NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

  • NC Triangle Dining Food Blog
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants and Bars
    • The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Durham, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Cary – Apex, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh, NC
  • News
    • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics
Tapas

January 9, 2017 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Mateo Tapas in Durham for Vibrant Ethnic Flavors

Cool Mateo sign on the building for Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Cool Mateo sign on the building for Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

With the closing of the Red Room in Raleigh a year or two ago, there was no longer any easy options for Spanish tapas in the Triangle. While it certainly wasn’t gourmet, I always enjoyed grabbing some paella and plates at the Red Room. Earlier this year, Durham had two tapas restaurants open up near each other, Taberna Tapas and Mateo. I had tried to eat at Taberna but they still didn’t have their liquor license so I passed. Finally I had an excuse to check out Mateo for a friend’s birthday and let’s just say it was worth the wait!  From the outside, Mateo is lit up by a cool, back-lit sign high up on the building, just a hint of the wonders inside…

 

Warm interior at Mateo Tapas in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Warm interior at Mateo Tapas in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Fried calamari at Mateo Tapas in Durham, nctriangledining.com
Fried calamari at Mateo Tapas in Durham, nctriangledining.com
Tortilla espanola at Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Tortilla espanola at Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

The store-front glows from the outside, Mateo looks like a wonderfully warm and inviting spot on a cold night. The place was packed on the night I visited, all bar seats taken with the energetic buzz of diners enjoying a meal. Decor is full of stained wood, mirrors and large blown, globe-lights over the bar. The lighting is dim, perfect for an intimate dinner but a bit of a challenge for the small print menu.  After a couple of glasses of wine we head on over to our table in back and start ordering.  The beauty of tapas is not having to really decide on any particular type of food, you just graze, which is perfect for large groups.

Pan con tomate at Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Pan con tomate at Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Shrimp and mussels at Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Shrimp and mussels at Mateo Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

Over the course of the evening plates of calamari, pate, chorizo, oxtail and ribs hit the table.  Everything comes out in fairly sharable portions, I’d guess three small plates per person should be enough with plates ranging from $5 – $15.  Highlights for me was the braised oxtail with cheese on crusty bread, sumptuous chorizo with braised brussel sprouts and the costilla ribs with pepper jelly.  A long wine list give you plenty of drink options and for the short list, I went with some churros and chocolate sauce, yum!  Service was attentive and professional, the staff is well-trained here overall.  So I admit to being a bit envious of Durham since they’ve got this cool new tapas spot.  While it isn’t perfect, Mateo brings a great mix of high-quality continental/Spanish eats along with a very stylish space.  This place will be perfect for a date or quick bite before a DPAC show, just make sure you’ve got a reservation because this place is gonna by muy popular come summer time!

 

Mateo Tapas

109 W. Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.530.8700

Menu at Mateo Tapas

Location on Google maps

Save

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

July 19, 2014 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Jaleo in DC for Delicious Tapas, Paella and More…

Side of Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Side of Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Visiting Washington, DC on a business trip, I got a chance to visit and dine at the acclaimed Jose Andres restaurant, Jaleo!  With a long, tasting menu in front of us, a group of us from work were ready to eat.  And eat.  And eat.  Here’s how it all went down at this authentic piece of Spain right here in Washington, DC!

Tasting menu at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Tasting menu at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Walking over to Jaleo you’ll first notice it’s bold signage on the side of the restaurant spelling out the restaurant name in large 4′ letters.  Inside Jaleo, the place is obviously popular and bustling with people.  Having yet to visit Spain, Jaleo seems to have a decidedly European feel to the space with eclectic interior design in rich colors.  My instincts tell me that pieces of it are a bit retro and dated, purposely.

Colorful interior at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Colorful interior at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Foosball dining table at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Foosball dining table at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Our group of 20+ people gets seated across three tables which for me was glass table-top over a foosball table, cool!  As we waited for our 17 course tasting menu, we spun up a quick game in honor of the recent World Cup of futbol…

Pan de tomate at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Pan de tomate at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

As red and white wine was poured for the table, I dug into my first taste of Jaleo, some delicious pan de tomato.  Thin crusts of chewy bread smeared with just the right amount of tomato, delish!  A very nice job for a common Spanish tapa and done quite well.  Some beautiful chicken fritters (croquettes) followed next and they were wonderful!  Full of crispy, flavor-filled creaminess.  Next came a small cone of salmon tartare and oysters gin & tonic, both were refreshingly clean and tasty.  Some Spanish potato omelet (a traditional tapa) along with chorizo in crispy potato followed.

