When I said "absurd land use" I was more talking about the area pictured than North Hills as a whole. Seeing buildings that size surrounded by a sea of parking simply makes me cringe. If you're going to build something that size, build the parking into it. Hell, doesn't the building on the right have an internal deck already? If so, then what's with the asphalt desert? I'm not one of those "limit the parking so people will have to use mass transit" people when you're talking about areas outside the urban core. But there's a much better, if more expensive, way to do it than just simply paving over the surrounding acre of land.



[Edited on January 30, 2013 at 3:06 PM. Reason : I actually like how North Hills proper has a large below-grade deck. That part is nicely done.]

1/30/2013 3:05:52 PM

Quote :

"I was wondering how long it would take for someone to complain about the price."

I wasn't complaining. at all.

1/30/2013 3:13:19 PM

Price doesn't bother me, I love Ashley's food and I'm willing to pay that much. That doesn't mean I'm going to order one of everything, though.

Oh wait, I mean.

OH LAWD TEN DOLLAH FRIED CHICKEN WHAT A RIPOFF JUST GO TO BOJANGLES YOU HIPSTERS.

1/30/2013 4:05:52 PM

just be prepared to pay ~$75-100 if you're paying for the both of you

(that includes tip, btw)

1/30/2013 4:08:44 PM

fucking ridiculous for over-hyped hipster food.

[Edited on January 30, 2013 at 4:12 PM. Reason : jk lounge]

1/30/2013 4:12:18 PM

While North Hills isn't anything amazing, it is MUCH better than a glorified strip mall. The setup is much better than most strip malls/asphalt-sea mixed shopping centers. The architecture is pretty bland (overly neutral) but it is not a bad shopping center at all imo. Even if the stores are not to your liking, it was planned much better than most. Heck, I'd love to have something like North Hills replace some of the shopping centers around me with the abominations that are typical shopping centers.

[Edited on January 30, 2013 at 4:24 PM. Reason : ]

1/30/2013 4:23:15 PM

Poole's is actually an elaborate troll, I think. Cramped, lame atmosphere, mediocre food, hit or miss service, small portions, overpriced, and a pain in the ass menu, yet still gets rave reviews and is lauded as Raleigh's best. Acknowledging any of these painfully obvious shortcomings means that you're uncultured, lacking the refined palate to enjoy this "gourmet dining experience".

Hayes Barton Cafe fills a similar niche, except it's better in every single way.

1/30/2013 4:40:15 PM

Quote :

" Seeing buildings that size surrounded by a sea of parking simply makes me cringe. If you're going to build something that size, build the parking into it."

There are two giant underground/lower level decks. The grocery store has covered, decked parking under rental apartments. What else do you want? No surface parking whatsoever?

1/30/2013 5:10:28 PM

I like Beasley's but I really wish we had a Bojangles downtown. There, I said it.

1/30/2013 5:18:19 PM

Yeah I probably should have just PM'd Mr. Joshua or tommy wiseau about this instead of inciting the complaint squad quick response team.

1/30/2013 5:20:42 PM

^don't let the haters get you down.

Poole's is great, and it really isn't that expensive. I usually go, get a few cheap beers, an appetizer/salad and 1 or 2 entrees with my wife and its around $50-$60 which is far from expensive.

Hayes Barton is also awesome, beasley's is good, and chucks too. Which reminds me, I still need to try Mandolin!

1/30/2013 6:03:28 PM

I've been to Poole's twice. The first time I got the Royale and a side of fried green tomatoes with a beer and I was thoroughly impressed. The second time, I ordered short ribs and my date ordered the rabbit confit. We split the pimento cheese crustinis and had some beers. The short ribs were tasty but nowhere near as good as the Royale. The pimento cheese crustinis were just that. But the rabbit, that shit sucked. Is it normal for rabbit dishes to have bones in it? I had to pull bones out of my mouth after the only bite I took and she had to remove bones from her mouth twice. I'd still go back for the Royale if nothing else.

