Taste of the Hill

Pyewacket is a restaurant that tries to satisfy the needs of both picky eaters and dining connoisseurs. It claims affinity for both New American and "world" cuisine, which seems to mean that anything the chefs find interesting. Working on a 6-week rotating menu, the menu for this particular period is wide in scope but perhaps too ambitious. Be sure to not miss the appetizers, because Pyewacket does them well. The pear and stilton salad is excellent due mainly to the freshness of the pears and the slight sweetness of the toasted walnuts tossed in. Complement that with an apple iced tea, a beautifully presented drink that resembles a Mark Rothko painting more than a beverage. The spanakopita, a flaky Greek pastry filled with spinach and feta, cottage and parmesan chesses, is also worth a try. The entrees are more hit-or-miss. Meat lovers will like the tenderloin with mustard and green peppercorn butter, which also includes roasted potatoes and vegetable. Though it is not the best filet of beef out there, it's incredibly juicy, and the chefs will cook it precisely to your request. The "miss" of this menu is definitely the Indonesian curried shrimp and vegetables. When the dish came to my table, I had no idea what was going on-there was too much going on at once. Brown rice and not-so-fresh shrimp were lumped together with coconut, cashews and raisins while a small bowl of yogurt with pita took its place on the other side of the plate. If the curry had been pungent and strong enough, the yogurt might have been there to neutralize the hotness, but since the curry was bland and overpowered by the rest of the ingredients, none of the stuff my plate made any sense. Still, there are plenty of other items on the menu, so don't be put off by this one dish. Pyewacket's vegetable lasagna is a favorite for all seasons-it might be one of the best in the Triangle. It would be a mistake to leave Pyewacket without having dessert. The place has a chill atmosphere perfect for ordering a cup of coffee and a relaxing dessert. The coffee (exponentially better than Alpine's) is the perfect companion to dishes like the extremely rich and sweet creme caramel. During what will be an especially hectic weekend, parents and students will appreciate the free parking lot directly behind the restaurant. In general, Pyewacket is an extremely customer-friendly restaurant with a great wait staff and a variety of seating arrangements that include a lounge area, regular restaurant section and a veranda that faces directly onto Franklin Street. Essentially, Pyewacket offers something for almost everyone. And although you may not like every part of your meal, something will undoubtedly strike your fancy. After all, there's always dessert.