I posed this question last year about Durham, now I ask, which are the better restaurants in Raleigh? Price really isn't a factor. Need to know asap, it may be too late for reservations, but fuckit.

2/1/2008 5:40:34 PM

Cook dinner at home.

2/1/2008 5:41:26 PM

Can't cook worth shit. Please, please, please don't bring that up in this thread.

2/1/2008 5:42:33 PM

J betskis.

2/1/2008 5:48:20 PM

what kind of resturant do you want? ethnic? what?

2/1/2008 5:49:00 PM

Just trying to find the best atmosphere, really. I don't really have a price limit, or a preference of type. I am just looking for quality. I don't go out to these types of places much (read: ever).

2/1/2008 5:56:34 PM

Sullivans

2/1/2008 6:54:52 PM

Is Second Empire really all its cracked up to be?

2/1/2008 7:07:14 PM

I've had some good meals from there before.

2/1/2008 7:10:51 PM

Bella Monica

2/1/2008 7:17:20 PM

Second Empire is outstanding. I actually prefer the Tavern; more casual atmosphere and you can order from either the tavern or the main dining room menus. Note: by casual I mean business casual. If she wants to wear a pretty dress and stick you in a suit, you won't feel out of place.

My favorite restaurant in town is Vin, but you are probably too late to get a reservation as it's pretty small. The executive chef from there just opened a casual place called Poole's Diner; haven't been there but if Ashley's in the kitchen you will get a great meal.

2/1/2008 8:34:21 PM

just tell her you wanna save some money, but if she wants she can make up any story to tell her friends and you'll play along.

2/1/2008 9:46:44 PM

how soon before valentines day should you try to line up the date or at least ask the chick what she is doing for valentines day

2/1/2008 9:57:53 PM

Drive thru tacobell or cookout, chilled import cider in the fridge, and rent a movie to watch with the boyfriend. My perfect valenties, maybe your girl feels the same.

2/1/2008 10:20:25 PM

so how soon are you supposed to make plans/find a woman/ask woman what she is doing valentines day...i'm pretty sure she will say yes, i havent fucked up yet

[Edited on February 2, 2008 at 12:51 AM. Reason : .]

2/2/2008 12:50:09 AM

Sullivans
Margeaux's (that french place if I remember correctly)
Second Empire

2/2/2008 1:49:42 AM

I could give you an upscale resturant to go to, but my clutch play resturant is http://www.xioscafe.com in apex.


I've also had stellar experiences at Fraiser's and Nana's.

[Edited on February 2, 2008 at 2:15 AM. Reason : I've heard there are some newer good rest.s, but I no longer live in raleigh.]

[Edited on February 2, 2008 at 2:21 AM. Reason : also Riviera ]

2/2/2008 2:14:18 AM

Quote :

"Second Empire is outstanding. I actually prefer the Tavern; more casual atmosphere and you can order from either the tavern or the main dining room menus. Note: by casual I mean business casual. If she wants to wear a pretty dress and stick you in a suit, you won't feel out of place."

Agreed 10000% on all points.

I'm taking my wife here. I can't say I've been to many $$$$$ eateries in my life, but the best meals this mouth has ever tasted came from Second Empire. It is what the hype says it is.

2/2/2008 2:46:28 AM

i've said it once i'll say it again. the rockford!!! no reservations, not expensive, but really great atmosphere cute for dates (but only will work for some people)

2/2/2008 1:02:34 PM

Legends

2/2/2008 2:45:07 PM

Second Empire is definitely good,

And I also like La Residence in Chapel Hill too but thats a drive.

2/2/2008 6:52:02 PM

Quote :

"J betskis."

they have a Valentine's menu on their website

http://www.jbetskis.com/event123107.htm

By far my favorite restaurant in Raleigh.

2/2/2008 6:55:06 PM

Second Empire and Vin are no gos. I wish I had started dating this girl earlier

Thanks so much for your help guys, but I'm including the Cary/Durham/CH area now out of desperation.

[Edited on February 2, 2008 at 10:12 PM. Reason : help]

2/2/2008 10:11:43 PM

For an American steakhouse, my wife and I really prefer JK's in North Hills over Sullivan's, Ruth's Chris, Angus Barn, etc. It's a much quieter atmosphere and the food is excellent. Just as expensive, don't get me wrong. But, I would highly recommend.

