Randy's Pizza in Morrisville

In my recent "Best of" post, I inexplicably left off a pizza contender that matches Sami's in quality, taste, and NYC authenticity.  Randy's Pizza, located mostly in the RTP / Durham area, is absolutely amazing.  The two locations I've frequented most (off McCrimmon Parkway and on South Miami Boulevard) seem to deal mostly with the RTP lunch crowd, but it's always worth the wait for their offerings.

The restaurant itself is very typical NYC... you walk in to a group of basic tables scattered around and make your way up to the counter, which stretches across the length of the ovens to the cash register.  After waiting in line for your turn (which can sometimes be 10-15 minutes just to order), you have the choice of standard pizza styles and toppings; I always choose either the cheese or pepperoni for simplicity because they still pack so much flavor in the basic varieties.  They take your name and call you when the pizza is ready.

The time spent waiting for your order is agonizing, as others around you are getting their orders filled and you are forced to deal with the visuals and smells of the best pies in the area.  The slices are HUGE; while thinner, they certainly cover more area than even Sbarro and two slices (as pictured above) wouldn't fit in a standard pizza box.  Randy's stocks all of the typical accompaniments also; oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic salt, and Parmesan cheese are in shakers at the counter.

When your time finally comes, you are greeted with a bubbly cheese, perfectly cooked to be just browned.  They don't overdo the cheese as some places do, instead giving you the perfect proportion of cheese, sauce, toppings, and crust that is thin and chewy with a bit of crispness just at the edge from sitting in the over.  As you eat your slices, you aren't overwhelmed by too heavy of a piece; instead, the thin crust and toppings work perfectly to be filling without seeming dense.  The sauce and cheese combination is enough for me; I normally ignore toppings to savor perfection of the basic pizza pie.

If you find yourself in RTP for lunch, I strongly suggest you find one of the Randy's chains and sample what I consider to be the best pizza around.  The atmosphere and pizza perfection match what you'd get at the best places NYC has to offer!

Cypress on the Hill in Chapel Hill

Jessica and I had the chance to take advantage of a Groupon offer and try Cypress on the Hill while staying in downtown Chapel Hill at the amazing Franklin Hotel for a fantastic date night!  Before I get to the restaurant, though, I'd just like to try to explain the impeccable service, ambiance, and amenities at the Franklin Hotel. 

Franklin Hotel Atrium

Upon our arrival, we were met by a bellhop who took our bags and gave us a quick tour of the hotel.  He brought us to the front desk, where we were given, in addition to our room and gift certificate to Cypress on the Hill, a coupon for two drinks and a cheese tray at their hotel bar as well as being told that we got a free bottle of champagne delivered to our room!  With these added treats (as well as homemade chocolate chip cookies), we found our room where the bellhop showed us the various features, most notably the sound system piped through the room that was controlled by a remote.  The room itself was great too; a king-sized bed with a nice couch and flat panel television along with a glass showed and spacious bathroom.  In all my life, I've stayed in few hotel rooms as nice.

We made our way to the bar for our complimentary cheese tray and were greeted by a personable bartender and a bar with leather furniture and a very upscale feel.  The tray, which included several cheeses as well as fresh fruit and crackers, was a perfect start to our night.  We enjoyed an extra drink at the bar before heading to the restaurant across the street.

Cypress on the Hill is a small restaurant with an open kitchen for the guests.  The atmosphere is elegant without being stuffy, and perfect for a date night.  The ages of the diners ranged from college-aged to middle aged adults, but no one was out of place.  Our server, Warren I believe, was excellent throughout the night, offering opinions and recommendations without overstepping his place.  We were pleased all night with the service from the whole staff.


Crispy Calamari

For appetizer, I had the crispy calamari; it was served with a napa slaw and lemongrass vinaigrette.  While I'm not normally big on vegetables, I really liked the assortment with this dish.  Each bite containing calamari as well as various aspects of the slaw was crunchy and spicy, with a bit of sweetness as well.  In particular, I thought they did a good job with spice; too frequently, restaurants seem conservative or afraid to make a spicy dish and that was not the case here.  I wasn't totally blown away by the dish (the crab cake and fried green tomato sandwich may be better to order if I went back), but the flavor combination was original and successful, so I was happy.

I went with the house specialty for my entree; the spicy fried whole snapper.  Our waiter gave a strong recommendation and I was not disappointed.  The dish was perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful without any fishy taste (surprising when the skin is kept on).  In preparation, the cook scores the fish diagonally which allows for easy eating.  The spice of the dish was pronounced in a similar way to my appetizer; my only tweak would be a sweet component to the sauce to pair well with the heat.  The side dish, soba noodles with tomatoes, was good but I barely ate any with my focus on the monstrous fish!  This was my first real experience attacking a whole fish and I was really impressed with the flavor, the method of preparation, and the overall experience in eating it (Jessica had the grouper, which looked fantastic and was nowhere to be found on her plate at the end of the meal!).



Spicy Whole Fish



After our dinner, we walked down Franklin Street before returning to the hotel.  Upon our return, we found the bed covered in red rose petals in the shape of a heart, an amazing touch from the hotel staff that continued to amaze and impress us throughout our stay!  It was the perfect end to the perfect date night for Jessica and me.

