Like the Old Wake Forest Road area I wrote about in my review of Mami Nora's, the area surrounding Rex Hospital is not one of Raleigh's culinary hot spots. Chubby's Tacos is good, as is Sushi Thai, in the Lake Boone shopping center. Or, if you plan ahead and get reservations (which you will need, even for lunch), Bella Monica is a good choice. But the area historically has not … [Read more...] about Guasaca
Small Bites
Mami Nora’s Peruvian Chicken
Shortly after opening in Durham in 2007, Mami Nora's restaurant caught on fire. After this unfortunate beginning, they bounced back, kept going and have not looked back. In 2010, Mami Nora's opened a second location, this time in Raleigh on Wake Forest Road, where they focus on one main menu item: Peruvian rotisserie chicken. My day job took me to this curious … [Read more...] about Mami Nora’s Peruvian Chicken
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen – Brunch
As a Cary native, I know from first-hand experience that when it comes to food, there are not many exciting choices if you want something within arm's reach. Typically, when it's time for Sunday Brunch (my favorite meal of the week), I like to venture to Durham for their numerous and reliable choices (Watts Grocery, Rue Cler, and Piedmont just to name a few). This … [Read more...] about Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen – Brunch
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Where should I go for my first restaurant review for the Raleigh Citizen? The first place I thought of is actually a spot in downtown Durham called Dame's Chicken & Waffles. Not Raleigh, I know, but Durham has attracted a number of interesting eateries in recent years, and this one stands out as a traditional southern alternative to the trend of tapas bars and … [Read more...] about Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Oryx
My visit to Oryx was a strange experience. Oryx has a cool, contemporary atmosphere that fits in well with its Glenwood South location. The service was good. The menu was interesting and the food looked good. But, I found the cocktails and food so quirky that I'd suggest that the chef do some tweaking to the menu. I ordered the Scimitar Nectar, which the menu said was a … [Read more...] about Oryx