NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

  • NC Triangle Dining Food Blog
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Raleigh, NC
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Durham, NC
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Cary, NC
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill
    • Triangle Top Three’s- Bars
  • News
    • New Restaurants and Bars, Coming Soon to the Triangle
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2020 Edition
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2019 Edition
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
    • Memorable Meals for 2019
    • Memorable Meals for 2018
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics

March 13, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Cucciolo in Durham, a Classy Option for Italian Eats

Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Italian food, Durham definitely has a leg up on most of the cities in the Triangle. From Gocciolina to Mothers and Sons and now, Cucciolo Osteria! A new option conveniently located on W. Main Street, Cucciolo is definitely bringing some new and different eats to the Bull City Italian food game. And if you’re up for great Italian food in a more proper setting, I think you’ll like Cucciolo quite a bit.

Bar at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Brought to you by Duke University alumni Jimmy Kim, Cucciolo Osteria comes from a small 5-restaurant chain that started over in S. Korea. Built out next to old Durham standby West End Wine Bar, Cucciolo Osteria has a pretty convenient location except for ONE thing: parking. The lot the restaurant sits in is usually full and most of the spaces seem to be reserved for residents rather then for retail parking. I’ve had better luck parking directly on Main Street but that is a bit of a crap-shoot with the parking meters.

Vino at the bar at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Vino at the bar at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Once you find your parking space and get inside of Cucciolo, you’ll be greeted by a host or hostess up front which gives the restaurant a slightly upscale feel. The long space is a tribute to understated simplicity. Industrial concrete floor, high ceilings and a very long, white marble-top bar dominate the setting. Lighting is dim with good ambiance, it all feels a bit industrial and modern. Given the price-points at Cucciolo, it seems to be drawing an older crowd based upon what I’ve seen during my visits. A handful of 4-tops sit up front with smaller 2-tops lining the space. Seating is somewhat limited so you may need a reservation if you’d like to dine at a table versus the bar.

Fried gnocchi with mozzarella mousse at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Fried gnocchi with mozzarella mousse at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Butternut squash arancini at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Butternut squash arancini at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

With the short menu, you’ll get a chance to try most of your favorite dishes, pretty quickly. For starters, check out the very interesting prosciutto with mozzarella mousse and fried gnocchi! On the plate, Cucciolo serves up some tender slices of prosciutto paired with pillowy, fried gnocchi and crumbled mozzarella. I’m not entire sure how to eat this plate (wrap the gnocchi and dip into mozzarella mousse?) but most of it made its way into my mouth. An interesting play on several Italian classics. The butternut squash arancini is offered as six generous pieces of arancini with a spicy aioli which makes for a great starter.

White ragu tajarin at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
White ragu tajarin at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Moving on to the pastas at Cucciolo, you’ll find a short assortment of primis as both fresh and dry pasta in the $14 to $20 range. The white ragu tajarin I tried was fantastic, toothsome and flecked with cheese, pork and parsley. The pasta serving sizes at Cucciolo are just enough to sate your appetite but probably not enough for a full meal unless paired with an appetizer. Overall I was impressed with their pastas but feel that all the offerings should be house-made at these price points.

https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Cucciolo-ButterChicken.mp4

Moving on to the entrees at Cucciolo, you’ll find a small assortment of meat-forward dishes across the beef, pork, chicken and seafood spectrum. The butter chicken ($19) is served at the table in a sizzling hot cast-iron mini-skillet. Lightly breaded and fried crispy, you’ll find the chicken to be extremely tender and rich. A very simple but delicious preparation for a normally boring chicken breast. I also tried the porchetta ($27) which is an Italian standard for me: slow-roasted pork belly and loin wrapped around herbs and nuts. Cucciolo’s version was a miss for me, heavily fatty, luke-warm and covered in some sort of sweetish, nut-based sauce. I really scratched my head on this one, typically it’s a very simple preparation that shows off the simple roasted meat but at Cucciolo it was just doused and covered nearly beyond recognition. I couldn’t taste any crispy, pork skin or tender loin which was a surprise.

Porchetta with sauteed vegetables at Cucciolo in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Porchetta with sauteed vegetables at Cucciolo in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When you look at Italian food in Durham, you’ve got some delicious contenders and Cucciolo fits right into the mix of better Italian for the Bull City. But even given its great online reviews, I feel like they’ve got some areas for improvement. More house-made pastas and better execution on the porchetta given their price points seem like reasonable expectations. And given how new Cucciolo is, I think there’s definitely room for growth in this Italian food concept, buon appetito!