Tortilla espanola at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Tortilla espanola at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Midway through the meal we moved into the heavier tapas and the classic gambas ajillo (garlic shrimp) along with a huge paella made of chicken and mushroom.  I’d NEVER seen a paella pan this big, it required two people to carry it to the table and we dug into plates of darkly sauteed rice which was a bit oily but well flavored with the main ingredients.

Chicken and mushroom paella at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Chicken and mushroom paella at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Some mini pork mini-burgers were delicious and smeared with a wonderful sauce.  And some chorizo over potato puree finished the heavier meat plates.  All around some amazing and delicious small plates.  And while we were all full, we finished off with some flan with crema Catalana and chocolate hazelnut cake with praline ice cream and salted caramel sauce, phew!

Flan at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Flan at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
 Chocolate torte at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Chocolate torte at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Service was excellent throughout the night and it looks like Jaleo bears true to its roots with a mostly European staff adding to the authenticity.   Given it was a business dinner, I don’t have a firm idea about the price range at Jaleo but the food was well-prepared and seemed quite authentic regardless of price.  So a big thumbs-up to Jaleo in Washington, DC.  I would love to have a restaurant like this in the Triangle and have my fingers crossed on that wish…

 

Jaleo

480 7th Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

202.628.7949

 

Location on Google maps

Save

Save

Filed Under: Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: Spanish Restaurants, Tapas

June 26, 2014 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Taberna Tapas, Durham for Rustic and Real Spanish Fare

Front of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

When you think tapas in Durham, most likely the hot Mateo restaurant comes to mind.  But what about Taberna Tapas?  Located in a convenient spot on Main Street, Taberna Tapas opened up right around the same time as Mateo but got lost in the shuffle.   Small storefront, clean but humble interior, Taberna Tapas sports a small bar up front, an L-shaped dining space and a smattering of four and two-tops.  I had tried to eat here right after it opened but a lack of a liquor license meant a pass.  Nearly two years later I FINALLY make it in before a DPAC show and I’m sort of sorry I hadn’t tried earlier because it’s a solid eatery!  Different from Mateo but still worth the effort.  Here’s why!

Interior of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Interior of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

While not as elaborate as Mateo, Taberna Tapas sports a very comfortable and casual feel.  The space is focused on the bar up front with wine cubbies overhead.  The dining space is a bit tight and wraps around the bar which does give Taberna a more cozy experience.  There are a bunch of two tops on the right hand side which to me, makes it feel like a space that you pop into for a quick bite, right in line with my thoughts on tapas.  We grab a small table with a bench on one side to avoid a cramped high-boy against the wall.

Stuffed dates at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Stuffed dates at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Short rib at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Short rib at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

Taberna’s menu comes on one sheet but it seems pretty deep and offers plenty of options.  For starters we get some bacon-wrapped stuffed dates, croquettes, and short rib.  The dates are excellent: plump and filled with cheese and an almond.  Good portion size with five on the plate.  I also got to try out the chicken and bacon croquetas which were nice crisp patties with some creaminess in the middle a good choice.  And I’ll try the short rib next time!  Didn’t eat too much since I had just gone a bit crazy at lunch with Soo Cafe’s Korean fried chicken.  But of course I couldn’t resist a sweet finish and we did a dense flan with almonds which was great for $4.  The pitcher of sangria that went with the meal was delicious and full of fruit.

Flan at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Flan at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

All-in-all I’d have to say I liked Taberna Tapas quite a bit.  Simpler and more basic than Mateo, tapas were always meant to be a simple tide you over offering while you sipped on drinks.  And I think they do a good job at Taberna for the price. So while the space here is limited, definitely check out Taberna Tapas especially if you’re hitting up a DPAC show.  With its more inconspicuous presence I think you’ll find it makes a nice alternative to the extremely popular Mateo!  Buen apetito…

 

Taberna Tapas

325 West Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.797.1457

 

Taberna Tapas menu

Location on Google maps

Save

Save

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: DPAC Restaurants and Bars, Spanish Restaurants, Tapas

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Popular Reviews

Ark Royal in Raleigh Delivers Tiki Coolness in Abundance to Glenwood South

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Raleigh – A Taste of New England Seafood in North Carolina

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

Don’t Miss

  • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021 Edition

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • The Willard Rooftop Lounge in Raleigh for Cocktails and the Golden Hour
  • A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library Offering Up Fruity Cocktails and Fanciful Food Presentation
  • PrimoHoagies in Raleigh for Stuffed Sandwiches with a South Philly Flair!
  • CowBar Burgers & Fries in Raleigh for Beefy Perfection at North Hills

Connect with NCTD

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NCTD Email Subscription


Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework