It's been well over 9 months since I last raved about Barcelona Wine Bar, located in the heart of…read moredowntown Raleigh. I am compelled to remind every resident and every visitor to make this a "must go to and enjoy" place for either brunch on Saturday or Sunday, or for dinner any night of the week. Go for the amazing cuisine, vast wine list, and stay for the outstanding service! Recently, we have found ourselves trying not to enjoy just our go-to favorites that are mainstays on the ever-evolving menu. We have been blown away by the flavors of the large plate option called Chicken Pimientos. Don't let the name throw you, because it's not super spicy, it just has a nice kick to it with delicious potatoes accompanying the very moist and flavorful chicken. The way the kitchen team at Barcelona handles the preparation of the eggplant caponata is impressive and very unique. Other favorites on the tapas section of the menu recently are stuffed piquillos, corn zucchini bunuelos (think fair food turned healthy!), Wagyu carpaccio, lamb kofta, and pulpo gallego. Remember that their tapas offerings rotate in and out, oftentimes based on the season and availability of fresh products. The wine offerings are unparalleled in the city of Raleigh, and when you visit for dinner on a Monday evening, every bottle is half-priced. Can't beat that for a way to jump-start your work week! We tend to sit at the bar on most visits as bartenders Kira and Cameron truly handle their bar with a welcoming vibe and impressive ease. General manager Jed is a visible leader of this great team and makes every guest feel appreciated. Awesome job all the way around!

We dined at Barcelona Wine Bar for Mother's Day. The restaurant decor is modern and beautiful. I…read moremust also not that our service was truly exceptional. We shared a glass of cava, which was crisp and delicious. I chose the aperitivo board and my husband ordered the paella mariscos. My husband lived in Spain for a while so he had high hopes for the paella; alas, it was very salty and the calamari was missing. It was so salty that we only had one or two bites. I keep telling my husband that he just shouldn't order paella in the US anymore. The manager was extremely accommodating and offered many options to help! The aperitivo board was divine. The items were bursting with flavors. My favorites were the marcona almonds, the aged manchego, and the potatas bravas. The table bread and oil were also fresh and delicious. There was another dish that I'm not sure if we ordered or if it was included, but the fish flavor was too strong for me so I passed on that. My husband enjoyed it though. I'd love to try some different menu options for our next visit.

Cute little wine bar downtown that closes on the early side (10pm Tues/Wed/Thurs, 11pm Fri/Sat, 7pm…read moreSun) but nice for an early evening sip. It's got modern, slightly rustic vibes, lit brightly for the art gallery in the back room. There's a good amount of seating and it's not completely filled with the undergrad crowd like other bars in the area. I see they host a book club and if I lived in Raleigh, I'd be all over that-- this is the perfect atmosphere! They have a nice bubbles by the glass selection (4 options, including a Lambrusco), which is really impressive since so many wine bars give you one, two at most. Vegan options on the menu include hummus, olives and pickles. I was planning to eat there, but time got away from me and they do a strict closing time, so maybe next time.

One of my favorite after-work haunts. Very little beats sitting on a swing with a good friend, a…read morebowl of cheese crackers, and a generous pour of wine. I particularly love the work of independent artists hung around the interior! We're having our holiday party here this year and I'm super excited for it - didn't even know this was also an event space.

I stumbled upon this cute, quaint wine bar when searching for a bite to eat on a Sunday evening. I…read moreloved the coziness of it and it was just what I needed to "wine" down before the begins. My servers were really nice and attentive to me, with a good balance of providing my space to enjoy some "me" time I came for. The wine flights are what caught my eye so I tried the one with white wines. I love that they have so many options for them. Plenty of tapas to choose from too, and the sliders and olives paired perfectly with my wine selection. It's cool that you can tell it's a neighborhood gem, because it sees like they had some Sunday regulars which is nice in a city that's growing so quickly and can easily to lose that neighborly feeling.

We had a great evening with friends enjoying the perfect weather, great friends, delicious food and…read morewine. Our service was terrific too. Highly recommend this place.