Also, I agree with ^. While it is on the pricier side, it isn't as expensive as some make it out to be unless you're trying to eat like you're at golden corral. I got out for around $50 or so the second time I went.

[Edited on January 31, 2013 at 3:50 AM. Reason : ]

1/31/2013 3:46:24 AM

there is a Bojangles close to downtown...

just a random thought, but who would I contact to try and get stoplights synced better? There are few intersections that are downright dangerous at the same time everyday.

[Edited on January 31, 2013 at 6:29 PM. Reason : sdf]

1/31/2013 6:27:05 PM

Went to Poole's and was happy.

I ordered a Royale rare, and while I'm the kind of person that eats near purple steak, the burger was very much raw in the center and they took it back to cook a little more (which was more than fine by me). We also had chicken thighs w/ sherried brussels, mac'n'cheese, the chicken liver pate plate, and two Fullstream First Frosts. Everything was pretty fantastic and the mac'n'cheese way exceeded expectations (I thought it would be like Beasley's--but it's way better). We had an extremely good waitress, and Ashley was in the back tonight (I don't know if that's rare, just the hostess mentioned it). Also we had a TON of leftovers. People must only be getting the scallop dish to always complain about serving size... our two entrees and side were huge.

Next time I'll probably get a bunch of appetizers and cocktails, though. Or try brunch.

1/31/2013 8:01:54 PM

The streets near BOA building look much better than b4.

1/31/2013 9:49:18 PM

^^ twitter says she's currently in Paris

1/31/2013 11:37:55 PM

THEN THAT HOSTESS WAS A LYIN' BITCH.

2/1/2013 1:33:34 AM

Quote :

" Featured Restaurant News It seems as if Ashley Christensen isn’t quite done spreading her foodie goodness all over downtown Raleigh. Most recently she purchased the Wilmoore Café (which will re-open in March under a new name), but we got word this week that she recently announced that she would be opening a French bistro and event space on Salisbury Street. We’ll firm up the details. Stay tuned. "

2/1/2013 9:07:10 AM

God can we get somebody else that can cook a food in this city please

2/1/2013 9:19:45 AM

^she is not actually cooking the food at every restaurant at this point. Why do you care? At this point she is just the same as empire, which is great for downtown!

2/1/2013 9:38:18 AM

^^^ link?

2/1/2013 10:37:20 AM

http://trianglefoodguy.blogspot.com/

2/1/2013 10:55:37 AM

Sounds great to me. She (I'm pretty sure) has French training, or at the very least is French cuisine inspired, so it makes sense for her to eventually take a more direct route to French cooking--which we have a serious lack of in the Triangle (bistros too). Sounds interesting.

2/1/2013 3:31:28 PM

Quote :

"At this point she is just the same as empire, which is great for downtown!"

I understand your point, but I'd ask if we're sure Empire is still great for downtown?

Just thinking about the downward spiral in quality at the Times, broken relationships with the partners at all the other restaurants, etc.

2/1/2013 4:59:06 PM

It was a good thing when the center of gravity for downtown nightlife shifted away from Glenwood South. At this point it has served it's purpose.

2/1/2013 5:38:52 PM

As long as there are vacant retail spots (and there are in abundance), then anyone willing to setup a restaurant, bar or retail store downtown is a welcome addition as far as I'm concerned.

2/1/2013 5:43:17 PM

I absolutely agree that Empire has done a world of good for downtown. Just wondering when the balance tips to the negatives outweighing the positives.

Anyone know the story with Kindred? Wondering if it's rent-related.

2/1/2013 5:50:22 PM

^I tried to find out but the folks behind Kindred had left an event early that I showed up to late. From the grumblings I heard it was something totally not up to them, so rent stands a good chance of being the reason. They were at Oak City Cycling the day they shut down--but I didn't think to ask around for details.

