We made last minute reservations early on a friday night. We were happily accommodated and were seated immediately. We started with the most fantastic sparkling rose frizant. First course was fois gras which was creamy deliciousness. Second course was BBQ spare ribs. A little smokey, sauce was jammy and paired with an orange wine (an acquired taste for sure!). Was just amazing! The chef here cut his teeth at the five starred "Fearrington House" in Pittsboro and has not lost his touch. As a longtime foody it took me a while to warm to the menu but, I have been won over. Do try it! The service was proper and professional. We were guided but, not lead. He was attentive but not hovering. Perfect balance for me. A+ The decor feels modern farm house to me. Very clean and bright with canning goods placed for a splash of color. I can understand the front door breezes as others have mentioned and I agree that should be addressed. Though the weather was fine for our dining experience. The wine list is the best I've seen in the area. There is just enough that you've heard of or tasted once to keep your interest and challenge you to try something new. I had never heard of "orange" wines before. I'm adventurous and the pairing with the spare ribs just sounded really nice. This is not a sipping wine. It changes with each food flavor and I found it quite exciting. I'm not sure it's for me if I'm honest as a do-over but, I'm glad I tried it. What is orange wine? It's a boutique vintner who uses not only the grapes but, the stems, seeds and skins. The result is a dry, green, woodsy flavor (not earthy, mushroomy) added to the existing complexity of the wine. It adds another (strong) layer of dimension to the wine. Very interesting! For the finale we shared the chocolate soufflé which was made with good Belgian dark chocolate, and was as light as a feather and not too sweet. There is some kind of sweet cream to go with it but, we are not sweets people so we found the soufflé just perfect! My friend had a small pot of French press that smelled like heaven. (yay for a decent cup of coffee!) A fantastic experience all the way around!! read more

Good southern food with pleasant ambience, and farm-to-table concept menu. The biscuits were fresh and very soft, better than some of the southern restaurants in this area. We tried their trout florentine and omlet of the day, both served with a side of home style fries. The trout florentine looked really good. But it was very salty to our buds. So are their fries. Omlet was an usual fare though. read more

Mandolin - Trout florentine - Southern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The style of food is incredible. The edifice is clean and the decor is fancy. This is a great place to come for a nice date.The parking is a challenge as the location is in a busy area. I'll definitely be back and I can't wait! read more

Modern decor with rustic charm. What a gem of a place!! It's a bit off the beat and path (corner of Oberlin & Fairview), so you'll need to be on the lookout for it, but oh boy, seek it out and go! It's been open only since Thanksgiving, but it's quite popular already and can be difficult to get a reservation, particularly day of - so make sure to plan in advance. We were able to get in to an earlier reservation (6:15) and were promptly sat and greeted by our waiter. I love the layout - there's a cute little room off the main entrance which is where we sat...it's so quaint and romantic. The wood on the walls and brick floors were so adorable and made for a really warm yet modern space. The food is outstanding! We started off sharing the Mandolin oyster appetizer which usually comes with pork belly and fried oysters in a parsnip puree sauce, however they were able to accomodate our request to double up the oysters and leave off the pork belly as we don't eat meat. They were superbly fried - not greasy at all. I had the hoppin' john seared flounder with grilled fennel. SO delicious - it was cooked perfectly. Rich had the vegetarian pasta dish - homemade gnocchi dumpling with mushrooms and asparagus, which was amazing! Both dishes paired perfectly with the bottle of premier cru burgundy that Charles, the wine steward suggested for us. It was an exceptional bottle and was superb. For dessert we absolutely had to try the tiramisu. OMG - you must get this is all I can say. I love the deconstructed feel and taste of this dessert. The one negative the night we went it took an exceptionally long time to get our food. I'm not sure why - we were there for the early seating and while it was busy, it didn't seem chaotic. Our appetizer came out right away but then we waited for an hour between the appetizer and main entree course....seriously! The waiter made very little effort to offer more bread, apologies or anything. I finally had to ask for more bread. When our food was brought out - the manager (I'm assuming) is the one that brought it to us and apologized profusely for the delay and offered us free dessert. We were very pleased to have this acknowledged and rectified to the best of their ability. It wasn't just us that waited this long...every table that was there just before us still hadn't received their food either.... Normally this would get a star deduction, but their attention to this seeminly unusal occurance made me more forgiving. I'm excited to give this place another try. read more

