Stilllife Chapel Hill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (19)

"We visited Still Life's new location in Chapel Hill a couple weekends ago. I was impressed. I didn't know Chapel Hill had an "upscale" dance/nightclub with a sexy, big city vibe to it. We hung out at "The Loft" bar and lounge on the 3rd floor which I believe is 25-and-up only. The Loft is like a covered rooftop patio with outside views on three sides, none of which face Franklin St directly, unfortunately. But still, it's a cool, sleek spot with a nice-looking bar, white couches, and high-tops.We stayed up in The Loft and never went downstairs where, presumably, the main club and dance floor are located. As we drove down Franklin St to get here, after 11pm on a Saturday night, we saw a line of what looked like undergrad-aged kids waiting to get in. So, I'm not sure what the atmosphere was like downstairs, but things were very "mature," chill, and relaxed upstairs. I didn't feel like I was on Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill.We parked for free in the James Wallace Parking Deck, accessible behind Still Life via E Rosemary St. The deck is next to "Amber Alley," which connects the back side of the buildings to Franklin St. On the deck side of the alley, our big group (who had a connection and called ahead) literally got red carpet treatment. Our IDs were checked and we were given wristbands to access The Loft. We took the glass elevator up and down and there were stairs too.Parking in the Wallace Deck was free because we parked outside the hours of operation: 8am-8pm, Monday-Saturday except holidays.According to Still Life Chapel Hill's Instagram page, their rooftop-only soft opening was July 8 and their entire-venue grand opening is two weeks from today on Friday, August 19th: https://www.instagram.com/stilllifeunc/. Currently, there is another Still Life location in Greenville (NC): https://www.yelp.com/biz/still-life-greenville-6. And there used to be a Still Life in Raleigh: https://www.yelp.com/biz/still-life-nightclub-raleigh.I believe this space used to be The Strowd (https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-strowd-chapel-hill) and before that, the Players club (https://www.yelp.com/biz/players-chapel-hill). When my friends were undergrads at UNC, they came to Players. Yep, we're old.Anyway, we had a good time at Still Life and I think this is a club worth checking out. Also, the bartenders were nice and the espresso martini I tried was good. Well made, and nice and strong."

House of Art

★★★★★ 4.6 (17)

"House of Art is a " social museum" that sits on the corner of what was once Black Wall Street on E. Hargett. I previously visited HOA when it first opened for their Pop Up Bar/ comedy night and loved it. Today I returned for the We The Roses 2-day music festival and had a wonderful time as well. The staff is always professional and kind each visit. The art rooms and patio are always gorgeously decorated and a joy to see. The theme was roses of course and a few of the pieces from Dreamville festival were still up from Drake's visit that weekend. We purchased tickets on Eventbrite for the We The Roses Festival and really enjoyed Duck & Edgewood heavy's band performance. The acoustics were perfect and everything was organized. We stuck around for drinks and to take a few cute pics in the art rooms. There is always something unique happening here. Love this place."

The Great Room At Top of the Hill

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"I had my wedding ceremony and reception here and our first lunch as a married couple the next day. The staff is fabulous! They made our event beautiful and stress free (and that's a bride's point of view!) every detail was perfect and food and drinks were fantastic. I can't say enough good things about The Great Room... If you are having a party or just want to grab a bite to eat in Chapel Hill, The Great Room at the Top of the Hill is the place to go!!"

Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery

★★★★☆ 3.6 (198) • $$

"TLDR: Good flavorful food, reasonable prices, easy online ordering, mostly accurate orders. Limited veggies and excess oil in the pasta. Street parking available out front.I'm surprised I haven't been here before having dined at the Durham location in the past. I parked nearby for a different purpose and decided to order takeout for dinner. The online ordering is quick and easy. We chose Buffalo chicken eggs rolls ($10), squash and shrimp pasta ($15), cheesesteak ($12.50), and tater tots ($4). The cheesesteak was supposed to come with cheddar mac, but fries were provided instead. We did not care too much. Highlights of the meal were the egg rolls and tater tots. They were cooked well and had just the right amount of flavor. The pasta was okay once I cooked the shrimp more and removed all the excess oil. Some of the oil spilled during transport and it still had too much. Plus for having "butternut squash" in the name of the dish, I expected more of it. Nonetheless, we were satisfied with the meal and would eat here again."

