An Unbelievable Dining Agenda

"as for restaurants, Durham arguably has the most sophisticated cuisine in the state."

Quoted from Compass American Guides - North Carolina, Fodor's Travel Publication

For lunch, George's Garage has a popular Mediterranean styled marketplace and bakery with a huge choice of gourmet specialties for seated dining or take out. It is a sister restaurant of Cafe Parizade.

For dinner, Cafe Parizade displays an appealing ambiance with its expansive open copper covered kitchen, whimsical art and a well stocked bar. There is a good selection of appetizers to go along with your drinks and a dinner menu with specialties like fettuccini with fresh salmon and black pepper dill cream. Fresh homemade desserts and famous Leonidas Belgian chocolates tempt you in the background.

For lunch, how about a restaurant on a golf course? The Fairview Restaurant, at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club, is another 4-diamond restaurant. The Lump Crab Cakes on braised mustard greens is just one of the selections that has gotten rave reviews. If you have the chance, make time around 4pm and you can enjoy their Classic Tea. Scones and little sandwiches in the afternoon with tea, what could be nicer?

For dinner, Anotherthyme has long been a local. Mary Bacon opened her restaurant with the emphasis on healthy and flavorful. The Multi cultural cuisine and all natural ingredients have vegetarians to steak lovers lined up as fans. After many years perfecting dishes like Thai Tuna Salad and Red Snapper with a Passion Fruit Sauce the addition of a Filet Mignon surprised some patrons. Mary may have waited 20 years to add red meat but the filet with its Béarnaise sauce or red wine reduction sauce is one of the best in town. Accompanying the eclectic menu is their wine list recognized by the New York Times for its excellence.

For lunch, Bullock's Bar B Cue. You will be treated to southern cooking from yesterday. Experience their famous NC pork barbecue, Brunswick stew and traditional fried chicken dinners along with all the trimmings.

For dinner, Pop's, a Durham Trattoria, with its wood burning ovens, thin crust pizza, calamari, and taste of Italy reinterpreted with a southern flair and devotion to fresh seasonal local ingredients, is a must. The casually sophisticated atmosphere appeals to both long time residents and young professionals. It is a sister restaurant to Nana's but comes with its own set of accolades. Esquire named it one of the best new restaurants in the country when it opened. For more information see the review in Citysearch.

For Lunch, Fosters Market where you choose from gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups and daily specials. Whatever you do, don't leave without a piece of the crumb cake or one of the other tasty desserts.

For Dinner, Nana's on University Drive in Durham, a beautiful restaurant enriched by local art and the cooking creations of award winning chef Scott Howell. Food & Wine referred to the menu as "a blend of Italy and the American South, with a few French accents." Nana's is considered one of the Triangles top dining destinations. When available, suggestions include the lamb with its delicate and subtle sauce and my personal favorite the seafood risotto. If you have to wait for your party, a cozy little bar is available.

For Lunch, Fowlers. Choose from the salads, gourmet deli sandwiches and side dishes for lunch and maybe a little desert. While there, you can select a good bottle of wine, a variety of top coffee blends or pick up a gourmet item missing from your pantry. Enjoy your meal on the 2 story outdoor deck or at a small table in the coffee bar.

For dinner, dine at Four Square on Chapel Hill Road in Durham, menu contemporary American, Wine Spectator's award of excellence in 2001, a four diamond restaurant by AAA. Even if the food and service were not spectacular the romantic old Victorian house would be worth the trip.

For lunch, go for Dim Sum at China One on Hwy 55 just off I-40. Be aware Dim Sum is only available on the weekend.

For dinner, experience the flavors of Magnolia Grill on 9th Street in Durham. Considered by many to be the finest restaurant in the Triangle and voted to "11th place" in best restaurants in the US by Epicurious in 2001. The menu is innovated and seasonally directed.

Have brunch at Il PALIO RISTORANTE in the Sienna Hotel on the edge of Chapel Hill, a four-diamond restaurant by AAA. (Not exactly Durham but on the Durham side of Chapel Hill.)

For Dinner: George's Garage in addition to their menu of creative dishes and reputation for fresh seafood, has an incredible sushi bar in the evening. A great place for a good time and memorable meal.

For dessert later, go to Francesca's Dessert Caffe. Make room for cake as well as ice cream.

Does the list above include all the good restaurants in the city, absolutely not. For a more complete search of area restaurants you can go to the following sites:
for Durham, for Chapel Hill / Orange County and for Raleigh.

Don't forget reservations for evening meals.

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