Neomonde

Neomonde is literally the best Mediterranean food in town (voted by Independent Weekly in 2006). One visit and I was hooked (which then forced me to go twice in one week)! They have two fabulous locations, one in downtown Raleigh, and one in Morrisville. 

All of their dishes are homemade, even their pita breads (the sesame one is my favorite!). They have daily hot specials and cold salads, and of course, the usual dishes you would think of when you think of Mediterranean cuisine (the best hummus in town, amazing baba ghanouj, fresh tabouli, etc.).

My favorite is their Zaatar Pie. They take their specialty pita dough and treat it almost like a pizza. They then add their special Zaatar blend of thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and other spices in olive oil. Then, you have the option of making your pie "delight" by adding hummus or baba ganouj (I've tried it both ways and they are both delicious), lettuce, tomato, olives, pickles,  and banana peppers, topped with their special lemon-tahini dressing. It's an absolutely amazing combination of flavors, all wrapped up in one dish!

Zaatar Pie is at the top, one of their platters is at the bottom.

Another nice thing is that you can make your own platter, choosing four sides. It's a great opportunity to try many different things. Their hummus is the most authentic I've had outside of the Middle East. It has the perfect touch of garlic and tahini, and is lemony with fresh parsley, to give it that extra touch. Seriously, you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. After a fabulous meal, make sure to take some containers home to put together your own delicious lunches over the next few days. 


Don't forget to pick up one of their many baklavas and other Mediterranean desserts for the road. 


I also love that Neomonde doubles as a market where you can pick up any Mediterranean ingredient that you could imagine, which really makes it a one-stop-shop for all your Mediterranean needs. 


You really can't go wrong with Neomonde.

Brasa- Brazilian Barbecue

I love Brazilian Barbecue. My dad introduced us to the wonderful world of Brazilian Barbecue when he was traveling back and fourth to Brazil practically every other week (we almost moved there once). You have to be a major carnivore to like it. Real Brazilian Barbecue consists of every part of every animal cooked in multiple ways. One of my favorite Brazilian BBQ restaurants of all time was called Barbecoa and was located in Omotesando, Tokyo, Japan. I loved it! So when I find a new Brazilian Barbecue restaurant, I have to try it. 

Which brings me to Brasa. It's a Brazilian Steakhouse in Brier Creek. It has a great ambiance that's perfect for a date, and big enough for a carnivorous group party. But it's not all meat. There is an option for their salad bars filled with salad fixings, pasta salads, grilled veggies, even sushi! It's all you can eat and is accompanied by a hot bar with cheesy mashed potatoes, black beans, fried bananas, and more. 

Cold Salad Bar

With your meal, you also get the staple Brazilian cheese bread at your table. It's my favorite! Gooey Manchego cheese baked right into these little bread rolls makes for a soft and chewy, cheesy bite. It's the best. 

Cheese Bread

Then, of course, there's the meat. When you're ready, you flip over your little marker to green. In Brasa's case, it's a rock painted red and green. Green means bring on the meat! And red means you're stuffed. Then your servers will bring around skewers of different meat cuts cooked in a variety of ways. Brasa has over 12 cuts of fire-roasted meat. Everything from ribs to garlic sirloin to sausages and chicken hearts. My favorite (and the specialty of Brazilian steakhouses) is the Picanha.

Picanha

They ask you how you like it and will bring each meat cooked to your taste. Once you've tried them all, you can request your favorites. And don't forget to save room for the cinnamon grilled pineapple. It's sweet and delicious.

If you love meat, you have to try a Brazilian Steakhouse. And if you're in Brier Creek, check out Brasa. You won't be disappointed.

Brixx

Margarita Pizza

Brixx is a brick-oven Pizza restaurant chain, which doesn't seem like a chain. They have a unique collection of wood-fired pizzas that branch off from the original, expected topping combinations. My personal favorite is the Pear and Gorgonzola pizza with carmelized onions and toasted walnuts. It's an unusual, but absolutely fabulous combination of flavors atop a rustic, thin-crust pizza! 

Pear & Gorgonzola Pizza

They also have delicious Italian appetizers as well as pastas, sandwiches and salads for those who aren't in the mood for pizza.

So if you're tired of the usual delivery/take-out pizza joints, give Brixx a try. 

Dos Perros

Dos Perros is a Mexican restaurant in Durham, inspired by traditional taquerias.

As I swear is necessary in every Mexican-style restaurant, we ordered the guac. It was really great. Simple and delicious, with just the right amount of onion (which I think many places overpower the guac with...Dos Perros minces the onion so you don't get big chunks in each bite) and a slight kick. The salsa that was also served was a great surprise, although I must admit that it caught me off-guard when I took my first bite. Instead of the usual tomato salsa, this salsa had fruit pureed into it (it has not been confirmed, but it seemed like mango...or maybe peach?), which was a fantastic treat. The sweet and spicy was a perfect combination atop a salty, freshly homemade chip and smooth guacamole.

Another appetizer, that as soon as I saw it on the menu I knew I couldn't pass it up, was the sweet potato empanada with a chipotle, fig sauce. Another great spicy/sweet combination. The empanadas themselves were delicious. The outside empanada shell was infused with chipotles to bring out more of the smokey, spicy flavor of the dish. The chipotle, fig sauce was an unusual but delicious complement.

As for the main course, they keep it simple. The carnita burrito was stuffed with their twice cooked chipotle pork, rice, beans, Oaxaca cream, and their unique pico de gallo, which includes lettuce and cucumbers in a sweet vinegar to add to the traditional pico de gallo flavors. The tortilla was soft but crispy from the grill. The meat was tender. It was a great meal. 


If you're looking for an authentic, taqueria-style Mexican meal, you definitely need to try Dos Perros.

Scratch is exactly what it's made from

Scratch got it's claim to fame around here from it's regular appearances at the local farmer's markets so imagine the pure delight of everyone when they opened an actual shop with brick walls on a side street in downtown Durham!

There is no typical menu. All their ingredients come from local farmers, made from scratch daily, which means the menu changes daily. There's always something different. Everything from chorizo, tomato and farmer's cheese empanadas to fresh eggplant focaccia. They also have daily side salads and of course, deliciously sweet baked goods. Stop by for a hot cup of fresh-brewed coffee, or my personal favorite: the bowl of hot chocolate. Yes, I said bowl. I'll be spending many winter days hanging out in this quaint little cafe.
 
On this particular visit, I had a butternut squash tart. The savory filling in a typical pastry dough was fabulous. The salad of the moment (as I like to call it) was a beet salad. I've always grown up thinking I don't like beets. I definitely don't like pickled beets. But in the name of the blog, I had to try it. Well, let's just say I'm going to be trying beets more often. This beet salad was almost like a slaw, with a vinegar-based dressing over thinly shredded beets, mixed with a fabulous variety of herbs. It was amazing!

Of course, you can't leave Scratch without having one of their made from scratch desserts. Typically I'd recommend their famous doughnut muffins. Yes, I said doughnut muffins. It's everything you love about doughnuts, combined with everything you love about muffins (mainly the shape and the texture of the muffin top). Tell me that doesn't sound amazing. Well you don't have to tell me because it is. Another favorite (and one of their other usuals) is their chocolate and sea salt tort. It's the perfect salty/sweet combination! But this time, something else caught my eye. The heirloom apple crisp. The apples were the perfect combination of tart and sweet, topped with a delectable crunchy topping. It was the perfect end to the meal, and the perfect beginning to my afternoon food coma. 

Whether you stop in for a bowl of hot chocolate and a fresh-made pastry, or to sit for a delightful lunch, you'll love Scratch!