I am very very happy to say that it looks like a lot of the previous issues I had with Mandolin have been fixed! I've been twice since my initial review, and both times were fantastic. The food is still (80%) hit or (20%) miss, but overall everything is very good. They have options for heartier dishes like their ribs or chicken and waffles, but also provide at least 2-3 fish options that are perfectly cooked and light. My previous gripe was mainly about the service, which has vastly improved. Everyone is incredibly courteous, helpful, and attentive. The server offered up her favorite dishes, and more importantly, why she enjoyed them. I enjoyed my experience, and am very glad to be able to change my review! read more

My fiance and I stopped by Mandolin last night to hear Craig Thompson play at the bar. I've been looking forward to dining at Mandolin but hadn't had a chance to since they opened. All I can say is, "Wow!" The space is completely transformed and looks so different than its predecessors (EVOO and Mangia). It's simple, natural and elegant with small touches of Southern charm sprinkled throughout. My heart melted when I saw the wall of mason jars separating the hostess stand area from the main dining room. We sat at a table in the bar and enjoyed the house-made pickles. Yum! They were flavorful and crisp - everything I want in a pickle. The crackers were deliciously addictive and the atmosphere was bustling for a Tuesday night. One would expect there to be an air of pretentiousness about the place. It has a cosmopolitan elegance that's not found in many places within Raleigh. However, everyone we encountered was so genuine and welcoming (from the owners to the hostess). I have had such high hopes for Mandolin and I left feeling pleased and not disappointed. I hope that the restaurant continues to thrive. I know I'll be back! read more

My friend and I made a reservation at Mandolin last Saturday night. After having our car valet parked (which is complimentary), we were greeted by a very friendly hostess, who provided us with a table for two at the window. And our server was really handsome. I started with a cocktail, "Leaves of Spring", which was concocted of bourbon, basil, mint, honey, lemon, and fernet branca. It was perfect- not overly sweet, yet extremely refreshing. My friend had the Classic Caesar and I had the Charcuterie Plate to start. The salad was tasty- a very strong anchovy presence and crisp, sweet romaine. The Charcuterie Plate was a stand-out: house cured country ham, guanciale and chicken liver pate with sourdough croutes, whole grain mustard, smoked quail eggs, and house-made pickles. The pate was smooth, clean, and flavorful, although I could have used a few more croutes to scoop up more of that deliciousness. For my entrée I chose the Grilled NC Pork Chop, which was served with potato gnocchi, snap peas, North Cove mushrooms, and Medeira. My pork chop was lean, yet juicy and full of the perfect amount of flavor and seasoning. My friend opted for the Hickory Grilled Skirt Steak, served with asparagus, shitake mushrooms, pickled ramps, confit potatoes, and a poached Cane Creek duck egg. (She gave the duck egg to me, and I savored that little piece of runny, gooey heaven.) I think if I had to choose, I would have picked the steak. The hickory flavor was unique and distinctive, providing a mouth-watering twist to a tender piece of meat. Regrettably, we skipped dessert, but if I could do it all over again, I would have picked the strawberry shortcake, prepared with rosemary, lavender, and vanilla. I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Mandolin, especially the emphasis on North Carolina farmers and their bountiful harvests. read more

This was a last minute dinner choice that I found on opentable.com. I'm so glad they had a reservation available since this was my first time dining here. The place was easy to find and I found plenty of parking on the street. The minute I walked in I was greeted and immediately seated. The server mentioned that their menu changes monthly but they had plenty of options to choose from. I chose the chicken and waffles and my date chose the swordfish. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and full of flavors. I couldn't believe how great the chicken and waffles were. The collard greens were cooked in apple cider vinegar which gave it a rich flavor. I will definitely return here as the service was excellent and the food was amazing. read more

