The RDU Buzz

By Maddy Cook

Farina Neighborhood Italian

We may be far from Italy here in Raleigh, and yet the architectural charm of Lafayette Village manages to capture the allure of a European getaway with its paved walkways and elegant dining and boutiques. Just minutes off of I540 and Falls of Neuse road, and home to over half a dozen local dines, there are many reasons to plan a visit to Lafayette Village, so consider adding Farina Neighborhood Italian to the top of that list!

Thanks to that European-inspired architecture so prevalent throughout the Village, you can almost convince yourself your Italian vacation has begun as soon as you park. No doubt, stepping through the wooden double doors and into the Tuscan atmosphere within Farina will help seal the deal! Candles flicker on fabric-lined tables and dim lighting sets a romantic mood as the smell of homemade pasta greets you. As you make your way to your table, the sight of bubbly pizza crust and bright red marinara sauce might make you debate your original intentions to order the pasta dish that smelled so good just minutes ago! Don’t fret, you’ll have time to decide, and the waiters are all knowledgeable on the menu and excited to recommend their favorite dishes to you.

A satisfying plate of toasty fresh bread will find you at your table, but if you like a side of bread with your bread (no judgment here, so do we!) consider ordering the Grilled Bruschetta - 3 slabs of thick-cut ciabatta each decorated with unique flavor combinations. Though tough to pick a favorite, I found myself wishing we had another slice of the ricotta and truffle honey-topped variety, complete with prosciutto and crumbled pistachios. Although I wouldn’t have turned down a second round of the grilled artichoke and lemon herb, either.

Farina’s wine menu is vast, full of high end wines available by the glass or bottle and covering a range of price points and flavor profiles. The wine cellar might have caught your eye as you found your way to the table! Signature cocktails and mocktails are also a great option to accompany your hand crafted Italian cuisine.

For dinner, we enjoyed the penne pasta with tender chicken smothered in lemony pesto and topped with fresh herbs. The sautéed mushroom pasta was also delicious, heaped with Parmesan and garnished with chives. Next time, we might have to opt for a pizza, like the Pancetta Bianca with fig, gorgonzola, salami and mozzarella. Clearly there’s no wrong choice! 

For your next celebratory dinner, friends gathering, or date night, don’t miss out on Farina Neighborhood Italian at 8450 Honeycutt Road in North Raleigh!