Merci Beaucoup, Buku

I dare to say that Buku is the most unique restaurant in Raleigh. Buku comes from the "international slang twist" on the phrase "merci, beaucoup" (thank you, very much) and I am thankful (very much) that this restaurant has opened in Raleigh. The premise of the restaurant is an eclectic mix of international street foods, all in one place with a fabulously elegant and modern twist (not to be confused with any type of "fusion" restaurant because that's not it). Basically, to an international foodie like myself, it's heaven on the corner of East Davie and Wilmington Streets downtown. Think of all the regional foods in Disney's Epcot classed up and rolled into one restaurant. 

Walk off the bustling Raleigh streets and step into a calming atmosphere. The decor is very cool with a wall of water behind the bar, beautiful and intricate overhead lighting and pictures everywhere of various international street-food scenes. 


The menu, may be intimidating to some...actually, scratch that...it's probably intimidating to most. On it you'll find many ingredients you've probably never heard of before (don't worry, the waitstaff are very knowledgable in the ingredients and giving suggestions) and combinations that might scare a picky eater, but trust me, Chef William D'Auvray will do you no wrong. You can tell that he spent his early childhood in the Philippines and traveling Asia and that he studied under some of the best chefs in the world including Wolfgang Puck and my personal favorite, Nobu Matsuhisa (founder and chef of one of my favorite restaurants of all time, Nobu, in Tokyo...and other locations around the world). Personally, I think William and I would be great friends, but that's another thing altogether!

Peach & Cucumber Cocktail

Ok, now that I got my school-girl-crush rant out of the way, back to the food...I started out this spectacular meal with the special cocktail of the evening. It was a cucumber and peach cocktail (the beginning to an evening of seemingly odd ingredient combinations that are absolutely fabulous) with gin, sweet and sour mix, and a few other things I can't remember off the top of my head. It was light and refreshing and an absolute wonderful start. With one sip, I felt like I should have been at an exclusive spa on the beach somewhere tropical, relaxing with a refreshing drink. 

Viet Cucumber Salad

Most of the menu is designed for a tapas-style meal, with two or three plates a person sufficing. There are a few large plates too, but I love trying many little things, so that's exactly what we did. I started out with the Viet Cucumber Salad with crisp shallots, chilies, fried peanuts and a sweet rice vinegar. It was awesome. Brought me back to my days living in Asia with those delicious ingredients. It was light and refreshing (perfect pairing to my cocktail, which again made me think seaside spa...this time on the Vietnamese coast, which is beautiful, by the way, but again, that's another post). I impressed my fellow diners with my chopstick skills as I practically inhaled this delicate dish. 


We also shared the Empanadas filled with bay-braised chicken and avocado leaf, farmers cheese and salsa. They were crispy on the outside, and filled with perfectly cooked ingredients on the inside. The mix of ingredients added a fabulously elegant twist to these empanadas. 


For round two, I went with the Koren BBQ. Now, having lived in Asia, you must understand that I am very particular when it comes to Asian ingredients and "typical" Asian dishes (which means something different in Asia than it does in America because no, Japanese people do not eat sushi every day). I know what is and isn't authentic; what's "Americanized" and just out-right wrong. When ordering this dish, I was hopeful, yet skeptical. And the result? Perfection. After taking my first bite and suddenly feeling like I was back in a real Koren BBQ restaurant, I fell in love with William D' Auvray. He really knows how to hand-pick his ingredients and pull out all the stops to maintain the authenticity of his dishes. The shaved prime sirloin was grilled to perfection. The dipping sauce was the best I've had in America (without making my own). The Kimchi was as good as it gets and the sesame spinach was a perfect compliment to the entire dish. 

Koren BBQ

Another fabulously executed dish was the True American Red Snapper, "Indonesian style." It was a beautiful marriage of sweet and spice with cashews, tamarind, Thai chiles, house mushrooms, palm sugar, jasmine rice and stir-fried Asian greens atop perfectly cooked fish. It was absolutely delightful. The Chef is truly after my heart. 

