What a fantastic restaurant. It took a little while to get there but once we were there it was totally worth it. The menu changes all the time and everything is locally grown and sourced. Everyone in my party was pleased with their drinks. For an appetizer I ordered a "pancake" made with lettuce, sweet potato and so many others yummy flavors I don't know what they were. We also ordered the bruschetta and the salad that were on the menu and everyone said they were delicious. I got the red drum fish for my meal and it came with an asparagus risotto that was mouthwatering and so flavorful. Dessert was a sampler of all things that the chef was making at the time and honestly the picture speaks for itself. Cannot wait until I am back in town and can visit again. read more

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The bread and butter was quite fantastic! However, that is about as much positive feedback that I am able to provide. The service is quite atrocious, and honestly it feels like they would rather you dine somewhere else than bother them with ordering. If you like a salad that is completely drenched in dressing, this might be the place for you. Bonus points if you also find yourself liking really stale croutons that are also drenched in dressing. Somehow food there on the menu was $17 came out to be nearly $22 with no drinks! Definitely better places to eat in town. read more

Good food, (pricey) great service, nice ambiance.. a must checkout if you are in the Hillsboro area.

We received a gift certificate here for our Birthdays. Honestly, I'd never heard of it and I drive by here often so I'm not sure how I missed it. We were able to get reservations for the same week I requested, but we asked for 6:00 so later may have been more difficult. We started at the bar which has the most beautiful hammered copper bar top! I appreciate the work that must require to keep it so beautiful. They offer a wide selection of drinks, but we were most impressed with their bourbon selection. They even had ones that are virtually impossible to find! This is an authentic bartender who actually knows the craft of mixing drinks. So rare these days. The meat and cheese starter was everything and more other reviewers have said! They have a very limited menu, so be sure you check what they are offering that week/month to ensure they have something you'll like. This is not an inexpensive place so you'll want to be happy with the selection. I have eliminated gluten and wheat from my diet and they accommodated this request with no problem or attitude. They even made sure to tell me if something did have these products in them. Great fun and great food but I just couldn't get past the price. We had a $100 gift certificate, and still paid $130. Overall a good experience and Im grateful for the generous gift we received so that we were able to experience it. read more

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I admit I had high expectations based on reviews here on Yelp, plus recommendations from folks we've met here and there. Everyone is so right. This ;place is awesome! It's warm and comfortable. Service was friendly and just right. But the food is seriously as great as everyone has said. I can't believe I'm the first to post pics, but it is so tempting to just dive in when the beautiful plates arrive. Please know that the pics are nowhere worthy of the food itself. ( camera phone, but I tried....quickly, in order to get eating!) We sat down and were brought menus and tiny adorable glasses of Prosecco. What a wonderful way to welcome guests who had just driven from Raleigh on a Friday night! Sister and I started with a glass of chardonnay, Husband went with a Manhattan and Bro in Law got a beer. Menus were for the day only. Fresh. Right side has menu items, left side tells you what local areas the ingredients are from. There are three courses. Order all three. You will be glad. Husband and Bro ordered the gnocchi appetizer with duck egg, shiitakes, etc. I ordered a "summer salad" with watermelon radishes, incredible bacon, cornbread croutons, deviled egg, with a jalapeno cream dressing. Sis went with a pork carpaccio (roasted though) with goat cheese. Oh my gosh, seriously the best salad I've ever had. The balance of flavors and textures were absolutely phenomenal...guys were ver happy with the gnocchi. One described it as "deconstructed breakfast". I tasted it and it was very good, but I was in salad heaven. It was spicy which I loved! Sis was happy with her pork. I tasted it but it was not my thing because i don't care for goat anything. Again, back to my salad heaven. Second course....two of us ordered the Spaghetti Nero with lump crabmeat, bread crumbs, arugula...two others ordered the bolognese and asiago ravioli with carrots and a rich sauce. I tasted it and it was amazing, but my spaghetti nero was so freaking incredible that I stayed happy with it. It was rich though, and I wasn't about to miss dessert, so I saved a few bites to take home to make room for....oh my! Let me just say I am not a dessert person. Most of the time I could care less. Here there were only two options. Husband and I were smart enough to each order one. The chocolate one and the apple one with ice cream. Sis and I also got an amaretto as well. Both desserts were excellent, but the chocolate one...well let me say, just get it. You're welcome. It's like a soft pudding, with cookie type chunks. It's simple, rustic, yet so darn good. The other dessert was very good as well...a flavorful apple holiday-type cake with nice ice cream. For the quality, prices are reasonable. First course is in the $10-$12 range...second around $23...third was $7 each. Drinks were reasonably around $8. Amaretto was just five. Having been to recent expensive places in Raleigh that were no where near this quality or taste, well...I am happy to pay for the expertise of this incredibly talented chef and staff. (off to look for real estate in Hillsborough...) read more

