NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

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September 9, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Peking Duck and Dumplings in Raleigh for Authentic Chinese Fare

Front of Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Chinese food in the Triangle, it can be a bit hard! Given I grew up on the cuisine and have been eating Chinese food since I was a young lad, my expectations are relatively high for what I consider to be a “mother cuisine”. And to be honest with you, it’s pretty hard to find decent Chinese food in the Triangle outside of a handful of options. So color me surprised when I heard about a new spot on Hillsborough Street called Peking Duck and Dumplings. Online mentions of this new restaurant had me guessing that it was a real deal, Chinese hole in the wall type eatery, probably started to feed the student population studying from overseas. And after a couple of visits to the new Peking Duck and Dumplings, I can say that the initial guess I had was pretty close to the truth…

Basic interior at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Basic interior at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

First of all, if you live in the area, you know how busy Hillsborough Street can be for construction. New buildings, new traffic circles, Peking Duck and Dumplings location near Dixie Trail Road is particularly bad for traffic and parking. I’d recommend side-street parking on the northern side of Hillsborough outside of a few lucky spots you may find on the street. So you’ll need some patience before you even get into Peking Duck and Dumplings. Its location at 2811 Hillsborough Street used to be Pho Vietnam and there are a couple of parking spots in back.

Specials menu at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Specials menu at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Peking Duck and Dumplings would be best qualified as a simple cafe set-up with white tile floors and a handful of 4-tops scattered about. The light and bright space is very utilitarian and speaks to the food that is served here. Both the staff and customers are primarily Asian and Chinese but in my mind, that just means more authentic eats! Be aware that the staff may have limited English skills so it may be tough to get detailed descriptions of menu items, I’d suggest checking out the menu beforehand. And also be aware that they do not have Peking duck (just plain roasted duck) on the menu, the food here is primarily Taiwanese and N. Chinese.

Pan-fried buns at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pan-fried buns at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Given all these hurdles, I can also say that Peking Duck and Dumplings is totally worth the effort, still. The menu ranges from noodle soups to rice plates and more. All under $14 so very reasonable prices for authentic Chinese eats. There’s also a specials whiteboard up front so don’t miss what they’re offering here. I’d recommend starting off with some nice pan-fried pork dumplings. These bad-boys are steamed and then crisped up (pan-fried) underneath giving you a soft and crispy contrast when you bite in. The tender pork filling is nicely done for a good ratio of bao to meat.

Scallion pancakes with beef at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Scallion pancakes with beef at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Probably my favorite dish at Peking Duck and Dumplings is the scallion pancakes with beef! While you may have tried scallion pancakes before this preparation is a bit different, adding in thinly sliced beef shank (with a hint of five spice) and layered with hoisin sauce! It’s like a Chinese sandwich with a crispy outside, tender and savory inside and a hint of sweet from the sauce, very tasty and totally authentic.

Roast duck and pork rice plate at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Roast duck and pork rice plate at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Another classic dish that’s really good if you’re not used to more authentic Chinese eats is the roast duck and roast pork plate. Just a serving of rice with sweet and tender duck along with slices of the familiar red glazed, roast pork make for a great meal. The duck can be a bit fatty so baby bok choy is presented on the side as your veggie and green for the dish.

Beef noodle soup w tendon at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Beef noodle soup w tendon at Peking Duck & Dumplings in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The noodle dishes here at Peking Duck and Dumplings are also super authentic. Long noodles in a beef broth with beef shank and/or tendon. The tendon is slow-braised for a soft and sticky, unctuous texture making for a heart-warming dish. Again, not for everyone but if you’re so inclined, you’ll love it. Service at Peking Duck and Dumplings is personable and efficient but again, the staff may have limited English. Given the primarily Asian clientele here, it’s usually not an issue but be aware! So thank you to Peking Duck and Dumplings for bringing super tasty and authentic Chinese food to downtown Raleigh. You’re a rare little find and I hope you do well in this difficult location. But I promise that I will be back soon to try more off that delicious menu…

 

Peking Duck and Dumplings

2811 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.222.2880

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Chinese Restaurants, NC State Restaurants

December 22, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: A Raleigh Classic in Players Retreat near NC State University

Front of Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Front of Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

When you talk about classic Raleigh restaurants and eateries, Players Retreat is usually mentioned since it’s been such a long-standing favorite for NC State students and alumni! In business for over 65 years, you have to be doing something really good. And while I don’t have any Wolfpack blood running through me, I do appreciate a good college bar and restaurant no matter what university you’re associated with. So it was time for a visit to this old-school Raleigh eatery for lunch!

