Barrel and Fork is top shelf!! Dined there last week with a group of friends to celebrate my…read morebirthday early. The atmosphere is so chill and welcoming! The service was outstanding. And the food.....well worth it as it was fantastic! Everyone in our group loved their meal. It was nice to have a leisurely dinner and not feel rushed by the staff. After dinner we enjoyed their updated outdoor patio. The new owners have outdone themselves!!! Highly recommend!

For our anniversary this past April, we decided to return to Barrel & Fork in Cornelius because our…read morefirst visit a few years ago had been genuinely memorable. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Despite having reservations, the arrival and seating process felt disorganized. Our server was very friendly and sweet, but she was also somewhat aloof, rarely checked on us, and didn't seem particularly knowledgeable about the kitchen or menu. She mentioned at least five times that they had a new chef and that the menu had become "eclectic." In retrospect, that should have been a warning. Unfortunately, we did not have a single item of food that we would order again. At this price point, that is unacceptable--especially when outstanding premium restaurants such as Seaboy are literally just down the road. We started with a fried rice-ball appetizer and a mozzarella plate. Both desperately needed seasoning and were surprisingly bland. My Caesar salad was tiny, limp, and somehow almost entirely flavorless. My wife ordered a fried game-bird entrée--quail, if I remember correctly. I can't say exactly what went wrong in the kitchen, but the coating had the stale-oil flavor of McDonald's fries discovered three months too late. The accompanying sauce was murky, visually unappealing, and did absolutely nothing to rescue the dish. I love fried chicken, and even I couldn't eat hers. When our server cleared the plate, approximately 95% of the entrée was still sitting there. The server asked if my wife didn't like it, and she commented that it was not very good and explained why, yet they did not offer to make any changes or even discount that part of the bill which felt like a significant missed opportunity to address an obviously unsuccessful dish. I ordered the trout. Even allowing for the smaller portions common at upscale restaurants, it was one of the smallest entrées I have ever been served. Unfortunately, it didn't deliver enough flavor or refinement to make up for its size. By the time dessert was offered, we had no interest in spending more money after being disappointed by the appetizers, salads, and entrées. The beautiful historic home, atmosphere, and front-porch dining remain fantastic. Sadly, the food and overall experience no longer lived up to that wonderful setting. Our first visit was mind-blowing. This visit ensured that we won't return. Unless a massive sign appears out front announcing new management, a new chef, new staff, and an entirely new everything, we will spend our future anniversary dinners elsewhere. To those about to nosh, you have been warned.

Went with a friend that was familiar with the bar and we ended up getting through the forest…read more It was very good and the atmosphere of the bar is quite relaxing

We stopped in for a pre-dinner drink before a nice date night out down the street. We wanted a…read moreclassy, dimly lit speakeasy-adjacent vibe and this delivered on that to a tee. They have a fantastic whisky selection and it's a nice place to sit. I will say that their other cocktails though outside of just the whisky leaves a bit to be desired. I don't remember my cocktail but I remember thinking it was just okay, but my fiancé was happy with his Eagle Rare 10 year. We would stop in again for drink when in that area, but nothing to make a special trip for in my opinion unless you are looking for a true whisky bar. It is great at what it is, but don't expect a great variety.

Took one of Yelp's suggestions for lunch in the area (Thanks, Yelp!) and ate at the Irish Pub…read morecalled Nora Mac's. Lots of dark wood, dark green upholstery, and Irish Knick-knacks/advertisements/decor, plus traditional Irish music playing. There is also rooftop seating. I ordered the Lavender Gin Spritz from the seasonal cocktail menu, along with a starter of Bread and Butter (homemade Irish Brown Bread with a selection of freshly made butters) and The Orchard Salad topped with grilled chicken. The salted butter was definitely my favorite with the bread but it was fun to try the sweet maple cinnamon butter and savory fresh herb butter. Our food arrived lightning fast. Unfortunately the kitchen was out of apples, which would have added a nice crunch and tang to the salad, but I just sipped my drink (which was not lavender forward) to get that "bite" instead. Service was friendly and fast.

I really wanted to like this place, but unless you are a local millionaire, you are not welcome. I…read morebarely got to eat food there the night before my c-section. There are bound to be better places with better service. Unless you are a millionaire and want to listen to the bartender multiple times tell you how she is a nanny and lose your changing pad. Ambiance is rich, entitled, underage drinking.