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How did I not know about this place earlier??? Cute little restaurant in Hillsborough, adorable decor. Decent space perfect for a small group or a date night. The food was fantastic. Honestly the meat and cheese platter that came out sealed the deal for me. It was immense with excellent variety, jams, and plenty to share. Would come back for just wine and this platter. They have a seasonal menu but I had the black papardelle with seafood and was VERY happy with my decision. I'm not a huge dessert person, but their dessert was a variety platter with multiple different options and they were all impressively tasty. I will definitely be back either for a date night or a cute girls night! read more

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Talented chef, excellent staff. Food is art . Can't say enough about how amazing this restaurant is!!

The name has changed to Bakeshop & 0asta Co. Absolutely loved the food, but was a little confused by the delivery, you order at a counter, you sit down to have your food delivered, which is amazing but then they charge you a huge wage fair at the end of your meal, but why? I'm confused I had to get my own water, stand in line to order and a refill on tea is not free. The one wait staff just brought the food and took plates away but nobody waited on us, so I'm kinda confused by wage fair. I also wanted to say don't order their signature drinks because signature drinks are very small 2 -3 oz and was $16, which it was very tasty but very overpriced. Would like to go again but they need to rethink delivery and pricing. read more

After taking a hiatus from Panciuto because of some not so stellar dining experiences I am happy to report that Aaron Vandemark is back to killing it at life. His combination of flavors keep me coming back for more and this time around, the cooking techniques were on point. The tomato gravy served with the clams was next level. PLEASE include this sauce on your menu in the future. My only complaint of the night was the lack of a proper espresso machine for an Italian joint but this place is by no means traditional. If you are looking for a nontraditional Italian restaurant look no further. The only other place I can compare Panciuto to is Gocciolina in North Durham. Both use farm to fork ingredients with the power to produce innovated dishes you have not tried before and dream about weeks later. read more

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Had one of the Top 5 Best Meals of my life here recently, and cannot recommend it highly enough! My boyfriend took me for a special occasion, and that's what this spot is perfect for. It was so nice to sit back, enjoy some amazing service and food. We got some cocktails (I had a ginger-based one) and then our waiter helped us pick out some cheeses...which were served with delicious things like banana jam and spiced nuts. For our entrees, I got the butternut squash ravioli, which is still something I think about on a regular basis. My boyfriend got a tortellini dish, which was so artfully put together we admired it for awhile before devouring all its contents. I wish I had enough room for dessert, but afterwards we were pretty stuffed. We had such a relaxing, happy evening and I can't wait to return. read more

New operating model makes it more accessible. Still top notch good food. Nicely remodel interior as well as decent outdoor dining space too. Same knowledgeable staff and friendly despite being busy at times. They really live up to their Panciuto heritage. One of the gems in downtown Hillsborough foodie scene for sure! read more

Panciuto: the Italian word for love. Okay, well not really. But I do have a major crush on Panciuto. This was my second visit. It met and exceeded all of my culinary dreams both times. My favorite dining companion in the whole wide world and I were there on Thursday, an absolutely perfect fall evening. We started with the ears, and ears, and ears and all I could say was: yum, and yum, and YUM! Then we polished off the best charcuterie plate in the history of the world. Seriously- two inch thick cuts of bacon!? Insane. Creamy cheese with banana jelly. Ridiculous. We shared the pork shank, the rabbit ravioli, and the field pea stew, which was topped with fried green tomatoes. I can't help myself. I am in love. For dessert we shared the chocolate peanut butter thing.....since I was still over the moon about dinner I couldn't even tell you what that "thing" was called. Maybe just......heaven? We appreciate that 97% of the menu is locally sourced and the close relationship the restaurant has with the local farmers. How cool is that? We pondered what the 3% might be that is not local. Who cares. Doesn't matter. No messing with this love affair. read more