Banner at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Banner at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

It’s really easy to find Player’s Retreat (PR to the locals). Located on Oberlin Road, just look for the large NC State red awnings and umbrellas. Or the large Players Retreat flag waving out front! They’ve got a very nice sidewalk patio for outdoors dining but you gotta head inside to really understand the charm of Players Retreat. Inside, Players Retreat sports a long classic bar, low slung booths to the right and additional dining rooms on either side of the main room, TV screens above along with an impressive collection of beer cans and old-school NC State finishes off the decor. It has the comfortable feeling of other college bars-restaurants in the area like Dain’s Place over in Durham.

Interior at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

I grab a seat at the corner of the bar and am immediately asked about a drink. I go with a Lonerider Bad Penny just to keep things simple and peruse the menu. Next-door is an energetic crowd of folks visiting for a political event. There’s a casual but fun energy at Players Retreat and I suspect that there are a lot of locals showing up here on a regular basis. Players Retreat has a long menu of bar food ranging from fried appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, American entrees and more. And the PR is also known for their selection of scotch, check out their website for details on the Scotch Club at PR if you’re a fan!

Chicken parm sub at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Chicken parm sub at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

I keep things simple and go with a chicken parm sub and side of house-made potato chips. The food comes out pretty quickly at Players Retreat, I’ve got a sizable (10″) sandwich with chicken tenders and layer with marinara sauce and provolone. The bun is fresh and soft, it’s a satisfying bite and good deal at $9. Along with the decent chips, I’m a happy camper sitting at PR’s bar and watching the people walk by.

Bar at Players Retreat in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Bar at Players Retreat in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Service at the bar is solid and attentive, they’ve got some pros here behind the bar and it shows. While I’m sure the PR has its regulars, they take care of me really well as a newbie which is always appreciated. All in all, I was pretty happy with my visit to this classic Raleigh eatery. It’s held up well over time which isn’t always the case for long-time local favorites. Along with the Mecca Restaurant, the Players Retreat can hold its own in terms of food, service, ambiance and overall value. So cheers, Players Retreat! While I may not bleed Wolfpack red, here’s to another 65 years for this popular college staple…

 

Players Retreat

105 Oberlin Road

Raleigh, NC 27605

919.755.9589

 

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Dog-Friendly Restaurants, NC State Restaurants

December 11, 2016 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Best Restaurants Near NC State University – NCSU

NC State's Talley Student Center in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
NC State’s Talley Student Center in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

If your kid is going to school at NC State or you just need to find a bite near campus, choosing a good restaurant option may be a bit tricky. Like any college area, the restaurants tend to be inexpensive and not so great given the typical student budget. But there are some decent options if you know where to look. And they tend to be the newer spots in Wolfpack territory!

The primary NC State campus is loosely bound by Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard to the north. And Gorman Street along with Pullen Road to the west and east. And then finally a newer part of campus intersected by Avent Ferry and Centennial Parkway to the south. In the NC State neighborhood you’ll find old-school favorites like Amedeos, Baja Burrito, Jade Garden, Subconscious, Sammy’s Tap and Grill, Ruckus Pizza…  But my favorites are different and run the range from Chinese to Mexican, pizza and more. Most of these better dining choices are on the north side of campus and are a bit of a ride or walk. But totally worth it if you want to get away from casual college eats! Click on the restaurant link to get the full details…

 

