Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill Restaurants

Editor's Pick

An old favorite with a few nice upgrades

Team photos dating back to the days of leather football helmets hang so close together on the walls of the Players' Retreat that you can barely see the age-darkened wood paneling behind them. Hundreds of beer cans, some of them brands that haven't been brewed in decades, stand in neat rows on high, narrow shelves. — Greg Cox

The Players' Retreat

Greg Cox

Greg Cox is the restaurant critic for The News & Observer. Read Greg's Columns on newsobserver.com.

N&O Mouthful blog

The Mouthful blog focuses on all things food in the Triangle: where to dine, where to shop, what to eat, what to cook.

Featured Restaurants

Fins

110 E. Davie St., Raleigh, NC, 27601

News & Observer restaurant critic Greg Cox says: After relocating from North Raleigh to roomier, snazzier digs downtown, Fins is better than ever. Owner/chef William D’Auvray’s Pacific Rim fusion menu leans heavily to seafood and evolves with the daily catch, with ... more

Vivace

4209 Lassiter Mill Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27609

Vivace is a contemporary Italian restaurant featuring a hip indoor/outdoor bar, fantastic patio, and warm dining room adjacent to an open kitchen. The chef prepares fresh local ingredients with Italian techniques while the bar pours a cocktail menu based on homemade ... more

Pulcinella's

4412 Falls of Neuse #109, Raleigh, NC, 27609

News & Observer food critic Greg Cox says: There's a rustic elegance about this little gem, from its sepia photographs of Italian life in a bygone era, to its rich Chianti-and-pesto color scheme. From the modest but varied menu, you won't go wrong with any of ... more

Ginza Japanese Steak House ...

1077 Darrington Dr., Cary, NC, 27513

Authentic Japanese Cuisin, Sushi and Teppanyaki! NOW OPEN!

Men's Club

3210 Yonkers Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27604

Formerly "Thee DollHouse" The Men's Club is an upscale club. Dress attire for ladies and gentlemen is required. Suits, slacks and dress jeans are acceptable. A collared shirt is required also (no t-shirts) and must be tucked in. You can purchase a Men's Club ... more

Mediterranean