Juju Asian Tapas + Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (703) • $$$

"Food is stupendous Service was mehhhAmbiance was noisy and hard to hear and be heard, tables way too close to one another.The bill was eye bulging too. The food was very good though, albeit modest portions."

Farmhouse Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (104)

"My mom and I visited this cafe for Sunday brunch and really enjoyed it. You order at the counter then find a place to sit inside or outside. I recommend outside for the view of the lake. It was the NC Peach French Toast with a Trophy Cloud Surfer for me and the Farmhouse Benedict with a cup of cheese grits and a Fullsteam Paycheck Pilsner for my mom. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. This spot is a must visit in Wendell."

Figulina

★★★★☆ 4 (42) • $$$

"I was sad to see Humble Pie go, but also really like the pasta concept of Figulina. The menu is small, so if you aren't looking for pasta, this probably isn't the spot to go. My friend and I sat at the communal table and enjoyed watching them make the fresh pasta in what seemed to be a dedicated pasta room. Service was super friendly and I loved their whole aperitivi concept. I ordered the lillet blanc the way they suggested with soda water and an orange. It was refreshing and a great Spring drink. We got the whipped ricotta as an appetizer which I did really like with the beets. For pasta we went with the cappetelli and nori bucatini. I thought both were excellent. The portions are small, but the flavors are rich. I thoroughly enjoyed both of them and definitely wanted to lap up that cappetelli sauce with the spoon they provided. I'm looking forward to them getting their patio up and running, would love to dine in again soon!"

Lucha Tigre

★★★★☆ 3.9 (429)

"We discovered Lucha Tigre thanks to Yelp. We enjoyed our meal here. I give this place 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Good food, for the most part, and great service. I'd come back.This is a casual, fun, Asian-Latin fusion restaurant and bar. Inside, the space is divided into two sides: bar and dining room. A big "LUCHA TIGRE" covers one of the bar walls and pop art decorates the main dining room wall. They also have a somewhat spacious, partially-covered patio. Overall, it's got a neat vibe.I booked our reservations on Lucha Tigre's website at https://luchatigre.com/ The reservation process was unconventional because instead of getting booked immediately, I had to wait for an email confirmation. On a Sunday, I got a "Pending Reservation Request" email at 2:16pm followed by a confirmation email at 2:52pm, so a 36-minute turnaround time. I got us a same-day reservation at 5pm, not a peak time as evidenced by the lack of customers upon our arrival. However, business had picked up by the time we left around 6:30.The menu had an interesting selection of food and drink. A few good examples of the Asian-Latin fusion served here include General Tso's Chicken Empanadas ($5 each), Pozole Ramen ($15.99), and Pad Thai Al Pastor ($16.99). They also serve straight-up Asian and Latin dishes like pho ($14.99) and tacos ($2 and $4 each). Drink-wise, they had a full bar with a decent selection that included tequila, mezcal, and sake cocktails. They even had a cocktail made with Japanese Suntory Whisky Toki.Here's what my wife and I had:Bebidas Especiales (cocktails)* El Conquistador ($14) - Tequila Herradura Silver, freshly-squeezed citrus, CointreauTapas* Tuna Tiradito ($16.99) - sashimi tuna with aji amarillo pepper, onions, cilantro, roasted corn nuts, and fresh citrus; Nikkei cuisine* Bulgogi Nachos ($15.99) - giant-size nachos with Korean BBQ beef, pico, kimchi, cheese, crema, jalapenos, black beansEntrees* Salmon Poke ($18.99) - raw salmon with sesame, onion, and tamari with seaweed salad, rice, and avocado* Pollo Saltado ($16.99) - stir-fried chicken, tomato, cilantro, onion; served over fries with rice and saladIn general, we were happy or content with everything. Some dishes were better than others. Beautiful presentation all around.The El Conquistador was a margarita that was more tart and less sweet. It was refreshing.I liked the Tuna Tiradito more than my wife. Tiradito is like Peruvian sashimi. I thought this dish was fine. I could see why my wife didn't like it as much because the texture of the tuna wasn't as fresh and appetizing as the tuna sashimi we're accustomed to. This tuna was a bit more "pasty" in texture. Also, the roasted corn nuts, which we think were the same as hominy, didn't add much.The standout dish was the Bulgogi Nachos. I saw pictures of it on Yelp and knew we had to order it. The portion size was huge and the Korean beef bulgogi was sweet and savory. We devoured the nachos. They were incredibly delicious and addictive. A lot of textures and flavors, and they all blended and worked well together.The Salmon Poke was solid. I recommend it if you like poke. Admittedly, it was better than we both expected because we haven't encountered a lot of great poke in the Chapel Hill-Durham area. Decent portions and fresh salmon, seaweed salad, and other ingredients. I will say the rice tasted plain and not seasoned with rice vinegar. The poke came with two sauces on the side, tamari (a type of Japanese soy sauce) and what I think was a type of curry sauce. The salmon was already nicely marinated and tasty so the sauces weren't needed.The Pollo Saltado was OK. It wasn't among the best I've had, but it was "authentic." The problems with this dish were the chicken was too dry and tough and the fries were underseasoned (not salty enough). Unfortunately, the salad was the best part of this dish.Our server Taryn was great. She was attentive and efficient. Everything we ordered came out fairly quickly. One detail I really liked and appreciated was Taryn neatly packed our leftovers and labeled and dated the boxes. That's an extra level of service you don't get at most other sit-down restaurants.Lucha Tigre opened in December 2012. It replaced the Chapel Hill location of The Original Flying Burrito: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-original-flying-burrito-chapel-hill You can find it in the Midtown Market shopping plaza, north of UNC's campus. There's plenty of free dedicated parking.I didn't have a good cell signal here and used their guest Wi-Fi. Password was Beefbulgogi1."

