The Raleigh Times Bar 14 East Hargett Street Downtown Raleigh http://www.raleightimesbar.com/ Entrees:  $7-12 The above picture does not do justice to the atmosphere of The Raleigh Times Bar.  It is much larger than I expected, taking up half a city block but divided into a lot of cozy, smaller spaces with two main bars, the
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Taqueria La Vaquita 2700 Chapel Hill Road Durham http://lavaquitanc.com A la carte:  $2-6. Plates:  $8.29-14. Taqueria La Vaquita is a local favorite for many Durhamites and has received lots of press, including nationally.  I have been salivating to give it a try for months.  Their building, of course, is notable for the cow (la vaquita)
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Satisfaction Restaurant and Bar 905 W Main Street Suite 37 Brightleaf Square, Durham http://www.satisfactionrestaurant.com Sandwiches and Salads:  $5.29-8.99. Pizza:  Starting at $8.59 for a small, plain cheese. On a Sunday afternoon, Satisfaction is a relaxing sports bar and grill.  I specify when we ate because I’ve been here for a drink on a game night
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Tandoor Indian Restaurant 5410 Highway 55 Greenwood Commons Durham http://tandoorinrtp.com Entrees:  $10-19 Tandoor, situated in a nondescript shopping center, has a nice, white tablecloth interior with plenty of tables and booth seating and a small, cute bar with elephant figurines on display.  The Indian music playing had an upbeat tempo, which was appreciated as Indian
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Disclaimer: I went to Bavarian Brathaus with a German friend who thinks it is fantastic and has tried many things on the menu. I think if I were a bigger lover of meat, I may have liked it more. Also, portions are large!

This traditional German restaurant, complete with servers in traditional dress and beer steins and flags decorating the indoors, is a very welcoming environment. The owners and several workers are actually German, which delighted my companion as she could speak her language freely. The outdoor seating area is gorgeous.

El Paraiso *CLOSED* 111 S. Alston Street East Durham (Note, I only think this is the East Durham area.  Feel free to correct me!) Lunch/Dinner:  $2-7 per item I’ve been dying to try one of Durham’s taquerias for quite some time, as they have been heavily praised.  On my way back from the Animal Protection
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Thai Cafe 2501 University Drive Durham http://www.thaicafenc.com Entrees:  $11-19 Thai Cafe is a restaurant that I’ve read lots of good things about on Eclectic Glob of Tangential Verbosity and so has been on my gigantic list of places to try for a while.  It is located across the street from Nana’s, Rockwood Filling Station and
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Rue Cler 401 East Chapel Hill Street Downtown Durham Website:  http://www.ruecler-durham.com/ Brunch/Lunch:  $7-17 Dinner:  Prix Fixe $30, a la carte $9-17 Rue Cler is a French restaurant and bakery café located on a cozy corner of downtown Durham. The bakery opens up at 7:30 for orders at the counter and continues until mid-afternoon. It gets
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Il Palio Ristorante at the Sienna Hotel 1505 East Franklin Street Chapel Hill http://www.sienahotel.com/ilpalio.cfm Lunch:  $10-14 Dinner:  $18-31, Tasting Menu Available I finally dined at Il Palio, the Italian restaurant in the Sienna Hotel, after wanting to try it for a long time.  A friend and I decided to give it a go for lunch
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Drum roll, please…this is my 40th restaurant review!  Yippee!  Thanks, Triangle, for having so many awesome places to dine at! Piazza Italia 905 West Main Street, Suite 18A Brightleaf Square, Durham http://piazzaitalia.us/ Entrees:  $11-24 Piazza Italia is a combination of two restaurants and one gelato counter.  Per their website, there is also a market but
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