Rhubarb: Contemporary Southern cuisine — such as muscadine-glazed duck confit — by chef John Fleer, a James Beard Award finalist, in downtown Asheville. 7 S.W. Pack Square, Asheville, N.C. 828-785-1503, rhubarbasheville.com.
Death & Taxes: The newest addition to the collection of Raleigh establishments operated by Ashley Christensen, 2014 James Beard Award best chef Southeast, opened in June and offers wood-fire cooking. 105 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, N.C. 984-242-0218, ac-restaurants.com, @deathandtaxesnc.
Lantern: Farm-to-table restaurant in Chapel Hill — and a Gourmet magazine Top 50 selection — run by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrea Reusing. 423 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, N.C. 919-969-8846, lanternrestaurant.com, @LanternNC.
Chef and the Farmer: Eastern North Carolina restaurant operated by James Beard Award finalist Vivian Howard and her husband, Ben Knight. She is host of the PBS show "A Chef's Life." 120 W. Gordon St., Kinston, N.C. 252-208-2433, chefandthefarmer.com, @chefandthef.
On the Square: Tarboro bistro operated by native Inez Ribustello, who was beverage director at Windows on the World in the World Trade Center. After 9/11, she returned to Tarboro and opened On the Square, a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner. 115 E. St. James St., Tarboro, N.C. 252-823-8268, onthesquarenc.com.
Lexington Barbecue: Beloved Piedmont institution known for its hickory-smoked pork shoulder cooked with a special vinegar-based dip. The town also holds an annual Barbecue Festival (Oct. 24, barbecuefestival.com). 100 Smokehouse Lane, Lexington, N.C. 336-249-9814, lexbbq.com.
Skylight Inn BBQ: This longtime pit stop in Ayden serves up Eastern North Carolina-style que, such as whole hog barbecue tray. 4618 S. Lee St., Ayden, N.C. 252-746-4113, skylightinnbbq.com, @skylightinn.
Soul Gastrolounge: Charlotte's dining scene ranges from steakhouses to drive-ins, and this bar with small plates had us with its Asian-glazed pork belly tacos. 1500-B Central Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 704-348-1848, soulgastrolounge.com.