Highgarden

★★★★☆ 3.9 (10)

"Located at the rooftop level about Botanical Lounge is the new Highgarden. Part lounge, part event space, you've got a lovely view of Glenwood South, cabana areas, greenery and plush outdoor furniture to lounge on. One large bar serves the patio and you've got a shared food menu with Botanical lounge, not starting until 10/6Overall a cool and secluded spot. More to come..."

Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (426) • $$

"Mulino, aka "Melrose Knitting Mill" is housed in a renovated 19th-century building that was originally used as a knitting mill which specialized in underpants and bathing suits. The building retains much of its historical character, with exposed brick walls, large windows, and wooden beams. It truly is a beautifully renovated venue. Fortunately, the underpants and bathing suits have long been replaced by an endless resource of stunning Italian cuisine, where red vino and red sauce pleasantly litter the menu and one of the finest entrees on it is their house made lasagna. Its rich in flavor, layered with thin noodles to ensure your palate captures the flavors of all ingredients across the board. As far as I am concerned, the best seats in the house are on the outdoor patio next to the large fountain, on a good weather day of course. No worries if there is a good chance of rain, they have everything covered. I am a fan of authentically made cannoli, so end the night right with one of the freshly prepared cannoli's'. The subtle sweetness of the filling, the slight tang of the ricotta, and the delicate flavor of the crisp shell, all prepared in-house, YUM! Mulino will see us again, Cheers!"

Vita Vite Downtown

★★★★★ 4.6 (98) • $$

"love the vibe here. super relaxing place to chill drink and just be. ahhhh the hummus and cheese straws were good. they have games to play and wonderful comfortable gathering places. what a gorgeous day i had to just rest my bones for a bit while getting some fresh air and sip some wine."

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."

Venable Rotisserie Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.9 (281) • $$

"Had an excellent lunch, especially as what I ordered did not sound that exciting. I got there early and decided to get the calamari. I had just assumed it was fried calamari, realized it wasn't after I ordered it and was resigned to getting a dish I would just work through, as I am not a huge calamari fan normally outside of fried. Turns out it was fantastic. The calamari was not at all chewy, usually my big complaint, and the tomato/red pepper sauce was incredible. I easily ate all the pieces and was dying to lick the plate it was so good. I decided to go healthy with the main and went with the Cobb salad, also excellent. All of the ingredients were fresh and the Green Goddess dressing excellent, did not overpower the salad but also made it flavorful and interesting. The menu is not huge but what I had was done perfectly."

The Architect Bar & Social House

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (106) • $$

"Surprised that Raleigh has such a cool speakeasy but not many good reviews! We were here for a work event and everyone absolutely loved the drinks and finger food here. There's a cool bookcase that actually opens to a tiny speakeasy located inside the architect! Bartender had good recommendations and service was good. Absolutely recommend!"

Caffe Luna

★★★★☆ 3.9 (371)

"DELICIOUS Italian cuisine in the cutest restaurant!I've seen this place so many times, but haven't gotten a chance to visit. My mom was in town for her birthday so I decided it would be a great opportunity to check it out. I made a reservation for a Friday evening through OpenTable. This restaurant is located in downtown Raleigh. Although there is street parking, it is scarce and there's other businesses, bars, and restaurants in the area that also use that parking. There are, however, pay lots and parking decks right across the street and a short walk there. The inside of the restaurant is small, but it really fits the feel and makes it feel more authentic. The menu has great options. They only have beer and wine for the drink menu. We both ordered a glass of wine and were given break and olive oil for dipping. The bread was really good. It was the right temperature and taste. I ordered the Tortelli Crostacci and it was so good. I love good Italian cuisine and this was fresh and flavorful. My mother ordered the Parmigiana di Vitello (Veal Parmigiana) and her meal was great too. The food was fresh and flavorful and cooked well. The prices were reasonable, especially for the quality and quantity of food. I have fallen in love with this place and can't wait to return!"

The Roof at The Durham

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (50) • $$

"It was my 3rd night staying at The Durham Hotel and I had been looking forward to a visit to this rooftop bar after seeing so many beautiful pictures of it on Yelp. The bar is situated on the 6th floor, the roof of the hotel. The view was beautiful! From this roof top, I could see all of downtown Durham which has a lot of historic buildings that have been converted to restaurants, businesses, and hotels.I came just before sunset, requested a high table for one on the uncovered balcony, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset as I sipped on my glass of Riesling and enjoyed platter of a half dozen fresh raw oysters and a tray of pita bread with babaganoush, spicy feta, and cucumber tahini. The view was gorgeous, the air was fresh, and the ambiance of the rooftop bar did not disappoint. The food menu wasn't the best unfortunately.I was really looking forward to their seafood tower, but was a bit sad the menu had been simplified and no longer offered this platter. There wasn't much to choose from. Regardless, I still enjoyed my selections and had a wonderful evening. The staff was courteous."

La Residence

★★★★☆ 3.8 (72) • $$

"My spouse and our friends came here for brunch following an event in chapel hill. There were several parking lots around and there was not a wait, around 11:00 on a Sunday. I got the GOAT Bloody Mary and it was good. The little grilled cheese wedges are a nice touch. I ordered the chicken and waffles and my spouse got huevos rancheros. Both of our food was a little on the cooler side of warm, which was a little bit of a disappointment. However, we did overhear our server saying they were incredibly short staffed. The chicken, minus the temperature, was 10/10 - some of the best chicken I've had. The waffle was also good, nothing special about it but it was well done. My spouses huevos rancheros were good and the pico tasted very fresh. However, it was VERY heavy on the potato's, which pretty much covered the bottom of the bowl. My spouse said it was a 3.5-4. Overall, I'd give this place a 3.5-4 for brunch."

West End Kitchen & Catering

★★★★★ 4.5 (24)

"A day trip to FireClay Cellars then West End Kitchen for brunch is a must. After you order at the counter the rest of it is table service. I ordered the sawmill with a glass of Prosecco and my mom ordered the philippe's french dip with a beer. The service, drinks and food were all fantastic. My only negative feedback would be that the beers were overpriced."

Southern Vine’s

★★★★★ 4.6 (22)

"Excellent restaurant addition to the Benson/JoCo area.Our family celebrated a birthday at this restaurant.Once drink order was made, a basket of dinner rolls with cinnamon butter were served. The ribeyes were cooked perfectly and, seriously, could be cut with a fork.Filet was amazing, as well. They have aged steaks, flavorful. Meat entrees include your choice of starch, and the salad bar, which was fresh and well stocked. Housemade dressings, yum.Bourbon glazed salmon was good, garlic cilantro rice, a nice accompaniment. Their other "starches" included a loaded potato, or twice baked, both were served in a crock. Fries, another starch option.Coke products and brewed tea, and a wine and cocktail listing. Desserts, made in house and large enough to share. A variety of menu options, including vegetarian.The staff, second to none, everyone friendly, aimed to please, from the time we sat down until we left. Other establishments would do well to hire staff such as these.Looking forward to our next visit!"

The Leaning Tree

★★★★☆ 4.1 (23)

"Cute spot in Bailey of all places. Wine list pairs well.Fa venire l'acquolina in bocca!"

