The ex-gf's birthday is this weekend, and the plans I originally had went all to hell when I broke my ankle a couple weeks ago. So now it's probably going to be a movie + dinner thing.

Any suggestions on something that's:
1) quality
2) romantic
3) <$125-150 for 2 people
4) somewhat close to a movie theatre?

I was thinking Sullivan's or Second Empire downtown since I'm always there for my job, but I can't think of any theaters even remotely close to downtown Raleigh that don't reflect their location Any ideas?

1/26/2006 1:57:37 PM

Bloomsbury Bistro is one of the higher class restaurants but rather formal.

I'd personally recommend Haye's Barton Cafe

1/26/2006 2:00:36 PM

Cafe Luna and then BTI for Chicago.

dropping $125-150 on an ex?

1/26/2006 2:04:49 PM

don't do bloomsbury - the tables are too close together for a nice dinner - it's a nice place for a family dinner

1/26/2006 2:08:16 PM

ya i don't really like it either - just mentioning it because it is one of the higher-star rating restaurants in the area

1/26/2006 2:10:44 PM

angus barn?

1/26/2006 2:12:52 PM

dropping $125-150 on an ex?

1/26/2006 2:14:07 PM

isnt she your ex for a reason?

1/26/2006 2:15:48 PM

I like Bloomsbury Bistro

I like Sullivan's and Second Empire too, though (although I think I prefer the steaks at Ruth's Chris, although I like the Sullivan's atmosphere much more)

uhh

what's the badass place in Durham called, the one that's in like the top 5 or 10 restaurants in the nation or something? i just drew a blank on the name. not really any more pricey than those other places.

1/26/2006 2:16:52 PM

If being close to a movie theatre is of importance to you, maybe you could just go to North Hills where there's a good cinema and some nice restaurants? Savannah, JK's, and Mura come to mind.

[Edited on January 26, 2006 at 2:21 PM. Reason : .]

1/26/2006 2:21:16 PM

1/26/2006 2:28:59 PM

Quote :

"what's the badass place in Durham called"

Magnolia Grill(e)? On Ninth Street?

1/26/2006 2:43:32 PM

Quote :

"angus barn?"

you know I've been there for political fundraisers but have never actually tasted any of their food I'm assuming it's mostly a variety of steaks / wines / etc?

Quote :

"dropping $125-150 on an ex?"

haha yeah, the whole thing was/is complicated. we were together for approx 6.5 years and still talk daily. trying to rebuild the whole "friendship" thing.

I like Caffe Luna but don't know how much more I can take, boss had me eat lunch w/ him there today for the nth time this month Not a bad idea though.

I haven't been out to North Hills since it's been rebuilt, I'll have to check that out too

thx everybody


[Edited on January 26, 2006 at 3:11 PM. Reason : ---]

1/26/2006 3:03:32 PM

While you're checking out North Hills, stop by Midtowne too (Capers previously). It's on the other side, next to Harris Teeter.

1/26/2006 3:21:15 PM

Quote :

"Any suggestions on something that's: 1) quality 2) romantic"

Quote :

"haha yeah, the whole thing was/is complicated. we were together for approx 6.5 years and still talk daily. trying to rebuild the whole "friendship" thing."

By friendship, do you mean BEAT THEM CAKES?

1/26/2006 3:24:23 PM

I should have seen that coming, but no. Like I said, it's complicated.

1/26/2006 3:41:52 PM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=360510

1/26/2006 3:42:09 PM

1) i take it you're dropping $150 on an ex-gf (plus gift i assume) to help with the rebuilding process and get ya back in the saddle

2) do you live in the dorms...at 24 y/o? if so why?

1/26/2006 3:57:48 PM

What is up with all these tdubbers and their exes? How come you wanna take your ex on a romantic dinner in the first place?? I don't get it.

1/26/2006 4:38:58 PM

Melting Pot is a nice one-time 3-hour experience if you guys are up for it. Reserve well ahead of time and ask for the most private table in the house if need be.

Meal for Two: $89
Beverages: $30
Tip: $25

Drive to Crossroads thereafter.

1/26/2006 4:39:20 PM

gd wasting 150 dollars on a meal?

