My friends were excited to bring me to this place for dinner so I was excited too. However, I got disappointed by the food and the service. I don't think it's worth paying this price given the other great options in Durham. We were a party of five and the restaurant wasn't full on Friday night. At first the service was attentive. They brought us the menu quickly and offered us drinks. The waiter also answered our questions about the menu. But once we ordered he totally disappeared. It took them about 20 minutes to bring the entrees. Once we finished them, it took them around 50 minutes to bring our main dishes. When we asked the waiter about our food (after waiting for more 40 min), he didn't even apologize for the delay! About the food, we decided to order the octopus and brussels sprouts as appetizers. They were ok, but none of them was memorable. I mean we were five people eating only two entrees and the plates didn't get empty quickly. I then ordered a pasta, the Casarecce (I agree with another review, lots of fancy names and many things are difficult to understand). I wanted something not to spicy or greasy, and this was a good option. But the problem is that it was missing flavor. I don't like a lot of spice in my food, but this was maybe too much. I didn't like this type of pasta either. It was hollow inside and a bit sticky. I was expecting much more for a pasta over $20 without proteins. My friends tried it and they thought the same. They ordered the other pasta with seafood, and they liked it but thought the portion was too small. Another friend tried the pork and said it was delicious. We decided not to order dessert given the food and the service, even though they looked delicious. My cocktail was ok. I'm the end I paid $50 including tip. I probably won't have dinner here again. I would just come for a drink because the place is cool. read more

If I'm paying $14 for a friggin BLT, I have a few expectations. One being that the bacon isn't cold and floppy and tastes like it came out of a package, even though it's "house cured." And when we're literally the only table in the restaurant how does it take 15 mins to get our drinks - one of them being a glass of wine. Bad service and bad food. Won't be back. read more

Amazing experience. The bank vault, art galleries, food and drinks... everything was just wonderful! Will definitely be back when I'm there again! We basically had a private gallery viewing because we were able to walk around with our drinks after dinner around midnight. Amazing! read more

Let me begin by saying that I am not a "foodie." That said, I have worked in many kitchens in the Triangle area, particularly as a young man, and even cooked under the watchful eye of a gentleman who ended up on Iron Chef, so I know good food when I encounter it. I will not bore you with excruciating, "foodie-pedantic" details about each dish - I will simply say that my dinner date at Counting House this past Saturday night was one of the best dining experiences I've had in the Triangle area and Greensboro for many years. That's saying something, considering I grew up around here, going to places like Elaine's, Lantern, Nana's, and Magnolia Grill back in the day. Considering this was a last-minute date night switch-up with local restaurants, it turned out to be such a happy accident. My food was phenomenal, from start to finish. My appetizers, in particular, were among the best I've had over the past two years (we enjoyed several, tapas style). The atmosphere is hip, without being hipster, and the clientele seemed to be diverse - families, couples and groups. The ambience was comfortable with enough of a "vibe" to energize your evening without taking away from it or distracting you from other, more important endeavors, like enjoying your company or your meal. All of that said, what really stood out to me was the customer service. Our server and her support staff (runners) were pleasant and courteous. I spoke with two managers, Josh and Che, who were incredibly friendly and seemed dedicated to my total satisfaction, which was so refreshing, considering the attitudes I encounter when dining with some of their competitors. They did so many little things to enhance my evening, that I'm almost afraid that they set the standard too high for replication when I visit them again, which I intend to do very soon. read more

Did not really care for the food. The service was also slow. Overall, I did not enjoy my meal. nice décor though. read more

Pros: great location downtown that showcases wonderful art that is often by local artists: gender-non conforming bathrooms; great ambiance with warm, but quirky decor; consistently "good" drinks. Cons: no food option is remarkable... some good or average food options are never consistently good or average. The presentation of food is lacking and seems a bit lazy, or sloppy. Conclusion: go here for a nice drink and ambiance before a night out or dinner or for a night cap... especially good if you are with a group of friends and the couch spaces are free. read more

This was a fabulous restaurant. I absolutely loved the ricotta casarecce-- a fantastic melding of textures and tastes. I loved how chewy and clearly homemade the pasta was and how the pine nuts on top contrasted. I loved the contrast between the salty leeks and the tiny fruits too. And of course, I was more than pleasantly surprised by the massive portion. Hands down, not just as a vegetarian dish, the ricotta casarecce was amazing. One of the friends I went with shared her slightly less positive thoughts on the fig side: "Everything was very well crafted, but I felt that the flavors were a little disjointed. I value really wholistic dishes, which I don't think that the dish provided. Nevertheless, all of the flavors were very rich and the food was objectively good, just not my personal taste." read more

