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All restaurants are 919 area code

RALEIGH

Angus Barn
Highway 70 at Airport Road
Raleigh
781-2444

This "Beefeaters Haven" is acclaimed nationally. Angus beef is aged and cut on premise. Lamb, pork, seafood and vegetarian dishes are also featured. Award-winning and extensive wine list. Reservations strongly suggested. Dinner.

Big Eds City Market Restaurant
220 Wolfe Street
Raleigh
836-9909

Serving up quintessential Southern comfort food. Country-style food in faux country setting. Lots of antique kitsch on the walls. This is the place for "brains & eggs" and "mess o collards." Yummy biscuits and platter-sized pancakes. Breakfast/Lunch.

Blue Ridge: The Museum Restaurant
2110 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh
833-3548

Situated within the NC Museum of Art this dining room truly serves up art-on-a-plate with zesty, multi-cultural foods. Upscale service. Lunch/Limited Dinner Service

Bloomsbury Bistro
509 W Whitaker Mill Road
Raleigh
834-9011

Upscale neighborhood restaurant with innovative multi-cultural fare. Locally-acclaimed chef. Dinner.

Cafe Tiramisu
6196 Falls of Neuse Road
Raleigh
981-0305

The "Osso Buco" here is a must at this intimate eatery. Northern Italian cuisine. Dinner.

Caffe Luna
136 East Hargett Street
Raleigh
832-6090

Very "New York" Italian, emphasis on pasta dishes. Downtown neighborhood hub. Lunch/Dinner

Chambers Food & Spirits, The Commerce Building
19 West Hargett Street
Raleigh
843-1938

Spiffy and sophisticated ambience. Upscale multi-cultural food and polished service. Dinner.

Charter Room, Velvet Cloak Inn
1505 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh
828-0333

This elegant dining room has assuredly stood the test of time. Both classic and cutting-edge upscale fare (regional and multi-cultural). Quiet, deluxe atmosphere in one of the citys leading hotels. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/ Sunday Brunch Buffet.

Claudios Ristorante
corner of Lynn and Creedmoor roads
Raleigh,
847-0083

First-rate Northern Italian food, both classic and new. But make sure you leave room for the tiramisu. Incredible! Lunch/Dinner

Fins Restaurant
Greystone Shopping Center
7713-39 Lead Mine Road
Raleigh
847-4119

Its rare that "East Meets West"-styled cuisine works really well, but here it does thanks to the skill and creative instincts of the chef-owner of this establishment. Seafood is the main focus of the menu. Reservations
suggested. Dinner

518 Italian Cafe
518 West Jones Street
Raleigh
829-2518

A downtown gathering place for fresh pasta. Contemporary Italian cuisine. Cappuccino bar. Lunch/Dinner

42nd Street Oyster Bar
508 West Jones Street
Raleigh,
831-2811

Upscale "fish house" setting. Acclaimed steamed and fried oysters with the works: hushpuppies and slaw. Also, varied seafood and non-seafood selections. Lively "upwardly mobile" bar scene. Reservations suggested. Lunch/Dinner.

Fox & Hound Restaurant & Pub
MacGregor Village SC, Hwy 64W
Cary
380-0080

A "pub crawl" through this well-appointed, comfortable establishment
unearths classic British favorites such as superb Cornish pasties and fish n chips, but also creative entrees reasonably priced. Lunch/Dinner

Glenwood Grill
Glenwood Village Shopping Center, Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh
782-3102

The taste of Charleston and the cuisine of the "New South" is to be found here in this very neighborhood, very trendy dining room with its sleek, linear interior. One is comfortable in a tennis outfit or spiffy evening
wear. "Grits & Gruyere" anyone? Lunch/Dinner

Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery
2000 Fairview Road
Raleigh
856-8551

The hamburger at this 40s-50s neighborhood "retro" diner is a two- hander if ever there was one. Upscale culinary choices as well. And the cakes, all homemade, are eye-popping and utterly delectable. Lunch/Dinner

Irregardless Cafe
901 W Morgan Street
Raleigh,
833-9920

The chef-owner of this establishment is often touted as one of the best in the area. Irregardless was born in the 70s as Raleighs first vegetarian restaurant. But now the menu is broadened to offer seafood, chicken and meat choices. The place has a retinue of fans. Lunch/Dinner

Kanki Japanese House of Steaks
North Market Square
4500 Old Wake Forest Road
Raleigh
876-4157

