Indian Restaurants Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

June 10, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary Delivers Mountainous Flavor

Front of Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Front of Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Over the years of living in the Triangle, I’ve learned that if you really want good, down-home ethnic eats, you’ll find a lot of it in Cary and Morrisville. From Chinese to Indian, Mexican and more, there always seems to be a plethora of good, inexpensive, family-run eateries in these two cities. And one of the more common categories of cuisine you’ll find in Cary is Nepalese! Given its location on the planet, the mix of Indian, Nepali and Indo-Chinese fare makes Nepalese food a favorite in my book. I decided to check out a newer Nepalese spot recently, Everest Nepali Kitchen out in Cary and here’s what YOU can expect!

Dining room at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Dining room at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Inside Everest Nepali Kitchen you’ll find a brightly colored dining room in yellows and maroons. Warm, casual and homey space, it’s definitely low-brow when it comes to decor. Grab one of the booths for maximum space and comfort! The menu at Everest Nepali Kitchen is similar to many of the other Nepalese options you’ll find in the area covering momos, samosas, chili chicken, tikka masala, tandoor meats and more. But Everest Nepali Kitchen has some interesting items that I haven’t seen elsewhere: tandoori wings, chips chili, kashmiri naan (pineapple, cherries) along with chili momos, cool! Over the course of my visits, I’ve had a chance to dive into a bit of the menu to get a taste for what Everest Nepali Kitchen can do.

Onion bhaji at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Onion bhaji at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Tandoori wings at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Tandoori wings at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary – nctriangledining.com

For starters, consider the onion bhaji! Strips of tender onion deep-fried, similar to an onion ring. Served with some chutney sauce, the onion bhaji at Everest Nepali Kitchen is tasty and crunchy but my plate was a bit over-fried. Another great option for an appetizer is their tandoori wings. A small order of six plump wings show up bathed in a yellow marinade and showing off some charred bits. The wings are full of garlic and ginger flavor on top of super-tender, fall off the bone chicken that tandoor meats are known for. A thumbs up here from me, tandoori wings can be hard to find on many menus in the area. Everest Nepali Kitchen will also customize the spiciness/heat level of your food on a scale of 1 to 10. I went with the middle (5) for my visits which was perfect.

Chicken korma at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary - nctriangledining.com — Chicken korma at Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary – nctriangledining.com

For the main entrees, I’ve gone with the chicken korma twice! A large, silver-plated bowl of simmered chicken in a yogurt tomato sauce loaded with raisins and more. Korma is a super, flavorful dish and seems to be nearly as popular as chicken tikka masala of late. I’ve found the entree sauces at Everest Nepali Kitchen to be a bit deeper and stronger then my usual Nepalese favorite, Himalayan Range Nepali. Also the portion sizes at Everest Nepali Kitchen are LARGE. From the entree itself to the biryani rice served on the side, you get a lot of food for the money here. And one of my bigger barometers for Nepalese food is the breads. Everest Nepali Kitchen offers a large assortment of naan, kulcha, poori and more. Their garlic naan was decent but a bit bready and doughy, a good and decent effort but less then top-notch.

I can say for sure that Everest Nepali Kitchen is doing a great job with its Nepali menu. There’s plenty of great menu choices with solid flavor, large portion sizes and good prices. But I’d still have to put Everest Nepali Kitchen a notch below Himalayan Range Nepali right now. For the sauce based dishes I might give Everest Nepali Kitchen an edge but in other areas of the menu, not so much. In the end, it’s still an excellent choice for Nepali cuisine. And given the competition it really has to be! Can’t wait to try the other Nepali restaurants to compare (Kathmandu Kitchen, Himalyan Nepali) but kudos to Everest Nepali Kitchen for offering a great dining option to those looking for Indian and Chinese flavors in their eats.

