I know there's a few threads on 'Things to Do' in the Raleigh/Durham area, but I'm looking for specific places to have dinner that are non-chain. I am going to eat with a few friends and a new co-worker and his family, and would like to represent the area well.
Any suggestions?

3/25/2009 8:08:49 PM

I don't think Irregardless is a chain.

3/25/2009 8:15:23 PM

perfect suggestion, thank you!

3/25/2009 8:20:43 PM

farmer's market is open for dinner Thurs, Fri and Sat til 8pm now

i couldn't imagine any place more fitting to represent the area well

free biscuits and hushpuppies for every party

i mean... the food is grown and cooked in nc

right now it's pretty empty for dinner because the old-heads go to bed early and the general populous doesn't know about it... i bet if they started serving beer, the pad would get off the hook

http://www.ncsfmr.com/

[Edited on March 25, 2009 at 8:48 PM. Reason : eight of the clock]

3/25/2009 8:48:13 PM

capital creations is really good from what i hear

3/25/2009 9:10:08 PM

Ruckus

3/25/2009 9:11:49 PM

http://www.fraziersbistro.com

3/25/2009 9:13:18 PM

http://www.tobaccoroadsportscafe.com

smoke free sports cafe on glenwood. and damn good food too.

3/25/2009 9:20:48 PM

Oakwood Cafe, downtown, is a great little Argentinean spot. Definitely order some empanada's.

3/25/2009 9:35:18 PM

^^there are cafes that allow smoking in raleigh?

3/25/2009 9:38:14 PM

^ ahahahahahahahah

3/25/2009 10:22:25 PM

the pit!

3/25/2009 11:00:25 PM

Lily's Pizza?

3/25/2009 11:06:48 PM

In Raleigh, my favs are Hayes Barton Cafe, Bella Monica, Irregardless Cafe, Oakwood Cafe, Mo's Diner, Rockford, Waraji, Lilly's, Dos Taquitos, and Tasca Brava.

I'd like to try J. Betski's and Poole's Diner.

3/25/2009 11:27:07 PM

^^^good choice

3/25/2009 11:27:53 PM

Babymoon Cafe over by the airport deserves a mention.

http://babymooncafe.com/

It says Morrisville (RTPish), but I consider it Raleigh. It's smallish so you might wanna call about group size.

Excellent food and wine, chill patrons, handsome servers, casual atmosphere. They have indoor and outdoor seating.

It's my birthday spot. You'll love it!

Actually, I just read that it changed owners in August and my birthday is in May. I can't vouch for it anymore. But I've gotten take-out from there several times since my birthday, and it was tasty.

[Edited on March 25, 2009 at 11:41 PM. Reason : Hmmm...]

3/25/2009 11:33:24 PM

^^^ you and i love all the same places

when we going to dinner!

[Edited on March 25, 2009 at 11:37 PM. Reason : k]

3/25/2009 11:36:53 PM

do you know how to properly ask a question! lol i kid i kid..

3/25/2009 11:40:39 PM

haha, well I do have a gift certificate for 200 free wings at Hooters

3/25/2009 11:41:11 PM

GOLDEN DRAGON!

3/26/2009 12:09:16 AM

I second Lillys Pizza (5 points). Very delish. Pizza always comes out super hot, toppings are high quality, decent scenary/crowd/vibe.

3/26/2009 2:08:53 AM

Coquette is probably the hottest place right now (Urban Food Group is always on point)

Poole's Downtown Diner is kickass and very "North Carolina" (Ashley Christensen doing an homage to southern food is win-win).

Humble Pie is probably the best for a small bite and hanging out (especially as the weather gets nicer).

3/26/2009 3:42:46 AM

irregardless is always a good choice

3/26/2009 7:32:24 AM

Wait. A place called Tobacco Road Sports "Cafe" is non-smoking?



Jesus we're fucked as a nation.

3/26/2009 7:35:45 AM

Beansprout is good... for lunch, nevermind read the whole post

[Edited on March 26, 2009 at 7:45 AM. Reason : .]

3/26/2009 7:43:26 AM

I second Bella Monica, Irregardless, Lilly's and Waraji. Faaantastic.

Been to all four in the past few weeks too.

3/26/2009 8:32:14 AM

ok

here are my top restaurants in Raleigh:

Waraji, J Betskis, Fins, Hayashi (near Wakefield Plantation...great sushi, long drive)

Now none of those restaurants really "represent the area"

if you want something to represent the area, go to Mama Dips in Durham.

Quote :

"capital creations is really good from what i hear"

yes, they are very good...but its only take out/delivery pizza.

