My girlfriend goes to Duke and I was wondering if anyone knew of a good restaurant out near there. There has to be something in that city that isn't a piece of shit. I'm looking for a fancy place with a good atmosphere (ie zero children). Any help will be appreciated. But, I don't want to be told I'm too late or anything.

1/25/2007 2:30:31 PM

there is a good italian restaurant between durham and chapel hill.......Pulcenellas (sp?) maybe?

1/25/2007 2:38:20 PM

magnolia grill is in durham and it is awesome. the atmosphere is nice and the food is great. expect to spend 100-150 for two (including a bottle of wine, one appetizer and one dessert)

1/25/2007 2:42:01 PM

We're not 21 yet, so wine isn't a factor in the decision. But keep 'em comin guys, I really appreciate it.

1/25/2007 2:54:50 PM

try www.parizade.com

1/25/2007 2:55:54 PM

http://www.anotherthyme.com/directions.php

[Edited on January 25, 2007 at 3:06 PM. Reason : near Brightleaf]

1/25/2007 3:04:48 PM

washington duke hotel

http://www.washingtondukeinn.com/

[Edited on January 25, 2007 at 3:07 PM. Reason : website]

1/25/2007 3:06:54 PM

There are a ton of places at the STreets at Southpointy

1/25/2007 3:07:17 PM

It's in Chapel Hill but worth the drive and $$$.
http://www.ilpalio.com/pdfs/stvalentinesdinner.pdf
5-course dinner: $85 per person plus tax & gratuity

Overnight room package:
Deluxe king room, champagne & strawberries, buffet breakfast and a romantic red rose. $219 plus tax.
Available for the entire month of February.
Reservations: 919.929.4000

1/25/2007 3:11:06 PM

take her to McDonalds, that's all women deserve

1/25/2007 3:11:38 PM

save yourself the hassle and cook her a dinner at your place

1/25/2007 4:01:38 PM

maggiano's

1/25/2007 4:05:07 PM

^^^

[Edited on January 25, 2007 at 4:09 PM. Reason : .]

1/25/2007 4:09:06 PM

Or if you don't cook, get takeout from Lucky 32 & set it up with nice flowers, candles & dishes etc. I've never found restaurants on VD to be romantic at all. The best VD dinner I've had is one my now-husband cooked in his apartment for us.

1/25/2007 6:30:17 PM

I, too, cook on valentines.

1/25/2007 6:36:15 PM

Magnolia Grill

1/25/2007 6:43:47 PM

i agree that it is idiotic to go out to eat on Valentine's Day

all restaurants overbook, thus you are guaranteed poor service

is that really how you want to start the night? shelling out good money to get a meal and some shit service?

1/25/2007 7:02:05 PM

^ I ate at Second Empire for Valentine's Day, and although busy, my reservation time was kept, service was outstanding, and food was A+++++++++

1/25/2007 7:04:33 PM

i guess that's the exception to the rule




(but i bet you also get to sit and enjoy your meal and never felt rushed to get in and out in under an hour, right? i know the ins and outs of the food service industry. holidays are all about turn n' burn)

1/25/2007 7:08:21 PM

Are you considering ethnic restaurants? If so I recommend Shiki Sushi or Thai Tana. They might not be pricey enough to impress your lady ($15 per-person range, for meal and appetizer since you don't drink). But ethnic places are less likely to be packed. btw, most restaurants won't card if you look respectable and order a bottle of wine

More expensive is an awesome little Italian place called Pasta Bella, it's got white tablecloths and most of the entrees are $15-20

1/25/2007 7:49:18 PM

Mt Fuji, http://www.historicbrightleaf.com/dine/mtfuji/index.html

Pop's (Italian Restaurant) went there for my B-day and loved it, http://www.pops-durham.com/

Maggiano's is at Southpointe mall so there are many kids. (don't like it either)

I also like George's Garage, but I dunno how "Valentinesy" it was, http://www.ghgrestaurants.com/garage/garage.html

[Edited on January 25, 2007 at 8:46 PM. Reason : george]

1/25/2007 8:43:59 PM

Quote :

" More expensive is an awesome little Italian place called Pasta Bella, it's got white tablecloths and most of the entrees are $15-20"

its not there anymore, i loved that place though

Quote :

"Pulcenellas (sp?) maybe?"

its got good food, but the atmoshpere isnt very nice. its good if you have a small budget, but if you can afford it you can do better.