My wife and I stopped by the Counting House for dinner before a performance at DPAC. The restaurant is small but has a large, long bar. After we were seated we ordered a martini for each of us. When ordering I asked if a double was just a few dollars extra and was told that a double was double the cost. Most NC restaurants will pour a double for $3 or $4 more than a single. Since my martini was $11 and was not a generous pour I didn't order a double. We both enjoyed our meals, but again, not inexpensive. I wasn't very hungry so ordered a $15 burger, which was very good. My wife ordered a vegetarian entree' (Cauliflower steak) for $15, 6 oysters for $4 each, Pear & Sweet Potato salad for $7, and a glass of red wine for $19. The total for all was $101 plus $20 tip. The restaurant is upscale and nicely decorated, but their prices are not in line with other restaurants in the area. read more

The bank vault in the basement, which was lined with couches, was fantastic. We came on a Tuesday night, so there was not an event, thus we could explore it. The two cocktails we tried were well balanced. The special, with blueberries, green tea, seasoned butter, was refreshing and smooth. It exceeded my expectations, as the ingredients blended well and you couldn't detect individual flavors. The Garden Bee cocktail with navy strength gin was very herbal and was not my favorite. The ambiance is lovely and I appreciate you can take your drinks into the museum and down into the vault. read more

Stayed at the 21C for a friend weekend and have been and out of counting house the entire time. Love the staff here who are so friendly and knowledgeable. Very cool vibe and good food and drinks! The fries are some of the best ever! I'd come here just for them. And big shout out to Sarah, Ryan, Walker and the rest of the crew for making my stay a fun time. read more

What a wonderful addition to downtown Durham! This venue is a feast for all the senses. You can view the art gallery in the 21c Museum Hotel, enjoy cocktails in the old bank vault, and experience wonderful cuisine in the art deco restaurant. The remodeling of this old bank using the creative concept of a museum hotel and a restaurant is awesome! Well done! read more

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We come in every business trip and tongiht, by far, was the beat night ever. Wes, aka "Wes-the-Best," was phenomenal. He managed to figure my coworkers drink and miraculously made an Irish mule in seconds... yes you read right, mere seconds! The coctauls were delicious and severe ABOVE AND BEYOND! If you are ever looking for a laid back classy atmosphere, this is your place; museum to entertain and bathroom to talk about!!! read more

Counting House - A few tasty cocktails! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place is always fantastic. We come by every few weeks just to check on the art. But, then, the excellent service at the bar draws us in. Food is interesting and perfectly done. Win is 9 oz pours, don't freak out at the price. Even the bread is tasty. And PLEASE leave room for dessert. read more

For all that don't know '21c Durham' the Counting House Pastry Chef: Nicole Lourie is the B-E-S-T! Skills like no other...Check Her out. -Love You Nicole, 'Kar Ysrael...thanks for everything you taught me. read more

Excellent dinner start to finish! The bluefish a must and the amazing duck egg on truffle cheese and the black radish. The roasted acorn squash with the whipped ricotta was excellent was well. ( not fond of the skin on) the rotisserie chicken great combination with the red Peas avocado salad. Dessert on the way can't wait! read more

An absolutely exquisite dining experience from start to finish! As a foodie, I'm very critical when dining out but I genuinely have no complaints! The ambiance & artistic theme set the tone for a well thought out meal with beautiful flavor profiles that are pleasing to the palate. The seafood snacks were to die for, and we tried a good majority of the items on the menu thanks to the wonderful manager, Che. Service was fantastic. The servers were knowledgeable, friendly & attentive. I highly recommend the desserts as well. The deconstructed apple pie paired with cardamom ice cream was so tasty! We also loved the sweet potato cake. This is a great place for a date or a night with the girls. Enjoy! read more

Very hit or miss dining experience. The staff was pleasant and courteous, and the art is quite interesting. The food and drink were a very mixed experience. The octopus appetizer had nice octopus on top of subpar muck. The fennel side was overly sweet and you couldn't taste any actual fennel flavor since the sweet was so overpowering. Gazpacho was quite good. Entrees were decent - chicken and pork - nothing great, something a good home cook could do. The desserts were meh to awful. Ricotta cheese pie was probably the worst dessert in memory, bland and for some reason they added rice into the blend making it very mealy. The ice cream on top seems to have been thawed and refrozen, as there were a lot of ice crystals throughout. Cocktails were mixed as well - the pink penguin was well balanced and interesting, the other was a one note drink. For the money, you can have a far better meal downtown at 1/2 the price. And then there is the bathroom. While I agree with the statement being made, the bathrooms do not work reliably. In 2 visits to the restaurant, the mechanism on the doors failed - the first time while one of our party was using it, exposing them to an audience. The second time a bathroom simply didn't work at all. If you have to go to the bathroom, go elsewhere or bring a human shield with you. read more