Azitra - Indian Culinary Nirvana

★★★★☆ 3.9 (431) • $$

"I really enjoyed dining at Azitra. The service was attentive, kind and courteous. The ambiance is modern and upscale and Azitra truly offers a modern Indian cuisine dining experience in Brier Creek. The cocktails are excellent and the menu is unique. There is something for everyone to enjoy from seafood to briyani. My friend and fellow foodie extraordinaire suggested we check the restaurant out for dinner during the week. Upon arrival the restaurant was not crowded and few people were dining or seated at the bar. The staff were very attentive and polished. We were seated at a booth where I really enjoyed the white crocodile faux leather booths. Very posh. Indian food is one of my favorites, I was no stranger to the menu offerings but had a hard time deciding. My friend decided to try a few appetizers and we sampled each others with cocktails. We had the gobi Manchurian cauliflower, Kabob assorted skewers, scallops and garlic naan. We ordered martinis with the bubbles presentation. I ordered the lemon garden with vodka and lycheetini with Gin. Both excellent. Nick our waiter made it special for us with the bubbles gun. Unfortunately a few of the appetizers we had did not blow me away. My favorite being the scallops and garlic naan. The scallops were meaty, juicy and seared to perfection. Well done. For dessert we enjoyed the sampler but our favorite of the trio was the limoncello marscapone cake. Devine. Nick was our waiter and Ashish the Assistant Manager provided excellent service. Always checking in to offer a drink or answer a question. Nick was always willing to make a suggestion about a menu item or offer more to enjoy. I will absolutely be back to enjoy the service, cocktails and celebrate a special occasion. The restaurant is upscale, so you should expect the prices to reflect that. Plan ahead financially."

The Wine Feed - Downtown Durham

★★★★★ 4.6 (39) • $$

"Well geesh, I've only been here 30 or 40 times, seems about time for a review?! Given I've been a longtime customer and fan of the original Raleigh Wine Feed, it only would make sense that I would be a fan of Wine Feed #2 in Durham! It feels like the original Wine Feed but with a much larger space and back-lounge with decorative fireplace. They've also got a larger menu of small snacks and plates for those who want to hang out a bit, expect more on that food menu, soon! But what makes the Wine Feed, the Wine Feed is the laid-back staff! Knowledgeable, personable and helpful, the Phils and Brianna make sure that you get some great wine without any of the wine snobbery you can often run into. The bottles here are in the affordable $15 to $30 range and they make an effort to offer up more unusual varietals that you might not normally try. The crowd at Wine Feed Durham is mostly the 25 to 45 range, a mix of young professionals and those in the know. And with its convenient location right off of S. Roxboro Street, it's a quick stop for me when I head into downtown Durham. So stop on by, relax with a good glass and enjoy some conversation at the Wine Feed Durham! They'll also soon be adding a new patio area as a bonus, suh-weet!"

Convivio

★★★★☆ 4.2 (75)

"We had walked by several times and always thought this looked like a charming little Italian eatery and wine bar. We finally decided to make a reservation and go on a weekday night. They were offering a special three-course meal in addition to their regular menu of a few offerings, so both my wife and I ordered that. Honestly, I was hoping to like this place more but we were a little disappointed. Our wine pours were tiny and the the entree portions were really small. Our server asked if we'd like bread and olive oil and we said yes. When our bill arrived, we noticed we were charged for it. The ambiance was nice but we just don't think the prices justified the portions."

Bin 54 Steak & Cellar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (265) • $$$

