Recently visited the Durham Food Hall for the second time. The first time, the food was so so with…read morewhat we chose. However this last visit we chose to eat from Ex-Voto and ordered the Carnitas Crunchwrap. It was totally delicious, worth the price ( it was huge) and my husband enjoyed his Carnitas Burrito that was equally good. However, in looking at the receipt after getting home, we noticed an added 10% living wage service charge that we did not notice at the restaurant, and no signage about this that we could see. We always tip well and thus left a tip of 25%, so in all, they received an extra 35%. It would be good to be informed about this up front, or better yet, that they are paid more to not need that extra charge. If we had been told, we may have adjusted our tip accordingly. Just a heads up to others, but definitely eat there!

Honestly came here because the other restaurant I wanted to try was closed already--and I'm so glad…read moreto have discovered this food hall! I ordered food from one vendor then a drink from another, then my food was ready to be picked up and my drink right after that. If I ever end up in North Carolina again, I'll likely be back--pretty much every vendor had food I wanted to try, and there's ample seating with free wifi and water. Love the zine vending machine, I didn't have time to visit a museum and this is such a cool way for tourists to learn about the area! Right around the corner there's a big hill park thing with a skate ramp, playground, and a little free library where I grabbed a book from a favorite series of mine! Only annoying thing is that you have to pay for parking, but that seems to be the situation for this whole area.

Easily one of the best restaurants we've been to in the area! Had a family birthday celebration…read morehere and it was an amazingly great experience! Our server, Dawn, was easily one best servers I've had in a long time. Knowledgeable about the menu, made a point to explain everything and no questions were too obscure. We had a variety of dishes, and out of everything the pork schnitzel wasn't really a schnitzel if you've ever had one in Germany, it was more like a breaded, fried bone-in pork chop, really good but not a traditional schnitzel. The asparagus, the risotto, the pasta, the chicken were all absolutely superior. The stars were the appetizers, especially the kung pao fried Brussels, those are a meal by themselves, some of the best I've ever had! The fried burrata cheese, worth the drive to Wake Forest. Their Cherry cobbler one word: YUM! The Farm Table is a roomy restaurant with tables well suited for family style dining and while a bit loud, certainly not uncomfortably so Totally recommended and thank me later for those Brussel Sprouts!

I really liked this place. The interior space was nice the servers were great. So why 3 stars?…read moreMy main, the Pork Chop was dry and over cooked. It was literally like a roof shingle. After a couple bites I gave up. When the server came by and offered me a different entree. She recommended the Lamb Kebobs. They were also dry and tasteless. Everyone else in our party had great meals. The braised Short Rib was the star of the night. I will have to give this place a second try and see if I have better luck.

Amazing food here! Healthy, value! And the drinks are amazing…read more Also the team at Durham is very friendly, always smiling and welcoming, we always take out around 8-10pm! Ambiance is casual and I wish they were open even later but still, we love Farmside!

I stopped into Farmside Kitchen Durham RTP while staying nearby for business. I read the reviews…read moreand wanted a salad so I walked over. The restaurant was fresh, clean, and they had menus overhead. I was welcomed quickly and I ordered a pitchfork salad. It was assembled quickly. You'll be asked about dressing, heavy, medium or light. I chose medium. The salad gets all mixed and covered with dressing and soon dispensed into a bowl depending on dine in or take out. I chose the latter. I enjoyed my salad. Fresh vegetables and ingredients. The dressing wasn't overwhelming. The price was good. Quick service and tasty salad, I'll be back again if I'm in the area.

5/5 - Bodega Understood the Assignment…read more We tried Bodega for dinner tonight, and this recommendation was an absolute WIN. From the cocktails to the small plates to dessert, this was one of those dinners where we just kept ordering things...and somehow they kept hitting. We started with drinks, and my dinner date ordered the Rum Old Fashioned--absolutely amazing. Smooth, well-balanced, and exactly the kind of cocktail you sip slowly because you actually want to enjoy it. I had the Orchard Sangria, and it was delicious! Light, fruity, refreshing, and not overly sweet. The fresh fruit made it even better, and it was one of those drinks that goes down very easily. I would absolutely order it again. Then we started working our way through the food, and this is where Bodega really shines. The concept is perfect for sharing, ordering a few different things, and letting the table slowly fill up with dishes. Everything was beautifully presented, and there were so many different flavors and textures happening that dinner felt like an experience rather than just a meal. The potatoes were perfectly crispy and seasoned, and the Peruvian chicken with pita was another standout. But that creamy crab dip with the toasted bread! Dangerous. The kind of dish where everyone keeps saying they're done and then somehow another piece of bread ends up in the dip. The lamb meatballs were beautifully presented and packed with flavor, with the sauces bringing everything together. Overall, there wasn't a dish on the table that felt like an afterthought. But apparently we decided we needed to finish STRONG. I ordered the Crème Brûlée Espressotini, and whoever decided crème brûlée and espresso martini belonged together deserves recognition. Rich, creamy, coffee-forward and indulgent without being too much--it was basically dessert in a cocktail glass. And then came the **brown butter pecan & pear pie! ** Rich, buttery, nutty, slightly gooey, and served with cream and that drizzle of sweetness around the plate--the pear kept it from becoming overly heavy, and the brown butter and pecan flavors were everything. I would absolutely order it again. Bodega gave us great cocktails, flavorful shareable dishes, beautiful presentation, and an ending that might have been the best part of the entire meal. This is definitely a place I'd come back to because there are still things on the menu I need to try. 5 stars. Get the Orchard Sangria, share a few plates, and whatever you do, save room for that pie and a Crème Brûlée Espressotini. 10/10 would recommend.

