The chef de cuisine of Il Falò shares where she 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…Tanisha DePina, the chef de cuisine at Il Falò. Born and raised in New England, she has more than a dozen years of diverse culinary experience, having worked in kitchens from Boston to San Francisco. Before moving to Raleigh to help open Il Falò at The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport in 2023, Depina worked as a pastry chef at The Gasparilla Inn, a resort on Florida’s Gasparilla Island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read on for her picks for where to eat and drink 2025!
Where do you go for a special-occasion dinner?
Barcelona Wine Bar. I always order the patatas bravas, roasted chickpea cazuela and roasted carrots. Barcelona is tucked away, and the decor is industrial yet romantic. They also have a vast selection of wines and spirits.
What’s your go-to neighborhood spot?
Chido Tacos in downtown Raleigh. They have great Birria tacos and delicious cocktails. They also play great music!
What’s a great casual spot?
A Place at the Table. The first time I went for brunch here, I was blown away by the quality of the food and I just loved the vibe. Everyone was happy to be there, working together for the community at this pay-what-you-can restaurant.
Where do you get lunch?
Champa Thai & Sushi in Brier Creek. The pineapple fried rice and Thai spiced wings are my go-to order.
Where do you get a meal to go?
Sassool has a wide range of delicious healthy Mediterranean food and freshly made pita bread. My favorites are the mint and beet salad, the jalapeno hummus and the baklava.
Where do you go for a drink?
The Velvet Hippo for all things cocktail and mocktail. The dynamic on the rooftop both indoors and outdoors is super energetic and fun. They play great music and the bartenders really know what they are doing.
What’s your go-to coffee spot?
Jubala Coffee on Honeycutt Road. The masala chai is delicious and so are their food offerings; simple ingredients done well.
What’s your favorite new-ish place?
Bazil Indian Cuisine has a really great menu with delicious and fresh food. My favorites are the Crab Masala and lamb biryani (spicy but so delicious). The service is attentive and the cocktails are unique.
What are you excited to try?
I’m really excited to try Jaguar Bolera. I’ve heard awesome things about the food and the ambience.
What’s a spot outside of Raleigh that’s worth the drive?
Geluna Gelato is the best gelato in the Triangle area. They are a small hidden shop, but they are dedicated to high quality ingredients and making exceptional seasonal offerings, which is why we are proud to sell their gelato in Il Falò.
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.