Zest Sushi & Small Plates

★★★★☆ 4.2 (26)

"My experience here was nothing less than stellar. I stopped for lunch today while I was in the Cary area. I found parking behind the building and walked in to the beautifully decorated restaurant. The hostess was very friendly and I had the option of dining in ladle or out. I chose inside so I can see the restaurant. The menu hit everything that I would ever want to order. Raw oysters- sushi and and small plates. I chose the scallop crudo and tina tartare. The crudo was unique with an orange flavor which I found delightful. The tartare had such a delicious mark are and I loved the crisps that were served with it. My server was excellent and I would dine here frequently if I lived in the area. I thought the pricing was rather reasonable for an upscale restaurant. Highly recommend."

The Willard Rooftop Lounge

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (96) • $$

"This was a lucky find in my quest for a drink with a view! Awesome rooftop above the AC hotel in the happening strip of Glenwood. It was the perfect place to catch up with my friend on a beautiful sunny Sunday . We had their amazing espresso martinis and took in the view of Raleigh. Great high top tables and sofas . They have food as well. But we were here for the beverages !Great casual chill service. They created a nice laid back vibe here. Super clean inside and outside . Greta Sunday funday spot ! Just take the elevator up !"

Taste

★★★★☆ 4.3 (149) • $$

"Taste small plates wine bar is where I went this past Sunday for brunch with my husband. Looking for a place that has good food, chill ambience and great service- you'll really have a memorable time. This is your spot. I had shrimp and grits (made with Gouda cheese,yum) which I found wonderfully delicious and tasty. My husband opted for an omelette and he loved the potatoe cakes that come with it. They're just very addictive! Add a miMosa, or a cocktail of your choice and viola, you have a great Sunday brunch date. They also have artwork for sale by local artists and a full bar. come to Taste..... you won't regret it."

Killjoy

★★★★☆ 4.4 (100) • $$

"Discovering new cocktail bars while traveling is always a must for me. I was recently in Raleigh and found myself wanting to grab a night cap after a long day. Yelp brought me to Killjoy and I was so happy to have discovered it.First of all, the decor is great. There's a large main room with a pretty big bar, as well as a room on the side that has quirky yet welcoming decor.Since it was a weeknight it was pretty empty, but I didn't mind the chill vibes.My bartender was super nice and made a great dirty martini.Their liquor selection seems extensive, and their cocktail menu was impressive too. It's open late, and the drinks are well priced. Would definitely go back."

Barcelona Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (459) • $$$

"Ordered a Paloma with Tapas; Patatas Bravas (Aka potatoes with sauce) & Gambas Al Ajillo. (Shrimp in butter garlic spicy oil). Good start!Everything came out steaming hot with an awesome presentation. Service at the bar is great. 3 bar tenders that are attentive and focused on the customers. The rest of staff seem to be on their game also. This place does not disappoint. Still one of my favorite places to hit when visiting Raleigh. Cheers!"

