NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

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Media: Annelore’s German Bakery, an Authentic Taste of Germany in Cary

Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to bakeries, I try to avoid them to limit my sweets intake but every now and then, it’s a wonderful and special treat. Whether you’re talking about Guglhupf, La Farm Bakery or lucettegrace, I’m always tempted to order the entire counter! And a new bakery that’s been around forever has arrived on the scene for sweets: Annelore’s German Bakery! The name probably sounds familiar to you if you’ve been to local farmers markets. I remember running into Annelore’s at the NC State Farmer’s market many times over the years. They always had a stand next to Bee Blessed Honey and the flower vendors at the front of the farmer’s market. So I was really happy to get an invite to their local media event (Kaffee & Kuchen – Coffee and Cake) to check out Annelore’s new retail space in Cary!

Interior of Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Pastry case at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Pastry case at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Head on over Chatham Street in Cary and you’ll find Annelore’s German Bakery in a new, stand-alone building a couple of blocks down from La Farm Bakery, very cool! Inside I meet up with Annelore’s media contact, Tiffani and bump into some of the other local bloggers and news people attending the event. Even though I haven’t had a chance to visit Germany yet, I can say that Annelore’s interior design is clean and European with a large, curved display area full of bright colors and tempting sweets. There’s also a small cafe area to the side if you’d like to enjoy your coffee and sweets onsite.

For the media preview, we’ve got a beautiful display of Annelore’s baked goodies which spans a wide variety of categories, from sweet cookies and cakes to savory pretzels, breads and a lot more. I sample some of the goodies, love the classic Bee Sting cake layered with cream, honey, almonds and pastry, I remember this treat from the old NC State Farmers Market days! Some jam-filled cookies and Black Forest cake are also excellent, showing high quality ingredients without the overly sweet nature that some pastries might have. I’d describe Annelore’s pastries as your more classic European sweets without being overly complicated. Annelore’s bakes up a mean, butter spritz cookie along with a classic marzipan crescent dipped in chocolate and made of almond flour, chewy perfection!

Beautiful cakes and pastries at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Beautiful cakes and pastries at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

But Annelore’s German Bakery is not a one-trick pony only serving up sweets. Their large Bavarian pretzels are beautifully baked and show off a wonderfully, shiny sheen and the cheese-covered pretzels are as amazing as they sound. A row of bread loaves show off additional baking skills around multi-grain bread, purple wheat bread and more. These bread varieties are certainly different from what you usually see in the area. Ryes, purple wheat loaves and much more! I’m sure if you’re more familiar with German breads then I am, you’ll appreciate the variety turned out at Annelore’s.

Cheese and Bavarian pretzels at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Cheese and Bavarian pretzels at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Breads at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Breads at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Norbert and Annelore speaking at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Norbert and Annelore speaking at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

During the media event, owners Annelore and Norbert address the crowd and we learn more about the history of their bakery and construction of the new facility. Tours are given of the industrial kitchen which is super clean and well-organized. It’s also built super eco-friendly with an eye towards minimizing waste and energy usage. While everything inside is super-modern, it’s that old-school talent and human hands on the staff that makes their cakes and pastries so awesome. Annelore’s Bakery is definitely in a position to really increase their production volume and get their baked goods out to a wider audience beyond farmers markets, good for them!

Modern kitchen at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Modern kitchen at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Working hard at Annelore's Germany Bakery, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Working hard at Annelore’s Germany Bakery, Cary – nctriangledining.com

And at the end of the event, we’re all given goodie bags filled with tasty cookies, pastries, bread and more. It’s really great to see Annelore’s Bakery all growed up! While other businesses may have had more splashy entrances, Annelore’s has been slowly building up their reputation for high quality baked goods with a German flair, customer by customer, year by year. So congratulations, Annelore’s! If you’re in the Cary area it’s certainly worth a visit for their artisanal pastries and breads from Germany. I’m sure that for many, it will be a taste of home…

 

Annelore’s German Bakery

308 W Chatham Street

Cary, NC 27511

919.267.6846

 

Location on Google maps

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First Take: Lüke in New Orleans- Brassy, Franco-Germanic Dining

Front of Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining

During my visit to New Orleans I had a conference to work at and I wanted to set up a team dinner for everyone helping out.  While my first choice was Cochon, the limited menu makes it tough for a group dining experience so I moved over to Lüke, a well-known New Orleans restaurant from local chef, John Besh.  When you talk about New Orleans restaurants and famous chefs, you get the usuals mentioned: Prudhomme, Emile Lagasse, the Brennans, Don Link and John Besh.  So his reputation preceded the experience and I’m glad so say that dining at Lüke met all my expectations for a great New Orleans meal!