2/2/2008 10:48:22 PM

JK's closed down and Ruth's Chris bought it

2/3/2008 10:53:10 AM

Quote :

""J betskis.""

definitely agree... that Valentine's menu looks awesome, and it's very reasonably priced for the high high quality of the food and atmosphere

2/3/2008 10:59:08 AM

i think we might go to shabashabu
i love that place!

2/3/2008 11:09:11 AM

Went to Capital City Chophouse last night (in morrisville near airport)

excellent.
10 oz filet was fantastic
scallops were the best i've ever had

same price range as Sullivans, 2nd Empire etc...

2/3/2008 11:50:55 AM

Bella Monica if you can get in there. They're always slammed on V day.

2/3/2008 12:45:43 PM

Caffe Luna http://www.cafeluna.com/ (a big place I'm sure you can get a spot)

Margaux's http://www.margauxsrestaurant.com/

Saint Jacques http://www.saintjacquesfrenchcuisine.com/

An http://www.ancuisines.com/ (its in cary but good and different and definitely swanky)

2/3/2008 3:29:43 PM

I didn't realize everyone was closed on sunday..

[Edited on February 3, 2008 at 3:48 PM. Reason : a]

2/3/2008 3:47:21 PM

You know, you can get a nice meal to go from Lucky 32 and go all out on the 'romantic evening at home' bit. If she's the type who likes to show off, send her an ostentatious floral arrangement at work or someplace other women will see it, and be sure to get some really nice champagne and a decadent dessert to go with the meal.

2/3/2008 4:15:08 PM

^ great idea. Clean your house, set the table, sexy music, turn down your bed for later. You get the intimacy of being at home and food a few steps above easy mac. You could also go to Whole Foods and get some of those ready made dinner (like chicken cordon blue) they have in the meat section that you just have to throw in the oven for a set amount of time. Add a tossed salad from a bag and some baked potatos and you have something even more special cause you (kinda) cooked. Its hard to mess up "bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes at 350".

2/3/2008 4:33:08 PM

Thank you. That may be a good thing to try in a few years, right now I need to find a restaurant for this V-Day.

I understand how romantic cooking at home is, but I am just trying to find the best restaurants in Cary/ Raleigh/ Apex/ CH/ Durham that aren't kid friendly.

2/3/2008 5:14:10 PM

this place rocks

http://www.fearrington.com/village/dining.asp


also the capital city club of raleigh if you know a member



[Edited on February 3, 2008 at 5:56 PM. Reason : .]

2/3/2008 5:53:53 PM

any bar that has nachos and has the penguin/canes game on ftw

2/3/2008 6:10:33 PM

Instead of getting takeout, just go to Lucky 32... I went three V-days ago or so, and it was great. Sullivan's and Second Empire are both great Valentine's Day date spots, but my favorite in-restaurant dinner and atmosphere was Lucky 32. Not too pretentious, but still very yummy and romantic

2/3/2008 9:36:04 PM

im not really worried about where i end up as long as im with my boo & my homies

2/3/2008 10:27:58 PM

go to firebirds in north hills.

that's where my bf took me on own first date. well, he was still dating his ex...but it was pretty much a first date. he paid for me & everything. it was so cute.

i miss that.

2/3/2008 10:31:00 PM

oh that place is pretty good
i went there with my mom once

2/3/2008 10:32:07 PM

yeah...

2/3/2008 11:13:10 PM

damn your bf sounds like a douche if he has a gf but is taking you out to places if you dont mind me saying

2/3/2008 11:18:35 PM

jealous?

2/3/2008 11:24:32 PM

lemme take a wild guess here and say that it probably wasn't originally intended to be a 'date', it turned out that they liked each other, and he dumped the other chick soon afterward.

2/3/2008 11:31:13 PM

^^lol not too much...i'd be lying if i said i was completely not jealous though

[Edited on February 3, 2008 at 11:36 PM. Reason : lets just say shes in my top 3 of wolfweb broads...and i've met a lot of them]

2/3/2008 11:33:36 PM

watch out jessjepp!

2/3/2008 11:36:30 PM

http://www.heronsrestaurant.com/

2/3/2008 11:39:00 PM

hollister is correct.

i stole him haha

2/4/2008 9:23:09 AM

It's in Fayetteville, but it's really good with a great atmosphere and live piano player. You can make reservations online and get them to setup roses/etc.

http://www.thevineyardintimatedining.com/

2/4/2008 9:31:07 AM

Quote :

"Second Empire is outstanding"

i must be the only person in this thread that didnt really find it all that great
i thought it was pretty expensive for the amount of food i got. i left hungry

2/4/2008 9:50:22 AM