A girlfriend and I stopped in for an afternoon cocktail last weekend and really enjoyed ourselves. Counting House is located in 21c, a cute boutique hotel/art museum in downtown Durham. They have valet, but we had street parking from brunch and just decided to walk over to Counting House. The decor inside the bar area is contemporary and bright, and makes for a sleek, chic feel. In addition to the art museum, there's a vault area in the basement with couches and tables to enjoy a cocktail- my understanding is that they have events there occasionally. We sat at the bar and loved it since it was rather gloomy outside but really bright and airy in the bar. My gf ordered the Medal Count, and I asked for a French 75, which was not on the menu. The bartender happily obliged, and the cocktails he made for us were delicious. He was a really pleasant guy as well. I've not eaten there, but I hear the food is really good. I'll have to order off the menu the next time I stop in. read more

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We had some apps and drinks at the bar. Loved the decor. That's about it. The scallop ceviche was slimy and gross. The shrimp was over cooked. The drinks were overpriced. The bartenders were pretentious. read more

I came in right when they opened for the evening and sat at the bar to get dinner. The service was not that attentive and everyone from the hostess to the bartenders acted like the place wasn't open yet. The place could benefit from having a good manager on hand as staff spent all their time talking about their personal lives. I didn't get the impression of an upscale restaurant at all. I ordered a pork dish with monchego cheese, chorizo and peaches. The dish was complex but I didn't feel that the flavors worked together. The pork was tender but the whole dish was not successful in my opinion. Yes, the bar has that hip vibe but there are better restaurants downtown if you are looking for good service and excellent food. read more

5 stars all the way. The food is amazing, and the service is even better. Plenty of options and gluten free options as well. Our server Blakeley was such a delight. Our bartender Alex also makes drinks just the way that they should be. We look forward to coming again. read more

I ate here today for Restaurant Week (lunch) and it was amazing! The food was excellent. Some of the best I've had. It was clear that everything was made from scratch and tasted wonderful. Presentation was great. The service was also really good. We were made to feel welcome and overall had a very pleasant experience. I highly recommend it to everyone! read more

A beautifully set up and decorated restaurant located inside the 21c Hotel Museum with high ceilings, dimmed lights, available private event rooms, and a large bar! What I loved most about this place is the city-like environment. I tried two appetizer dishes including the pimento cheese bites and the chicken and waffle sticks and both were good! If you are in town I would stay at the hotel and enjoy a fine night of dining :) read more

This was a nice place but they had a bad habit of not listing all ingredients in dishes. This is problematic for me since I am allergic to tree nuts. In 2 of the 4 items we ordered there were surprise pecans. read more

Good service and fun menu. For example, they used ink sauce for one of the spaghetti dishes instead of just marinara. The oysters and cheese cake dessert were very good and everything was presented beautifully. Visiting the vault was a great way to end dinner. It was nice that dinner was an experience. read more

Counting House - The cheese cake presented beautifully! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We had a bad experience with the Counting House. We ordered smoothies and the waitress brought out two waters and a bill for $16 even though we had a voucher for 2 drinks. It then took 30 minutes to get the smoothies. To bring out a bill without the order is just poor form. We didn't get the service we expected and felt like they forgot about us. It's a cool atmosphere and we might try the food again but the service was sub par. read more

