NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

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Photos: The New Bongiorno & Son Italian Market in Raleigh

The new Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
The new Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of many years of food blogging and food reviews, it’s great to stumble across culinary surprises. One perfect example is Zanyu Asian Noodles which opened up in Lafayette Village in late 2017. I stopped in there, not expecting much but was wow’ed by the depth of flavor and presentation in their noodle bowls. Chef-owner Michael Bongiorno has done a lot of cooking in professional kitchens in SE Asia and had brought his talents to N. Raleigh and it was impressive. He has now moved on to open the new Bongiorno & Son Italian Market in the same plaza in homage to his family and childhood. While it’s still early, expect high-quality Italian-American sandwiches, imported Italian goods and a lot more! Check out the pics below to get a feel for what he’s doing up at Lafayette Village, I was able to try a delicious chicken parm sandwich on a crusty roll for my first visit, delish!

Deli case at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Deli case at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Sides and cheese case at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sides and cheese case at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Sweets selection at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sweets selection at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Deli menu at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Deli menu at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Sandwich menu at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sandwich menu at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Chicken parm sandwich at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chicken parm sandwich at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Italian sodas case at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Italian sodas case at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Parmagiano-Reggiano wheels at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Parmagiano-Reggiano wheels at Bongiorno & Son, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

 

Bongiorno & Son Italian Market at Lafayette Village

8450 Honeycutt Road, Suite 106

Raleigh, NC 27615

919.594.1544

Location on Google maps

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Retake: Toast Paninoteca, Still a Hidden Gem for Sandwiches in Durham!

Front of Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Front of Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

As a food blogger, I’m often chasing down the newest, latest and greatest restaurants in the area but I try not to forget the classic restaurants in the area. Take Toast at Five Points in Durham, for example. Opened up by Kelly and Billy Kotler in the early stages of Durham’s restaurant revival (February 2008), I remember stepping into Toast for the first time on a Taste Carolina gourmet food tour. And I remember being pretty impressed with the food and concept, right off the bat. And ten years later, Toast is still going strong, feeding the locals in the now busy, Five Points area in downtown Durham. And you’d be remiss to forget about this tiny, little, turquoise gem and it’s great eats. Here’s why!

Casual interior at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Casual interior at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Located in the hopping 5 Points section of Durham in a prime location, Toast is now sandwiched between great restaurants such as Mothers and Sons along with Viceroy. But what makes Toast a bit unique is its more casual, quick-casual, counter order setup. Bathed in bright blue colors, Toast paints a casual and comfortable interior. The stencil wall mural proclaims it culinary commitment as a paninoteca, otherwise known as an Italian sandwich shop.

Menu at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Menu at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the order area is a neatly scripted chalkboard menu outlining all the great eats at Toast. They range from panini (pressed sandwiches, to tramezzini (cold sandwiches, crostini along with soups and sandwiches. Given Durham’s culinary reputation, what’s amazing is that pretty much everything here is under $12, super affordable. Toast’s focus on high quality meats, cheeses and produce really uplifts the humble sandwich given the talent in the kitchen. The dining room at Toast is a bit tight but certainly take advantage of their sidewalk seating on good weather days!

3 cheese panini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com
3 cheese panini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

A recent lunch visit had me ordering up their popular 3 cheese sandwich stuffed with grana padano, asiago fresco, pecorino and accented with truffle oil. This rich and gooey was served on thick, white bread and perfectly grilled. Cut diagonally into triangles (hooray) the cheese spilled out onto the plate in a deliciously unctuous mess. Biting into this sandwich is a cheese addict’s dream and wonderfully addictive.

Arancini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Arancini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Paired with a crunchy and toothsome arancini lovingly served in a white porcelain cup, it was a fantastically simple and delicious meal. While Toast offers up the usual sodas and juices, I usually like to take advantage of their affordable house wines to really make it feel like I’m in Italy. Service here at Toast is always casual but attentive and professional, another plus.

Crostini at Toast in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Crostini at Toast in Durham – nctriangledining.com

I’ve eaten at Toast many times, trying out quite a bit off the menu and across the sandwich types. And the food here is always fresh and bursting with flavor. While you can certainly spend a LOT more money for your meal in the Bull City, I’m pretty sure you can spend half as much at Toast and walk away wonderfully satisfied no matter what eenie (panini, tramezzini, crostini) you choose. In the category of quick casual near DPAC you might also try Only Burger or the new Neomonde but I can guarantee you that a meal at Toast will never leave you disappointed, buono appetito!

 

Toast Paninoteca

345 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.683.2183

 

Location on Google maps

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First Take: Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh, a Delicious and Casual Spot for Bites and Beer!

Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

With the recent additions of Hummingbird and Lynnwood Brewing, Raleigh has seen Dock 1053 and its plaza take off in terms of activity! What used to be a concrete and gritty, industrial complex is slowly being transformed into a destination focused on beer, food, retail, and the arts. The most recent business added to the Dock 1053 plaza is Wilson’s Eatery! Spun up by the folks from Lynnwood Brewing, the need for a more permanent food offering to serve the beer-drinking masses became readily apparent. (Think Fullsteam and Parts & Labor). I’ve had the chance to drop in for a couple of meals and it looks like Wilson’s Eatery is off to a good start!

Doors to Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Doors to Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Given all the businesses in this Loading Dock 1053 plaza, there is plenty of parking. But the complex can get very busy so you may have to be patient or park in the outer areas of the lot during peak periods. Wilson’s Eatery is located right near the entrance (to the left) of Dock 1053 and its location used to be Wendell’s Siding. It’s a practical looking building with a corrugated sheet metal facing, wood factory doors and a beautiful wrap-around patio. A small connecting bridge to Lynnwood Brewing’s patio means you can carry food and beer over between the two businesses without ever hitting up the public lot. It’s a nice layout if you intend on spending some time here, drinking AND eating.

Spacious dining area at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Spacious dining area at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Inside Wilson’s Eatery, the industrial theme continues with its decor. Polished concrete floors, sturdy wood and metal seating, the corrugated metal is left intact for the interior. Exposed metal beams stretch out overhead along with some large ceiling fans. It’s a large, open dining space with a bar area to the right and the order counter back-center. A hostess kiosk up front carries the Wilson’s Eatery menus, grab one and order at one of the two cash registers in back.

Order area at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Order area at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Wilson’s Eatery is probably best classified as a casual American grill. Sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, along with a small selection of appetizers. The ingredients and sandwiches are spun up a bit with pork belly and arugula but everything is pretty much under $15. And as you can guess, there’s some great options for beer at Wilson’s Eatery along with craft, in-house sodas (cherry-cola, root beer, etc), just be aware that you don’t get refills on the in-house sodas. Once you order at the counter, you’re buzzed on your smartphone with a text so when the order-taker asks for your number, she’s not flirting with you! After you order, feel free to grab some condiments, cutlery or napkins at the self-serve area to the side.

BLT with mac n cheese at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
BLT with mac n cheese at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For sandwiches, I can definitely recommend the BLT made just a bit more decadent at Wilson’s with pork belly! Served up on thick-cut white bread, shredded lettuce and tomato, there’s plenty of belly in this sandwich and it’s perfectly seared with the luscious mouthfeel you expect out of pork belly. Note that the sandwiches and Wilson’s Eatery come bare so you’ll likely want to pair it with a side (fries, slaw, beer cheese mac, broccoli salad). A big thumbs-up for the rich and creamy, mac n cheese! It’s made of orechiette shells holding creamy, cheese sauce in its tender pasta.

Pork nachos at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pork nachos at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The nachos are served with pulled pork, jalapenos, beer cheese and crema which makes for a tasty mess. Not a bad starter but I would have preferred more of the beer cheese and less of the crema which overwhelmed the dish. Right now, I’d say stick to the sandwiches and flatbreads versus the other options. Note also that most food here at Wilson’s are served in paper containers, food truck style.

Old school flatbread at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Old school flatbread at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

A third visit gives me an opportunity to the the flatbread at Wilson’s Eatery. But I admit that I would personally call it a pizza, as much as anything! But who cares what you call it because, Wilson’s dishes out a great flatbread-pizza. The Old School is spun up with tomato, mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, peppers and red onions, a classic combo. Loved the crust which was light but chewy and the balance of sauce, cheese and meats was excellent. Paired with a LBC black IPA made for a great meal. I’m definitely eager to try more off the flatbread list.

Beer bar at Wilson's Eatery in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Beer bar at Wilson’s Eatery in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

It’s great to finally have a food complement to the wonderful Lynnwood Brewing. While the beer was always good, it tastes even better with the excellent eats here. Wilson’s Eatery is off to a good start with its array of gourmet sandwiches, flatbreads and plates done up in a casual warehouse setting. And I suspect that they will continue to tweak and evolve the menu over the next six months. While it’s not perfect, the great space and patio make for a wonderful addition to the Dock 1053 party! Here’s to more and better from Wilson’s Eatery in 2019.

