NC Triangle Dining

Find the Best Restaurants, Food, and Drink in Raleigh, Durham, Cary & Chapel Hill

by

Media: Treat Yourself to the Fancy and Flavorful Tacos at Bartaco in Chapel Hill

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

When it comes to Mexican food, I’m usually looking for a local taqueria serving up tasty carnitas or carne asada in a down-home setting. But every now and then, I enjoy a more modern take on Mexican and tacos. Bartaco is a great example of what you can do with tacos with more fusion-style offering! This small chain of taquerias (16 on the East coast) caught my eye after it opened a Triangle location in the summer of 2017. Thankfully, a media invite to visit Bartaco and try out their secret taco hit my email inbox. It’s finally time for a trip to Chapel Hill!

Beautiful interior at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Beautiful interior at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

bartaco sits in University Place right next to Silverspot Cinema in Chapel Hill, super convenient! Up front you’ll find a wall of terra cotta planters and a beach-style patio. Inside bartaco, the space has a very organic feel, full of woods and dim lighting, a great looking space. A large U-shaped bar takes up the center of the dining room and the staff uniform puts together white jeans with a blue-checked shirt, it all feels very well put-together. Great ambiance for a date or small party here, the dining room is wonderful!

Dining room at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

At our table, we’re given some help by our wait-person since we’re bartaco newbies. You get a paper menu with all your starters, tacos, side, rice bowls and more. Check off what you want with quantities (or mark L for gluten-free lettuce wrap tacos) and you’ll be good to go. bartaco is pretty busy for a Wednesday night, full of local families and students given its proximity to UNC Chapel Hill. And everyone in the dining room is happily munching on tacos, call me excited!

For our media visit, we’re given free rein on the menu and there’s so MUCH to choose from! While bartaco has a smaller menu (for a Mexican restaurant) of starters, tacos, sides and rice bowls, it has a good variety within each food category. And given I’ve got Linda Eats World with me to help out, we go a little crazy with ordering: plantains, grilled corn, cucumber salad along with Baja fish, rock shrimp, pork belly along with the #bartacosecret, Spiced Lamb!

Fried plantains at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Fried plantains at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Elote corn at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Elote corn at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Our sides come out first, some tender, nicely fried plantain nuggets paired with a creamy aioli, yum! And the grilled corn is fantastic, covered with cotija cheese and a bit of mayo and paprika, excellent. As we’re finishing up our appetizers, the rest of the food comes out and it all looks so good… The only slight miss for me was the cucumber salad. While the preparation was nice, I would have preferred a thinner slice for more surface area and flavor.

Huge meal at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Huge meal at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

And even though we ordered a lot of food, bartaco tacos are about 2 to 3 bites each so it’s manageable! I start off with the spicy lamb which features tender ground lamb with harissa and lemon crema, it’s nicely light with a taste of the Mediterranean! (Note: #bartacosecret is off-menu so you will have to ask your server to see what’s available) The rock shrimp taco is perfectly fried and has quite a bit of spice and heat which is a pleasant surprise. But I’d have to say that the Asian-style pork belly was my favorite! A thick chunk of sweet, lacquered belly, thick sliced and topped with red onion and cilantro. All the tacos are served with fresh wedges of lime for a quick, spritz of citrus on top, if you’d like.

Spicy lamb tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Spicy lamb tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Pork belly tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Pork belly tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

While we’re finishing up our meal, bartaco’s manager sends us out one final pair of tacos, the cauliflower which he has raved about. And I’ll tell you what, it was a totally satisfying bite served in a red sauce. A very worthwhile vegetarian alternative if you’re not feeling the meat.

Large patio at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Large patio at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Service throughout our meal at bartaco was excellent. While the staff here is quite young, the are well-trained and understand hospitality which was a pleasant surprise for me from a chain restaurant. And looking over the menu prices, I’m pretty sure you can get out of here for well under $20 for three tacos and an adult beverage which is quite reasonable. So a slow round of applause for North Carolina’s second bartaco. You’re doing a fine job with a modern, beach-style taco and I can’t wait to come back for a lunch out on that white-washed patio! Oh and as luck would have it, it looks like the third location for NC is being built at North Hills, Raleigh which would save me a trip out to Chapel Hill. Hooray bartaco, look forward to trying out your newest location soon!

 

bartaco

University Place

201 S. Estes Drive E3

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919.807.8226

 

Location on Google maps

by

Retake: The Flying Saucer in Raleigh, a Classic Destination for Great Beer!

Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to beer in the Triangle, we’ve been in a renaissance for the past 5 years! Breweries, bottle shops and brew pubs have been opening up, left and right, in Raleigh, Durham and points beyond. I mean, who doesn’t love a tasty, locally brewed beer on a warm summer’s day?! But way back when, before this whole beer revolution started, there were only a handful of spots you could go to get a great craft beer, enter the Flying Saucer on Morgan Street! This beer and brews stalwart has been pouring out great beer for years and even though it wasn’t my personal favorite spot, I decide to go back for some visits to see how things have held up at the Saucer. And I’m glad to say that it’s still doing an excellent job serving great beer for Oak City residents…

Covered patio at Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Covered patio at Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located on the corner of Morgan and Harrington Street, you can’t miss the Flying Saucer! You’ll usually find the covered patio, filled with Raleighites enjoying a good beer and snacks when the weather is nice. Stepping through the doorway you’ll immediately be hit by the enormity of the Flying Saucer space and its beer hall interior. Checked floor in black and green, long bar with taps to the right and four-tops to the left. And yes, beer plates! Gold rimmed plates line every bare spot on the walls and ceilings, with a customer message on each. Part of the UFO club that the Flying Saucer runs, taste and/or drink 200 different beers and you’ll get your own special plate to adorn the Flying Saucer space! The beer hall is a bit worn and aged which adds to the charm here. There have been a LOT of brews and beers quaffed down at the Flying Saucer over the years.

Rich and weathered interior at Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Rich and weathered interior at Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sitting down at the bar and choosing one of the Flying Saucer’s 200+ beers can be a bit intimidating but thankfully the staff here is super knowledgeable when it comes to suds. And honestly, after the Raleigh Beer Garden offered up 360+ beers, the Saucer seems less difficult. At least most of the Saucer customers know their beers pretty well, making the selection process, quicker. The Flying Saucer is also known for for its waitstaff with many of the female servers sporting plaid skirts and knee-high socks, but you know what? Don’t let their looks fool you. They know their beer here really well, too.

The Bratzel at Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
The Bratzel at Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Great beer, cool decor but what about the food at the Saucer? Well they’ve offer a small selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads (hahaha), plates and pizzas. You do need something to eat along with all that great beer! The food falls comfortably into the category of simple bar food and is not super memorable. But I do think they are upping their game when it comes to the eats. From snacks to sandwiches and pizzas, it’s all hearty rib-sticking fare are the Flying Saucer

Tex-Mex hash brown skillet at Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Tex-Mex hash brown skillet at Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Bacon, egg and cheese pizza at Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bacon, egg and cheese pizza at Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

A recent visit for brunch turned up a Tex-Mex hash brown skillet and breakfast pizza! Tasty hash-browns topped with cheddar-jack cheese, fried egg and jalapenos, yum! And the breakfast pizza topped with scrambled egg, bacon and cheddar was pretty solid too! The Flying Saucer does brunch from 11am to 3pm. I think it’ll be a fun option out on that patio once it gets warmer. The Flying Saucer also runs beer specials on Sundays ($3 pints, NC Beer) and Mondays ($3 pints, all taps).

UFO Plates on the ceiling at Flying Saucer in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
UFO Plates on the ceiling at Flying Saucer in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

So a slow round of applause for the venerable Flying Saucer on Morgan Street! While the Raleigh food scene has improved by leaps and bounds over the years, the Saucer has also upped its game to keep up. The Flying Saucer may not be top of mind for a drink or food, I think it’s a totally decent spot to get a feel for what Raleigh is about and sample some great beer. And while I may not ever have a UFO plate up on the wall with my name on it, I will definitely be back to sample more off of their food menu!

 

Flying Saucer Raleigh

328 W Morgan Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.821-7401

 

Location on Google maps

by

First Take: Grub a Modern Diner for Durham!

Front of Grub Durham - nctriangledining.com
Front of Grub Durham – nctriangledining.com

When I think of the restaurant scene in Durham, several words usually come to mind: hipster, upscale and pricey! I usually find that eats in Durham are just a bit more expensive across the board compared to what I usually find in Raleigh. And with all the national press and accolades, I guess you price what the market will bear. But it’s always good to see more budget-friendly options on the Bull City food scene and it looks like the new Grub Durham might be the relief that your wallet needs!

Dining room at Grub Durham - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Grub Durham – nctriangledining.com

Built out in a converted gas station, Grub Durham is beautifully designed and shows off a lot of quirk and color for the locals. Classic round neon sign up front along with some red bicycle racks, Grub has a LOT of outdoor seating. One patio up front along with a huge patio on the roof with its own bar, wow! Inside of Grub Durham, you get more of a diner feel with booths along the front, 4-tops to the side and a long counter with swivel stool seating in back. It all feels a bit modern and classic at the same time, in homage to its old-school gas station origins! Grub has a small parking lot to the right but otherwise very limited street parking given its busy intersection. You may need to walk it over for your meal.

Dining counter at Grub Durham - nctriangledining.com
Dining counter at Grub Durham – nctriangledining.com

The menu at Grub Durham is simple but interesting diner fare. Along with some basic breakfast offerings (egg plates, sandwiches, and pastries), you can choose from deli sandwiches and burgers for lunch all priced between $5 and $10. And then some additional entrees and meats (Blue Plates) are available for dinner at Grub. The staff is dressed casually in navy t-shirts and give Grub a lot of its diner personality with their attentiveness. You may be called “honey” or “sweetheart” which is always a good thing in my book!