Nightingale Rooftop

★★★★☆ 3.9 (52)

"I'm just going to throw out there that I'm smitten! Nightingale is a beautiful space, with great food (love the gnocchi, pork belly, and cocktail eggs), and great service (thank you Brian and Sarah). The cocktails are tasty to boot. When I heard that my round 1 cocktail choice was batch, I was worried-- but fret not, it was delicious! (Sorry I can't remember the name-- vodka, elderflower, pineapple) Hubs' "Grizzly Bear" was great and my subsequent "Ruby Cup" was magnificent also!Hubs and I stopped by to check out the scene and to see what's what. We were not disappointed in the least. In all honesty, Nightingale made fans out of us. On our visit, we were told that Nightingale was featuring live music on the patio for the first time -- keep that up! It was a welcomed addition to the ambiance and experience. Sarah was so kind to show us around, and the event space is fantastic as well.All that to say-- Nightingale is the kitty's titties and I'll be back soon! Cheers!"

Flour & Barrel

★★★★☆ 4.4 (24)

"It's a top chef and date night masterpiece! The food and cocktails are quite tasty. I also love the vibe and music here. This is absolutely where you want to bring a group for dinner and drinks as the aesthetic is phenomenal and the menu more than delivers. The chicken leg, baked provolone, and the conchiglie were all WINNERS, and prices were great. I was pleasantly surprised! Be back real soon as the chitarra is calling my name. Cheers!"

Saap Laotian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (78)

"I had a lovely dinner at SAAP. Service was incredible slow and they just brought the check before even asking about dessert. However I think it was just very busy and the server was very friendly.The food was delicious. Of course since this is the chef from Bida Manda the food will feel very reminiscent of their dishes. We started with the seafood salad and bbq pork summer rolls, both were tasty. The star of the show was the whole fish for dinner. It was a fried red snapper and it was spot on. I also found the pricing very reasonable at $38. If you've never been to this area I found parking to be easy in the deck. I totally drove right by the deck though and had to turn around."

Botanical Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.9 (34)

"Very nice ambiance here. Seemed to be a mature crowd out on a Friday night earlier before 10. It started to get crowded as the night went on. The bartenders were attentive. The server came around and offered us drinks. They do serve food but after a certain hour they do stop serving. I do think they should keep serving at least until 10:30. I enjoyed the experience overall. Very nice chill vibes. I would recommend Botanical to friends."

Tamasha

★★★★☆ 4.3 (71)

