Last summer, the husband and I moved away from the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina after spending eight years watching the cities expand and their food scenes skyrocket off the heat-charts. Seriously, the New York Times is obsessed with the place! So I was excited to head back for the weekend in mid-September—my
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Mez 5410 Page Road Research Triangle Park, Durham http://www.mezdurham.com/ Entrees:$11-19 Mez is the newest offering of the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, with sister restaurants of 411 West, 518 West, Squid’s and Spanky’s.It bills itself as contemporary Mexican, which I would describe as the missing link between your local taqueria and the upscale fare of a
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Jibarra Margarita Jibarra Raleigh, NC This margarita is Jibarra’s signature drink, with 100% agave tequila. There’s no margarita mix here; all the juice is freshly squeezed on site. Crowned with a hibiscus flower, this margarita is smooth, simple, and flawless.

Margarita de Jamaica Jibarra Raleigh, NC For the same price as Jibarra’s standard margarita, you can get this version, simmered with sugar cane. The addition of hibiscus nectar makes the drink an appealing lavender and more sweet than sour.

Mexican Breeze Jibarra Raleigh, NC This is an excellent champagne cocktail. Miraculously, it manages to not be too sweet with its white peach puree, orange liquor, agave tequila and citrus juice. You can taste each element individually and still wonder at how smooth the blend is. Give that bartender a raise.

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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