Italian Restaurants Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

Find some of the best Italian restaurants in the area! From focaccia to chicken parm, pizza, pasta, and more...

April 16, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Alimentari at Mothers & Sons in Durham for Sandwiches, Groceries, and Gravy

Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen more restaurant activity in the Bull City as we slowly pull out of the pandemic. And was once old is new again! Take, for example, Lucky’s Delicatessen on W. Chapel Hill Street. A victim of the pandemic, the deli closed but the space ended up transitioning to Alimentari at Mothers and Sons. Which is not a bad thing at all, here’s why!

Coffee bar at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Coffee bar at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you like Italian food, you’ll really enjoy Alimentari at Mothers and Sons. While “alimentari” in Italian means food or groceries, this location means a LOT more. While you will find a refrigerated case with delicious Italian meats and prepared items, the dining room and bar offer up coffee, sandwiches, and salads, in their casual but stylish space. The interior has been refreshed in European style: painted metal ceiling, classic Italian posters on the walls, and some lovely woodwork above the front counter and kitchen prep area. It all feels open and inviting, a welcoming spot for classic Italian-American eats.

Seating at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Seating at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Service is available from 11am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday. The breads are baked in-house and fresh! Choose from a short list of sandwiches covering all the classics (meatball, chicken parm, Italian, Caprese) and salads for your meal. Sandwiches are served bare so if you want a side, you’ll have to order it a la carte. Prices are quite reasonable with sandwiches and salads in the $8 to $12 range.

Pepperoni stromboli at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Pepperoni stromboli at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Porchetta sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Porchetta sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of two visits (dine-in at the restaurant and take-out), I’ve had a good chance to try quite a bit off the Alimentari menu and it’s all quite good. Classic Italian-American sandwiches like the chicken and meatball parm, served up on a chewy focaccia roll and slathered with gravy (red sauce) and melted cheese. I preferred the meatball out of these two sandwich options. My favorite option is probably Alimentari’s roast pork sandwich served with thinly sliced meat, rapini, melty mozzarella, and aioli. It’s a succulent bite with plenty of savory meat, soft richness, and greens in every bite. The pepperoni stromboli I tried was also solid but not as memorable as I would have hoped for.

Meatball sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Meatball sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Chicken cutlet sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Chicken cutlet sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Service at Alimentari is quite friendly and good, they can get you in and out pretty quickly and don’t miss much. I sort of expected this level of service given what I’ve experienced at Mothers and Sons but it’s a nice touch at this price point. I’ve yet to purchase anything out of the refrigerated case but it all looks quite fresh and tasty! Overall I’m pretty satisfied and happy with what Alimentari is serving up from sandwiches to service and ambiance. And while part of me will miss Lucky’s Delicatessen a bit, Alimentari is doing a lot of things right at lower price points.

Refrigerated case at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Refrigerated case at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Interior of Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Interior of Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Alimentari at Mothers & Sons

105 W Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.864.8841

Location on Google maps

September 13, 2012 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

A Taste of the Mediterranean, Gravy and Sitti in Raleigh!

Kafta kabob at Sitti in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

When most people think of Empire Eats restaurants, the focus is on The Pit and Raleigh Times, two old-school standby’s! But don’t forget about two of their smaller restaurants, Gravy and Sitti. Who can ever complain when you’ve got a great bowl of pasta or fresh hummus in front of you? Both Empire Eats restaurants are great options if you’re catching a movie at IMAX or a show over at the Progress Energy Center. You’re guaranteed excellent food with professional service and great atmosphere at a fair price. So if you’re up for some rustic Mediterranean food from Italy and Lebanon, read on!