 

Cucciolo Osteria

601 W Main Street, Suite C

Durham, NC 27701

984.243.8744

Cucciolo menu

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Italian Restaurants

August 5, 2018 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Mothers & Sons Trattoria Serves Up Italian That Nonna Would Approve

Front of Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

It’s hard to keep up with all the new restaurants in Durham! One of the newest is Mothers & Sons Trattoria brought to you by Matt Kelly-Josh DeCarolis (Mateo) and right next to their other new restaurant, Lucky Delicatessen. Given their success at Mateo, I was curious to try out Mothers & Sons and its Italian eats. Luckily I was able to convince a couple of friends and grab a reservation (the place is popular) and here’s how it all went down…

Cozy interior of Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Cozy interior of Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

We show up at about 6:30pm on a Sunday night and the place is about 2/3 full. I really like what they’ve done with the interior here. Wood plank flooring, red stamped metal roof with matching air ducts along with a large section of stacked wood up by the kitchen. It all feels cozy, rustic and very well done, just like Mateo! We’re brought to a 4-top on the side, grab our menus to figure out a plan of attack for dinner. Mothers & Sons has a shorter list of hot and cold apps, pastas and entrees which is fine if it’s well done. And be aware that the menu relies heavily on Italian words so you may have questions for your server!  Most of the apps and pastas are in the $8 to $12 range with entrees at $20 to $26. I go with some of my faves: arancini, cavatelli pasta with sausage along with the roast chicken.

Arancini at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Arancini at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Gnocchi plate at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Gnocchi plate at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

After a short wait my arancini arrives along with some other starters for the table. The arancini consists of three perfectly fried balls sitting on I think, fava bean puree. The arancini (risotto balls) were a bit different here showing off a lot of toothsome density along with a smooth, crunchy coating. Good stuff! A plate of gnocchi next to me looked beautiful. Presented with prosciutto and a cheese sauce, the mix of colors and textures here are tantalizing to the eyes and appetite.

Cavatelli with sausage and di rabe at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Cavatelli with sausage and di rabe at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Next up was the cavatelli with sausage, rapini and calabrian chiles. A very light dish prepared in a bit of broth, note that Mothers & Sons makes their pasta in-house and you can certainly tell by the texture and less than perfect shapes on the plate! This dish is excellent with warm, supple pasta set off by the meatiness of the sausage and the bitter of the greens, a classic dish. And the chiles give it just a bit of pop and heat on the palate.

Roast chicken entree at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Roast chicken entree at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

For the entree I went with a 1/2 chicken which is roasted over wood along with some seared cauliflower and broccoli. Very nice but let’s face it, it’s hard to do chicken in a spectacular fashion! But given how well the overall meal has run, we opt to eat dessert here rather than hitting up Parlour for ice cream. And it’s a wise choice! At the table we’ve got some zeppoli in caramel sauce along with a lemon polenta cake with blueberry conserve and both are excellent! The zeppoli are soft and springy, paired perfectly with a deep caramel sauce. And I LOVE the polenta cake, it’s amazing. Light on the plate and drizzled with some olive oil and contrasted against the rich, fruity blueberry. A dollop of marscapone cheese on top makes it a wonderful combination of flavors and textures, delish!

Zeppoli and lemon polenta cake dessert at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Zeppoli and lemon polenta cake dessert at Mothers & Sons in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

All in all I can honestly say that here in the Triangle we are seeing a wonderful resurgence for Italian food in the dining scene and you can add Mothers & Sons Trattoria near the top of that list. It offers up excellent and real Italian food in a very comfortable setting that’s casual but a bit classy. And prices are right in the middle for Durham, you can probably save a bit if you focus on appetizers and pastas. But definitely don’t miss dessert here! So thanks so much Mothers & Sons for the surprising meal. Out of the two new restaurants on the street (Littler), I think you’re doing things just a bit better…

 

Mothers & Sons Trattoria

107 W Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.294.8247

Location on Google maps

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Date Restaurants, Italian Restaurants

June 24, 2018 by Ron Wen

Retake: Bella Monica, a Cozy Italian Ristorante for Raleigh

Front of Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Front of Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Even though I’m a huge fan of all the new restaurants starting up in the Triangle, it’s always fun to re-visit old-school favorites. And when you think of Italian food, Bella Monica is often mentioned by Raleigh locals. This long-time favorite has been part of the neighborhood for years and is known for its flat-breads and Italian eats. And luckily, I headed over for an early dinner on a Friday evening to catch up with a friend and their great Italian eats!

