new korean restaurant Han Joong Kwan

Please do and post what you try. I'm interested to hear about any other dishes (and if they have Oiji hiding somewhere, the korean salty pickles).
of note, I thought they were closed at first because their big white sign wasn't lit, but at a different angle (once I got past Bojangles, I could see the neon OPEN sign near the door.

shaidarharan in Southeast

new korean restaurant Han Joong Kwan

My girlfriend and I decided to give Inter Korea House a try last night and I'm glad we did. The prices are very reasonable (low compared to other Korean restaurants in the Triangle), the portions and k-condiments plentiful and the service good. We ordered the Bulgoki Bibimbap (basically bulgoki on top of bibimbap so you can get these two great dishes in one meal, w/o ordering two full entrees). It was really good, with fresh ingredients and a sizzling hot stone bowl. The rice was superb and cooking time just right, allowing a slight crispy crust without any grains becoming too hard (something I really hate, when bibimbap goes wrong).
We also tried Pork Tang Su Yuk, deep fried pork in a sweet n sour chili sauce with simmered bell pepper and onion. The pork was tender and that unique chewiness fatty pork strips have. Delicious. The white rice was perfect, with a pearly sheen that only comes from proper scrubbing and cooling, and just the right amount of stickiness (korean short grain). Did I mention I love good rice? And we ate two sets of the condiments and didn't even have to ask for the refill (great service!): lightly sweet meju, crisp danmuji, tasty kimchi, fresh mu saengchae, and of course a bowl of gochujang.

I can hardly wait to go back and try more of their menu, but I can wait, because I'm still so full.

shaidarharan in Southeast

Dinner Thursday Night in Chapel Hill/Carrboro

I'm sorry to hear that you can't make Provence, in that case I'd recommend Weathervane, Spice Street, Lantern, and 411 as options depending on the cuisine you want.

As for the service at Weathervane, a few of my friends work there and they take great care with people, but sometimes they're not there and I'd say 50% of that time I received lackluster service. It's never been awful, just kind of slow/slightly inattentive. I've been to Spice Street a number of times and they can be inconsistent as well. Spice Street is definitely more inventive or edgy, for example their burger is made with 2 thick hot pieces of focaccia, and is usually very good when you can get it pink. Both are enjoyable.

shaidarharan in General South Archive

Banh Mi in Durham, NC?

that sounds authentic, bookmarked, thanks renaissancegrrl

shaidarharan in General South Archive

Tasca Brava in Raleigh

you're entirely spot on. thankfully everyone that goes here remembers it well. I'd bemoan this places loss more than any other in the triangle if it were to disappear. Juan Samper and his wife create one of the best dining experiences for those prepared. It's intimate interior is such a gem, especially after the initial nondescript brick strip mall exterior. Juan's knowledge of spanish cuisine is superlative, as he personally selects the tapas and wine with a true love, thats the only way to describe it.

My only issue with it is that on a busy night, you feel bad about trying to monopolize Juan's time. It's just so fun to hear him talk about the menu. Tasca Brava really is like the little restaurants in spain, or italy, that are operated as a home - warm, friendly, and in it for the joy of cooking and sharing. Last time I went, it was with a party of 6 and we made a 3 hour meal of it, sampling near 20 dishes and many wines. No dish or bottle went without an absolute fan. Top 5 dining experiences in my life. Tasca Brava fits as a vacation tale of this amazing place you found traveling the world, but I thank fortune that I can call it local.

shaidarharan in General South Archive

Dinner Thursday Night in Chapel Hill/Carrboro

Gayot puts this at $$$ out of 5 for price, which is a little more than weathervane, but very worth it. Provence in Carrboro is a wonderful experience and very, very worth it as a little secret to share with visitors. They'll remember this rare gem tucked away in a renovated carrboro house. The menu steadfastly reflects only the freshest ingredients at hand to ensure flawless french cuisine. http://www.gayot.com/restaurantpages/info.php?tag=RARES030511&code=RA

shaidarharan in General South Archive

Best Brazilian steakhouse in Triangle, NC

I'd have to go with Smilikin in that I've been to Chamas 6 times (our work goes there for quarterly celebrations), and only twice has certain cuts of meat been poor, but it's all you can eat, so just ask for another. It's easy to get exactly what you want if you're persistant.
The only exception are their smaller offerings, like the hens or filet's, which are hard to get juicy. Their rolls are shipped to steak houses all over the country because they're so good. Eat them while hot, discard if they cool down ;). I suggest a refreshing Caipirinha to start things off on hot days.

If you can make it all the way to Greensborough, then Leblon Brazilian Steakhouse is the place for you. http://www.leblonbraziliansteakhouse.com/
The salad bar is more like a big city Brazilian steak house (think Atlanta) and the meat is improved as well.

shaidarharan in General South Archive

Japanese in Raleigh/Cary

Waraji excels in cuts of sashimi (cover the tongue), nigiri, and other traditional fare. There isn't one poor offering on the menu and they are consistantly good.

Sushi Blues has become a hip night bar/sushi combination ever since they started a 1/2 limited menu on T and H. Their Tuna Tataki is one of my favorites, but consistancy-wise, they fluctuate a lot due to volume of customers. Sushi Blues specializes in (american) uromaki named after blues or local references. Their presentation can be great to average, depending on who is working. I believe they shuffled some of their talent to Sushi Thai and some of their other restaurants, but it wasn't uncommon for playful butterfly raddishes to pause on top of daikon and carrot mounds.

Shikki Sushi at hwy 54 and 40 right near fayetteville rd is the best deal, as they always have a 1/2 off special. They have inventive and americanized rolls, similar to Sushi Blues and Little Tokyo. This is a great place to go for large quantities of rolls. Their Cucumber Special is a california roll wrapped in cucumber instead of nori - a very refreshing warm weather maki. They also have special rolls on their marker board. A fun place.

Kanki of durham, off mt.moriah road usually has great fish with a thicker nigiri style than waraji. If it's not on the menu, they can probably make it. Sharing old talent from Akaihana in Carrboro, their chefs speak japanese and their fish can be excellent. The Las Vegas callibur tropical fish tank also doesn't hurt.

shaidarharan in General South Archive