Best Restaurants and Dining Near NC State University – NCSU

  • David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar (Chinese) – Tasty Chinese and Asian eats in a lovely and spacious dining room. Inexpensive and reasonably priced for lunch and dinner.
  • Gonza Tacos y Tequila (Mexican) – Fantastic interior and decor with solid Mexican eats: tacos, enchiladas, guacamole and more. A bit pricier than usual Mexican options but worthwhile.
  • NC Seafood Restaurant at the State Farmer’s Market (Seafood) – Large portions of fried and broiled NC seafood on picnic tables. Stop in after a visit to the Farmer’s market!
  • Neomonde (Lebanese) – A Raleigh classic serving up fresh Mediterranean eats ranging from salads, kabobs to pita sandwiches, casual setting.
  • Peking Duck and Dumplings (Chinese) – Casual and authentic, grab rice plates of roast duck, noodle soup and pan-fried buns for a delicious meal.
  • Pisco Mar (S. American) – A newer, restaurant specializing in S. American cuisine: empanadas, lomo saltado, ceviche and more.
  • Players Retreat (American) – The long-time NC State meeting spot for subs, American comfort food and an amazing whiskey selection. Sit on the patio with friends in the summer.
  • so*ca (Latin American) – An upscale, fusion Latino restaurant offering up great cocktails, small plates and desserts. A bit dress with fantastic covered patio.
  • Sushi Mon (Sushi, Japanese) – A fancier spot for fabulously fresh fish, sushi and small plates. Tough parking in the area.
  • Tazza Kitchen (Small plates) – A more upscale restaurant serving up European oven-fired small plates and pizzas! Great for smaller groups.
  • Trophy Pizza (Beer, pizza) – Fantastic beer and artisanal pizzas in a casual setting. Enjoy their patio when the weather is warmer, sometimes tough to get a seat.
  • Tupelo Honey Cafe (Southern) – An Asheville favorite in Raleigh. Southern classics with a twist, offers brunch, lunch and dinner throughout the week.

And if you’re willing to travel further afoot, head on further north to Cameron Village or further east to Raleigh’s Warehouse District where you’ll find even better dining options. Bon appetit!

David's Dumpling and Noodle Bar
David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar
Roti at David's Dumpling and Noodle Bar
Roti at David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar
Cool decor at Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Cool decor at Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Tacos at Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Tacos at Gonza Tacos y Tequila
NC Seafood Market Restaurant
NC Seafood Market Restaurant
Seafood platter at NC Seafood Restaurant
Seafood platter at NC Seafood Restaurant
Front of Neomonde
Front of Neomonde
Fresh hummus at Neomonde
Fresh hummus at Neomonde
Kebabs at Neomonde
Kebabs at Neomonde
Rice plate at Peking Duck and Noodle
Rice plate at Peking Duck and Noodle
Pan-ried dumplings at Peking Duck and Noodle
Pan-ried dumplings at Peking Duck and Noodle
Lomo saltado at PIsco Mar
Lomo saltado at PIsco Mar
Front of Players Retreat
Front of Players Retreat
Dining room at Players Retreat
Dining room at Players Retreat
Entrance at soca
Entrance at soca
Crab mofongo at soca
Crab mofongo at soca
Sushi bar at Sushi Mon
Sushi bar at Sushi Mon
Sea bream nigiri at Sushi Mon
Sea bream nigiri at Sushi Mon
Dining room for Tazza Kitchen
Dining room for Tazza Kitchen
Sausage-honey pizza at Tazza Kitchen
Sausage-honey pizza at Tazza Kitchen
Trophy Brewing and Pizza
Trophy Brewing and Pizza
Daredevil pizza at Trophy Brewing
Daredevil pizza at Trophy Brewing
Dining room at Tupelo Honey Cafe
Dining room at Tupelo Honey Cafe
Shrimp and grits at Tupelo Honey Cafe
Shrimp and grits at Tupelo Honey Cafe

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Filed Under: NoRSS, Overviews, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: NC State Restaurants

August 28, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Pieology, the Study of Pizza Earns a Great Grade!

Front of Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

When it comes to pizza, I really can’t get enough. And what’s really cool right now is that pizza has been brought into the 21st century with the Build Your Own Pizza (BYOP) model. Imitating the Chipotle service model, BYOP allows you to customize an individual pie, JUST the way you like it. And you’ve got several options for BYOP in the Triangle: Blaze Pizza, Mod Pizza and now the new Pieology in Raleigh. So as a fan of Blaze Pizza, I just had to check out the competition. So it was time for lunch at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh!

Mod interior at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Mod interior at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Located conveniently on Hillsborough Street in the new Stanhope building, Pieology is perfectly located to serve the pizza eating needs of Wolfpack students. Inside, the space is similar to Blaze: high ceilings, some corporate art and a order and assembly area. It all feels very modern and somewhat cool for a quick-casual spot. You choose your pie at the front and then pay at the end, just like Chipotle (Note: Pieology has opened a 2nd Raleigh location in North Hills)

Pizza assembly at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pizza assembly at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The menu is simple but complex like most BYOP pizza places: salads and pizzas BUT the pizzas just have so many options. Outside of the seven signature pies, Pieology offers you the choice of 3 crusts, 7 sauces, 15 cheeses and meats, 15 toppings and then 4 after bake drizzle sauces. The crust is spread and flattened right as you order and then you can add your sauces and toppings as you move down the line. As a lazy pizza person, I just go with the Mad to Meet You (pepperoni, sausage, meatball, mozzarella, house red sauce & olive oil) and add some green peppers, basil and Parmesan cheese. I cash out, grab my beer and number and grab a seat!

