Lafayette Village

Top 3 Restaurants To Try This Fall In NC @koan_cary @Il_Palio @DriftwoodRDU

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Top 3 Restaurants To Try This Fall In NC | Cary * Chapel Hill * Raleigh

Hello November! ‘Tis the season to indulge in some good eats and treat yourself to memorable dining out experiences. I recently got to try 3 different restaurants and each one while different in cuisine share the same passion of bringing you an array of flavors on their new Fall menus. Take a look and discover where to eat in the Triangle at these TOP 3 RESTAURANTS TO TRY THIS FALL!

kō•än | Cary, NC

Photo Credit | Tabletop Media Group

🆕️ Restaurant Alert! The most exciting place for food right now is kō•än in Cary,NC, which opened November 1, 2019 with great anticipation! I got a chance to experience the restaurant and its menu at a media preview dinner and enjoyed everything from its innovative cocktails to their delicious small/large plates meant for sharing!

The new restaurant, located at 2800 Renaissance Park Pl, Cary, NC 27513, brings Executive Chef Drew Smith’s [ formerly of Raleigh’s bu•ku and so•ca, and winner of 2019’s Cooking for a Classic dining competition] vision of Southeast Asian cuisine in a zen-like atmosphere. Check out my Facebook post>>here for a look at some of the tasty menu.

For more info on kō•än, follow #koancary @koan_cary on Instagram and Twitter or visit www.koancary.com

Il Palio|Chapel Hill

Photo Credit | Tabletop Media Group

Transport your mind, body and tastebuds to Italy when you experience world-class dining at Il Palio, located in The Siena Hotel at 1505 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC. Chef Adam Rose and his team uses the best local and Italian ingredients to prepare fresh, homemade pastas like this signature Butternut Squash Ravioli! *[see here for recipe]

If you enjoy Italian cuisine along with a lovely wine selection, and amazing culinary artisanship, then you will savor the fantastic dishes served in a warm and inviting Tuscan villa atmosphere at Il Palio!

For more information, follow @thesienahotel #TheSienaHotel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Follow @il_palio #IlPalio on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Driftwood Kitchen & Bar | Raleigh, NC

Photo Credit | Tabletop Media Group

All my lovers of chicken and waffles [….and really good comfort food] make your way to DRIFTWOOD KITCHEN AND BAR (formerly known as Driftwood Southern Kitchen), located in Lafayette Village at 8460 Honeycutt Road, Suite 112, Raleigh, NC 27615 for a taste of the 🆕️ delicious menu revamped by Chef Nunzio which also includes tacos, meatloaf with tasso ham gravy, pulled short ribs, and chicken & biscuits (made from scratch), plus great craft cocktails, like the “Black -Eyed Rye made with Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Xpkhdn6x8/?igshid=1da5v9qpvvhc

Invited Raleigh influencers got to experience the new flavors and take a tour of the refreshed restaurant space including a brand new, communal style private dining room for events and parties. The restaurant’s unique open kitchen concept and scratch made menu showcases the best ingredients from as many regional and local farmers and producers when possible. Feast your eyes on some of the highlights from our media tasting experience on my Facebook page>>here.

For more info, follow Driftwood Kitchen & Bar #DriftwoodRaleigh, @driftwoodraleigh on Instagram and Facebook

Thanks for reading! I hope this post has made you hungry and ready to make reservations. Any of these restaurants would make a great dining out date option or a place to meet friends for small bites and cocktails! Cheers!

Have you dined at any of these restaurants? If not, which one are you checking out first?

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4 Places to Brunch on Mother’s Day in #Raleigh |@seasons52 @simplycrepes @bonefishgrill @ncartmuseum 

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Raise your hand if you think Mimosas and Moms go together like Sundays and Brunch! Eating brunch is one of my favorite activities no matter what the occasion, so I have compiled a list of some of my favorite brunch spots here in Raleigh, NC. No matter your tastes, there is sure to be something on here that Moms will like. 

