Craving gourmet ramen?  I can't say the thought ever crossed my mind, but after eating at Dashi in Durham I can assure that ramen noodles are in fact crave-worthy.  There's a "Japanese pub" or izakaya upstairs serving elevated munchies like black sesame nori popcorn and okra tempora paired with sake or local craft beer.  Downstairs it's all ramen with your pick from 7 different noodle concoctions, and if you're feeling creative you can start with one and add on items ranging from grilled avocados to catfish or meatballs.  The portions are sized just right to leave you room to head upstairs for snacks and beer afterwards hanging out with friends.  Definitely put Dashi on your list of reasons to head out to Durham for dinner!  See our review of Pizzeria Toro for another great Durham option.

The Shio

The Mazeman

I'd like to take a time out and talk about a great local beer on the menu upstairs: Raleigh Brewing Company's First Squeeze.  A drinkable beer with just a hint of orange but definitely not too sweet?  They nailed it. Of course, since I tried this I haven't found it at any other restaurant and I'm desperately hooked. 

If you haven't made it downtown for dinner at Garland yet, consider this your next Raleigh culinary adventure assignment.  The food is incredible, from a range of delectable small plates perfect for sharing with friends, to creative and beautifully plated entrees that are full of flavor.  If you are kind of thinking your'e over Asian fusion, this restaurant will make you strongly reconsider the idea that you've ever even tried Asian fusion before.  We'll let the pictures do the talking:

Eclectic artwork and surprisingly ample seating -- we made reservations but there were several empty tables around dinner time Saturday night.  Also be sure to check out the penny tiles in the bathroom.

The bar is obviously well stocked, and there is a large selection of wine and local/craft beer.

Pakora

House made lamb sausage served with several inventive mustards that are each worth sampling-- this dish was excellent!!

Pork rice bowl

Hungry yet?  You can make reservations on Open Table here.

Ok, so technically Pizzeria Toro is in Durham, but it definitely should make your to do list if you're in the Triangle area and love pizza.  Because this pizza is going to definitely exceed expectations -- a decadent combination of rich cheeses and fresh ingredients all on the perfectly crispy on the outside and still soft on the inside wood fired crust.  I love Papa Johns just like the next girl; I even eat frozen pizzas from time to time.  But after the first bite of our spicy lamb meatball and kale pizza, I had the horrifying realization that I had been eating straight trash for most of my life and this is how pizza should truly taste.  Real cheese!  It's good.




Plan Ahead:  This restaurant is very small, so come early or there may be a wait.  The tables are very close to each other, so expect to get friendly even with your neighbors when you are trying to squeeze two pizzas and two beers on your small table.  Also, parking can be a bit of an issue.  The restaurant has a very small section of parking available on the street, but you may have to circle around for a bit or use a parking deck if you don't get lucky enough to grab a curbside spot.  There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant that is free to the public on weekends and after 5 on weekdays that might have a few spots left as well.


The service is very fast; we had both of our pizzas on our table and ready to eat within 20 minutes of sitting down.  And afterwards you may need to walk off some of your food baby with a nearby stroll to Durham's revitalized American Tobacco District or you can catch a Durham Bull's game or a show at DPAC (Book of Mormon is coming back this December by the way!).

Lately I've been thinking about all the things there are to love about living in Raleigh, North Carolina. Between traveling for work and fun, friends relocating away from the city, and our somewhat half-hearted considerations of pursuing a new life in a new place, I've come to really appreciate everything that Raleigh is and has.  But the honest truth is, when you live here you often never take a moment to consider how great you have it.  In the vain of Olivia's Charleston, I love you blog posts, from time to time expect a little post dedicated to all the amazingness that you as a Raleighite have in your backyard,  Up first, a little trip to culinary heaven at Stanbury.

The softshell crab is just as good as it looks -- this is the size of the "small plate" entree which I found to be more than ample with a few bites of my husband's quail order thrown in.

We didn't try the marrow, but it's gotten great reviews from other bloggers. via

I first read about Stanbury in my favorite Raleigh periodical, Walter Magazine where the origin story is nicely captured.  It's one of those places that seemed too cool for me at the time, and there's plenty of instagram worship from those in-the-know Raleigh people that I'm well aware aren't in my social circle  -- you know the types that if Raleigh had a 'Page Six' you'd be reading about them. In addition to a feeling that I wasn't the target audience for this restaurant, of course I read the online reviews warning me to eat maybe a pre-meal because the plates are small.  By the way I don't know why I bother reading these online reviews because they hardly ever tell me anything true -- the plates sizes were completely reasonable and we definitely over ordered with 2 small plates and 1 large plate for only 2 people.  In sum, if you think you are too hungry or not trendy enough for Stanbury, then you should reconsider because the atmosphere is chill and the food is actually downright good. Maybe the best I've had in Raleigh good.  Try it, and see if you agree.

Things to Know

• Definitely make reservations ahead of time.  There's a link right on the main website. Expect to have to plan a few weeks in advance for prime weekend meal times.  It just gives you something to look forward to.
• Order a cocktail.  They are priced respectably at $9 and just as thoughtful as the meal you're about to eat.  If you like lemon-based drinks, I would recommend the Ladybird, but the cocktail menu rotates weekly.
• Order a few plates to share. Honestly unless you are starving, dinner for two sharing 3 small plates would be plenty.  If you are ordering a large plate each, you really don't need any additional small plates, again unless you have a really large appetite.
• No need to dress up -- this place is a little outside of the main downtown area and has a decidedly low-key vibe.  Jeans and bed hair wouldn't put you amiss in the local crowd.
• Save room for desert,  Your bill comes with a small piece of dark chocolate from Escazu next door -- a little hint to drop by before you head to your car for more artisanal delights.

Artisanal chocolate truffles will run you about $2 a piece at Escazu via