restaurants

I'm a bit of a foodie and enjoy finding interesting places to eat. On this page is a list of notable ones, organized by region.

Roughly speaking, “notable” means a place I might bring up in a conversation about food in that region or about that particular cuisine.

• Brodeto - Adriatic. Seafood and pasta. This one is truly special, by far the best food I have had in Raleigh and the best on the East coast outside of NYC. Interesting menu. The interior design is sleek and organic, wood and stone with white highlights.
• Brewery Bhavana - dim sum and beer. Half of the restaurant is a brewery and the other half is dining, with a cafe-like space in the middle. Probably the best Asian food you can get in Raleigh and a thoughtful selection of beer. Not cheap but worth it.
• Jolie - French bistro. Rooftop digs are worth advance booking, especially around sunset. Steak tartare is served 'deconstructed' style and if you like that dish, definitely get it. Duck confit is also highlight. This is by the same chef as Brodeto. I went here about a year before Brodeto and thought the food was good although the menu is somewhat boring.
• Beasley's Chicken and Honey - Southern. My overall favorite chicken and waffle spot, although not far ahead of Tupelo. Probably the only Ashley Christensen restaurant that I would go to. I feel like the rest of them are trying to do fine cuisine with the same attitude you should make c&w with. Love their hot sauce.
• Death & Taxes - upscale American? Not a fan of the food at all. Think $50 steak and pasta with the richness and palate of Carraba's fettucine alfredo - very rich, salty, fatty, filling, exactly the opposite of what I want in upscale dining. The most interesting dish I could find, and had, was pork and breaded onions. Salmon tartare with the fish drowned in sauce. This is quite similar to the other “upscale” Ashley Christensen restaurant I've been to (Poole's) and I think I'm seeing the formula. Overall did not like it, both as a matter of personal taste in the cuisine direction but also because the food was just bad. The bread was stale, parts of my dish were burnt. The service was quite good but the mediocre food made it feel like an average restaurant that watched a tv show about fine dining and copied what they saw.
• Sitti - Lebanese food. Right next door to Gravy. First visit was for lunch and I did not like it at all. On a subsequent dinner visit, I found it excellent. Straightforward but delicious menu.
• Caffe Luna - Italian. Well priced with a small menu. Only went once and it was good. I would absolutely go again if I wanted home cooked Italian.
• Poole's - American. People say this is the best or one of the best around. I personally found the menu, while enjoyable, somewhat boring. Like D&T, the food is pretty basic fare, large portions. I kinda got the impression that the menu is optimized around Instagram compatibility.
• Big Easy - Trash. More like the big suck, don't go here.
• Gravy - Italian. Was (may still be) semi-upscale Italian. Went there many many times, but had one bad experience where the food was terrible and didn't return.
• Hibernian - Irish pub. Honestly one of my favorite spots around for a casual bite. On a night with great weather the roof is one of my favorite spots to be. It's a pub, so the food is not really the draw, but the food is reliable and the place you eat them in is comfortable, cozy and tucked away from the chaos outside. Also the only place to get an authentic Irish breakfast around here, which I appreciated much more after visiting Ireland.
• Whiskey Kitchen - American. Food is good and slightly overpriced. This is more of a whiskey bar than a restaurant. If you want to drink and also eat, this is a great spot.
• Salsa Fresh - Mexican. This is an S tier lunch spot with simple Mexican fare and a very fresh, very delicious salsa bar. For whatever reason the Morrisville location is way better.
• Sam Jones BBQ - BBQ. They have bar seating and I've had an interesting conversation with a stranger next to me. My buddy hated it.
• Waraji - Sushi. Surprisingly good sushi as NC goes, in an unexpected location. If I want good sushi in Raleigh this is my goto.
• Mulino - Italian. Me and my friend found the food overpriced and the service somewhat slow. Drinks were good.
• Tonbo Ramen - Ramen. I was notably unimpressed and found the food bland.
• Miso Ramen Bar - Ramen. There's three locations; I've been to the Raleigh location twice and liked my food each time. Solid ramen spot.
• PRESS Coffee+Crepes - Crepes and a cocktail bar. I went there for a crepe and a flat white. It was OK but I couldn't stop thinking that for $25 I got a lukewarm crepe, a tiny flat white and no service when I'd get double the portions of both with better quality for like €8-10 anywhere in Europe. Unlikely to return.

• Noodle Blvd - Ramen. The most reliable ramen spot in the Triangle that I have been to. I like their spicy seafood kimchi ramen best.

• Saltbox Seafood Joint - Fresh seafood. Daily menu. Straightforward, delicious meals.
• Thaiangle - Got green curry. It was ok, next time I want Thai I'll try somewhere else. Service was *too* attentive, interruption my meal to refill water, ask about the food multiple times etc.

• wa'z - Kaiseki - this ranks among the absolute best places I have ever eaten. It may be the best place I have ever eaten. I am surprised they do not have a star. Extremely delicious. Extremely expensive - but worth it.
• Sushi Kashiba - Sushi - Also very good. It's high end sushi with matching service for about as much as you would expect.
• Kamonegi - Japanese - My first experience with soba, not one to be forgotten. Can be a bit hard to get in here but worth it.

• Tavernetta - It's hard to impress me with Italian but this place is very good. I particularly enjoyed their cheese selections.
• Daughter Thai - I had khao soi for the first time here. On a later visit I had their lamb curry. Great food on both counts.

• Chiang Rai - Thai. Amazing street food.
• Canter's Deli - Jewish deli. 24 hours and I have never been there without appreciating that. I love this place.
• Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles - Chicken and waffles. Yep. If that's what you want, go to Roscoe's.

It's funny, I've been to nice places in Chicago but the only one I can remember off hand is

• Portillo's - Chicago dogs - good

• Russ & Daughters - Mmmmm fish