Trip to Raleigh, NC

[tanstaafl2]

Heading to Raleigh, NC for a few days if nothing changes at the moment. Likely won't have a lot of free time but you never know. As I recall NC is a state control state so don't have much expectation about liquor stores.

But I would welcome any suggestions for restaurants or bars, especially near downtown, that might have a decent whiskey selection or cocktail program at reasonable prices.

I know the second part of that can be challenging!

[BigRich]

Sorry Bruce but my only time there was for work with a large group and I was forced to eat at The Cheesecake Factory.

[tanstaafl2]

Sorry Bruce but my only time there was for work with a large group and I was forced to eat at The Cheesecake Factory.

That is indeed scary! Only leads I have so far are mostly for the food (42nd Street, Angus Barn, Mo's, Second Empire) or for the view of the sunset in the case of the Boylan Bridge Brew Pub.

[VAGentleman]

I'll second Angus Barn. They have a decent whiskey selection (including WT Tradition last time I was there) and incredible food. One of the best wince cellars in the country if you like wine.

[warrenjl1]

I'm from NC and my fiance is from Raleigh. Ashley Christensen is kind of the chef de rigueur right now. She owns Poole's Diner, which is a really great spot. She's got a few other more reasonably priced restaurants downtown as well as Fox Liquor Bar. That's a really cool spot for quality cocktails, though I think they are still really only beginning to introduce Raleigh to cocktails. Most things on the menu are very traditional drinks. I've also got friends that tell me the bar called Foundation has a pretty excellent cocktail list. It's more of a beer town. Angus Barn is good too, but a little more traditional.

[tanstaafl2]

I'm from NC and my fiance is from Raleigh. Ashley Christensen is kind of the chef de rigueur right now. She owns Poole's Diner, which is a really great spot. She's got a few other more reasonably priced restaurants downtown as well as Fox Liquor Bar. That's a really cool spot for quality cocktails, though I think they are still really only beginning to introduce Raleigh to cocktails. Most things on the menu are very traditional drinks. I've also got friends that tell me the bar called Foundation has a pretty excellent cocktail list. It's more of a beer town. Angus Barn is good too, but a little more traditional.

Thanks! I welcome any and all suggestions as I know very little about Raleigh.

[Enoch]

The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill has a great bourbon selection. Not too far a drive if you have access to a car.

[tanstaafl2]

The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill has a great bourbon selection. Not too far a drive if you have access to a car.

Indeed I do. Time may be the more limiting factor but I will keep it in mind!

[DaveOfAtl]

You gotta do Poole's Diner. Ashley Christensen just won the James Beard award for best chef Southeast. Supposed to be awesome.

[Kodiak]

Foundation has best bourbon selection around here.

[tanstaafl2]

You gotta do Poole's Diner. Ashley Christensen just won the James Beard award for best chef Southeast. Supposed to be awesome.

Would love to. The no reservations kind of places can be a bit frustrating though. Might still give it a try.

Foundation has best bourbon selection around here.

Will add it to the list of places to try if I get the chance!

[Swan]

Foundation has best bourbon selection around here.

Foundation definitely has the largest bourbon selection downtown, though prices are a little high for the area. Get there early if possible, as this place is pretty small and tends to fill up quickly when the weather is nice.

[tanstaafl2]

Foundation definitely has the largest bourbon selection downtown, though prices are a little high for the area. Get there early if possible, as this place is pretty small and tends to fill up quickly when the weather is nice.

Will try to work it in if time permits!

[tarheel]

You guessed correctly - the ABC board makes our store selections very vanilla. We do have a pretty decent selection of middle-low shelf stuff though.

I would visit WHISKEY in Durham. Pretty reasonable prices actually, and an awesome selection. You can check out what they offer via their website. That's the go-to place around here for a celebratory drink.

[TunnelTiger]

I didn't think residents of Chapel Hill were allowed in Durham after dark?

[tanstaafl2]

Too many commitments in the evening kept me from being what I wanted to do. Oh well, at least I did make it to Poole's Diner for dinner.

[DaveOfAtl]

How was it Bruce?

[tanstaafl2]

How was it Bruce?

Our party of three enjoyed it. Place is an old diner and looks like a hole in the wall but the food was good. Nothing was really overwhelming but then I have rarely been knocked off my feet by a dinner. A lemon curd(?) ice cream dessert was quite good but I don't know if it is home made. I just assumed it was. They don't take reservations and the place fills up quick and has very few tables (14 maybe?) so it can get crowded fast. Get there early!

The chef/owner wasn't there that night so the sous chef was in charge. I am not quite sure what to make of that or if it made a bit of difference.