Now for dessert. In all truth I was really too full to order dessert, but one in particular caught my eye and I just couldn't resist...in the name of my blog (or so I kept telling myself) I ordered it anyway. I mean, honestly, could you say no to anyone that said: Creme Brulee Trio...??? I think not! Especially when that trio consists of chocolate, vanilla and ginger Creme Brulee....yes, I said ginger. I couldn't pass it up! And I'm glad I didn't because just look at how beautiful it was:

Creme Brulee Trio

Three perfect "shots" of different Creme Brulees surrounded by [what my sense told me were] mango and strawberry swirls and finished with a dish of fresh strawberries. Seriously, if your mouth isn't watering right now, you must immediately call a doctor because something is wrong! Now, in order of uniqueness (least to most), I will take you through this amazing dish, starting, of course, with vanilla. It was sweet and creamy, chock-full of vanilla bean remnants (which always make a good creme brulee even better when you can see what you're tasting). The chocolate was thick and rich and absolutely decadent. My favorite spoonfuls of the chocolate included some strawberries for that perfect pairing. As for the ginger, you may think it was weird as you try to imagine incorporating a big piece of ginger root in something as sweet and creamy as Creme Brulee, but it was sheer genius. It was like taking a bite of a purified, creamy ginger snap. The ginger wasn't too overpowering and it was perfect against the texture and sweet cream of a typical Creme Brulee. Again, the Chef comes out on top with pairing not-so-typical ingredients to make something spectacular. 

Buku is a not-so-hidden gem in Raleigh. A real treasure chest of your "atypical" ingredients combined in such a way that would ease the fears of any Plain Jane's tastebuds and brings comfort to someone like myself who grew up on typical Asian street food (or other regions for that matter). No matter which one of these categories you fall under (or anything in between), you must try Buku and don't worry about what ingredients you may or may not understand, just put your faith in Chef D'Auvray and do as many foreigners do in other countries: close your eyes and point. You won't be disappointed.

The Pit is not the pits

You can smell The Pit from a block away as the smoke fills the air. You'll know you've arrived when you see the crowd outside the front door. This place is always packed, and with good reason! North Carolina may be known for barbecue (for your northerners and foreigner, that's what we call a style of pork, it's not something you go to for eating hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad), but it's not everyplace that can say their pitmaster beat the Food Network star, Bobby Flay, in a rib Throwdown! Ed Mitchell is famous for his legendary whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. 

So now that my mouth is watering, yet again, let's get to the food! Don't worry, if you aren't a pork eater there are plenty of other options. Ed's famous BBQ chicken, Texas-style brisket, baby back ribs, smoked turkey and they even have a fabulous vegetarian option that even the meat eaters would love-- barbecued tofu! The variety of side dishes hold their own against the main courses. Everything from mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese, to sauteed vegetables and fried okra. So how is it? Let me paint you a little picture...

You sit down to a table with fresh out of the oven biscuits, that are exceptionally buttery and flakey with a luscious sweet butter and crispy hush puppies. Try not to eat them all, because you'll want to save room for the main course! 

Chopped BBQ with grits and greens

It's really hard to choose because everything is delicious, and luckily they have platters where you can try two or three of their delicious barbecue treats. We ordered two plates on this particular visit (you know I love sharing and trying different things). The chopped barbecue in the Eastern Carolina style (spicy, vinegar-based sauce) is smokey and delicious. There are two different BBQ sauces (one vinegar-based and one molasses-based) on the table for you to add to your favorite dish...personally, I like to mix them...and they make this dish even better. The collard greens are cooked in the smoked pork and are some of the best greens I've ever had. Their cheddar, bacon grits are creamy and absolutely amazing. 

We also ordered a half-rack of baby-back ribs. They were sweet and tangy, super smokey, and fall-off-the-bone amazing. It's no wonder Ed Mitchell beat Bobby Flay in a rib-off! Just writing about them is making my mouth water. 