Bar at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Bar at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

The first thing you’ll notice about Bella Monica is that despite all the local kudos, it sits in a humble little strip plaza and doesn’t look like much from the outside. Their patio is enclosed by a temporary enclosure for colder weather and I’d have to guess that Bella Monica is just one of those local favorites that just grew over time. Stepping inside I was immediately greeted by the host and brought over to a window table. The dining room is a bit tight with a cozy bar in the corner and wine rack behind it. Bella Monica is one of the closer dining spots to PNC Arena which is why the place is unusually busy, reservations are recommended for most evenings.

Focaccia at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Focaccia at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

After my guest shows up, we put in orders for our drinks and Bella Monica’s famous focaccia is brought to the table. The focaccia is a beautiful square of plump baked goodness served with some olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of onions-chives on top. It’s a tasty start and could be a meal in itself according to my dining companion. We put our orders in and we’re doing the beef carpaccio appetizer along with the chicken parmigiana for my main!

Beef carpaccio at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Beef carpaccio at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

As we’re waiting for our appetizer, I scan the room and it’s a very diverse crowd. Couples, families, dates trying to get to PNC arena. It’s the type of crowd you get when you’ve been running a good restaurant for many years. Shortly the plate of carpaccio comes out and it’s a bright dish of thinly sliced beef topped with spicy arugula and parmesan shards. A bit of olive oil completes the dish and it’s a nice palate cleanser before we move on to the rest of our meal.

Chicken parmigiana at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Chicken parmigiana at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

My plate of chicken parmigiana is brought to the table and it looks classic. A portion of spaghetti smothered in a bright red marinara and sprinkled with some parsley. It’s a generous portion of very tender and nicely fried chicken breast over al dente pasta and a bright red sauce, very nice! But of course half the meal goes home with me, even if I COULD have eaten it all in one sitting.

Service is excellent at Bella Monica, the staff is very gracious and responsive to all the questions coming from the table and they’ve got a busy dining room. Over the course of the evening we also chat with the chef a bit and learn of a new Bella Monica restaurant (Stellino’s) being opened at Parkside Town Commons in Southwest Cary. And given how busy Bella Monica is, it makes total sense for them to open up another outpost in the Triangle. While part of me wishes they would expand their restaurant in Raleigh, it just wouldn’t be the same for the time-tested formula of great Italian eats in a cozy family setting.

 

Bella Monica

3121 Edwards Mill Road

Raleigh, NC 27612

919.881.9778

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Italian Restaurants

October 21, 2017 by Ron Wen

Mulino Italian Kitchen Delivers a Breath of Fresh Air for Italian Food in Raleigh

Gorgeous patio at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Gorgeous patio at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

What is old becomes new again and there’s certainly no greater truth than when talking about the restaurant business! While you sometimes get a restaurant with 70+ years of longevity, oftentimes, restaurants are changing concepts and names. So I was pretty excited to see what would come from the new Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh. Owned and operated by local Samad Hachby, the restaurant launched as Babylon (Moroccan cuisine) but recently transformed to Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar earlier this year. I’ve had the chance to visit the new space several times for a cocktail and two dinners to get a feel for what they’re doing in the new space. And I can certainly say that Mulino Italian Kitchen will probably impress and surprise you, it’s an urban dining oasis right here in Raleigh.

Interior at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

If you show up on a warm evening, you’ll usually find Mulino Italian Kitchen bustling with activity! And given how beautiful their patio is, it’s hardly a surprise on good weather days. There’s a hostess kiosk up front and you’ll probably need a reservation on the weekends. Red lights are strung over the patio and the dimmed lighting makes for a magical scene. Mulino’s patio is furbished in upscale wicker patio furniture and seating that just feels really comfortable but modern. Tables are looped around the reflecting pool along with some high-top tables by the bar, perfecto!