Great service. Liked the menu. Would go again, especially for a special occasion. Like what seems to be fewer tables. Not crazy about ordering off tablet, but that the way of things now. Butternut Squash RavioliChicken LiversFried Oysters read more

This place is incredible. Clearly deserves the James Beard nomination. Service was excellent, respectful and helpful. The wait staff seem to be very enthusiastic about the mission of the restaurant and very helpful with the extensive but obscure wine list. food is perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious. You will not be disappointed. Prices are reasonable and this is outstanding value for a memorable meal. You will not be disappointed. read more

Panciuto - Goat cheese stuffed ravioli and fried green tomatoes - Southern Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

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I'm amazed at the reviews that are poor for Panciuto, because we had a fantastic experience. Using the restaurant's site, I asked for a reservation on a specific date. They called me personally within 15m of the request, and offered a time slot just a little bit earlier than I had requested. No problem- we took it. Upon arriving, we were greeted warmly and seated immediately, and given small tasters of Prosecco. Umm, yes please. That's one way to win me over. We tried a variety of items on the menu: cocktails, wine, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. All were fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the Strawberry Rie (a whisky cocktail) and beef carpaccio. Our service was attentive, informative, and there as often as necessary but not hovering. We absolutely intend to go back; though the prices are higher than your average night out they are worth it for the unique dishes and local ingredients. read more

Wow did this place give me a surprise! I read about it before and my husband really wanted to bring me for a date night. I was excited to try it out but I think I was more impressed by the service, great quality ingredients, decor, feel and last the pop up we discovered later with Asian flavors. I wish I wrote this review the night of bc I would go into detail about each dish but I honestly think my pictures speak for themselves. We left full, satisfied and happy and can't wait to come back and bring another foodie! Thanks for hosting us:) read more

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I'm in love with this Chef! There must be some suffering for this dish! So much flavor in every bite. How dare my wine compete for attention. Had the panzanella, OMG, cucumbers you can see through. A refreshing salad first. Followed by a dish I can't recall the name, chef made kielbasa sausage in the most incredible sauce and homemade pasta bites. Just come and eat. Splurge as much as you can because you will not regret it. Ok. Dessert! Having the biscuit over blueberry something and I'm about to slide out of my chair. How dare this chef make my wife blush in ecstasy this way. I have no more words to describe. Look it's five star. Anyone not happy here is just angry at themselves. Salute El Hefe! read more

Panciuto - A view from my front window seat. - Southern Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

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I never left a restaurant more impressed and satisfied as I did leaving Panciuto. They took something so simple as a pickle platter--just local veggies, pickled and preserved--and wowed the whole table. They know how to pack flavor into tiny humble packets like sweet potato, radish, and the like. The fish was delectable, the pork chop sweeter and more tender than imaginable. And with a fantastic wine selection and local ingredients, what more could I ask for. Definitely one of the best meals I've ever had. read more

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Amazing menus, service, and my husband and I enjoy getting the emails from the restaurant with upcoming events, menus, news. Love all of the local fare that goes into the unique and mouthwatering dishes. Atheistic of food, dining room, even the exterior is truly one-of-a-kind. So very happy we have Panciuto's here in our great little town. read more

This is our favorite place in town. Always fresh and innovative. The menu is always changing. read more

Panciuto - Pork shank looks yummy. - Southern Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

My husband and I came here for our one year anniversary dinner. The service was great and our waiter brought us complimentary glasses of pear moscato to celebrate. The food was delicious and fresh. I started with the cucumber soup with lump crab and it was even better that I could have imagined. The lump crab was delicious and the cucumbers were crisp, and the amount of flavor in that one bowl was amazing. Husband started with the grouper, which was alright. We also got the grilled bread, which we highly recommend. For main dish, I got the ricotta gnocchi. It was outstanding. The gnocchi was perfect and complimented by fresh garden veggies. There were tiny pieces of fried veggies which I loved. Husband got the bucatini with duck meatballs and that was a clear standout. One of the best meals I've tasted. The bucatini was cooked perfectly and tasted delicious. The meatballs were a perfect addition. The portion sizes were huge, and we were too full for dessert. We will definitely be returning. read more