The sweet potato fries are one of my favorites (let's face it, who can turn down a fried sweet potato?) and are perfectly crisp. I suggest dipping them in the molasses-based BBQ sauce. Another delicious side-dish choice are the smokey, sweet BBQ baked beans, but let's face it, you can't go wrong with any of your choices on the menu. 

This place is fabulous. If you like Barbecue, you'll love The Pit!

The Pharmacy cures your ailments

The Pharmacy may not have the cure for everything, but it will definitely cure your hunger, need for a drink, or craving for an elegant meal. The old style of the building, which used to be an old pharmacy, is warm and inviting. The food tastes so fresh and has food that ranges in style from French Bistro to Artisan Cafe all with a touch of Southern charm.

Asian shrimp spring rolls and crabcake appetizer

The Pharmacy's claim to fame are their crabcakes, which are wrapped in phyllo dough and fried to a crispy, golden brown. Talk about adding an amazing new twist to an old classic. It's served with a side salad and has multiple homemade sauces to dip it to your liking in a grainy mustard style sauce or a balsamic reduction sauce. Each is the perfect pairing. Luckily, you can order the crabcakes as your entree or an appetizer to start off your meal.

They have a variety of other appetizers and sides including fried vegetable sticks and Asian shrimp spring rolls. 

Special Ravioli

There are daily pasta specials and the quiche of the day, which are always fabulous. On this particular trip, we ordered their pasta of the day, which was a spinach, ricotta and walnut ravioli in a homemade creamy pesto sauce. One bite of this dish and we fell in love! The walnut in the ravioli added an extra dimension of flavor that is unlike anything else. The homemade creamy pesto sauce was perfectly executed...not too creamy, not too overwhelming with the pesto. Being that three of us girls were splitting everything, they were even nice enough to split the pasta dish for us into individual servings.

We also ordered the honey glazed salmon. Talk about amazing! This salmon was perfectly cooked, glazed with honey, lemon, a touch of soy and stone-ground mustard, atop delicious wild rice and served with a side salad mixed in a raspberry walnut vinaigrette. When I'm cooking salmon, honey is not on my mind when thinking about a marinade, but this was fantastic (and will definitely be something I experiment with in the future). 

The meal was delicious. We hardly had room for dessert but considering how delicious everything had been (and being that it was our last meal together for a while), we took that extra step and followed the "there's always room for dessert" philosophy by ordering their homemade vanilla bean creme brulee. It was packed with vanilla bean and had a perfect carmelized sugar topping (you know how sometimes it can be too thick or too thin? this was neither one of those). 

 If you're in Southport, NC, the pharmacy is a place you should try to get to for lunch. You'll love the sweet southern charm and elegant, homemade flavors of the food, paired with good service and a quaint atmosphere.

Mr. P's Southern Bistro

Mr. P's is a bistro on the main drag into "downtown" Southport (I use that phrase lightly since it's such a small town). It's a little brick building and inside there's a down-home country, but elegant feel to the place. I'd personally call it a "Southern Bistro" style. 

Fried Goat Cheese Salad

The servers are exceptionally nice...the typical Southern hospitality. They have a full bar with some fun twists on cocktails. Their appetizers are fantastic. My favorite salad on their menu is the fried goat cheese salad (as you know, I love anything with goat cheese). The goat cheese is rolled in breadcrumbs and lightly fried, served warm atop mix greens, roasted red peppers and toasted, spiced pecans with a light balsamic dressing. It's a great start to a fabulous meal. 

On the menu, there's a huge selection of fresh seafood as well as burgers and their famous Prime Rib. There is always an abundance of additional daily specials so wait for your server to let you in on those delicious secrets before deciding. Come to think of it, I've been there multiple times and can probably count on one hand the number of times I've ordered off of their usual menu. All of their entrees come with grits or potatoes and a choice of their daily vegetables. My favorite side of theirs are their Parmesan Fried Green Tomatoes. They are deliciously tangy, perfectly golden brown, crispy, and absolutely fantastic! 

