I've now been to the Station twice to dine at Crescendo for both lunch and dinner and had a great experience! Crescendo is nestled within The Station in downtown Clayton, an area that we love! Within The Station lies Crescendo, a cinnamon roll spot, candle making fun, health food/drink business, and an adorable local market upstairs! The restaurant also provides live music at times. It's no frills, but has a very Charleston feel. The restaurant is small and has maybe 10-15 tables, but also a fun bar to sit at if you prefer. The drink menus are within CDs, which is super cool. They have a lunch menu, and a dinner menu. Both times we went, our servers were great. My first experience was with my husband and daughter for lunch on a Sunday. We shared the Belly Bao buns and Falafel Pita Pocket. Both of these dishes were delicious. We subbed the Falafel for Blackened Chicken. We'd surely order both again. My girlfriend and I went for dinner for an early birthday celebration. For dinner we started with the Oxtail Poutine. I always wanted to try a poutine dish and this did not disappoint! I will definitely be ordering that again. For our entrées, we both ordered the Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich. I got mine with a side of rice since we had already had french fries. The sandwich was fresh and full of flavor and the chicken cooked perfectly! It served with pistachio pesto, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella with a delicious balsamic glaze! Everything about this place was great. I can't wait to visit it again. read more

Food falls short unfortunately. We had the falafel plate and the tri tip. The falafel was good but only three little guys and balsamic drizzle does not belong on falafel IMO. The accompanying salad was not fresh---tasted like something that had been in the fridge for at least an extra day. The tri tip was sliced clumsily and potato cakes were not seasoned and there is no table salt or pepper Service was fine. Style and feel are fine For the price we had hoped it would be better than a B- read more

Crescendo hit all the right notes today!!! I wasn't looking for a lunch spot today. I was just walking down 2nd St in Clayton and heard some great music coming out of this really cool looking restaurant behind The Station and figured What the Heck? So glad I did... Imagine a comfortable open space perfect for lunch with friends or an intimate date night with that someone special. Their menu is a lovely harmonizing of classic favorites like pastrami or a patty melt, intertwined with some progressive notes like Braised Oxtail Quesadilla and the Crescendo Cubano (which was delicious and perfectly prepared. Then there's the vibe...chill! Very much a "come as you are" kinda place. All are welcome!! Portraits of old rockers adorn the walls...from Joni Mitchell or Bob Marley...and the soundtrack reflects all the familiar favorites. And I would be remiss if I didn't sing the praises of our bartender/server, Miles (so perfect). So yeah...a pitch-perfect experience and a well deserved 5-star review. I'm so looking forward to an encore at Crescendo!! They rocked it!! read more

See all

Stumbled upon this restaurant via the inkind app. Vibe, service, and food were fantastic. The music fit their aesthetic with songs playing from across genres and decades. They also sell fun music themed cards/gifts, which I enjoyed browsing while waiting for my food. My oxtail quesadilla and corn ribs were fantastic. I didn't care for the chipotle aioli dipping sauce for the quesadilla, on its own or with the gravy was better. I don't know how they got the crispy cheese crust on the quesadilla, but it made it the best quesadilla I've ever had. I've never had "corn ribs" but they were fun to eat! The crema sauce that came with the corn was very nice. Trying something new is tempting but I might just order either/both dishes again! I hope this place stays around. read more

Crescendo - Oxtail quesadilla and corn ribs. - New American Near Me - Clayton, North Carolina

This is a hidden gem in downtown Clayton. Greeted as we entered the building and welcomed with a smile. Quickly seated and presented with menus and water service. Crescendo was well thought out and beautifully decorated. I love the small touches. Great for a meet-up with friends, an intimate dinner with a loved one or cute date night. waitress provided reccommendations of food, beverage and dessert. The oxtail poutine was Devine, full of flavor and well seasoned. Brussels were AMAZING! Pastrami was so wonderfully tender and just the right amount of fat. Was not a fan of the corn ribs but the were presented well and had a nice flavor. I look forward to returning and trying the different menus. While I was there I made reservations for Sunday brunch. read more

