The chef de cuisine of Crawford & Son and Jolie shares where he goes for quick meals, special dinners and more in the Raleigh area.
by Ayn-Monique Klahre | photography by Forrest Mason
For our 2025 Guide to Where to Eat and Drink in Raleigh, we surveyed 11 people in the hospitality industry to learn where they go for a casual meal, celebration dinner, coffee fix and more. One of them was Aaron Salita, the chef de cuisine of Crawford & Son an Jolie. Formerly of the fabled Thomas Keller Restaurant Group in Yountville, CA, Salt joined Crawford & Son as chef de cuisine of 2022, and in 2024 was promoted to lead both Crawford & Son and Jolie as chef de cuisine. Salita was chef de partie at the legendary French Laundry, sous chef at Keller’s Bouchon Bistro from 2015 to 2021, and the opening chef for Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge from 2021-2022. In 2017, Salita also served on Team USA when they won their first gold at the Bocuse d’Or, a – the prestigious biennial world chef championship in Lyon, France, known as the “culinary Olympics.” No doubt, Salita is well positioned to lead the kitchens at Crawford’s flagship restaurant and French bistro.
Read on for his picks for where to eat and drink 2025!
Where do you go for a special-occasion dinner?
To me, there is only one place for a special occasion, and that’s Herons. Chef Green is pushing culinary boundaries on a nightly basis there at The Umstead.
What’s your go-to neighborhood spot?
I go to O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant for wings and Guinness. It’s a great little neighborhood spot in North Raleigh.
What’s a great casual spot?
I like to go see Mag at YaTai Rolls over in Transfer Co. Food Hall. It’s not just sushi, he’s doing some really cool Asian/Latin fusion there.
Where do you get lunch?
M Sushi in Durham, whenever possible. Their omakase is my go to, heavy on the uni!
Where do you get a meal to go?
For takeout, I like the spicy beef noodles and ribs on the appetizer list at Five Star — get two orders of the ribs!
Where do you go for a drink?
Crawford Hospitality’s new cocktail bar under Jolie, Sous Terre, has some of the best crafted cocktails in the city. The Negroni is my favorite, using a Barolo Chinato in place of sweet vermouth — that elevates the classic to a new level. Pro tip: go see Kat on Sundays for industry night. She makes off-menu cocktails and you’ll likely see some faces from all the bars and restaurants around town.
What’s your go-to coffee spot?
Little Native on S Person Street, close to Moore Square. Their chai latte keeps me going almost daily!
What’s your favorite new-ish place?
Brodeto in Raleigh Iron Works. They have simple flavors from the Adriatic Sea, and you find yourself craving everything on the menu.
What are you excited to try?
I’m excited to try Crawford Brothers Steakhouse. Not because I work for the company, but because I think it will be the year’s most anticipated opening. I’m always trying new places, but I love the tried and true.
What’s a spot outside of Raleigh that’s worth the drive?
Olivero in Wilmington has some of the best food in that city. I try to visit every time I go down to the beach.
A portion of this article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of WALTER magazine. The full version was published on waltermagazine.com on December 30, 2024.