Crabtree Valley Mall
4325 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh
782-9708

Presents the "theatre of food" with skillfully trained Japanese chefs performing masterful hibachi-styled cooking. Also, a sushi bar. Lunch/Dinner

Maccinis
2519 Fairview Road
Raleigh
786-6111

Oysters Fella---six fried oysters sitting atop an assemblage of chopped spinach, bacon, pinenuts and asiago cheese finished off with a lemon cream sauce---is a must here! Upscale but casual. Very neighborhood. Lunch/Dinner

Mandarin House
Cameron Village Shopping Center,
422 Woodburn Road
Raleigh
821-2641

Multi-regional Chinese cuisine prepared at its best and to order. Lunch/Dinner

Margauxs
Brennan Station Shopping Center
8111 Creedmoor Road
846-9846

"Eclectic Mediterranean" cuisine served in an upscale atmosphere. Excellent press and word-of-mouth reviews. Lively bar scene. Dinner.

Portobello Restaurant
Bent Tree Plaza SC, corner of Falls of Neuse and Strickland roads
Raleigh,
847-1790

This is a neighborhood-styled eatery, moderately upscale. Pasta dishes, signature portobello mushroom selections, meal-sized salads and stone-fired pizzas. Culinary focus is Mediterranean. Dinner

Second Empire,
330 Hillsborough Street,
Raleigh
829-3663

Upscale service and food of the contemporary American genre. Vertical food to match the loftiness of this stunningly rehabbed "Second Empire" Victorian mansion. Dinner.

Simpsons Beef & Seafood
Creedmoor Crossings Shopping Center
5625 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh
783-8818

Reminiscent of the elegant supper clubs of the 50s and 60s. Owner Mel Simpson presents the ladies with a long-stemmed rose. Excellent bone-in prime rib, steaks and seafood dishes. Live music (light jazz and contemporary) in the lovely wood-paneled bar. Dinner.

Spartacus Grille, Waverly Place Shopping Center (lower level)
Cary
852-5050 (with other locations in Chapel Hill and Durham)

The only restaurant to offer a Greek foods buffet at lunch, Tuesday through Friday and on Sunday. Plus a full range of a la carte choices. Famous for its signature braised lamb shank. Lunch/Dinner

DURHAM

AnotherThyme Cuisine, Coffee & Spirits
109 North Gregson Street
Durham
682-5225

Chef-owner has one of the finest palates in the Triangle! Multi-cultural cuisine. Famous for its breaded , boneless fried chicken (addictive!). The sauces----from exotic to simple--- are noteworthy and will have you
practically licking your plate. Dinner.

Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine
Lakewood Shopping Center
2000 Chapel Hill Road
Durham
490-0462

Traditional Ethiopian dining. Organic vegetables, meats and seafoods prepared authentically, mild to spicy. This establishment is a treat! Dont miss the honey wine which is made on premise. Lunch/Dinner

Brightleaf 905
Brightleaf Square
905 Main Street
Durham
680-8848

This restaurant was cited by John Mariani in Esquire Magazine as one of the countrys "Top 24 New Restaurants of 1999." Good reason. Great food! Lunch/Dinner

Fairview Restaurant at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
3001 Cameron Blvd.
Durham,
493-6699

Provides a truly elegant dining experience. Award-winning multi-cultural cuisine. Noted chef. Dining room is a good place to "see and be seen." Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Four Square
2701 Chapel Hill Road
Durham
401-9877

Superb multi-regional, cutting-edge cuisine prepared by a chef who has trained under some of the countrys most illustrious chefs such as Emeril Legasse and Charlie Trotter. Don't miss dessert! Dinner.

Hartmans Steak House
1703 E Geer Street
Durham
688-7639

Durham landmark steak house revered for its fried banana peppers and onion rings. In atmosphere and furnishing, little has changed since this restaurant opened in 1940----a fact that fans applaud. Dinner

Magnolia Grill
1002 Ninth Street,
Durham
286-3609

The accent is on "New Southern" cuisine prepared by award-winning chef. Nationally recognized. Always crowded. Energetic, bistro-like atmosphere. Not the place for quiet conversations. Dinner.

