Wow, if you are in Raleigh you definitely have to check out Crawford & Son. When you arrive parking…read moreis pretty difficult as the restaurant is located on person street. You'll want to park on a side street and walk up to the restaurant. When you walk into the restaurant you'll be transported to a dark, warm, intimate, and buzzy neighborhood vibe. I'd definitely recommend booking a reservation to ensure you are able to get a table. Once we were seated I started by ordering the Long Time Listener Cocktail (Bourbon, Blackberry, Mint, Fernet-Branca) which was excellent and probably my favorite drink of the evening. For my other drink I tried the Structured Settlement (coconut washed tequila, peach, popcorn orgeat, and lime). This drink was also good, but not as good as the long time listener. For food, we started with the Manchego-Herb Biscuits which were flaky, soft, and didn't need any butter. After that we tried the Heirloom Tomato Salad (provencal granola, mozzarella ice cream, and peaches) which was perfect. The large tomato with the crunchy granola, olive oil, and mozzarella and peaches were the perfect blend of flavors. I couldn't stop eating this dish. Next, we tried the Half Smoke Sausage (roasted peppers, garlic aioli, balsamic onion jus) which surprised me. The sausage had a bit of a spicy flavor, the roasted peppers were prepared perfectly, and overall the flavors paired perfectly together. We also ordered the Bucatini (sea urchin, gulf prawn, spicy tomato sauce) which was good with the pasta and all of the flavors mixed together. The last appetizer we ordered was the yellowfin tuna crudo (honeydew, Fresno chili, shiso, tom yum ice) which was perfect. The sliced honeydew with the raw yellowfin was so good!! For the entree we split the Grilled Bavette Steak (potato rosti, shishito pepper, and sauce choron). The steak cut like butter and was cooked perfectly. For dessert we ordered the blueberry upside down cake (popcorn streusel, sweet corn ice cream) which had fresh blueberries and I couldn't stop eating this dish. I'll have to add Crawford & Son to my regular Raleigh restaurant rotation as this meal was excellent. Looking forward to my next visit.

Fantastic spot to grab a nice meal. It's on the more intimate side, so definitely make a…read morereservation during peak times. Was really impressed by the hospitality of the bartender Toulson (spelling?). He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and gave me detailed recommendations. -- The Hamachi Crudo was so bright and light. I really enjoyed the puffed rice on top and the basil ice complemented the dish well. The grapefruit added some nice acidity and the little crunchy bites were the perfect texture contrast. The pieces of fish were large and thick. -- The Manchego-herb Biscuits were awesome. One order comes with four small biscuits. Crust was flaky, the inside was soft and moist, and the flaky salt was the cherry on top. -- The Seared Duck Breast was phenomenal. The duck was juicy and tender and salted well. The skin was thick, sooo flavorful, and melted in your mouth but I would've liked a little more crispiness on the outside. I enjoyed the mix of fresh vegetables and warm cooked vegetables served with the dish. -- The Lemon Yuzu Tart was a nice bright and rich dessert. The tartness comes from the jam on top of the tart but it doesn't overwhelm the dish. The creme brulee style top was a nice touch. The buttermilk ice cream was more on the icier side than creamy. I really enjoyed all the dishes I tried here and am looking forward to my next visit.

This was our first time going to village tavern…read more It was packed on a weekday afternoon! We got seated very quickly which was a surprise. The food was excellent. Service was great. I heard some people next to us complain about the wait time for their food but given how busy it was, I don't think it was insanely long. We sat on the porch and it was really nice dinner! Will definitely be returning to try other menu options!

My husband and I went to the Village Tavern for dinner and ordered the NY Strip (med rare) and…read moremeatloaf. The NY Strip arrived more than well done, so we told the waitress and she apologized and sent it back to the kitchen. As I was eating the meatloaf, I noticed an off taste and texture. I looked closer and realized it was still pink/slimy/raw! How can meatloaf be raw? It's supposed to be fully cooked first and then grilled. Whoever sliced it from the "loaf" should have noticed it was not cooked before throwing it on the grill! We notified the manager when he came to apologize for the NY strip, so he took the meatloaf back to the kitchen. When the NY Strip came back out, my husband cut into it and it was shiny and purple inside, from top to bottom...absolutely rare. The waitress agreed it was rare and took it back to the kitchen again. When it came out for the third time, it was perfect (third time's a charm, I guess?). The only saving grace was the kind waitress who felt awful about the sub par food. The kitchen put her in an uncomfortable position, but she handled it with grace. We ordered the chocolate torte for dessert and it was very good, but that's the only thing I'd return for.