Panciuto - Ricotta gnocchi - Southern Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

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Food okay - a B+. Bread amazing as usual. However nothing felt "prepared for the individual patron- the process was ridiculously sterile - order on an iPad with pictures of slab of raw beef for the steak dish. Self serve process in ordering - if you want customization to anything then you might get human interaction. It almost felt like we were a bother- ..... weird for a service industry ..... But here's the catch - 18% automatically added to the bill for service- of which was slim to none as you order and figure out the preparation. etc all electronically and even then you get a bottle of room temperature-water to pour for the table . Claim is "equity in living wage"- okay I am completely aligned with that -but not as a gratuity add on. Either bump the price or how about this - PAY your employees A DECENT WAGE. So if the food wasn't great still 18% gratuity. If the food was okay but you were sailing the service aspect SOLO - still 18% - happy staff is the goal - not the patron. There was nothing that wooed me during or afternoon to return - in fact this actually would have been 3-4 stars if it was take out /order online . Here's a thought: remember this is Hillsborough NC - not Manhattan LA or Miami- people choose to live work and play here because of the "small town with a big heart" feel: Friendly, inclusive with a progressive social lens. I could've been anywhere else last night..... but it most definitely did not feel like a hillsborough restaurant. - Whatever Zagat award received in the past - congratulations, but move on. I/we experienced nothing but an inflated and fake sense of social justice with their new policy: geez, if you really really cared about inequities give them a decent living wage and maybe throw in health insurance. Do you honestly believe this too gets dumps on the consumer? Unfortunately, for those who yearn for good food with face based and customer centric experiences - this wasn't the case. The pandemic offered us the gift of recognizing the importance regarding human connection - this was not a venue where such is embraced nonetheless celebrated read more

I have gone to this restaurant three times. Their entrées change weekly, so I'll always call ahead of time and inquire if have any Gluten free entrées. You think I would have learned. They always tell me yes,I make a reservation and then when I arrive am told salad. read more

Without a doubt the best food I've had in the Triangle. It absolutely stands out head and shoulders from every other restaurant (sorry, Mateo, Vin Rouge, and Pooles). The experience there is an all-around wonderful one. Service there is perfect. The cocktails are delicious and exactly what I'm craving, and there's a gorgeous wine list. The apps and entrees are, again, the best food I've had in NC, and with really great-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. I'm usually incredibly full by dessert, but you should NEVER skip dessert at Panciuto! It's not a stuffy or super fancy place, but the whole thing is beautiful. I honestly dream of this place and wish I could get there more often! read more

"4% initiative" Panciuto charge needs to go away. Food is typically tasty and service is solid. I appreciate a thoughtful dishes I've had here a number of times, but was recently there and turned off by their new "4% initiative." If I was reviewing the food, I would have given it 4 or 5 stars, but they add a 4% tax (that's what it is) to your meal to subsidize their kitchen staff's income. I found this incredibly tacky and weird. For a $28 dish of pasta, and a $150 meal for my wife and me, I think you can afford to pay your staff whatever you feel is right. I have worked in the restaurant business for years, and servers would occasionally tip out the dishwashers and prep cooks routinely on busy nights, but to add a mandatory 4% onto an already big bill, is enough for me to say "that was my last visit." Make it optional, and I would have gladly checked that box. This is unfortunate as it's nice to have a solid place like this in a small town. read more