Everest Nepali Kitchen

212 Grande Heights Drive

Cary, NC 27513

919.378.9390

Everest Nepali Kitchen menu

Location on Google maps

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

March 9, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: Kababish Cafe in Cary, a Dining Diamond in the Rough

Kababish Cafe in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Kababish Cafe in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

You know what? I love exploring the Triangle to find hidden gems and one thing I’ve learned over the years is to never underestimate Cary. While it has its fair share of chain restaurants and bland dining options, it also has pockets of great ethnic eats, full of flavor and reasonably priced. I recently came upon one of these Cary hidden gems when I stumbled upon Kababish Cafe online. The Yelp reviews looked great so I just had to wait for a clear spot on my lunch schedule to visit and thankfully it came quickly on a warm Friday afternoon!

Front dining room at Kababish Cafe in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Front dining room at Kababish Cafe in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Main dining room at Kababish Cafe in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Main dining room at Kababish Cafe in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Kababish Cafe is conveniently located right off of Harrison Avenue in Cary just south of town hall in a slightly sunken plaza so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for their sign! There’s free parking behind the plaza. Once parked, head on over to the patio area and green awning. I poked my head into Kababish not sure what to expect and it’s all a pleasant little surprise. The neat little space consists of two dining rooms and classic jazz (Coltrane) is playing overhead. The first dining room has LED lights lit overhead giving it a blue glow while the main dining room is brighter and more traditionally lit. A handful of folks are inside, enjoying their lunch eats!

Onion pakora at Kababish Cafe in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Onion pakora at Kababish Cafe in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

I’m sat down at a booth in the blue room and handed a menu along with some lunch specials. Kababish Cafe does lunch specials with an appetizer, naan, rice, two lunch dishes and dessert, similar to a thali plate for $9 to $12 (vegetarian, non-vegetarian, seafood and kebab), sounds good to me! But of course I can’t resist adding on a kebab for good measure. Note that while Kababish Cafe has the feel of a more casual eatery, the service here is excellent and warm, one of the benefits of a family-run eatery. I’m immediately started off with an onion pakora which is different than what I usually get. It’s served with a bit of cream and cilantro sauce on top giving it a different flavor and texture profile, yum. It’s just one of the little twists that Kababish Cafe delivers, we’re off to a good start!

Non-vegetarian lunch feast at Kababish Cafe in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Non-vegetarian lunch feast at Kababish Cafe in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

Next comes my main meal and it looks like a Pakistani feast! A heaping plate of basmati rice with salad, basket of naan, two portions of butter chicken and korma chicken along with my kebabs, wow. I go to work on the carbs, the rice here is perfectly cooked with a bit of spicing and the naan is WON-derful! Perfectly charred and while there was no butter/oil on it, perfectly tender. Some of the best naan I’ve had in the area, don’t miss out here.

Perfect naan at Kababish Cafe in Cary - NC Triangle Dining — Perfect naan at Kababish Cafe in Cary – NC Triangle Dining

The butter chicken is rich with that hit of dairy, tang of tomato and soft, succulent chicken. And the chicken korma plays off nicely with a more spicy and lighter sauce. While the food portions look a bit small, there is a LOT to eat here. I can barely make it to my chicken seekh kebab but also can’t resist. It’s perfectly seared and full of rich spices and flavor. All the food here at Kababish Cafe feels like it’s something that could come out of mom’s kitchen but done a bit better! Dining at Kababish Cafe feels like comfort food but from across the ocean…

As I’m slowly filling up on all this food, the wait-person brings over a small cup of rice pudding cooked up with little bits of vermicelli, yum! I’ve had this before and it’s a good palate cleanser and finish to a very satisfying meal. Overall I was really impressed by all phases of dining here at Kababish: food, service and ambiance. From what I understand they also do jazz nights at Kababish Cafe on the weekend so keep an eye out for those events. Thank you so much Kababish Cafe for your home-spun food done with some love. It’s obvious you’ve got a talented chef back there in the kitchen and I’m looking forward to Round 2!

Kababish Cafe

201 W Chatham Street #103

Cary, NC 27511

919.377.8794

Location on Google maps

April 22, 2016 by Ron Wen

More Than Pizza & Subs, Great Restaurants and Food Near UNC Chapel Hill

Franklin Street in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Franklin Street in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

As a former Carolina kid, I can tell you that there are LOTS of eating options out on Franklin Street and the vicinity. However, most of them are geared for undergrads, we’re talking about cheap and basic eats. Lots of casual pizza places, frozen yogurt, pita sandwiches and subs. Decent grub but not what you’d want to eat as an adult with a dining budget beyond ramen soup! So where to go if you’re visiting the University of North Carolina with your kid or maybe you’ve got your parents in town and want to choose a nicer restaurant? There are definitely some excellent choices for dining in Chapel Hill beyond the Franklin Street core. Read on and just make sure your parents cover the bill!