[Edited on March 26, 2009 at 8:56 AM. Reason : f]

3/26/2009 8:55:43 AM

message_topic.aspx?topic=561381

3/26/2009 8:56:48 AM

Quote :

"In Raleigh, my favs are Hayes Barton Cafe, Bella Monica, Irregardless Cafe, Oakwood Cafe, Mo's Diner, Rockford, Waraji, Lilly's, Dos Taquitos, and Tasca Brava. "

all are very good choices

i would like to add 5 Star, Cafe Luna and I'll second The Pitt too

3/26/2009 9:00:00 AM

^I'll third the Pit

I hear the owner (the "Pitmaster") is going to be on one of the Challenge shows on Food Network soon

I haven't been to 5 Star since my 21st birthday in June 2005

3/26/2009 9:02:42 AM

sullivans

3/26/2009 9:42:42 AM

^^ Throwdown with Bobby Flay

3/26/2009 10:40:25 AM

he has also been featured on several food documentaries

3/26/2009 10:42:18 AM

sunflowers on peace.

hit it up in june

3/26/2009 12:01:34 PM

^ Sunflowers is my favorite place for lunch

3/26/2009 12:28:50 PM

2nd Empire Tavern is always good and fairly priced.

I don't understand the fascination with J. Betskis. It's never been all that good to me.

Jibarra is a pretty cool upscale Mexican place, pretty cheap too.

3/26/2009 1:05:43 PM

Tobacco Road

3/26/2009 1:13:30 PM

Quote :

" I don't understand the fascination with J. Betskis. It's never been all that good to me."

wat?!


obviously you've never sat at the bar and had their homemade pretzels...they come w/ mustard, cheese and goose liver pate.



[Edited on March 26, 2009 at 1:42 PM. Reason : f]

3/26/2009 1:41:46 PM

You're right...I have only sat at the tables and ordered entrees. If the only thing that they are good at is pretzels they should consider folding that place up and buying a cart to push up and down Fayetteville St. in front of the courthouse.

I haven't ever eaten pate. I am not entirely opposed to ramming a hose down a goose's throat and forcefeeding it milk fat until its liver turns to mush and it dies, but I don't really feel like eating that as a result.

I realize it's a pretty stupid piece of logic...but I can't stop myself.

3/26/2009 3:45:06 PM

I tried Unaabi Grill in Cary today for lunch. Got the chicken korma and and bolanee pumpkin, very tasty.

[Edited on March 26, 2009 at 4:27 PM. Reason : Oh yeah, and Billy Bob's Backwoods BBQ shack]

3/26/2009 4:00:20 PM

i don't get it

she asked for a place that "represents the area" and you guys are suggesting foo foo places

3/26/2009 4:14:43 PM

Tyler's is pretty good. i've only been there for lunch, tho. excellent beer selection, tho.

http://www.tylerstaproom.com/

there are a few locations, but the first one was in carrboro

[Edited on March 26, 2009 at 5:21 PM. Reason : link]

3/26/2009 5:20:40 PM

^Their garlic fries are absolutely delicious

3/26/2009 5:45:45 PM

It's been said many times, but definitely the Pit. That's the place that I take anyone from out of town.

3/26/2009 6:14:43 PM

NOFO at the Pig in Five Points, plus The Pointe is really good too.

3/26/2009 7:23:55 PM

Applebees

3/26/2009 7:25:54 PM

Bali-hai?

3/26/2009 7:36:57 PM

Quote :

"I haven't ever eaten pate. I am not entirely opposed to ramming a hose down a goose's throat and forcefeeding it milk fat until its liver turns to mush and it dies, but I don't really feel like eating that as a result."

Pate is a waste of foie gras. I never liked the idea of foie gras... until I actually ate it. The flavor is so damn rich and the texture is like nothing else.

3/26/2009 9:26:53 PM

It's in Chapel Hill but Weathervane is amazing: http://www.southernseason.com/cafe.asp

I'm also a fan of Lily's Pizza, Irregardless Cafe, Mitch's (seriously, they got good food there lol), Green Basil, 9N9, Sawasdee, Waraji, the fish house in the farmer's market, Ole Time BBQ, Sushi Thai, Magnolia Grill, and I'm sure there are more but it's been awhile since I've been out to eat in Raleigh

[Edited on March 26, 2009 at 9:31 PM. Reason : forgot Caffe Luna]

3/26/2009 9:29:39 PM

the pit's killing it right now. first on man vs. food and now an upcoming episode of throwdown.

3/26/2009 9:33:52 PM