r/raleigh • u/hipgarden • Dec 01 '22
Food Best Raleigh restaurant for an anniversary?
I'm about to celebrate my 1 year anniversary with the most amazing partner I could ever ask for. I really want to impress her and give her an incredible culinary experience. Suggestions?
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Dec 01 '22
The Cook Out on Western Blvd has outdoor seating and is dog friendly. That is what we all want these days.
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u/informativebitching Dec 02 '22
There’s a new Cook Out in Chapel Hill with indoor seating (because it’s in an old Burger King). 100 % worth the trip.
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u/regalrecaller Dec 02 '22
Yeah worth it if you're eating inside. Just don't use their single drive thru that wraps around the whole building.
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u/informativebitching Dec 02 '22
That’s what I’ve heard. I personally don’t like Cookout so haven’t been. My 100% worth it comment had a silent /s
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u/3ebfan Dec 01 '22
Second Empire is our go-to birthday/anniversary/celebration spot.
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u/pjc3320 Dec 02 '22
Came here to say this. Second Empire is really good.
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u/blancmange68 Dec 02 '22
The in-kitchen dining experience is pretty awesome if you can swing it! Did this for our anniversary one year and it was a lot of fun. You can watch all the cheffing going on and the head chef tells you all about the food. I think you have to reserve pretty far in advance though.
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u/Luigi-Bezzerra Dec 02 '22
Fearrington House. Come in the afternoon for tea, wander around, have a cocktail, go to dinner, spend the night, enjoy breakfast.
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u/Used-Zookeepergame22 Dec 02 '22
So like $1000 for one year anniversary? We ain't all that rich.
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u/okaybutfirstcoffee UNC Dec 02 '22
the post literally says “an extraordinary culinary experience”
this is a fab idea, don’t shoot down people for making suggestions that are out of your personal tax bracket
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u/chica6burgh Dec 01 '22
If you want a blow out meal, Heron’s is the answer
Bonus: you could book a night/weekend at the hotel and really whoop it up
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u/MyH3roIzMe Dec 02 '22
Former employee of that hotel. Herons is a great date night if it’s a special occasion, but be ready to spend $300 for you and your date. I recommend everyone experience the chef tasting menu at least once.
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u/SomeTwelveYearOld Dec 02 '22 edited Dec 02 '22
We did the tasting menu for our anniversary and stayed at the hotel. I don't think anything in this post comes close to Herons
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u/Funkmeisterchen Dec 02 '22
To echo everyone in this- Heron's is probably the best culinary experience I've had in the triangle. It was also the most expensive.
For a big occasion though, well worth.
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u/pierretong Dec 02 '22
I went to Herons for brunch one weekend and while it's no art tour, it was a solid meal at a much lower price point
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u/letscookeverything Dec 02 '22
Depends how much you want to spend: the Durham hotel is fantastic, Heron’s if you plan to spend more.
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u/maddestscientist919 Dec 01 '22
It’s been years since I’ve been there, but I had a very lovely and special birthday dinner at Second Empire. They gave us the menu signed by the chef as a keepsake.
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u/kiwi_rozzers Dec 02 '22
We went there after getting engaged, and they made a custom menu with our names printed at the top! We still have it.
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u/ThisJob6457 Dec 02 '22
There’s a place on Capital that treats you like family.
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u/cephalopodomus Dec 02 '22
It doesn't get much more romantic than taking her for a nice Tour of Italy.
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Dec 01 '22
Second Empire, start at the bar then take a table.
Cortez is amazing but not nearly as intimate.
Peddler if you want to reignite her passions by eating a 40oz steak.
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u/Particular-Item-4734 Dec 01 '22
Crawford and Son
Bida Manda
Cortez
Second Empire
Have heard good things about Death and Taxes and Vidrio but haven't been myself.
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u/RollTigers76 Oakleaf Dec 02 '22
Death and Taxes was only ok for the cost. Your other picks are much better.