"I give Tamasha a solid four stars. This is one of the best Indian restaurants we've been to in the Triangle. The top three, in no particular order, are Tamasha (Raleigh), Viceroy (Durham), and Lime & Lemon (Chapel Hill location). They're all good to great for different reasons. For us, where Tamasha excelled was ambiance, presentation, and service. The restaurant is open for dinner only. For a nice night out, it checks all the boxes.Of the three restaurants mentioned above, Tamasha is the fanciest and most formal. It has a fine-dining-type atmosphere. They have a dress code: https://tamashanc.com/dress-code-policy-2/ Suggestions include blazers for men and dresses and "refined tops" for women, "elegantly coupled with dress pants, jeans, skirts, or dressy shorts." During our visit, the dress code wasn't strictly enforced.Viceroy has a nicer vibe and finer presentation as well, but it feels more relaxed (it's in Durham, after all). I thought the food at Viceroy tasted better than the food at Tamasha. My wife thought the opposite. Lime & Lemon is great for casual, straightforward Indian food. It's ideal for families and big groups. They serve common comfort-food-type dishes. Tamasha differentiates itself with its swanky and intimate dining experience, atypical when it comes to Indian restaurants in the States. The food and drink are creative and modern with fusion elements.Tamasha opened in February 2024 in North Hills. It's located on the ground level of the relatively-new Advance Auto Parts headquarters building. We found free parking in the attached deck. We entered via Plaza St and took an elevator to and from our parking spot, walking through the office building lobby each way.We wouldn't have known about Tamasha if it wasn't for our Indian friends telling us about it. They discovered the restaurant via Instagram and later saw it on TikTok. Visually, this place is made for Reels and TikToks. The interior design is stunning and opulent. Case in point, Tamasha made OpenTable and People magazine's list of 50 most beautiful restaurants in America: https://www.opentable.com/blog/c/most-beautiful-restaurants-usa/ (Note: I think the list features OpenTable restaurants only.)This place is popular so be sure to book your reservation well in advance. Tamasha awarded 100 OpenTable dining points when we dined (not all OpenTable restaurants award points). We booked over a month out for a Saturday and even then, all the peak times were taken.Below is a list of what four of us ordered. It should give you a decent idea of what this place has to offer in terms of food and drink, and how much it costs.Craft Cocktails* Renegade Tigress ($18) - Amrut Old Port Deluxe Rum, orange, tangerine, ginger, egg white, peach bitters* Diamond in the Rough ($19) - Redemption Rye Whiskey, honey, lemon, maple, sunflower, fennel* Queen's Necklace x2 ($18 each) - Empress 1908 Gin, lavender, blueberry, lemon* Bagged Milk x2 ($19 each) - Tito's Handmade Vodka, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Disaronno, espresso, oat milk, egg whiteAppetizers* Four Cheese Truffle Kulcha ($14) - sharp cheddar, brie, Asiago, chili, black truffle dust, truffle butter, shishito pepper and black winter truffle added (market price for black winter truffle was $22 for 3 grams)* Kozhi Vepudu ($21) - chicken thighs, shallots, fennel, puffed wild black rice, fermented rice and lentil pancakes, curry leaf and kale pachadi* Dahi Ke Kebab ($18) - yogurt croquettes, caramelized onion, cashew nut, raisins, cottage cheese, tomato and jaggery dipChaat & Salad* Chaat Mate ($28) - purple sweet potato, crunchy kale, crispy okra, and tuk aloo chaatLarge Plates* Yellow Tail Red Snapper Coastal Curry ($37) - slow-cooked snapper, green mango, coconut milk, curry leaves, shallots, grapefruit, Swiss chard, steamed rice* Dum Ki Nalli Gosht ($47) - slow-cooked 10 hours, lamb shank roasted in aromatic gravy, saffron rice, burani raitaDesserts* North Meets South ($15) - elaneer payasam, ghewar, rose, hibiscus, coconut jelly, and young coconut* Salted Palm Jaggery Cointreau gelato ($9)Breads* Garlic Naan ($7)* Flaky Laccha Paratha ($6)All of the food and drink were gorgeous. They care a lot about the look of everything here. That said, I couldn't help but notice that the elaneer payasam (tender coconut milk/water) in our "North Meets South" dessert was poured out of a gimmicky $15 Aladdin genie lamp: https://www.amazon.com/Gusnilo-Legend-Aladdin-Collectors-Peacock/dp/B08KZS3C12 But seriously, everything looked amazing.The only disappointment was the Renegade Tigress cocktail, which we sent back because it didn't taste good. Everything else was delicious. Standouts included the Bagged Milk cocktail, Chaat Mate, and North Meets South dessert. The red snapper and lamb shank were very good. Also, the Laccha Paratha was crispy and satisfying.Service was great. Near the end of our meal, owner Mike came over to our table and personally thanked us for coming in."

Rustic Roots

★★★★★ 4.6 (98) • $$$

"What an fantastic meal! We had the ribeye steak dinner that comes with salad and potato. The steak melts in your mouth and the sides were delicious. Desserts looked amazing but could not eat another bite. Everything is made from scratch. Our server, Jacquelyn, was terrific. Super upbeat, charming, and very attentive. Location is on the small side but full of country charm. Reservations are definitely required."

Bodega Tapas & Wine

★★★★★ 4.5 (144)

"Oh Serg Serg Serg! You naughty, naughty Frenchman! How dare you serve such delightful food? I mean my first visit here, and imagine my surprise when I saw the French side of Tapas! Those escargot?! Ooo lala! My first visit here and we sampled a little bit of everything, but the prize goes to those gnocchi. Pillowy, light, drenched in buttery and cheesy sauce! Service? I M P E C C A B L E! Food? Tight, small, flawless menu! Forewarned I will return when I'm back visiting the area again! This is my warning!"

Las Ramblas

★★★★☆ 4.3 (64) • $$

"We stumbled upon this restaurant (thought we were staying at the hotel across the street - turns out there's lots of Hyatts in town - long story) and I'm so glad we did! We sat on a nice outdoor patio and enjoyed the sounds of the outdoor concert down the street. It was Sangria night (red or white options), so we had some nice red Sangria to sip while trying a sampling of the menu. We decided not to get any entrees and instead do things tapas style. We tried to recreate our Northern Spain roadtrip and ordered the croquette, tortilla espanola, calamari, and the albondigas along with a few other dishes. The albondigas were so good that we ordered a second plate of them.,Wish we lived in the area - this would be a great date night spot or a place to meet up with friends for drinks and appetizers."