I was impressed by Cypress on the Hill; they seem to be doing food slightly different than other fine dining places in the Triangle and I give them credit.  The whole fish was certainly the main attraction, and for good reason, but everything I tried really was good.  I wouldn't go so far as to put Cypress on the Hill in the class with Nana's, Magnolia Grill, and Second Empire, but if you want a fun date night with the chance to try new and exciting food, it's a great place.  Couple it with the Franklin Hotel and you have the chance for a wonderful "one-night vacation" with someone special, experiencing all Chapel Hill has to offer!

Best of the Triangle

For the past six and a half years, I've spent my time experiencing all that the Triangle has to offer in food, from fine dining to barbecue to pizza.  More recently, Jessica and I have taken the N&O list of best Triangle restaurants and used it as our own eating guide.  With only a few more places remaining, I thought I'd put together my "Best of the Triangle" list for those looking to experience the best this area has to offer.

Best Asian - An (http://www.ancuisines.com/) - An offers a variety of all Asian cuisines, from Japanese to Chinese to Vietnamese and many more.  In our two trips there, Jessica and I have been impressed with the variety and execution (amazing sushi, several preparations of duck, and fantastic seafood dishes) and always leave looking forward to the next trip. 

Best Steakhouse - None - My experiences at the two most notable steakhouses, Angus Barn and Sullivan's, have been mixed at best and while decent, not worth promoting on my "Best of" list.  Instead, I prefer both the ambiance and food at either Ruth's Chris or Fleming's, both chains across the country.

Best Sushi - Sono (http://www.sonoraleigh.com/) - Sono constantly delivers top-notch sushi in a trendy downtown bar / restaurant that is always filled with patrons.  Their huge variety of specialty sushi rolls gives Sono the edge over An, which makes sushi on par but with fewer choices.  My favorites are the Special O and Snap Dragon, but you truly cannot go wrong.

Best Seafood - 18 Seaboard (http://18seaboard.com/) - In my opinion, the seafood category is fairly sparse with few strong choices.  However, 18 Seaboard really does deliver quality seafood in basic preparations that highlight the flavors of the fish and sauces.  I recommend the tuna and haven't had a bad side dish so choose the ones that sound best to you.  Also, the fried green tomatoes to start may be the best in the area.

Best BBQ - The Pit (http://www.thepit-raleigh.com/) - This may be the most controversial selection on the list, as many prefer smaller hole-in-the-wall places to the Pit.  I, however, find that their barbecue is top notch while the trendy atmosphere and decor puts it over the edge.  The brisket and chopped pork cannot be matched anywhere I've been, and the mashed potatoes, fresh-cut fries, and mac and cheese all stand out as side choices.  Take advantage of the pit-smoked wings for appetizer, which have a strong smokey flavor that is unique to the restaurant.

Best Mexican - Mez (http://www.mezdurham.com/) - Mez is not a typical Mexican restaurant; they serve some traditional dishes but also twist Mexican flair into American classics for a truly original taste (including their ribs and brisket).  The highlight of a meal here, though, is the corn soup, which has fantastic flavor and texture that cannot be properly described nor experienced any way other than first-hand.  For more traditional "fast" Mexican, I'd recommend Festejos (http://www.festejosbarandgrill.com/) in Clayton.

Best Italian - Vivace (http://www.vivaceraleigh.com/) - Probably my toughest call, Vivace narrowly edges Il Palio (http://www.sienahotel.com/IlPalio.aspx) in its more approachable (read: cheaper) menu.  Both offer classic Italian dishes, although Il Palio pushes the creativity a bit more.  Still, Vivace delivers time and again with freshly made pastas, pizzas, and entrees that showcase amazing ingredients and flavors.  Their meat and cheese platter is a perfect way to start the meal.

Best Pizza - Sami's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/samis-selma) - Sami's, located in Selma, NC, makes New York style pizza like no other place in the area.  It is located as part of a gas station and has authentic New Yorkers cooking pizzas and subs to order.  For more contemporary "high class" pizza, try Bella Mia (http://www.bellamiacoalfire.com/) for the freshest ingredients and most original combinations.

Best Date Place - Revolution (http://www.revolutionrestaurant.com/) - Probably the most "NYC" place in the Triangle, Revolution is a trendy, modern restaurant with a great mix of classic and new-age food.  Their bar is a good place to start the date, while their small tables will make the night feel special.  On our trip, I had the monkfish special, which is probably the best seafood dish I've ever had.

Most Romantic Spot - Second Empire (http://www.second-empire.com/) or Fairview Dining Room (http://www.washingtondukeinn.com/Dining/fairview.asp) - The service, food, and ambiance of both add such an elegant quality to a date night.  Both offer intimate-feeling tables to truly enjoy the time and meal with whomever you may bring.

Best for Groups - 42nd Street Oyster Bar (http://www.42ndstoysterbar.com/) - Terrific for groups with a festive atmosphere, live music, and variety of food, the 42nd Street Oyster Bar is rightly popular for birthdays, work gatherings, and any other get-together with friends and family.

And now for the overall winner...

Best Restaurant - Fearrington House (http://www.fearrington.com/house/restaurant.asp) - I reviewed the Fearrington House once before (Fearrington House Review) but cannot overstate the perfection in every detail at the restaurant.  The server was spot on with recommendations and wine suggestions, the food itself was creative, fresh, and uniquely flavored, and the overall ambiance and feel of the restaurant made Jessica and I feel like royalty.  Without personally experiencing a meal here, you cannot exactly know what it is, so I implore you to make the next special occasion a reason to try the Fearrington House.

Others worthy of consideration in the "Best Restaurant" category - Second Empire, Fairview Dining Room, Heron's, Nana's, Magnolia Grill, J. Betski's, Revolution