🚀 go-pugleaf

Somewhat less than a month ago I posted a request for
"Recommendations For Elegant Romantic Restaurants In 
Triangle."  My request was:

   I am interested in hearing recommendations for 
   elegant and romantic dining establishments in 
   the triangle.  The last time I posted this (exactly 
   2 years ago) yielded very useful information.  It 
   is probably time to sample the waters again.  I will 
   summarize the results that are mailed to me and post 
   back to this newsgroup.

Here are the responses that I received.  The number in
parentheses before the name of the Restaurant is the
number of people who mentioned it.  I have sorted the 
list by number of times a restaurant was mentioned.  

Below each restaurant are any specific comments that 
were sent to me.  I have only edited them to remove
names of the people and to clarify references to other
restaurants when a comparison was being made.

I was surprised that a number of places I expected were
not mentioned.  Perhaps when folks see this summary some
of you will jump in and post follow ups to it.

----------

(6) CROSSROADS, Raleigh

   We went to the Crossroads many times (2 years ago) and always 
   liked the atmosphere although the quality of food varied.  It 
   is up on a hill behind Crabtree with a lovely view, at least 
   after dark.  They do take reservations and we have rarely had 
   to wait.

   As of several years ago it was pretty nice, but I haven't been 
   there since, oh, say 1989.

   I think it depends on when you go.  One time I went with my 
   wife and it was quiet and romantic and really a nice date.  
   Another time there was some sort of party going on in the 
   dining area (not set off) and those folks were sort of loud.  
   It didn't make for a very romantic time.

   It is extremely DARK there, more so than other romantic
   restaurants I have been to.  I guess that is to enhance
   the great view of the Raleigh skyline(?).  

   Once we were there during an electrical storm...AWESOME!

   Doesn't seem like (they) had much in terms of booths.

   The food is pretty good too.
 
   A friend of mine went to Crossroads recently and told me 
   that the place has a new owner and that the menu and 
   quality are not what they were before. Previous to this 
   it was her favorite restaurant in Raleigh. 

   Nice place.  A little pricey.  You get a fantastic romantic 
   view of Crabtree mall and the surrounding parking lots.  As 
   I recall, the food was good.

   Crossroads is the Kidd Brewer house up above Crabtree Mall.  
   The way to it is kind of an adventure in itself.

   It features live entertainment, a piano player the last time 
   I was there, and a pretty good menu.  The menu features a 
   variety of entrees from beef to seafood.  The service is 
   very good and the atmosphere is quite nice.  The first time 
   I ate there, a couple of years ago, the food was excellent.
   We ate there again last year and the food was good, but not 
   on a level with the first visit.

   We haven't been back lately, but I would recommend it for 
   the atmosphere.  The house itself is well worth seeing.

(4) FEARRINGTON HOUSE RESTAURANT, Pittsboro

   Located between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro.  For two, count 
   on spending over $100.  Intimate atmosphere, great food.  

   Very nice, and *very* expensive.

(4) BAKATSIA'S, Durham 

   For strict elegance, this ranks #1;  piano, plush chairs, 
   excellent service and food.

   Bakatsia's (pronounced "bak-a-sha's") in Durham is pretty 
   good. 

   The best meal I've had in the Triangle was at Bakatsia's 
   in Durham.  Loehman's plaza (off I-85 at Hillandale Rd). 
   Luscious food, gracious service, attractive elegant decor. 
   Not cheap but an excellent value. The meal would cost twice 
   as much in a major city. The appetizers should be a major 
   part of the meal, IMHO. Wine list is small but well chosen. 

(3) MAGNOLIA GRILL, Durham

   Less expensive (than Fearrington House) meal with a less 
   intimate atmosphere, but with comparable food. 

(3) ANGUS BARN, Raleigh

   Not so elegant, but amazing wine list.

   Without a doubt, one of the best places to go is the 
   legendary "Angus Barn", on HWY 70 West of Raleigh, near 
   the RDU airport.  

   One of the nicest places for a really good meal in the 
   Triangle has always been the Angus Barn. Generally it's 
   atmosphere is somewhat crowded and rushed unless you 
   reserve a private room, but recently I was there and saw
   their private dining room that they have next to the wine 
   cellar. It's really very nice. The dining room is completely 
   separate from the rest of the restaurant...there's a hand 
   carved table set with silver/pewter and glass cases around 
   the room display the more famous/expensive wines from the 
   excellent Angus Barn collection. They'll serve dinner there 
   for 2 to 30 people. The menu is French (not the steak house 
   menu as the rest of the establishment) and it's $100 per 
   person flat rate.  For an intimate and different approach 
   to dining I haven't seen anyplace like this since I was in 
   London. 