SEASONS 52 ~CrabTree Valley Mall                4325 Glenwood Ave- Raleigh, NC 27612

Head to Seasons 52 and experience the wonderful flavors of the season from their a la carte Mother’s Day Brunch Menu. Check out my review here to see more of what they have to offer. Don’t forget to toast to Mom with any of their amazing Brunch Sips! Then take her shopping at Crabtree Valley Mall since the restaurant is conveniently located there.

SIMPLY CREPES~Lafayette Village          8470 Honeycutt Road, Suite 110                    Raleigh, NC 27615

Breakfast is being served all day at Simply Crepes and seating is first come, first served at Raleigh. If the sun is shining, grab a seat on the patio and watch the kids play on the courtyard lawn at Lafayette Village. This place is a family favorite, which I shared in my past restaurant feature. I highly recommend the chicken and waffles on a crepe entree. So good!

IRIS RESTAURANT~ NC Museum of Art 2110 Blue Ridge Road                     Raleigh,NC 27607

Sunday Brunch here is popular on any given weekend partly because people enjoy the food as well as the beautiful atmosphere. The cuisine is innovative and the setting is an expression of art and nature. Read here how I spent the whole day with my family at the North Carolina Museum of Art and what we ate at #NCMAIris. Reservations to dine at Iris Restaurant are a must. Call 919-664-6838

BONEFISH GRILL~North Hills                4421 Six Forks Rd.                                 Raleigh, NC 27609  

If your Mom is like me and loves seafood, along with Brunch cocktails and libations, then I suggest your Mother’s Day Celebration be held at Bonefish Grill. Take a look at my Sunday Brunch review here and hopefully you are inspired to go this Sunday. Afterwards, walk off that brunch and go shopping or catch a movie at North Hills! 

Have you made Mother’s Day Plans? Where do you enjoy Sunday Brunch?

Hope you enjoyed my list and now have some ideas where to take Mom to eat on Mother’s Day for Brunch in Raleigh, NC ! 




Amazing Eats @SimplyCrepes #Raleigh for Best Chicken-Waffles, Patio Dining & NEW Spring Menu ! 

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Disclaimer: Thank you Simply Crepes for inviting us to feature your new Spring Menu. Although the restaurant hosted us, all opinions are 100% my own, courtesy of my tastebuds.

Spring has sprung and here in the triangle that means alot of things. Robins are singing, bumblebees return and most of all , IT’S PATIO AL FRESCO DINING AGAIN TIME !!

We can think of no better place to kick off outside eating than a trip to Simply Crepes, located in beautiful Lafayette Village in North Raleigh.

They invited SobeSavvy to sample a few items off of their brand new Spring seasonal menu. We visited pre sunset on a gorgeous Sunday late afternoon and took advantage of their outside space adjacent to the grass courtyard.

Once seated we started with their “spring fling” Wine Flight. Rose’, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay were served.

We had an order of their now iconic brussell sprouts served w/bacon and goat cheese. The Chardonnay complimented this dish well. This dish is the ONLY brussel sprouts that my husband EVER EVER eats. It is THAT good !

Next up was their Le Cordon Bleau crepe. Filled with ham and chicken in a scrumptious sauce, this dish was superb with a glass of Pinot Grigio.

Simply Crepes decided to do their own new unique twist on a old time favorite. CHICKEN AND WAFFLES ANYONE ? The “waffle” is a crepe of course and the chicken is crispy fried chicken tossed in their maple bourbon sauce served over smoky apple wood bacon. THIS.WAS.PAST.GOOD.

I have had a myriad of this staple dish over the years. Had it up north, had it down south and frankly it was played out in my mind. Not anymore ! The flavors all combined to make a heavenly dish. The chicken was so tender and the maple bourbon sauce is incredible.

The crepe at the bottom just soaks up all this goodness. Oh, it also comes with a side of bacon creme sauce !!

