eightlegeddj's Profile
Raleigh: New on Peace St.: Village Kabob
I'm eating the mantu right now! Ground meat, chickpeas in dumplings, yogurt sauce. Wow, it's great! A bit spicy, a bit lemony, a bit minty. Very complex flavors. Huge portion! I think there were 12 dumplings on my plate. As I was waiting, I was talking to the man I think is the owner. They make their own yogurt, bread, etc. The service was great. The food is fantastic. I've had a number of friends eat there and also give it rave reviews! If you're in the area, you've got to try it!
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Village Kabob
805 W Peace St, Raleigh, NC 27605
The Cupcake Shop - Raleigh
The red velvet had been good for a while, but it's back to being way too dry. I'm not a fan anymore. You're absolutely right.
Enoteca Vin, Raleigh...Closed? What?????
Has anyone else hear about this? Is anyone else suffering a sudden bout of separation anxeity like I am?
The website is still up, the voicemail message is the same and indicates they are still open.
Can anyone shed some light on this potentially depressing news, please?
http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/1383482.html
Anniversary in Raleigh
I agree. Coquette is great, but I wouldn't call it super romantic. For the same reason, I'd say forget Poole's. If it's your 25th, do you want to have to mill about looking at menus on the wall? Or worse, be seated under one? Sorry, I'd rather be sipping champagne gazing into my beloved's eyes with a bit more personal space.
The Mint would be great for a real blowout, as I understand it's rather spendy. Frazier's might be good too. What about Vivace? Also in North Hills, but is it romantic?
Best tacos al pastor in Durham/Triangle area?
Absolutely! Let's say you're coming to that intersection from I-40. Get off I-40, going towards that intersection. At the light, take a left towards the train tracks. Cross the tracks, and it is immediately on your left. It's the little pink shopping center you'd never think of going to.
Hopefully this link will take you a Google Maps picture of the place.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Durham,+NC&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=39.371738,67.5&ie=UTF8&ll=35.901322,-78.89205&spn=0,359.967041&z=15&layer=c&cbll=35.901385,-78.892243&panoid=h95OJEe5UJjXk3p8NOp4QQ&cbp=12,406.13289190927344,,0,-1.2109375000000062
looking for authentic Chinese restaurants in the Triangle are
China Palace! Definitely! And don't order off the gringo menu. My favorite from the "real" menu is the dried tofu and pork. It's so spicy my lips turn red, but I can't stop eating it.
Best Burger in Raleigh?
The Raleigh Times. Best burger in town. Period.
MoJoe's is pretty good too. But just go to the Times.
Raleigh: New on Peace St.: Village Kabob
I passed that place yesterday. I'm hoping falafel and grilled chichen kabobs are NOT on the menu. Real Afghani food? Here? I sure hope so!
Business Dinner Suggestions in Raleigh, NC
Don't forget Porter's! Also on Hillsborough St, next to Frazier's. Or another great place in North Hills is 115 Midtown.
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115 Midtown
4421 Six Forks Rd Ste 115, Raleigh, NC 27609
Porter's Tavern
2412 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
"Locals' Food" in Raleigh
At the Roast Grill, I've heard that if you ask for ketchup, they give you hot sauce instead. I love that!
We have a number of indy coffee shops in town now but none can match Cup A Joe in quality.
Best Indian in the Triangle, NC?
I like Udupi a lot too! India Palace in Durham is superb.
I don't know if you'd consider this one the best, but it's pretty darn good...Laziz Biryani Corner in the Go Paks Bazaar on Hillsborough St. The menu is small, maybe 7 or 8 each meat and veggie, it's Halal Pakistani, but looks a lot like most other Indian menus. They have a thali platter with two mains, a side of rice, a little salad, raitha, and naan for $5.99 for the vegetarian and $6.99 (I think) for the meat one. It's enough for two meals for me. I love this place! Yeah, it's essentially a lunch counter in a convenience store, but the family cooks in the kitchen and they are super friendly. The service is pretty good too. I can only attest to the vegetarian food, but it's fantastic. I never would have gone if it weren't on the recommendation of a friend. I'm glad I did.
The Cupcake Shop - Raleigh
I'm so glad they're getting better! I live two blocks away and want so badly for this to be good!
