Parkside Restaurant

For a minute there, I had gotten my hopes up about dining out more regularly. Before I decided to pump the brakes on that again (for obvious reasons), I managed to squeeze in a few visits to Parkside Restaurant. From the moment I saw the "Restaurant" sign lit up outside, reminiscent of the cafe on Seinfeld, I knew it would become a frequented spot. Lunch and dinner are excellent, but most people probably know this joint for its spectacular brunch. The service is great, the food comes out fast, the specials are creative - this is a must-visit restaurant for anyone in the Triangle.

Parkside is home to one of my all-time favorite salads: the Steakhouse Salad. And you don't just get any steak with this salad - you get Filet Mignon. And the server asks how you'd like it cooked. AND they always get it right. It sits on a bed of crisp romaine with slivers of Avocado, chunks of Tomato, halved Hard Boiled Eggs, Blue Cheese Crumbles, a sprinkling of Parmesan and the best part - Spiced Nuts! It's insane how many nuts are in this salad. Enough to take home a ziplock bag full and serve them at a cocktail party. Every bite is different and satisfying and I'm utterly obsessed with it. 

The Prime Rib Burger features a number of my favorite burger toppings - Caramelized Onions, Brie, and Bacon Jam. It's quite indulgent and served on a soft, buttery Brioche bun. The caramelized onions and bacon jam provide sweetness and the brie offers its signature funk. The Arugula tries to make you feel not so bad for eating a massive burger. I like to add mustard too, for a little acidity. You get your choice of side and Tots are obviously the right choice.

Their specials are always unique, too, like the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread and the Honey Sriracha Salmon. And their desserts are killer - do not miss their Banana Pudding, and if they're featuring the Raspberry Donut Cheesecake, it's out of this world. It delivers exactly what it promises and it's oddly nostalgic.

You absolutely must visit for brunch, if you can get a table. It's almost laughable how fun their brunch is. Every table is full (within social distance reasoning), and most with the Mimosa Flight. You get an entire bottle(!) of champagne, and the mixers are far beyond standard OJ. In fact, the mixers are spiked. Yes, you read me right. Think Cranberry Juice with Elderflower, or OJ with Orange Vodka. It's best to get a ride from a friend after brunch here. I loved the Bananas Foster Challah French Toast, complete with delicious Rum Caramel Sauce. And the Cheese Grits are exactly what you want them to be - creamy, cheesy and rich.

To mention another iconic NBC sitcom, Parkside makes you feel like it's a place "where everybody knows your name." I cannot recommend it enough - it's one of my faves and sure to be yours too!