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‼

Have been here several times for birthdays and anniversary's and the staff and food have been…read morewonderful each time. They really do make your day feel special.

We decided to try Rustic Roots again on our anniversary even though the experience wasn't so good…read morelast year. Well I have to say they surely made up for the shortcomings of our last visit. The food this trip was fantastic along with the service. We started with the scallop appetizer and the fried mushrooms. The scallops were seared to perfection. The sweet potato puree they were served on, oh yeah! The fried mushrooms were really good to. My wife ordered the Blackened Mahi Mahi and I ordered the Hot Honey Pork Chop. BOTH were outstanding dishes. The pork chop was tender and juicy and full of flavor. The fish was was like the scollops, cooked perfectly. Thank you for a great meal!

Stopped here for lunch on our way to Charlotte. Plenty of street parking right out front…read more The front during the day looks like it's closed. We were welcomed as we entered and shown to a small table in the main seating area. Fairly large place with a large bar and a stage for all the live music they have. At this time we were the only customers. Our server brought us the menus and glasses of water. After a little extra time, son needed extra time. We ordered the 1/2 rack of baby back ribs with coleslaw and Mac-n-cheese. I ordered the brisket bowl. We had a short wait before everything came out. Everything looked great. The meat literally slid off the bones and the ribs were very tasty. I sampled everything. The slaw was good and even the Mac-n-cheese was good. My brisket bowl was delicious. Brisket over a bed of rice, black beans, blue cheese crumbles, tortilla chips, and a sauce. All the flavors played well together and satisfied my taste buds. It was just enough food. First time here and we both enjoyed the experience. We would definitely eat here again. Recommend giving this place a try.

Wow open night Mike was amazing great times and wonderful people taking to the stage. I ordered the…read morecatfish platter with collards and Mac n cheese. Someone's auntie is in there cooking up a storm. I highly recommend a trip to Durham.

Stopped by Little Bull when visiting downtown Durham. When you arrive parking can be difficult in…read morethis area. I'd recommend parking a few blocks away and walking if needed. Unfortunately, we happened to be in downtown Durham when an event was taking place at the DPAC. Walking into the restaurant it's beautiful with the exposed brick, the decorated dining room, the sassy and unapologetic identity of the restaurant, and the "pocho" cuisine. To be seated you'll check in with the host and then be shown to your table. You'll either be seated on the first/second level or on the second level rooftop. I highly recommend a reservation as we still ended up waiting for our table even with a reservation. For drinks, I started with the Mezcal old fashioned and later ordered the she was a fairy (with sea foam). Overall the drinks were excellent and perfectly balanced. For appetizers, we ordered the "Super Fancy" Devil Eggs, Chirashi, Ceviche, Octopus Al Pastor, Shorty Pan, Butter Beans, and the Ay Papa. Each appetizer had a great presentation and they were all excellent. I really enjoyed the Chirashi as you could essentially make your own sushi with the seaweed on the side and just the overall flavors were so good. For entrees, we ordered the Lamb & Mole and the Carne Asada. Again, the presentation was excellent and both entrees were excellent. The carne asada was well seasoned and in an extremely tasty sauce. The Lamb & Mole you could tell the Mole had several flavors within it and really enhanced the dish. Also the Lamb cut like butter and was so good! For dessert we ordered the Churro Clouds, Capirotada, and I believe the Crepe Cake. Great presentation and by far the churro clouds were my favorite. I highly recommend stopping by Little Bull if you are in the downtown Durham area looking for a good Michelin Star/James Beard nominated restaurant.