Classy, tucked away, exquisite - those are the words that come to mind in describing dining at Panciuto Panciuto's has been on my list of restaurants to try for about a year now. Very glad that I checked it out, it's truly a tucked away gem in downtown Hillsborough. Made reservations about a week in advance, options were 6pm or 8pm, I confirmed 6pm for a Saturday night, not bad. The morning of the reservation they called to confirm my reservation and also let me know that there was a chance they could only hold the table for 2 hours, turning it to another group at 8pm. I can definitely understand the demand for reservations especially as their chef was recently named a semi-finalist for the James Beard award. It was a little off putting, but I'm glad they at least wanted to give me heads up if I had any concerns that our dinner would last 2 hours or longer (which it didn't). Arrived right at 6pm and the dining room (of about 15 tables) was nearly barren, only one other table had been sat. As I had read previously, we were greeted with a small glass of prosecco, a nice touch. The dining room is intimate and a bit cozy. I have to disagree with one reviewer that the Christmas lights need to be removed, they're white lights and do add a nice touch - but I see how they could be replaced with another variation of soft lighting behind most of the tables. Our server was attentive, very quiet - almost like she was not trying to detract from the experience, only one miscue when she didn't refill my water for awhile, but that was only after she many more tables to attend to. Their wine/beer/liquor selection seems a bit sparse, but well thought out. Kudos for very few liquors but ones with the most bang for the buck - Maker's Mark, Elderberry Liqueur, Glenlivet, etc. The menu is where Panciuto really shines. Clearly printed on the menu is the source of all of their ingredients. That's right, where Panciuto gets everything from the rosemary (chef's garden) to the duck eggs to seafood to the milk. I really enjoyed reviewing their list, and commend them for doing such a great job to locally source their ingredients. A nice touch is that in the entrance way they have pictures of some of their suppliers. Options on the menu are less Italian and more slow food gourmet. Had their brushetta with chicken liver pate, fried duck egg, and arugula with balsamic. At $10 this was fine to share among two people, but no more. Really enjoyed the rich taste that came with the egg and pate combination. For dinner I tried their sweet potato ravoli, again felt like this was less an Italian dish and more a take on ravoli. As I have a bit of sweet tooth, I was gravitated towards the combination of the sweet potato, honey butter, fried goat cheese and truffle oil aioli. I was not disappointed as the meal was more of a dessert than an entree! Loved this pairing. My husband had their pork shoulder which was excellently cooked - tender meat with a crispy crust, paired with pimento mac and cheese, kale and a potato role. For the price, entrees ranging from $21-26 it's well worth it. The portions don't seem large, but they are very filing. Between sharing an appetizer and an entree, I left no room for desert. Really enjoyed Panciuto, the atmosphere, the food, the service all top notch. Do yourself a favor and take a short drive to Hillsborough to check this gem out. read more

Panciuto - Locally sourced ingredients on menu - Southern Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

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I could talk about locally sourced food, bartenders who will make recommendations based on what they know about you, or the Beard award nominations, but let me tell you about Stuff on a Plate. If you want to encapsulate this town and this restaurant in a single object, that object is Stuff on a Plate. I don't quite know what it is beyond an upscale deconstructed Reese's Cup with add-ins of whatever's available that day, but it's delicious. And it sums up this place and this town -- take what you know and are nostalgic about, and add a dash of class. And keep the quirks as local as possible. So come here for the full experience of locally sourced food that'll feed you for a few days off the leftovers, but understand it's really a symbol of this town. And that's an experience you can't put a price on. read more

Chef Vandermark is on the mark! Arguably one of the best restaurants in the Triangle. Great for special occasions and when you want to impress a date, friend, client, etc. Better yet, have someone treat you for dinner. Decor: I love the old brick and makes you really feel you are in Historic Hillsborough. The poured and painted concrete floors give it a modern touch. The interior design is simple and the lighting is perfect. Food: I love that many of the ingredients are locally sourced for nearby farms. The ingredients are incredibly fresh and the dishes are creative and flavorful, but not overwrought. There is a pretty nice, diverse selection of dishes. My 9 year old budding foodie loves this place and would go every week if he could. Desserts are also yummy (e.g., warm potted chocolate). Waitstaff: Friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. It seems to me that many have been around since close to the time the restaurant opened. In any case, pretty stable staff. Nice surprises: They treat adults to small glasses of sparkling wine and I think they've even treated us to some amuse bouches (little desserts). Price: The prices are "fair" given what you are getting, but they aren't cheap as you can imagine. If you compare to other similar restaurants, I think there prices are in line. read more

