A family-friendly Italian restaurant, Bella Monica is great for those who want to enjoy a hearty Italian meal in casual environs. The artwork adorned walls, peppy music and fine Italian wines sets the mood for a pleasant dining experience. The simple, homestyle food follows traditional recipes and is a delight to the taste buds. Shrimp Napoli, Pomodoro Bruschetta and Portobello & Sundried Tomato Lasagne are just some of the decadent delicacies on offer. Besides the array of Italian delicacies,flatbread and pizzas, the restaurant also serves up great gluten-free fare. While you are eating the great food, don’t forget to save room for one of the desserts. The Cannoli and Affogato are particularly delicious. A separate kid’s menu and smaller portions for children are also provided. If you are craving good ol’ Italian food, a meal at Bella Monica won’t disappoint.
Capital Club 16 pays homage to the old and new. The restaurant serves American food with European influences and is housed inside a registered historic building in downtown Raleigh. Interiors here are a salvage house of reclaimed wood and tile taken from New York restaurants, Neuse River docks, and North Carolina mills. Classic dishes with the foresight of seasonal and locally-grown ingredients fill the menu. Capital Club 16 is a fine choice for a relaxed but refined dinner, and also has a full-service bar and serves lunch and brunch.
Vinos Finos is a departure from run-of-the-mill drinking and dining experiences. Located inside European-themed Lafayette Village, the wine bar is designed to sample tapas-style dishes and world-class wines. The staff here is more than happy to help with wine selection and pairings. Dark woods, leather furniture, and warm colors make the interiors feel like an old-world wine shop. Vinos Finos encourages patrons to converse, and the intimate, colorful setting is doubly suited for first dates or casual business meetings.
Alley Twenty Six is sophisticated cocktail and wine bar serving charcuterie and small plates in stylish surroundings. Locals come to the bar for the relaxing, dimly-lit atmosphere, classic cocktails, and nicely curated wine list. Attention to detail and flavor sets Ally Twenty Six apart from other contemporary cocktail bars. The team here creates one of a kind homemade syrups and tonics: think zesty cinchona bark and lemongrass syrup. The bar, which faces East Chapel Street, has a little outdoor seating on 26 Alley, from which it takes its name.
This charming little establishment doubles as a wine bar and cafe. Serving up delicious small plates and vino from around the world, Poppyseed Market is an upscale, yet casual eatery in Raleigh. Find scrumptious eats like grilled bourbon shrimp skewers or their blackened fish tacos. Gourmet pizzas, hot and cold deli sandwiches, salads and even a kids menu offer a delightful array of choices. Wine pairings are often suggested by the knowledgeable staff and private wine and cheese tastings happen throughout the month.
Take your favorite bottle home or simply sit in and enjoy it there itself! Beer Study is a beer shop and bar that offers a slew of delicious craft and bottled brews and 18 tap beers. They offer a beautifully laid out patio area for airy summer drinking. Since its inception in November 2012, the Beer Study has been attracting several locals as well as visitors. Challenge your friends to a game of Foosball or play other board games available. Beer Study is excellent for casual hangouts.