“Eat” listings
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Bella Mia
If there were a Best Pizza contest in the Triangle, this family-owned pizzeria would come out as a critical and popular favorite for first place. A slice of any of the 20 coal-fired pies—named after streets in New York City—may prove that great pizza in the south is not a contradiction. $ (09/2011)
2025 Renaissance Park Pl, Cary
919- 677-3999
bellamiacoalfire.com -
Scratch
Pie is not the only the made-from-scratch good at this aptly named Durham bakery. The menu combines the down-home comfort of granny’s kitchen with the rich, distinctive flavors of slightly more uptown cuisine. Come for the savory meat pies; stay for the sweets. $ (08/2011)
111 Orange St, Durham
919-956- 5200
piefantasy.com -
Bu Ku
Inspired by global street food traditions, this stylish Raleigh restaurant and bar serves up spice from around the world. Combine a Thai chili and gin cocktail with a plantainencrusted Chilean sea bass to join the jet set without leaving the ground. $$$ (08/2011)
110 E Davie St, Raleigh
919-834-6963
bukuraleigh.com -
Onlyburger
This Durham grill spent its first few years of business on four wheels, before settling into its current brick-and-mortar location. The simple concept— creating the best burger around without any bells and whistles—has earned them raves just shy of ecstatic. $ (08/2011)
3710 Shannon Rd, Durham
919-937-9377
durhamcater.../onlyburger -
Tuscan Blu
Chef Maurizio Privilegi creates Old World dishes with locally sourced New World sensibility. His mouthwatering angel hair Monaco and spinach ravioli put a whole new spin on traditional favorites. The breezy location (in the hip Depot District) takes neighborhood Italian to a more fashionable, not to mention historic, address. $$ (05/2011)
327 W Davie St, Raleigh
919-834-5707
tuscanblue.com -
Johnny’s
To simply call this spot a coffeeshop is to overlook the fire circles, farmers markets, jazz bands and eclectic gourmet food trucks that are known to make this local hotspot’s expansive backyard (and parking lot) their temporary home. $ (04/2011)
901 W Main St, Carrboro
919-932- 5070
johnnyscarrboro.com -
One Restaurant
Chef Shane Ingram offers his patrons a behind-the-scenes meal at his new restaurant, where diners enjoy elegantly simple cuisine in an integrated kitchen/dining room. The juniper berry-cured grilled duck breast is a showstopper. $$$ (04/2011)
100 Meadowmont Circle, Chapel Hill
919-537-8207
one-restaurant.com -
Dos Perros
This restaurant challenges the standard definition of a Mexican eatery by adding a hearty shot of creativity. There are beer-themed dinners, Tuesday night movies, tacos until midnight on Mondays and mouthwatering duck enchiladas with dark mole. $$ (03/2011)
200 N Mangum St, Durham
919-956- 2750
dosperrosrestaurant.com -
THE BLUE NOTE GRILL
There are no strangers at this diner, where a keen sense of place is served up with a side of fried pickles. Come for the locally sourced hamburgers, onion rings and barbecue, and stay for the live blues. $ (01/2011)
4125 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham
919-401-1979
thebluenotegrill.com -
KITCHEN
Named for the heart of any good restaurant, this new, deceptively casual Mediterraneaninspired eatery has already garnered a reputation that dwarfs its intimate scale. Duck confi t and chicken tagine round out a menu notable for its delectable variations of mussels and fries. $$ (01/2011)
764 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill
919-537-8167
kitchenchapelhill.com -
CAPITAL CLUB 16
This former private club now houses an edgy update to the traditional American restaurant. Though the clientele these days is more likely to wear tattoos than pinstripes, the place retains its Art Deco glamour, and “The Gentleman’s Steak Dinner” is still a standout. $$ (01/2011)
16 W Martin St, Raleigh
919-747-9345
capitalclub16.com -
VIMALA’S CURRYBLOSSOM CAFÉ
This new Indian-Southern restaurant combines the food of owner Vimala Rajendran’s Bombay childhood with fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The result is quirky, healthy soul food. Choose from eastern North Carolina barbecue pulled pork or Indian classics like tandoori chicken. $ (11/2010)
431 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-929-3833
curryblossom.com