Our little one wasn’t that hungry and opted for their great creme brulee oatmeal. Yes. It tastes as good as it sounds !

Mimosa Monday and Wine Wed are always great times to enjoy their wine deals

Simply Crepes make it a point to always local source when they can and openly list their suppliers for all to see

Don’t forget to check the board for their specials !

The sun was setting and our meal was over. Great dinner on a great early evening enjoying the warm breeze. Make simply crepes a must do dinner choice and ask for an outside seat!


#FoodieFriday Spotlight on New Winter Menu @SimplyCrepes #Raleigh @LafayetteVill

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“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways”. This Valentines day instead of just reciting poetry, why not recite it in the charming old world atmosphere of Simply Crepes restaurant in Lafayette Village in Raleigh http://simplycrepes.com/

They are having a special romantic Valentines Day dinner that is not to be missed. Multiple courses at one reasonable price.

According to their website ..” For The HĂ©roux Family, with a French Canadian background, the wondrous scent of crĂŞpes cooking is one of the simple joys of life. The recipe used in their home and now at their restaurants has been passed down through many generations.

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What makes it special is its versatile ability to translate such a wide variety of foods to the plate. Whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, the crĂŞpe works as the medium to serve you a delicious meal!

Simply Crepes hosted Sobesavvy.Com to try some entrees from their new Winter Menu http://simplycrepes.com/Portals/5/Menus/Winter_Menu_-_Raleigh-2.pdf

During these cold days in the peak of winter come on in to Simply Crepes and be amazed by this new menu.

They have 9 awesome choices from the appetizers section. You can choose them a la carte or order 3 for a flat $20.

My daughter ordered a crock of the creamy potato chowder from their list of Pantry Soups. She loved it.

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Brussel Sprouts

Hubby and I shared an order of the Brussels Sprouts & Chevre. Served crispy in a sweet balsamic dressing with a “dollop” of chevre cheese. Hand down this was one of the best dishes I have had in a long long time. It was perfect. Just order it.

Wine Menu 

They have a delightful wine menu. Lots of familiar and not so familiar choices. Every Wed they have a “Wine Down Wednesday”. It is 50% off all wine by the glass or bottle.

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I ordered the wine flight, which is the only wine choice excluded from that special.

A Rose’, Chardonnay and a Pinot Grigio. A great way to sample different wines!


Entrees

The first entrée we had actually came from their Morning menu

Shrimp and Grits ! The grits were creamy and of perfect consistency. Served with jumbo shrimp chorizo, Andouille sausage and bacon. It disappeared in a matter of moments !

The Winter Menu entrée we had was the Creamy Cajun Chicken and Rice Crepe. It comes with a bell pepper cajun sauce. It had the right amount of kick and flavor. The chicken was of outstanding quality {and quanity}

Desserts

It was now time for what my 5 year old calls.. ” THE MAIN EVENT”..Dessert !

We decided on 3 out of their numerous choices of dessert crepes. You can order them standard or “petite” sized !

I fell in love with crepes on the streets of Paris, France. Crepe stands in Paris are as ubiquitious as hot dog stands are in NYC !

Oreo Cookie Crepe

This was outstanding. If you like Oreos then you will LOVE this. Filled with sweet vanilla cream, this was my little ones favorite.

Banana Walnut
This was simply decadent. Filled with Crème Brulee cream and sautéed bananas, candied walnuts and vanilla bean ice cream.

Cinnamon Apple Crepe
Cinnamon apples, sweet cream and caramel. This was like if the best apple pie came inside a crepe !!

Keep in mind if you are anyone in your dining party suffers from Celiac Disease, crepes here can be made Gluten Free using buckwheat batter.

They also have a curtained off area that can be utilized as an event space for up to 40 people {30 to 35 comfortably !}

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*Simply Crepes Tip #344 Sign up for their exclusive birthday club and get a very nice discount off of a meal during your birthday month !!

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Ps …this restaurant is kid friendly!