 

Wilson’s Eatery

1053 E Whitaker Mill Road

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.977.5442

Location on Google maps

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First Take: Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham

Front of Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Front of Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to sandwiches, what comes to your mind? Couple of slices of bread, some protein in the middle, maybe some cheese. It just doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? But thankfully we’ve got a new sandwich shop in town, Eastcut Sandwich shop in Durham. Located in the same building as the short-lived, Finch’s Durham, Eastcut Sandwich shop is a modern and hip take on a traditional up North sandwich shop. And it also adds a bit of gourmet surprise to the mix. After two visits to Eastcut I’ve got a pretty good feel for what they’re doing, most of which is good but there is some room for improvement!

Bright dining room at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Bright dining room at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Heading over to Eastcut Sandwich shop, you may be surprised at its location. Sitting in what seems to be a mostly residential neighborhood, you’ll quickly spy a narrow driveway leading to Eastcut’s parking lot and building. While the lot in front has limited spaces, there’s plenty of room in back for your vehicle! Head on over to the building and you’ll find a large wrap-around patio but the side doors are not usable as an entrance. Enter up front and you’ll find yourself in the main dining room which has a bit of a Western feel with the knotted pine floor planks and wood slat separator. Eastcut is counter order, table service and the line forms to the left!

Plenty of seating at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Plenty of seating at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

The menu at Eastcut Sandwich bar is focused on guess what?! You got it, hearty sandwiches either cold or hot along with some salads and burgers. What’s nice is that at Eastcut you can also grab a beer, cocktail or adult slushie with your meal so they’re trying to traverse the lunch and dinner periods with some alcoholic bevvies. There’s also a daily specials board and it looks like they like to get a bit creative here. Sandwiches are sold bare here on round buns or hero rolls. You’ll have to add a side (curly fries, sweet potato tots, salad, potato salad) to make it a meal. With most sandwiches between $6 to $15, you can eat pretty affordably here! Eastcut Sandwich Bar also has an after dark and brunch menu for Sundays which I have yet to try.

Chicken parm sandwich with curly fries at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Chicken parm sandwich with curly fries at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Chicken alla vodka sandwich at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Chicken alla vodka sandwich at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Given that I’m not much of a cold sandwich fan, my eyes settle on the chicken parm and cheesesteak offerings. But after a mental coin-flip, chicken parmigiana it is! Eastcut does a very nice chicken parmigiana sandwich which is served up on a beautiful but smallish, seeded roll. The chicken cutlet is very well browned and nicely assembled with great cheese and sauce coverage. It’s a delicious sammich but let’s face it, it’s hard to go wrong with chicken parm. On a second visit I get to try their chicken alla vodka sandwich on special. It’s similar to a chicken parm but goes with a creamier alla vodka sauce, ham and smoked gouda on top. It’s a hit for me, albeit a bit messy! And I actually like the form factor of the Eastcut sandwich on a standard roll vs. a sub roll, you seem to get a bit more with the smaller roll.

Confit chicken wings with peanut satay sauce at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Confit chicken wings with peanut satay sauce at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

While the overall menu is pretty standard for sandwiches, one thing I noticed is Eastcut Sandwich Bar’s creativity around the specials. The peanut satay wings I tried on special were a very unique rendition of a Thai-style wing with lots of rich, peanut-ty flavor. Cooked confit style (double cooked in oil, once at lower temp and then finished in hotter oil), the wings at Eastcut fall off the bone with a lot of tender chicken meat. This confit preparation takes a bit of work and isn’t something I’ve seen a lot of in the area, so kudos to Eastcut Sandwich Bar for the effort.

Covered patio at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Covered patio at Eastcut Sandwich Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Service at Eastcut Sandwich Bar is solid but they are definitely training up their staff so be patient. There’s a new covered patio which has recently opened up so the owners here have some ambition with the seating! Overall I think you’ll be pleased by the sandwiches at Eastcut Sandwich Bar. They’re prepared with attention and a bit of creativity although the final results are a bit inconsistent. But given how recently they’ve opened, I’m hoping that Eastcut Sandwich Bar will get settled in across all aspects of its service and menu. Either way, if you live in the hood, don’t miss out on this little gem and that great patio. With a delicious sandwich and beer in hand, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be happy and pleased…

 

Eastcut Sandwich Bar

3211 Old Chapel Hill Road

Durham, NC 27707

919.439.1852

 

Eastcut Sandwich Bar menus

Location on Google maps

 

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First Take: Hummingbird in Raleigh Keeps You Buzzing Along and Happy, All Day…

Front of Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

With the start of the new year, a spate and flurry of new restaurants have hit the Triangle of late. One that caught my eye was the new Hummingbird out in Raleigh! Brought to you by Chef Coleen Speaks from Posh Nosh Catering, Hummingbird sits neatly between bar and cafe offering up a range of breakfast items, sandwiches and small plates. I managed to stop in several times to check out the Hummingbird concept for drinks and eventually for some meals. And it’s a super interesting and different concept for the area, here’s why!