Dining area at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Dining area at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

It takes about 10 minutes for my pie which isn’t too bad of a wait. And it’s a good looking pie, Pieology does a 11.5″ individual and there are plenty of high-quality toppings. The crust is thin and stiff, similar to a bar pizza and the edges are well-browned. A peek at the crust bottom shows off some leopard-spotting, it’s cooked perfectly. I take a bite and the crust is snappy and toothsome, the sausage and meats are well balanced with the cheese but the sauce is hard to pick up. At over 1,000 calories, I only eat half for lunch but yeah, I could have chowed down the whole pizza!

Meat pizza at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Meat pizza at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pizza crust at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pizza crust at Pieology near NC State in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So yeah, it was great to meat you Pieology! While the concept is really similar to Blaze, I’d have to categorize Pieology as more gourmet/quirky bar pizzas. They’ve got some extra options to their pies and it’s good but not trying to mimic the Neapolitan style I enjoy so much. And I’m pretty sure that Pieology will be a huge hit with the NC State crowd once they’re back in school come September. Because if anyone appreciates good (and bad) pizza, it’s a college kid! So rock on Pieology, I’ll have to come back and do some more studying for my imaginary set of pizza final exams…

Pieology Hillsborough Street

3001 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.839.6300

 

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: NC State Restaurants, Pizza

April 2, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Jade Garden, Trying Harder But…

Front of Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

When it comes to Chinese food, I’m just a little picky. Coming from a Chinese family and with a mom who was a fantastic cook means the bar is set pretty high for my Asian and Chinese eats. But I can appreciate everything from ethnic Chinese to Chinese-American and more. But there IS a line on the low end still. I had hit up Jade Garden when I first moved to Raleigh in 2008 in hopes of finding an inexpensive, fast Chinese-American take-out joint in the hood. Located on Hillsborough Street at the first circle, Jade Garden sits in an older set of store-fronts on the east side of Hillsborough. Online reviews say the place has been refreshed so it’s time for a re-visit after 6+ years!

Inside of Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Inside of Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Due to its tight and busy location, Jade Garden has a small lot on the side for patrons, maybe 9 or so spots. I park there and hoof it around the corner and up front there’s a sign proclaiming “Under new management.” So at least the online reviews got that part right. Same beaten up signage up front in yellow and green, it feels like an 80’s throw-back. Inside Jade Garden, the place has been refreshed. New carpet (I think), redone booths and some bright Chinese decor around the space. It’s a small dining room, maybe holding 20 people or so.

Egg-drop soup at Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Egg-drop soup at Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I get seated at a booth and look at the lunch menu.  $7 for a entree (10 or so choices) along with soup and eggroll. I go with the egg-drop soup and garlic chicken for lunch. Immediately a plate of fried won-ton noodles get brought over with sweet-sour sauce, old-school baby!  But who can resist these crunchy, greasy noodle chips? The egg-drop soup is fine, a warm serving of broth with swirls of egg and not too much salt. Next the lunch entree comes up and it’s a decent portion of tender white meat chicken mixed with broccoli, zucchini, peppers, bamboo shoots and more. A small pile of brown fried rice and a commercial (probably frozen) egg roll. It’s your typical Americanized Chinese meal and the common theme I see in this style of food is a syrupy sauce, most likely requiring fructose, that seems to be a common denominator in this category of Chinese eats. It’s not awful but certainly not what any home-cook would normally use.

Garlic chicken lunch at Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Garlic chicken lunch at Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I finish my meal (most of it, sans egg roll) and pay up. Service at Jade Garden was sweet and attentive so thank you there! But the reality is that while Jade Garden has refreshed its interior, the food hasn’t changed much from what I remember. It’s still super Americanized, typical American-Chinese food. I would still prefer to hit up Peace China over at Seaboard in lieu of dining here and dealing with the parking situation. In the end, like many restaurants on Hillsborough Street, it’s designed to please college students and their basic dining needs. And there’s nothing wrong with that, just understand what you’re getting before you make an effort to get over here.

 

Jade Garden

1207 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.594.1813

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Chinese Restaurants, NC State Restaurants

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