My boyfriend and I have been to 21c Cincinnati & Louisville and plan to to travel to all locations. I also used to work for 21c Cincinnati so I'm used to exceptional service and going the extra mile for someone's experience. We had Dinner tonight at Counting House. The atmosphere, drinks and food were amazing! However the service was a little lacking. If you want to have a great dining experience get seated in the dining room and not the bar. We didn't have a reservation because it was a last minute, and I figured it would be a little slow tonight. We arrived At 6:30ish and the host asked if I had a reservation, I said I didn't and she asked if we wanted to sit at the bar. I asked what the wait was for two. She said 10-15min, we said we would wait and then she continued to say, "Well you can wait and I can try to squeeze you in somewhere...but if you sit at a high top at the bar you get seated faster and get your food quickly." So we accepted the bar cause we didn't want to be a nuisance and we were pretty hungry. We sat for about 5min before we were greeted which was fine if they were busy (Which it wasn't in the bar area). After our drinks came we asked for another minute or two to look over the menu, our server let us know that she was new and couldn't really recommend a lot of things or what was popular so we wanted a little more time to decide and I let her know I used to work for 21c Cincy so that maybe she would open up to us and feel more comfortable but it didn't change anything. We waited another 10/15min or so before she came back. We ordered the roasted bone marrow as an appetizer and the seared scallops and short rib for our entrées. I also let her know I wanted another cocktail because my first one was now empty. We waited 20-30min for the appetizer which is fine if they're busy or if that takes a bit of time to prepare. However the cocktail waitress/bartender never checked in on is until the app came out and we finished it. She cleared our plates and told us our dinner was coming right up. However dinner did not come for another 30minutes. She came up to us after the 30min and informed us again that our meals would be out shortly and didn't ask if I'd like another cocktail (Sub Rosa & Ode to Aphrodite) it half empty) which I milked because I wanted to drink it with my dinner. Our food arrived and it was delicious but she didn't check in on us until we asked the other bartender who cleared our plates for a dessert menu. Dessert was amazing as well (chocolate cake and sweet potato creme brûlée) our server came and checked on us after we had finished and asked if we wanted anything else. Of it had not been for the other bartender getting is more water and taking care of us as well at the end the night would have been a bummer. For spending about $150 on dinner for two it would have been nice to been takin care of a little better and it wasn't that busy during dinner and never seemed like we couldn't eat in the dining area, also I was never offered to coat check my large winter coat. We should have just stuck to waiting to be seated in the dining area to have a truly exceptional evening in Durham. The experience dining was made up for after we went to look at the Art. The two front desk agents tonight were friendly and talkative so it made the rest of the night amazing. read more

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The food was AMAZING! We ordered from the small plate: the duck, the octopus and the tuna and then a burger from the dinner menu. The duck was cooked perfectly and it was served with sort of a kale salad (I don't typically like kale but this was delicious). The octopus was also cooked to perfection and it was served over gnocchi, the flavors were to die for. We were still a little hungry and shared a burger which didn't disappoint either. I would have given this a 5 star bus the service was a little lacking. read more

Very good food interesting dishes in uniquely decorated dining room with open kitchen, however kitchen is difficult to see while seated. Must see the clear restroom door that goes oblique when you lock the door. Located in new up and coming area. Close to Durham bulls baseball stadium. Very large bar with drinks to match the style of this restaurant read more

We were very excited to try Counting House, given all the hype about it, and my partner's great experience at their Louisville hotel. Overall, it was a fine experience. Not stellar, and not bad. For the money, I would say you can get much more interesting food at the same or lower prices at nearby Piedmont or Rue Cler, for example. We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation. The two people at the front desk did not really seem to know what to do at first. Then the female suggested we wait at the bar. Since we were early, no problem, we would wait there. After we finished our drinks and our reservation time passed, one of the bartenders when to the hostess to inquire about our table. The hostess then came around the corner and sheepishly stood there. She also speaks in low murmurs - not someone who makes you feel confident about the restaurant. When we walked into the dining room it was well less than half full. So...why did they not just seat us when we arrived? I asked the hostess even why she left us waiting past our reservation time. She murmured something about letting us finish our drinks - we had done so. Regardless, not a big deal. Our waiter was pleasant and fairly attentive. We shared two smaller plates - one that was supposed to be roasted romaine (it was barely roasted on one end) with cauliflower. For $11, it was a disappointment. Perhaps, $7 would work for it? Not much added to it by way of flavor. The other was squash with greens. At $7, one would expect more than just two small pieces of squash. For entrees my partner had the homemade pasta, Bigoli, which has a mushroom bolognes sauce. We both love mushrooms but could barely taste them. Overall, it was underwhelming and not worth the $19 price. I had the rotisserie chicken, which was tasty, but again $22? I have no issue paying higher prices for a dining experience. But, these were a bit underwhelming at the price. For dessert, I had the very tasty (probably my favorite thing here) fired banana cream pie with ice cream. Overall, we are glad we tried this new, very nicely done, restaurant. We may go back in the future, but not in any hurry. I would say, go, check it out, but order what we thought about and did not - the burger. It looks delicious and comes with tasty looking fries. And, at $13, is a bit more reasonable. read more

Awful. Deplorable service and food sub par! Don't waste your time, go to Bar Virgil down the street, and Wait the 30 minutes -- it will be worth the wait. read more

Food was mediocre. Some dishes came out cold. None came together. Service was terrible and unapologetic. Drinks were overpriced and wine list terrible. read more

Atmosphere/ambience are great. The staff were delightful. Several flaws... I had six oysters and one was bad and they did not offer to replace it or not charge me the four dollars. When the waiter removed the platter that had the completed oysters, he spilled the juices all over my lap and the restaurant did not even offer to pick up my $25 dry-cleaning tab for my suit. The pumpkin Creme Brulé did not taste like pumpkin and the top sugar was too hard to even tap and crack with the spoon. The inside was like pudding. My venison was excellent on the first piece and the second was not the same excellent consistency. Several things to improve upon but I really do like this restaurant read more