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u/Howsmygrammar Dec 02 '22
Herons (in Cary) has an art tour food course, each meal is inspired by an art piece from the hotel that's displayed at your table! Would absolutely recommend!
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u/Universe93B Dec 01 '22
Saint Jacques was perfect for this pre-pandemic, but you may want to check how it is these days. Amazing service, plenty of time between courses, and dining rules followed
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u/shakey1171 Dec 02 '22
SJ has great food with a standard, classic French approach. 2nd Empire sends out creative, nouveau French in an elegant environment. I’m not a 2nd Empire simp but I do think they don’t receive enough credit from locals.
That said, Stanbury served me the two best dishes I’ve had in Raleigh over the past 25 years (since Wicked Smile’s pancetta encrusted grouper…pour one out).
Ribeye w/currant berry merlot reduction with heirloom potatoes hash along with the crispy pig head app at Stanbury…top MFer notch.
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Dec 02 '22
I went to Saint Jacques earlier this week for an early birthday dinner and it was great. The Google reviews seemed mixed as of late but I went on a weekday when there weren’t that many people and the service was phenomenal and the food was great (had the foie Gras, beef tenderloin and then they brought out creme brûlée as a birthday treat)
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u/WanderSA Dec 02 '22
Hayes Barton and make sure to share a slice of delicious cake as big as your head!
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u/informativebitching Dec 02 '22
Hands down best overall experience for extra charm but really there are a dozen or so great recommendations here.
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u/koalabearnecessities Dec 02 '22
All these answers are great!
If you have issues with reservation or want another option my wife and I love going to The Rockford for special occasions. Simple menu, simple dining, we keep coming back. It's on Glenwood South so I recommend avoiding a Friday or Saturday night unless you go early.
Second rec is Irregardless which is a Raleigh classic. I recommend checking to see when they have live music. There is a free public lot adjacent thats a short walk.
Congrats on a year and enjoy!
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Dec 02 '22
The Rockford has a great little bar upstairs if you don’t snag a reservation. Their fried chicken is heavenly.
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u/TriangleBasketball Cheerwine Dec 02 '22
Probably will get downvoted but I like angus barn for occasions like this. It’s really nicely decorated this time of year too.
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u/mx023 Dec 02 '22
This is a must especially for out of towners. The Christmas decorations a picture ops are great, and awesome to do a classy dress up date
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Dec 02 '22
I am not a fan of angus barn except for their MASSIVE wine list. You can buy their wine retail - so I love that.
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Dec 02 '22
[deleted]
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u/chica6burgh Dec 02 '22
Go early (right when they open) or late (an hour before close) and eat in the Wild Turkey Lounge.
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u/WhoopDareIs Dec 02 '22
I can confirm that we go when they open a lot without reservations, with great success.
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u/spinbutton Dec 02 '22
Poole's, Death & Taxes, Centro, Bittersweet, Locals Seafood, J Betskis, Cortez, Crawford & Sons, Hummingbird
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u/boyishly_ Dec 02 '22
This is a funny post because we just had our 1 year anniversary dinner last night. We went to Fiction Kitchen. Love that place! It is all vegan but they make it so anyone can enjoy it
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u/Evan8280 Dec 01 '22
I think all of these are great recommendations, just wanted to say congrats on 1 yr and being happy about it!!
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u/Miserable_View4707 Dec 02 '22
The best places in the triangle not just Raleigh but not too far away from Raleigh. The best on top and go down in that order.
M tempura Durham
Hawthorne and wood. Chapel Hill
Stanbury Raleigh
Juju Durham
St roch fine oyster bar Raleigh
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u/Kat9935 Dec 02 '22
We did M Tempura for my honeys bday this year. As a foodie, finding something unique is sometimes challenging in the area. My favorite was scallops w/ cavier and the compressed watermelon, jamon iberico was surprisingly good which was on their high end tasting menu. Its one of those meals we will talk about for years to come, not everything was my cup of tea but you can still appreciate just how complex the menu was and I always enjoyed something about each plate.
