Raleigh / Durham Question (Not really about beer this time)

In Durham I like Nana's, Mateo and Watts Grocery for an anniversary dinner. Close to Durham is Heron's another good option. I have not been to Gocciolina in Durham, but it has had very good reviews.

 

@dmwcpa is right on the $$$. All of those named spots are incredible dining options. I'd like to also throw out: Revolution, Four Square and Piedmont as great places to dine.

 

Watts is the best I've eaten at in Durham, but haven't hit a lot of the other places mentioned in here yet.

In Raleigh my favorites are Stanbury for more American and Bida Manda for ethnic.

If you're coming next week you may want to go ahead and get on the horn to see about some reservations.

 

I've been to all the spots mentioned in this thread save one (Gioccolina) and you wouldn't have a bad meal at any one of them. I don't know enough about you two to nail the perfect place. BTW, almost every place in the Triangle worth going to has at least a few craft beers on the menu and almost no restaurant has a 'great' beer list.

Watts Grocery & Stanbury (Raleigh): laid back, Southern vibe. I love them both for different reasons. Watts is consistently good. Stanbury has an irreverent menu that I appreciate.
Revolution: more sophisticated with a sushi bar. if you want to dress up you could, but don't have to.
Four Square & Nanas: Both excellent, reliable spots.
Counting House: this is a new place. Recently received a great review from the local critic. I'm going there in a few weeks..
Bida Manda (Raleigh): really good spot, but probably not the best choice to celebrate your anniversary.
Piedmont: good, but probably not a special event place.
Mateo: tapas, loud, fun, crowded. Could be the right spot or not...
Vin Rouge: cozy, dark, French food. Some of the best outdoor seating in the area. Reminds me of time spent in France.
One (Chapel Hill): They have a modern take on food & presentation. Could be just the thing or the overly serious vibe may not be the right tone
Yamazushi: this one is an outlier, but worth consideration for a special event. It's a high-end Japanese place which could be pretty memorable. No idea about the beer service. Haven't been, but it's a special occasion place that I'd like to go when I don't need to worry about the cost.

Post dinner dessert: Parlour for awesome ice cream such as the drunken sailor with coffee ice cream and potato chips.

 

Nice @Sayson, that's helpful even for a local who hasn't necessarily been to all of those places. Thanks!

 

If the entire triangle is on the table, my top 3 spots, in order, would be...

Lantern - Chapel Hill (great combo of upscale/modern/relaxed. asian fusion.)

Second Empire - Raleigh (classic american/french fine dining. best food in raleigh imo.)

Fearrington - Pittsboro (i believe this is (or was) the most highly rated restaurant in the state. it's the kind of place where you can eat something as simple as cornbread and be blown away by it. as good as it gets, in NC anyway, with some nice gardens to stroll through, reminiscent of English countryside. rated lower just because it would take you 45 minutes or more to get there.)

 

+1 for Fearrington and One Restaurant. Both restaurants would be competitive in major metro areas. I live an hour away from the Triangle so I haven't been to all of the restaurants mentioned but if you are looking for an upscale foodie location, those two would be hard to beat.

 

I've gotta second Mateo. Every time I've eaten there the food has been on point.

 

Watt's Grocery in Durham always has some damned good fish. That's my vote. Plus, good beer and an interesting place.

 

Come a few miles further west and have an incredible locally sourced meal at panciutto in Hillsborough. Added bonus: after dinner you can walk half a block for chocolates at Matthews and then beers next door at the wooden nickel!

 

Second that suggestion 100%. Terrific restaurant with amazing cocktails.

 

It's not super fancy. Anything decent and you'll be okay I think.

 

Thanks for the kudos, Cave. I post about food on Chowhound.com as Tom from Raleigh on the Southeast board.

 

Not sure if you have came or not, but I see they werent posted. You should definitly go to Roses Meats and Sweets Market in Durham. It's phenominal and one of my favorite spots in Durham. They make everything in house. Its a butcher shop + Patisserie, they make sandwiches that rotate out every week. The pastries are crazy good and they have off the wall flavors of ice cream.

And Bida Manda in Raleigh, amazing Laotian food.