Front of bartaco Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Front of bartaco Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Tray of tacos at bartaco Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Tray of tacos at bartaco Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Over in University Place you’ll find the hip and delicious bartaco (next to Silverspot Cinema). A small chain specializing in fusion tacos and a laidback beach vibe, bartaco is a wonderful spot to get your taco on! Choose from great tastes like glazed pork belly, fried rock shrimp, baja fish, carnitas and more, the tacos at bartaco are small but tasty. Paired up with the cool environment, fantastic cocktails and beautiful patio, you’re bound to have a great meal here at bartaco.

Front of Coronato Pizza in Carrboro - nctriangledining.com — Front of Coronato Pizza in Carrboro – nctriangledining.com

Roman-style pies at Coronato Pizza in Carrboro - nctriangledining.com — Roman-style pies at Coronato Pizza in Carrboro – nctriangledining.com

A newer option for visitors to check out is Coronato Pizza in Carrboro! This eatery serves up thin-crust Roman-style pizzas along with some Italian specialties like suppli and bombolini. Roman-style pizzas are a regional variety that adds olive oil to the dough creating a nicely browned thin-crust. Pizzas are sold in single person type sizes and are topped with fresh, seasonal ingredients. A casual but slightly expensive option for Italian eats in the area.

Cozy space at the Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

Pork-belly at the Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

Delicious mussels at the Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

Up on Route 86 north of downtown Chapel Hill lies the fantastic little French bistro, the Kitchen. Parking is tight out front but totally worth the effort. Small and usually crowded, The Kitchen specializes in mussel and frites but does a great job with all their French bistro fare. On my first visit I tried out a great pork belly appetizer with greens and sweet potato hash, UH-mazing! The pork belly is as rich as you would expect but the contrast of the greens and hash balance it out well. The basque mussels were sand-free, plump and swimming in a fragrant broth; perfect for bread dipping. Along with the side of skin-on, salted fries, the mussels at the Kitchen are a great side-dish! The decor inside is upscale cafe and cozy, service is quite good here. Prices at the Kitchen are really reasonable so given the quality of food, this place is always busy. It might be wise to make reservations and give yourself extra time to find parking in their small and usually crowded lot. But I guarantee you their food is worth the effort!

Counter at Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining — Counter at Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

Thali plate at Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining — Thali plate at Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

Out west on Franklin Street is the wonderful Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe. Located behind Penang in a small complex, Vimala’s specializes in Kerala Indian food. Walk through the small courtyard, through the wrought iron arch and enter into Indian deliciousness. Vimala’s focus on local ingredients mean you get Indian cuisine that’s a level up from the usual. Think plump samosas stuffed with potatoey goodness and crunchy pakora’s made of fresh vegetables. My red snapper thali plate was spicy, delicately flavored bone-in fish with a wonderful assortment of small appetizers. Just like the Kitchen, Vimala’s gets super busy at times and even with their large space, it’ll require some patience to eat here. The staff is Carrboro hipster and not always as service-oriented as they should be which causes some of the crowd. Thankfully they’ve got a small patio outside to handle the diner overflow!

Beautiful patio at Acme Restaurant in Carrboro- NC Triangle Dining

Crab benedict at Acme Restaurant in Carrboro- NC Triangle Dining

Moving further west is the lovely Acme Restaurant which does Southern seasonal fare. Inside Acme’s got a classic look with a slightly upscale menu with steak, crab cakes and fried catfish. I’ve done Acme’s primarily for Sunday brunch and their AWE-some eggs benedict! Whether you do the traditional eggs benedict with Carolina ham, crab benedict or the scallop eggs benedict, their decadent hollandaise sauce makes them both ridiculously delicious. Toss in a slice of their coffee cake with strawberry cream and you’ll be in heaven. Definitely a restaurant for adults and students who appreciate great food, check out my full Acme review for more details…

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

Chicken biscuit from Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC Triangle Dining

And finally Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen! While Time-out Restaurant gets all the television acclaim for its chicken and biscuits, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is probably a better choice. Located way out on East Franklin Street, this little drive-through dishes out wonderfully fluffy biscuits with a crisp chicken filet tucked in-between. Perfect on the way out or into Chapel Hill, these folks are up bright and early making delicious scratch biscuits! And if the line gets too long, you can pop inside and grab your chicken biscuit at a cash register.

