Cooper's BBQ in Raleigh. Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham. Stephenson's BBQ in Willow Springs.

I'll 2nd (or 3rd) Bali Hai.

5/4/2009 4:49:09 PM

This is the first restaurant thread I've ever seen on TWW with good recommendations.

5/5/2009 8:46:39 AM

maybe not for dinner, but lunch at Pearl Cafe on Hillsborough across the street from Wachovia is awesomeeee. Spring rolls and salads and bubble teas!

5/5/2009 7:48:49 PM

RALEIGH
Angus Barn. It's crazy $$$ but worth a trip if you've never been.

Farmhouse. Only cause the owners were cool as hell to me in college. They let my band play up there, and we pretty much sucked.


GREENSBORO
Fincastles. Cool little throwback diner on Elm St. Awesome milkshakes. Plus they've got these things called Pilot Pickles that rock.

Green Valley Grill. Cool European-esqe atmosphere with super high ceilings. Food is always money


WINSTON-SALEM
4th Street Filling Station: Probably my favorite place ever. Great food and awesome, awesome patio for grabbing a drink after work.

Milners: Cool place on Stratford Rd with great low-country cuisine (hell yeah for shimp & grits). A little $$, but definitely worth it.


HIGH POINT
Liberty Steakhouse: Food is pretty standard, but you gotta love microbreweries. The nut-brown is my fave.

[Edited on May 5, 2009 at 9:40 PM. Reason : ]

5/5/2009 9:31:30 PM

Quote :

"I used to love Piccola Italia back in college...agree with good food at cheap prices."

what made you stop loving it?

5/6/2009 1:06:37 PM

I plan on being the first person to OD on cheese pizza... because I'm likely going to have a Piccolo Italia pizza at least 4 times the week I move back to Raleigh.

5/6/2009 1:57:08 PM

I'll have to try their pizzas, eaten there a couple of times and enjoyed it but haven't had the pizza yet.

5/6/2009 4:54:31 PM

Oh, forgot one -- Lucky 32 is quite good. Yes, there are two of them (Cary, on Tryon near the US1 interchange and one in Greensboro also) but 2 restaurants does not a chain make. Owned by the same folks who own Green Valley Grill and Print Works Bistro in Greensboro. A lot of their food is kind of "southern with a twist" and they use a lot of local ingredients. Reasonable prices too.

(Qualifier: I have never been to the Cary location, but the one in Greensboro I have been to many times and enjoyed greatly every time.)

[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 4:58 PM. Reason : f]

5/6/2009 4:58:12 PM

Earlier I don't know why I wasn't thinking of these, mostly cheap and good places...

In the Woodcroft shopping center in Durham:
Bandito's Mexican (1 or 2 other locations)
Yamazushi Japanese (somewhat pricey for dinner)
Pulcinella's Italian

HWY 55/54
Thai China (buffet for lunch)
Bombay Grille Indian

Morrisville McCrimmon Corners:
Two Guys Grill (3 other locations - in Wilmington)

A little more expensive:
Bogarts in Downtown Raleigh
Margaux Restaurant in N. Raleigh

Super Nice and Super Expensive (but worth one special trip):
Fearrington House (south on 15-501)


[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 9:28 PM. Reason : thought of more]

[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 9:30 PM. Reason : and the crazy expensive one]

5/6/2009 9:24:44 PM

Quote :

"what made you stop loving it?"

because I moved out of Raleigh five years ago, and currently live 500 miles away?

5/6/2009 9:48:46 PM

Seoul House at the corner of milbrook and atlantic has great korean food and an elegant atmosphere. I went for the first time a couple weeks ago at lunch, I will definitely be going back soon.

5/7/2009 2:14:21 AM

Quote :

"This is the first restaurant thread I've ever seen on TWW with good recommendations."

Probably because this one isn't in Chit Chat

5/7/2009 2:21:23 AM

Quote :

"Oh, forgot one -- Lucky 32 is quite good. Yes, there are two of them (Cary, on Tryon near the US1 interchange and one in Greensboro also) but 2 restaurants does not a chain make."

There used to be one in Winston-Salem too but it closed.

I'm a pretty big fan of Tavola Rossa, Assaggios and 518 West.

I'm trying to find somewhere to take my family tomorrow night. They are coming into town for graduation. After reading this thread though, I'm considering Irregardless.

5/7/2009 1:58:44 PM

Quote :

"because I moved out of Raleigh five years ago, and currently live 500 miles away?"

So you stop loving things when you move away? So sad

5/7/2009 2:01:06 PM