• Enoteca Vin.  410 Glenwood, Suite 350. Raleigh, NC 27603.  919-834-3070
  

My current favorite in Raleigh.  Relaxed, cool, and friendly, and with a great bar, where you can eat. There are usually around 60 wines by the glass here, which are sold by the ounce - so it's perfect for the solo diner, or for people (like me) who want to try out lots of tastes.  And the food allows the same approach.  Arranged in order of size, dishes range from small appetizers to full entrees, including side menus of proscuttio, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.  And it serves cheese (see my forthcoming page on the 'cheese problem')...wonderful cheese!  In particular it keeps Epoisse; my favorite soft French cheese from burgundy.  The desserts are also great, and there's a good dessert wine list.  Too much to believe in Raleigh.   

• Humble Pie: 317 South Harrington St.Raleigh, NC 27603 919-829-9222
  

A recent find, downtown in an obscure part of the warehouse district (so obscure that the road peters out into scrub just past the restaurant) and somewhere that makes it to my list of  Raleigh's music venues.  Much less sophisticated than the Vin, this is oriented to a  younger set, and does live music in the evenings.  But the food is good, and the Sunday brunch is a winner.  Not in my opinion a place to dine alone, but a great place with a group, particularly if you want music.

• Bloomsbury Bistro 509-101 W. Whitaker Mill Road at: Glenwood Avenue
  tel: (919) 834-9011
  
  Another recent find.  This is in a classic Raleigh mall location, but the food is great, almost up to Elaine's and Nana's standards.   There is a small bar area, where you can eat, and lots of tables in a couple of rather dimly lit rooms.  Don't eat too much because the deserts are great, and there is, again, a good dessert wine list.  No cheese though.

• Fins Restaurant . Greystone Village 7713-39 Lead Mine Road. tel: (919) 847-4119 
  
  One of my very favorites, and one of the best seafood restaurants I have ever eaten in.  The location is in North Raleigh, in the unappetizingly-named Lead Mine road.   The food at Fins is Fusion; very much like the best of new Australian and New Zealand cooking (try the Sugar club in London for similar tastes), in that it mixes Thai and Vietnamese influences with classic modern French and west coast styles.  There are some wonderful dishes, and this is one restaurant where I have to eat each course.  
  
• 2nd Empire. 330 Hillsborough St Raleigh, NC. Tel: 829-3663 
  
  Very classy, very expensive.  This is located in a very pretty house on Hillsborough, and the service, food and ambience are all top rate.  I enjoy eating there; not a place to chat at the bar, or read - but great for special occasions.