Came here for brunch a few weeks ago and the highlight was the role we got at the beginning before the meal came out. The food that me and my family ordered was very average. The service wasn't that great either. Our server seemed a bit cocky and when we asked for an ingredient added to my sisters omelette he said our chef will not do that. I'm sorry, but I didn't find the food yummy or quality enough for the chef to have a too good attitude. My parents also went for dinner last week with some friends per invite. They said their food was terrible. Since my experience was average I am going to go with 3 stars. It's unfortunate bc I've heard good things and since it's basically down the street from my parents house it would have been nice to have a good brunch spot. Oh well! read more

Mandolin has been on our list to try for awhile, as they are known as one of the delicious brunch spots in Raleigh. And if you read any of my reviews, you know that I am a sucker for a good brunch! We went right when they opened (10:30) on a Sunday and had some of the quickest service that I've ever experienced at a sit down restaurant. Granted we were one of three tables that were there so we had a lot attention. After taking some time to peruse the menu, I decided on the Pork Madame. Right after ordering we were brought a couple of complimentary buttermilk biscuits with strawberry jam and butter. The biscuits were light and fluffy and just like a biscuit should be. And a second after finishing my biscuit we were already being served our entrees! My Pork Madame was pretty big and was way more food than I could eat for brunch, so I took about a third of my sandwich home. The sauce on the pork was super flavorful - very smoky and had quite a bit of a tang to it. The homefries that came with it weren't anything special, but they were super crispy on the outside, which is the way I prefer them. Overall, the service and food were really good and I would give them a solid 4 stars. I will definitely come back to try more of their menu, since it changes often and the pictures of the dinner entrees are super tempting too! read more

Mandolin - Southern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I ate here tonight and it's possibly the best meal I've had in the RDU area. Everything here was wonderful. The atmosphere was great - simple but beautiful. I loved the hydrangeas on the tables. They greeted us immediately and brought us drinks. The wine recommendations were spot on. The menu is from mostly local sources and it changes daily. I got a panzanella salad that was so fresh and delicious. For my main course, I had shrimp and couscous. The flavors were just so amazing, the chef was a true artist. I was out with two other people and all the meals were wonderful. Our waiter was so attentive. He made great recommendations and checked back often. We also were visited by the chef (very charming). I cannot say write enough good things about this place. Just go. You will love it. Oh, one of my favorite things was to walk out of this place and see one of the restaurant staff picking figs out of a fig tree just down the street. This food is really fresh and local. Does it get any more fresh and local than that? read more

We hadn't been to Mandolin in a while, and stopped by for a quick bite at the bar after a movie. Gotta say, the food was delctable and the service outstanding. The bar was packed and noisy when we arrived, but in a n ice high-energy way. (bar tables could be just a skoosh bigger) Our drinks showed up pretty quickly -- mine an eminently drinkable Manhattan. We ordered the sliders, which were pretty good, though the fries were on the limp side. We also ordered the charcuterie plate, which was perfection. A little ramekin of chicken liver pate was capped with a thin crust of fat that cracked open to reveal a luscious, perfectly velvety spread. The housemade breseola and country ham were likewise expertly crafted -- neither too dry nor too slimy and full of flavor. The country ham was surprisingly tender. The pickled onions and smoked quail egg wonderfully complemented the meats. Bravo! Service, was absolutely wonderful -- attentive, without being intrusive, enthusiastic (this is an underrated trait in servers -- not much can spoil a good meal faster than a server who hates his job) and very knowledgeable. We are eager to return to Mandolin to sample more of the menu, but would go back just for the charcuterie alone! read more