We were back at Foxcroft Food & Wine this weekend. A second, third, or fourth trip is usually a…read moregood sign. The North Hills spot ( 4421 Six Forks Road in Raleigh, beside Total Wine) feels settled in the best way. Comfortable, Welcoming, Cozy. We started slowly. A wine flight. Truffle fries with truffle aioli, parmesan, oregano. Marinated olives layered with citrus and herbs. Nothing too over the top, but generous and satisfying. The kinds of plates you keep reaching for without realizing it. For dinner, we had the the NY Strip (North Carolina pasture-raised Angus with Diane sauce and a French onion potato gratin). And the roasted whole fish (with hazelnut gremolata, citrus beurre blanc, and confit sunchoke). Both cooked to perfection, nothing missing, and absolutely delicious. What stuck with us the most htough, the service. Ben and Oscar were sharp, attentive, and present without being overbearing. They made the evening feel even more incredible. Some places try hard to impress - Foxcroft Food & Wine just delivers (time and time again).

Foxcroft is located in the North Hills area. Once we arrived we were seated right away. I loved the…read moredecor in the restaurant with multiple wine bottles on display. The business was clean and there is also a bar inside. The restaurant has a large selection of wines and offers flights for purchase. The restaurant had some people dining in but they were not overly packed. Initially our server was pleasant and attentive. I got a blood orange sparkling water. It was ok. I ordered the whipped ricotta for an appetizer to share and a burger with fries for my entree. The whipped ricotta was ok. It would taste better with some sort of seasoning in it. My fries were served hot but needed some salt. I asked for my burger to be cooked well done but I was brought a burnt burger. I took one bite but it was too overcooked. I then requested that my server have my burger be cooked medium well so I didn't get another burnt burger. When my burger was brought back out, our server had me cut into my burger to make sure it was to my liking. The preparation was better but it was bland and tasted like there wasn't any seasoning on it. After this our server wasn't as attentive anymore. For dessert we got the donuts. They were served warm and I enjoyed them with the cherry sauce. I did not like the chocolate sauce that was served with the donuts.

Hey Guys we went to Dram and Draught for a drink making Class. We were the pilot class. To say it…read morewas a success would be an understatement. We had so much fun. We were early so we stopped by the bar for a quick shot, Tequila of Course. Rhett got us straight. This Respasado was nice and smooth. Next off to class. We picked our seats and played out for us was a jigger, Shaker, t- mixing spoon, strainer and a mixing glass, a nice one. We also had a recipe card. We got to make 3 drinks( and drink them). We also learned about the brand that was sponsoring the event. This was amazing for the first time being held, the ladies for nice and friendly, the bar has inside and outside seating. The bathrooms are nice and clean. I think we all hung around a bit to finish our drinks. They were very strong! Not light on alcohols at All! I came home and made my own Oleo! Thanks Dram and Draught!

Stopped by Dram & Draught for a cocktail while visiting Raleigh on a quiet Saturday afternoon, and…read moreI'm glad we did. Right when I walked in, the vibe hit. Classy but chill, the kind of place that feels welcoming whether you're on a solo drink mission or meeting up with friends. The space isn't loud or chaotic, which made it perfect for a relaxed drink and conversation. It felt like a local hidden gem rather than a tourist trap, and that's always a plus when you're exploring a new city. The service was great from start to finish. The bartenders were friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they do! They gave recommendations, and took the time to chat and help them pick something perfect. Of course, I had to go with the espresso martini, because if a spot has it on the menu, I'm trying it. And wow, this one was good. Smooth, balanced, and truly the kind of cocktail that makes you forget you're basically drinking dessert. Not too sweet, with that rich coffee flavor front and center. Easily one of the better espresso martinis I've had in a while. Even though it was a quiet afternoon, the energy didn't feel slow or empty, just comfortable. It was obvious this place would be equally great on a livelier night, too. This is definitely a great cocktail bar that's worth a stop if you're in Raleigh. Friendly bartenders, excellent drinks, and a vibe that makes you want to stay a little longer. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town!