SmokeStack Cafe (Historic Oakwood - Raleigh) My wife and I…read morechose SmokeStack Cafe for our anniversary lunch, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. After 40 years of marriage, we've learned that a memorable lunch is often better than an expensive dinner. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to write our reviews the same day. Lunch for two came to about $45 plus tax and tip, and included: * Bánh Mì * Shrimp Tacos * House Lemonade * Key Lime Pie Location & Atmosphere SmokeStack Cafe is located in Raleigh's historic Oakwood neighborhood in a beautifully restored former grocery store. The setting is full of charm, both inside and out. There is outdoor seating available, but we chose to sit indoors where the space is open, comfortable, and inviting. Parking is street parking only. On our Juneteenth lunch visit, finding a space was easy, though I suspect many neighborhood residents simply walk over. The Food The Bánh Mì was outstanding. The bread was a true French baguette, fresh, crisp, and clearly high quality. The sandwich was generously filled with flavorful pork, more than we have received at most places serving bánh mì. It came with a large portion of well-seasoned French fries. The Shrimp Tacos featured three tacos on corn tortillas. The shrimp portion was generous, and the accompanying sauce added plenty of flavor without overwhelming the seafood. The House Lemonade was tart, refreshing, and exactly what I wanted on a warm afternoon. For dessert, we shared a slice of house-made Key Lime Pie. It was a generous serving with a bright, tangy lime flavor and a graham cracker crust that had a subtle hint of cinnamon. A wonderful finish to the meal. Service Service was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout our visit. In a fun personal touch, our server told us he had made the key lime pie himself Overall What impressed me most was how diverse and eclectic the menu is. The food felt thoughtful and well executed, the setting was charming, and the service was first-rate. SmokeStack Cafe delivered exactly the kind of memorable lunch we hoped for on our anniversary, and we're already looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu.

Smokestacks was such a pleasant find! Tucked away in a neighborhood. The exterior completely threw…read moreus off from the magic we were about to experience inside. We called ahead to see if they were busy and get an idea of their wait times as we needed to have a quick lunch. Upon arrival, the very friendly server status quickly and made sure to get our order and as quick as possible. The menu looked interesting and fun, but we were both blown away when our food came. Everything made to order, freshly cooked. Deep built-up flavors, the kind of cooking that takes hours to prepare. You could feel the love that went into this food. We will absolutely be back We shared a braised beef sandwich and an oxtail soup. I'm salivating writing this review, I can't give it enough praises. You must try it. So excited to go back and try the rest of the menu.. This place is a foodie dream!

It was an awesome combination of superb food combined with outstanding service…read more The wine choices were great and the attention to detail was evident.

We stopped at Death and Taxes for a drink prior to going to Poole's restaurant. We were challenged…read moreto find a spot at the bar, but the restaurant manager Ryan did an excellent job accommodating us. We enjoyed a wonderful oyster appetizer along with a drink. Service was excellent! She even came by to greet us at the bar and make us feel very welcome. We left and walked to Poole's for our dinner reservation. Much to our surprise, Ryan had called ahead to provide a complementary appetizer when we arrived! So thoughtful! So appreciative of her extra effort and thoughtfulness! We will be a forever customer! Thank you so much!

This restaurant has been at the top of my list of places to try for quite awhile. It is…read moreconsistently listed as one of the best restaurants in the area but they don't take reservations! Our group of 4 showed up on a Wednesday evening at 5:30 and got seated immediately. We ordered their bread and butter, roasted bone marrow, scallops, ribeye steak, pork belly, fried oysters, and desserts. Everything was amazing!! Service was outstanding!

Stopped by Stanbury for dinner and wow it didn't disappoint. Several people had recommended that I…read moretry Stanbury and that it was their favorite restaurant in Raleigh. When you arrive you'll want to have your name added to the list with the host as Stanbury doesn't take reservations. We added our name to the list and had a cocktail outside while we waited. I ordered an old fashioned while we waited for our table. Our table was ready and wow this restaurant is so cool inside. Walking in you'll be transported to a hip, moody, and highly energetic vibe without it feeling pretentious. We sat in the room with yoda painted on the wall. We ordered several small plates including the Bread & Butter (Boulted sesame pan loaf, GA cultured butter), the Raw Oysters (2 O'cock, NC, 2 Mookiemoto, ME, and 2 Lucky Charm, PEI), NC Tuna Tataki (ponzu, zucchini namasu, sweet pepper, bonito mayo, chive), the Beef Tartare (pan con tomate, shallot, caper, paprika aioli, peppers, olive), the Fried Oysters (cucumber, daikon, carrot, spicy mayo, cilantro), the Crispy Eggplant (peach muhammara, heirloom tomato, yogurt tahina, mint, urfa), the Crispy Pig Head (beluga lentils, bacon, poached egg, mustard crema, arugula), and the Roasted Marrow (parsley, shallot, caper, Boulted toast, Maldon). Out of all the small plates my favorites were the NC Tuna Tataki and Raw Oysters. The other plates were also good and definitely worth trying. For our entree we split the Grilled Ribeye (heirloom tomato, shallot, basil, Cana de Cabra, Boulted levain) which was perfectly cooked and seasoned, fell apart, and was my favorite part of the entire meal. Lastly we ordered the Peach Tarte Tartin (roasted peach, pastry, corn, mascarpone, basil) which we both weren't fans of. I'd probably skip the dessert and go for an after dinner drink. Overall, Stanbury was a fun and mind opening experience of how so many different flavors/dishes can come together. Excited for the next time I stop by Stanbury.