Bar scene at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bar scene at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

First things, first! If you’re looking for Hummingbird, it might take a keen eye. Head on over to Whitaker Mill Road, Dock 1053 and the Lynnwood Brewing Concern. There’s a huge parking lot in this facility but given the popularity of Lynnwood Brewing Concern, it fills up pretty quickly. This building used to be an old warehouse and industrial area so signage is pretty discrete. Hummingbird sits at the corner backed by its Whitaker & Atlantic event space, look for the wood-carved sign hanging overhead! There’s one set of stairs that sits conveniently at the corner, otherwise you’re in for a long walk! Inside Hummingbird, you’ll be greeted by a clean and modern space with sea-green tile, white marble-top bar and hummingbird stencil in the corner. It all feels modern and stylish, along with a hint of New Orleans given the chef’s professional experience (Emeril Lagasse – NOLA Restaurant). The bright stools covered in yellow leather just completes the scene at the bar, adding a saucy bit of color to the space!

Side-room at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Side-room at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

To the side sits another lounge space with small 2-tops, green, leather bench seating and mushroom-shaped seats in tawny leather. The retro paintings dotting the walls give the room a feel of modern, hipster and silly. So choose your seating option, grab a seat at the bar or hang out in the side-lounge, my friend! Now on to the food. Hummingbird is open from 8am to 2p, 4pm to midnight, Monday to Saturday with a limited menu in the late hours. The menu skews across a variety of food styles and flavors, think eclectic diner eats and coffee! Oh, and the cocktails? Yeah, that’s a special category of adult beverages for Hummingbird. The bartenders have some talent here so don’t miss out! So you can stop by any time of day and grab something to eat, here. And the coffee will probably counter-balance the cocktails in the end…

Ricotta fritters at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Ricotta fritters at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Sticky butterscotch bun at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sticky butterscotch bun at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

On the breakfast side, they’ve got a short list of items and I was able to try the ricotta fritters and sticky butterscotch bun. The ricotta fritters are super-light fried dough speckled with sugar crystals and served with a light cream and jam, delicious! And the sticky butterscotch bun?! Ah-mazing! Take a soft, rolled bun and douse it with the thick, buttery sweetness and top with walnuts. In all honesty, either of these pastries works well as a dessert and happy ending for a meal.

Reuben sandwich at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Reuben sandwich at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Muffaletta sandwich at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com

Lunch service has just started at Hummingbird and they offer a selection of sandwiches. A big thumbs-up for the reuben stuffed with pastrami and kimchi served on rye bread. And the muffaletta is a great example of a classic Nawlins sandwich! Salami, ham, cheese, olive tapenade between a fluffy, seeded bread. Very similar to what I’ve had down in New Orleans, a great cold sandwich!

Hummingbird fizz at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Hummingbird fizz at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Charred cauliflower at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Charred cauliflower at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Buttermilk fried quail at Hummingbird in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Buttermilk fried quail at Hummingbird in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For my dinner visit I enjoyed the Hummingbird Fizz, a light cocktail mixed with hibiscus tea vodka and Peychaud’s, light on the tongue but with a bit of a kick! The dinner menu at Hummingbird is pretty interesting, featuring an eclectic variety of small plates (char-broiled oysters, fried rice, lamb meatballs and more). Enjoyed the charred cauliflower with green goddess sauce along with a wonderful buttermilk fried quail! Great crusty coating and served with tangy pickle slices and spicy Korean aioli. A fun play on Korean fried chicken from my perspective!

Service at Hummingbird is excellent, they’ve got a seasoned front of the house here. And certainly the bartenders are top-notch for their mixology skills so don’t miss the cocktails! Overall I’m pretty impressed with Hummingbird and Chef Coleen, she’s got an interesting spin on a New Orleans eatery that morphs depending on what time it is.

In the mornings, it’s a spot to grab a coffee and sticky bun. In the afternoon, a satisfying sammich and drink. And in the evening, a cool spot for cocktails and small plates, it just depends on your mood but Hummingbird will keep you fueled up, day or night. And the food is off to an excellent start, I suspect Chef Coleen will be playing around with and expanding the menu over time. So thanks so much for bringing this cool culinary concept to the Wake Forest Road corridor. There’s already a regular following from Raleighites at Hummingbird so looks like the secret is out, enjoy!

Hummingbird

Dock 1053

1053 E Whitaker Mill Road, Suite 111

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.301.8900

Location on Google maps

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