I had dinner last week at Mandolin and it was amazing! I was there with a group of 10, so we reserved their room and also had a condensed menu. Everything was out of sight! As a starter I hade the Oysters Mandolin. 5 lightly breaded fried oysters and 3 little cubes of fried pork belly over a bed of sweet collard greens. My entree was a 32 ounce, bone-in ribeye. The thing was like a cut off of a brontosaurus, but it was cooked absolutely perfectly and tasted so great. Only problem was it was so big I got a bit tired of eating it (and full to boot). I finished everything off with a little chocolate soufflé that was the perfect size after such a mega dinner. We weren't in a huge hurry so service was never much of a concern. The sommelier came out and helped us pair wine with our meals, which was a nice touch, especially for me since I know almost nothing about it. This is a great place for a date, especially if you live in the neighborhood. Priced comparably to Bloomsbury Bistro, Angus Barn, etc., this is a great addition to Raleigh's higher end restaurants. read more

What a fantastic addition to Raleigh's culinary scene! The food is innovative and always executed perfectly. My wife and I have been lucky enough to eat with Mandolin a handful of times and each time it has exceeded our expectations. The emphasis on fresh and local is really appreciated and the seafood they end up with is as good as anywhere I know. At restaurants that have such interesting fare and so much complexity available on the menu, I usually gravitate to something really unusual; that said, Sean's amazing sourcing often causes me to end up on the simple side where I spend as much time appreciating the incredible ingredients instead of simply gravitating towards dishes where composition is everything. They do a number of "feature dinners" where they bring in winemakers, cheese-makers, and other suppliers to showcase a certain product or category over a dinner. I can't recommend this enough; my wife and I attended the Goat Lady Dairy dinner and it was a standout. The cheeses were amazing as were the wine pairings and learning about the dairy and the history were wonderful entertainment for the evening. Pro Tip: Don't miss the Chocolate Souffle. read more

Descent place. we went for brunch and everything tasted ordinary. Excellent service! I would give 3 stars just for the service.

Ate here on a date night with my husband. Since we rarely get a night away from our two small kids, I am always nervous about eating somewhere new as I don't want to be disappointed. Let me say this was worth the babysitter!! Location -- check. Ambiance -- check. Food -- check. Service -- check. Wine list -- check. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Much of the food is from local producers, when you walk in there is a long chalkboard advertising where their cheeses come from, for example. I always like to support local famers and businesses so eating here is a good way to do both. We booked a reservation for 7:30 and when we arrived, valet parking was easy and the place was about half full. (By the time we left it was packed.) We really enjoyed everything about it from the neighborhood (reminds me of Chevy Chase in DC if you are familiar with that high end residential part bordering the city) and the ambiance was great. I am not a fan of chains or places in strip malls so the location close to 440 but not in North Hills or at the mall was appealing to me. Wood plank walls with nice bright windows and the bathroom was quite clean. I enjoyed looking at all of the photos on the wall. The hostess was very nice and happened to be the wife of the owner. We started with the panzanella salad which had an amazing smoked cheese from a local farmer and I ordered the cauliflower "steak" and my husband ordered the chicken and waffles. Both were good and under $20. Served with a nice white Bordeux.. yum. GO HERE. Don't think about it -- it will check all of the must have's on your list, esp. for a date night or a special occasion, but not at an overly hefty price tag. read more

My husband and I went to Mandolin for a third time last week for Valentine's Day. We arrived just as they opened at 5:30 on a Friday night. It was nearly empty until 6 but by the time we left (7:15ish) almost every seat was full. I prefer a quieter atmosphere so I was glad we got in the door early. Our server, Kathy, made us feel welcome with her genial manner. She was attentive and knowledgeable as we chose our courses and wine. Also, I drink a lot of water and my glass was always full. The food itself was amazing. Every time I come here I'm blown away. My husband is a choosy eater and even he's liked almost everything he's tried. To start I tried the French Onion Soup and thought it was very good. Since my husband didn't want a first course, Kathy brought us extra servings of the cornbread muffins and bread. (My husband does not even like cornbread. He ate both mufffins...go figure.) For the second course, we both got the Braised Heritage Farms Pork Shank with goat lady chevre, grits, wilted winter greens, roasted root vegetables, and pecan gremolata. I have no idea what most of those things are but they tasted delicious. The pork came off of the bone so easily that I didn't have to pick up my knife once. For dessert we chose my husband's favorite--the sorbet trio. The selection changes every time but is never disappointing. Overall I highly recommend Mandolin. It's out of our normal price range but even though we have to save up to go there, it's always worth it. read more

