magneticwheels's Profile
anything decent in Burlington NC?
Hillsborough is a bit closer than Durham (about 15 min. from Burlington I think?), and it has some nice restaurants. We recently went to Panciuto on Churton St. and had a very nice (but expensive) Italian meal. I've been told about some others, but have yet to try them. I'm sure if you did a search here, you'd find more. Also, Weaver St. is opening a branch in Hillsborough. Definitely worth a fifteen minute drive!
bbq shack on Rachel Ray
...If so, we love the BBQ Joint. They catered our wedding and did a beautiful job. Their icebox pickles are amazing, and most of their sides are delish. Suse, you're right about the ambience, though. It's be great if they had beer, too. There's talk of them opening up a spot in Downtown Durham in a year or so! Can't wait!
Rue Cler (Durham)
We've just been in for a drink, but the menu looks wonderful and the space is gorgeous.
It was somewhat empty on a Monday night, and I'm hoping (for myself as much as the Rue Cler guys) that the community will really support Durham's first nice downtown restaurants ...Piedmont's ETA is about two weeks). Honestly, seeing it so empty last night made us really nervous. Then again, it's the first Monay after they've opened, and I think they're doing it somewhat quietly. There are a few things they don't have yet, like liqour and music, so they may be taking their PR push a bit slowly until they're really set-up. The bakery isn't open yet.
All of their wines by the glass are good (there are only three) and like I said, the menu looks great. Very classic. I'm dying to try the sauteed pumpkin with roquefort. My friend who joined us was thrilled by the menu because she's allergic to wheat and there are still tons of options for her. Also, though they are primarily prix fixe, they're willing to break up the courses during the week for a lighter/more accesible meal.
My only gripe is that we overheard a server complaining about some previous customers at the bar. That kind of thing really turns me off. On the other hand, the bar was mostly seated with industry folks, so she may have been more casual than usual.
As soon as we return for a meal, I'll post our thoughts.
BYOB at Udipi?
Detlechef, they do not serve beer or wine, and I believe it's a religious choice, therefore byob is probably discouraged. Same goes for Tonali.
New cent. American restaurant on 9th street
We went in last night and had a mixed experience. The juices are incredible, and the lady is kind of a lunatic, but a charming lunatic. We got an appetizer that was two small tortillas with boiled fresh mozz. and slaw on top. I liked it okay, Andy didn't at all...but it was a tiny amount of food and pretty bland for $5.75. I got a veggie special for dinner that was supposed to be seasonal vegetables in a cream sauce, and more vegetables in a plaintain sauce. One veggie was potato (just what I need...more starch) and another was some kind of squash that was pretty good. Both needed some serious salt. The beans and rice were great, but there was another side of rice on the plate for some reason and a plaintain that tasted like potato. Andy got the Indian taco with veggie filling, and it was much better than my meal. The tortilla (which is kind of like an elephant ear without the powdered sugar) was delicious, but we missed the sweet potato and creamy sauce that came on statolith's taco. I think this place can get it together, but I'd say go in for juices now and let them get their kitchen trained a bit more before eating there.
Dining in the Shenandoah Valley
We're going on a little road trip this weekend and plan to visit Lexington, Staunton and Charlottesville. Any dinner recommendations? We'll have one blow-out meal at the best sounding place, then some good cheap meals (we hope!). Thanks in advance!
What to Order at 4 Square in Durham?
Their menu changes quite frequently. I highly recommend saving room for dessert. If the goat cheese cake with fresh figs and almond brittle is still on the menu, that's a winner, in my opinion. A word of caution (that may only apply to me and my lack of self restraint), if you're going to go all out and do the app, dinner and dessert, beware of heavy sounding dishes. Four Square is not afraid of butter, cream, etc. It's part of why the food is so delicious. But it can be too much if you're going all out. Again, though, it may be my own inability to steer clear of the cheesiest, meatiest, most buttery sounding dishes that's the real culprit.
Trader Joe's Opening in the Triangle???
I heard it was opening in Cary. Durham has been petitioning for one, but they don't seem too interested yet.
Date Spots in Triangle??
I forgot to mention Vin Rouge in Durham. That's another favorite of ours.
Date Spots in Triangle??
Two of my favorite dates are the Lantern bar (very sexy yet lively atmosphere and incredible mixed drinks), and Four Square for dessert and after dinner drinks (dinner is also excellent there, but very pricey and sometimes on the heavy side for me). I also had a nice romantic evening at Panciutto in Hillsborough recently. The food there is very good and the dining room is comfortable, warmly lit and quiet. My only complaint about Panciutto would be the service, but it certainly isn't egregious. Just indifferent. Elaine's is another great date spot, though it can get noisy when it's crowded.
Date Spots in Triangle??
Two of my favorite dates are the Lantern bar (very sexy yet lively atmosphere and incredible mixed drinks), and Four Square for dessert and after dinner drinks (dinner is also excellent there, but very pricey and sometimes on the heavy side for me). I also had a nice romantic evening at Panciutto in Hillsborough recently. The food there is very good and the dining room is comfortable, warmly lit and quiet. My only complaint about Panciutto would be the service, but it certainly isn't egregious. Just indifferent. Elaine's is another great date spot, though it can get noisy when it's crowded.
Durham Taqueria Update
Super Tacqueria and Carniceria Superior (in the Mercado on Roxboro) are owned by the same people, and they both use the tortillas from the Mercado's epic tortilla machine. You probably see the tortillas at S.T. in a bag (the bag they sell them in retail at the Mercado), but they are in fact fresh. The reason the S.T. condiment bar shrunk is because C.S. took one when they opened up the tacqueria. Personally, I give C.S. the edge these days because they've got a hot bar with beans and a phenomenal (but sometimes too salty) chipotle salsa. I haven't noticed the service at either being slow, but then again, we usually go during off hours.
Still haven't tried Miranda's, but can't wait based on everyone's rave reviews!
Asheville,N.C.
We recently dined at La Caterina in Asheville, and loved it. The decor is outdated, but the overall ambience is very inviting, and sweet. We definitely chuckled a bit when we stepped inside because we felt like we were in an Italian restaurant on Long Island thirty years ago. But, they have an in-house salumeria, they make all of their pasta fresh. and they have a very reasonable wine list. We've also heard good things about Table, but have never tried it.
Chapel Hill in Saveur
Suse, a quick correction: The guys from Pop's are opening Rue Cler. The guy from the Federal (me) is opening Piedmont in Durham around the corner also in early Oct.
