Early Spring Means Patios are Open for Outdoor Dining in NC
You’ve probably heard that the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day this year—thus predicting six more weeks of winter—but did you know that the Triangle’s local groundhog actually predicted an early spring for North Carolina in 2025? If you’re just learning that the Triangle has our very own weather-predicting groundhog, don’t let that distract you from the groundhog’s very important message: Get out in the world and live it up like it’s already spring (even though it’s still technically winter). Early spring is great news for anyone who relishes the euphoric, uninhibited feeling of meeting friends after work to share a delicious meal and a round of drinks (or two… or three) at your favorite upscale Raleigh restaurant.
Fine Dining in the Great Outdoors
Outdoor dining is one of the many perks of living in Raleigh, and thanks to our temperate climate, you can dine outdoors in Raleigh, NC, throughout most of the year. Margaux’s in North Raleigh is often named as one of Raleigh’s best restaurants for outdoor dining in part because, at Margaux’s, you can enjoy the elegance of upscale fine dining while you bask in the beauty of the great outdoors. As an added bonus, the verdant landscaping and thoughtful lighting on Margaux’s outdoor patio tend to infuse every meal with an undercurrent of magic that you just can’t replicate when dining indoors.
Fresh Ingredients, Fresh Ideas, and Fresh Air
Outdoor dining is especially apropos at Margaux’s: Since Margaux’s serves the freshest seasonal meats, dairy, and produce available, enjoying your meal while sitting outside in the fresh air will amplify your entire experience. To guarantee that Margaux’s serves only the freshest seasonal bounty from local purveyors of meat, dairy and seafood, Margaux’s chefs create a new menu every day. So, although the menu might look different each time you visit, you can always count on Margaux’s chefs to come up with flavorful new ways to serve old Southern favorites.
Southern Favorites with a Twist
Anyone raised in the South probably heard relatives suggest that you “use crushed Ritz Crackers instead of breadcrumbs to achieve the perfect crispness in any recipe.” Well, Margaux’s most recent adaptation of fried Grouper proved all of those Southern relatives right: Margaux’s Ritz Cracker Crusted Grouper served atop dirty rice with Cajun shrimp aurora sauce achieves the perfect combination of flavors and textures that most people only experience in their dreams. Just imagine the mind-melting bliss you’ll feel when you taste that crispy, moist bite of Grouper while sitting outside with friends and family at your favorite upscale restaurant.
Exquisite Fine Dining Inside or Outside
If you’re more of an indoor cat and you prefer to sit in Margaux’s main dining room instead of on the patio, that’s cool too. Margaux’s keeps things fresh on the inside with eclectic décor and rotating artwork by diverse NC artists, so whether you dine indoors or outdoors, you will relish every moment of your time at Margaux’s.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if these 70-degree days are just a fluke in the middle of an extended winter or if they signify the arrival of early spring; either way, they’re the universe’s way of reminding you to go out in the world and spend some quality time with the people you love. So check your weather app to find the next balmy 70-degree day in the Triangle, and then invite all your favorite people to meet you for outdoor dinner and drinks at Margaux’s in North Raleigh’s Brennan Station. You and your loved ones will have plenty to talk about at your first outdoor meal of the year, but if you experience a lull in the conversation, consider telling your dining companions that you recently learned that the Triangle has our very own weather-predicting groundhog. His name is Snerd, he’s from Garner, and he’s clearly an outdoor dining enthusiast.