Sorry this is not 8 related, but I can't think of a better place to post this than here...

I'm going to be in Raleigh for 5 days next week for work, and I am going to need something to do in the evenings- any suggestions on good places to eat/amuse myself? Carolina BBQ (the vinegar based kind, not tomato) suggestions especially welcome! I've got family in Cary, but they are going to be busy most of the time, and I really don't want to be sitting in my hotel room every night all night. I'll be staying near Crabtree Mall, if that makes any difference.

 

Actually, I've been disappointed with the BBQ "scene" since moving here from central NC. You might want to try Cooper's, in downtown Raleigh. Also in downtown is Exploris. It is much like the science center in Richmond, including an IMAX theatre. They are currently showing the remastered Apollo 13.

Crabtree Mall is on Glenwood Ave. There are many places to eat, in either direction. Towards the airport is the Angus Barn, a relatively famous steak house. In the opposite direction, there are several restaurant/night club spots, like Bogarts, Hi5, etc.

Enjoy.

 

I saw that there was an IMAX- I think I'll probably be heading that direction one night. I also found a gym that looks like it'll let me make use of it for a few days.

Thanks for all the suggestions- I'll definitely go hunting for Coopers too.

 

I'm not from Raleigh, but there is a super steak restaurant if you like steak and / or wine - their menu is 98% wine list and 2 or 3 pages of steaks - I'm working on extracting the name from my brain... something House or Haus... in a 'converted' barn building (quite a built up barn to be sure) - Angus Haus is what comes to mind!

 

The Angus Barn. You can take Glenwood Ave (70) west (from Crabtree Valley) until the RDU airport and it will be on your left! :D

Dean

 

The Angus Barn and Bogarts are both good suggestions. I'd also recommend 42nd Street Oyster Bar downtown. All of these places are kinda pricy though.

As for BBQ, I haven't really been impressed with the BBQ here, though there is little place in Chapel Hill off of 15-501 called the BBQ Joint that's pretty good.

If you want really good vinegar based BBQ, head east to the Wilson, Rocky Mount, Greenville area.

 

Yeah, on family trips we used to drive out to Rocky Mount to those little hole-in-the wall BBQ places and stuff ourselves. I don't know if I'll have the time since I'll be working from 10 am to 6pm every day pretty much.

But I'll go for the Angus Barn and Bogarts as well- I only get reimbursed for $33 a day, but I can spend a bit of my own money for some good food.

 

Angus Barn is tasty! Go earlier than your rez and enjoy free olives, cheese, crackers, etc upstairs in the lounge, but save room for your steak!