Had dinner here last night for the 1st time. It was a great experience. We had reservations so…read morewe got seated quickly. Food was delicious, waitress was very nice and attentive. My husband got the special pan seared sea bass and said it was amazing. (Only negatives are Music was a bit loud and it was hard to hear the conversation and they say us near the front door so it was a bit cold when the door opened).

The service was great. The bread they give you with the honey butter is fantastic. All of our meals…read morewere hot and delicious. My espresso martini was so good. The vibes were great I would come back!

My oh my, this may be one of my new favorite restaurants in Raleigh! All of the food was excellent!…read more When you arrive there is parking available on the street or in the paid lot next to the restaurant. Walking in you'll feel like you've walked into a retro-chic, high energy, and upscale diner. Even the waiting area was nice to sit in as we waited for our table. For drinks I ordered the Hurricane (Rum, Pasionfruit, Grenadine, Orange, Lime), Scorpion (Amaro Nonino, Montenegro, Sweet Vermouth, Hot Honey, Mint), the 1806 (Orange Infused Bourbon, Brulee'd Orange Syrup, Bitters), and an espresso martini. I'd say it was a tie for favorite drink between the Hurricane and the 1806. Both were well balanced and tasted great. The scorpion was a bit spicy for my liking and the espresso martini was good just wasn't as good as the hurricane/the 1806. For appetizers we ordered the Maine Lobster Doughnuts, Heirloom Tomato Pie (with Tennessee Buttermilk Cheddar & Sherry-Sherry Vinaigrette), and the Watermelon Vinaigrette (with Avocado, Goat Lady Dairy Chevre, & White Balsamic Vinaigrette). The Maine Lobster Doughnuts and Watermelon Vinaigrette were excellent. The watermelon was sliced, goat cheese wasn't too strong and had the perfect blend of flavors. The Maine Lobster Doughnuts were also perfectly cooked and were so good. The Heirloom Tomato Pie was okay, just had a really strong mustard after taste which wasn't my favorite. For my entree I ordered the 10 oz Hanger Steak (Creamed Greens, Oil-Cured Olive Butter, & Red Wine Shallot Jus) which was cooked perfectly was so good. Even the baguette and butter were excellent!! Lastly for dessert we split the Peach Shortcake (Vanilla Bean Mascarpone and Cinnamon Crunch Biscuit). It tasted like a croissant and peach biscuit and was excellent. If you are in downtown Raleigh definitely check out Poole's.

As a vegetarian, I was happy to find enough options at Poole's Diner to put together a full meal…read more The pimento cheese had good flavor, and the fried saltines were everything you'd want fried saltines to be. Just a heads-up: the pimento cheese is served cold. I was expecting it to be warm, but I probably should have asked. The heirloom tomato pie was good, not great. Think chicken pot pie, but filled with tomatoes and cheese. The flavors were pretty straightforward, but the crust was really good. The ricotta gnocchi was a hit. The gnocchi was very soft and pillowy, and it came in an almost pesto-like broth. I'm a huge pesto fan, so I really enjoyed the combination. The sweet corn with oyster mushrooms was also good, but there was a lot of sherry cream. The corn was practically swimming in it, and the mushrooms became so soft that they mostly tasted like the cream. Surprisingly, the sautéed broccolini may have been my favorite dish. It had a smoky grilled char while still keeping the firmness you want from broccolini. Simple, but really well done. We finished with the soft-serve sundae with braised blueberries, coconut graham crumble, and coconut cream. The blueberries were a little sweeter than I normally prefer, but the soft serve was delicious, the crumble added a nice texture, and the coconut cream was a subtle touch. Overall, it was a very good meal. Not every dish was a standout, but the gnocchi, broccolini, and sundae were the clear highlights.

3.5 rounded up to 4. Southern cuisine. Service was good. Chicken salad was good. Next time I will…read moretry the Southern Caesar salad instead though. Love the idea of the fried grit croutons. Nice business lunch spot if you work nearby and you'd like to sit and chat in a business casual setting away from the parking chaos of downtown Raleigh. But I will say getting to and out of this shopping center was a bit confusing due to the service road. Parking was limited.

Still loving this spot! I haven't been back in a while but Doug was a wonderful server and the food…read morewas fantastic. I highly recommend the filet/ fried oyster combo and the street corn dip appetizer.