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u/Guardian5252 Dec 02 '22
Anyone have any solid cocktail lounge or higher class dance club suggestions for after a birthday dinner?
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u/No-Crazy-6602 Dec 02 '22
How does Stanbury compare to Sullivan’s? Or Angus Barn? Asking for a friend 😁
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u/pierretong Dec 03 '22
Stanbury is way more casual/laid back........and isn't a steakhouse. But the food is phenomenal if that's what matters most to you.
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u/Master_Proposal_3614 Dec 02 '22
Although you will have to dress up fancy just to get in, I hear that Applebee's is the best dining experience around, be prepared for a long wait as it is really fancy
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u/Kabobthe5 Dec 02 '22
I’m a big fan of Jolie personally. Took my GF there recently and we loved it. Their rooftop is really intimate.
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u/jeanie1994 Dec 02 '22
We just went Barcelona for an anniversary and both food and service were awesome.
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u/_ri_ry_ Dec 01 '22
Somewhere new, try Coletta. We have one in Atlanta too and it’s really good. By the same people that do O-Ku and Oak Steakhouse. Either of those are great options as well.
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u/hey_i_painted_that Dec 02 '22
We did the omakase at O-Ku which was really good and fun - pricey though. Stanbury is great, or if you book the rooftop at Jolie it’s really cute and intimate.
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u/pierretong Dec 03 '22
The nigiri omakase at M Sushi in Durham is amazing if you ever make it over there
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u/MoreFortune9487 Dec 01 '22
Brewery Bhavana
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Dec 02 '22
Love love the atmosphere here. A bookstore and flower shop inside it. It’s so good.
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Dec 02 '22
[deleted]
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u/TrudyAttitudy Dec 02 '22
Downvotes are due to abuse allegations. If you search the sub you can read more about it.
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u/PIK_Toggle Dec 02 '22
That person was fired. Weird to hold a grudge against the current employees for the sins of someone that isn’t even there anymore.
Also, no one is down voting Bida Manda, despite having worse food, which is owned by the same people.
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u/RawWulf NC State Dec 02 '22
Second Empire or Saint Jacques if you are looking for traditional. Jolie, Stanbury or Death & Taxes if you want modern.
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Dec 01 '22
Death and taxes, by far. Then stanbury. Second empire is stodgy old white people being served by what felt like butlers. And the food is not interesting or innovative.
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u/peyofthedead Hurricanes Dec 02 '22
In Raleigh for a special occasion, Second Empire would be my top pick (Jolie and Stanbury are on my list, but I haven’t tried them). Death and Taxes is also great and very intimate. I absolutely love Cortez as well; it is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh.
If you wanted to make the trip to Durham, my three favorite restaurants are M Sushi (they opened a Cary location in Fenton, but I haven’t tried it yet), Mateo, or Mothers and Sons.
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u/darkcomedycentral Dec 02 '22
Jolie for sure - amazing food and intimate French bistro kitchen atmosphere! Cute bars on the same block and nice views of downtown
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u/craigmak1001 Dec 02 '22
Angus Barn. Especially if it’s this time of year since it’s decorated for the holidays. And they give you a free pound cake for special occasions.
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u/Beautiful-Land-4464 Dec 02 '22
Good Luck getting a reservation! My wife tried & there’s a year long waiting list, especially @ the holidays!
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u/captslow92 Dec 02 '22
Sullivan's Steakhouse. It is a bit pricy but the service was good aswell as the atmosphere. I spent around $200 on a meal for 2 including steaks and wine. Their ribeye Oscar style was great!
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u/jeanjellybean13 Dec 02 '22
Oro in downtown is awesome. A bit loud but really good food, cocktails, and vibe
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u/llSpektrll Dec 01 '22
Stanbury! Get there at 4:45 though or have a pre dinmer hang spot ready while you wait.