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If you're looking for decent Italian food in Durham, I'd avoid the chains and go check out Piazza Italia in Brightleaf Square. It's the only Italian joint we've found in the Triangle that actually knows what al dente means. Bonus: The pasta is homemade, as is the gelato. Mmm...
If you're looking for decent Italian food in Durham, I'd avoid the chains and go check out Piazza Italia in Brightleaf Square. It's the only Italian joint we've found in the Triangle that actually knows what al dente means. Bonus: The pasta is homemade, as is the gelato. Mmm...
I second Piazza Italia, and have enjoyed the pastas. Maggiano's kills the pasta, just cooks it into mush. They peddle quantity, not quality, an absolute gorge-fest.
I also like Pop's, just right around the corner. I prefer their laid back atmosphere to the faux-atmosphere of Maggiano's. Vivace, in Raleigh's North Hills has some good Northern Italian food. I've been disappointed with Bella Monica. They're more Americo-Italian anyway, but they also overcook their pasta. The sauces I've had have been pretty one dimensional. Super friendly staff though. I'm also interested in alternate recs if anyone else has them.
I know we're not supposed to slam businesses, so mods, if you need to delete this post go ahead, but someone recommended Bocci, and I have to speak to the contrary... I have eaten there several times, once on my own, the following two for work-related events I couldn't avoid, and each experience was worse than the last. Pasta overcooked to the point of being a minute or two away from just being cloudy water... Sauce served, literally, boiling hot... I'm convinced they just throw everything into one intensely hot pot of awfulness and ladle it onto a plate school cafeteria-style.
Try Pulcinella just up the street. They are in the Woodcroft shopping plaza on the corner of Woodcroft Pkwy and Hope Valley Rd (aka 751). It's a MUCH smaller place, but the food and service is excellent. Prices are a bit cheaper, too. I don't think they have anything on the menu over $20 with the exception of a large pizza or something like that.
I second Pulcinella. The food and service are wonderful.
I couldn't disagree more about Bocci--I love it. It's a very short hop up on Fayetteville Rd from Southpoint and I've always had terrific food there. Early on, they were so-so, but 3 years ago or so they changed management and have been terrific ever since. I've eaten a lot of meals there, had a lot of different things. Much better than Maggiano's, in my opinion (I agree with other posters...huge fattening portions but barely average taste).
Try Daniels in Apex for Italian-- great food & definitely great salads.
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Bonus: The pasta is homemade, as is the gelato. Mmm...
