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On one off our scouting trips to the triangle area we went to Lucky 32. Part of my dinner was still frozen and my wife disliked hers. After we moved down to Cary we kept hearing how good 32 is so we figured we try again. Mistake.
We did enjoy Herons...first trip we stayed at Umstead. Wife really enjoyed the spa too. But admittedly this place is not for everyone.
Cary. Sassol is nice. Pro's Epicurean, Bosphorus and a bit further south, Chef's Palette. Have yet to try the asian fusion restaurant near Mayton.
Scratch and The Provincial in Apex
Raleigh. Second Empire, Crawford and Son are restaurants we enjoyed. Many others in Raleigh, some mentioned here.
Fearrington Inn is a fine restaurant. The Belted Goat for lunch...especially if it's a nice day...the patio is nice.
There are plenty of nice restaurants in the area so explore some too.
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Lucky32. Did they do anything to fix your meals?
I would like to go back to Herons. We didn't have a good experience last time. Is there anything in particular that you would recommend?
Pretty sure I've mentioned this here before, but we were also unimpressed with Lucky 32. Had a special extended family dinner there a couple of years ago, and most everything was just meh. Didn't understand the hype.
Pretty sure I've mentioned this here before, but we were also unimpressed with Lucky 32. Had a special extended family dinner there a couple of years ago, and most everything was just meh. Didn't understand the hype.
It was great when I moved here 8 years ago. It's gone downhill since.
Pretty sure I've mentioned this here before, but we were also unimpressed with Lucky 32. Had a special extended family dinner there a couple of years ago, and most everything was just meh. Didn't understand the hype.
Agreed. They have absolutely gone downhill in the past 5 or 6 years.
I'd call that a VERY optimistic assessment and allow about an hour "just in case". You never know what can go wrong at an airport drop-off.
Considering I've done this dozens of times, I'm comfortable with my estimates. It's literally less than five minutes from the rental site to the terminal, and I've never needed more than five minutes passing through the terminal since signing up for TSA Pre, even when the line was its longest ever.
On one off our scouting trips to the triangle area we went to Lucky 32. Part of my dinner was still frozen and my wife disliked hers. After we moved down to Cary we kept hearing how good 32 is so we figured we try again. Mistake.
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Cary. Sassol is nice. Pro's Epicurean, Bosphorus
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The Provincial in Apex
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Raleigh. Second Empire…
That’s too bad you (and a few others) had a bad experience at Lucky 32, I’ve always enjoyed it.
I agree on these other restaurants as well, I’ve had great food here. For my 40th birthday, my wife surprised me with the chef’s table experience. We sat in the kitchen and got to watch the process of an amazing staff execute dinner service. The Sous chef came over to describe everything in each dish, how they were prepared, answering any questions I had. It was a lot of fun!
Lots of good restaurants in the Triangle. No, it isn't NYC or LA or NOLA, but very solid.
Mediterranean: agree with Sassool. Also really like Bosphorous, which is Turkish.
BbQ: my family likes Sam Jones the best.
Special Occasion: Second Empire
For my 40th birthday, my wife surprised me with the chef’s table experience. We sat in the kitchen and got to watch the process of an amazing staff execute dinner service. The Sous chef came over to describe everything in each dish, how they were prepared, answering any questions I had. It was a lot of fun!
We used to love Lucky 32 when it was in North Raleigh. Went once to Cary -- won't go back.
Heron's was awful. Stayed at the hotel with a visting friend. At lunch, we walked into the empty restaurant and asked for a window seat. I always get a window seat no matter where I eat. They said NO. Why? "Because we're expecting a bus load of people." (A literal bus load.) I didn't see that as a good reason to deny us a table near the window.
Then at dinner, they gave us foie gras for free for no reason. Goose liver paste. I nearly threw up at the thought. I love the beauty of LIVE geese. I asked them to please take it away -- quickly.
The food and activities in the Triangle will never be as varied as in NYC or any tourist area such as in Florida. You won't starve in the Triangle. You can have fun. But different places offer different things.
Pretty sure I've mentioned this here before, but we were also unimpressed with Lucky 32. Had a special extended family dinner there a couple of years ago, and most everything was just meh. Didn't understand the hype.
This is the same bias that inspires people to bash on Angus Barn. What hype? Were you expecting a culinary experience that would alter your perception of reality? Did you think it was going to be one of the best meals you would have anywhere?
Or were you looking for a locally sourced, southern style menu that offers creative dishes in a pleasant environment? Because if that was what you were expecting, and you found it less than, the problem may just be you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pierretong1991
It was great when I moved here 8 years ago. It's gone downhill since.
Funny, we go there usually twice each year and after the last meal in September were relieved that they weathered the pandemic so well. The meal was flat out fantastic and the service its usual flawless experience.
Specifically, what was it that made you think it's gone downhill over the years?
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovebrentwood
I wouldn't move here for the food.
We used to love Lucky 32 when it was in North Raleigh. Went once to Cary -- won't go back.
Heron's was awful. Stayed at the hotel with a visting friend. At lunch, we walked into the empty restaurant and asked for a window seat. I always get a window seat no matter where I eat. They said NO. Why? "Because we're expecting a bus load of people." (A literal bus load.) I didn't see that as a good reason to deny us a table near the window.
Then at dinner, they gave us foie gras for free for no reason. Goose liver paste. I nearly threw up at the thought. I love the beauty of LIVE geese. I asked them to please take it away -- quickly.
The food and activities in the Triangle will never be as varied as in NYC or any tourist area such as in Florida. You won't starve in the Triangle. You can have fun. But different places offer different things.
All this dumping on Lucky 32 makes me grateful I don't own a restaurant. We've been there so many times and have always had a great meal. It's one of only a handful of restaurants in the Triangle where the cost of the meal never bothers me because we enjoy it that much. And it's a unique dining experience also because of it's focus on local fare and being a farm-to-table concept.
Also, are there people who actually move places for the food? That's such an odd comment to me and now I'm wondering if there are people who do that.
I love living in the Triangle and wish that people who moved here and are constantly distracted by what it isn't would just go back to whatever city they fawn over. Go deal with the (still) higher cost of living, way worse traffic and much more stressful existence.
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