2023 Maggy Awards: Restaurants


A’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library

Tie: Best New Restaurant

A’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library is coming in hot this year by tying in one of the Maggy Awards’ biggest (and most popular) categories: Best New Restaurant. Chef Katsuji Tanabe, a Bravo television series Top Chef alumnus, has been making waves in the foodie world ever since his 5,500-square-foot restaurant opened last spring. The son of a Mexican mother and Japanese father, Tanabe enjoys sharing his distinctive take on Mexico City cuisine.

“Sometimes people may think I’m going to serve carne asada sushi rolls or tempura chimichangas, but in reality I’m not trying to put two different cuisines together,” said Tanabe. “What I do is build layers of flavor that balance well. Japanese food is rich with umami, and Mexican food is about acid and spice. My food has touches of my cultural background.”

averdecary.com

Colletta

Tie: Best New Restaurant

In addition to their signature 15-layer Lasagna Bolognese (yes, you read that right), Colletta — a modern Italian American restaurant located at Cary’s upscale Fenton development — now has another claim to fame: sharing this year’s title for Best New Restaurant.

Colletta, which means “collection” in Italian, opened its door early last fall — and for those who aren’t afraid of carbs (or are simply looking for the perfect date night), this airy, aromatic paradise is a place of dreams.

“It’s amazing to receive such a warm welcome into this incredible community,” said Culinary Director Mark Bolchoz.

Italophiles can get their fix of antipasti, pasta, pizza, seafood, and more, all week long!

Lunch: Thursday – Sunday | 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Dinner: 7 days/week | 5 p.m.

collettarestaurant.com

Andia’s Ice Cream

Best Dessert

Just Dough It Monster Shake

Andia’s won their fourth consecutive Maggy Award for Best Dessert in one fell scoop — which means you screamed, I screamed, we ALL screamed for their traditional and eclectic flavors and over-the-top milkshakes.

“This Maggy means the world to us to have such tremendous support of our brand from our local community,” said owners George and Andia Xouris. “We are honored to be considered among the best that Cary has to offer!”

Andia’s award-winning, family-run ice cream company has retail shops in southeast Cary, west Cary, and an upcoming location in Raleigh Iron Works! As the weather warms up, try their signature and monthly flavors, gluten-free options, ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream brûlée, monster milkshakes, or a sampler flight featuring six mini scoops and two homemade waffle cone wedges (and more)!

andiasicecream.com

Lugano Ristorante

Best Italian

Spaghetti Lugano

Named after Lugano, Switzerland — the largest Italian speaking city outside of Italy — Lugano in Cary offers Maggy-winning Italian dining in a comfortable and casual atmosphere that our voters can’t seem to resist.

Whether you’re looking for catering, carry-out, a quick bite with coworkers at lunchtime, or a date night paired with the perfect glass of wine, Lugano’s flexibility and creative fare keep the customers coming (and voting), year after year.

“After the past three years or so, just being here, in business, and having our guests return and others try us for the first time is more than a great feeling,” said owner Tom Havrish. “But to be voted for by the community and our guests as their favorite Italian restaurant just makes it that much more special.”

luganocary.com

Cousins Maine Lobster

Best Food Truck

Lobster Tacos

If you’ve lived in the area long enough, I’m sure you’ve heard of the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck — or seen the lines firsthand! Nationally known but locally owned by Deb and Greg Keller, mouthwatering lobster rolls, clam chowder, and more can be found all over the Triangle thanks to not one, but two food trucks! For locations, follow them on social media and download their app (or visit them at Morgan Street Food Hall in downtown Raleigh).

Deb Keller, who first saw Cousins Maine Lobster on Shark Tank nine years ago, has zero regrets about taking a chance on their fresh and flavorful offerings.

“I’ve got an amazing team, and my husband is my rock,” said Keller. “We continue to have folks reach out to us for special occasions. We do weddings and catering, and it just hasn’t stopped. I love customer service — it’s what brings me joy, the stuff that makes me happy. I love the smiles, and I love when people reach out and say we have an amazing product.”

cousinsmainelobster.com/locations/raleigh-nc-restaurant/

Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits

Best Appetizers/Most Kid Friendly

Buffalo Chicken Rangoons

Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits continues to raise a ruckus by winning Maggy Awards for Best Appetizers and Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant, year after year.

“Ruckus is just that really great restaurant where everything is scratch-made,” said owner Robert Royster. “It’s like inviting all your friends over and having a great time watching a game and getting great food and appetizers that everyone likes.”

Whether it’s pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, burgers, or even sushi, Ruckus has something for everyone — including the little ones!

