family Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining

January 24, 2015 by Ron Wen 6 Comments

Best Dining and Restaurants at Waverly Place in Cary

Sunset at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

(Updated 5/12/16) Over the years, Waverly Place has seen good and bad days. I used to live in this neighborhood and I never found much of a reason to visit this large, sunken strip plaza. But over the past two years, things have really picked up at Waverly Place. A new developer has spent a lot of money bringing in some high-end touches to the plaza such as water fountains, ambiance lighting and more. And the incoming restaurants have been a cut above your usual strip mall fare with a diverse group of eating choices. And also really nice patios given the strip mall setting! So where to go when visiting Waverly Place in Cary? Here are some of my favorites…

Enrigo Italian Bistro at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Rigatoni amatraciana at Enrigo Italian Bistro in Cary- NC Triangle Dining

One of the first new restaurants here was the Italian classic, Enrigo Italian Bistro! When they first opened up, I always found their food to be decent, just not amazing. But a new chef has brought about a huge improvement in the food here. A recent lunch here showed off some great amatriciana pasta, apps and tiramisu. Along with a great covered patio, Enrigo Italian Bistro has definitely stepped up its game and is a worthwhile meal at Waverly Place.

Taziki's at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining — Taziki’s at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Next on the list is the relatively new, Taziki’s Cafe! More of a quick casual, Greek-Mediterranean offering, they’ve got counter order and the lines to show that they must be doing something right! Choose from salads, wraps and kebab plates, the food portions here are generous and fresh-tasting even though they may be a bit Americanized. Still a good choice if you’re looking for something healthier and don’t want to pay for the full sit-down experience. Taziki’s usually pleases most people and for good reason.

Famous Toastery at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

A brand new dining choice is the casual Toast Cafe which dishes out more classic American eats. Think BLT’s, turkey sandwiches and egg salad! But while the menu may look familiar, Toast Cafe does a nice twist on things. Fresh sides and great service make it a good option for a quick but satisfying meal. And they’ve got a side-patio complete with fountain, woohoo!

T.MAC at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Another brand new option at Waverly Place for dining is T. MAC! A chain of sports bars and grills, I had the chance to attend a pre-opening event at the restaurant and the food was very good for bar fare. Add in a plethora of TV’s and you’ve got a great option for watching the big game. And did I mention that T. MAC has one HUNDRED beers on tap and another hundred bottled? Just be careful but there are still service issues at T.MAC based upon what I’ve seen for online reviews.

Fresca Cafe at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Next on the list is Fresca Cafe which is a mix of coffee-gelato shop along with some sandwiches and quiches for a savory moment. Fresca has a modern Italian feel and while I think their strength is in their sweets, you can put together a casual lunch with soup, salad, sandwiches and crepes. My experiences here have been a bit hit or miss, just an FYI.

Gigi's cupcakes at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining — Gigi’s cupcakes at Waverly Place, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

And finally, Gigi’s Cupcakes! Yeah, it’s a chain and they go a bit heavy on the frosting but if you’re looking for a cakey sweet to finish up your meal, you can do far worse than Gigi’s. With a rotating assortment of daily flavors, you’ll still probably find something to suit your fancy and stomach.

View of Waverly Place in Cary- NC Triangle Dining

So Waverly Place you’re all growed up! In addition to the above restaurant there’s also a Barberitos (Mexican), Menchie’s (frozen yogurt) and a soon to come Cinebistro in 2015. So walk around, window-shop, enjoy the fountains and green space along with the good dining options here. Waverly Place is getting better each month, bring the family along for a relaxing visit…

Great Restaurants and Dining at Waverly Place

Enrigo Italian Bistro (Italian)

Tazikis (Greek, Mediterranean)

Famous Toastery (American, Sandwiches)

T. MAC (American, Bar)

Fresca Cafe & Gelato (Sandwiches, Pastries)

Gigi’s (Cupcakes)

Waverly Place Directory

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September 29, 2014 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Feel like a Kid Again (or Bring your Kids) at Pullen Park in Raleigh!

Entry-way at Pullen Park, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks for a great reason. All the trees and green space in Raleigh make it a great place to find a quiet spot to read a book or lay out for some sunshine. On the list of city parks is the super-popular Pullen Park which just completed a huge renovation in 2013. I had forgotten about this park since it’s in an odd spot between Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard but if you’ve got kids (or enjoy being a kid!), Pullen Park is AWE-some! Large, clean and with plenty of classic amusements to keep you busy. Or just take a walk around the ground to get some fresh air and sunshine, Pullen Park does it all really well…

Play area at Pullen Park, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

From the outside you’ll immediately notice the train tracks running across the entrance, step over after checking both ways and head on inside. Right past the arched Pullen Park entrance you’ll find a ticket booth. $1/ticket and you’ll need them for the train, carousel, kiddie boats and to rent out a paddle boat. You’ll also find the Pullen Place Cafe offering a wide range of sandwiches and snacks for you and your kids! A large playground to your right is crawling with kids, literally. It’s really an impressive expanse of greenway, lake, and amusements that make Pullen Park such a great destination.