"We had a wonderful experience at Bin 54 Steak & Cellar. This is one of the only non-chain, high-end steakhouses in Chapel Hill. The food, drink, and service were among the best we've experienced in the Chapel Hill-Durham area. This is a locally-owned-and-operated business. It's been around since 2006, so it's stood the test of time. If you're looking for a nice dinner out in Chapel Hill, I highly recommend this place.Book your reservation using OpenTable. I'm a fan of OpenTable because it lets you earn rewards such as restaurant discounts and Amazon gift cards. I used my last two points redemptions for gift cards. It's a nice perk for dining out at no additional cost to you.Bin 54 is located in the small Glen-Lennox Shopping Center on highway 54 (Raleigh Rd) at 15-501 (Fordham Blvd). There's free self-parking in the shopping center's lot. No valet. Every time we've come here, the parking lot has been close to full.This is one of those classic, old-school, white tablecloth steakhouses with formally-dressed staff, some in suits like the general manager (Michael Fiscus, who greeted us when we checked in) and sommelier. All staff wear at least bow ties/neckties. We had a Tuesday 7:30pm reservation. We arrived early and the place was packed and busy. Bar manager Collin Lusty took care of us while we waited at the bar. Here, you have the option of eating at the bar.The interior was dimly lit with different rooms and nooks with seating. My wife and I were seated at one of the two-tops in the center of the main dining room. The way the room is setup, there are U-shaped booths along the perimeter so the folks who sit there look inwards towards the center tables. For a two-top, our table was nice and big to fit everything, but my wife and I were farther apart from each other than we're used to when dining out (a lot of leaning forward to talk; not a big deal).Below is a list of what we had. It should give you an idea on what Bin 54 has to offer and the pricing at the time of our visit."Beginnings" (Appetizers)* Beef Tenderloin Tartare ($18) - cornichon, capers, shallots, quail egg, potato crisp* Seared Diver Scallops ($25) - cauliflower puree, butternut squash caponata, Calabrian chili agrodolce"Land" (Steaks)* Bone-In Ribeye ($78) - 22 oz. with au poivre vert sauce on the side* Filet Mignon ($55) - 10 oz. with bearnaise sauce on the side"Companions" (Sides)* Mushroom Ragout ($14) - garlic, thyme* Creamed Spinach Casserole ($12)* Truffled Four Cheese Macaroni ($16)Dessert* Banana Pudding ($12) - bourbon pecan cookie, toasted meringueClassic Cocktail* Perry's Terrace-tini ($14) - Absolut Citron vodka, pomegranate liqueur, lemon juice, mint; served up with a lemon twist and topped with sparkling cava* Vesper ($15) - Bombay Sapphire Gin, Stolichnaya "Stoli" Vodka, Lillet Blanc; served up with a twistSpecial Wine Feature* Portuguese Flight (three 3-ounce pours for $29)- Quinta de Saes, Dao Tinto, 2018- Fitapreta, A Touriga Vai Nua, 2021- Asnella, Single Vineyard, 2021 (Vinho Verde)Everything was phenomenal. No matter what type of food or drink it was, it was perhaps the best we've had in the Triangle, from the Scallops to the Banana Pudding. Even the complimentary bread and butter was fantastic. The Beef Tenderloin Tartare and the Seared Diver Scallops were terrific. One thing that stuck out to me about Bin 54's Beef Tartare was the potato crisps. Presumably housemade, they were really good. The Scallops were incredibly flavored and the meat itself was fresh and succulent.The steaks were A+. We ordered both steaks medium rare and they came out perfect. All aspects of the steaks were on point, from how they were seasoned and cooked to the meat quality. The au poivre vert and bearnaise sauces were housemade and excellent.The sides were amazing too. My wife and I love mushrooms and the Mushroom Ragout hit the spot. The mushrooms were super tasty and had very appetizing textures too. Both the Creamed Spinach Casserole and the Truffled Four Cheese Macaroni were rich and addictive. Generous portions.I loved everything about the Banana Pudding, from the toasted meringue on top to the cookie crumbles inside (my favorite part). This may have been the best Banana Pudding I've had anywhere.The cocktails were strong and delicious. The wine was superb.Our server Brandon was great. This business runs like a well-oiled machine. They got all the details locked down. If I recall correctly, Brandon used to be the bar manager at Cucciolo Osteria in Durham. The executive chef, Kevin Draper, came over from Fearrington House in 2009, so no surprise why the food is exceptional here.Bin 54 is part of the Giorgios retaurant group, named after founder-owner restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias. At the time of writing this review, there are 16 Giorgios restaurants, 15 of which are located in the Triangle. In Chapel Hill, Kipos Greek Taverna and Osteria Georgi are also part of the group."

ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

★★★★☆ 3.8 (109) • $$

"This was the first time my wife and I went here. We didn't even know it existed until we found it by accident today... on Yelp, of course!The driveway is very long, and overflow parking is along the driveway. Up front, I would never give this place 5 stars because the driveway and all parking are gravel. By the time we left, our car was totally covered in dust and needed to be washed.There were four food trucks. My understanding is that they rotate. We got food from the Mediterranean truck. It was quite good.There are 3 levels where you can sit. There's inside and outside seating on all levels. We sat at on the top level outside, looking over the front area.The employees are very nice and the service is great. Everybody had a smile the whole time..Unlike most wineries, you can get a lot of beers beers here. In our casual observation, we saw 2 beers for every glass of wine. Even my wife had to beer, and she's normally not a beer drinker.The facility was clean and we saw no trash anywhere. All of the tables were bussed as well.A highly recommended And we will definitely be going back.."

The Fearrington House Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (183) • $$$$

"Dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant was one of the best dining experiences we've had anywhere. It was certainly among the very best we've had in North Carolina. The food and service were simply phenomenal. Fine dining at its finest.This place was recommended to us by some friends. I probably would have no idea of its existence otherwise. It's kind of located out in the middle of nowhere. I say "kind of" because it was only about a 20-minute drive from our home in Chapel Hill. This place is certainly worth the drive from anywhere in the Triangle, and points beyond. It's that good.The Fearrington House Restaurant is part of Fearrington Village, a sort of farm-like resort that, along with the restaurant, offers boutique shopping, a spa, and an inn. There are also houses, squares, and a park with ponds and trails tucked away from the retail area. The residential neighborhood is sizable.My wife loved this place because the village was a mini getaway from the Triangle. As we drove past the Belted Galloway cows and the silo on the way in, we knew we were entering someplace special. Overall, the property was really charming, peaceful, and idyllic. It was magical as well -- after dinner, we took a stroll around the house and gardens. Along with the beautiful foliage and landscaping, there were rabbits and fireflies. When I booked our reservations, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised to learn that The Fearrington House is a Relais & Chateaux property. Just a couple months prior to our visit here, we had stayed at our first Relais & Chateaux property, Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts, in Bora Bora. That was a stellar experience as well. These experiences make us want to go to more Relais & Chateaux properties in the future.The Fearrington House Restaurant is prix fixe dinner only. The menu is seasonal. For us, the price was $150 per four-course dinner with optional $100 wine pairing. Also, one of the main course options, the steak, had an $80 "supplement" if you wanted to upgrade to Japanese wagyu over the regular ribeye. In addition to the four courses, there were three hors d'oeuvres (two canapes and one amuse-bouche), a "pre-dessert," and even post-dessert treats; the latter was not listed on the menu.There were three options per course. Here's what we had:First Canape* Lemon Poppy Macarons with Foie Gras Ganache (x2)Amuse-Bouche* Local Beet Gummy with Brulee Lemon Creme Fraiche and Herb Oil (x2)First Course* Panna Cotta with Roasted Turnips and Black Garlic; pickled daikon, kale, cracker, grapefruit* Kanpachi Crudo with Mango and Fresno Chili Sorbet; jalapeno, cucumber, limeSecond Course* Stuffed Quail with Jerusalem Artichoke; basil, blackberry, crumble* Seared Bass with Artichoke and Bok Choy; chive, maitake, tapiocaSecond Canape* Melon Gazpacho (x2)Main Course* Beef Ribeye with Bordelaise; cippolini, broccoli, king trumpet* Seared Scallops with Fava Beans and Farro; sweet pepper, herb oil, lace tuile, fennelPre-Dessert* Mango Mousse with Blackberry (x2)Dessert* Valrhona Coeur de Guanaja Souffle; dark chocolate, vanilla, whipped cream* Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlova with Basil; lemon curd, sorbet, angel foodCocktails* Virtuous Imbiber ($15) - bourbon, Pasubio, Montenegro, Regan's Orange Bitters; boozy, botanical, spirit-forward* Five Mile Hike ($16) - rum, lemon, cappelletti, chartreuse, orgeat; bright, refreshing, botanicalWine* Glass of Violin, Pinot Noir ($18) - Willamette Valley, Oregon, MVPost-Dessert Treats* Strawberry Marshmallow, Strawberry Jelly, Strawberry Fudge, some sort of Caramel, and another treat we can't remember + Shortbread Cookies to take homeIn general, everything was magnificent and super creative. How do they even think up some of this stuff? For example, we were hit with Macarons with Foie Gras Ganache and Local Beet Gummies right out the gate. And everything worked well together and was delicious (e.g., the macarons were both sweet and savory, and tasted fantastic). My wife, who loves to cook, commented that she would never think to make beets into gummies.Every dish was complex. We could tell a lot of thought and work was put into each course and the bites in between. The chefs weren't afraid to play with texture as well as flavor. Also, there was an amazing attention to detail. For example, the way they stacked and piped various ingredients on dishes such as the Panna Cotta and Stuffed Quail, and the way they placed curled-up cucumber inside a slice of jalapeno on the Crudo. The presentation was unique, meticulous, and visually appealing.Generally, the drinks were very balanced and refreshing. I really enjoyed the Virtuous Imbiber. It was strong and robust.Service was exceptional. My wife commented that the staff made her feel really special and I agree. We were their focus and priority. The staff was extremely attentive. Our server was Brianna, who has worked at Fearrington Village for many years. She was terrific."