Awards at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining
Awards at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining

Out front, Lüke presents a very reserved demeanor.  Small store-front, discrete and subdued signage.  Inside the action picks up with the classic brasserie experience and decor, you feel as if you might have gone back a 100 years or so.  The staff is all decked out in black pants and white coats to enhance that feel and the side oyster bar acts as a central activity spot with lots of folks congregating for cocktails and seafood.  Interestingly enough, Lüke is split up into two dining rooms with a lovely hotel foyer in between.  The space smells and feels of a classic New Orleans experience from times gone by.

Roasted oysters at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining
Roasted oysters at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining

My group of 11 people gets seated in the back room for larger parties, we’ve got one wait person for the party which surprised me a bit.  She’s young but seems confident enough, I have to believe they train their staff well here.  We order up some wine for the table and Lüke also has a short menu of special cocktails.  For the table we get four sharable apps ranging from roasted oysters to an onion tart, pork rillette (pate) and crawfish boudin.  I only was able to get tastes of the roasted oysters (delicious, au gratin style) along with the onion tart which was more like a flavorful white pizza, great start Lüke!

Charcoute garnie maison at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining
Charcoute garnie maison at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining

With three bottles of wine and cocktails flowing, this back dining room can get a bit loud but not to worry cause the food is great so far!  My main entree of choucroute garnie maison is a beast of a dish!  Medium sized cast-iron platter with a large sausage, pork shank, pork belly, sauerkraut and let’s throw in some new potatoes for good measure.  I eye it warily for a couple of minutes trying to find a weak spot and decide where to start but who wants to live forever?!  The bratwurst is the easiest meat to start with.  This plump firm sausage paired with the slightly sweet and tangy sauerkraut makes for a nice forkful!  The pork belly is nicely braised and tender but probably not my favorite preparation for this deliciously fatty meat.  And that brontosaurus-like pork shank?  I take to it with fork and knife carving off pieces of tender meat and only get about half way through.  There is a LOT of food in this pan and it’s all heavy-weight eats so I barely touch the potatoes.  I tap out and watch the rest of the meal at the table.  The lamb meatballs special, a Lüke burger which looks fantastic and more.  Everyone is tearing into their food and enjoying it tremendously which makes me happy about my choice.

Bread pudding at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining
Bread pudding at Luke Restaurant, New Orleans- NC Triangle Dining

After the main, some folks finished off with coffee, creme brulee (which I tried, super-creamy) and a bread pudding with thumbs up all around.  The check comes out and I split the bill with one of my co-workers and we are D-O-N-E!  Great meal, solid service and an excellent dining experience all around.  John Besh certainly knows how to put out some good food and I really loved the atmosphere here.  From the classic raw bar, split dining rooms, sharp looking staff and Continental interior, dinner at Lüke transports you 3,000 miles away to Europe.  And while I thought all the food was very good, some of my dining companions said it was the best they’ve had of said meal.  So maybe I’m just being a bit tough on the menu.  But overall, I’d definitely come back and recommend Lüke to anyone else looking for a classic meal experience with tasty albeit, heavy cuisine.  Great job Chef Besh and appreciate all the fantastic food we enjoyed at Lüke Restaurant!

 

Lüke Restaurant

333 Saint Charles Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70130

504.378.2840

 

Lüke menu

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Guglhupf, Durham for Fantastic German Fare in a Casual Setting

Guglhupf-IronSign

A while back I had reviewed a Durham favorite, Guglhupf, for it’s bakery and brunch eats.   Great patio, great pastries, it’s easy to see why people rave about this place but I had never made it to dinner at the Hupf.  It’s located in an odd section of 15-501 that’s not quite Duke territory, not quite Chapel Hill and I rarely get out here.  But finally I did and it was a great meal!  While I loves me some J. Betski’s, Guglhupf also rocks out German food but in an entirely different way.  Read on, my friends!

Entrance to Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Entrance to Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

From the outset, I really wasn’t sure what to expect for dinner service at Guglhupf since in my head, it’s all about lunch and brunch.  You see the cafe menu chalked up when you enter but immediately notice the hostess stand to your left where I was immediately greeted.  I had to wait a bit so I grabbed a seat right outside the kitchen to watch the action.  The back of the restaurant was a flurry of activity and cooking with great smells emanating out.  The dining room was primarily a “mature” crowd (40 – 60) and the dimly lit dining room was alit in amber glow.  Look up overhead and you’ll notice the paper lanterns lighting the scene, funky and a bit different than expected.