Dining room at Gravy in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Sitting on the corner of Hargett and Wilmington, you’ll find these sister restaurants side-by-side. Gravy is the cozier choice. Narrow and deep, the place is usually busy and tables are close together but it’s still a good spot for a date. Service is professional here and at some periods of the week, you may need a reservation. If you’re pushed for time, a beer and meal at the bar is another option. Funky artwork dots the painted brick wall and the booths along the side make for an intimate meal

Arancini at Gravy in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Spaghetti at Gravy in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Grab the menu and you’ll notice all your Italian favorites. Start with their oh-so-good arancini: fried risotto balls with melty fontina cheese. These carb-bombs are crisp, luscious and savory in a small form-factor. Soak them in a bit of gravy (marinara) sauce and you’ve added some acidic tomato to the taste party, wonderful! Their pasta here is solid, reinforced by their delicious “gravy”. Stop in on Sunday night for their beer and balls special and you’ll get a wonderful plate of spaghetti with their specialty meatballs for $7. And if you’ve still got some appetite left, finish things off with some decadent tiramisu complete with candy crown. While Gravy may not be the BEST Italian food I’ve had, it’s quite good and the whole place just works for me.

Side of Sitti in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Dining room at Sitti in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Next door at Sitti, you’ll find a more open but equally welcoming ambiance. The store front is plate glass windows and spartan due to Sitti’s origins as a converted grocery store. But inside it’s full of rustic wood and charm. Vintage family photos line one wall, a large communal table down the center and a nice bar area to the right. I love the corner catbird seat which makes you feel as if you’re right on S. Wilmington Street!

Hommos at Sitti in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Salmon on Sitti rice, Sitti in Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

The menu is basic Lebanese fare, I love their hummus. Creamy smooth with the slight bite of lemon, I add the beef-lamb meat on top (hashwi) and use their poofy bread for dipping. I’ve had their shwarma and kafta kebab which have both been full of fresh flavor. Sitti handles the details well, their fries are dusted with sea salt and herbs, while their fluffy Sitti rice pilaf is lightly seasoned. The samkeh harra (broiled salmon) was perfectly cooked and spiced with tahini sauce and cilantro, yum! They also dabble in some non-traditional foods (ribeye steak) just to keep you meat-eaters happy! Sitti is a great spot for a business meal, date or just some people-watching.

Bar at Sitti in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

So if you need a taste of the Mediterranean, head on over to the Empire Eats corner but just keep on walking by the Raleigh Times! Because as much as I may like their cheesy fries and beer, the fare over at Gravy and Sitti is another level up. Simple, fresh, well-executed with great service, you can’t go wrong with either of these two places. Italian or Lebanese, they’ll have you feeling as if you’re enjoying a great meal near the Mediterranean Sea, bon appetit!

Gravy and Sitti

135 and 137 S. Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.896.8513 (Gravy)

919.239.4070 (Sitti)

Menu at Gravy

Menu at Sitti

Location on Google Maps

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

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

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

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

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

Milk-braised pork cheek over polenta entree at Mothers & Sons in Durham- nctriangledining.com

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

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

February 9, 2013 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

First Take: Mamma Mia in Apex for Down-Home, Family Italian

Front of Mamma Mia in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, thatsa Mamma Mia’s! Yeah, it’s a little cheesy but let’s face it, old-school Italian can walk that fine line between tasty and cheesy. And yes, Mamma Mia’s is an old-school, red sauce type of Italian place in a strip mall but it works just fine as a family-friendly Italian eatery for the locals. I’ve been waiting to try this place for a while but note, they no longer serve the lunch buffet. Inside Mamma Mia’s the place is a bit bare, just some green tiled floors, humble furniture and two partially divided dining rooms.

Dining room at Mamma Mia in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

The lunch menu was really basic, from $6 – $10 with most of the dishes being some sort of basic pasta, sauce, baked or otherwise and a salad. I ordered up some baked lasagna but passed on the bread and salad given it’s holiday recovery time!

Pizza at Mamma Mia in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

The food takes about 10 minutes, my friend’s pizza comes out first and it looks decent. Pretty thin crust, nice smattering of melted cheese, a solid rendition of NY thin-crust pizza. My baked lasagna is a long and high slice of layered cheesy deliciousness! A rich meat sauce and I picked up some butter from probably the ricotta. The marinara sauce is decent here too. I have made quite a few lasagnas in my time and the version at Mamma Mia’s is very good. Service is good, courteous and attentive. While the inside of Mamma Mia isn’t much to speak of, the food here is decent. Especially for an area where you’re more likely to get bland chain restaurants so rock on Mamma Mia’s! Your name may be a bit cheesy but sometimes that’s a really good thing for pizza and lasagna, right?

