Parizade – Durham’s Mediterranean Dining Experience

As a foodie and frequent diner, I often have to take a step back and reflect on the various eateries in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and its surroundings.  I am often swept up by the newest restaurant in the Triangle and overlook iconic staples in the community that I have yet to visit.  One such restaurant is Parizade, founded by nationally known restaurateur, Giorgios Bakatsias.

Durham’s Parizade has offered a Mediterranean dining experience for the past 27 years.  I am embarrassed to state that I just visited the Durham staple a couple of weeks ago.  In fact, it was my first North Carolina dining experience of 2019.

Parizade boasts a gorgeous, all occasion dining space that is perfect for lunch or dinner.  Gone are the days of visiting elegant establishments such as Parizade only for special occasions.  This restaurant is perfect for business lunches, meeting up with friends, dining alone, and more.

In addition to their restaurant and bar, Parizade is home to three event spaces that include the Outdoor Courtyard, the Club Room, and the Board Room.  Each room has its own personality, but all share a sophisticated elegance.  In addition to catering events on site, Parizade offers catering off-site.  The event manager in me was excited to discover this detail.  I am always mentally filing venues and caterers that are equipped to handle events of all sizes.

As a first time diner at the Durham restaurant, I ordered the restaurant’s name sake salad.  The Parizade Salad has fresh greens that are topped with strawberries, almonds, and blue cheese.  All components are drizzled in a fantastic strawberry vinaigrette.  I highly recommend all first time guests to start their meal with this gluten-free salad.  Proteins such as shrimp, chicken, salmon, and fried calamari can also be added to the salad.  I refrained from adding a protein to my salad, because I had my heart set on another entrée item.

Parizade Salad 

I could not resist ordering Parizade’s Shrimp and Artichoke Risotto as an entrée.  The gluten-free dish is topped with an exquisite white wine citrus butter sauce, parmesan, and freshly chopped dill.  Although it may appear that this dish is rich and heavy, the lightness of the shrimp and the acidity of the artichokes balances the dish.  Although I did not leave one grain of risotto on my plate, I did not feel as if I had overindulged.  Not feeling weighted and comatose after lunch was important to me, especially since I had full day of commitments ahead.  Also, I intentionally wanted to leave just a tiny bit of room for dessert.

There is no monkey business when it comes to Parizade’s cocktail list.  Pun intended.  I was immediately impressed at first sip by the restaurant’s cocktail, “Monkey Business”.  Bailey’s Irish Cream, Crème de Banana, a splash of Butterscotch Liqueur, and cream are all shaken and served in a chilled martini glass.  If you choose to bypass dessert, this libation is a fantastic substitute.

To truly experience Parizade, I had to complete my visit with dessert.  I admit that I had a little trouble deciding which dessert to order because their entire dessert menu is tantalizing.  Needing guidance, the Parizade staff unanimously steered me toward the Banana Rum Napoleon.  The dessert is a gorgeous and modern rendition of a traditional Napoleon.  Two stacks of nutty and crispy phyllo wafers are layered with banana-rum pastry cream, bananas, and whipped cream.  In addition to the obvious flavors, the dessert has hints of cinnamon, vanilla and sweet cream.  The sweet caramel is phenomenal and aroma of the phyllo dough is intoxicating.  The dessert comes in a single or double option.  As a fan of both delicious and beautiful desserts, I had to order the double.

Foodies will rejoice to know that Parizade is participating in Triangle Restaurant Week this January. Starting Monday, January 21st through Sunday, January 27th,  Parizade will offer a delicious three-course menu for lunch and dinner.  Parizade’s Triangle Restaurant Week menu links are listed below.

Triangle Restaurant Week Lunch Menu

Triangle Restaurant Week Dinner Menu

Guests that are unable to experience Parizade’s Triangle Restaurant Week will not have to fret.  The Mediterranean restaurant has a Pre-Fixe Lunch Menu and a Pre-Theatre Menu available year-round.  Dessert lovers will be excited to know that Parizade’s Banana Rum Napoleon is one of two dessert options that can be found on both of these menus.

I admire restaurants that have a passion for supporting local farms and are able to integrate seasonal and high quality ingredients into their cuisine.  Parizade is no exception.  Some of the farms that the Mediterranean restaurant partners with to integrate in their food menus include Vera Luce Farm, Latta’s Egg Ranch, Blue Sky Farms, Timberwood Organics, McGraw Farms, and Seven Springs Farm.

Parizade’s romantic elegance and Mediterranean charm both create a beautiful and inviting atmosphere and lay the foundation for an impressive dining experience.  The restaurant’s cuisine is not only visually enticing, but the execution of Mediterranean flavors is timeless.  In addition to the restaurant’s ambiance and cuisine,  the Parizade staff’s professionalism and hospitality is impeccable and gracious.  Together, all the restaurant’s qualities created a recipe for 27 years of success in the bull city.  Parizade is part of the Georgios Hospitality and Lifestyle Group and is located on 2200 W Main St, Durham, NC 27705.