Kids train at Pullen Park, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

We curl around to the right where you’ve go the boarding area for the CP Huntington, the nicely restored train that chugs around the park. It’s hard to resist this bright red locomotive pulling a handful of cars behind it! For one ticket you do a quick spin around all of Pullen Park seeing some different areas that you might not be able to get to on foot. And it’s just fun to hear the clickety-clack of the rails whether your 6 or 60.

Riding the train at Pullen Park, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Next up is the carousel, a green octagonal building that appears to be a bit drab from the outside. But you can tell that something special lies within. Inside you’ll find the amazingly restored carousel full of color and life. Pale blue arms stretch out overhead dropping down to polished brass poles each supporting a beautiful steed for your spin around. You can tell the horses and other carousel steeds have been lovingly restored and sport shiny new finishes. The music kicks in and next thing you know you’re spinning around at a pretty good clip to calliope music. Really a throw-back ride to simpler times and a great amusement at Pullen Park!

Carousel at Pullen Park, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Pond at Pullen Park, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

And finally the lake and paddle boats. This serene setting lies right in the middle of the park with several bridges running across the water. There are also several spots to sit and enjoy the view, it’s an idyllic setting right in downtown Raleigh. The paddle boats cost 6 tickets for 30 minutes but I have yet to try them out. And after all this fun and exercise, grab a quick bite to eat at Pullen Park’s cafe where you can get local and seasonal casual fare.

Pullen Place Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

All in all, Pullen Park is a great way to spend the afternoon with or without kids. However given how great it is, the crowds will pack in Pullen Park on a regular basis so if you’re looking for a relaxing experience, try to visit during off-hours. But it’s hard not to be amazed at Pullen Park, it’s truly a wonderful example of what a city park should be and I am so glad to have it in Raleigh!

Pullen Park

408 Ashe Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27606

919.996.6468

Location on Google maps

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November 6, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Media Event: Dave and Buster’s Goes Big and Bright in Cary!

Front of Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

So about two weeks ago I get an email for Dave and Buster’s grand opening over in Cary Towne Center. And c’mon now, but what guy can resist beer, bar food and video games?! The only thing that would have made it more tempting would have been some football but what can you do, it was going to be a Tuesday afternoon. I see some pictures on their Facebook for a friends and family soft opening but I have to wait one more day, boo! But finally the Media Event day rolls around so I shoot down to Cary and let’s just say it was pretty impressive.

Sports bar area at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Inside we’re greeted by the managers and marketing team for this new Cary location. Some basic factoids: this location is the 65th in N. American, runs nearly 30,000 square feet and has a capacity of over a 1,000 people. And I’m PRETTY certain this location will be hitting its capacity often in family-friendly Cary. Today I get to hang out with Gabrielle (@nutellaisevil), John H (@TriangleExplorer) and Lauryn C (@yelpnctriangle).

Bar area at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Our tour guide is seasoned D&B veteran Norman from Miami and he takes us through the sports bar area. Humongous screens in one corner, I’d have to guess maybe 96″ with a bevy of four tops in the space. They’ve got a prize wheel for trivia nights where they’ll raffle out assorted discounts, coupons and shwag. Further in is their brightly lit bar with over 80 cocktails, 10 beers on tap and another slew of normal sized HD panels for your sports entertainment pleasure. While the space is big, the noise from other areas seemed pretty well controlled but not sure how everything will play out with a full crowd.

And then we move on to the gaming area, woohoo! Here’s where Dave and Buster’s gets really interesting. We get a card charged with $10 to muck around some games and they’ve got some really unusual and unique ones. They’re flashy, bright and cutting-edge, when you’ve got a space like this you have to go big! I start off with a huge Plinko game, a disk gets dropped and bounces through the pins into a prize slot… And whaddya know, beginners luck but I somehow end up with 500 coupons spewing out of my game! Give me another woohoo! Also on Wednesday nights, Dave and Buster’s games will be 1/2 price, perfect for families….