Mamma Mia!

708 Laura Duncan Road

Apex, NC 27502

919.363.2228

Location on Google maps

Save

November 2, 2015 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Media Event: Il Palio in Chapel Hill Doing Rustic and Regional Italian Fare

Entrance to the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Out in the NC Triangle we’ve got several great examples of hotel restaurants ranging from the Fairview Dining Room at Washington Duke Inn to Herons at the Umstead and Flights over at the Renaissance Hotel. Hotel restaurants may not be at the top of your list as a dining option but you’d be remiss in not considering them. And Il Palio at the Siena Hotel is a new, Italian option in this category. I received an invite for a VIP dinner with their new chef Teddy Diggs and here’s how the evening played out…

Lobby at the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Il Palio and the Siena Hotel are conveniently located off of E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and is certainly one of the more upscale options in this college town. The lobby is full of polished marble and columns presenting an age-old, antiqued European feel. Il Palio sits to the right of the lobby entrance with a bar and lounge area in front, impressive wine display to the side.

Wine-display at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

We meet with Il Palio’s PR representative, Cherith from Clairemont Communications, who has organized this soiree and gathering of local food media and bloggers. It’s an impressive and chatty group for the evening. I manage to get a quick tour of the dining room before dinner kicks off with General Manager, Anthony Carey who shows off the refreshed dining space. While elegant and upscale, the decor is still comfortable and shows off hints of a post-mod 70’s feel.

Cul de sac seating at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

We’re seated at two long tables and the dinner will be coursed with a variety of items off the Il Palio dinner menu. We start off with some beautiful large crostini slathered in a variety of pate, jam and mousse, quite good but I’ll confess that I’m not a huge fan of pates!

Crostini at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Roasted chestnut soup at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Course two is a variety of antipasti (appetizers) which range from a roasted chestnut soup to tuna carpaccio and squid in red sauce. A warm basket of olive-oil infused focaccia is actually MY favorite appetizer, sometimes it’s the simple things in life!

Olive oil focaccia at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Hand-cut taglierini with porcini at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Next up is an array of pastas and entrees. The hand-cut taglierini pasta with black truffle-porcini butter and walnuts is rich and exquisite. A plate of gnocchi to my left, lamb chops to the right and a lovely grilled seabass in front of me.

Grilled lamb at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Il Palio specializes in wood-grilled fare so everything comes out with a hint of smoke and char from that specialty oven. I loved the seabass but you do have to be careful picking through its small bones. General Manager Anthony is also taking care of our wine needs over the course of the evening making it a lavish meal. Again, I find some of the simpler items on Il Palio’s menu to be some of my favorites, don’t miss their creamy aquarello risotto!

Whole grilled sea bass at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

The table finishes up with a variety of desserts and I absolutely adore mine: a simple-looking olive oil cake! Served with olive oil gelato and these wonderful roasted grapes, there’s a lot of simple complexity happening on this plate. Warm and luscious cake paired with the cool gelato and the fruit with a swirl of balsamic makes for a wonderful ending and sweetness to finish the meal.

Olive oil cake with roasted grapes at Il Palio in Chapel Hill- NC Triangle Dining

Over the course of the dinner, Chef Teddy comes out to tell us a bit about his vision for the menu here at Il Palio and he’s a talented chef with a passion for regional Italian fare. Il Palio is certainly doing Italian cuisine that goes far beyond what you’ll find at most Italian restaurants in the Triangle. So if you’re up for a trek to Chapel Hill and Italian treat for the taste-buds, seek out Il Palio at the Siena Hotel. It’s worth the effort if you’re looking for modern European cuisine in lush surroundings. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, bon appetit!

Alimentari at Mothers & Sons in Durham for Sandwiches, Groceries, and Gravy