Second floor dining room at Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Second floor dining room at Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining 

We make our way up the stairs to the second floor which winds around the circumference of Guglhupf overlooking the first. Interesting design, it makes for a super airy feel which is great for people-watching.  Our waitperson stops by, decked out in a black-tee and pants.  So here’s where Guglhupf maintains its cafe background.  Given it was a Saturday night, some people were dressed up in jackets but the staff was dressed down and there was white-paper lining the tables.  So it was a mix to me in terms of the ambiance that Guglhupf is throwing out, a bit casual cafe but in a slightly more upscale fashion.

Braised short rib-spaetzle at Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Braised short rib-spaetzle at Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

They’ve got several beers on draft, I go with a .5 liter Kolsch, order up a split-pea and hamhock soup, along with braised short-ribs.  They also had some seasonal specials but I had stalked the menu a bit and new exactly what I wanted.   The Kolsch is served in a nice boot-shaped glass and is a good way to start of the warm evening.  The split-pea soup is on the light side, decent but not overwhelming.  I would have preferred a bit more density to the soup but it was good.  But yes, the main!  The short-ribs were incredibly good!  I’ve eaten shortribs for a long time, my mom makes a great home-cook version but these were equally awesome.  Slow-braised in pan jus, paired along with some perfect spaetzle (German noodle) flecked with herbs and some well-sauteed greens-cauliflower, wow!  There’s something about meat, whether you’re talking about beef, pork or fish, that when it’s cooked with the bone-in, it’s SO much better.  And the meaty, sinew of the short-rib paired along with it’s contrasting side rocked it out.  Very well prepared, flavored and thought out dish, it was yummy times two.  Or maybe even four.  And it was a very generous portion.  I’ve done short-rib before and been given one measly bone.  Two is nice but Guglhupf dished out three so I was able to share the love.

Schnitzel at Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Schnitzel at Guglhupf, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

With that great meal, I wasn’t able to make it to dessert but you know that Guglhupf is going to excel in that area.  Service all night was spot-on with water refills, plate clearing and descriptions so kudos there!  Overall while I wasn’t sure exactly what to make of dinner at Guglhupf, it really worked well for me.  This place would be great as a first date or for a dinner party.  The one suggestion I do have is to move to tablecloths and raise the bar a bit on presentation.  Food this good deserves better than paper tablecloths or shorts-sneakers which I saw in the dining room.  And while I’m not the absolute biggest fan of German food, I really did love my meal at Guglhupf.  They stay true to their roots without being stuffy or boring.  No skinny-Minny hostess up front in a short dress with an attitude, just a well-done effort all around from food to staff and ambiance without much pretension at all.  I’ll be back and yes, I’m saying that in my best Ahnold Schwarzenegger as testament to the great dining at Guglhupf…

 

Guglhupf Cafe

2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard

Durham, NC 27707

919.401.2600

 

Guglhupf menu

Location on Google maps

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German-Polish Food at its Best: J. Betski’s in Seaboard Station

Front of J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Front of J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining

Even if you live in downtown Raleigh, you can go by Seaboard Station and never really notice it. This small shopping plaza set off of Peace Street has been growing steadily and has one of the best Eastern European restaurants in the Triangle, J. Betski’s! A bit Polish, a bit German, J. Betski’s really does a fine job taking traditional cuisine and freshening it up for the 21st century. Very similar to what Klara’s Restaurant in Cary is doing with Czech food. We’re talking about hearty, stick to your ribs meals that may be meat-heavy but all-over delicious. Located next to Phydeaux, J. Betski’s is an unassuming restaurant but wait till you step in! And leave the lederhosen at home…

Bar at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Bar at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining

Inside J. Betski’s small dining space you’ll find dark woods, polished granite bar and European stained glass, a classic interior.  But the decor is light and airy here, especially if you sit out on the covered patio! Seating is a bit tight so don’t expect an intimate experience but one where you’re in good company with other food lovers. The menu is pretty small and influenced by regional flavors and favorites like pork, beets, sauerkraut, dill, fennel and mustard. A little bit different from what I usually eat but I’ve dined here several times and have never been anything but satisfied.

Schnitzel sandwich at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Schnitzel sandwich at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining
Knockwurst sandwich at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Knockwurst sandwich at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining

For lunch, J. Betski’s does great sausage ranging from house-made kielbasa to bratwurst. The knockwurst is a plump, high-quality sausage topped with cabbage, onions and was served with German potato salad: thin slices of potato in a light vinegary marinade. Their pierogies are to die for at J. Betski’s! Small, tender dumplings stuffed with cheese and lightly pan-fried to give ’em a bit of texture and chew, delicious stuff. And I recently tried their schnitzel sandwich, a thin, fried pork cutlet on a crusty bun along with a cucumber salad, a refreshing combo.

