Went with a group of girlfriends who were all in town to celebrate a reunion. Disappointing experience. Our table was passed off between three different servers throughout the almost two hour time span that we were there. When seated we were told that fresh baked bread would be out shortly. We had to ask for it twice and finally received it probably 45 minutes after seating. Asked for a dessert menu twice and never received. Had to flag someone down for the check and other requests to order. Seemed understaffed and not terribly concerned about service. Even though we were told by a server that a suggestion was to order lots of different "tastes" to share, they seemed thrown off that we ordered quite a few and wanted to wait to decide if and how many entrees to order. Sweet potato and pear was delicious, as was the hot coppa. We also ordered the little gem salad (surprisingly tasty and interesting), octopus, Brussels sprouts, tandoori shrimp, charcuterie board and cauliflower. All were fine but not remarkable, least of which the cauliflower. Flounder catch of the day was also good. Did not feel welcome and would probably not return. read more

Had the duck and it came out well done. They re-cooked it and it was still sub-par. The duck was chewy and the flavors were over done and did not go well together. The ambiance is really nice and modern. However the food was not even acceptable to me. read more

Visiting from Northern California, my husband and I ate here on a weeknight and had an amazing experience. The food was on point with what we get in San Francisco and the staff was so friendly and helpful. A perfect spot for a special occasion. We had the bolognese, patty pans, haricot, pork belly, panna cotta & ganache. The balance and depth was perfect. Love the ambiance and art as well! read more

Food a real cut above. Ambience NYC chic (albeit on a budget). Service is fast and attentive, but poise is lacking. It will get better. Been there twice in their first week. read more

Horrible service horrible atmosphere food is not worth the price and there's plenty of people there that just do really not care about you... The food is OK but it's not worth of rice like I said earlier and this service is just not what a place it is this expensive should charge... read more

I was looking forward dining at the Counting House but was disappointed. The food was average and the service poor. Service picked up after a half hour as more staff strolled in to work. It took 15 minutes before the server took our order. However, she wasted no time dropping the bill on the table and this was 20 minutes before our food arrived. Additionally, there was nothing special done to recognize Mothers Day (e.g., special menu, flowers or drinks). This is the first time this has happened when we have chosen to dine out on Mothers Day. It is a great setting in the staff is friendly. I hope they can turn things around. read more

Great date night vibe with soft lighting and mellow music. Pre-show dinner before Joe Bonamassa performance. Bread before meal is a different taste for us. I was thinking slightly sweet but yummy flavor and the more I ate the more i wanted. read more

Went here on a Saturday at brunch time after trying to get into Dame's for some chicken and waffles around the corner and getting hit with an hour+ wait (rookie mistake). Counting House was super empty - we were literally the only customers - and they were only serving the bar menu, so the only reason I wouldn't give five stars is because the food options were limited. BUT the burger I got was delicious, the service was great, and the art museumness of it all adds some pretty cool ambiance. PS. THE BATHROOMS HERE ARE MAGIC read more

By far the worst service and food. Food took almost an hour. Pre- made burritos.. world class. Couldn't substitute anything. Don't have mushrooms.. didn't know if they could do a side of chicken, he will get back to us, oh never got back to us. A side of chicken, felt like I was asking for gold to come on top of the chicken. Chicken came out, dry as hell. Server never came to check on us, ask if every thing was ok. Server wasn't rude, he just seemed lost, messy, not knowledgeable, dry. The coffee wasn't even made right. Thought we were going to a somewhat decent restaurant. Perhaps you need to have the GM of the restaurant and chef do a tasting of your breakfast menu because McDonald's tastes better. To top it off, you had every server along with the hostess creep around the corner to take a look at our table - because obviously you're server was talking shit so all your employees had to take a peek of who that table is. Really professional, next time make it a little more obvious! Icing on the cake was we ordered a vegetarian burrito for my dad, burrito comes out with sausage and he can't have sausage. Smooth. No apology, response was "you want another one". Best part of it all, mistake on your end, we still got charged for it. Not about the money, hence why we didn't say anything, but more about the gesture and the hospitality. Probably by far the worst restaurant experience to date. read more

The atmosphere was beautiful and very interesting to see. Our waiter was outstanding and the food was delicious. Its a bit pricey but worth the experience read more

Went out at 12:30 for Sunday brunch. Counting House was one of the few places in downtown Durham with available tables but we were soon to find it was for a reason. There were 4 adults, and infant and a 3 year old. We ordered quickly because we wanted to make sure the 3 year old was fed. It took a full hour to get our food! And there were only a few occupied tables in the entire place! Quality of the food when it finally arrived was mixed at best. To their credit they comped the meal and apologized profusely but something must be going on there! read more

Breakfast was acceptable, but the wait staff needs training. They are charming folks and want to do well and want to give great service, but no one has helped them. Good service is something that needs to be taught, it isn't inherent. For two servers to be in the weeds over five tables that were seated at very different times is sad to see. For example, no saucers for coffee or tea cups, even after requesting them. Worse, I observed a kitchen person slicing enormous amounts of meat without gloves, directly into his hands, which he brought to his face to smell and he did not have a hairnet. Gloves and a hairnet were needed. read more

