The Herald-Sun from Durham, North Carolina • 51

WidrFebruary 1 1 (Dinina tPfeasures A gourmet's guide Decidedly distinctive Relentlessly selective to tlie area's premier restaurants UArvo Advertisement THE FAIRVIEW Washington Duke Inn Golf Dub 3001 Cameron Ave Durham 490-0999 Winter (lining has a special magic of its own when you plan a meal at The Fairview within the Washington Duke Inn Golf Dub This elegant restaurant has romance atmosphere and status and it's still one of the most unstuffy places you can imagine One can indulge in such specialties as Shrimp and Roasted Com Chowder Dabmeat Benedict Filet Mignon Rack of Lamb or Seafood Trinity (sauteed lobster shrimp and scallops in a basil sauce) There are homemade desserts and some of the great wines of the world The Fairview is enriched by its view of the Duke University Golf Course Of note: Gala parties at the Inn can take many forms from a casual brunch to a grand dinner party to a wedding reception tor hundreds of people THE CAFE A Southern Season Eastgate Chapel Hill 929-7133 A trip to The Cato Is more than worth the effort just for the rich aromas of freshly ground coffee that permeate A Southern Season the store in which it resides Even such simple dishes as savory fresh croissants boboli and Carolina barbeque are without peers The Cato offers fresh soups salads anatipasto quiche sandwiches a variety of wursts smoked homebaked breads homemade desserts gourmet coffees teas and wine by the glass Go to The Cate for a light lunch a snack or afternoon tea You'll love it here 2701 Chapel Hill Rd Durham 493-5721 If considering falling in love bring your partner to Claire's This is quite possibly the most romantic restaurant in the area The ambiance creates an intimacy that makes the rest of the world disappear is housed hi a landmark Durham home built in 1907 and entered in the National Registry of Historic Places The cuisine is excellent and Includes seafood flown in from Florida as well as from the North Carolina coast The menu consists of specialties like Brand ied Peach Duck Seafood Pie and Filet Mignon plus delightful salads soups fresh vegetables and homemade desserts Manager Darryl Revels and owner Jack Pless welcome you for dinner Of note: A great bar scene! LA RESIDENCE 220 Rosemary St Chapel Hill 967-2506 Dining at La Residence is more like dining somewhere in Provence I like the small cozy and pretty dining rooms the fresh flowers and the local art that adorns the walls Truly French Moreton Neal's and Bill Smith's menu is elegant elaborate to the proper degree and exciting in its original treatment of classic French dishes The specialties of the day are always a succulent surprise and could include anything from a fresh seafood salad or mushroom soup to grilled swordfish with Macon butter veal scailoppJni with orange and mar-sala or trout amandine La Residence has an unpretentious charm that makes every visit memorable 'and the most sophisticated gourmet will be at home here HoroM MooraPtiotooroptW in a rich stock and the skillfully rendered versions of the classics including Wiener Schnitzel and Sauerbraten There's also fresh seafood Kansas City Strip Steak fresh pastas and excellent German beer brewed on the premises Lunch dinner Dosed Sunday ANGUS BARN Hwy 70 683-1398 The Angus Bam is a restaurant of huge dimensions it stands apart In ambition in execution and in the reaction of its diners The reasons are the Barn's dedication to detail a passion for perfection in food and a burning desire to keep this famous restaurant unique Already hi its 30th year it continues to be one of North Carolina's finest restaurants specializing in prime beef The line-up is spectacular! There's Chateaubriand prime ribs filet mignon and sirloin strip plus some of the area's best fresh seafood barbequed ribs and spinich salad The Barn's wine cellar is one of the best in the country Dinner 2514 University Drive Durham 493-4150 This restaurant in the award-winning Rock-wood Building has a cozy atmosphere and great charm And to those in the Forest Hills and Hope Valley communities who frequent Rosesbud's so often a visit here always creates a twinge of excitement Rosebud's offers excellent fresh pastas and homemade dishes like chicken saltimboca scallops in champagne sauce veal with wild porcini and pine nuts shrimp scampi fresh stuffed NC Rainbow Trout and mussels marinara There are always fresh rosebuds on the pink linen tablecloths and other warm touches to make guests feel at home Of special note: There's a handsome polished oak bar where delicious drinks are made and fine wines dispensed Lunch dinner SEVENTH STREET RESTAURANT BAR 1104 Broad St Durham 286-1019 In an area of consummate gourmets there is alway Seventh Street to delight us Food people critics and people like me love this place There are constants here like Shepherd's Pie Spicy Italian Sausage