Your single favorite restaurant in Raleigh? (Durham, Cary: chapel, credit, house)

[Tyler_Jolie-Pitt]

Mine is Second Empire in the Victorian downtown. Everything truly melts in your mouth.

[pierretong1991]

I haven't eaten at Second Empire as it is above my price range

But my vote is for Bida Manda - and for a cheap eat, Guasaca.

EDIT: Also add The Cowfish to that list as well as Mami Nora's.

[Jkgourmet]

I second 'Second Empire' - my first thought when I read the subject of this thread.

We've been to Bida Manda and Guasaca. Both were good, but I guess it says something when I realize that we've never made a second visit.

[annabanana123]

Death and Taxes for a splurge.
Midtown Grille for a more reasonable splurge.
Gonza for a reasonable price (get the steak tacos!)

[rfb]

I like Second Empire as well. For something less expensive, Sitti is nice.

[pierretong1991]

Durham - Backyard BBQ Pit, Rise Biscuits & Donuts

Chapel Hill - Mediterranean Deli, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen

Cary - Bosphorus, La Farm Bakery

[NYC2RDU]

True Flavor's in Durham is a new favorite, great breakfast fare. It actually has replaced Big Ed's for the moment as my go-to choice for impressing out-of-town guests for breakfast.

I also really like Lucky 32 in Cary, I've never had a bad meal or experience dining there.

[kelly237]

That is tough..I have a favorite for each food mood I am in..

Flying Biscuit is perfect for lazy weekend mornings..
Relish does a good job for a group that wants a varied menu..
Chinese- Red Dragon
Greasy Southern- Backyard BBQ- Durham
Sushi- Sake House on Durant Rd
Italian- Bel Monica
Seafood- 42 St Oyster Bar

I need a rec for good Southwestern/Mexican..specifically Fajitas..
Not a Gonza fan..

[hertfordshire]

I don't dine out in Raleigh very often. In Cary, I really enjoy Patrick Janes. I think I've posted enough about them that people probably wonder if I work for them. I am completely unaffiliated with the restaurant, other than the fact that I eat there more often than I probably should.

[Vatnos]

Actually... rethinking this... I'm going to say Capital Club 16. Their menu is short but flawless, and many things they serve are things you cannot get anywhere else in the Triangle as far as I know. Love the building it's in, and the service too. The only thing I don't like is the hours.

Have to mention a few others:

Favorite Sit-down Burger - Chuck's (Raleigh)
Favorite Fast-food Burger - Char-Grill (Raleigh and Durham)
Favorite Pizza - Lilly's (Raleigh and Durham)
Favorite Indian - Indio (Raleigh)
Favorite Authentic Chinese - Taipei 101 (Cary)
Favorite Diner - Elmo's (Carrboro and Durham)
Favorite Japanese - Akai Hana (Carrboro)
Favorite German - Guglhupf (Durham)

I've noticed a number of vegan restaurants popping up and it seems there's some good competition for veg cuisine now. Had a chance to try Living Kitchen recently and was very impressed. For this southerner, it was like eating food on another planet, but I left full so, credit where it's due. I'd put it on par with Vimala's, which does vegan/vegetarian Indian cuisine in Chapel Hill.