This place was so good, it forced me to drag myself to Yelp to write a review, extolling their amazing dedication to local, quality, and well-prepared food. This place really elevates Hillsborough dining to the next level; and in fact is probably the best quality food in the town. Its certainly not cheap, but the food is truly amazing. Its "New American" style cuisine and ALL menu items come from within 50 miles (most less than 20). How do I know this? Every night when they print the new menu they indicate where their ingredients came from. Places like Fickle Creek Farm, Timberwood Organics, and several other prominent Orange County organic farms. They also have photographs of most of their food suppliers/farmers up on the wall when you first come in. We had some roasted pork chops and duck ravioli with an amazing collard and duck-egg appetizer. Complimentary glass of Prosecco and a nice amuse-bouche started off our meal. I won't go into the delicious details of our really tasty food, but suffice to say its worth a trip (and potentially a reservation) to Panciuto in Hillsborough if you haven't yet been. I think most people make reservations, but if you come between the main seating times you can probably get a table. read more

About a year ago, we were won over by the charming young chef (and James Beard nominee), Aaron Vandemark, on a Taste Carolina food tour. We had the opportunity to sit and chat with him as he served us up a unique sampler of daikon noodle with Cane Creek Farm pancetta and arugula. Aaron has probably an unparalleled, in the Tri, dedication to hyperlocal cuisine -- the restaurant's selection changes daily based on what can be sourced from neighboring farms, all of which are accredited at the top of the menu. Interesting to hear the early tales of Aaron's then-budding restaurant, the pressure to create ever-evolving dishes with limited resources available...especially in a NC winter! But necessity is the mother of invention. And over time this chef has created a standout dining destination with dishes that manage to highlight southern staples in unusual ways -- like the PawPaw tart we concluded this weekend's meal with. But I'm getting ahead of myself. It's a popular place, and reservations are recommended. We arrived a little early to settle in, grabbed seats at the bar, and ordered the meat & cheese plate. I was surprised to find it featuring three soft/semisoft cheeses, but each had a very distinct flavor, and was drizzled with an accompaniment (e.g., a sweet chili sauce on an earthy buttery cheese; a berry compote on a milder brie-like cheese). The small portion was plenty hearty for two. When our table was ready, and a complimentary palate prepping prosecco poured, we had a hard time narrowing down the choices (which are broken into Firsts; Meats; Pastas; and Sides). I opted for a pasta dish described as: "hand-rolled scilatelle, Campari glazed mutton, fried fennel, crauti butter, mustard greens" with a side of the steamed pork belly buns, with cucumber pickles and sorrel aioli. Husband got a meat dish, the porchetta which was served with a side of polenta. Of the two, his was the most impressive. What the kitchen can do with porchetta is nothing short of astonishing... it had an incredibly crisp outer layer, that when flaked off, is like the best bacon you've ever put in your mouth. Past the perimeter, the marbled fat imparts so much flavor and texture to the meat. Polenta was creamy and rich, topped with caramelized peppers. And the portion: HUGE. My handmade pasta was fresh, coated in a subtle but savory buttery broth spiked with sauerkraut. The mutton, incredible; just a hint of sweet glaze giving way to tender stewed meat. Pork belly buns, though tasty, seemed to be covered in far too much oil and could have used more pickled veg flavor. For dessert, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try the Pawpaw tart. A lightly whipped, unsweetened cream sat atop the slice, and a berry syrup beneath, with bits of "peanut butter granola" strewn about. Pawpaw may not be the south's most endearing fruit... the taste is comparable to an unripe pear; kind of starchy, not too sweet, a bit of an after-bite. What's impressed me the most at Panciuto is the value; such a high level of quality food and generously sized portions -- yet our entire meal came in under $100 before tip. Do not miss the opportunity to eat here! Especially if you live in Durham... it's just a short 20-minute drive away. read more

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I've lived in Hillsborough nearly my entire life. Except for a brief five year stint in Charlotte, but since Panciuto had opened I had wanted to try it. Finally I make it in. It was nearly empty when I arrived, so my mom and I were seated immediately. Our drink orders were taken, I got the Carolina Zip. North Carolina gin, ginger ale with a muddled lemon. I never drink gin but it was local, had to try it. This drink was ridiculously good. Not very boozy, not very sweet a great combination. For an appetizer we ordered the Meat and Cheese plate. Which came with way to much for me to list but I will say the fried goat cheese with fig jam was very nice. My favorite was the potted rabbit, which could be a strong contender for one of the best things I eat this year. Extremely rich, creamy with a bit of light spice. I wanted to eat every last drop of it. We both ended up ordering pasta as our entrees. Turkey ragu and pork bolognese ravioli. Both were outstanding and the pasta was cooked perfectly. I am glad I finally got to eat at Panciuto. I love the rustic feel of the restaurant, yes the prices might be high for some Hillsboroughites but this is in no way a pretentious restaurant. Yes there were many things on the menu that are impossible to pronounce, but none of it was intimidating. The fact that all the ingredients come from within 50 miles is another plus, a true LOCAL restaurant. I can not wait to come back again, it is a restaurant everyone can enjoy. From foodies to well, people who eat. read more

