Brier Creek Fall Update

by Dana

The Brier Creek area is one which has been rapidly opening stores and restaurants recently. Here is an update:

Azitra, a funky, non-chain Indian restaurant, is now open. The entrees are generally in the $16 range. Carolina Ale House is building a new location on the NW corner of Brier Creek Parkway and Hwy 70. Longhorn Steakhouse is soon to open next to Johnny Carino’s. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is now open. Chick-Fil-A ?will/is? open in the Brierdale shopping center (where Earth Fair is). Firehouse Subs will open this month.

Several non-restaurants are opening, too. Auto Bell Car Wash is coming soon while the Sherill’s Cleaners will open in the Winter. The former Winn-Dixie is now a Lowe’s Foods. A Frankie’s Fun Park, featuring putt-putt, go carts, batting cages, laser tag, and bumper boats, is now open. Admission is free and visitors pay per attraction. Sue Stock of the News & Observer reported that they will open an Italian restaurant on the site, but Frankie's website doesn't mention it. Finally Snip-Its, a 33-city chain claiming to be "the most amazing place for a kid to get a haircut", will open soon. If the photo on their website is indication, their claim is right.

The Brier Creek area is evolving as quickly as any in Raleigh. We’ll keep revisiting this area to see the rapid changes as the Fall progresses. If you have a comment about a Brier Creek area restaurant, let us know. We’re always looking for a better place to eat.

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Comments

[Jen W]

Ooh, I hadn't heard about Firehouse Subs...that might be interesting.

The construction's just begun on the Chic-fil-A, it'll probably be a while before it opens. Snip-its is already open. I think we now have every cellular company known to man covered, as Alltel just opened by Quizno's and SunCom just put in a store across the street by Wal-Mart. The Honey Baked Hams near Maggie Moo's is apparently closed, but nothing seems to be happening there.

There's also going to be a Pei-Wei put in by Lowe's food (P.F. Chang's budget chain), that'll be the fourth Asian restaurant in the area.

For restaurant recommendations, I've heard the sushi at Champa is awesome, I haven't been there myself. Zyng is good, reminds me of Big Bowl that used to be at South Point. In fact their Pad Thai is so similar I wonder if they're not owned by the same company. Most of the restaurants are chains but some are fairly new to the area...Moe's, Red Robin. For fans of New York style pizza (the thing, large slice kind) Sal's (across from Quizno's) has some of the best I've ever had.

[Terry]

Longhorn Steakhouse opened quietly yesterday and Frankie's has an Italian restaurant next to Fun Park. Has anyone heard whats under construction behind Kirklands Home in Brier Creek? Thanks to everyone who posted responses to my inquiry about Azitra.

[Dana McCall]

Speaking of Azitra, the previous comments about the restaurant are under the Just Fresh article:

http://www.raleighing.com/2005/09/just_fresh_cafe.html

[Dana McCall]

Richard Evans posted this on triangle.dining (reposted with permission):

We had an excellent dinner there last night.

Started with Shrimp Papdi, two large grilled shrimp with crisp spinach (balls of spinach, apparently deep fried), and an appetizer assortment consisting of chicken tikka, vegetable samosa, and vegetable pakora.
Also a condiment assortment of raita, mango chutney, and achar. One ofthe three (I'm not sure which) was a very spicy pickled vegetable dish.

For entrees we had Tandoori Mixed Grill (chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp tandoori) and Goat Curry. All were excellent. I ordered the goat "medium spicy" and would probably go for "hot" next time. (But
then, I like extra spicy.) Also garlic Nan on the side.

For dessert we had mango cheesecake.

Bill for two was $65 plus tip.

In addition to the dining room, there is a bar/lounge, and a separate room that the manager said may become a hookah room where people can experiment with flavored tobaccos smoked through water pipes.

[Karen]

I had dinner at Azitra in Briar Creek this weekend and it was unbelievably excellent. The whole experience was pleasurable. The place itself is beautiful and has a really upscale design and ambiance. The food was delicious and my party and I tried 3 different dishes, all were great. The bar was really nice as was the lounge area. We all agreed to return to Azitra soon for a really special meal. Also we liked that we could choose the degree of spice as they have a system to choose from one to five. The lighting, art and entire interior was beautiful and we will definitely be back and recommend Azitra to anyone wanting really good Indian food.

[Karen]

I had dinner at Azitra in Briar Creek this weekend and it was unbelievably excellent. The whole experience was pleasurable. The place itself is beautiful and has a really upscale design and ambiance. The food was delicious and my party and I tried 3 different dishes, all were great. The bar was really nice as was the lounge area. We all agreed to return to Azitra soon for a really special meal. Also we liked that we could choose the degree of spice as they have a system to choose from one to five. The lighting, art and entire interior was beautiful and we will definitely be back and recommend Azitra to anyone wanting really good Indian food.

[Jeff]

Azitra was the absolute best Indian restaurant I have ever eaten in. The whole place was impressive, from the decor, to the service, and of course the food. It was spectacular and you could tell everything was made from scratch; not your usual Indian buffet. The pricing was very fair, as from the looks of the place it looked so expensive. It is a good place to take a date or for a nice evening out. I would recommend Azitra highly to anyone wanting to taste truly good food in a beautiful atmosphere. Briar Creek has a real winner with Azitra!

[Amy Smith]

We ate at Pei-Wei this weekend, and it was really good. You order at a counter (set up just like Durham's Chai's Noodle Bar)and they bring it out to your table. Small place, but very nice interior. It was full, and the music was loud, so don't go with someone who speaks softly or who can't hear too well! The food was excellent - we had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, and enjoyed them all. I chose pork as the meat in my dish, and I could not believe how good it was. Not those little cubes of weird red-looking meat you get in some Asian places, that's for sure! The manager told us they use all fresh foods - no refrigeration! The pork was from a tenderloin, and so I expect the other meats are choice, too.. Definitely a step above the average quicky Asian place, and the prices were great, too. We will be going back.

[pamila]

Firehouse Subs in Brieir Creek next to Pei Wei near Lowes Food Store are the greatest subs in town I have ever had! Those subs just melt in your mouth. They steam the meat and cheeses together which really brings out the flavour so the subs are steaming hot. Decor is pretty neat with dalmatian prints on tables, they have a canvas painting of the f-18 that crashed at rdu on the wall.

We were greeted at the door by the staff, "welcome to firehouse". The menu was simple and easy to read, although we had the owner himself come and give us a menu tour( whihc was nice to see) oh they have 50 different types of hot sauces you may add to your sub.

We ordered a large firehouse hero sub( Premium roast beef, smoked turkey breast and honey ham topped with provolone cheese and mayo etc.. 12" for $6.99 large enough that we split it.
They are famous for all their hot specialty subs and award winning chili.
My daughther was given a firemans hat once she sat down which was nice to take home. For all mothers, just to let you know kids eat for free wednesday nights. Isn't that a treat for once.

If you have not heard about Firehouse try them out, it'a an experience far better the average sub shops in town.

[Susan]

Catherine's is a great store for plus-size women, offering great customer service and irresistable sales. Be sure to stop by every week as new stock continues to flow onto the sales floor. It can be found nestled between Lane Bryant and TJMaxx and is well worth the trip!