Great evening at Boots and Bourbon!…read more First off, huge shout out to Autumn behind the bar! She made the best smoked old fashioned just the way I like it, not sweet with a little punch. It was perfect. And smoking it in house adds that extra flavor to bring it over the top. Went with some wings and a spicy smashburger accompanied by their in house chips. Wings came out hot and fresh. Smashburger was great, juicy meat with depth of flavor. Only thing that would have made this burger even better would have been the crispy char edges of the smashed meat for that unique smashed taste. But even without it, this was a heck of a burger. And the fresh homemade chips were perfect with it. Super fun spot on either a slower day, or come when they have their live music, line dancing or any other fun event that they host regularly.

I gave them another shot. Service was horrible. Waited an hour and 10 minutes for an appetizer. The…read morebartender had no clue on how to make a Manhattan or an old-fashioned. That actually tasted good. Pricing was high. I'm not going back!

The Vintage Cigar Bar is hands-down one of the most beautiful and relaxing spots I've been to in…read moreNorth Carolina. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere pulls you in--classy, cozy, and timeless. The decor strikes the perfect balance between vintage charm and modern luxury, making it an ideal place to unwind. Their cigar selection is impressive. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just exploring the world of cigars, there's something for everyone. The staff is super knowledgeable and always ready with a great recommendation. Drinks? On point. The cocktails are crafted with care and the bar menu complements the cigars beautifully. It's the kind of place where you can sip, smoke, and actually have a conversation. But what really sets this place apart is the waitstaff. Attentive, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can tell they take pride in making every guest feel at home. If you're looking for a classy spot to enjoy a good cigar, a great drink, and even better company--this is it. I can't wait to come back

Just tried to experience this bar on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a birthday with friends. I was…read morethe last of two people to join a party of 5 that were already in attendance. We were immediately turned away because we had on sweatpants. The attire rules are posted at the door in a very abrupt and abrasive way and we were quickly approached. The bar was near empty, we only wanted to continue our friend's bday celebration. There was a white server that walked right by us and entered the cigar room with the black server. She didn't say anything to us but the black server immediately came out and told us we needed to leave because of our attire. We were kempt and professional, yet casual. The servers had on uggs, leggings, half zip nylon pullovers, and had the audacity to approach us about attire. I will never, ever, spend my dollars, nor recommend this place to anyone...for ANYTHING.

Celebrating my 55th birthday with a brunch at Crunkleton. This was my first visit, but will…read moredefinitely not be my last. First and foremost, our waiter, Alan was the best! I'm talking top tier, Veuve Clicquot Brut service...with a little spice...Best! He was so accommodating and keep us laughing the entire time. He went out of his way to make my day special! We started with beignets, oysters on the half shell and cocktails. Espresso Martinis, a Dirty Martini, and a specialty cocktail made to order. It may sound like a weird combination, but it all paired well together. I was in the mood for beef. So, I ordered the Wagyu Brunch Burger- 1/2 lb Wagyu, Over-Easy Egg, Grilled Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Hollandaise, Avocado Spread, Brioche Bun, Garlic and Herb Fries. The fam had the Veggie Ranchero omelet- Seasonal Beans, Grilled Corn, Pico de Gallo, Poblano, Cheddar, Avocado, Tortilla Strips, Ranchero, Chipotle-Lime Crema, and a Hashbrown Casserole. Fingerling Breakfast potatoes, with a side of bacon and eggs, and another Hashbrown Casserole. Everything was cooked to perfection. I had such a great time and can't wait to return. I even made a recommendation to a friend who dined there Labor Day weekend and enjoyed her experience. I'll be back soon for sure!

I heard great things about food, ambiance and service. Greeted by a small team at the door…read moreimmediately. Next we experienced top tier service from Tay. He recommended the chargrilled oysters as well as the crab cakes which did not disappoint. I prefer handcrafted cocktails and this is exactly what you're going to experience at Crunkleton. Not only did I inhale my blackberry gin based drink but I was extremely pleased with the birthday beignets. If that's not enough, we devoured a third of our tomahawk steak, the strawberry salad and my favorite item of the night were the mixed vegetables that accompanied the steak. Yassss! I loved the veggies. Looking for foodie vibes, grab your friends and enjoy a night at the Crunkleton. Pro-Tip: parking is validated; arrive early to avoid crowds

Just a little annoyed. Place looks super cool! Had reservations at moon and Thai. Stopped by for a…read morefew drinks with my wife. Today around 345. Lady I guess was leaving for the day said Craig would help me. She was kind to bring waters. I just wanted 2 ice cold beers as it's hot out now and days. Was there almost 10 min. No service other than the waters. Mind you there was only 2 people in the whole place. I'll come back another day and try again. Just annoyed need to be a little more attentive when no one's there. Makes a difference !

