Belle's Bites

By: Laura Giovanelli | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: November 05, 2009

Rana Loca

411 W. Fourth St.

Phone: 722-9911. $$-$$$. ABC. S/NS.

(out of five). Reviewed Sept. 24, 2009.

Pan-Latin fare, but stick with the South and Central American dishes, such as the Cubano sandwich, the chicken glazed with mint and rum, beef empanadas and plantain-crusted mahi-mahi. If you want real tacos, go to Waughtown.

Cimarron

3260 S. Stratford Road, Clemmons.

Phone: 712-4689. $$-$$$. S/NS. ABC.

You might not give this stucco building along a dark stretch of Stratford Road a second look, but stop in sometime. A refreshing alternative to the casual chains, Cimarron is family-friendly and comfortable, like going over to a friend's house for ribeyes. Great shrimp and grits, pan-fried crab cakes, onion rings and Southwestern-inspired egg rolls stuffed with black beans and peppers. Huge portions.

Xia

134 N. Spruce St.

Phone: 723-1400. $$. ABC. NS.

"Asian fusion" is what Xia is going for -- it's not quite that innovative, but still helps close a huge gap in the quality of Asian restaurants in Winston-Salem. Reasonably-priced lunch specials, a respectable Asian beer list, and it's gorgeous, too, like eating in a lacquered jewelry box.

Miss Annie's

3064 Healy Drive.

Phone: 774-0922. $$$. BW. NS.

Small and romantic, this unlikely strip-mall restaurant serves up French and Caribbean fare without the schmaltz.

1703 Restaurant

1703 Robinhood Road.

Phone: 725-5767. $$$. ABC. S/NS.

Upscale continental. Sunday brunch features omelets, quiches, pasta and sandwiches.

Bistro Sofia

616 Dolley Madison Road, Greensboro.

Phone: 336-855-1313. $$$$. ABC. S/NS.

I swoon over mostly everything about this little part-French, part-Eastern European, part-Asian restaurant. The menu changes frequently, but I particularly liked lobster croquettes with red pepper vinaigrette, toasted coconut lime ice cream, and another version in roasted banana on top of warm chocolate cake and guava sauce. The early evening prix fixe is a good deal.

6th and Vine Wine Bar and Cafe

209 W. Sixth St.

Phone: 725-5577. $$$. ABC. S/NS.

Great list of wines by the glass, but I've found them to have an inconsistent dinner menu. Share some appetizers (the garlic shrimp is especially good) with a group along with a bottle of Rioja or Albarino. Or try the bountiful antipasti platter.

Aquaria Seafood Grill

3800 Tinsley Drive, High Point.

Phone: 336-844-3474. $$$. ABC. S/NS.

A net full of create-your-own seafood dishes including tuna, scallops, grouper, sea bass, red snapper and more, blackened, grilled or pan-seared as you like it.