Recently, Jessica and I have been to the N&O Restaurant of 2011 (Bella Mia) and one of the six gold star restaurants (Fearrington House)...
Bella Mia
Serving coal-fired pizzas with fresh authentic ingredients, Bella Mia stood out for excelling with simple dishes impeccably prepared. To start, we had their crostini and wings, both of which far exceeded expectations. The crostini were a combination of hot and cold, crispy and creamy. The wings fell off the bone and were accompanied by fantastic caramelized onions and bread. The pizza I had, a simple margherita, had a crust that was somehow crisp AND chewy with creamy fresh mozzarella and flavorful tomato sauce. While it seemed a stretch for Restaurant of the Year, I think it set the bar for gourmet "fine dining" pizzas.
Fearrington House
No superlatives can really match the experience of eating here, from the knowledgable, helpful service (always a step ahead but not pushy or intrusive) to the various "tastes" given from off the menu to the perfectly prepared four course meal, ranging from roasted duck to bacon and truffle sausage to venison loin. The highlight may have been the porcini gnocchi served with the sausage; a combination of flavor and texture I've never come close to experiencing before! There isn't a single restaurant in Raleigh I'd put above the Fearrington House for a special meal (can be cost prohibitive at $80 for four courses when no specials are offered), particularly for someone who values the highest quality of food and service without care for gluttonous portions!
I'd also like to add that the Hot Chocolate Soufflé with Hot Chocolate Sauce and Whipped Cream at the Fearrington House is phenomenal! And the cookie tray after dessert (that's right...there's more dessert after the dessert course) was delicious. An unexpected but nice treat! I definitely didn't leave hungry!
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