I had high hopes for this restaurant when I made a reservation for Valentine's Day, but…read moreunfortunately, the experience fell far below expectations. While I take full responsibility for arriving 15 minutes late, I was shocked at how rudely the hostess--who we later learned was the manager--handled the situation. Rather than a simple acknowledgment of the delay, or improbability of getting a table, she made a point to shame us, emphasizing that accommodating us would be an extra burden for her. This set an uncomfortable tone from the start. When she begrudgingly seated us at a table that had somehow magically become available, she made another unnecessary comment, implying that I should do my part to not make her job so difficult again. My partner was immediately put off and suggested we leave, but I decided to give the restaurant another chance, assuming the manager might just be having a rough night. Unfortunately, things did not improve. The food, best described as uninspired frozen bar fare from the main Duckworth's kitchen, took over 30 minutes to arrive--and even then, it was served before our drinks. When the drinks finally did arrive, they were nothing exceptional. I ordered a French 75, and my partner had a Paloma, only to realize that even the drinks had come from downstairs at Duckworth's. Given the restaurant's supposed reputation, I was surprised that it didn't have its own bar, unlike how things are set up at The Cellar. The only redeeming aspect of our visit was our waitress, who was pleasant and professional. However, what puzzled us the most was that despite the manager's initial reluctance to seat us, nearly half of the restaurant remained empty throughout the evening. With at least three or four servers working in a relatively small space, it was clear that staffing wasn't the issue--so why the hostility? It was hard not to wonder if other potential diners had been similarly turned off by the manager's deplorable attitude and the underwhelming menu. Overall, the experience left a bad taste in our mouths--both literally and figuratively. Between the lackluster food and drinks, and the uncalled-for attitude from management (she is bald and was wearing a dress on the evening of 2/14/25 at 9:30PM-11PM), I cannot recommend this place to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience.

Professional and polite. I will definitely be revisiting…read morethis place. Wonderful atmosphere, outstanding cigars.

I've very recently started dabbling in whiskeys and cigars as a man in my 30's trying to find new…read moreand more sophisticated ways to spend time with friends. The days of pounding shots in bars are long behind me and not fun anymore. But a cigar lounge and a glass of whiskey feels relaxed and more sophisticated. The Smoke & Oak has been on my wish list list for a while and I'm happy I finally went! The location is nondescript, looking like a normal house from the street were it not for the sign. Street parking was not difficult to find. Inside, the ambiance is great. Soft warm lighting, ample plush leather chairs for seating, attractive displays of cigars and a huge selection of whiskeys. The staff are passionate, knowledgeable, and friendly and made great recommendations. Walking in as a complete novice felt intimidating, and they made it much easier than I expected. I was taught basic terminology and options on pairings. Pricing felt reasonable and fair. The atmosphere was extremely laid back and relaxing. Socializing and networking with the other men was fun. I'll absolutely come back and you should too.

We ended our night out with friends at literally this hole in the wall whiskey bar. And I say that…read morewith the utmost affection. Such a cool little spot and when I say little, it can only hold about 25 people at a time. But it's beautiful on the inside because it's so cozy and the wall of whiskeys are so cool to look at. The bar tenders were hopping the night we were there with 16 of us but they handled it great and the drink options were unique and of course they had all the classics. For a fun and different night out I highly suggest you check out Leo's.

Hidden gem in Asheboro! Tried 3 different cocktails and they were all amazing. Whiskey sour, old…read morefashioned and apple bourbon smash!

Poor service, great menu.The host wasn't too informative.I explained it was my first time there and…read morewasn't sure the difference in seating areas.I simply opted for the bar since I was dining alone. There were 2 Bartenders but the 1 didn't acknowledge me until everyone left.I was given an outdated menu by the time someone checked back I had to choose another drink.They small batch the old fashioned drinks, nothing to write home about. I started with the oysters rockafella and wanted to order more but it was hard to get the bartenders attention. The atmosphere is beautiful,maybe the service will be better another time

We went for Easter brunch. It was overpriced, unimaginative, and underwhelming. We arrived to find…read moreonly 4 other tables seated. The buffet was boring and the food was tasteless. There was no a single option worth remembering. We enjoyed Port City but Lake House will be a 1 and done for us.