Our experience at Wolfe & Porter was interesting to say the least with the second round of drinks…read morethat we ordered and a bartender change but the issue was addressed after the fact by Management. I was not a fan of the beer selection but the cocktails were tasty. We tried the Broken Dream, Wolfe of Morgan St., Last Word and Captains Daughter. Check out their social media pages and/or website for events. Cheers!

Great place to: 1. visit with friends. 2. Have a grown-up date 3. Have a "casual but put on your…read morenice-jeans" date 3. Hang out and just relax with amazing cocktails- classic & bespoke 4. Any day & time of day. This place has a "best kept secret" speakeasy, but doors are open to everyone!

Thoroughly enjoyed our late dinner at Stellar. The decor/design was so enchanting and comfy. We…read morewere able to snag discounted glasses of wine and ordered pommes dauphine for a starter. They were delicious, and the manchego sauce that came with them was lovely. For entrees we got the tuna and risotto. The tuna was melt in your mouth deliciousness. The risotto was packed with veg and the rice was cooked perfectly. Our service was great as well. Highly recommend checking this place out!

Enjoyed a nice dinner there. First time visiting under the new ownership. The owners were there…read moremeeting guests. Very personable and engaging. There were several people in there for dinner service which was nice to see. The place is good for intimate dinners or a group of 6 could enjoy a meal too as we saw two such groups that night. They have a decent wine selection and a few cocktails. Prices for a glass are good with some as low as around $11/12. The quality of the food is good and portions are nice. I removed one star because them main dish portion of the menu is small/limited. I would like to see a few more options here to choose from. I started with the cheese plate. It was delish and the warm bread with it made it perfect. I then had the sliders which is an entree as my meal. The beef tasted good and fresh. The fries were a bit cold upon arrival but still decent. The person with me had the skirt steak and enjoyed it. We will certainly be back again.

It's my first time here... Thursday night, Jazz night! This place is fabulous! It's very warm and…read morewelcoming. This is what you call a No judgement, hang out at home kind of vibe. The people were all very down to earth. It's Pet-friendly here so you never know who you're going to meet. We were fortunate to meet Bud! He loves the ladies. They have a bucket of dog treats at the bar for the fur babies. The entertainment was great. We enjoyed 2 different females on the mic with beautiful voices. Drinks: you name it! Note -- there is no drink menu. They have a very large selection of wine, beer, and liquor... take your pick. There isn't any food served here either. But the owner lets you bring your own meals and snacks with you. And let's Shout out to the tapster-- Liisa! She had me try pickled okra for the first time. She is the best!!

I came to Niche on a whim. I was having a bad day; a bad week really. Personal and…read moreprofessional-wise. I was just tired of shitty people and I wanted to go to a place that felt good. I just don't think I expected what I got. Upon entering, I was received by a small very warm and beautifully lit bar that simply felt special. I looked over the available wine and asked the gentleman at the corner seat if the seat next to him was taken. Little did I know that the gracious gentleman who kindly offered me the seat was none other than the proprietor of Niche, Mr. Ted Powell and that's when my night really started as Ted graciously regaled me with amazing stories between the pause on the songs played by the band. What a vibrant spirit this man has. If you go here, you have to meet Ted. From telling me about how he acquired the place, his daughter, Budstock, Maverick Rose Music Hour, and sharing details of each nights events at Niche, he made my first visit (just me myself and I) a beautiful one. He couldn't stop talking about how wonderful a mixologist Andy is. Don't get it twisted. This man is more than a bartender. He's a diplomatic mixologist who knows how to let patrons know, in the most respectful but boundary maintaining way, how to behave. I saw him in action and it was a beautiful thing to see him basically offer up a dose of kindness with a dash of "you better check yourself before you wreck yourself." If a place could be described by one word, Niche's word would be KINDNESS. I felt like I was taken care of. Thank you Ted and Andy for being so kind on my first visit and turning my night around. I look forward to future visits. This place is most definitely a must visit when in North Carolina!