Pop's is Tops in Durham

After a long week of work travel, my wife said as she was being picked up at RDU, "Let's go to Durham for dinner!" OK! But where? Daughter prefers something middle of the road, with a vegetarian option. Hmmm. As we drove closer to Brightleaf Square it became obvious we needed to revisit an old chow down, Pop's.

Turns out Pop's isn't where it used to be, in the Brightleaf complex. They moved a few months back, across Duke Street into the trendy Liggett and Myers buildings. Parking was always a hassle at the old place, not so now. Wheelchair access was a hassle, too, as one had to traverse a long walkway just to get in the door. In the new location, even though the restaurant is up one flight of stairs, a very convenient wheelchair elevator awaits inside the main door. Bravo!

Bravo! to the food as well! After sharing a salad of field greens and goat cheese with a light creamy balsamic drizzle, we ordered the giant scallops. The vegetarian in our happy trio was delighted to find a vegetarian lasagne as one of the specials. It did not disappoint, as at other places serve light on the veggies and heavy on the sauce. This was a delightful middle ground with fresh sauce, noodles and veggies singing a delicious harmony.

Now the scallops. You know when you bite into a scallop and edges are slightly crisp and the middle just tender, your mouth sends a delicious! signal and your body responds by going all gooey and a sneaky smile lightens your face? Well these are the scallops to do just that. Served with a perfectly seasoned potato gnocchi, roasted local eggplants, mushrooms and caramelized onion broth side, this is a regular-menu item worth the time you take savoring the flavor.

Of course, great "puts-hair-on-your-chest" coffee and a fresh warm peach crisp with a dollop of vanilla gelato are also worth savoring. Overall, Pop's made the right move when it crossed the street. Now it's your turn to make the right move.

Pop's: A Durham Trattoria - 605 West Main Street, Durham, NC 919.956.7677