See all

Walking into this restaurant feels a little like stepping into a story halfway through -- a story that used to roar with sirens and the smell of smoke, and now hums with the clink of cutlery and the quiet satisfaction of diners. The building was once a fire station, and it hasn't quite forgotten. The large overhead doors remain, a striking reminder of the building's past. When open, they flood the space with natural light and fresh air, blurring the line between inside and out; when closed, they frame the restaurant like a metal hug. The design is industrial, but with a restrained hand. Brick walls, and metal accents nod to the building's history, while simple wood tables and minimalistic lighting keep the space from feeling cold. It's as if the restaurant is whispering, "I used to run into emergencies, now I just run to your table with a plate of food." Friendly smiles meet you at the door, genuine hellos follow you to your table, and there's a warmth in every interaction that feels effortless rather than rehearsed. They're highly attentive in the kind of way that makes you feel cared for without noticing it at first. Drinks are refilled before you even realize they're low, questions about the menu are answered with enthusiasm and a bit of story. The sweet potato hushpuppies arrive like tiny golden treasures, round and perfectly fried, their warm orange glow hinting at the subtle sweetness inside. And then there's the pecan bourbon butter -- a mischievous little spread that seems to have been concocted in a cozy, slightly tipsy kitchen somewhere. Nutty, moderately sweet, and laced with a gentle warmth from the bourbon, it melts into the hushpuppies, coating each bite with a flavor that's playful and indulgent. The steak bites arrive browned beautifully on the outside, tender inside, but yes... cooked more to medium than the preferred medium rare. Beside them sits a small dish of herbed aioli, creamy and aromatic, flecked with green herbs that look like they wandered straight from the garden. Dip a steak bite, and the aioli wraps it in a silky, fragrant hug. The Baja Caesar salad arrives colorful with crisp greens, creamy dressing, and a scattering of toppings that promise a zesty punch. It's vibrant, cheerful, and full of flavor -- except, perhaps, for one tiny quirk: the leaves are still in grand, ambitious whole shapes, defiantly unchopped. A visit here is a delightfully unpredictable mix of bold flavors and warm service. Cheers! read more

See all

Every dish I've tried at Crescendo has been beautifully prepared, balanced, and full of flavor. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in technique and presentation. The ingredients taste fresh, the portions are generous without being overwhelming, and the menu has that ideal mix of comfort and sophistication. It's the kind of place where you finish a meal already thinking about what you want to try next time. read more

Crescendo - Pastrami - New American Near Me - Clayton, North Carolina

See all

Cute little restaurant in downtown Clayton! Their menu is a vinyl and a CD, which is super cute and unique! Love that they have mocktail options. I did order one but it was on the sweeter side so be warned! I got the oxtail poutine. The portion was pretty large for it to be an entrée for me. The flavor was good! My friends also liked the dishes that they got. Cute and casual dinner spot with good food! read more

Being a resident of Clayton, my wife and I love patronizing small businesses downtown. This place is relative new and part of the recently opened and renovated "The Station" building right next to the Clayton Police Dept. There wasn't much of a crowd at 5:00, but we were warmly greeted by the hostess and quickly seated. Our server quickly took drink and app orders. Our appetizer was the corn ribs, which were seasoned beautifully and nicely hot upon arrival. Dinner consisted of a Mediterranean Chicken sandwich without the bun and the Mahi fish tacos for me. Everything had a fresh, flavorful taste about it and had excellent presentation. Music is part of the vibe here as well. Your menus are nestled in a vinyl album container and the place is decorated with famous musicians. All in all, a wonderful experience and we will most definitely be back again; sooner rather than later. Nice job folks and welcome to the downtown Clayton experience! read more

See all

Ate at Crescendo last evening. Had a really good experience. Our table got the corn ribs and Brussel sprouts. OMG the brussel sprouts are amazing. My wife and I split the pork chops and it was was cooked well, and presented nicely. Service was pretty attentive. Overall we had a nice evening. read more

Crescendo - Pork chop with mixed veggies - New American Near Me - Clayton, North Carolina

See all

Such a great atmosphere...open and bright. The service was outstanding, everything from the food and drink recommendations. read more

See all

Good sandwiches for lunch. We enjoyed everything. Service was good. Restaurant was clean.

Great atmosphere .... Diff and unique for a JOCO restaurant Will definitely come back again soon read more

See all

Ate there for lunch last week. Excellent pastrami sandwiches and wings!!! We will be back!!! Service was friendly! read more

One of the best meals I've had in a very long time. I got the pork bao buns (fantastic) and the Crescendo Cubano (also fantastic). Danielle is truly a master at her craft and puts her heart in soul into every concept! Check out the speakeasy too! (; read more

Staff was very friendly and you could tell they cared about your experience. Food was absolutely phenomenal. I find in this area and really in general things get made and pumped out of kitchens. Not here. You can tell this small menu is crafted and I believe every item is made with love. Try the corn rib apps! Really cool idea. And the pastrami entree was great! Definitely going back. read more

Delicious food, fabulous live music! "Last Fridays" are so much fun! Servers are really nice!

WOW, we were totally surprised finding this great new place. located down town, within the station complex. Service and atmosphere was a delight. Monday night found pleasantly many people. The food selection was interesting , you have such an array of choices. if there was a concern, the fry's are shoe string and where cool. with the food quality the fry's should be hand cut. look forward to seeing Jordon next time. read more

The food was amazing, and the service was top-notch, very friendly, and personal. The Ambiance is very nice especially for those into music.

the best place to eat and great vibes, we will be going back, and the servers are amazing

we came in for their soft opening for lunch and the food was very tasty! I especially loved the falafel and the corn ribs We will be coming back again, it's a great addition to downtown Clayton. read more

The food was amazing and the staff was so friendly! I highly recommend the brussel sprouts and tri tip. We can't wait to come back for the brunch menu! read more

Service was great. The eggs Benedict with brisket was unfortunately really fat heavy and I felt like I didn't get much meat because of that. The ambiance was fun and the building is great! read more