The Cupcake Shop - Raleigh
I haven't been back since my last post. I decided to stop in tonight. Why, I don't know, but I'm glad I did. I got a coconut and a red velvet. I just wolfed down the red velvet. Is it just because I've been craving red velvet cake for weeks, or was it really that good? Granted, I removed more than half the cream cheese frosting, but it was good. At this point, my only criticism is that the coconut one looks kind of small. All of the cakes looked uniform in size and shape, like they started wiping the pans before baking. The red velvet was soft and moist, with a good even color. Once I try the coconut cake, I might change my mind. Seriously, give them another shot. Maybe they read this board? (The price was $2.75. Did they lower it?)
And maybe they make a crow cupcake.
Coquette-Raleigh
I had dinner there on Monday, 11/3. I was fantastic. You know how they say you should wait a couple weeks before going to a new restaurant? Forget it! Don't deprive yourself of this splendid treat!
I had dinner at the bar with two friends. We started with the olives, nice variety, very tasty. I ordered the frisee and lardons salad with a poached egg. The salad was outstanding. It's dressed with a Sherry vinagrette a little heavy on the Sherry vinegar. The yolk of the egg is warm but runny and the perfect compliment to the dressing. The dressing would be lost to the yolk without the excess vinegar, but mixed with the buttery yolk , it's sublime. This salad would make an excellent light lunch or brunch with a little bread or pastry. The salad was larger than I expected. One friend ordered the Steak Frites. It was cooked perfectly. The steak was tender and juicy and an excellent deal for $19. The fries were crispy but not greasy. The other friend ordered the duck confit crepes. I don't eat duck, so I didn't try it, but she raved about it. It was a perfectly portioned small plate, but I forget the price. I ordered the Moules Frites. Weighing that against the Steak Frites, I can't decide which was the star of the show. I ordered the saffron broth with tomatoes. It was the best I've ever had. The mussels were cooked perffectly, not at all rubbery or gritty. The dish is a steal at $13. I was served about twice what I was expecting, with a huge silver cup of the shoestring fries and a great overall presentation. I tried hard, but I wasn't able to finish all of the mussels. I had a glass of the cotes du Rhone and my friends had beers. In reviewing the dessert menu, I was afraid the offerings were a bit pricey. When we were served the cherry clafoutis, I realized I was wrong. it was served in a good sized cast iron skillet, warm, with a scoop of ice cream. The clafoutis was great, crispy on top, soft inside, the cherries were sweet and tart. You really have to try this! After all the food we'd had, we weren't able to finish the dessert.
The server split the cost of the olives and clafoutis on our two bills for us without asking, which I liked. My glass of wine, salad, mussels, half of the olives and half of the dessert came to $34 and I was completely stuffed! The portions were generous, the prices were fair. For any other restaurant, the service was pretty good. In light of the fact that they were open only a week, the service was great. Naturally there were a few timing issues, but I would consider them to be minor. Again, because they were only open a week, they didn't have a couple things yet, like cassis for cocktails or my favorite, Lillet, but they should be in shortly. There are a few kinks to work out with timing and vendors and once they are straight, this brasserie with be a stellar restaurant. The inside is beautiful, the atmosphere is very Parisian. I really, really loved this place.
I was able to look over the lunch menu. The prices are very reasonable! Most of the sandwiches were $6 or $7. They had the Moules Frites for $13 and the Steak Frites for $13. I can see this place being packed for lunch. I was also told by a bartender they are serving dinner until midnight, great for an after movie snack or service industry folks. For a Monday night a week after opening, they were remarkably full. I think I might recommend reservations for this place.
Kevin, Stacy and the gang have another homerun here. The Urban Food Group have really proven themselves to be first class restauranteurs. Given that plus the location, we can expect a successful Coquette to be around for a long time. I can't thank them enough for bring this experience to Raleigh.
And I can't wait to stop by for lunch tomorrow!
Coquette-Raleigh
I'm going tomorrow night. A friend of mine went last week and raved. I was hoping to read more here, but it looks like I'll be the first. Real French food. Here! Thank you Urban Food Group!
Durham, Raleigh, W-S, Greensboro, Charlotte
HOT WEINERS!!!!! Okay, I know it's actually called The Roast Grill, but the sign says Hot Weiners. FYI, I don't think they "do" ketchup.
Dinner suggestions in RTP, NC?
Mez is at the intersection of Page and Slater. Take 54 to Miami, cross Miami and it's on your right at the next intersection. It's owned by the group who owns 411 West, 518 West and Spanky's. I've never been, but the others are so good and consistent, I can't imagine it'll be even mediocre.
9N9 is great. Beware if you have any vegetarians, they'll be hard-pressed to find anything. They use beef broth in their tofu and veggie pho!