We really enjoyed our dinner here. Only complaint was they seemed to overbook their reservations and we ended up sitting at a bar table. A few others had to wait 30 min beyond their reservation as well. Otherwise it was wonderful. Great food, good service, good drinks. It's a small place with a cute atmosphere. It got a little loud when it filled up. We definitely want to go back and try their brunch. read more

Mandolin - Chicken and waffles - Southern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This place is such an experience. Great for dates, friends catch up, and sales team dinner. We all had 1st course salads and one colleague's salad was so good everyone had a bite. I am not a beef eater and there was an amazing warm salad for pescetarians/vegetarians. The only fish on the menu was flounder of which I am not a fan so not doing 5 stars. However, the chef agreed to allow me scallops (from the appetizer special) on my warm salad so I was in heaven. Try the caramel cake!! A colleague ordered and I had a bite. OMG. The best dessert I have tried in a while. read more

Really disappointing experience especially since I was greatly looking forward to it. Was here tonight with a group in private dining section for dessert. Took a long time to even get waters. Had to ask someone to take our orders and that took forever. A lot of us ordered the souffles. All of them came out but mine. Our shuttle was there to pick us up so they couldn't make mine in time since they never put the order in. So I never ended up trying it out. It's a shame that such a cute place showed such bad customer service. If I'm back in Raleigh I most likely wouldn't be stopping back. :( read more

Visit: late Aug 2012. As with so many of my reviews... let's talk about the bar! Small (intimate!), but had delightful live music on a Tuesday night. Stellar bartender with a great attitude and ability to recommend drinks based on our inputs. The Sazerac-derivative drink he crafted for me had small-batch rye in it and gum arabic syrup. Lip-smacking! Mandolin's menu changes regularly, and features fresh local ingredients whose sources are listed on a chalkboard when we walk in. My wife's panzanella salad was loaded with farm-fresh vegetables and she loved it. For dinner I had Southern Fried ribeye (despite the waiter's warning that it is a "heavy" dish), and it was less delicious than I had hoped. My wife, on the other hand, ordered the menu-staple Flank Steak, and it was spectacular. It made a great leftover meal the next day. Definitely a special-occasion restaurant, but not our favorite restaurant for the money. We agreed that we should go back to Mandolin and eat in the bar - great starter menu, and delish cocktails. read more

To preface my review is only based on a brunch experience and I'd love to elaborate more after experiencing dinner at Mandolin. To be frank, I loved Mandolin and cannot wait to go back. Getting straight to the point, the food was fantastic. Everything was well cooked, seasoned and presented. My wife had a chicken leg on a bed of Mac and Cheese while I went for the Ham Benedict. Both were flavorful and fantastically incorporated seasonal, local ingredients and perfectly complemented by the attractive rustic contemporary dining area which Mandolin offers. Another food element I will highlight was the biscuit we were served before the meal. It was a curve ball as the biscuit was definitely yeasty which you don't see often and served with a house-made local fig jam and honey and salted butter. I like when restaurants exceed your expectations and Mandolin certainly did. Our waitress, Kathy, was awesome. She gave off an aura of being in control and determined to make sure everyone was satisfied and well fed. She had a bit of a bite about her meaning she wasn't going to get pushed around by anyone. I liked that. It was after the meal that I realized Chef Sean Fowler had such an impressive resume, working in renowned kitchens like Le Bernardin and the Fearrington House Inn. It's wonderful that as a Raleigh native and accomplished chef he would share seasonal Southern cuisine at its finest in such a lovely and warm restaurant. His passion is obvious in the food and I feel fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity. read more

