I came to Niche on a whim. I was having a bad day; a bad week really. Personal and…read moreprofessional-wise. I was just tired of shitty people and I wanted to go to a place that felt good. I just don't think I expected what I got. Upon entering, I was received by a small very warm and beautifully lit bar that simply felt special. I looked over the available wine and asked the gentleman at the corner seat if the seat next to him was taken. Little did I know that the gracious gentleman who kindly offered me the seat was none other than the proprietor of Niche, Mr. Ted Powell and that's when my night really started as Ted graciously regaled me with amazing stories between the pause on the songs played by the band. What a vibrant spirit this man has. If you go here, you have to meet Ted. From telling me about how he acquired the place, his daughter, Budstock, Maverick Rose Music Hour, and sharing details of each nights events at Niche, he made my first visit (just me myself and I) a beautiful one. He couldn't stop talking about how wonderful a mixologist Andy is. Don't get it twisted. This man is more than a bartender. He's a diplomatic mixologist who knows how to let patrons know, in the most respectful but boundary maintaining way, how to behave. I saw him in action and it was a beautiful thing to see him basically offer up a dose of kindness with a dash of "you better check yourself before you wreck yourself." If a place could be described by one word, Niche's word would be KINDNESS. I felt like I was taken care of. Thank you Ted and Andy for being so kind on my first visit and turning my night around. I look forward to future visits. This place is most definitely a must visit when in North Carolina!

Andy is such a pleasure to have!! For both those who adore wine and don't wanna drink it at all -…read moreandy works to find you something you'll adore. I truly love the comforting atmosphere, and have truly never felt anything but safe and welcome.

Lucci Blue's in Downtown Varina is a cozy, stylish spot with thoughtful décor. The menu offers a…read morenice variety of coffee, wine, beer and tasty food options. They only offer one beer on tap but if you head to the back there is a cooler with cans. I've tried the honey pear flatbread, baked brie, bruschetta and hot honey, crispy prosciutto flatbread and affogato with amaretto. They have a small retail space with wine and items available for purchase. This spot is a must visit.

I heard about this place yesterday morning and I was intrigued to where it is located since I'm…read morealways in this area. I thought there's only the bar and grill there. So while I was around, I decided to look for it and we found it. It looks big on the outside and when you go in the left side, your gaze will lock into this spot to your right and it will suddenly transport you to an Italian villa to park yourself on the couch. I wanted to do this but our eyes caught more, the walls, the other cozy table and chairs, the bar like set up to get your coffee, tea, refreshers, or simply eat there. Along the wall by the cashier, they offer to go treats, dark chocolate bars, beef jerky's, cheese bites, high end chips... the pastry display will soon be packed with other goodies that they get delivered. Right now, they have muffins, lemon bars. I also saw a deli meat since they will be serving charcuterie too. By the back door to the patio, they sell bottled drink of all sorts, some I've never seen. We bought a refresher and a chocolate bar that I thought were delicious. The chocolate is of high quality and will bring you satisfaction. The wine area, located to the right side can be closed off for private events or other events. They will offer wine tasting, bottle that you can purchase whether cold or room temp. Once the area is fully finished and stocked, this will be a beautiful spot. The bathrooms are gorgeous and spacious. You will need to check it out for yourself. Lastly, the owners are so nice. I've never met them before but she is the warmest being. She gave us a tour, explained to us how they operate and that soon she will be posting events located above the building where you can enter at the door with an awning 2a. Also, soon, if you are seating outside in the back, you can tap at the small window to order a drink. How convenient is that? Right now, please be patient as they still work out all the kinks to perfect their spot. It is a nice place to go while we wait for our children doing sports near by.

The mill is a nice place to chill at for work study etc. I go here for studying or doing school…read morehere and it's quite nice. The service is pretty fast which I like since fast service is nice. The food here is quite good here which I also like too. I myself personally go for two reasons aka school or music bingo every first Friday of the month when I can make it. All in all I like the mill and would suggest it.

Coffee was okay, it could have been the flavor I got. The oat milk had a strange texture not sure…read morewhy. The service was good, they were very nice and attentive. The place is really cute. Places to sit and chat and they also have a bar for later in the day. I would try it again but maybe a hot latte or a different flavor.

We love to Switch Craft! Not only do they have great beer selections, but they have GLUTEN FREE…read moreBEER! It has been years since I have been able to drink beer in a bar, and now this is my new favorite place. Thank you for remembering the GF population and having such a welcoming environment. This place is the best...just don't order the Chicken Cacciatore.

Such a great place for a quick drink or to settle in and watch a game. Would be perfect for…read moreimpromptu parties with all the outside tables! The owners are fabulous!

Tapas tapas and more tapas! One better than the other. We did run into a huge problem though,…read moreexplained in more detail below. Wife and I started our quick little anniversary getaway here, and they nailed it. The place itself is gorgeous. Huge patio with greenery, baller bar area in the middle of the upscale open space, which gives a modern and chic vibe. That problem I mentioned? Deciding what we were going to order off of the amazingly stacked tapas menu. One sounded better than the other, plates coming out to the left and right of us...we were deer in headlights not knowing what to do, words didn't come out when our friendly and knowledgeable server came by. As far as problems go at a restaurant, I guess it could have been worse. With helpful guidance and knowing our love for anything foodie related, we just started picking one by one after a few sips of our well balanced cocktails (another large menu with anything and everything for fellow cocktail lovers out there). Had to go with a meat and charcuterie board first. A decadent manchego, a creamy French that was smooth and tangy, plus a 20 month cured ham that was salty and smoky. Honestly everything that came out after was a 10/10. From the wild mushrooms, Wagyu carpaccio and bone marrow, to the pork belly, corn bunuelos and steak paillard...everything was cooked to perfection with amazing spices and sauces that complemented each dish perfectly. (See pics and captions for more details) These chefs and mixologists know what they're doing here. 2 managers came by our table to make sure everything was going well. Top notch service, top shelf food and drink, modern and upscale decor and vibe. A perfect concoction for a special night out with family or friends.

I like Barcelona Wine Bar mainly because they are open late so you can have a nice meal after 9 pm…read more The bar is the highlight as they make good crafted cocktails and they do have an extensive wine list. The ambiance is dark and nice for couples or friends. The booths at the bar are not the most comfortable, so I prefer a table. The tapas are those you find at a traditional Spanish tapas place. The papas being amongst the most popular are a good staple. The charcuterie is also very nice. The other tapas can be hit or miss depending on what is seasonally offered. On this visit, I wanted Brussels sprouts but they were no longer on the menu and the lamb was not a bone in lamb but rather ground meatballs. Not bad, just not what I expected. It's not a place I seek out to come, but it's solid food and drinks that fills a need when I want a late bite.

A hidden gem of Hoke County. I'm in town to lay my mother to rest and of course I needed a little…read moresomething to take the edge off. This is a quaint little spot with a live Jazz saxophonist and a cigar lounge in the back room. Will definitely frequent this spot on future visits.

From the owner: Come for the ambiance, stay for the taste – our medley of establishments promises an unforgettable…read morenight filled with gastronomic and social indulgence.

Peak of the Vine is my favorite wine bar in the area. It's warm, welcoming, and full of friendly…read morepeople and the kind of spot where you can walk in and instantly feel comfortable. The wine selection is great. There's always something new to try, and the staff listens to what you like before making a suggestion. What I love most is the vibe. It's relaxed, cozy, and feels like a true gathering place for the community. It's the kind of place you go to relax and feel connected. A real gem, and a place I'm glad to have in my neighborhood.

Come hang out a while at this corner wine bar and explore the world with a knowledgeable…read moreconnoisseur. Grab a glass or a flight and have a seat. The lounge carries French influence. There are paintings of Parisian life and an open invitation to rest. I recently traveled through France and memories welled up as I sipped a Bordeaux white wine. I needed some alone time. I'm happy I got to have it here.

We popped in here to start my sister's bday on a Saturday, and it is so cute inside!! Gorgeous…read morephoto ops everywhere and what a whole entire vibe inside & out. Lots of drink choices and a few apps to choose from. We got a Shiraz & prosecco with the spinach artichoke dip (delicious!), and they gave me a 10% discount on my sister's glass for her bday. So sweet. We will be back when I'm in town again. This is a hot spot, and the people gotta know about this. Amazing & cool location.

Little shop on Hay street. Used to be a different wine shop. Super friendly folks and a decent…read morewine selection. Chill atmosphere but we were only here in the late afternoon. Will have to come back in the evening Santina was super friendly and great to talk with. Fellow Floridian!

Postino was amazing!! Highly recommend the bruschetta board. The sweet n spicy pepper jam & goat…read morecheese was to die for. Bo, our server, was also absolutely amazing and so sweet! Overall, great experience for a girls night or date night!

One of our favorite casual date night spots! There is a wide variety of different dishes on the…read moremenu, but we loved the bruschetta boards. We tried 8 different ones, and all were excellent! The pesto and salami one was my favorite. The inside of the restaurant is pretty dimly lit, but we didn't mind and it helped create a cozy atmosphere. The outdoor patio looked nice and could be a good option for daytime. Our waitress was very attentive and let us know about the seasonal specials. They have a board and wine deal on weekday nights that we're looking to try next. Would definitely recommend for a fun night out in the Village District with friends or a date!

My parents recently moved to the area, and one thing we all agree on is a love for a great steak…read more So when they heard about Harvey John's--and their $45 Tuesday prime rib special--they tried it and loved and brought me while I was visiting. We made a rookie mistake: no reservation. Day before Christmas Eve. The only table available was by the door, which, for us, is a hard no. It was already chilly outside, and sitting by the door means constant drafts, tense shoulders, and food cooling faster with every opening. Not ideal, especially when you're settling in for a proper steak dinner. To their credit, the hostess tried everything--even showing us the reservation layout for the evening. The owner came over personally, and in the end, our options were simple: take the door table or come back at 7:30 pm when more tables would open. We were hungry, but we chose comfort over impatience. My dad left his number just in case a table opened sooner. We went home, had light snacks, and--surprise--got a call at 6:55 pm. Not only was a table available, it was a booth. That alone told me everything I needed to know about how they run this place. Stellar Client Care. When we returned, the owner John Linderman,met us at the door--warm, apologetic, and genuinely appreciative that we came back. The entire staff operates like a well-oiled team, with hospitality that feels intentional rather than performative. It's been a good while since I experienced an owner manager stop by every table to check in. A gesture from better dining times. Now, the food. We ordered: * Stuffed Shrimp with crab meat * Sausage bombs * Prime rib * A tomahawk ribeye to split I don't know if Harvey John's is officially farm-to-table, but the steak tasted incredibly clean--like actual beef. As a native New Yorker living in Los Angeles, I've eaten at many top-tier steakhouses--BOA, Ruth's Chris, Musso & Frank, Nick & Stef's, Steak 48--and I can confidently say this tomahawk was more flavorful and tasted fresher than all of them. Who knew a small-town North Carolina steakhouse would deliver a truly high-end experience? I'm no chef, but I do have a refined palate, and this meal was memorable. Honestly? If Michelin ever looks this way, they should take note. It's comforting to know you can leave one of the biggest food cities in the world and still find a steakhouse worthy of becoming a new regular favorite. Pro tip: Make a reservation--just to be safe. Cheers to Harvey John's.

We had a great dinner at Harvey Johnson Steakhouse. A party of five, for Saturday night Dec 6 th,…read morewe made a reservation for 6:30 pm, and were warmly greeted by a very nice gentleman and immediately seated. Our waitress promptly brought ice waters, menus, and returned 30 seconds later to take drink orders. They have a full bar, and about twelve handcrafted cocktails. I ordered a Manhattan, the spirits nicely balanced with some citrus and a marinated cherry. Others ordered beer, Gin and T's. The restaurant was full, but we were given a nice private table booth, and felt cozy and looked after. Our waitress was great. Right there! We all went to the salad bar, with 32 ounce deep square bowls. Fresh romaine, lovely ripe cut cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pickled items.....a nice selection, everything super crisp and fresh. At the end of the bar are carafes with pourable dressings, the Caesar was very nicely made, garlicky, creamy. Croutons are at the end. It's not a huge salad bar, but works. The bowls hold so much fresh goodness. But back to the table for the main event. We ordered mains, Waygu topped with lobster, crabcakes, Filet mignon, and wine Obsidian Cabernet Sauvignon. Our mains arrived piping hot, flawlessly cooked. The filet mignon, 8 ounce, medium rare, perfect. Crab cakes, (2) nice ratio of crab to filling. I was impressed! They ran out of desserts, but we were full! Want to come back. Our first visit. So impressed. thank you Linda Monds, Dunn, NC