Quad air-hockey at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Prize redemption at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

We move a bit further in and spy a four-way air-hockey game. Four discs get spit out and it’s game on. Last person to give up 5 goals, wins. Given the square shape of the table and goal slots on each edge, it’s sorta tricky trying to find the right angle to surprise an opponent. But eventually Lauryn gets knocked out, followed by myself. But we still play on, punishing the last two players until Gabi emerges victorious! Moving through the gaming space, there are a lot of cool games to collect tickets for Dave and Buster’s prizes. I try out a fun Homer Simpson soccer game, the girls gravitate to skee-ball while John takes a shot at the giant crane trying to snare a plush animal. In the prize redemption area you have plenty of choices for all ages, or you can get your tickets redeemed and saved to your card for future use.

Media lunch at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Cocktail display at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Food display at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

We move on to the private rooms which hold up to 60 people with prices ranging from $20 – $60/per person. I had to ask because in my real job, we’re looking at using Dave and Buster’s for some events. Inside they’ve laid out some goody bags, food for display, cocktails for display and have a side table for the real eats. And it’s bar food but done very nicely. Everything from wings, burgers, spinach-artichoke dip, sausage in a blanket, along with more upscale dishes like seared salmon and more. Very nice job overall with the food, but of course we’ll have to see how things hold out once they open to the public. The drinks look awesome but I’m stuck with a diet coke since I’m headed back to work, boo!

Burger and fries at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Appetizers at Dave and Busters, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

We say our thank you’s on the way out, the whole Dave and Buster’s team is excited to get this place kicked off but they are pros at doing these openings. With 50+ new locations to be opened over the next two years, they better be! But given that this Cary location is only the second in NC, this Dave and Buster’s Cary is going to be uber-popular. So I can honestly say I had a lot of fun in my 2 hours visiting this spot. Having the whole place to yourself was like being a kid in a candy store but we’re all curious to see what kind of a crowd they draw here. And that we shall see pretty soon since they are opening today for reals, rock on Dave and Busters- Cary!

Dave and Busters, Cary

1105 Walnut Street, Suite E101

Cary, NC 27511

919.535.6800

Location on Google maps

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October 17, 2013 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

First Take: Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar for Satisfying and Diverse Fare…

Front of Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Now I like to think that I’m pretty picky about where I eat and when I heard that the uber-popular Cowfish Sushi was coming to Raleigh, I wasn’t sure what to really think. I’m not a fan of mixed ethnic eateries because I think they cater to the lowest common denominator, choosing a broad menu over a great meal and experience. Japanese-Korean, Thai-Japanese, whatever, I sorta scrunch up my nose at that concept. And with Cowfish Sushi trying to fuse the all-American burger with Japanese sushi? I’ll have to say I was far from convinced. There’s a saying that when you try to please everybody, you please nobody which was in the back of my head. Add in that my first attempt to eat at Cowfish Sushi resulted in a 90 minute wait on a Saturday at 5:10 pm and it meant they had an uphill climb. I only had to wait 40 minutes for Cochon in New Orleans which is a nationally renown restaurant so yeah, I was scratching my head. Long set-up here, but I finally made it into Cowfish on a Sunday evening at 8:30pm and here’s how it all went down!

Cool fishtank at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

A group of 10 of us strolled in a bit after 8pm on a Sunday evening and it was pretty empty, a shocker to me! We got seated quickly in their covered patio area which was fine on a temperate evening. First thing you’ll notice about the Cowfish interior is the modern black and crimson red decor. Sharp and striking, the centerpiece fish tank is really impressive along with all the faux Japanese prints and decor poking fun at the cows and Japanese pop culture. Definitely a place where your kids will be kept entertained and amused at the dinner table. We had one young server covering our table of ten and she seemed very well-trained, they must do a serious volume business here. Unfortunately we don’t do apps given some earlier snacks at Sparians but just be warned that the Cowfish menu is very long and deep with tons of options for starters. I go with the Brento box which is a mini-burger, four pieces of a specialty roll along with some sides. The crowd here at Cowfish was mostly young professionals, no surprise for this neighborhood and I’d have to guess that earlier in the evening it’s more of a mix of families.

Interior at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Before the entrees come out we get a surprise from the manager who brings over several complimentary sushi plates for the table. I’d have to guess he realized we were a table full of Yelp reviewers which sometimes happens. As the entrees start coming out, it’s visually impressive. Big plates full of food and interesting presentation makes for a spectacle. My brento box comes with some steamed edamame, sweet potato fries and spicy cucumber slices along with the sushi and mini Texas Longhorn burger. I start with the sides, the edamame is decent but lacks a bit of salt, the cucumber slices are nicely done with some spiciness but the stand-out side is the sweet potato fries! Crisp exterior, sweet interior with just the right sprinkling of kosher salt, yum! My burger with cheddar, BBQ sauce and onion strings is decent and comes on top of a sweet bun (I think Hawaiian sweet roll). Nicely grilled with some meaty heft for a burger. My firecracker roll was stuffed with tempura and topped with yellow tail/salmon. Thick pieces that held up fine, the ponzu sauce it was served with was pretty salty unfortunately…