B-Side Lounge

★★★★☆ 4.2 (30) • $$

"I finally had the chance to check out B-Side last night and was pleasantly surprised! I wasn't given too much information about the place except that it's a lounge that serves food, but what really stood out to me was the ambiance. This is not a place where you'd find college students, it's more of a graduate student and young professionals spot which is really refreshing in the Chapel Hill area. It isn't a huge place so I could see this place getting really loud and rowdy on the weekends but on a Friday night after the dinner hour, it was perfect! When I first walked in, I noticed the layout and I like how they utilized their space. There are booths, tables and seats at the bar but it all has an intimate feel. Initially, we got to a shaky start because I wasn't really clear if we would get table service or it was like a bar and you order through the bartender and take a seat somewhere. Turns out, it is table service so they come to you! It seemed like the bartenders were a bit overwhelmed but once we got our orders in, we were good to go!I was a little hungry so I was glad to see that they served small plates, and after looking at the menu it was so hard to pick just one! I settled on the pupusa which is a chorizo and potato pancake served with pickled vegetables. It was so delicious, I almost licked the plate! The pancakes look more like flat empanadas but they're very flavorful and actually paired well with the pickled vegetables. The pickled vegetables sort of reminded me of kimchi as they were a bit spicy but, to be clear I would definitely not call it kimchi. But they were still tasty if you like pickled vegetables.They have an assortment of wines, beers, and cocktails on the menu. I thought it was nice that their draft beers were all NC beers (go local!) and they also have wine on tap.Overall, I can't wait to return and share this place with others! Like the other review says, it's hard to find if you aren't familiar with the Carr Mill area but if you see the loading dock area (almost across from southern rail) you're in the right spot!"

The Mill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (55) • $$

"7 of us had an early Saturday night dinner here (with reservations), and it was delightful. The atmosphere is so inviting and comfortable, and not too loud. They have tables and booths. Our booth was comfortably large enough for all of us. I will say at first we thought we would freeze to death cause it was so cold, but when we requested to be warmed up a bit, they were kind enough to do adjust the temp.Food was terrific. We started by sharing an order of onion rings, and it was a generous enough portion that it was plenty for all of us to sample. Definitely some of the best onion rings we've ever had. Nicely seasoned. Harissa dipping sauce good. Yum!Entrees were also expertly prepared and delicious. I loved my Salmon. Husband was a fan of the Steak Frites. Others liked the New York Strip, the Pork Chop and the Cowboy Steak for two and the Fish and Chips. Love that the menu has a nice variety of casual to fancy food options.Service was good. Don't know if they have dessert or not, though. We were never offered any and didn't see a dessert menu. That was the only disappointment.Note: they have a nice looking patio area with a fire pit.I would say the Urben Food Group has another hit on their hands. Prices not crazy for the quality!"

The Nomad

★★★★☆ 4.4 (87) • $$

"Sooooo good! The Chicken Souvlaki was some of the best chicken I've ever - the flavor and spices were just so delicious. Loved the tzatziki sauce. The naan that came with it was also great. The dark chocolate mousse was so rich and creamy and I loved the peanut butter topping! We had no problem getting a table on a Monday night, but it does seem like a spot that many people make reservations for. There was plenty of free parking around the back of the building and there's also street parking."

Postal Fish Company

★★★★☆ 4.4 (152)

"I now have a new favorite spot and super happy it's only an hour from our home in High Point! We took the day off to visit a Pittsboro since we have not been there in a while and it did not disappoint. Visited several local breweries and finished the night here. We wanted to try loads of things since it was our first time so we had cheddar biscuits, a salad, striped Seabass, and last but not least the most perfect hush puppies I've had in a long, long time!"

ORO Restaurant & Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.8 (422) • $$$

"I just can't say enough about ORO. The food is always excellent. I have tried things on the menu that are not my favorite, but the dishes are so well done, I end up a fan!We have celebrated several birthdays, a graduation, business dinners, and regular meals here. It has always been knock it out of the ballpark with great food and great service!"