Lasagne and Baked Grouper along with distinctive salads with their own special dressings homemade breads and desserts rich coffee and excellent wines When I want a casual inexpensive lunch or dinner in pleasant surroundings I head for Jill famous restaurant Lunch Mon-Sat brunch 10 2:30 dinner 6-10 Sun-Thurs Fri Sat MARCO POLO 1813 Chapel Hill Blvd Chapel Hilt 9335565933-9555 With its aura of Asian charm and art to say nothing of its dining pleasures this restaurant presents the journeys of Marco Polo with Chinese Italian and Indian cuisine Marco Polo is the essential address for those who enjoy specialties like Tangerine Beef Peacock Chicken Peking Duck plus fresh seafood pastas and spicy' curries A must-attend is their Sunday buffet when an international buffet is served plus prime rib Dr Francis Chan and his family welcome you Lunch everyday except Sat Dinner Sun-Thur Sat 6-11 Pleased dinner guest David Johnson from Neuhern (left) and The Fairview manager Patrick Neville (seated right) show appreciation for waiter Andrew Thompson's selection of wine Chef Mark Rhodes (standing right) is ready to prepare their dinner fit for a king The immensely popular and elegant Fairview is within the Washington Duke Inn Golf Club 1' F- i i i i i i i popular bars around' Catering for gala events is a specialty CORNER 610 Franklin St Chapel Hill 929-7643 very possible that guests at Crook's Comer are some of the most sophisticated and demanding diners on earth It has to do with chef Bill Neal whose culinary Inter- ests are strictly southern gourmet cuisine Usually the throngs of people who frequent this restraurant know the treat they're in for they're primed for a epicurian A few specialties include Louisiana Meat Pie with Cajun Relish Shrimp and Grits (sauteed shrimp with bacon mushrooms and scallons served with cheese grits) Crab Cakes Duck Jambalaya and Dd Fashioned Shortcake If you pick anything from the menu youl always win ANOTHERTHYME 109 Duke St Durham 682-5225 Dining In the grand manner despite rumors to the contrary is alive and swell and most affordable at Another-thyme You'll see owner and chef Mary Bacon here whose restaurant has grown increasingly more sophisticated with each passing year Impressive menu suggestions could include Mussels Provencals Oriental Pasta with Grilled Marinated Tuna Chiapas Burrito or Grilled Norwegian Salmon with Bearnaise and an exquisite home made dessert Other specials Include brilliant salads homemade breads rich coffees and moderately priced wines This is the perfect restaurant to brings guests and to have a good time HARTMAN'S STEAK HOUSE 1703 Geer St Durham 688-7639 Long acknowledged as one of the truly great Triangle restaurants Hartman's is loved as much for the relaxing atmosphere as the excellent food The most Important and distinctive characteristic of this restaurant is the fact that it's been serving delicious prime steak for almost 50 years Fresh seafood is part of the Hartman's vast menu and prime rib Is served Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday The fried onion rings banana peppers and salads are superb and don't leave without experiencing the homemade cheesecake originated years ago by "Mom" Hartman Dinner Dosed Sunday Monday WEEPING RADISH RESTAURANT A BREWERY 115 NDuke St Durham 682-2337 The temptation of German cuisine often proves too much for even the greatest stoic at The Weeping Radish It's impossible to resist the authentic German food that has won raves where it counts with its patrons Among my favorite dishes are a fine hearty soup made with sausages potatoes carols and celery FEARRINGTON HOUSE The Vil- lags of Fearrington Hwy 15-501 542-2121 The main reason for coming to Fearrington House is be- -cause of the discerning eye of chef Cory Mattson who is sensitive to flavor alert to the slightest flaw and appreciative of the extra effort that goes Into every dish served at this famous restaurant This makes the difference between fine dining and so-so eating But the pleasures of Fearrington House are two-fold The place is exquisite! Dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday to those seeking gourmet southern cuisine For the sheer opulence of Fearrington itself do some strolling and browsing while here This luxurious haven was once the Fearrington farm and has been part of the landscape for two centuries Reservations are required PYEWACKET 431 Franklin St Chapel Hill 929-0297 I am beginning to learn the secret of Pyewackefs longevity- It is the blending of delicious wholesome food with intelligent Innovations The result is one of the Triangle's most popular restaurants for lunch and dinner David Bacon offers wonderful meals of character and creativity Look for fresh soups fresh shrimp salad served with tomato cucumber and avocado fresh seafood from the grid homemade pastas and spicy curries Pyewacket has-one of the -most Em.