Wildflower

Just got tickets to see Matisse and Picasso in the Museum of Art. We are planning on arriving around noon and spending the rest of the day at the museum. In order to use our points with Marriott here are our choices for accommodation:
1. Marriott- Crabtree Valley at 4500 Marriott Drive
2. Residence Inn at 1000 Navaho Drive
3. Residence Inn - Crabetree Valley at 2200 Summit Park Lane

In your opinion which one would be the most convenient for getting there from I-40, access to the museum and to at least one great restaurant?

Any recommendations for a wonderful dinner not too far from a hotel? We are not interested in Chinese, Mexican or any fast food places.
Than you for your help

Cassandra

Suggest of those, the Marriott Crabtree Valley, otherwise Residence at Crabtree Valley. They are set, essentially, on Rte. 70 which = Glenwood Avenue, such that they are close to intersection of 70 and 440, there's a largish mall right there, and some of Raleigh's very best restaurants are inside 440 on Glenwood Ave in the 400, 500, 600 blocks.

Wildflower

Thank you Cassandra. Can you recommend a nice restaurant on Glennwood Avenue?

Toots

I agree with Cassandra either the Marriott or Residence Inn @ Crabtree.

For dinner The Angus Barn on Glenwood near the airport (see www.angusbarn.com) is a Raleigh classic. The Art museum also has a nice restaurant.

Are you visiting soon?

mikemo

I cannot comment on the local issues, but the exhibit was worth the trip to Queens, NY.
Neither is high on my list of artists, but I was impressed.
M

Cassandra

Angus Barn is, as you'd expect from the name, a heavy-duty beef (and some fish) place. A landmark but not exactly haute cuisine.

Enoteca Vin is at 410 Glenwood, Bogart's American Grill is at 510 Glenwood, and Bistro 607 is at 607 Glenwood (which are all well inside the Beltline, but a straight shot down Glenwood from Crabtree). You'd need reservations for dinners at any of these (they're on the web, I think).

The Blue Ridge Restaurant in the museum is very nice -- not up to the level of the three I mentioned, but has a nice artsy ambiance and unless they're still digging up the grounds, a reasonable view. THeir weekend brunch is legendary (and very popular), otherwise they only have dinner for special exhibits like this one. For more info, http://ncartmuseum.org/restaurant.shtml

Enjoy and welcome to NC!

bonniebroad

Wildflower, I would stay at the Marriott, 4500 Marriott Drive, then drive about 4 miles up Creedmoor Road to eat at Margaux's. The Angus Barn is an excellent restaurant (but, honestly, for the money, I'd rather enjoy beef at Outback on Creedmoor!) For something special, go to Margaux's...... I think you'll like it!

A review from our News & Observer newspaper for you:

http://www.triangle.com/cgi-bin/tria...estaurants.cgi

Wildflower

Thank you all for your great help. Only Reisdence Inn at Crabtree Valley is available for the night we want to be there.

Cassandra, Toots and Bonniebroad, because we eat beef very, very seldom which restaurant should we chose out of these three you recommended, Enoteca Vin, Bogart's American Grill or Margaux's? We are looking for the best atmosphere, service, quality of food. Which one is closer to the Residence Inn? Altough we could drive or take a taxi.

Wildflower

Mikemo, thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the exhibit. We will be driving four hours to see it.

Cassandra

Suggest you go to the website bonniebroad mentioned, since I used it myself to remind me exactly what's where. There should be maps at the restaurant listing, or at least addresses..... All will have seafood, chicken, etc., so see which listing actually appeals to you.

Taxis aren't plentiful but driving shouldn't flummox you in the area -- just get the AAA map of Raleigh!

Diana

I believe I'd remove Bogart's from your list.

We just went last weekend and it has gone waaaay downhill. It started off with their forgetting about us when we came in and my finally having to go ask about our table - at which point it was obvious she had forgotten about us but said, OH YES! They're just setting it up now." (I had seen several people who came in after us get seated.)

They raised the menu prices - $20 for what I would deem good tuna and so so scallops for each entree. Now they are offering live music which starts to fill the place with loud 20-somethings by 9:30 or 10:00 even though the band doesn't start till 11.

We were unfortunate to have a table in the section where the band goes, and they started removing tables - while we were sitting there eating our dinner - as people left.

The smoke from the increasingly-crowded bar came over into the no-smoking section, they raised the price of what I consider to be a mid-priced Chardonnay to $13.50 per glass (!!!), and the shot of top shelf tequila they gave my husband would not have filled a thimble.

We used to go there often but no more.

We consider dining out a hobby and go somewhere pretty nice every weekend.

I would also suggest Nana's - which is new and downtown and is owned by the same people who have the Nana's in Durham which has gotten rave reviews for years. Excellent food at reasonable prices with a large menu to choose from. It is downtown close to the restaurants Cassandra mentioned.

Margaux's also gets very good reviews, but we have not yet made it there.

Have fun, I plan to visit the exhibit(s) myself once the initial stampede has ceased.

pepper131

If this is the same exhibit I saw at the Kimball a few years ago...It's amazing. You can feel the emotion of their relationship. Just great!!!

Cassandra

Wow, had heard something like that about Bogart's but didn't know what Wildflower's tastes might run to. Will scratch that from my list(s).

My favorite restaurants are in Durham, but I hadn't wanted to send Wildflower up that way since she sounds hesitant to drive very much. I'm looking forward to trying the new Nana's and would like a report.

Wildflower, be sure to let us know what you end up doing and how you liked the show.

Wildflower

Thank you again, we don't mind driving to great restaurants.
Cassandra, you are so right I am a little hesitant to drive in a new place at night (we are going to be there in January)especially since we have to drive four hours to get to Raleigh, then we are going to spend a few hours in the museum so by that time we may feel too tired to drive a long distance, unless we know it will be an extraordinary food. OK Bogart's is out, Nana's is in.

bonniebroad

Wildflower, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Residence Inn Crabtree. We just stayed in one at Wrightsville Beach in August, and were impressed. Very, very pleased for the money........

Toots

The Residence Inn's location @ Crabtree is fine and it also seems to be a newer facility.

I've dined @ Margaux's and would definitely add this to my list. Also, the Glenwood Grill is only a couple of miles away and might be a good option too.

There is also a new Italian Restaurant behind Crabtree that should have potential and a nice atmosphere. Maybe another local could comment on this.

GoTravel

Margaux's is my favorite restaurant in North Carolina. It is excellent and I highly recommend it.

Wildflower

All set. Got reservation at the Residence Inn. As to a place for dinner, I think you decided for us.
Margaux's it is. At least if something doesn't work I can always blame on you. LOL! Thank you for your great help

bonniebroad

We aim to please, Madame! Have a wonderful time in Raleigh! Now you've reminded me to get down to this exhibit. Thank YEWWWWWWWWWWWW!