“We have won the Most Kid Friendly award for the past 10 years running. We’ve also won Best Appetizer before several times, because we have a great selection of appetizers,” said Royster. “At a lot of family friendly restaurants, they cater to the kids, and the adults aren’t that thrilled with the choices, but they go because the kid wants to go. Ruckus is the place where everyone is happy!”

ruckuspizza.com

SideBar

Best Cocktail

Pimm’s Cup

If sleek cocktail bars are your scene, but you don’t feel like driving into Raleigh, SideBar in Cary — this year’s Maggy winner for Best Cocktail — might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Described as a “place where everyone (and all of their drink preferences) are welcome” by bar manager Skyler Spaulding, this full-fledged cocktail joint is the brainchild of Matthew Bettinger, his wife Catherine Bettinger, and their business partner, Jeff Kinard.

“We pride ourselves on being approachable, yet knowledgeable and experienced in creating or recommending a well-balanced cocktail,” said Spaulding. “That being said, we are also always happy to crack open a cold PBR and pour a quick shot.”

This is SideBar’s second year in a row winning Best Cocktail, and Spaulding, whose favorite cocktail is a tie between a Martini and a Martinez, couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Winning Best Cocktail helps to showcase all of the boundless effort and passion my team puts in on a daily basis. Although creating an original house cocktail is just one of the things we do here at SideBar, it is likely the largest creative process that allows us to express ourselves and our evolving skill sets.”

sidebarnc.com

First Watch

Best Breakfast

Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos

Raise a toast to First Watch Cary — this year’s Maggy winner for Best Breakfast! Their egg-cellent offerings include breakfast, brunch, and lunch, all freshly made to order.

“This award means a lot to us because every day we want to make a difference,” said manager Tyler “Ty” Cancel. “Our staff takes pride in showing up daily and perfecting their craft and creating their bonds with our special guests. It means we are doing something for the community that they enjoy and find comforting, and they can actually rely on us to satisfy their needs with delicious fresh meals, fresh juices, and an amazing atmosphere.”

Cancel’s favorite menu item? The breakfast tacos, featuring fresh grilled chicken combined with spicy chorizo crumbles, scrambled eggs, and Monterey Jack cheese.

“Here at Bradford First Watch, our mission and value is to create smiles, treat ourselves and each other with dignity and respect, and work hard with positivity, resilience, and grit,” said Cancel. “We stand shoulder to shoulder; we are one team that faces challenges and celebrates success together and accepts anyone and everyone to become a part of our family.”

firstwatch.com

Best New Restaurant
Tie: Colletta & A’Verde

TapStation
M Sushi

Best Food Truck
Cousins Main Lobster

Buoy Bowls
Tie: Bulkogi & Chirba Chirba

Best Appetizers
Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom
Crosstown Pub & Grill

Best Cocktail
SideBar

Dram & Draught
Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirts

Best Bakery
La Farm Bakery

Once in a Blue Moon Bakery
Annelore’s German Bakery

Best Dessert
Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream

Asali Desserts & Café
Once in a Blue Moon Bakery

Best Barbecue
City Barbeque

Big Mikes BBQ
Danny’s BBQ

Best Breakfast
First Watch

Brigs
La Farm Bakery

Best Burger & Fries
Corbett’s Burgers & Soda Bar

Abbey Road Tavern & Grill
Five Guys

Best Date Night Restaurant
Rey’s

Hank’s Downtown Dive
MC Modern Asian Cuisine

Best Coffee House
Esteamed Coffee

Crema Coffee Roaster & Bakery
Wake Oasis

Best Seafood
Full Moon Oyster Bar

Skipper’s Seafood & Smokehouse
Cary Crab House

Best Steakhouse
Rey’s

Angus Barn
Ruth’s Chris

Best Pizzeria
DiFara Pizza Tavern

Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits
Salvio’s Pizzeria

Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits

Di Fara Pizza Tavern
Tie: Mellow Mushroom Pizza & TapStation

Best Asian Restaurant
Sushi Thai

Taipei 101
MC Modern Asian Cuisine

Best Mediterranean Restaurant
Sassool

Bosphorus
Neomonde

Best Italian Restaurant
Lugano Ristorante

Daniel’s Restaurant
Colletta

Best Indian Restaurant
Cilantro Indian Cuisine

Nzara Indian Bistro
Himalayan Nepali Cuisine

Best Mexican Restaurant
A’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library

Totopos
Gonza Tacos y Tequila

Best Restaurant for Specialty Diets
Sassool

Diced Gourmet Salads & Wraps
Hank’s Downtown Dive

Best Healthy Dining Options
Sassool

Diced Gourmet Salads & Wraps
Clean Eatz

Best Neighborhood Bar
Bottle Theory

Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits
Crosstown Pub & Grill

Best Outdoor Dining
Hank’s Downtown Dive

Tazza Kitchen
Di Fara Pizza Tavern

Best Craft Brewery
Bond Brothers Beer Company

Fortnight Brewing Company
Vicious Fishes

More From Our Apr 2023 Issue
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