Mandolin has been on my short list for too long. Enjoyed panzanella salad, grilled scallops, ribeye, and chicken and dumplings. While the service was great and the food was tasty, there is nothing that makes me want/need to return soon. Maybe my expectations were too high based on previous reviews, but Mandolin dishes fell short of amazing on my visit. read more

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Our first visit to Mandolin, which appears to be busy and vibrant most days of the week. Overally, it was a good experience, with highs offset by lows - 3.5 stars is closer to the mark. Could progress to a '4' with some attention. The ambiance is good - clean, open and inviting place to be. The bar area is small but intimate and set apart from the main dining area. Nice selection of mixed beverages and good bar service. Drawback is the waitstaff path to kitchen runs right past the bar. The staff are attentive, well trained and not overbearing. Our party was allowed to take our time eating and we were not rushed. This was greatly appreciated. We were greeted graciously and promptly upon entering the restaurant. The food was beautiful and well presented. The selection of items was reasonable and we were pleased to see offerings other than those in the 'chicken and waffle' genre, which doesn't excite our palate. The flavor, however, was lacking as each of our dishes were fairly bland tasting (heiloom tomatoes, scallops, salad, silver snapper, tilefish). The replete lack of flavor leads to the loss of 1-star in this rating. In the future, we will probably return, but most likely to one of the two bar area tables for drinks and appetizers v. a full meal experience. read more

First visit to Mandolin on Saturday night. More than met my expectations. Skipped apps or salad and went straight to the entrees. My date had the chicken and waffles. Chicken was great even though I'm not rue what part of the chicken it came off of! Huge piece for a breast. Fried perfectly. Moist on the inside, we'll cooked and crispy and golden brown on the outside. I had the stripped bass which was excellent. Superior service, good wine selection and both of us had an wonderful experience. Decor is nothing to write home about but I don't care too much about that. I want great food and great service when I pay that much for dinner and we received both. read more

Ever since Magnolia Grill closed, I've been on a quest to find its closest local approximation. Spoiler alert: Nana's comes closest. So it comes as a surprise to me that I had yet to try Mandolin despite their 2 year tenure. In my defense, I live in Durham. I selected Mandolin for my birthday dinner this year so my partner and I braved a half-hour drive through heavy rain and flash flood warnings to arrive for our 6:30PM Sunday reservation. We were seated promptly, given the standard spiel of how they source all of their ingredients within 100 miles and do not own a freezer, except for the one they keep their sorbets in, of course haha, and our drink order taken. I requested Pellegrino and was told they only serve Badoit, which surprised and delighted me as I've never seen it served outside of France. I remarked that it seemed unusual and our server replied that "we like to be trendsetters." Cute. I'll also have the "Cackalacky in the Summer" cocktail and, really, with a name like that who wouldn't? Our server sold me on an off-menu foie gras "fried" first course because who can resist fatty liver cooked in fat on their birthday? I asked if the foie gras was really sourced within 100 miles and he replied "of course." How silly of me. I ordered the Chicken & Waffles entree as I can think of very few things more fabulous than haute C&W, and could you please recommend a glass of red wine to accompany my meal? My partner had the "open face BLT" first course and pork chop entree. The first course came quickly enough, and I learned that "fried foie gras" meant "battered and deep fried foie gras." Why do some restaurants insist on taking such a rich and, let's face it, controversial ingredient with subtle, delicate flavor and completely annihilating it? I should have known better. It came out smelling like fryer oil. The batter was overly greasy and did not cling to the liver well, causing a crunchy mess with just a few strokes of my knife. When I reflect on meals like this, I almost always regret not sending the food back. Oh well, note to self. In addition, I received the first course about 5 minutes before the wine, which was a miserly pour, about 4oz if I had to guess. My partner's "open face BLT" came with the thickest slices of bacon I think I've ever seen and he remarked that it was quite good. Our waiter was overall very friendly, professional and accommodating -- at first. Unfortunately, as the night wore on and the restaurant filled, service became very slow. It was clear they were understaffed, however, at this price point it is inexcusable. When the entrees arrived, the Chicken & Waffles was served on this ridiculous form-over-function plate that curved upward on either side making resting my knife and fork impossible. I resorted to the bread plate (the cornbread was a-ma-zing, by the way). The chicken was battered and deep fried in the exact same manner as the foie gras, which seemed unfortunate at first, but the execution was far better. No fryer oil smell and better batter cling. The greens were heavy on the vinegar but overall it was a totally solid dish. The waffle was perfect and accompanied by warm honey. Delicious. My partner felt that his pork entree was "decent" and, after trying a bite, I remarked that it was about as good as he makes on our grill at home. The pickled blueberries were interesting. For dessert I ordered the peach bread pudding and my partner chose the chocolate soufflé. When they finally arrived, the soufflé had fallen well below the rim of the ramekin. Undeterred, the expediter pressed on with his tableside service, pouring the chocolate sauce and expertly applying a dollop of Chantilly cream. The consistency I would describe as brownie-like, but I suppose they can't call it a brownie and then charge $8. The peach bread pudding was very good, the peaches tasting particularly fresh. With the final damage including 20% tip (I generally do not believe in witholding any amount of tip from a server unless the service is really awful and within their control) coming in at over $160 and its Fearrington House pedigree, I expected a lot more from Mandolin. That's $160 for one cocktail, one glass of wine (my partner did not drink), one liter of Badoit, and two of each first course, entree and dessert. It's worth a trip, but only one, as there are far better dining values in the area. Highs: Ambiance, Badoit, cornbread, cocktail, entrees (mostly). Lows: Battered and deep fried foie gras, meager serving of wine by the glass, slow service, chocolate "soufflé," price. read more