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."

Middleburg Steak & Seafood

★★★★☆ 4.4 (39) • $$

"This steakhouse is wellknown to the locals in upper NC and lower VA. It is always packed and once you taste the food you will see why. Various other reviews state how they take the time and care to make your steak the right way and this is extremely accurate. Althouhonly certain sizes of steak are priced on the menu they will cut your steak to whatever size you like and expertly prepare it for you. I had a 16 oz prime rib and it was delicious when it hit the table and the leftovers were delicious the next day. If you are in this part of NC and you are a fan of steak, do yourself a favor and stop by. PS. The waitstaff is extremely friendly and well versed in the restaurant's offerings.l"

Durham Food Hall

★★★★☆ 4 (98) • $$

"Great food hall with lots of delicious and diverse options! There are about ~10 vendors - Chinese dumplings and bao buns, tacos, bagels, Napolitan pizza, Indian, seafood, and a large bar in the middle. On the upper level (there's a ramp), there are a few vendors- baked goods/dessert, coffee, and bubble tea. The Napoli Neapolitan pizza paired with the cider from the bar was an epic meal! Napoli Neapolitan pizza (5/5) - The wood-fired Neapolitan DOC Buffalo Margharita pizza with a pillowy soft charred crust hit the spot! It's among the best pizzas I've had in the U.S.! I waited for 20 min to get my pizza, just be patient! Auctioneer Bar (5/5) - The Flat Rock CIder has a strong note of blueberries was sweet and refreshing! The Hibiscus cocktail with Bourbon was fun to try, but not my cup of tea. The bartender was super nice! It's also part of the Social District, so you can get drinks to go!Milk Lab (4/5) - The berry smoothie was very colorful, but very sweet even at 50% sweetness. Little Barb's Bakery (3/5) - While the pastries looked alluring and very tempting, I wasn't a big fan of the cheesecake bite. Among my favorite food halls in the country and will stop by again when I'm in the area!"

The Boot Room

★★★★☆ 4.4 (111) • $$

"Dope place with delicious food and fun vibes. They offer a variety of different food. Burgers, salads, bowls, wings and more. Staff is amazing and I love how they sell beer, wine, merch and they have a bar! Prices are reasonable and you get a lot of food. Great place for a fun date night."