Jibarra 7420 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC www.jibarra.net Entrees $17–$40 *Restaurant relocated to 327 West Davie Street, Downtown Raleigh, since this post* We went to Jibarra with a large group on my birthday. I had been fixated on trying the restaurant ever since I read a review from The News & Observer, a whole year
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Alivia’s Durham Bistro Brightleaf District 900 West Main Street Durham, NC www.aliviasdurhambistro.com Entrees $16–19 I’ve wanted to check out the Brightleaf Square dining scene for a long time. It’s one of many revamped tobacco warehouse districts in Durham and seems to contain a good variety of restaurants. Alivia’s is the first I’ve made it to
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The Lotus Leaf Viet Bistro and Cafe 969 N Harrison Ave Cary, NC Website Lunch entrees: $7-$10 The Lotus Leaf offers a mixture of Asian cuisine styles, tucked into the elbow of one of the Triangle’s hordes of strip malls. We went on an advertised festival day for the restaurant, which translated into two vendor
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Tandoor Restaurant 1301 East Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC When Mr. Gourmez and I eat Indian food out, I’m always drawn to the onion chutney on the table. Tandoor’s onion chutney boldly varied in flavor and color from the average offering. It was tulip red and somewhat sweet, which was a pleasant counterpoint to the
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Jujube 1201-L Raleigh Road Glen Lennox Shopping Center Chapel Hill, NC Jujube is an Asian fusion restaurant that is divided into a sushi bar and a dining room. The sushi bar is bright green and lively. The kitchen staff is very talkative and appreciates a good compliment. The dining room is chic but very open;
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Provence 203 West Weaver Street Carrboro, NC Provence is a French restaurant that feels more like a moderately lit art gallery. As the food is on display, it was an appropriate and pleasant atmosphere. The sea foam green walls were a delicate compliment to the abstract art paintings. This was all intercut with unique doll
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Elaine’s on Franklin 454 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC Elaine’s offers an awesome 3-course tasting for only $30 on Thursdays and Fridays before 7pm. It’s hard to beat that price, so take advantage, even though my review isn’t glowing. Dinner began with a complimentary tomato consomme. It was an excellent palate cleanser and was
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Thai China Buffet 4900 NC 55, Ste 200 Durham, NC This is a very casual spot that’s great for a cheap Asian eat. Its atmosphere would be greatly improved if the pair of upside down umbrellas on the ceiling was duplicated across the whole place. As it is, it’s a beige, cheap poster decor, but
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City Beverage 4810 Hope Valley Road Durham, NC City Beverage is a gem hidden within a strip mall geode shell. The incredibly unimaginative moniker of “City Beverage;” does not inspire exploration, but don’t let that stop you. Come in despite the nondescript exterior; you will be richly rewarded. City Beverage is one of the most
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Azure Grille *Closed* 407 Meadowmont Village Circle Chapel Hill, NC This sunny bistro is one of the newest restaurants in Chapel Hill, a land of many yummy feasts. The decor struck me as bland at first glance, but I quickly discarded my disdain. It’s not trying to be the next trendy hot spot; it’s succeeding
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