually pretty short (15 minutes), and the bathroom lines for the women’s restroom can get long. If you’re planning a bathroom break at intermission, you’ll have to get out as soon as the curtain goes down to minimize the wait. There will be a DPAC employee holding a sign for the end of the women’s line so keep an eye out for it!
Photos – While you aren’t allowed to take photos inside the theatre, DPAC will often have a backdrop-screen for Broadway shows to take a commemorative picture of your evening. Check it out if you want a picture with your date or loved ones, it’s usually on the first floor.

DPAC Tips and Tricks Post-Show

Meet the Cast – After your Broadway show, there will sometimes be cast members available for photos and signatures. Head on over to Mangum Street towards the rear of the venue. You’ll see some steps that lead up to a red door where you can wait.
Post-show Drinks – Now if you don’t want to fight the traffic out and back home, you may want to grab a drink or bite and relax but it will probably be after 10pm. Check out my post for more detailed information on the best bar and drink options around DPAC.
DPAC Open House – Once a year, DPAC does an open house to thank their patrons and sell season subscriptions. If you’re a DPAC fan and haven’t done the open house, make sure to get an invite! You’ll get to tour the facility, hang out on the stage and check out the changing rooms. Very cool and a rare occasion to see the behind-the-scenes view of DPAC. My favorite part of the tour is the beautiful signed murals that casts leave after playing the DPAC!

June 8, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: NanaSteak For a Classic Steakhouse Experience Near DPAC

Front of NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

When it comes to steakhouses in the Triangle, people usually mention Angus Barn, Sullivan’s, Ruth Chris or maybe Flemings. I’m typically not a huge fan of them because they offer pretty basic food at usually, a pretty steep price. But they are great for celebrations because who can argue with the basics of meat and potatoes paired with great service? Which is usually what you get at a steakhouse. As luck would have it, a friend’s birthday celebration brought me out to the new NanaSteak in downtown Durham. And here’s how it went down, the good, the not so good and everything else…

Aloft Hotel with NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

If you haven’t been to downtown Durham or DPAC recently, you are IN for a surprise. I’m in the neighborhood pretty frequently and was still shocked at what I saw. I spent about 20 minutes trying to find NanaSteak and confess that I’m often confused trying to find businesses on Blackwell Street and the American Tobacco Center. But you can NOT miss the new Aloft Hotel next to the greens by DPAC. I snapped a couple of pictures and continued down Blackwell to find NanaSteak with no success. I eventually backtrack and take a closer look at the Aloft Hotel. And way on the bottom left I notice the discrete signage for NanaSteak on the 1st floor of the Aloft building, a-ha! On the bottom floor with the large glass panes you’ll find the sunken entrance across the green and a LONG way off from Blackwell. The signage is much more visible at night, trust me!

Bar at NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Inside NanaSteak you’ll immediately be struck by the classic feel to the space. There’s a beautiful polished wood bar up front in the first dining room with crystal chandelier overhead. Reminds me a bit of Bar Virgile. The patrons at NanaSteak are a bit older, befitting a steak house. Probably in the 30 – 60 year old range. The hostess brings me back into the 2nd dining room which is large and open, to a flight of stairs leading to the events space. There, past a display of wine bottles, we’ve got a table for 14 set up, woo-hoo success!

Dining room at NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Eventually our whole group filters in, including the happy birthday girl. We’ve got one wait-person for the table which should be interesting since NanaSteak has only been for 3 months or so. The menu at NanaSteak is pretty short like most steakhouses. Nine or so apps, 3 pastas and a slew of roasted meats and seafood paired with a handful of sides and vegetables. Prices at NanaSteak are actually pretty reasonable for the basic Certified Angus Beef ($25 to $35) but bump into the higher range for grass-fed beef, $40 to $55. While most of the meal is a la carte you do get one veggie with your main which is definitely a plus! I order up some fried oysters, a 12 oz. ribeye along with some bearnaise sauce, creamed greens and truffled cauliflower.

Fried oyster app at NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Mussels app at NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The apps come out and it’s a decent plate of small fried oysters (corn meal coating, I think). This dish is a bit different served up with some light broth and pork belly. I like it but the broth softens up the fried coating and the pork belly, while nice, seems like a throw-in which doesn’t necessarily enhance the oysters. The plate of mussels brought to the table look quite good, too…

Prime rib at NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Ribeye steak at NanaSteak in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Service is a bit slow here but we’re talking about a Saturday night at prime time for a group of 14, ouch. It takes a while for our mains and when they do come out, there’s definitely some confusion as to who gets what. But eventually my rib-eye steak shows up and she looks great! A deep cross-hatch sear on both sides, cup of bearnaise and large helping of cauliflower fill out the plate. I bite into the steak and the meat is tender and fatty, no surprise for this cut. The truffled cauliflower is nicely done and has that back-end umami from the truffle sauce, delish. My only concern is that it’s served a bit messily on the steak’s juice. I’m assuming the rib-eye was rested before serving which is the right thing to do but the cauliflower mixed into the juices doesn’t look great. I would have preferred the cauliflower served in its own dish. And the bearnaise sauce was solid and buttery but you can probably pass on it given the quality and taste of the bare steak here.

We wrap up our meal grab our checks and need to head out to our next destination. It’s been a 2 hour plus meal but we did bring a large party in. Overall NanaSteak is doing a pretty decent job at bringing a reasonably priced steak house to Durham. And given its premium location as THE closest restaurant to the DPAC, I’m relatively certain it will do great. Was the experience perfect? No it wasn’t but given the slightly lower prices I think the miscues are forgivable. And Nana Steak is still relatively new so here’s to continued evolution and improvement. So thank you NanaSteak for the delicious evening, I’m already looking forward to my next DPAC show and dinner here!

NanaSteak

345 Blackwell Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.282.1183

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