View Great Restaurants Near UNC Chapel Hill! in a larger map

Now while I’ll always enjoy classic UNC restaurants like Top of the Hill, Elmo’s, 411 West and Crooks Corner, sometimes it’s worth the effort to go beyond the standards on Franklin Street! Like the rest of the Triangle, Chapel Hill’s food scene is slowly changing and bringing some great authentic ethnic cuisine as dining options. I’ll be updating this post with new spots like Oakleaf, Al’s Pub Shack, Bonchon and more. Enjoy these great eats around UNC Chapel Hill and just make sure you’re in the bathroom when the check comes out. (Just kidding!)

Dining for Adults around UNC Chapel Hill

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Acme Restaurant (Southern Seasonal)

bartaco (Mexican)

Coronato Pizza

Fusion Fish

Hawthorne & Wood

The Kitchen (French Bistro)

Mr. Tokyo Sushi

Oakleaf (American Seasonal)

Pizzeria Mercato (Italian)

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen (Chicken and Biscuits)

Top of the Hill (Southern, American)

Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe (Kerala Indian)

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March 4, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: A Tasty Lunch Buffet at India Gate in Durham

Front of India Gate in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Every now and then a craving for Indian food hits me and I’m powerless in its grip. Working in RTP means limited dining options but a quick search online turns up India Gate off of Highway 54. The reviews look pretty good so it’s time to see what spiciness India Gate can offer up for lunch!

You’ll find India Gate tucked away in a slightly sunken plaza full of ethnic businesses and right next door the MEGA Club, cool. Head on to the back corner and you’ll find a small doorway that opens up to a large dining room and space, a bit of a surprise from the outside. India Gate is already a bit busy before noon time and it seems to be a popular spot for Indian food lovers in the know. I get seated at a four-top, order up a beverage and then head on over to the lunch buffet in the corner.

Cold buffet at India Gate in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

It’s a well-stocked buffet with salad, 16 or so hot entrees including two rices, samosas, a garlic naan, saag, stewed chick peas, tikka masala, vindaloo, butter chicken and tandoori chicken. Also a very nice selection of desserts, two which I’m unfamiliar with (meethi chakri and boondi). There’s definitely plenty of Indian options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike! I stack up a plate with some veggie biryani, saag and chicken for my first round.

Hot buffet at India Gate in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

As I explore around my plate of Indian eats, I notice a couple of different items on my plate. First some star shaped crunchy bites, sort of like a rice cake. And then the garlic and herb stuffed naan, cool! The biryani is a bit different. I assumed it was a veggie biryani but I taste some sweet stewed fruit in there. The saag is basic and tasty and the tikka masala is also a bit different. Spicy but not as heavy with cream and laced with bits of green pepper. The tandoori chicken is good and a nice option for chicken on the bone. My second round includes the butter chicken which has more of a cream-based sauce which I’m familiar with. Overall everything is well-spiced and flavorful with a touch of heat.

I finish off with some of their interesting desserts, mostly a play on fried flour treats sweetened with sugar syrup, tasty! I pay up front at the counter ($10 for lunch buffet) and chat with the owner a bit. She’s from the Punjab region in the north and it’s always interesting to see how Indian eats always have a bit of a twist based upon the origins of the owner. I’d describe India Gate as more down-home Indian cooking with a great variety of savory and sweet options for lunch which is lovely. Service was very attentive and courteous throughout the meal, another plus! So thanks so much India Gate, I just may have found my Indian eats home when I’m working in the RTP.

India Gate

2223 NC Highway 54

Durham, NC 27713

919.248.9333

Location on Google maps

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First Take: Everest Nepali Kitchen in Cary Delivers Mountainous Flavor