Parts&Labor

★★★★☆ 4.1 (266) • $

"Stopped in at Parts & Labor during a day out in Durham for a quick drink. They had a nice little outdoor seating area with a funky, bright mural and it was a good place to sit and hang for a bit. I ordered one of their Micheladas and I wanted to love it, but I wasn't impressed sadly. I loved that the mix appeared to be house made, but it was really thick and I think they just added too much. The taste was great but the consistency was not thin enough for my liking. My friend said the Paloma was just okay. The staff were nice and the space is as well, but the drinks just missed the mark a bit for us. Overall this was a 3.5, but I'm rounding up."

Little Bull

★★★★★ 4.6 (92)

"I'm 100% a fan! Little Bull is a relatively new restaurant that opened in the Raleigh / Durham area of North Carolina in June 2023. From an Eater article, Little Bull's concept combines Asian and Mexican cuisines with a nod towards American comfort food. According to their website, they are focused on nostalgic comfort food inspired by first generation immigrant kids. My friend and I were in the area for the weekend and made reservations here for dinner. We made reservations ahead of time on OpenTable.Between the 2 of us, we ordered several dishes:- Ceviche Negro - snapper & squid ink (seafood was really fresh!) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=M9jIbDtOE5G9zUkX3zLonA&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_Hueg- Gambas a la Plancha - shrimp & salsa piquin (tasted more Asian to me!) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=YUWlCXvHxMI6M8BfFiMVhg&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_Hueg- Tongue & Cheek - bone marrow, beef cheek barbacoa (MY FAVORITE! MUST GET!) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=clpnM92C1SBOC_iIHd4SbA&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_Hueg- Charred Broccolini - also with bok choy (the veggie dish) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=rM43cGOMUlCF6g2-eUkn_g&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_Hueg- Little Fall Asada - hangar steak (MEDIUM RARE)For desserts,- Taiyaki Pan de Yuca - cheese bread taiyaki (my favorite of the 2 desserts) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=-zQ1ZvK_kvs7r6Ty-sB5WA&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_Hueg- Pastelito - puff pastry, goat cheese, guava - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=cDdbBdLZp3YS200dKXd5gg&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_HuegFor drinks, - Carmenere - Chilean Red Wine from Casa Silvo- Overberg - Mezcal - described as smoky, extremely bitter, sour, and herbaceous - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=DtSYElisi_GJ4BnrvQx6KQ&userid=NvUeb5G_mSSxgKhEE_HuegFood & drinks were delicious! Service was impeccable. Ambiance was intimate. I was definitely happy with their creative menu and their fusions. It was a great experience to start a weekend trip!ENJOY!!"

Level7

★★★★☆ 3.5 (169) • $$

"I dropped in before my afternoon brunch and after when a group of guys my friend I met at Stir welcomed us back. Tonya was the bartender smiling at the door and greeting us as we entered (both times). It wasn't busy during our first visit before 1pm. When we came back over after - 3:30pm, there were so many people who, I believe, flowed over from brunch. The beautiful AKAs were celebrating founders day. I loved seeing the authentic unity, friendship, and welcome from such an amazing Sisterhood. Level 7 is a great space to connect with other professionals. I enjoyed myself. It was great to experience exceptional customer service. Tonya warned me because the menu was changing, everything wasn't available. She did a great job recreating what I needed for my preference. I wanted to Level 75 but settled for the usual French 75. It was perfect!"

Bar Virgile

★★★★☆ 4.3 (380)

"It's been a while since we dined at Bar Virgile and it was as delicious as ever! We were seated in the Annex at the bar since there was no more space in the main area. I believe the Annex serves the same menu, just a bit of a different vibe with it being more like a tiki bar. The Blue Hawaiian was perfect and made me feel like I was on vacation! All of the food was amazing as usual. I had the Mac & Cheese and Fried Okra. My husband had the salmon and mentioned many times that it was sooo good! We had a small hiccup with the staff being unsure if they could use a gift card in the Annex area, thankfully it was all sorted out. If they gave us a one time courtesy, that's probably something that needs to be noted for anyone trying to dine at Bar Virgile though. We love this place and it's probably the best food we have ever had in Durham! The only reason we don't visit more often these days is due to having limited time before events in downtown Durham and just not being able to make reservations."