At or close to the intersection of 54/55 are a couple of good Indian restaurants. Just down 55, away from 40, is an Indian buffet which is great. My office (10 of us) goes often and we've never had a problem getting a table without a reservation. They have real utensils, cloth napkins, etc. so it's a little nicer than some other lunch-type places in the area. Can anyone help me with the name? I can't believe I forgot it!
Must-Try Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
Humble Pie is an institution in this town! Bloomsbury is really great, but I'd skip Glenwood Grill. I'd rather have 115 Midtowne.
Glad to hear you liked Z+R.
New to Durham: need comprehensive go to list
There's a Mexican (I think) butcher on 54 near 55. It's called Carneceria Toledos. i am usually the only gringa there, so it'll be helpful to speak some Spanish. They have a taco "window" in the back and make some awesome food. You have to try it.
Must-Try Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
Red Dragon is good, but Jade Garden on Hillsborough is better.
I am astonished that Zely and Ritz only got one mention here. It doesn't get much more local that Z+R. They work with Coon Rock Farm and use as much local food as they can. The menu rotates regularly so it's never boring for those of us who try to eat there once a week. And the best part has to be the cocktails. Jay, the bartender, uses diverse and interesting ingredients to make unusual cocktails. Mulberry collins, anyone? The prices are reasonable. I usually get two starters for my entree and it's more than enough. I love this place. In fact I had dinner there last night. I had a huge bowl of gazpacho, a roasted beet and feta salad, and a chocolate mousse/almond cake for dessert. To drink I had a Blueberry Azulito and an esspresso martini. I was completely stuffed. My bill....$37. How can you argue with that?
You really do have to try Zely and Ritz on Glenwood South. It's totally a hidden gem.
Colonial Williamsburg
I lived there for five years. Needless to say, we had lots of family visit. We moved a lot while I was growing up and Williamsburg was by far my favorite place we lived.
Colonial Williamsburg
I love Williamsburg! The taverns are a must! King's Arms is the best! For a casual lunch outside, go to Barrett's, they do seafood. If Downtown Short Stop is still there, that'd be a good place to go with kids. There is a place on Duke Of Glouster Street (DOG Street) called "A Good Place To Eat." I assure you, it is not. The Cheese Shop is a must for sandwiches, it's a wine shop with a deli counter. Get a picnic together and eat on the lawn in front of the Governor's Palace. If your daughters are girly girls, you might want to see if the Williamsburg Inn does a high tea. They might find that fun. Even the nicest restaurants in Williamsburg are generally family friendly because of the nature of the town. If you guys have a jones for comfort food or ice cream sundaes, there should still be a Friendly's on Richmond Road (where I worked in high school!) There's The Peanut Shop also that you should check out. They have candy, and the best Virginia peanuts. The girls certainly deserve a trip to Wythe Candy, right? My family is currently in mourning because they've stopped shipping their turtles.
You are going to love it!
Magic Hat No. 9
Hocus Pocus is their summer seasonal. It's incredible! I am a fan of Circus Boy too. I'm going to visit my brother in Burlington next month (he's at NECI) and I am looking forward to drinking lots of Magic Hat.
Beer at Trader Joes
The only Trader Joes beer I've tried was the Vienna Lager. I think I liked it.
Worst Beer Ever?
Funny you should ask about the Worst Beer Ever. Saturday was the World Beer Festival here in Raleigh. A friend of mine walked up to me and handed me his glass and said, "Lemon Grass Wheat." I'd tried it years before and knew what he was thinking. My response was simply, "Outer Banks Brewing Company?" He said yes. I replied, "tastes like a citronella candle, doesn't it?" "Yup," he said. I love wheat beers. When it's 95 degrees out, I like something a little lighter. In theory, it sounds good. But seriously, y'all, this tastes like a mosquito candle.
Other than that, I'm generally not a fan of beer in green glass bottles. Can't explain it, I'm just not. And I, too, am morally opposed to light beers. It's like decaf.
New Locopops, and Sugarland
Alright, I stopped by last night and got 9 to go. It's buy eight, get one.
I tried the lingonberry. It was awesome. So good in fact, that I had to have the raspberry hibiscus too. Also really tasty.
I can't tell you how happy I am that they have come to Raleigh and are successful enough to have 5 shops.
I love this place.
New Locopops, and Sugarland
Sweet! That's for the heads up on needing cash, which I almost never have on me.
New Locopops, and Sugarland
You know, I take the bus to and from work. It's the TTA 105 that goes down Hillsborough St. I went by today around 6:20 to 6:30 maybe. I say people standing at the counter. They looked open. I think I'm going to get off the bus a few stops early tomorrow for some frosty recon. I'll report back.
