Foodies to some degree, my wife and I have been in Cary 27 years now, and boy has the area's dining scene changed in that time!! Our logistical good fortune is being only 20 - 25 minutes from any dining option within Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Hearing nothing but good things from other "food trail" friends about Stanbury, we and another couple decided to try it out Saturday night. We were very lucky to score a 5:30 reservation (made nearly a week in advance - Dinner only - Reservations a must), and we found the restaurant about 1/3 - 1/2 full upon arrival! We were seated immediately. Within 30 - 40 minutes it was packed, remaining so with standing room only the rest of the evening. It's small, only about 12 - 15 tables or so, and well worth the effort, it exudes professionalism and experience top to bottom. The energy here is infectious, imparting a warm and friendly atmosphere, ...never stuffy, even thought the place is small. While we were an early Res, we never once felt pressured to hurry. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the food, and the beverages, on this ever changing menu, and everyone from Front to Back seemed "happy to be there". Admitting to her that we would be sharing, our waitress suggested a combination of small plates and a couple large ones, affording everyone ample opportunity to taste the various specialties of the house. Everything, from my wonderful Velvet Cloak "Manhattan" to the nice House Tempranillo, was made perfectly,then delivered with grace and a smile. Incidentally, one of the energies of the place is that the Kitchen is open and central to the restaurant. This affords a great view for most tables of the 3 Chefs hard at work cooking and plating.
For small plates we had: Oysters on the half shell, mild yet flavorful, and ladled with a spiced vinegar sauce. They were perfectly separated from their shells, free of any shell fragments, then nestled onto individual beds of Sea Salt. Yum. The Fried Oysters were also a huge hit. Lightly dusted in flour or cracker crumbs, they were perfectly crispy on the outside, plated with a drizzle of Remoulade sauce, and admittedly beat any of their cornmeal-coated cousins typical on the Southern Gulf Coast which is my original home. I also loved the Gumbo, which was truly a Louisiana inspired small bowl with generous amounts of Duck, Rabbit, and Okra, with just enough Andouille to lend a Cajun accent then served over rice. As would have been expected the chestnut brown Roux was spot on. The Pigs Head was amazing,... some of the most delicate and delicious meat is removed from the head, marinated, molded into a sort of "nest", then lightly fried, with a semi-hard boiled Duck egg placed into it before serving. OMG! The burst of flavors from these compatibles were best when mixed in a bite:) The Steak Tartare was also amazing, perfectly marinated, spiced, and served with crispy rice crackers. Our friends also ordered the Gnocchi, the pieces being notably smaller in size than usual making them easier to eat I thought, then coated with a marvelous sauce. The crown jewel of the plates were the two large plates of Stripped Bass served over lightly smoked, whole, Chick peas, and a light gravy, finally guarded by a couple of fresh baked clams...OMG - simply to die for. Entrées to be outdone, the desserts we chose were a decadent Chocolate Torte, plated atop a sweet, Vanilla-crème base - WOW! The most amazing and unique dessert was the Banana Upside Down cake! Baked with chunks of fresh bananas (no vanilla wafers here folks), and drizzled with a light bourbon-caramel sauce, then topped with a scoop of home-made peanut butter ice cream and peanut brittle crumbles was a perfect integration of flavors. I made the comment to our group that the combination of flavors were like a "3 ring circus in my mouth",... simultaneously entertaining, with never an individual act overpowering the others. Two of us paired this course with a very stand up Tawny Port, which paired well with both desserts and of course the complimentary Chocolate wafers which were delivered aside the most reasonable check.
The dishes served at Stanbury are truly basic and often of local ingredients that are served in well plated presentations that are both recognizable to most everyone, while sporting the right size portions. I conclude with a hearty "Hat's off" to the Owners, Chefs, and Wait staff, as you all have obviously corralled "the Right Stuff" at Stanbury. Suffice it to say, we will be back, and soon. read more