The Gobbler turkey sandwich at Grub Durham - nctriangledining.com
The Gobbler turkey sandwich at Grub Durham – nctriangledining.com

For my lunch visit, I grab a Gobbler sandwich and it looks really nice! A skewer is run through the sandwich propping up one half up in the air, a nice presentation for a simple item. And the sandwich is put together nicely and neatly, showing off thick sliced turkey, bright red cranberry dressing, lettuce and some Havarti cheese inside. Taking a bite you get a great blend of flavors across the high-quality toasted bread, savory turkey and cheese, I love the orange flavor accenting the cranberry sauce, yum! And the side of butter beans and corn is an interesting mix of veggies with a nice light mayo dressing. Overall some great eats for a healthier lunch.

Smoked wings with white sauce at Grub Durham - nctriangledining.com
Smoked wings with white sauce at Grub Durham – nctriangledining.com

A return visit for dinner opens up some Blue Plate options at Grub (after 5pm). Favorites like fried chicken, ribs and a mac bowl. I opt for the meat, ordering up some smoked wings ($8.99) and ribs ($12.99). The smoked wings at Grub are awesome! Well-browned skin with a slight sweetness to it covering up tender smoked chicken. Dip it into the Alabama white sauce on the side and you’ve got a flavor sensation. The baby back ribs are also solid, smeared with a bit of barbeque sauce and served up with a nice twice-baked potato (bacon, cheddar, sour cream), great for the price. And I can tell you that Grub feels quite different at night and takes on a much more subdued feel.

Half rack of ribs with twice-baked potato at Grub Durham - nctriangledining.com
Half rack of ribs with twice-baked potato at Grub Durham – nctriangledining.com

Overall I think Grub Durham is doing a lot of things right given its newness. Great patio and outdoor space, a simple but tasty menu and excellent service. The food is simple but spun up a bit, there’s a lot of attention paid to what comes out of its kitchen. I imagine the menu will open up a bit over time since they are still new. And while it may not be a great option for a date, it’s certainly a good option for meeting with friends, family and grabbing a quick bite. So get on over to Grub Durham if you need to fuel up on some interesting and creative diner fare. It’s just plain old good eats at very affordable prices for the Bull City!

 

Grub Durham

1200 W Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.973.3636

 

Location on Google maps

 

by

First Take: The Cardinal Bar for Beer, Hot Dogs and Chill…

The Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
The Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to bars you pretty much get a huge variety of places to choose from. While the beer, wine and spirits may be mostly the same from place to place, what usually distinguishes a bar is its staff and clientele. So when it comes to the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh, I can tell you that its discrete location and funky space tends to draw a local hipster crowd. But its hot dogs? Well that’s a whole different ballgame which changes the mix quite a bit, here’s why!

Interior of the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Interior of the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Lit bar at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Lit bar at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re looking for the Cardinal Bar, you’ll have to probably use your GPS because even though I’ve lived in the hood for 10 years, it still took me a bit to figure out where it was! Located in an older building that used to be home to the Cardinal Cab Company (thank your Uber and Lyft!), you’ll find it up on West Street in a quiet little stub off of Peace Street. Out front you’ll immediately spot the red brick chimney with Cardinal signage along with the large covered porch. Head on inside past the large, roll-up garage doors and you’ll find a brightly lit bar, a handful of tables along with a digital jukebox and some TVs overhead.

Patio at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Patio at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The crowd at the Cardinal is a bit mixed but definitely has a younger, hipster bent! It definitely feels like a neighborhood bar with plenty of regulars given the discrete location. With a small selection of beers on tap and bottled beer, liquor and mixed drinks are the sweet spot for an adult bevvy at the Cardinal. Oh yeah, and those hot dogs! I had heard through word of mouth and online reviews that they might be the best in Raleigh so color me curious. And hungry!

Hot dog order card at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Hot dog order card at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

So after you order up a drink, look for the little hot dog order cards. It all feels a bit like Char-Grill but WAY simpler! Choose the number of dogs you want along with free and pay extra toppings and then add chips or make it a veggie dog! You’ve got some interesting topping options like sriracha, beer onions and hot sauce along with your more typical condiments. Drop off your card with the bartender and it’s time to sit tight while he goes to work at the corner grill.

Chili cheese dogs with onions at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chili cheese dogs with onions at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

So what makes the hot dogs at the Cardinal so special? Well they’ve got a couple of tricks up their sleeves! The hot dogs are braised in beer and the split-top buns (New England style) have a bit of mayo slathered on the sides to give you nicely grilled and browned surfaces. Topped with some decent chili, soft onions and cheese makes for a really great hot dog! I’ve tried a handful of them with chili, cheddar and onions, all perfectly put together. Add in a bag of crunchy kettle potato chips and you’ve got yourself a meal.

Chili cheese dogs with onions at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chili cheese dogs with onions at the Cardinal Bar in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

All in all I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the Cardinal. Part neighborhood bar, part meeting place, part hot dog emporium, it’s a chill little spot to meet up with a friend and grab a quick bite to eat. Its secluded location means you’ll probably only run into people in the know and certainly not the usual Glenwood South crowd. Which is the perfect formula when you want to keep things on the down-low! Enjoy the Cardinal Bar for everything it is and everything it isn’t…

 

The Cardinal Bar

713 N West Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

 

Location on Google maps

by

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

Connect with NCTD

NCTD Email Subscription