Wow. Pretty people, hip surroundings, decent service, utterly mediocre food. But at least it's expensive. $16 for run of the mill Malbec--and a scant three ounce pour--takes restaurant by-the glass robbery to a whole new level. Stick to the bar. read more

We went to counting house on a couples date on Saturday night...night out without the kiddos. Never make that mistake at this place again. Don't go and think you will have a fun night out as fun is apparently off limits at this place. Currently waiting for the manager to call me... read more

Food with finesse! I went twice. Everything was very good. I tried the shrimp and grits (a bit on the heavy side but very good), cauliflower salad, greens salad, and the market catch. Drinks were very nice as well, especially the pear smash. Only qualm was the greens salad which was described as having shaved root vegetables. I counted 3 carrot slivers, 1 turnip,and one sunchoke. For 11 dollars, this was overvalued. Service was great! read more

Having a reservation got me to a seat immediately upon entry. Was greeted with smiles from the time we walked in the building to the time we left. I have to be nit picky but I was served a stained menu. Not something I would expect from such a classy joint but the menu was white and the stain was brown. Not hard to see. Just didn't care? Anywhoo, ordered the Pork Belly and the meat and cheese tray. The meat and cheese tray was really nice! There was a brown smear of something with all-spicey-tasting-mince-meaty-typa consistency that was tasty! The cheese was good as well. Had thinly sliced ham that was a bit salty but was damned good! Reminded me of when my granddad had a smoke house and he would cut the exterior mold from the hams curing and we would nibble on the lean parts that were cut. Tasty! The mustard smear was intense! The bread served with it was grilled and added a nice smoky flavor I liked but my guest didn't. The butter served with our bread was a bit tangy (freshly made?? I think so) almost like sour-cream...again tasty! Definitely go for the tray! Never having pork belly before I had nothing to go by but I was very pleased with the dish. It was topped with a frissee (sp) salad with a tasty light dressing. The belly was atop a green mush I could not describe its veggie origin but paired well with the belly. The belly itself melted in your mouth! Only the lean parts required chewing! I sampled the burger from one of my guest and was on a nicely sesame bun but the meat was a bit like meatloaf to me and not seasoned to my liking. Another guest got the chicken which was superb! Juicy and well seasoned. I loved the fries that came with the burger! Our server John was great...all but my dirty menu. He was on point, friendly, knowledgeable and cool! When my pockets afford, I will return! read more

A little like dining in MOMA. There's modern art all over the place. Strange stuff, but interesting nonetheless. This is by no means a normal dining experience. The modern might throw people off and deter some diners, but the food is outstanding. We came on a Saturday evening a few weeks after they debuted and they were packed. The first thing you notice when walking in is the plastic spoon display to the right of the hostess and the silver bunny sculpture sitting on the hostess stand. Strange already. The second thing you notice as your make your way to your table is how high the ceilings are, and at the same time how loud it is. Terrible acoustics are muted by the open dining room and interesting decor. The menu overall is quite small and focused, and they do employ my favorite method of showing the diner what ingredients are in the dish. Fish was a touch underdone (still safe), but saved by all our other dishes. Service is not particularly refined, but they are friendly and knowledgable. With so many interesting menu options, I would have appreciated a menu walk. Instead I had to ask several questions to which every server was able to easily answer. Before or after dinner, make sure you take a walk upstairs to the art gallery. It's modern stuff, but interesting to take a look at. 4 stars. I really want to like this place even more. I think in due time they will be a major hit. Try it once and you might be coming back over and over again. read more

The Counting House is a great date spot. The ambience is amazing with all the art and interesting food options; it's such a great addition to the Durham scene. I would say that the food is good--though not great. The bar menu is decent, but again the food is just okay, and the full menu is really neat, with some very interesting options, but the food seems a bit underwhelming in terms of flavor. Nevertheless, as mentioned, this is a great spot to take a date--maybe one of the best in Durham. read more

Birthday dinner. Started with cocktails at the bar, loved the real cocktail ice cubes! Dinner was very good. We started with the Brussel sprouts and duck... That was accompanied by a very generous glass of Pinot Blanc. And man were the Brussel Sprouts good! Wanted to lick the plate. Also had the peppers, smoked tuna (who knew?) and cheese plate and we split the mushroom Bolognese pasta. Trendy spot, very artsy and they have valet parking (a must, especially on a game night!) we will be back. read more