On this particular night, my friends and I shared a few dishes. We ordered one of the specials that wasn't on the menu: Blackened salmon topped with blue cheese and herbs, a side of pan-roasted red potatoes and (of course) their Parmesan fried green tomatoes. The salmon was deliciously seasoned with spicy Cajun spices and perfectly cooked. The bleu cheese on top was a great coolant for the taste-buds and was also a great pairing for the pan-roasted red potatoes. It's one of my favorites at this restaurant as they usually have some sort of blue-cheese topped fish on special any night of the week.

 Blackened Salmon w/ Bleu Cheese, Herbs, Roasted Potatoes & Parmesan Fried Green Tomatoes

We also tried their shrimp and Andoille sausage gumbo served with fried grit cakes. The grit cakes were awesome! Crispy, fried outside, and creamy inside. The Andoille sausage was perfectly pan seared before being added to the deliciously seasoned gumbo. It was an elegant twist to a down-home, Southern gumbo.

Shrimp & Andoille Sausage Gumbo with Fried Grit Cakes

Mr. P's is a local favorite that has earned it's status as a place you'll want to keep going back to. 

Dead End Saloon

The view from our table

Dead End Saloon is a pub in Southport/Oak Island, NC. Cozy up to the bar or sit out on the porch overlooking the river marsh and pier. You'll definitely see your fill of wildlife from beautiful butterflies to a variety of water birds. While I was there, there were even a couple of dolphins that playfully swam by!

Their menu consists of everything from burgers and sandwiches to quesadillas and buffalo wings, to seafood of all kinds. They have daily food and drink specials with typical pub fare as well as fun twists on old favorites. Their coconut shrimp is served with a fabulous homemade Hawaiian-style dipping sauce that includes coconut and pineapple (it's very ambrosia-esq and could probably be served in a bowl as a dessert, it's so good). Their fish and chips are delightful with perfectly crispy fries and homemade tartar sauce.

Just like the menu says, it's "Fun Dining"

If you're looking for a fun, laid-back atmosphere with food for anyone's taste, head down to the end of Fish Factory road, pull up a seat on the porch overlooking the water, and enjoy some fabulous pub fare.

Sweet! The Cupcake Shoppe

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The Cupcake Shoppe. The name would make it seem pretty straightforward, even uninteresting or typical...but let me assure you, it is anything but. The Cupcake Shoppe is a quaint little shop on Glenwood Ave. The front is just what you would expect with the little outdoor cafe tables, pink scalloped awning and beautifully decorated cake samples in the window. Walk inside and you almost feel like you've stepped into an old soda fountain shop with their old fashioned cash register, glass case full of beautiful cupcakes, and simple interior design. 

Mint Condition Cupcake

They have thirteen usual flavors but they are hardly your usual, everyday cupcake. The cake flavors are rich and flavorful, and the frosting? Well when it's swirled atop the little cakes at about two inches high and comes in some of the most unique flavor combinations you'll find anywhere, it doesn't get much better than that! Just don't put it down after you've taken a bite because it will fall over from the weight!

They have everything from Plain Jane (really, that's what it's called and includes vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream) to your better than typical Red Velvet to Cinnamon, Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter Cup (chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream). Some of my personal favorites include the coconut cupcake made of fresh coconut cake and vanilla buttercream frosting, rolled in coconut flakes. Or for those that love the perfect combination of mint and chocolate, there's the "Mint Condition" cupcake that consists of chocolate cake, topped with mint buttercream. 

Almond Joy Cupcakes

And every week they have a completely unique flavor combination like Mojito or this week's "Hummingbird Cake" cupcake which consists of pineapple, banana and pecan cake with cream cheese frosting. Last week's flavor was one of my favorite candy bars deconstructed: Almond Joy, with chocolate cake, coconut butter cream, rolled in cocoa dusted coconut flakes and sliced, toasted almonds...Delicious!

