raleightransplant

Bummer for RDU. Yeah, I used to live in Columbus. It's sort of the oasis in an otherwise dying state. Columbus itself is pretty damn vibrant and constantly growing. Pretty similar to the Triangle actually.

^^ Agreed. Great to see the progress, and I see this place doing really well. Between the view, an urban neighborhood nearby, and a brewery being downtown again--this one should be a home run! I definitely plan to check this place out on warm summer nights. I also plan to check out this chocalate place in Glenwood South tonight. Very exciting times for our burgeoning city!

I would love to see some great Indian and other ethnic restaurants right in DT Raleigh. I love that Neomonde, or an upscale restaurant along those lines is opening up on Hargett. Honestly, Cary gets a bad rap (and rightfully so) around here for obvious reasons---but there are a number of good non-chain restaurants in that town, actually. A lot of good ethnic food there. I believe there's a new Peruvian restaurant near Cary Town Center, a ton of good Indian restaurants, some good Greek and middle eastern places, Cuban, Vietnamese, Thai, etc. The stereotype of Cary being a bland place is right in the sense of place (or lack thereof), but the food isn't lacking in my eyes. P.S. Twisted Noodles in Durham got a mention in Bon Appetit in past month.

DanRNC--good to hear. I definitely want to check that place out. Looks fun. RaleighRob--I saw that this morning about Nana's Chophouse and thought the same thing. I am pumped, however, about this BBQ place. It looks different and will be a nice addition to DT Raleigh. Should be a fun place for food and drink late in to the night. I particularly like how they're going to add lunch service after they get up and running. Raleigh needs that. I guess I thought it was going to go somewhere in the Hargett vicinity, though. Wasn't that the idea originally?

Anyone been to Southern Rail in Carrboro? It's in the old Crazy Mae's spot--supposed be a pretty cool place decor-wise. I've heard mixed reviews on the food.

I haven't flown out of RDU in a little while, but took the chance to check it out a couple of weeks back. It's really taking shape, and it looks fantastic. I enjoyed the video, as you're able to get a bit of an aerial view. This will be something to be proud of.

Wow..wouldn't that be fantastic to have the College World Series here? This is true college area if there ever was one, and the region offers a lot to see for a visitor. REALLY excited about this Minor League Baseball development. This is and should be a real calling card for Durham. Bull Durham is loved by people all over the country, and I have no doubt this would be a success. Durham, to me, really feels like a "baseball town"--it's got all these historic buildings that give it that feel. This would be fantastic.

^^ I like City Market, and I think Edison could work really well with that and compliment it. I've also always thought the Warehouse District could be a possible place where you might see some cool browsing areas pop up. I think you could have the old warehouses along with some modern buildings if development could push west (and I'm not sure it can or will). CAM could really lend itself to that kind of thing, and you have some good establishments like Humble Pie down there already. I like the idea of blending contemporary steel and glass with old brick warehouses. Regardless of where we see retail pop up downtown (and let's hope it does), I would love to see a good mix of avant garde and traditional. Niche places are great and add character, but there needs to be a range there. My dream urban neighborhood--The Pearl in Portland. http://www.portlandneighborhood.com/pearldistrict.html

Yeah--Glenwood is quite the hopping spot at night. Daytime is a bit of a downer if you ask me, and the problem is two-fold. One is residents...this is changing for the better right now but I'm not sure there's a critical mass that can sustain streetlife all day. The other problem, as mentioned by others, is the lack of a retail district. People do typically shop in a browsing way, so you need more shops for window shopping, impulse buys, etc. I really hope the Edison adds this kind of feel. I'm not too knowledgable with regard to zoning, etc., but I would like to see certain parts of Glenwood South (as it expands) and DT zoned specifically for retail in order to draw people in who would otherwise go to North Hills or Cameron Village.

There's a place in North Raleigh called Nina's that is a really great place. Check them out. I think they're off Strickland and Six Forks. If there are any fans of Cuban food, I know there's a new place in downtown Cary called Havana. Anyone had a chance to check it out yet? I think they're at 404 Chatham Street.

I love it here, but if that ever happens I'm gone..

^^ Three that are Raleigh or Wake-centric and worthy of note in the past year are An, Herons, and Fins. Three solid additions. There are plenty more I'm sure, but I'm not thinking of them right now.

Thanks for the thread...I liked the bit where Hatem speaks of filling up Hargett w/ more eateries. The Triangle is a truly great place for innovative food. Probably one of the very best attributes of the area in my opinion. It appears the national media is starting to really take notice. Now, if we can just get some decent transit we'll be cooking w/ gas!

Food & Wine has a nice little blurb about the Triangle..there's a sidebar about J. Betski's (link on right side) http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/raleigh-durham-nc I wonder if they'll talk about this at all on the Early Show.

I've been to Powells...absolutely loved it. I would certainly go for something like the Regulator in Durham or Quail Ridge downtown. That would add some vitality and street activity during the day.

^^ I like that idea. Seeing how Raleigh is noted as an area that's highly educated--it would only make sense to have a great bookstore in DT Raleigh...something like Kramerbooks in DC or Powell's in Portland would be fantastic.

Neomonde!!! Downtown!! OK, now my prayers are being answered I would love to see a bookstore nestled in there along Wilmington Street...oh, the possiblities!

Looking forward to checking out Fins. Is there any signage for it from the outside?

^^ This is going to be beautiful once it's complete--and it is going up pretty quickly. My wife and I went to a Bulls game the other night, and were sitting along the 3rd base line. That area will be something with that, ATHD, and the addition of the DPAC.

The question whether a place is "rising" or "has risen already" is open to interpretation. My three would be: Raleigh Charlotte Orlando All are experiencing tremendous growth right now, but I think even greater influence will be felt by the three metros over the next decade to 20 years.

^^ I would love to see DT Raleigh grow to where it becomes a true hub for visitors. That's the next real step for the area. It's getting there, I believe. The Triangle as a whole is a really nice destination...people love to see Duke Chapel, Duke Gardens, UNC's Old Well, Franklin Street, etc. If you like sports, music and food--the Triangle is definitely on the national radar right now. There are tons of things to see and do, and it's also a good base to discover the great state of NC...being able to get to mountains, beaches, etc.

^^ Bull City--Interesting that you mention someone in Northern Durham planning to move DT, and not your typical "urban pioneer". That is indeed very encouraging. AT Campus has left a LOT of people impressed. It's just very urban, and authentic feeling...something lacking in many NC cities. With the popularity of the Bulls, it is a great way for people to get to know this city. I think Durham is pretty well recognized from people nationally...the Triangle as a whole is highly thought of. It's when you get local people who buy in to the local media trap where you have this ignorance of the quality community that Durham is. There are real problems in Durham, but the same exists in Raleigh, Charlotte, etc. Meh--let 'em think what they want. I wouldn't expect someone living out in the exurbs to know anything about Durham, and I guess the joke will ultimately be on them. Just driving around Durham, you can see that the place is truly booming...although with much different type of development than what's happening in Raleigh. I think 2008 will be a great time for all urban lovers in the Triangle!

Looks like we'll all be on the hunt for "Red" October

October Station...these people can't be serious. This website is downright offensive and hilarious at the same time. What's that saying, "know your role"? Hey Glenwood South--know your role. Or maybe they do know their role...cater to GloSo posers.

More ethnic restaurants downtown would be tremendous. We have a great ethnic dining scene in the Triangle. It would be great to see some of these right downtown. Maybe we could get a couple relocations from the "little India" area in Cary. I would love to see that! If I see a Cambodian restaurant open in the heart of DT in the next 5 years, I will cry tears of joy---for we will have really arrived