We went for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't busy at all. The staff members were polite and professional and personable. The design and decor of the restaurant is very chic, open and clean. They give you one biscuit before your meal. Ours were dry, slightly burned and not fresh. I ordered the pork madame and a mimosa. The sandwich was very good, and it came with fried potato wedges and a side salad. Everything was fresh and tasteful in my entree. It was a very large sandwich and I took 2/3 of it to go. The mimosa was mostly champagne with a splash of oj (just how I like it) but it was also $8. My husband got the Mandolin skillet. He said that half of the black eyed peas were undercooked which made for an unpleasant texture. He also ordered a pineapple juice which tasted slightly acidic, indicating that it was not very fresh. They had beignets on the menu but they had run out. I absolutely hate when this happens. It was only 12pm and they close at 2:30 on Sunday. There should have been beignets... Overall the experience wasn't terrible, and I would try it again, but I don't see myself craving brunch at the Mandolin anytime soon. read more

We had a wonderful brunch here. The atmosphere is lovely, the waitstaff professional, and the food excellent. I had the special omelet (chicken mole--yum) and my husband had the Pork Madame. The pork was tender and flavorful. Both came with sides of potatoes with slivers of peppers. The coffee was strong and endless. We will definitely be coming back. read more

Mandolin - A lovely window seat - Southern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I was truly hoping Mandolin would become a new favorite, but I was a bit disappointed. The fact that despite a reservation, it took about 30 minutes to be seated wasn't a huge issue. The service was completely underwhelming. Also, they were out of 2 entrees already and it was only 8:00. Our server was rude and conducted multiple disappearing acts throughout the evening. The food deserves 4 stars. The scallops appetizer was delicious, as well as the chicken and waffles. For the price, the food was slightly above average and the service could certainly have enhanced the experience. read more

I was invited here for a business dinner. Until the invite I had not heard of Mandolin, so I did a little research and learned about the owners in depth culinary training, which included a period at the Fearrington House. By the time I finished reading my curiosity and taste buds were completely intrigued and excited. Fresh out of a meeting we were the first ones there, so parking was great and I could clearly see around the whole restaurant. We got prime real estate at the table right in front of the window with warmth from the sun. The service was phenomenal. Food came out promptly and we had all 3 courses. The menu changes every so often based upon ingredients that thrive during the specific season. Everything I mean EVERYTHING was good and with a table of about 10 we ordered about 20 different plates. I fell in love with the Chocolate Souffle. I want to marry it. I am not a big RIB person because I think they are messy, but I gave it a try and they were so tender the meat fell off the bone with a fork. The seared tuna melted in your mouth. You could tell that thought and experience went into every dish. Nothing seemed rush. The Mandolin oozes culinary perfection and quality. I smiled all the way home with satisfaction. Can't wait to go back... due to the ambiance I think next time will be a date. read more