(3) TARTINES, Raleigh
 
   The best I have found in Raleigh is Tartines, off of 
   Wake forest Rd. just outside the beltline.  Southern 
   French (Provencal)  cooking.  Fairly expensive (but 
   not outrageous). Very good food.

   There is a northern french restaurant (name forgotten) behind
   Denny's on Old Wake Forest road. It's in the first floor 
   (Denny's side) of the office building there. The food is 
   very good, reasonably priced for an upscale place, and has 
   good/reasonable ambience. They do take reservations (it's 
   fairly small also). They have moderately exotic stuff like 
   venison, etc. The menu changes weekly (?). Dress is up-casual,
   dressed. Don't remember prices, but wasn't shocked either.

   This is Tartines.  It is actually southern French (Provencal).  
   Don't let the proximity to Denny's scare you.  The food is 
   very good.

(2) ANOTHER THYME, Durham

   It's cozy, and the food is good, especially their dessert
   --I don't know what you call it, but it's a cup of raspberries, 
   topped with cream and carmelized brown sugar.  

(2) LA RESIDENCE, Chapel Hill

(2) CRACOVIA, Chapel Hill

(2) SELDOM BLUES CAFE & LOUNGE, Cary

   Very nice.

(2) CLAIRE'S, Durham

   A less well publicized restaurant is Claire's in Durham.  
   The food is continental, the service is attentive and 
   meals are moderately high priced.  It is in a large old
   house and my wife and I find it very romantic.  As I recall, 
   you can eat outside in their screened-in porch. It's worth 
   checking out.

(2) AURORA, Carrboro

   I've had good experiences at Aurora in Carrboro. 

(1) GOVERNOR'S INN, RTP

   Saturday night big band dancing. Its very glamourous though 
   less cosy and romantic (than Crossroads). 

(1) HENRY'S BISTRO, Chapel Hill

   Kind of artsy, but a good, small, non-traditional 
   romantic restaurant.

(1) CROOK'S CORNER

(1) FARM HOUSE, Chapel Hill

   I really like The Farm House right outside Chapel Hill.  
   Follow Airport Road north (It's also NC 86.)  You'll 
   pass Weaver Dairy Rd. and go over I-40, but keep going 
   north.  About 5 miles or so, you'll come to an area where
   there's a barbeque place on your left.  Turn left after 
   the barbecue place and follow the drive into the woods.  
   If you crossed a train track on NC 86, you went too far.  
   I really wouldn't call it elegant, but definitely romantic.  
   The only light in the place is oil lamps on all the tables.  
   They make a great steak.  I had my wedding rehearsal dinner 
   there and everyone was quite impressed.  Make sure you make 
   reservations.  It's swamped on Saturday nights after home 
   football games.  I believe it's open Wednesday thru Sunday 
   nights.  

(1) IRREGARDLESS, Raleigh

   I think I would recommend Irregardless over Crossroads 
   as it is in the same price range and has a much more romantic 
   atmosphere (doesn't have the bar atmosphere) and serves great 
   coffees and deserts.  In addition you get the live/quiet music.  

(1) ART MUSEUM, Raleigh

   As the museum cafe is run by the same folks (as Irregardless), 
   it is comparable, but less quaint.

(1) IL PALIO, SIENA HOTEL, Chapel Hill

(1) JOYCE'S, Raleigh
     
   If you like dancing - i.e. stuff like foxtrot, waltz. 
   swing, that kind of thing - I highly recommend Joyce's 
   in Raleigh.  I first discovered this place when I was 
   taking a social dance class and our teacher took us 
   there one night.  The atmosphere is really nice and 
   romantic (although not particularly quiet once the live 
   music starts at 9:00); they don't try to turn tables, 
   so you can count on dinner being very leisurely.  And 
   the food's good too!  It's a little hard to find, so 
   I'd call for directions (and reservations).

(1) CRESCENT CAFE, Durham

(1) SIMPSONS, Raleigh

   VERY romantic and PRETTY expensive.  Nice, though.

(1) LONE STAR, Raleigh and Durham

   Not very romantic, but very FUN is Lone Star.  We had a 
   great time there, but you sort of have to be in a silly 
   mood.  They have the best steaks in Raleigh and the 
   coldest beer.  This is great for just having a fun, if 
   not romantic, night out.

(1) SETH JONES, Raleigh


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