Foodie suggestions for a moderate splurge meal in Durham or DC?

November 7, 2014 6:17 PM

I'd like to buy a gift card for a foodie in my life for either Durham, NC or Washington D.C. My foodie is a passionate advocate of the slow food movement (and is an active part of slow food in his home city). Any recommendations?

He's pretty eclectic in his tastes but that is a staple (as are locavore tendencies). I'd like to get him and his partner a gift card for a moderate splurge meal (~$100-150) in either Durham NC or Washington D.C. They're not into restaurants that are recommended because they are "must-see" or "cultural establishments", it is all about the food. Any tips?

posted by arnicae to Travel & Transportation around Washington, DC (9 answers total)

In Durham, Mateo is excellent. Piedmont is super locavore-focused, though I hear mixed things about the food (I've never had anything bad there, but I am not always the best judge). One over in Chapel Hill (very, very close to Durham) is getting a lot of talk right now--it has big name chefs.

I'll keep thinking and come back if anything else comes to mind.
posted by hought20 at 6:32 PM on November 7, 2014

The place I always go in Durham is Dame's Chicken and Waffles. I don't know if it's "foodie" enough, but I'm damn sure glad it's a four-hour drive away or I'd weigh one thousand pounds.
posted by rikschell at 6:42 PM on November 7, 2014

Rose's Luxury in DC has been winning applause (perhaps it's too close to being a must-see?) and I think it would work within close to that budget. The menu changes frequently.
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:58 PM on November 7, 2014

In Durham, there's also Watts Grocery, a locavore test-kitchen kind of setup with a fixed, seasonal menu. There's also Panciuto in the neighboring town of Hillsborough. Don't know about the quality, but it's definitely locavore in orientation and has recently partnered with the local Slow Food chapter.
posted by kewb at 7:04 PM on November 7, 2014

Yamazushi is what you want. It's incredible to think there's a locavore Japanese kaisecki restaurant in Durham, but there is. Also the chef makes pottery and made all the dishes, tea sets, etc. used there. It won't be around much longer - the couple who run it are doing it as a personal dream project and will retire soon.

Make sure you read and follow the rules given on the web site. Reserve well in advance; it has few tables and all parts of the meal are planned for you based on what's in season locally. Also they have several different kinds of green tea and saki.
posted by amtho at 7:32 PM on November 7, 2014 [4 favorites]

Yamazushi is amazing. Heartily seconded. They are extremely professional and take great pains with every aspect of preparation and presentation. They'll even do vegan or macrobiotic tasting menus upon request.
posted by something something at 8:11 PM on November 7, 2014

Best answer: absolutely rose's luxury if they haven't been already. it's by far the place to go for food in DC right now - there are lines to get in and everything. it was also recently named the best new restaurant in America by bon appetit (I think?). the food is inventive and fun and delicious.

AND they have a handy gift card link on their website so you don't even have to call and talk to a real person.
posted by kerning at 7:51 AM on November 8, 2014

If they live in Durham and are not averse to travelling a bit for an experience, then I suggest a trip to Kinston for Chef and the Farmer.
posted by NoMich at 7:10 PM on November 8, 2014

Chef and the Farmer also have their own PBS TV show.
posted by NoMich at 7:12 PM on November 8, 2014