1/26/2006 4:41:20 PM

Maggiones or Cheesecake Factory possibly over at southpoint mall in durham.
they aren't the greatest but they aren't bad, and they are walking distance to the movie theater.

1/26/2006 6:00:20 PM

^^^ melting pot is good, real good. but not $45 per plate good unless that was a three course affair, then it might border on the verge of being worth it.

where are some other fondue places that aren't overrun by high schoolers on prom dates?

1/26/2006 6:16:35 PM

if you eat downtown check out the imax for a movie if there's something good playing

1/26/2006 6:20:36 PM

Quote :

"Magnolia Grill(e)? On Ninth Street?"

yeah, my brain just kinda blanked out there.

1/26/2006 6:29:35 PM

Quote :

"synapse: 1) i take it you're dropping $150 on an ex-gf (plus gift i assume) to help with the rebuilding process and get ya back in the saddle"

Not really I just wanted something nice, not the typical Applebee's / Chili's / O'Charley's type restaurants. $150 is kind of the max, I'd be happy with something less if it's nice. "Getting back in the saddle" doesn't rank that high on my priority list.

Quote :

"synapse: 2) do you live in the dorms...at 24 y/o? if so why?"

1) I dropped out in May 2000 and just got back last semester. Didn't want any excuse not to go to class (that's also why I'm in Watauga instead of Wolf Village or Avent Ferry).

2) The commute to my job is a hell of a lot shorter than my old place at Brier Creek.

3) Financial aid pays for housing, it doesn't pay rent / lights / water / internet I'm already shelling out $550/mo to this university as it is, couldn't hack that extra expense w/o working more than I already am (which led to me dropping out in the first place)

1/26/2006 6:36:40 PM

Quote :

"Lutra: How come you wanna take your ex on a romantic dinner in the first place?? I don't get it."

Maybe "romantic" was bad wording on my part, but I don't know what else to call it. I'm not trying to fuck her, I just want it to be special and for her to enjoy her birthday b/c we've both just been each other's rock for years (even before we started dating).

[Edited on January 26, 2006 at 6:39 PM. Reason : ---]

1/26/2006 6:39:04 PM

Quote :

"Financial aid pays for housing, it doesn't pay rent / lights / water / internet "

i dont know what kind of deal you got, but it costs more to live out in town, so ncsu financial aid pays me more to live out in town than they would to live in the dorms. did you get thrown in with some random roommate? whats it like living with a bunch of 18 year olds? admit it, you're just trying to score young chicks

1/26/2006 6:49:11 PM

make sure you dont go somewhere too crowded... if you broke your ankle and you're in a cast & crutches, you dont wanna fall down and make a fool of yourself!

1/26/2006 6:50:44 PM

expensive = romantic?

1/26/2006 6:51:52 PM

^^^
haha that may be an added side benefit, but def not the main reason for it I'm actually in a room by myself, don't think I could have handled a roommate

how is fin. aid covering your living expenses, did you end up getting a refund to cover it?

Quote :

"EhSteve: expensive = romantic?"

no, you've got your order reversed. with most Raleigh restaurants, romantic => expensive

[Edited on January 26, 2006 at 6:53 PM. Reason : ---]

1/26/2006 6:52:14 PM

maybe it's that whole "quality" clause you got there

1/26/2006 6:55:38 PM

Quote :

"what's the badass place in Durham called"

you're probably thinking of University Tower... That place is fucking F I N E

I got to go there last year and goddamn ... indescribable

1/26/2006 9:10:56 PM

why not just macaroni grille or olive garden. that should only be like 50 bucks. i dont mean to preach to you, but i wouldn't want 150 buck meal for my birthday. it seems like a waste of money to me, especially if you are already kind of poor. i would feel offended if you felt obligated to spend that much money on me for a birthday. so olive garden in cary, and cary crossroads. dinner (50)+ movie(20)= 70. still seems like an expensive night to me, but 100 bucks less than you alotted for.

1/26/2006 9:26:52 PM

2nd empire is calling you man, pick up the phone, yo

1/26/2006 9:39:02 PM

Quote :

"how is fin. aid covering your living expenses, did you end up getting a refund to cover it?"

yes, i think basic financial aid works like this

tuition + fees + living expenses = your EFC (estimated family contribution) + financial aid they give


living expenses for living off campus are higher than a dorm, so they give you more money/aid.

