Casual Italian Recommendations? (Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill: chapel, live, restaurant)

[m378]

Any recommendations for a casual Italian restaurant around Cary/Apex? Daniels in Apex is what I am looking for, but had a bad service experience there that annoyed me enough that I'd like to find another spot. Also feel like their food is just "ok".

Also tried Baby Moon in Morrisvillle and thought it was mediocre.

[C_Lan]

Never understood the amount of love that Daniels gets. I've tried them on several occasions and never felt that the food was even just good.

You can try Ricci's Trattoria and Georgina's Pizzeria. In my opinion, both are better than Daniels. Georgina's has live music on certain nights.

[twingles]

Just had another terrible Christmas Eve experience at Daniel smh. NEVER AGAIN. We mean it this time.

I like the place on Chapel Hill Rd, now called Paolo's on 54...used to be Lubrano's (not to be confused with Lugano's on Cary Parkway)...I think it's the same owner as before and they just changed the name. I have a friend here whose parents are off the boat and they've always sworn that place is the real deal.

My parents like Ricci's in the shopping center in Cary Park.

Mamma Mia's in Apex is very good....I have not been inside, DH usually gets takeout when he's working in Apex.

Johnny's is actually fairly nice inside but might be TOO casual for what you're after.

That's too bad about Baby Moon, we are there when we first moved here and the food was excellent. Have not been back though and that was 7 years ago.

There is a new place up by Franks CineBowl at Parkside, don't know if it's any good or not. Same owners as Bella Mia or Bella Maria or Bella Monica (not sure if I have that name right,throwing all possibilities out there).

[wake74]

The answer to the question is Mamma Mia's in Apex. It looks like just a strip mall place from the outside, and a very low key interior, but the food is exceptional. It definitely has that everyone knows each other level of comfort with the owner wandering around the tables.

[pierretong1991]

Originally Posted by wake74

The answer to the question is Mamma Mia's in Apex. It looks like just a strip mall place from the outside, and a very low key interior, but the food is exceptional. It definitely has that everyone knows each other level of comfort with the owner wandering around the tables.

Mamma Mia's is the best Italian I've had around here.

Also check out Garibaldi in Fuquay, Dantes Italiano in Wakefield, Casa Carbone near Crabtree and Sopranos Grill off of New Bern

[twingles]

Oh, funny thing about Mamma Mia's - every time DH has been in there he has heard someone say "this place is so much better than Daniel's" LOL

[JQ Public]

I like Stellino's (Parkside Town Commons). Sister restaurant to Bella Monica in Raleigh.
Enrigo in Waverly is also very good.

[rfb]

I'd drive to Raleigh and visit Casa Carbone (and I realize it isn't in Apex or southern Cary). There is something about a long-time family owned restaurant that appeals to me.

[VickiR]

Originally Posted by rfb

I'd drive to Raleigh and visit Casa Carbone (and I realize it isn't in Apex or southern Cary). There is something about a long-time family owned restaurant that appeals to me.

My favorite for years and years and years!

[m378]

Sounds like I have lots of options - thanks all.