Suggestions Downtown restaurants

A friend of mine is coming to visit me from out of town this weekend, and I want to go to dinner with her somewhere in Downtown Raleigh. I've been to 518, 42nd Street, and Bogart's. I'd like to try something new. Does anyone have any suggestions that aren't too pricey? Thanks!

 

I like Tir Na Nog! It's an "Irish" place, but has a little something for everyone. On weekends, they often have a lively Celtic band playing. Awesome tiramisu!

And for my thrifty friends, you can often get a coupon at www.restaurant.com and get in and out of there for $20!

I liek this place because if you go early enough for dinner, you won't be the oldest one in there, it's a pretty diverse crowd!

 

18 Seaboard is my absolute favorite, and their prices are great. Not only do their meals make the foodie in my sigh with bliss, but their wine list is very good and they have an in-house pastry chef, so their desserts are amazing.

 

What type of atmosphere are you looking for?

If you are looking for a place to have conversation and maybe go out somewhere afterwards, Cafe Luna across from marbles museum is really good italian food. An entree is around $14 or $15 and they have good wine. http://www.cafeluna.com/

If you're looking for a more lively dining spot, The Big Easy on fayetteville street is good. http://www.thebigeasync.com/

I really recommend Cafe Luna if you haven't been, though. If you want to go out on the town, you'll have to go out somewhere like Tir Na Nog afterwards. If you end up and Luna, someone has to try the Fiocchi! It's awesome and you can't get anything like it anywhere else.

 

My two favorite places downtown are Sitti and Caffe Luna.

If you decide to skip downtown, I tried Coquette's at North Hills Mall the other day - excellent.

 

The Pit
Sushi Blues
Sullivans
The Mint Restaurant


all outstanding!

 

I was going to recommend the Pit or Cherry Bomb's depending on what you are looking for.

 

Buku is fabulous and I like that their menu items are meant to be shared like tapas. Wonderful atmosphere too. http://www.bukuraleigh.com

As mentioned before, Cafe Luna is excellent italian. The Pit is great for a fun atmosphere and a taste of NC BBQ-but it is pricey for BBQ.

I've heard great things about Sitti too but haven't gotten to try it yet!

 

I agree with The Pit.

 

I'd say The Pit too, its on West Davie street. Its a great place to bring a friend from out of town if you want to give them a great taste of Raleighs bbq. Not to mention, its also a famed local spot, Ed Mitchell the PitMaster has been on the morning shows in NYC, has had a ThrowDown with Bobby Flay (and won), and been on Man. Vs. Food with Adam Richman. Whats neat is you can also walk to the back of the restaurant and see the big pig cookers in the kitchen.

If you go for lunch instead of dinner it is less expensive, thats what we usually do... at lunch you can get a combo dinner with 2 meats for $9.99 (add a couple bucks more if you want to get ribs).

http://www.thepit-raleigh.com/grub.php

 

One more thing on the Pit, because it has become such a sensation, make sure you have reservations for dinner on friday or saturdays and make sure they are early!!! We went without reservations once and it was a 2 hr wait. The next time was after the Bobby Flay Throwdown, we had reservations for 7:30pm and they were out of ribs:cry: I've heard similar stories from several folks since then.

 

Oh......one other thing if you like to sample different kinds of beers while downing some food Cherry Bomb's and the Flying Saucer are must sees.


http://www.cherrybombgrill.com/

Good food at the Bomb as well.


http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/raleigh/

 

Thats another reason we go at lunch, no wait and they haven't had a chance to run out of anything yet!

One more thing, The Pit also has a great selection of local Micro Brew beers!

 

i second 18 Seaboard, the food is great, reasonably priced, great atmosphere and privately owned:hurray: The Pit i love too but like others said i don't go at night.

 

The Pit is popular at night (testimony to the food being good and the atmosphere is as well), as long as you make reservations, you're fine. As far as that goes, most of the restaurants that are nicer, it's a good idea to do anyways.

 

what she said, guess i should have worded it better

 

Wow! Thanks for the replies. Now I have some options! I've heard good things about all these restaurants.

 

:cheers:

 

I have only ever been to 42nd St and I thought that was overrated, LOL. I hate going into Raleigh. :lol::lol::lol:

 

You honestly need to get out and check out some of the other places in Raleigh. It is becoming quite the mecca for good food and fine dinning.


Example Piccola Italia is awesome and owned by a true Sicilian who's been in the area for years..

http://www.piccolaitalianc.com/index.php


tir na nog

http://www.tirnanogirishpub.com/

Woody's @ City Maarket

http://www.woodyscitymarket.com/

Cafe Luna

http://www.cafeluna.com/

Sitti Lebanese Resturant.

http://www.sitti-raleigh.com/


And too many other options to list.