City: Durham, NC

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (919) 682-8844

Address: 401 E. Chapel Hill St.

Description: In downtown Durham beside the post office, Rue Cler is the kind of place that somehow makes you feel chic just sitting there. It’s a spare space in a renovated office building with 18-foot ceilings and wide plate glass windows that bring the urban setting indoors. The food is simple Parisian bistro fare prepared expertly. The toasted sandwiches and omelet selections change daily for lunch and often include wonderful goat cheese and asparagus combinations. Dinner is a three-course prix fixe affair that provides an excellent portrait of the kitchen’s talents. The short list of French wines by the glass is well chosen to complement the food. Bread from the adjoining bakery comes to the table with fresh creamery butter, and the chefs use local cheese and greens when possible. Finish things off with fresh beignets.