Had dinner at the bar tonight and loved it! I wanted to give five stars but the swordfish was a little too salty and the PB&J creme brûlée missed the mark. The service was top notch and octopus and Brussels sprouts knocked it out of the park. I would pass on eating in the main dining area as it felt a bit sterile despite the the fabulous art. I'll be back and I'll be taking another swing at the top notch craft cocktail menu!! read more

OK. I should give three and half if I can. Let me start with something good, the dessert. I was very impressed by the combination of sour foam and chocolate ganache. It was a well done! I wish I can say the same thing for my grilled flank, however it fell short. The plating was beautiful. The taste wasn't. The beef was dry and plain. I don't get the charcoaled green either. I will come back and next time I will choose seafood. For those who haven't been to this place, you should try. Nice restaurant and friendly staff. Make sure you visit the restroom. It's a surprise, but in a pleasant way. Will review again after my second visit. read more

Counting House - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I visited the Counting House in July while on a business trip. It was a short walk from the Marriott Convention Center. The drink menu was very interesting as was the appetizers. The flavor combinations were dead on. It was a delight to be in such a interesting building with great art on all of the walls. I definitely recommend a visit and I will be back read more

Tried this place on a whim, since I was nearby seeing a show at DPAC. The restaurant is inside of a hotel, which doubles as an art museum. The service was great, the art and decorations are cool. I highly recommend touring the museum before or after your meal. And as others have said - check out the restrooms! The food was average - not memorable, but no complaints either. The cocktails were yummy and quite refreshing. I would definitely recommend this place for a date or special occasion. read more

A beautiful place decorated with modern art pieces. Friendly responsive wait staff and the manager came to chat which us always a plus. Food is inventive and very well made with delicious taste. $25 got us 3 "sea snacks" which were plenty for the 2 of us as an appetizer. Mains came garnished with delicious sauces and sides and were as beautiful as well as tasty. Stripped bass was perfectly cooked and the pork dish was one if the beat things I have tasted in some time. Deserts were of the same high quality. T.hey had a short list of "half priced" bottles of wine and we had an excellent white for about $20. Prices were high but reasonable for the quality of the meal. Noise level was low, another plus. The restaurant was in the 21C Museum Hotel with 3 floors of art galleries in a modern elegant hotel in downtown Durham. We will stay in this hotel and eat here again next time we are in town. read more

Food and service were just ok for the price and expectation set. Ordered a rare steak which was definitely served medium. Basic technique lacking as staff has over committed to a complex menu. Overall, the group felt they were trying too hard. read more

I have not gone to the restaurant but if the service they provide is as bad as Lucy returning a call or an email regarding a quote for my son's graduation from Duke I wonder how is the rest! Called on Friday left a message followed by an email and no answer as of today read more

Beautiful venue! Great service! Wonderful place to take a first date that you would like to impress or for corporate events. This is the only place in Durham that reminds me of Palo Alto!! read more

I loved counting house!! I had their Jelup Swizzle to drink, which was pretty and delicious. For dinner I had the Bigoli Pasta, which apparently is one of their menu regulars. It was soooo delicious! Great pasta and amazing mushroom sauce. Could eat that every week! The Sheeps Milk Cheesecake I had for dessert is another menu staple and oh man, it was some of the best cheesecake I've ever had!! Delicious flavors and consistency, and not too heavy. I only wish I hadn't been so full from dinner so that I could've finished it all...that leftover cheesecake I had to leave behind will haunt me... read more

I really wanted to like this place more than I did as I think the concept is really neat. We went here initially just for cocktails but also got a few desserts and the meat and cheese platter. We weren't overly impressed with either and the cocktails were good, but not great. We were mostly disappointed in the service (the main reason for the 3 star review). There were 10 of us there for drinks and we sat in the dining area where the service was slow and it was not a busy night. We then got kicked out of our table because they "had to get the dining area ready for breakfast" (it was before midnight) so we moved to the bar area and the service there was not any better. With so many great options for dinner and/or drinks in the Durham area there is no reason to go to a place where the food and service are mediocre. I would like to give this place another chance but if I go back it may be just to check out the exhibits and artwork. read more

Everything was delicious and healthy. The combination of flavors was amazing. I recommend the scallops for dinner. and the rainbow cookie for desert. read more

We were visiting from CA and staying at a hotel down the street. We came to Counting House for breakfast two days in a row mostly because of Derek. He took such good care of us and was so personable and helpful. Exactly what you'd expect in the South. Thank you Derek! read more

Why complicate something so simple as going to the bathroom. It's coed with see thru glass doors. Im a man and I saw two women using the bathroom. I guess they didn't know that the glass is activated by locking the door. Again, why make doors complicated. Food ok. read more

Great food along with great service and atmosphere. Was so impressed by the new flavors in classic dishes my dinner party and myself experienced. Not only was the food good but received quickly and to order. Favorites included the burger and fries, rabbit pappardelle, apple pie and sweet potato cake dessert were all fabulous! Really is the perfect place for a date night or a group of friends to get together. Will be going back next time I am in Durham!!! And yes the bathrooms are just that cool! read more