1/26/2006 10:11:59 PM

Magnolia Grill is the place in Durham and it is the best restaurant in the state. It's all local ingredients by a James Beard winner best chef and his wife a James Beard best pastry chef. That's the only culinary award worth a damn.

You won't find that anywhere else in the state.

Quote :

"why not just macaroni grille or olive garden."

Because you are using that $50 for garbage?

[Edited on January 26, 2006 at 10:21 PM. Reason : a]

1/26/2006 10:15:54 PM

I always love to see the range of places people offer up in threads like this.

It's oh so humerous and enlightening

1/26/2006 10:19:52 PM

for your ex? dude...

1/26/2006 10:22:03 PM

maggiano's

1/26/2006 10:23:08 PM

^^ thats what im saying

answer this, who broke up with who?

1/26/2006 10:26:14 PM

Quote :

""why not just macaroni grille or olive garden.""

1.) Class

2.) Because there's at least 5 unique italian places off the top of my head that are comparable pricewise and have a ton more to offer from menu to wine to ambiance. Luna being at the top of that list

3.) A night at Olive Garden and/or Macaroni Grille isn't memorable.

4.) If you're going to bother eating @ a mediocre italian chain you should just go to Carrabas

1/26/2006 10:28:52 PM

If you're up for something different, try one of the brazillian steakhouses in the area.

Rio Churrascaria has a location in North Raleigh and one in Cary. I've only been to the one in cary, but it was quite possibly one of the coolest (most diabetic-friendly, although that's totally irrelevant) meals I've ever had. You have access to a salad bar (unlimited) and an unlimited amount of meat for $24.95 per person. The meat is brought out on skewers. It's absolutely the best meat I've ever had. I mean, they offer you everything. Top sirloin, bottom sirloin, ribeye, and even chicken hearts (they've got a ridiculous selection that they bring out to you).

The one in Cary doesn't look as nice as the pictures I've seen from the one in Raleigh, so you might want to scout them both out before you pick one. Still, if you want good food, quality food, and you still want to put down some money (but not too much), it'd be a good decision.

Links:

http://triangle.citysearch.com/profile/39099860/raleigh_nc/rio_churrascaria.html
http://www.chamas.us/reviews.php
http://www.evankroberts.com/2006/01/brazilian-steakhouse-raleigh-rio.html (googled for sites, lol)

I only found out about it because my brother wanted to eat there for his birthday (family thing). It looked like a good place to take somebody who needed to be impressed with something different (that was still good).

Oh yeah, the chicken hearts are apparently quite good. Save them as a hat trick, perhaps?

1/26/2006 10:41:33 PM

don't waste your time man.... no matter what, ex's will never get back together with you (unless she was like super clingy during your relationship)

1/27/2006 1:39:52 AM

If you wanna save some dough, but eat good, why not Bella Monica? It's rather close to that huge Cinema across from Target on Lynn Road off of Glenwood.

1/27/2006 1:57:21 AM

Bojangles, then to the $1.50 movie, with the money you save, you can take her out again

1/27/2006 2:12:21 AM

Quote :

"What is up with all these tdubbers and their exes? How come you wanna take your ex on a romantic dinner in the first place?? I don't get it."

it's Valentine's Day rearing its head again

-ZiP!-

1/27/2006 2:56:46 AM

Second Empire is not too terribly far from the Rialto, and Bloomsbury Bistro is across the street.

The Rialto is on a shitty stretch of pavement, but the actual theater is as nice as any other in the county. Plus, it's got a charm that no theaters outside of the Galaxy (hi Jon) can match.

North Hills 14 has a nice facade and it's new, but the lobby is as unromantic and charmless place as there is anywhere.

1/27/2006 3:15:21 AM

I can only think of like a handful of places I would want to spend $150 on two people and none of them are in raleigh.

1/27/2006 7:50:31 AM

Rum Runner's has food, and the alcohol can get up to $150 if you drink enough

[Edited on January 27, 2006 at 9:05 AM. Reason : .]

1/27/2006 9:05:25 AM