Panciuto - Meat and Cheese plate was amazing. - Southern Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

Dishes approach the table and already their handpainted surfaces impress and throughout the meal remind me that food is as much presentation as it is flavor - not that the beautiful menagerie of colorful ingredients don't decry it themselves. The interior is eclectic, just the balance of vintage and reductionist; cheeky prints on the walls, a taxidermy animal and modern globe chandeliers set a unique mood. A small bar makes the rear of the restaurant cozy, sided by high-tops fit for two interested in doing some people-watching with a cocktail. A long communal table at the restaurant's center poses a great alternative to the intimate doubles at the spaces edges. Beginning our meal with a delectable Negroni, simple but perfect and chilled by a wonderfully huge ice cube, complimentary prosecco tastings, and a very friendly wait staff my fellow diner and I didn't wait, as tables filled, emptied, and over-lingered by a diverse crowd of young and old diners. We decided, pursuing a less expensive meal - light but satisfying - to order small plates and sides as opposed to the somewhat expensive but generous plates. We split the foccacia topped by house ricotta - sweet and just dry enough - runny egg, sided with pork belly and charred greens; an early spring salad of house potato chips, dried fruits and mushrooms with a wonderful creamy dressing; the beef carpaccio soft and marbled with a terrific green aioli and tempura arugula adding unexpected texture to a lush dish. We further enjoyed the smoked, grilled carrots with a pea tendril 'pesto.' The farm to table concept has been taken for granted at many upscale restaurants in the past years and Panciuto is a pricier option but the experience is superb. For a full meal one could spend less and many direct to table and comparably eccentric restaurants exist - and in the best ways and styles - but this restaurant puts an emphasis on the technique and cuisine, less so the origins and airs, which I appreciate. read more

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Panciuto is fantastic. One of our favorite restaurants in the area (very comparable quality to Lantern and Vin Rouge). Sign up for the email newsletter to hear about upcoming special events. The best bargains are on Wednesdays and Thursdays where you can get small plates from $8. We went in June 2011 (yes, I'm way behind), and it was one of our favorite meals of the year. I had the Pork Bolognese (thick, handmade spaghetti with a savory pork ragu), which was very memorable. My wife had a scallop dish that was also exceptional. We will be back. read more

I've been to Panciuto several times. The first two times were 5 stars and then it has slowly dwindled down to 3 stars. I love the farm to table dining experience and knowing that the food is local makes the prices worth it. The plating is beautiful when your food arrives and smells wonderful. The ambiance is romantic and the noise level is quiet. So why not 5 stars? Not each food experience has been divine. My expectations for this restaurant is high, so it can be hit or miss with the entrees. Last night I had the asiago ravioli and it just ended up being a mess of oil on the plate. The husband had the butternut squash ravioli and that was fantastic. It has perfectly cooked pumpkin seed and the greens on his dish went very well with the ravioli. So, for my expectations and the difference in both entrees one being a hit and the other being a miss, plus the prices... a-ok. read more

This place is amazing. My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Friday night and did not have to wait at all. We loved the atmosphere because while it is a fancy place, it doesn't feel "stiff" at all - there is great music playing and it's very relaxed. The food is out of this world. Definitely one of the top 3 meals I have ever had. We got the bread appetizer - how they made bread and butter taste so good I really don't know. We also got the carpaccio, the pork shoulder pasta, and the ribeye. Everything was delicious. My favorite was the pasta but it really was all incredible. We also got a glass of wine and the carrot juice cocktail, which were both great! The service was also great. The timing was perfect and our waitress (whose name I regretfully forget) was extremely attentive and friendly. Although this place is more expensive than where we typically dine, it is not overpriced at all for the quality you receive. I look forward to being able to afford to come back here! This is definitely a place you need to check out! Thanks for a wonderful evening. read more

