Magnolia Grill
1002 9th St., Durham, NC
TEL 919-286-3609

The grandest dining experience in Durham and one of North Carolina's treasures, the Magnolia Grill, with its peach and dark-green interior, delivers old Southern charm with a degree of urban sophistication inspired not just by the region but by such faraway places as Thailand, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. The attentive staff brings attractive dishes from the kitchen, which produces a menu with many seafood and beef selections. This restaurant, better described as a bistro, evokes an unexpected coastal feel. Start with the wine list, which features more than 130 bottled varieties, 10 to 12 of which are sold by the glass. The menu changes frequently. During a recent visit, we started with the green-tomato soup with crab and country ham, followed by the grilled pork porterhouse with Low Country risotto and crawfish ale. Perhaps the grilled beef served with a roasted corn vinaigrette will tempt you, or the tenderloin of pork with roasted sweet potato woven with fresh broad beans and a cider-barbecue jus. A lemon pudding was a perfect complement to our meal. The restaurant bar opens at 5pm for predinner drinks.

Reservations: Reservations recommended