Greg Cox's Hot List: Brunch bets

With Mother's Day and college graduations just around the corner, it's a perfect storm of a brunch season for area restaurants. Here are some spots where you can weather the storm in style.

Cantina 18
433 Daniels St., Raleigh
835-9911
 www.cantina18.com
Capital Club 16
16 W. Martin St., Raleigh
747-9345
www.capitalclub16.com
Carolina Crossroads
The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill
962-8519
www.carolinainn.com
Fairview
The Washington Duke Inn, 3001 Cameron Boulevard, Durham
490-0999
www.washingtondukeinn.com

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Note: I've combined Greg's list of patio dining options that ran last Wednesday and today.

Greg Cox’s Hot List: Patio Dining

Blu Seafood & Bar
2002 Hillsborough Road, Durham
286-9777
www.bluseafoodandbar.com
Busy Bee Cafe
225 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
424-7817
www.busybeeraleigh.com
Daniel’s
1430 N.C. 55, Apex

303-1006
www.danielson55.net
Dos Taquitos
5629 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh
787-3373
www.dostaquitosnc.com
Foster’s Market
2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham; 750 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill
489-3944 (Durham); 967-3663 (Chapel Hill)
www.fostersmarket.com
GlassHalFull
106 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro
967-9784
www.glasshalfullcarrboro.com

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Greg Cox's Hot List: Seafood Savor
Beach outings are still a few weeks away for most of us, but there's no reason we should have to wait for a taste of the shore.
Backfins Crabhouse
110 S. White St., Wake Forest
562-8500
www.backfinscrabhouse.com
Blu Seafood & Bar
2002 Hillsborough Road, Durham
286-9777
www.bluseafoodandbar.com
Bruno
11211 Galleria Ave., Raleigh
435-6640
www.brunoraleigh.com
Fishmonger's
806 W. Main St., Durham
682-0128
 http://fishmongers.net
42nd Street Oyster Bar
508 W. Jones St., Raleigh
831-2811
www.42ndstoysterbar.com
Knightdale Seafood & BBQ
706 Money Court, Knightdale
266-4447
www.knightdaleseafoodandbbq.com
McCormick & Schmick's
4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
881-7848
www.mccormickandschmicks.com

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Greg Cox's Hot List: Primo Italiano

In the mood for Italian? Of course you are. With a cuisine whose possibilities cover a broad spectrum from pizza to veal Marsala to fresh tagliatelle with butter beans, prosciutto, truffle butter and parmesan, how could you not be?

Bella Mia
2025 Renaissance Park Place, Cary
677-3999
www.bellamiacoalfire.com
Bella Monica
3121-103 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh
881-9778
www.bellamonica.com
Bruno
11211 Galleria Ave., Raleigh
435-6640
www.brunoraleigh.com
Café Tiramisu
6196-120 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
981-0305
http://cafetiramisu.net
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Greg Cox's Hot List: Munch Madness

Now that the NCAA men's basketball tournament is in full swing, it's time to consider where you'll catch the action. If your idea of March Madness bliss is a big plate of wings and a Bud Light, there are plenty of sports pubs in the area to choose from. But if you're looking for something a little more ambitious, check out these options.

Backyard Bistro
1235 Hurricane Alley Way, Raleigh
851-6203
www.backyardbistro.com
The Corner Tavern & Grill
1301 NW Maynard Road, Cary
460-7151
www.gositinthecorner.com
Crabtree Tavern
5300 Homewood Banks Drive, Raleigh
532-7100
www.crabtreetavern.com
Dain's Place
754 Ninth St., Durham
416-8800
www.dainsplace.com

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Sure, 'tis is that time of year again. Saint Patrick's Day is tomorrow, and I'm thinking you'll be seeking a place to hoist a pint of Guinness.

Ballymor
909 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh
872-2674
www.ballymoririshpub.com
Bull McCabe's Irish Pub
427 W. Main St., Durham
682-3061
www.bullmccabesirishpub.com
Connolly's
1979 High House Road, Cary
465-4458
www.connollysirish.com
The Hibernian
311 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh; 1144 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary
833-2258 (Raleigh); 467-9000 (Cary)
www.hibernianpub.com

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Tapas, mezze, wine bar nibbles -- whatever you call them, you'll find big flavors on small plates at these area restaurants.

Frazier's
2418 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
828-6699
www.frazierswinebar.com
GlassHalFull
106 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro
967-9784
www.glasshalfullcarrboro.com
Humble Pie
317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh
829-9222
www.humblepierestaurant.com
The Red Room
510 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
835-1322
www.redroomraleigh.com

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Mardi Gras is officially next Tuesday, but there's no reason the good times can't start rolling this weekend with the Cajun and Creole fare at these restaurants.

Beyu Caffe
335 W. Main St., Durham
683-1058
www.beyucaffe.com

The Big Easy
222 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
832-6082
www.thebigeasync.com

Chef's Palette
3460 Ten Ten Road, Cary
26706011
www.chefspaletterestaurantandbar.com

Papa Mojo's Roadhouse
5410-Y Hwy. 55, Durham
361-2222
www.papamojosroadhouse.com

Rey's
1130 Buck Jones Rd., Raleigh
380-0122
www.reysrestaurant.com

Tony's Oyster Bar
107-129 Edinburgh Drive South, Cary
462-6226
http://tonysoysterbar.com

Zydeco Downtown
208 Wolfe St., Raleigh
834-7987
www.zydecodowntown.com

If you've lived here long enough, you know those recent spring-like temperatures are just a tease. Here are a few restaurants whose tropical flavors will tide you over until the real short sleeve season arrives.

(Note: Did you know that Greg Cox is on Twitter, check him out: @ggcox)

Café Capistrano
8471 Garvey Drive, Raleigh; 2250 Gathering Park Circle, Cary
872-1127 (Raleigh); 467-2320 (Cary)
www.cafecapistrano.com
Cuisine: Cal-Mex

Dos Taquitos Centro
106 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
835-3593
www.dostaquitoscentro.com
Cuisine: Mexican

Havana Grill
404 W. Chatham St., Cary
460-8662
http://thehavanagrill.com
Cuisine: Cuban

Lotus Leaf Cafe
969 N. Harrison Ave., Cary
465-0750
http://lotusleafcafe.com
Cuisine: Vietnamese

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We've still got a couple of "R" months left on the calendar, when oysters are said to be at their peak. Let the slurping commence.

42nd Street Oyster Bar
508 W. Jones St., Raleigh
831-2811
www.42ndstoysterbar.com
Backfins Crabhouse
110 S. White St., Wake Forest
562-8500
www.backfinscrabhouse.com
Bruno
11211 Galleria Ave., Raleigh
435-6640
www.brunoraleigh.com
Blu Seafood & Bar
2002 Hillsborough Road, Durham
286-9777
http://bluseafoodandbar.com
 

Click READ MORE for the entire list.