If you need a sweet treat after dinner downtown, or a nice dessert for a party, stop by The Cupcake Shoppe. You'll want to keep coming back to try them all!

Toast is anything but Plain Jane

Toast is inspired by authentic Italian sandwich shops. It's a little paninoteca in Durham, but with so much more! 

Panini with Goat Cheese, Honey, Pepper Crostini

Walk into the little shop and talk a look at the chalk board hanging overhead, above the cash register. Mix and match panini, tramezzi, bruschetta, and crostini (and if you don't know what each of those are, don't worry, they explain them on the menu) with homemade soups and delightfully simple salads. All of their menu items are simply designed and have that rustic, Italian feel. With one bite, you are instantly transported to a little sandwich shop in Italy, enjoying your palette-pleasing meal. Their local ingredients, artisan breads, and house-cured meats make it extra special and what they can't find locally, they import straight from Italy. 

What's the best thing to order? Everything is delicious. Try a panini with a green salad or homemade soup or a side of crostini. Or choose a few crostini to have with your soup. The flexibility of the menu really allows you to taste a little of everything. If you're a prosciutto-lover, try their Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Tomato Panino  with a deliciously light and simple green salad tossed with herbs, parmigiano reggiano and in a red-win vinaigrette (shown below). Try the warm olives with  orange, rosemary, garlic and crushed red pepper. The crostini with warm goat cheese, honey, and crushed black pepper is a delicious combination of tang, sweet and spice.  

Toast really is the perfect little paninoteca. 

Brio Tuscan Grille

Although I'm not usually one for chain restaurants due to their hit or miss quality assurance, if you're wanting an Italian restaurant with a large variety on the menu, Brio is a decent place to soothe your craving. 

Seared Shrimp and Orzo

The service is professional and quick. Anyone would find something they like on the menu. They have everything from pastas and salads to seafood and steaks in all varieties. The seared shrimp with orzo was very good. Well seasoned, although a little on the salty side. The lemon vinaigrette atop the sauteed vegetables and orzo was delicious.

Save room for dessert or make sure you shield your eyes from the fabulous-looking dessert tray the waiter brings around. It usually involves little tastes of typical desserts; key lime pie, chocolate cakes, creme brule, tiramasu, cannolis, etc.

If you're shopping at Crabtree Valley Mall and are craving a taste of Tuscany, Brio will hit all the right notes.

Nothing beats Farmer's Market Fresh

Seriously, what's better than a breakfast made of the freshest ingredients, straight off the local farms? Not much! Which is why the State Farmer's Market Restaurant is the place to be for weekend brunch! Talk about down-home, good ol' Southern cooking! They have everything from fresh sausage and bacon to waffles and hotcakes to brains and eggs... yes, I said brains. The waitstaff is very knowledgeable and friendly, in their adorable denim overalls.

Granny Cone's Sampler

I went with my fabulous photographer friend, Cynthia (of CynKain Photography). With a huge spread of farm-fresh goodness to choose from, we had a difficult time deciding. Luckily for a foodie like me, they have "Granny Cone's Sampler," which is literally a sampling of all the things we were deciding between: Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, NC Country Ham, Sausage Gravy, Spiced Apples, Silver Dollar Hot Cakes, Grits and Biscuits. 

The biscuits were flaky and buttery. The NC Country Ham, Sausage and Bacon tasted so incredibly fresh, it was some of the best I've ever had. The grits were really creamy and the spiced apples were a perfect end to this fabulous meal. While there was too much food on the sampler for me to finish everything, I think there was a perfect little taste of everything you'd want to try for your first time here. 

Cynthia got a delicious platter of french toast and bacon, which was equally wonderful. 