Copa

★★★★☆ 3.5 (174) • $$

"Good things about this place:1 - beautiful restaurant and ambiance2 - unique menu and dishes with lots of variety 3 - not too loud, you can have conversations4 - some excellent appetizers - duck was deliciousNeed for improvement things1 - service is pretty slow, especially the bar service2 - my Caribbean chicken entree was a bit dried out but the flavor was good3 - the steak wasn't cooked right so we had it sent it back, though it was good. It tasted like it was marinated in vinegar/ chimmichuri and I hope that's not because the meat went bad 4 - wait staff didn't check on us 5 - one of our entrees was delivered 10 minutes after all the others 6 - it's pretty expensive for what it is"

Bedford Food & Drink

★★★★★ 5 (10)

"Bedford Food & Drink is a lovely new option in the space where the boba shop used to be. I've only been there for coffee but will return for one of their weekly wine tastings. I love the vibe there!"

Hawkers Asian Street Food

★★★★☆ 4.2 (535) • $$

"I've heard so much about this place especially in Instagram and it piqued my interest. It's a little far from my home but I'm a sucker for good food, so we trekked from North Hills to Chapel Hill. Having lived in Southeast Asia for a good portion of my life, the decor was weirdly familiar yet decidedly different. For one, hawkers food courts don't have air conditioning, but I'm not complaining :). The interior captured the atmosphere of your typical Singaporean open air food court. Brought so many good memories!The food items were prepared well but to be honest, I've had better. Nonetheless, we were satisfied.The crispy pork bellies are a B+.The fried tofu is just a B.The Pad Thai is a B+The banana spring rolls were a B+.The service - I'll give them an A+!One of our servers forgot our dessert order but I chalked it up to the din at the dining room when he was taking our order. But when we asked for it they corrected it immediately and even offered to give it for free. We declined the offer and insisted we pay for it. No harm no foul. But I did like the offer as it shows their dedication to making the dining experience as enjoyable as possible. They even gave me a free jasmine tea refill to go. That was a nice touch.Parking was great when we got there but it being a Friday early afternoon, I figured that was why it was so easy. When we left the restaurant after our meal, the parking lot was so full, that people were circling around like vultures hunting for a meal. It was surprising, to say the least. Lesson of the story: come in as early as possible to avoid looking for an open spot. Recommend? Yes. Definitely workable. Would I visit again? Probably not for a while. There are a good number of Asian inspired places in the area that I want to visit before I circle back to this place."

Madre

★★★★☆ 4.2 (95)

"Beautiful restaurant and fantastic food. This is literally the type of food I imagine I would try from a chef in a professional cooking show. Everything was exploding with flavors and also looked good on the plate. Make reservations because it's definitely trendy.The restaurant itself is extremely beautiful and decorated so well. It reminds me of a place I'd look for when I go out of town. The bar and dining room is very aesthetically pleasing and makes you want to look nice and take pictures. Make sure you take a trip to the cool bathrooms. I came for brunch and got the mimosa carafe, biscuits, burger, french toast, and chicken and donut. The stand out was surprisingly the biscuit. My partner and I agreed this was the best biscuit we've ever tasted anywhere and it was paired with a nice jam and onion-y butter that I loved. The chicken was good as well and even though we weren't a fan of the bread for the french toast because it made it too crispy, it was still tasty and the chantilly was sooo flavorful. We also wanted some scrambled eggs since it was breakfast and even though it wasn't on the menu they delivered. I loved my experience here, the service was great, and I'll definitely be back for dinner and interested to see how the menu continues to change."

Dashi

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (703) • $$

"Wow, just wow! This place was fantastic! As a ramen enthusiast, I had high expectations, and they were fully met. The broth was incredibly rich, warming me to the bone--perfect for the chilly day. The pork belly was outstanding, with a perfect crust and tender texture that absorbed the umami flavors of the broth beautifully. The edamame and house-made kimchi were fresh and delicious. The edamame came with a chili crunch that packed a punch, and the kimchi had a bold gochugaru flavor that was absolutely on point.I'm excited to come back and try the omakase menu; it looked phenomenal. I also recommend trying the house-made hot sauce--it was a great addition. The ambiance was super trendy, reminiscent of a spot you'd find in NYC, but fitting right into the vibe of Downtown Durham. The decor was thoughtfully designed, and it really enhanced the experience. Our server was sweet, guiding us through the menu and providing efficient, timely service. I'll definitely return to explore more of the menu next time we're in Durham!"