Rich dining room at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Rich dining room at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

And while the patio is amazing, don’t miss out on the rich dining room inside which features complex and intricate Mediterranean style woodwork on the ceiling, stone tile floors and rich leather seating. Mulino Italian Kitchen is just as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside! It’s all makes for a beautifully adorned and upscale dining room, make sure you stop in even if you are dining outside. Mulino Italian Kitchen also has a 2nd floor reserved for events and weddings, I have yet to see it but hope to, soon.

Outdoor bar at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Outdoor bar at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining
Bar cocktail at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Bar cocktail at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

To start your meal, Mulino Italian Kitchen offers up a solid selection of wines, cocktails and beer and the patio bar is a great place to sit and sip on a drink. But if you’re doing a full meal, definitely grab one of the tables by the reflecting pool! For dinner, I’ve ordered off their regular menu and also did a house special. Mulino Italian Kitchen’s standard menu has a good blend of appetizers, pizzas, along with a short list of pastas and main courses (primi and secondi) with the majority of the menu in the $12 to $20 range, very reasonable. For my first visit we ordered up the fritti misto (fried calamari), pizza salumeria and two pastas for our meal.

Arancini at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Arancini at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining
Salumeria pizza at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Salumeria pizza at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

But before we know it, a plate of comped arancini show up at our table. Mulino does their arancini a bit differently, doing a fried risotto ball but doing it with ground lamb! It’s a tasty bite and a nice spin from the usual. The next item at our table is the salumeria pizza that looks delicious and sports a medium-thickness crust. A decent pizza with good flavor and toppings but more of a standard crust vs thin-crust.

Pappardelle at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Pappardelle at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining
Bucatini alla amatriciana at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Bucatini alla amatriciana at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

We move on to the pastas, two black bowls a nice portion of pasta that’s probably better for one or as a taste for two. The bucatini amatracina is very good, the pasta is a hollow tube and the sauce has some meaty bite along with some tang of the pecorino romano cheese. My friend’s papparadelle bolognese looks great but gets a mixed review from my friends. Given they make their own pasta, I trust their opinions here.

Amazing charcuterie plate at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Amazing charcuterie plate at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

A second, return visit resulted in a unique dinner experience, Mulino Italian Kitchen will be doing a porchetta (roasted pork) special on Wednesdays. We enjoyed an amazing charcuterie plate served up with rich creamy cheeses, thin-sliced gourmet meats, olives and some wonderfully unique breads. After a salad and truffle risotto, the porchetta roast was hand-carved at our table. We’re talking about a whole pig and pork loin seasoned with rosemary, garlic and much more. This pungent porchetta makes for a very special meal and treat, if you get a chance, try it!

Roast porchetta at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Roast porchetta at Mulino Italian Kitchen in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Service at Mulino Italian Kitchen was excellent throughout all my visits, it’s a team service but all the dishes come out in a coursed and timely fashion. Dinner on the large patio is not an easy service situation but they handle it well and are well-staffed even on busy nights. And it’s usually pretty busy on that beautiful patio.

Mulino Italian Kitchen has also had some updates in the kitchen with the addition of a new chef previously from Enrigo Italian Bistro.  Given my experiences dining at Enrigo I’m hopeful for the future, here. I can tell you for sure that it’s difficult judging Italian food since it’s usually pretty good so taking it to that next level can be a challenge. But Mulino Italian Kitchen is beginning to push the envelope and serve up some very interesting Italian food for the Raleigh crowd. And certainly the prices here at Mulino Italian Kitchen are really reasonable for what you get. So enjoy that patio, enjoy those cocktails, the whole dining experience here at Mulino Italian Kitchen is excellent. And if you go in knowing what to expect, I think you’ll have a great evening here…

 

Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar

309 North Dawson Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.838.8595

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Italian Restaurants, Patio

December 26, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro for Fantastic Italian Food and Pizza

Front of Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - NC Triangle Dining
Front of Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – NC Triangle Dining

If you’re looking for good pizza in the Triangle, there are a ton of great choices now! But one pizzeria that had eluded my greasy little grasp was Pizzeria Mercato out in Carrboro. Owned and run by Gabe Barker, Pizzeria Mercato’s location and popularity always had me trying to figure out a good time to visit. But eventually I found an excuse to head west on a Friday afternoon and decided to slip in for a late lunch visit! And it was a pretty impressive visit, read on if you’re hungry and curious, my friend!

Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – nctriangledining.com
Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – nctriangledining.com

Located on the western end of Weaver Street (away from the Market) , Pizzeria sits tidily on a street corner with a small side parking lot. I’ve heard it’s sometimes difficult to find parking in the hood so be aware during prime time dining hours! Inside, Pizzeria Mercato is bright and colorful. Polished concrete floor underneath, art on the walls and a bit of a hipster feel to the space. There’s an open kitchen to your left, main dining area to your right and a bright and sunny front section where I am sat.

Kitchen at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - NC Triangle Dining
Kitchen at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – NC Triangle Dining

What I do like about these new, artisanal pizza shops are the short menus focused on high quality, local ingredients. Pizzeria Mercato is no different offering up eight or so antipasti, salads and custom pizzas along with a handful of mains and desserts. Of course you can always customize your pie by adding some ingredients to your basic margherita. I go with my fave arancini (named fritti here) and the Amatriciana pie (pecorino, guanciale). A nice session IPA from Sierra Nevada keeps me company while I waits for my food.

Fritti (arancini) at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - NC Triangle Dining
Fritti (arancini) at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – NC Triangle Dining

After a short wait, my fritti (arancini) arrive and it’s an interesting plate. I’ve tried arancini (fried risotto balls) at many Italian restaurants in the area and they are always done a bit differently at each spot. Pizzeria Mercato’s arancini are about the size of a golf ball and perfectly fried. Flakes of sea salt dot the well-browned surface and a light basil sauce is served on the side. These arancini are WONDERFUL! Stuffed with smoked mozzarella and a bit of tomato, the crunchy crust breaks open to a soft, gooey interior with just a bit of acid from the tomato. Might be the best arancini I’ve tried in the Triangle, make sure to get em if you visit Pizzeria Mercato.

Amatriciana pizza at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - NC Triangle Dining
Amatriciana pizza at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – NC Triangle Dining

And given that wonderful start, I was salivating at the thought of my pizza! When it comes out, it’s a looker. About a 13″ pie in a nice oblong shape indicative of a hand-made pizza. Some splotches of soft fresh mozzarella and sprinkles of more pungent romano cheese. Bits of seared guanciale (cured pork cheek) and cracked black pepper finish off the surface. A peek underneath shows off some nice leopard spotting for the crust, nice job there. A couple of bites in and I immediately notice the crust. Pizzeria Mercato does it differently here, doing a snappy, stiff crust rather than a softer crust that you usually get with a Neapolitan pie. But you can certainly taste the quality ingredients here, I admit that the intense guanciale over-powered the flavor of the pizza. If I ever get back I’ll do a basic margherita.

Pizza crust at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro - NC Triangle Dining
Pizza crust at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro – NC Triangle Dining

Service here at Pizzeria Mercato was excellent and timely, admittedly I was one of 4 people in the place so that’s to be expected. I’m curious as to how the place holds up with a big crowd, I’m guessing they are usually busy. But for my visit it was a great start. Excellent food, decent prices, quality ingredients and great service Pizzeria Mercato! I’m still trying to wrap my brain around your pizza crust since it’s a bit of a spin from traditional. But I can certainly tell that there is some talent and vision for the menu and methods here. And I’m pretty sure that if you’re a pizza fanatic you’ll like Pizzeria Mercato! They’re doing very good pizza and even better arancini here in Carrboro…

Pizzeria Mercato

408 W Weaver Street

Carrboro, NC 27510

919.967.2277

Location on Google maps

Save

Save

Filed Under: Carrboro, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Italian Restaurants, Pizza, Restaurants Near UNC Chapel Hill - University of North Carolina

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Popular Reviews

Layered Croissanterie: A Flaky Take on Delectable Pastries for Downtown Raleigh

Reuben’s NY Deli, Raleigh – A Classic Taste of Over-Stuffed Deli Sandwiches

Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill for a Mind-Bending Taste of Asia

Don’t Miss

  • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2020 Edition
  • New Restaurants and Bars, Coming Soon to the Triangle

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • A Look Back at the Triangle Food Scene in the Year of COVID
  • Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh, a Haven for Coffee and Cats
  • Photos: Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard in Raleigh
  • Photos: Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary for modern Indian eats!

Connect with NCTD

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NCTD Email Subscription


Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework