It's taken us 21 months to finally try this place - and it's well worth the wait!…read more Envision the ambiance of an intimate Cheers bar: cozy, wood and brick decor with soft lighting. Super nice location in the heart of downtown Wake Forest, Bodega is located partially below street level on White Street, sorta catty-corner from the CVS by the viaduct. Wonderful selection of tasty appetizers, something for practically any preference. A to-die-for eclectic wine list and yummy bar drinks - my margarita el pastor was YUM. Other Yelpers have posted good menu pics & pricing, check em out. We were luckily able to snag the last open table when we arrived, so the rapidity of friendly service and serving of our 6 or 8 selections was amazing. It was truly enjoyable, a definite go-to for pre- or post-Renaissance shows or bowling, a short walk away. As is my custom, I've attached a few pics of the food and atmosphere. Go see for yourself, and let us know your thoughts - enjoy‼

We enjoyed our dinner at Bodega this past weekend. The food was great and excellent service.read more

I stopped in for lunch and was honestly impressed. The space is open, warm, and has that modern…read morefarmhouse vibe that makes you want to sit and stay awhile. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and moved with purpose--no one was just standing around. I ordered the herb-crusted salmon mesa bowl and it did not disappoint. The salmon was seasoned well with a perfect sear, and the sides actually felt fresh and intentional, not like fillers. Loved the kale, the sweet potatoes, and that corn was shockingly good. The green sauce on the side added the right kick and pulled everything together. Portions are generous, the food tastes clean and well-prepared, and the atmosphere feels like a local favorite in the making. I'll definitely be back.

I love the food and atmosphere. Plenty of outdoor seating and I'm obsessed with their Chicago dogs…read more I do wish that there was a less crowded ordering space. The restaurant is usually busy during lunch hours when I've gone and it can get very claustrophobic standing in line with the small space available.

One of our most exciting and flavorful dining experience in months. Our downtown Raleigh dining…read morescene has amazing options, and Madre has stayed under our radar for no particular reason. We dined at their lovely bar back in the first months of their opening, and it was good. We had met the general manager, Red, and were impressed with the flavors of our one appetizer, Calabrian Chicken, yet we never rushed back. Now, we feel compelled to return ASAP to enjoy these exceptional flavors, fabulous teamwork system of service, and a comfortable chic atmosphere. The place was happening at 5:45 pm on our recent dining night out with friends. Grateful to have a reservation we were seated at a very comfortable banquette type of seating. It felt like dining in a friend's home. Our server, William, is excellent at his job. Very efficient, great input on food choices, and quite personable. The meal started off with a burst of flavor as we enjoyed their fairly new offering of a ceviche called Eye of the Tiger that featured a sauce you can never get enough of. Wish their bread service was a bit more inspired, but the Le Farm bread did soak up some of the various sauces sent out from a very inspired kitchen team. Food runners help make certain the tapas come out fresh and hot when needed. They are a friendly group of hospitality workers who seem to genuinely enjoy their work and treat their guests with sincere appreciation. It all starts at the top, and GM Red is a personable and sound leader. We loved the Chef's pasta, our octopus dish was stellar, the Calabrian Chicken almost stole the show, but the unctuous flavors on the plate of the Seared Halloumi was hands down my favorite. I love how this culinary team can crank out such outstanding flavors table to table and patron to patron without missing a beat. The energy in the room must feed their souls & for that we are grateful. Lastly I wish to mention the thoughtfully curated wine list where my husband discovered a treasure of a wine from the Familia Torres brand. It was exquisite and paired perfectly with Madre's flavors. Our friend who frequent their bar often rave about their Mezcal margarita! Another visit. See you soon Madre familia!

This used to be one of my 3 go-to first date restaurants, but I've had to cut it from the list…read moreafter realizing it makes literally everyone in the place seem irresistibly sexy, and that is not wise. Truly, though, I'm here often and love it - my dear friend and I are both heavy-duty allergy kids and the Madre squad is exquisite at managing cross-contamination and adapting plates to be accommodating. If you have nothing else, order the cauliflower with the green goddess dressing. Maybe order that two or three times, actually. The salchipapas are probably my favorite app in Raleigh. Also, the owners are both super cute, and the Bryan Costello design is magnifique. I would hire that man to redo my entire home to feel like Madre.

We are from California, so we are trying the top rated restaurants on Franklin while in town. This…read moreplace is solid for tapas--not amazing, but very good. The service was excellent, with energetic young students from UNC who know the menu well and team up to cover each other. Our server was engaging and knowledgeable about the food and the wine choices. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. I will say that the booths are close together, so we could hear the conversations at tables behind and in front of us. It kept us entertained. We had: - the dates stuffed with pistachios and wrapped in bacon - the flounder - the steak with chimichuri - the olives - pan con tomate - potatoes bravas - tuna ceviche - crumble - cinnamon cake It was all very good. The best dishes were the potatoes bravas and the steak. Th rest was pretty mediocre. We had a broke of white Rioja--it went well with the food and was a good deal at $56.

Seriously easy to miss if you're strolling through Franklin. Cozy space with counter seating and…read morebooths in the back. Tried some more traditional tapas but with a twist, such as the outstanding Alubia Blanca, Gambas and Jamon. the Zanahorias were excellent, even had the Cubano, not Spanish traditional but still well done. Fortunately there was room for the chocolate cremeux, decadently rich. Loved the counter seating to view the busy prep action. Reservations are best, otherwise you're taking a chance without one. Super casual, savory dishes, and maybe my new favorite restaurant in CH.

First time coming here and it did not leave a good impression. Came in with my husband and the…read morerestaurant was not crowded. We were seated promptly but sat for over 10 minutes with no greeting or acknowledgement that we were there. The waitresses brought drinks to and checked on several tables around us and did not even say that she would be by in a few minutes to get us started. On top of that, the water glass at the table had a lipstick stain on it. We decided to leave and when walking to the door, the greeter asked us if everything was ok. We told him that no one ever came to the table and all he said was ok and went back to what he was doing. Very disappointed in this as some of the dishes around us looked good. Oh well.

Absolutely exceeded my expectations and wants... we were headed to a garden party when it was…read moretexted that the party would be delayed by an hour, and with the extra drive time... it just wasn't worth it. Last second punt to find something local and unique led us to The Nomad at Osburn and I am smitten... I absolutely did not expect that level of menu diversity and expanse. Thai, Indian, British fish-n-chips, steak... the menu was almost too much. I was craving Thai, and chose the drunken noodles. Was absolutely pleased with the flavors, portions, and service. The space was open, not too loud, and quaint but not intimate. It's a converted theater, so don't expect absolute privacy. Will absolutely return again to sample more of their menu!

Such a great spot in downtown Raleigh. Best cocktails and bartenders. The fish dip and onion…read morefritters are so good!

Urban Oak is a nice little oasis rooftop with nice city views, in ans outdoor seating and a huge…read moresquare bar. Nice ambiance, music, vibes. Perfect for small or large groups. Service was timely and attentive from staff. We had rounds ans rounds of champagne, and it was a nice chilled evening. Minimal noise level. I also had the lamb meatball which I felt like were a bit over cooked so they tunes out hard and rubbery. Luckily, it didn't sway my opinion of my experience. Next time I'll have to pop in for a solid meal to see how that goes. Would recommend, would go again.

Always a thoughtful, tasty and memorable experience. From the warm and inviting atmosphere,…read moreattentive, responsive and respectful customer service, sublime libations and delicious food, Bar Virgile never disappoints.

Bar Virgile is a must-visit in Durham. The drinks were top notch--crafted really well and…read moredefinitely stand out. The burger is easily one of the best in town, cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also tried a couple appetizers and they were amazing, especially the deviled eggs--honestly some of the best I've ever had. The overall vibe is great too, just a really solid atmosphere to hang out and enjoy a good meal and drinks. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you are in durham

You must visit this place. I spend a lot of time on the road and boy was this place a sight for…read moresore eyes. The flavors were absolutely amazing. I only got to take a picture of just a couple of what we ordered. My favorites: Little Asada - so flavorful and cooked perfectly Octopus and butter beans- prepared perfectly not rubbery. Great choice DIY hand roll - really fun and inventive way although had to fight to make my own roll NC Crudo - this tuna was really fresh. I mean it didn't taste like fish. It tasted like steak. Love the flavors they added to it. ceviche - great choice with the plantains Gambas à la plancha - the OG. Highly recommended. Shrimp cooked perfect. Overall it was so amazing. Service was great also they had a fun little wine list. Pro tip: in the spring get a spot out in the patio or outside. Highly recommended. Will be back!

Mexican-American Cuisine with a Vibrant Ambiance and Flavorful Complex Cuisine…read more You step right into a vibrant ambiance, with a beautifully decorated main dining room and a curated outdoor dining space that defines the evening as a place to bring family, friends, and professionals to enjoy lively conversations while savoring the Chef's cuisine. From the amazing service and the curated bar menu, with a bar staff that can create drinks based on your specific taste preferences, to an extraordinary selection of bold and flavorful cuisine, Little Bull is a Huge Gem in the Durham area. __ I have had the opportunity to travel the globe, 6 continents, 62 countries, and 33 US states, tasting some of the most memorable and sometimes not memorable culinary experiences. When looking at a restaurant, it is important to consider the entire dining experience, including ambiance, service, and food. Little Bull achieved excellence in all these categories. __ Tom Kha Ceviche - Snapper, coconut leche de tigre, mixed peppers, sweet potato, choclo, peanut, salsa macha, onions, and plantain chips. The snapper was incredibly fresh, which paired perfectly with the coconut leche de tigre. The broth was well balanced with richness from the peanut butter and salsa macha, sweetness from the sweet potato and choclo, and spice from the peppers and onions. The plantains were the perfect way to bring all the ingredients together. __ Gambas a La Plancha - Shrimp, salsa piquin, onion, and ciabatta. The shrimp was well-cooked and tender, delivered with the perfect char, bringing the right sweetness while pulling in the spicy and smoky flavors from the salsa piquin. The ciabatta was a nice accompaniment to this dish, helping you soak up the amazing base sauce. __ Winter Cabbage - Charred NC Cabbage, Salsa Malcojeta, Beans Mousseline, Cumin Vinaigrette, and Salsa Macha. This was a complex dish, with the creaminess of the mousseline, the charred flavor of the cabbage, the nuttiness of the salsa macha, and the earthiness of the cumin vinaigrette. While I figured this dish would have a little spice, this dish was super spicy. I would have liked the waiter to have advised us of this before we ordered the dish. __ Arepas - Cheese arepas, chicken guasacaca, cilantro and avocado aioli, avocado mousse, sour cream and pickled onions. The cheese arepas were cooked perfectly, with a nice, crisp exterior complementing the soft interior and pairing nicely with the chicken, cilantro, and avocado flavors. The pickled onions and sour cream added a nice balance to the dish. My only complaint would be that I would have liked a little more flavor. It seemed to be lacking something, making it a little bland. __ Presentation was impeccable. I love how they curated each dish and really highlighted all the ingredients. It definitely represents why they were mentioned in the Michelin guide. __ Overall, this is a must-visit restaurant for any occasion. This is the second time I visited the restaurant and have officially made it one of my go-to restaurants for different occasions.

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.

Good Country Cooking…read more This little country eatery always delivers. The Fried Flounder Lunch ($9.99 with 2 sides) hit the spot. The fish was lightly battered, crispy on the outside - flaky on the inside. The Potato Salad and Butter Beans tasted home-made and delicious. Service was prompt and efficient and came with a smile. No frills here - just good country cooking.

Service is great and friendly. The fried catfish on Tuesdays is very good and love the cheese…read moresteak! We also like having breakfast there. Good portions also.