Being new to the Raleigh area, I now have an excuse to wander the area in search of great (and not so great) cuisine. Here are three of my picks for what I consider essential restaurants: Roadhouse on Capitol Blvd. in N. Raleigh: I've been to this place about 5 times already in the past 4 months. This place has a great casual atmosphere. The servers are great and the food is unbeatable. The ribs are superb (among other great dishes) - the meat falls from the bones as you pick them up - need I say more? They also have great appetizers like a _huge_ bucket of red-hot Buffalo wings, and a nacho plate that I couldn't finish with my wife. You will not leave this place hungry - try the Wild Radish microbrew too. China Pearl in Waverly Place on Tryon Rd: It took me a while to find a place with great Chinese food (I would love other suggestions), but I really liked this place. It is a beautiful Hunan/Szechuan style restaurant. The staff is very attentive (except one of the times I visitied - another story) and the food is beautifully prepared. My true test of a Chinese place is to have them cater to my tastes (which run very hot) - they passed with flying colors. They're Kung Pao and General Tso's are very good, and the seafood is fresh. Try it out, but don't be in a hurry - it takes a while to get your food; otherwise get takeout. Danny's BBQ on Tryon Rd near Waverly: I am not partial to EC BBQ so I was looking for a BBQ place that served smoked/sauced meat. This place is it - Texas style BBQ that is great. It's in an industrial park so your really have to look for it when you come down Tryon (near Hampton Inn). I understand he also has a place in Cary on Walnut St. Word of warning: sliced means sliced like meatloaf and chopped means sliced as in EC BBQ. Very inexpensive, and casual. Enjoy! And let me know what you think. - Mike Entner ([email removed])
Raleigh-Durham, NC