Little Bull makes a strong first impression, the kind where you step up to the host stand and…read moreimmediately wonder if you should have dressed a little nicer for whatever is about to happen. We weren't looking for fancy on this self-directed Durham food tour, but we decided to roll with it, and once the hostess walked us upstairs, the whole space opened up into something genuinely beautiful. The decor is polished without feeling stuff, the kind of restaurant where you can sit down, take a breath, and feel like you made a good choice even if you weren't planning on a big night out. We kept things simple. My friend had a customized mimosa, I went with tequila and soda, we shared the brunch ceviche. It arrived looking absolutely stunning and tasted every bit as good as it looked. The plantain chips were a delight and added just the right texture. One small note for anyone ordering drinks upstairs (and maybe downstairs too?), there's no soda fountain, so the ginger ale that came with my drink was a separate $3.00 charge. Something worth knowing before you order. If it's a nice day, consider the upstairs outside patio. It's a delight! [Review 1165 of 2026 - 4814 in North Carolina - 26344 overall]

Stepping into the cigar bar feels like slipping into a well-dressed time machine that decided to…read moreloosen its tie. The air hums with the scent of tobacco, oak, and good decisions made slowly. Plush couches and deep leather chairs form little islands of comfort, perfect for sinking into a conversation that doesn't need to end soon. Along the walls, humidors stand like treasure chests, keeping their cigars in stately silence. Vintage wood glows everywhere--from the bar's polished surface to the beams above--each grain steeped in quiet history. Overhead, TVs flicker with old games and new ones alike, while dart boards wait nearby for a little friendly competition between sips of bourbon and curls of smoke. The bartender slides the Old Fashioned across the bar with the precision of a man who's been doing it long enough to know that showmanship is for amateurs. No fancy garnish, no chatter--just the soft clink of glass meeting wood and a nod that says this'll do. Happiness here isn't loud or glittery--it's slow-burning and pleasantly lopsided, like a jazz tune played just slightly off the beat. It seeps in between sips and smoke rings, wrapping itself around you like the worn leather of the chair you've claimed for the night. It's the kind that finds you sitting still, glass half full, smoke curling upward like a satisfied sigh. Cheers!

Looking for a good cigar - run here!! Mine was sweet and tasty!…read more Drinks were mixed perfectly!! I had 3- Long Island iced teas. Comfortable chairs however, get could use a facelift. Excellent service !! There was only one bartender and he handled the entire business. At one time there were about 19-20 people there. Bathrooms were clean!! 2 stalls per gender. Huge collection of cigars to choose from. Tip: This is a hockey bar so if hockey is playing then it's on tv. Period?? So no NFL draft but it was all good. Bar Rules!

I have an unhealthy obsession with Wye Hill. It is my go to restaurant to take friends to when…read morethey're visiting Raleigh, and the beet hummus is a MUST every visit. Most recently went for the Witch, Please Halloween pop up and it was so fun! I need to schedule my return to try the other drinks. The service is always great and the skyline views and ambiance can't be beat. I will be a loyal Wye Hill fan forever.

Poised and ready for the turkey burger...it's gone! However the energy and amazing views remain!…read more Really appreciate how hard the servers work and collaborate! Somehow my server was really slow delivering the bill but no sweat as I engaged with another team member. Always good food and a positive experience overall.

I came for dinner with my wife on a Saturday night, and even though we didn't have reservations, we…read morearrived right when the restaurant opened at 5pm and were promptly seated by the window. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us a rundown of the menu before we ordered. I decided to start with the Cheese Plate, which included 3 different cheeses, buttered baguette slices, jam, mustard, and pickles. I enjoy cheese plates, and this one was great, but I can understand it may not be for everyone. My wife ordered the Red Fish, which had a more Southeast Asian-inspired twist to it. It came over rice and pickled onions and beets, and the flavors were a blend of lemongrass and coconut. The fish was cooked well - nice and tender, not too dry - and the flavors went well together. I ordered the New York Strip, which was delicious - the meat was well cooked, had great flavor, and was a generous portion that was very filling. The only gripe I had was that the char on the eggplant overwhelmed the flavor, so most of what I ate tasted like burnt eggplant. The place is clean and fairly laid back for a more upscale restaurant. If you're looking for a nicer restaurant in Chapel Hill where you might spend a little more, but you'll get great service with interesting food options / combinations, then look no further than Hawthorne & Wood.

Beautiful spot for creative New American cuisine. Their menu…read moreis seasonal so check out their website for updates. Loved the blue-toned palette and dim lighting. Service was great, and I was impressed that the staff remembered a food allergy in our party. We started with the cheese board--quality ingredients, though I prefer sliced cheeses and flatbread for easier sharing. The jam was a standout! My short rib entree was savory, with tender (but not fall-off-the-bone) meat, paired nicely with roasted eggplant, green chickpeas, and a touch of sweetness from the pomegranate jus. The eggplant was more charred than I prefer, but the flavors worked well overall. Cocktails were well-made, portions satisfying, and while entrées are on the pricier side, you leave full and happy.