2/1/2013 6:11:46 PM

Quote :

"As long as there are vacant retail spots (and there are in abundance), then anyone willing to setup a restaurant, bar or retail store downtown is a welcome addition as far as I'm concerned "

2/2/2013 9:45:28 AM

[link]http://http://dtraleigh.com/2013/02/talk-of-a-midtown-raleigh-bus-circulator-the-m-line-begins/[/link]

M-Line between North Hills & Downtown Raleigh being considered

2/4/2013 7:33:39 AM

The first bike corral in Raleigh is being installed, replacing a parking space in front of Raleigh Times.

For those unfamiliar with the term, the concept is basically simply replacing an on-street parking space with bike racks, enabling as many as 12 bicycles to be parked where only 1 car could be, therefore not taking up sidewalk space.

2/6/2013 3:03:03 PM

I'm sure people will bitch

2/6/2013 6:03:17 PM

Heaven forbid that the sidewalk in front of the Times ever be obstructed.

2/6/2013 7:38:09 PM

That angers me.

2/6/2013 8:12:05 PM

hey you's post to be mooning the honey's get off tww.

2/6/2013 8:16:33 PM

Its as good a place as any to try a corral out. I would think that there are 8 two 10 locations throughout downtown where this would be helpful/successful. You could park ~120 bikes or so and only give up 10 car spots.

2/7/2013 2:32:53 PM

http://dtraleigh.com/2013/02/cafe-de-los-muertos-to-open-in-the-hue-this-summer/

New article about the coffee shop coming to the warehouse district.

2/11/2013 9:24:10 AM

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2013/02/lift-offers-virtual-view-from-raleigh.html

Interesting sales strategy!

Still makes me sad that the entire blount street commons project stalled out!!

2/12/2013 9:15:09 AM

^Anyone know the prices on those?

2/12/2013 9:18:53 AM

I want to say ~250 for the 2 bedroom, and maybe ~280-290k for the 3 bedroom, but that is just a guess based on my memory of prior press.

2/12/2013 9:21:23 AM

http://www.ncsudining.com/locations/restaurants-cafes/on-the-oval/

Cool addition to Centennial Campus. Could be a business model that could work downtown someday.

2/13/2013 3:27:02 PM

A food court is not a particularly new or revolutionary idea, its the opposite of what we want downtown. It's an old idea like pedestrian malls.

[Edited on February 13, 2013 at 3:50 PM. Reason : and the inside looks like the cafeteria of every company i've worked at]

2/13/2013 3:35:12 PM

Yeah I don't really get it. Food courts are just an attempt to recreate the experience of walkable areas with a lot of restaurants (like downtown) in an indoor controlled environment. It's kind of like saying a shopping mall would be a potential business model for downtown.

2/13/2013 3:42:46 PM

I am not saying throw up a shitty food court, but this seems to be a bit more unique.

I had an empire eats type of establishment in mind with a few different options, + indoor/outdoor seating.

I have always enjoyed food court set ups in europe and asia, not sure why they have such a bad rap/shitty execution in the US.

2/13/2013 4:06:03 PM

It could maybe work inside the new innovation/collaboration project in the Wachovia building, similar to saladalias and some of the space in Durham Tobacco Warehouses

2/13/2013 4:12:47 PM

I LOVE mini-malls. Since they're private property, you can evict the undesirables from an entire "neighborhood" with physical force for any reason you want without any due process. Lots of big cities have them, they seem to really unite the community.

2/13/2013 5:47:48 PM

that food court thing reminds me of a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.

2/13/2013 6:48:42 PM

that and the food court at Union Station in DC

2/13/2013 7:32:05 PM

Food court near the train station when it starts getting busier. BOOM.

2/13/2013 8:18:34 PM

Quote :

" Wake County Restaurant News The anticipation is over! Go ahead and mark your calendar for the newest addition to Glenwood South - Dos Taquitos Xoco. It will officially open next Monday (February 18th) thanks to a tip from Carey Kidd. Check them out on Facebook here. We also got word this week thanks to an article in the Triangle Business Journal, that Kim Hunter will open Kimbap in Raleigh’s Seaboard Station on March 1st. Congrats to Kim and her team and we look forward to that opening. Look for more information on her website here. "

http://trianglefoodguy.blogspot.com/

2/15/2013 9:00:23 AM