Pierogies at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Pierogies at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining
Pork shank at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Pork shank at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining

When the lights go down, J. Betski’s really shines. The dinner menu is a lot bigger and of course, a bit more expensive. They offer hearty pub plates, which would be perfect at the bar for a quick bite. I tried out a crispy pork belly with sauerkraut and ginger mustard sauce. The large piece of rich pork belly was devoured quickly and was covered in a light marinade. And the signature dinner here at J. Betski’s? A pork shank braised in curry with stewed apple and cabbage, atop some of those delicious pierogies. Wow, the meat was fork tender and a monster-sized shank. The pork and sinew for this meal makes it a flavor and texture sensation, fantastic! And while J. Betski’s also serves great desserts, I haven’t made it there yet. But do take advantage of their wonderful German beers and lagers, they always have some high-quality imports on tap.

Patio dining at J. Betski's, NC Triangle Dining
Patio dining at J. Betski’s, NC Triangle Dining

And in addition to the great food, J. Betski’s totally shines with their service. Prompt, attentive and courteous, the staff here is very professional and knows their stuff. Which is why outside of the tight table spacing, J. Betski’s makes for a great date spot. Great food, great surroundings, excellent beer and service, you really can’t go wrong here. While German-Polish food may not be on your short list for dinner, make an effort to get over to Seaboard and give J. Betski’s a whirl. Whether you’re talking about lunch on the flower-covered patio, a beer and pub plates at the bar or a cozy dinner, J. Betski’s will deliver the goods and some of the best pierogies around. So guten apetit and good night!

 

J. Betski’s

10 W. Franklin Street, Suite 110

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.833.7999

 

Menu at J. Betski’s

J. Betski’s on Facebook

Location on Google maps

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Hip-Hipster Hooray for Capital Club 16 in Raleigh!

Front door at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front door at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

With the opening of Kings Barcade and Neptune’s Parlour, excitement returned to what was a quiet section of Martin Street in Raleigh. But in addition to these great, hipster bars, don’t miss out on the wonderful food and dining at Capital Club 16, located right next door! Capital Club 16 does an updated Continental-American menu but at the core, it’s all about high-quality meats and ingredients with deft preparation. While the location and food may seem a bit unassuming at first, repeat visits to Capital Club 16 make you quickly realize how amazing this eatery really is.

Bar at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Bar at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Inside, Capital Club 16 is all awash in whites, traditional wallpaper, dark woods and refreshed continental decor. A lot of work and effort was put into finding specific pieces that enhance the interior. From the ornate mirror behind the bar, to the classic wooden chairs around dining tables, you get a sense of style and airiness at Capital Club 16. The open space and high ceilings means the place can get noisy-busy at times but you’ve got the option of sitting outside on the sidewalk.

Mac n cheese with salad at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Mac n cheese with salad at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Pop open their menu and you’ll see some familiar dishes (salad nicoise, roasted chicken, mac n cheese) but you’ll also seem some specialties like beef brisket mini’s, schnitzel sandwich and a wonderful butcher’s plate. And don’t miss the chalked specials menu next to the bar, where the chef really pushes the envelope. I’ve tried a great porchetta sandwich and lobster mac n cheese, off the specials board!

Shanny fries at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Shanny fries at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The devil is truly in the details and that’s where Capital Club 16 shines. Start off with their shanny fries, tender medium-cut fries sprinkled with sea salt and parsley. The fries are available with most meals but you’ll miss out on the delicious aioli dipping sauces. The sausage sampler app is a fantastic plate of meat served with a zippy, fresh mustard, great stuff…

Sausage platter at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Sausage platter at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

For the main entrees, I’ve done a great golden buck breakfast burger with the fried egg cooked just right. The butcher’s plate comes with amazing grilled pork belly and sauerkraut. And I had a friend tell me that his beef brisket mini’s may have been some of the best barbeque he’s ever put in his mouth. Everything at Capital Club 16 is reasonably priced but they don’t skimp out at all on the quality of ingredients, a great combo.

Sausage and gravy for brunch at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Sausage and gravy for brunch at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The service at Capital Club 16 is also really good. Pleasant hipsters in casual plaid, they do a great job making sure your meal is well-paced and water glasses are filled. The old-school bar in front is small but has a decent selections of beer and liquor. Capital Club 16 also does a great brunch with options like challah french toast, sausage gravy over eggs and biscuits, along with a fantastic bloody mary!

Open buck burger at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Open buck burger at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So if you’re ever headed on Martin Street to a show at Kings, don’t miss this unassuming but delicious restaurant! Capital Club 16 works so well in many ways. A casual business lunch during the day. Late-night eats on the weekend. Or maybe a relaxing brunch on their busy sidewalk. And all at a decent price. Bon appetit Capital Club 16, and keep it up with all the great food and dining!

 

Capital Club 16

16 W. Martin Street

Raleigh, NC 27605

919.747.9345

 

Menus at Capital Club 16

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