Enjoyed an anniversary dinner there and everything was fantastic- Bread plate, yes. Meat and cheese board, double-yes. All the pasta, yes yes yes. Lauren was our server, and she did a great job of making us feel welcome and taken care of. Can't wait to come back! If you like agave spirits, beware! They only carried one tequila (Lunazul Repo) and no mezcal. Get a bottle of El Tesoro and a bottle of Vago Espadín and I'll be there every week! read more

Good Italian with local flair! We went there for dinner last Saturday night. The service was excellent and really made for a great experience. The menu is small but broad enough that I think everyone can find something that they like. We split the farmer's salad (which was definitely big enough for two). I had the shrimp pasta and my wife had a pasta dish with sausage. Both were tasty. I'm a big fan of the 'farm-to'fork' movement so I really appreciated the little card they left on the table telling me which ingredients were sourced from the local farms. Great fresh ingredients with well thought out preparation. Will definitely be back. PS - Ditch the Xmas lights, it's killing the ambience in the restaurant. read more

Wow, Panciuto was fabulous! I had the roasted pork loin carpaccio with arugula, figs, goat cheese and a fig vinaigrette for a first and it was very tasty. For the entree I had the seared red grouper with roasted corn risotto, fried onions, little tomatoes and basil aioli. It was exquisite! My date had the Pea and mascarpone fille tortellini in garlic butter wiht fried duck egg, breadcrumbs, pea shoots and sweet rose' syrup and she loved it as well! It was our first time there and a 46 mile drive but well worth the traip and will be going back! read more

Extremely limited menu. Would have liked to see more vegetables. Pricey for an entree without sides or bread and extremely noisy. My daughter took me for Mother's Day and I couldn't let her pay for the entire bill. We split it and it was $52 each before tip. We did have a bottle of wine which added to it, but the noisy atmosphere will prohibit me from returning. read more

I am really surprised to see the high accolades given by reviewers. Pros: Cocktail, Service, Dessert Cons: Food I went here for my birthday which is in the middle of January. So, keeping with the local focus I understand that supplies of fruits and veggies might be limited. We started with a cheese plate. It was really a travesty. All the cheese were the exact same texture and drowning in various jams that were applied directly to the cheese. It's really a travesty because there are an abundance of really fantastic local cheese makers and that was not represented in this cheese plate. One cheese had a grapefruit jam that completely over powered the cheese. The bread on the cheese plate was tasty, but slathered in olive oil that also overpowered the cheese. I would not order this again. For dinner, I had a difficult time deciding. My choices were pork, chicken livers, pork, mackerel, pork, and pumpkin mezza luna. Guess what, I wasn't in the mood for pork. I went with the pumpkin mezza luna. Oh, this looked beautiful and I wanted it to taste beautiful. It would have, but for the salt and the pasta. I like a well seasoned entree, but it became unbearable and I could not finish. Half of my pasta was tender/al dente, the other half was either under-cooked or just tough. The pepitas were a nice touch, as were the crushed macaroons. The chard was very good and not bitter. Since the dish was already salty the addition of cheese made it even more so. I should note that my p.i.c. ordered the pork shank and it was very tasty and not too salty, but the accompanying risotto was on the salty side. I definitely got the impression that they have a set group of local suppliers that they are comfortable with and they could possibly benefit from trying some of (the plentiful) new local suppliers, especially with the cheese. Now, let's end on the high notes. Killer Whiskey Sour! Nice balance and made with simple syrup and lime juice with fancy preserved cherries. Yum! Next, dessert. We ordered both because why not. The chocolate polenta cake was, well, it was gone. I ate it all with the help of my p.i.c. It was bittersweet and warm and covered in ganache with ice cream and peanut brittle. The texture was great and different. The other dessert was Bonet custard. Also, yum, but sweeter than the polenta cake. This one was served cold and tasted completely different from the other dessert. It was a nice that they were wildly different. The custard had great texture and flavor (lots of cinnamon). The service was exceptional. The time between the cheese plate (our starter) and the entrees was good. (I hate it when they come out back to back.) Our server was friendly and just chatty enough.The hostess was friendly. She promptly greeted and seated us and said farewell when we left. Also, the bathroom was spotless. I would give it another try, but I am not rushing back. read more