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I am on the hunt for some new places to eat.... Non-chain restaurants that have some originality to them and offer something other than the dime-a-dozen sport bar menus.
A place that is trying to stand apart from the plague of mediocre food. Good food that isn't necessarily trying to be fine dining... an unpretentious place that isn't trying to dazzle you with unpronounceable ingredients and museum quality presentations.
I don't know about you but it's been a lot time since I've eaten bar food and I'm not rich enough to eat at pretentious places (though I did spend $40 at Poole's a few weeks ago.....). There's no shortage of places in the area though. I'll get you a list in a little
Patrick Janes on Kildaire Farm in Cary. Very casual, great flatbread pizzas, fresh locally sourced toppings with some unique combinations. The Fig Jam pizza (fig jam, gorgonzola, mozz, prosciutto, rosemary, arugula) and the Bacon & Blueberry Jam (mascarpone, mozz, ricotta, blueberry jam & bacon) are my favorites. (More traditional pies are also available)
Bonus points for offering a gluten free crust that isn't premade by Udi's!
My kind of eats. I live in Cary, work in RTP, so my responses may reflect that (Not sure what I'll type yet, so they may not...)
Bosphorus - Turkish food (Cary)
Mediteranean Deli and Market - Middle Eastern (Parkwood N'hood of Durham)
Neomonde or Sasool - Mediteranian (Many locations)
Oak City Meatball Shoppe (self explanitory), DT Raleigh
The Federal - bar food, but it meets the requirements Durham (really good, BTW)
Search these forums for "authentic Chinese"
Vietnamese (I several locations, and more popping up)
Sushi (again, not that expensive if you don't drink)
Brew and Que, Cary
Golden Pig (Korean) Cary
Guasaca (L. American) near Rex on Lake Boone
Gringo a Go-Go (Mexican) DT Raleigh
Person Street Station, semi-pretentious bar food, but affordable and good
Big Easy (Cary location). Best Muffaletta in town, really great French Dip, and other great food, but a bar setting.
In general, my GF and I are adventurous, and also cost-concious. We enjoy going to an area with many restaurants (DT Raleigh, Durham, etc.) and "appetizer hopping". We get and share an app in one place, then walk around until we find the next. Repeat until satisfied. Usually 2-4 stops in a night. Cheap, fun date, and a great way to "sample places".
Poole's
Nana's
Nanataco
Brew n Que
Joule
Little Hen
Academy Street Bistro (sometimes can come off like they are trying to be pretentious, but good food either way)
Oakleaf
Bida Manda
Garland
Buku (pho is great!)
Viva DF
Station
Guglhupf
Tallullah's
Neomonde/Sassool
Carrburritos
The reasons are nothing more than you stated - great food, authentic atmosphere (authentic meaning true to who they are, not trying to be like others or a chain), not like 90% of the bland boring food dished out in the area.
I am on the hunt for some new places to eat.... Non-chain restaurants that have some originality to them and offer something other than the dime-a-dozen sport bar menus.
A place that is trying to stand apart from the plague of mediocre food. Good food that isn't necessarily trying to be fine dining... an unpretentious place that isn't trying to dazzle you with unpronounceable ingredients and museum quality presentations.
What are your favorites and why do you like them?
Jay's Chicken Shack in Hillsboro. Country cooking with pressure cooker style fried chicken.
Raleigh: Bida Manda, Guasaca, The Cowfish, Mami Nora's/Alpaca, Neomonde, J Betski's, The Fiction Kitchen, Trophy Brewing Company, Bad Daddy's Burger Bar (chain but really really good), Hayes Barton Cafe, Gonza Tacos Y Tequila, Chuck's, Taqueria El Toro, Calavera, Beasley's, Jose and Sons, Salt & Lime, Sono, Garland, Glenwood Grill, Pho Far East, 18 Seaboard, Mitch's Tavern, Joule Coffee, Sitti, Soo Cafe, Taste Small Plates, The Remedy Diner, Sosta Cafe, Seoul Garden, Chubby's Tacos, Gravy, Capital Club 16
...and The Standard or Stanbury in Mordcia area of Raleigh. I have not been but have heard good things.
Good call. Love Stanbury. I haven't been to Standard Foods yet but have been meaning to. Reservations fill up quickly.
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