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Fantastic meal with a creative menu. Had an intimate dinner with friends and greatly enjoyed our visit. Bartenders (with one in training) were very helpful at selecting wine and education our group on the menu. We'll be back often. read more

Farm-to-table at its best in an elegantly modern, yet friendly, environment. We started on the excellent craft cocktail list which features local herbs, juices and seasonal inspiration. The menu is manageable and features only fresh ingredients cooked well and with creativity. Generous portions and low prices, for the quality. Feels like New York dining without the pretentious table neighbors and insane pricing. First time in Raleigh and super impressed. read more

Mandolin - Dessert cheese plate (ordered as an appetizer) - Southern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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A good friend took me here for a he got a raise dinner and it's too notch: I had the duck pot pie and the duck three ways which was total duck over lid but it was amazing!!!!! I also had the sticky toffee pudding He has the oysters and the steak which is a slab of meat so tender he used a spoon on it. The service was excellent recommending a cardinal gin for my gin and tonics which was delicious. read more

This is my first Yelp review, and honestly it's because the hostess and staff welcoming us in were so wonderful. We were immediately welcomed in very warmly, in fact the rest of our party had already been seated and we were greeted with an arm around the should to the table like an old friend. Overall very warm, well decorated, decor and atmosphere. The food was all very good, and when compared with other local dining it fit well with the price. Good, and in many cases local, ingredients especially in the mixed drinks. Our waiter was good, I wouldn't say great by any means (he seemed a little shy) but was attentive and knowledgeable. We got the Oak Island Triggerfish, Beef Tartare, Classic Caesar, and Chicken and Waffles. Honestly the Chicken and Waffles and Triggerfish were the best because of the crispiness and texture of the fish, and the flavors in the buckwheat waffle and chicken. Overall I would recommend this to anyone as a fine dining experience that isn't snobby and is a good value, having been to nearly every fine dining restaurant in the Triangle. read more

The food is always excellent here. If you are looking for fine dining in an intimate setting this Raleigh local gem is the place to go. read more

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Excellent meal and service. I liked the space of the restaurant as it didn't feel too packed in, and the complimentary valet service was great. Very nice wine selection, and had a great and focused menu selection. We had the carrots as an appetizer which were surprisingly delicious for a veggie. I had the chicken and waffles for the entree, which I would certainly recommend, and my fiancee had the Grilled Strip which was also yummy (although she orders steak "medium" so makes it hard to really determine haha). Worth checking out! read more

Looking for a chef inspired creative brunch menu? What about a cozy trendy restaurant? Mandolin checks all that off with it's amazing brunch menu full of unique items! The fried chicken biscuit and pork madame are true winners in my eyes. Enjoy! read more

Warm and cozy atmosphere with moderate size portions + outstanding staff. Parking is limited so, I recommend that you Uber if your reservation is during the busy hours. read more

What a treasure. We had a wonderful meal last night. Delicious food....absolute quality throughout each course. Awesome wait staff. Best chocolate soufflé ever and I have eaten many over the years that were very good but Mandolin definitely ranks #1....just perfection Mandolin's chef knows how to cook fish correctly and have it beautifully plated. and they did a killer job on the bone-in ribeye that my husband ordered. Love that Mandolin has its own farm and uses local ingredients. We will return. Thank you for such a lovely evening. read more

Had a business meeting here. Everyone loved their food, from the dumplings to the steaks. Absolutely awesome experience, both in atmosphere and food. I would highly recommend Mandolin for any kind of event. There is definitely a cool/modern southern vibe to this restaurant. read more