Being right across from the Farmer's Market, the restaurant is great inspiration to pick up your groceries for the week across the way. The food here was so fresh and delicious and the service was really quick. If you're looking for a down-home, farm-fresh meal, this is the place to go!

Viva Vivace!

Vivace definitely lives up to its name in Raleigh, NC. It's a lively, contemporary Italian trattoria tucked in the back corner of the North Hills shopping area. Expect a wait, or make a reservation relatively far in advance as this place is very popular. With a variety of antipasti and the traditional cured meats and cheeses, there's plenty to choose from to start off your night, whether you want to cozy up to the bar or sit down in the dining room. Their rustic brick oven pizzas are a great appetizer to share amongst a few people or as its own dish. Their traditional pasta dishes range from spaghetti with meatballs to the most sensational seasonal risotto. Their entrees (or Secondi) range from Roman Style Chicken and Veal Saltimbocca to Polenta Crushed Salmon and Grilled Tuna. 

Jen loves Chicken Agnolotti

As for my recommendations? You really can't go wrong. The four-cheese pizza with carmelized onions and portobella mushrooms is absolutely fantastic. The calamari fritti with spicy tomato aioli will impress any calamari fan. To top off the appetizers, the white-bean spread that comes with the rustic Italian bread is deliciously seasoned with a light hint of rosemary. As for the main course? The seasonal risotto is always fabulously rich and delicious. The smoked chicken and spinach stuffed agnolotti with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and a garlic cream sauce is to die for! It's Jen's favorite go-to dish. It practically melts in your mouth! If you're looking for another twist on a classic, the Capellini Fra Diavolo with shrimp, cherry peppers, roasted tomatoes and ricotta is wonderful. This spicy dish is perfectly topped with a dollop of ricotta which adds a creamy smoothness to the dish and soothes the spice. 

Capellini Fra Diavolo

Each dish has a contemporary twist on an old classic. If you're looking for Italian in Raleigh, Vivace is the place to go!

There's nothing humble about Humble Pie

Almost hidden on the edge of Raleigh's warehouse district, is an old brick warehouse with a large "H" on the side. This is the only indication that you have, in fact, found Humble Pie...that and the Tiki Bar on the patio. Walk up the ramp to the hostess stand and decide whether you want to sit inside or outside (when the weather's nice). The decor inside is very artsy and the old warehouse atmosphere is very trendy. 

Sesame-Seared Ahi Tuna with Fried Rice in Asian BBQ

Crispy-Skinned Salmon, Cheese Grits, Tomato Broth

The menu is an eclectic blend of international fusion with southern flair. There's something on the menu for everyone and everything is fabulous. It's tapas-style so two to three plates a person is standard and more than sufficient. I'd recommend ordering a few different things and sharing amongst the table. If you're like me, you'll want to try everything on the menu! The chicken lettuce wraps are light and delicious. The dipping sauce is fantastic and I'd highly recommend you save it for the sesame seared tuna, which is also delicious and perfectly prepared. The fried green tomatoes with roasted garlic aioli are a perfect beginning to any meal. I've tried almost everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal. If you're in the mood for salmon, the crispy-skinned salmon atop cheese grits in a pool of tomato broth is absolutely fantastic. If you're in the mood for steak, the Caribbean-Spice Filet Mignon with a quinoa salad and pineapple salsa is a great marriage of sweet and spice. If you're looking for a fabulous twist on some Mexican fare, you'll love the Braised Short-Rib Tostadas with the Mango salsa and Chimichurri sauce. If you aren't in the mood for meat, the Ricotta and Butternut Squash Stuffed Conchiglioni are to die for! They are served in a sweet roasted garlic and charred tomato cream sauce and garnished with garlic chips. 

Carribean-spiced Filet Mignon with Quinoa, Pineapple Salsa

There are so many great options, it's hard to choose! There are also great drink specials nightly, which they post on their Twitter page. With the great food, great service and a great atmosphere, this is a hot spot in Raleigh!