Food was phenomenal! All of the classics were present, and Chef Munchel delivered from the starters to the dessert. Thank you for making it a memorable holiday! read more

Counting House - Food was phenomenal! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Exceptional food and great atmosphere. I ordered what could have been bland and boring choices - carrot soup and roasted chicken - but both were sublime in preparation and presentation. The sheep's milk cheesecake was among the best desserts I've ever had. I also liked that it felt like a special and fancy place, but wasn't pretentious in any way. The staff were all so nice, especially the hostess. Oh, and you get homemade cotton candy with your check! What's not to love? read more

Incredibly gorgeous atmosphere Museum worthy Wonderful art ---Love the venue Oysters Are Fabulous! Great staff Garrett was very informative and gave great suggestions!!!! John Velez great suggestions.. Will definitely come here again!! read more

Wonderful breafast and staff. I stopped in while waiting for Hamilton tickets to go on sale at the DPAC box-office. I enjoyed an outstanding traditional Eggs Benedict with an exceptional cup of coffee. My breakfast was served, I kid you not, about 2 minutes after I ordered! All of the staff were gratious and attentive. I would look forward to lunch or dinner. read more

We had a perfect Thanksgiving buffet here, and the menu and atmosphere were stellar. Our server, Blakely, couldn't have been more attentive, pleasant, and knowledgeable. She made our experience at Counting House so memorable! It wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable without her. read more

Awesome bar. Bartenders are knowledgeable and courteous. Great atmosphere. We took our drinks downstairs to the vault and it was awesome.

Horrible service, I've never walked out of a restaurant ever in my life until I visited The Counting House. My friend had his initial drink order messed up - understandable, we're thinking since everyone is human. Another member of our party orders another drink and it is not brought out until another half hour later. After waiting an hour and fifteen minutes, we received the appetizers which were lukewarm at best. The table next to us sat down after us, enjoyed their entire meal (appetizers, entrees, and dessert) before we even received our appetizers. At this point, we asked for the manager and at least Joe, the food/beverage director, did apologize profusely and offered to at least make up for it if we contact him directly. On the way out, another table's occupants even congratulated us on having the nerve to walk out. I'll write a new one after that experience if/when I go back. read more

I had high hopes for this restaurant having reviewed it's menu on line prior to our going to the restaurant. Our group of six started with two platters of a variety of appetizers. Most were very good but several were inedible. The eggplant in The Fairy Tale Eggplant with faro was barely grilled so as to be raw. The faro was good. The clams in The clams escabeche were as tough as an eraser. It was throwing money in the garbage. Our guests enjoyed their entrées. I was disappointed in the pasta bolognese. The flavor was excellent, but the cut of pasta was not to my liking; a very, very thick round spaghetti. With careful choosing from the list of appetizers and entrées, one can have an enjoyable meal. I, for one would not return. read more

This trendy neat restaurant just tried too hard to be eclectic! The food was just marginal!

Garrett was our server and we had a great experience! I got the steak and my wife the bolegnese and both were great!

How irony that I came to the restaurant not for food, but for the toilet haha. The toilet is indeed special. Gallery and decorations are cool too. Service was nice. The food however, was just so so. The octopus was insanely salty, but the cheese cake tastes quite good. read more

Had our dinner out with friends. Started by finding parking in nearby parking deck. Great atmosphere and interesting art collection. The penguin stole the show. Ordering took a while but we were in no hurry. Waiter was fantastic describing history of the building converted from a bank to hotel and art gallery and restaurant. Gave menu recommendations. It is definitely not a standard menu and a good opportunity to try new things. I had some oysters which were great. My salad was acidic. The peppers were a surprise if you got a hot one. Overall the food was good, well flavored. My husband got a steak and it was slightly overdone and salty. Not what we expected for the menu price. Be careful in the bathroom to turn the lock the whole way or you'll put on a show! read more

My son and I were in town for a Duke Univ. campus visit and afterwards stopped for dinner in Downtown Durham. We were a bit early on a Tuesday evening so we were seated immediately and our waiter, John K., and other staff were welcoming and helpful with our selections. Our octopus appetizer was incredible and even the bread was delicious (my son asked for extra several times). For the main course we enjoyed red snapper and seared scallops which both were delicious. We capped off the meal with creme brûlée and lemon cake that were both tremendous. My son actually said it was one of best meals he's ever had (and he's had meals at many fine dining establishments). Hopefully one of my children choose a college in this area so we can visit again soon. read more

We went in for our anniversary dinner and the atmosphere was great. Service for what I expected to be fine dining was at a bit of a clipped pace. The wine selection was wonderful and dessert was the highlight of the evening for sure. The menu seemed exciting but just didn't deliver. Our pork chop was cooked to perfection absolutely delicious but the posole was bland and just tasted of hominy. Borderline offensive was the beets tartar, which was a large pile (2 cups at least) of shredded under seasoned beets with scant arugula and a bland hazelnut smear. I would go back for cocktails and an appetizer or dessert, but I do not have high expectations of spending $140+ on dinner again. At that price it hurts my foodie heart to have to add salt to my own dish. read more