Nanas
2514 University Drive
Durham
493-8545

Cutting edge is the rule-of-thumb when it comes to menu-planning. Always thought-stimulating play and partnership of ingredients. Multi-regional focus. Superb bread. Upscale service. Dinner

Nikos Taverna
Brightleaf Square
905 W Main Street
Durham,
682-0043

First-rate Mediterranean and Greek foods. Particularly popular at lunch. Acclaimed baklava and souvlaki. Lunch/Dinner

Pops
810 W Peabody Street,
Durham
956-7677

If youre in the mood for rubbing elbows with a crowd, this is the place. Known for pasta dishes and excellent bread. Lunch/Dinner.

Parizade
2200 West Main Street
Durham
286-9712

Dynamite decor. Lofty and artistic. Excellent Mediterranean food. Lunch/Dinner

Parkside Restaurant,
4700 Guardian Drive
Marriott Hotel
Morrisville
941-6200

Somewhat integrated into the lobby but food is delicious, creative and worthwhile.

CHAPEL HILL

23
200 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill
960-9623

Co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan, hence the name "23." "New Southern" cuisine. Big plates, small portions---except in bar (more generous servings). Good food, though. Attached is store where Michael Jordan merchandise is sold.

Aurora,
1350 Raleigh Road (Hwy 54 E)
Chapel Hill
942-2400

The mussel bisque here is a must! Revered for its pasta dishes and addictive bread sticks. Lunch/Dinner

Carolina Crossroads Restaurant
Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro Street
Chapel Hill
918-2777

This definitively "Chapel Hill" inn is beautifully decorated and is worth a visit. The restaurant features Southern regional cuisine, but multi-regional as well. New twists on old classics such as blackeyed pea cassoulet and fried catfish with apple & fennel coleslaw. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Sunday Brunch Buffet

Crooks Corner
610 Franklin Street
Chapel Hill/Carrboro
929-7643

Heralded locally for low-country and Southern favorites. Casual, very popular. Famous for its Shrimp & Grits. Dinner/Sunday Brunch

Fearrington House
15-501 South,
Pittsboro
542-2121

Dining room features table d hote service at this prestigious award-winning inn. Dinner only. Charming "plantation" setting. Market & Cafe (542-5505) on the property for less pricey dining (lunch and dinner).

501 Diner
1500 N Fordham Blvd
Durham
933-3505

Rehabbed service station converted to diner. Great grits. Yummy smoked salmon omelet. Super burgers. Full-range menu from comfort foods to more upscale foods at night. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Four Eleven West Italian Cafe
411 W Franklin Street
Chapel Hill
967-2782

Mega-popular eatery renown for pasta dishes. Lunch/Dinner

Grill At Glen-Lennox
1201 Raleigh Road
Chapel Hill
942-1963

Hearty, meaty dining but light fare as well. Creative presentations. Stone-fired pizzas. Lunch/Dinner

Il Palio Ristorante
Siena Hotel
1505 E Franklin Street
Chapel Hill
929-2135

Elegant dining room and service. The states only Triple-A four-diamond Italian restaurant. Northern Italian cuisine. And its the best of the best! Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Sunday Brunch Buffet

La Residence
202 W Rosemary Street
Chapel Hill
967-2506

Sets the continental table in a charming ambience. Upscale. Dinner

Margarets Cantina
1129 Weaver Dairy Road
Chapel Hill
942-4745

You havent tasted chicken until you tried this establishments grilled chicken with dipping sauces! Its a casual atmosphere, so go ahead, use your hands! Quesadillas are an A-plus as well. Lunch/Dinner

Nantucket Cafe
121 Rams Plaza
Fordham Blvd
Chapel Hill
968-8900

If youre from or visited upper New England and have a passion for lobster rolls, this casual, place-your-order-at-the-counter eatery is the only place in the Triangle that serves them. Good lobster. Lunch/Dinner

Pyewacket Restaurant
431 W Franklin Street
Chapel Hill
929-2871

Quality ingredients and creative spirit is the hallmark of this establishment that offers multicultural fare. "Plaki" a fish dish--- is a signature, exhibiting remarkable simplicity and freshness. Lunch/Dinner

Trilussa
401 W Franklin Street
Chapel Hill
967-0057

Trattoria-styled food. Friendly as all "git-out" chef who, if he has the chance, will regale you with food talk. Lunch/Dinner

Fred Benton is food editor of SPECTATOR Magazine and is producer and host of
"Food Forum" and "Better Living" on WDNC-620AM radio in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas of North Carolina.