Bento box at Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Service through the meal was team-based and spotty from time to time, even though the staff is eager to please and responsive. I’ll chalk that one up to the party size! And we all left full and happy, not a bad deal for my $17 bento box! So what’s the final call? In the end, I’m still not a big fan of these mixed-concept type restaurants. They’re really designed for a suburban diner who wants quantity and distractions versus a more sophisticated and subdued meal. BUT if I did have kids, sure I’d come to Cowfish Sushi and Burger to enjoy their quirky decor and large portions. Most of the flavors and presentation of our meal were on point if not authentic and the staff was definitely trying hard. So while Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar may not be my favorite type of place, there’s a high likelihood you’ll still like it! Let’s just call it the Cheesecake Factory done Japanese style. Which is totally ok from time to time as long as I don’t have to wait 90 minutes. So best of luck to you, Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar! I’m pretty sure you’re going to do great in Raleigh…

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

4208 Six Forks Road, Ste 100

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.784.0400

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar menu

Location on Google maps

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September 2, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

A Trip to the Daily Planet Cafe and NC Museum of History

Front of the Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Changes over at Rocky Top Hospitality has led to a smaller group of restaurants being led by their management team: Dean’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Twisted Fork and the Daily Planet Cafe. Over the long holiday weekend, I finally decide to take a quick visit to the Daily Planet Cafe which is located in the same area as the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Out front, the Daily Planet Cafe has a large open patio, inside it opens up to a large modern interior but keeps things pretty simple with a order and pick-up at the counter system.

Mod interior of the Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

As with most museum cafe’s, the Daily Planet has a pretty basic menu that’s meant to please young families and kids. A small menu of breakfast options (eggs, meat, grits, hash, french toast) along with some sandwiches, salads and wraps for lunch. I order up a 4-item breakfast plate ($9) along with a cup of coffee which puts me at about $11. I get a buzzer, head over to the coffee bar and sit tight. The Daily Planet is mostly self-serve for your drinks, cutlery, napkins and such so it’s a super casual spot. But the inside is quite nice, open and airy and the coffee’s very good!

Breakfast plate at the Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

About 10 minutes later, my buzzer goes off and it’s time to grab my breakfast tray. A nice plate with two perfectly cooked eggs, a small cup of fruit, sweet potato slices and sausage patties. It’s a solid breakfast and some items to take note. The sweet potato hash is nearly like sweet potato chips with sauteed peppers and onions along with a dash of syrup. Interesting and different, I imagine little kids (and me) really enjoy this combo! The sausage and fruit were fine, nothing special but I admit to preferring sausage links. The patio is a great covered spot for an outdoor meal so Daily Planet Cafe is an interesting dining alternative in this hood. Perfect if you’re visiting either of the two museums here but I’ll have to come back for their lunch menu since breakfast fell into the it’s just OK category.

Front of the NC Museum of History, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

But after breakfast, a trip the the NC Museum of History rocked it out! Open to the public with no entry fee, it houses a large exhibition of NC history through the years. Covering everything back to pre-European settlement, you wind your way through Sir Walter Raleigh, Blackbeard, slavery, native-American re-settlement, the Civil War, Depression WWII and more. It’s an impressive display of items and stories that every North Carolinian should visit at one point and time. And it really sets the back-drop for where the state is today. Further upstairs are displays on NC sports history, more wartime memorabilia along with a clay pottery exhibit. I’ll have to come back with more time to really absorb the place.

Wright flyer at the NC Museum of History, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Confederate display at the NC Museum of History, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

All in all you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Daily Planet Cafe, NC Museum of History and NC Museum of Natural Sciences! Just north of the state capital, these wonderful spots can make for a great 1/2 day visit and you can do it all on a budget. Good food, great history and knowledge can be had if you just make a bit of an effort. So come on down for a visit!

The Daily Planet Cafe

121 West Jones Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.707.8060

The Daily Planet Cafe menu

Location on Google maps

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Best Dining and Restaurants at Waverly Place in Cary

Great Restaurants and Dining at Waverly Place

Feel like a Kid Again (or Bring your Kids) at Pullen Park in Raleigh!

Media Event: Dave and Buster’s Goes Big and Bright in Cary!

First Take: Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar for Satisfying and Diverse Fare…

A Trip to the Daily Planet Cafe and NC Museum of History

Namu: Serving Up Mouth-Watering Korean Food for Durham and Chapel Hill

First Take: Hutchins Garage is Now Open and Fixing Up Top-Notch Pizzas for Durham!

First Take: Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham

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