Tanner’s Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (18)

"A friend and I decided to hit up Tanner's for dinner after plant shopping yesterday afternoon. I had been there Tuesday for an Elite event and I was sure she would love it. I was not wrong.Wednesdays mean flights and flights mean 3 pours of 3 ounces, one after the other of wines that aren't on the regular menu. This week was Spanish reds and they were all really delicious. Vivino says they are all @$25 bottle. So, $18 for the flight for 9 ounces really didn't seem extravagant.The Cheese and Charcuterie Board is a design-it-yourself arrangement. You choose 2 or 4 of a large selection of cheeses and meats, and a couple of extras like olives, honey or whole grain mustard. And you can add some extras for an addition cost like deviled eggs or smoked salmon. (Their deviled eggs are awesome.)The Bananas Foster cannoli was stellar and the Meyer lemon tart was sublime. The grilled artichoke hearts were out of this world, too.Staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about everything they serve. I'm excited about the Thursday night jazz.I expect they'll start recognizing my face fairly soon."

Alley Twenty Six

★★★★☆ 4.2 (378) • $$

"If you're ever in Charlottesville do yourself a favor and visit The Alley Light. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted + their food is delicious. PS, make reservations. Hidden behind an alley and large wooden door is this eclectic speakeasy. You're guided up the stairs to this beautiful old building with large bay windows and antique wood everywhere. The small plates pair nicely with all of the cocktails but the drinks are the star of the show. Try something new and let your bartender use their skills and get creative. Trust me, it'll be a new favorite spot!"

MOFU Shoppe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (320) • $$

"On a busy first Friday night in downtown Raleigh, we decided to have dinner at Mofu Shoppe! There was a 35-40 minute wait for a table for 2 (we didn't make a reservation), so we opted to sit at the last 2 seats at the bar! It took a little time for one of the awesome bar tenders to wait on us, but it's understandable for a super busy Friday night. It's a super cute vibe. There's even a little upstairs balcony looking seating area. I really liked the vibe here. The service was pretty good to top it off!My daughter had been here before and surprisingly it was my first time. Since she had decided to come here again, I let her order. She ordered us several shareable to share :)The Beef Bulgogi Dumplings were absolutely amazing. It came with an even more yummy kimchi bbq sauce for dipping. The Kimchi tots were amazing, such an amazing flavor profile. On to the Mofu Wings, they have a few flavors, we ordered the Thai Chili, soooo delicious. And lastly the Crispy Brussels w/ Fried Tofu. The Brussels were delicious. I was literally dancing in my seat the food was so good. If you know me, I hardly ever give 5's. I give glowing 4's, but 5's are rare. I'll be dreaming about this food until I go back next."

The Iron Oaks

★★★★☆ 3.9 (14)

"We got drinks at The Iron Oaks while waiting for our table at nearby Sushi Mon. Sushi Mon has some of the best sushi in the Triangle, by the way: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-mon-raleighThe drinks and service at The Iron Oaks were good. This is a relatively-new bar and lounge located on the ground floor of one of the office buildings at Glenwood Place. The Iron Oaks serves food too -- small, shareable plates + burgers and sandwiches.At the bar, the big-screen menus had dozens of beers on tap. The wine list was sizable. Our group got cocktails. There were about 10 cocktails available. My wife had The Iron Margarita ($13) and I had the Mulligan Mule ($13). Both were well made, balanced, and tasty. Simple presentation. The Iron Margarita came with Lunazul Reposado Tequila, Cointreau orange liqueur, and housemade sour mix. The Mulligan Mule is The Iron Oaks' version of the Moscow Mule. It was made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer.There were TVs playing sports around the bar. Homey furniture was used for the lounge spaces (e.g., tufted couches and chairs, coffee tables). It was a mix of both traditional and contemporary furniture. The indoor and outdoor dining spaces consisted of modern high-tops with Tolix (or Tolix-style) stools. Inside, a glass fireplace separated the bar and lounge areas. Outside, they have a fairly-spacious patio that's mostly covered.Hidden off to the side are two golf simulators. You can bring your own clubs if you want. I saw some guy walk in with his bag. While we were here, on a Saturday after 6pm, there was some sort of event (shower) going on. This does look like an ideal event space for smaller gatherings.Plenty of free parking is available in the adjacent deck at 3705 National Drive.Service was friendly and efficient.The men's room was out of soap and paper towels.The Iron Oaks opened on January 15, 2022: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYwhijnLeOS/"