1/25/2007 9:10:00 PM

In response to the "rushed" thing:

We arrived at 6:00pm and left about 8:45pm, so no, far from rushed.

Bottom line: Second Empire rocks.

1/25/2007 9:55:58 PM

Fearrington House or Second Empire (Upper Dinning Part)

[Edited on January 25, 2007 at 10:04 PM. Reason : .]

1/25/2007 10:04:10 PM

pasta bella is gone???

1/25/2007 10:25:31 PM

The Tobacco Complex has some cool restaurants.

1/25/2007 11:40:10 PM

why don't you just cook dinner for her?

1/26/2007 1:15:36 AM

I just wanted to find a place in the general durham/chapel hill area.

1/26/2007 1:25:39 AM

Bonne Soiree in Chapel Hill ... not Durham, but close

1/26/2007 1:53:31 AM

I'm thinking that if you're both under 20 (like me) then cheaper is better, ~15/plate sounds about right.

Or cook at her place.

1/26/2007 8:59:44 AM

is Jean Claude's still open in Raleigh?
I went there a few years ago and I didn't know if it still existed.

I wanna take my husband out to french for V-Day

1/26/2007 12:53:34 PM

[link]http://http://www.ghgrestaurants.com/vinrouge/vinrouge.html[/link]

1/26/2007 2:06:05 PM

ton of restaurants at brightleaf, just down the road fro East Campus...


http://www.historicbrightleaf.com/dine/chamas/index.html

vin rouge is also a good choice, Georges Garage, Papa's Grille

all pretty close to duke

[Edited on January 26, 2007 at 2:22 PM. Reason : s]

1/26/2007 2:17:01 PM

^^^Jean Claude's is closed but there is another French place in the same spot. Supposed to be good but we haven't tried it.

[Edited on January 26, 2007 at 3:03 PM. Reason : ^]

1/26/2007 3:03:09 PM

Chamas, FTW

http://www.historicbrightleaf.com/dine/chamas/index.html

1/27/2007 2:31:54 AM

For the take-out idea, I really like Foster's. I think they actually have a valentine's day special thing going on. Really Really good food.

1/28/2007 6:44:38 PM

Yeah, dude, take her to Magnolia Grill. One of my good friends makes the desserts there, and they are out of this world. You'll both love it, and she'll be impressed.

1/28/2007 6:54:09 PM

so whats the place that took over Jean Claudes? I really would like a crepe stroganoff and god their bread kicked off socks

1/28/2007 7:35:29 PM

Just like I told one of my best guy friends...if you can't take her to Bojangles for Boberry biscuits, she's too high maintance.

I'd rather have something nice on an unexpected night, since that would take planning and forethought

1/28/2007 7:51:37 PM

^ ftw

1/28/2007 10:40:29 PM

^^

1/28/2007 10:47:01 PM

you could just bite the bullet and drive 9 miles to Raleigh or Chapel Hill.

1/30/2007 4:26:42 AM

Too bad no locations in NC

http://www.whitecastle.com/ValentinesDay/

2/1/2007 10:58:37 AM

Take that bitch to Burger King.

2/1/2007 3:02:45 PM

Keep in mind that restaurants will sometimes have a "Valentine's Menu" that you have to order from...it consists of the same meals they normally serve, but now they are more expensive just b/c of the occasion. You may want to call ahead to see what the deal is.

2/1/2007 3:08:51 PM

Duke has pretty good cafeteria food

2/1/2007 3:24:19 PM

four square is a nice restaurant in durham

http://www.foursquarerestaurant.com/

2/1/2007 10:36:43 PM

I made reservations at Mt. Fuji, however it doesn't seem to be very fancy.
Keep them coming, and thanks alot.

And she's a vegetarian, otherwise I'd be all over Chapas.


[Edited on February 5, 2007 at 10:54 AM. Reason : veg]

2/5/2007 10:47:59 AM

vin rouge (sp?) is a very nice place. its not much to look at on the outside but the service is super and food is amazing

2/5/2007 11:51:56 AM

Lovin' seeing all these thumbs up for ghg hospitality group restaurants (Parizade, George's Garage)...they are the family businesses of a good friend of mine...

George's Garage isn't valentine's-like but we spent New Years there and had a blast! Plus it's a big bar... so no children.

2/5/2007 3:30:30 PM