Listen... Was I forced to carb load this meal? Yes. But did I have a good time while doing so? Also yes. As a vegetarian, there were admittedly pretty limited options, but I was aware of that going in and still wanted to try out this Durham institution. You get complimentary Focaccia (not once, but twice!), with perfectly crusty outside, bouncy inside, and a wonderful olive oil. If I had known this beforehand, probably would not have ordered the Dinner Rolls- nonetheless, they were delightful (pillowy soft and came with an airy butter). As an appetizer, we got the Little Gem Lettuce, which was a little too salty for my taste, and I felt the citrus accentuated the saltiness even more. However, my friends thought it was seasoned well so take this with a grain of salt lol. But I did enjoy the creaminess of the dressing and the crunch from the topping; also, it was pleasant to eat along with some bread. For my entrée, I got the Spaghettini. This was my first time trying shaved black truffle and I was underwhelmed, but I loved the pasta itself, which had a really unique bite to it and was rich but not heavy. The pasta dishes are on the smaller side with regards to portion. Last but definitely not least: the Hot Chocolate Soufflé. Oh my gosh. When I say this was heavenly, I could literally hear angels singing as I took my first bite. The hot fudge was velvety but not overwhelming, the soufflé soft, and perfectly balanced by the cool bourbon-caramel ice cream. This is assembled table side so you get a fun little show as well haha. We were taken on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster because apparently they were having trouble with the oven, but so grateful that could be fixed. Service was amazing (shout out to Beza!), very friendly and appropriate timing. Ambiance is superb, literally the epitome of modern elegance and probably the best in Durham for a fancy night out. Highly recommend getting a reservation. I could see parking being tricky on busy weekends, but I was able to snag a spot in front of the restaurant. Overall, I had a good experience with some minor room for improvement with dish execution but definitely would appreciate more vegetarian and vegan-friendly options (although, I suppose I didn't ask if modifications to dishes was possible). 9/10 would recommend! read more

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Get the buttermilk rolls appetizer! That was by far the best thing we had. Soft and fluffy inside with a perfectly buttery outside. The cocktails are overpriced ($20 Paloma), so I went with a single glass of wine that lasted me through dinner. For dinner, we had the Rye Tagliatelle and Wood Grilled Dry Aged NY Strip. The Tagliatelle was in a gravy style sauce that was a little rich for me and the steak was undercooked (ordered Medium Rare and came out Rare). The steak was also not the highest quality. We had high expectations going in since they made the Michelin list, and we left underwhelmed. read more

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Food: excellent. The food is delicious, expert chef. It is expensive. Plus they add a surcharge for use of credit card, which is surprising given the premium pricing which averages $100 per person. Service. Poor. Waitress Broke the wine cork, forgot to serve bread (blamed an ongoing wine dinner) and did not serve olive oil, when bread was served after making request. Ambience: Cozy with tables close. I came away annoyed. There are few restaurants of this quality in Durham, but they need to do better for me to return. read more

This four-star-level dining establishment is the place to dine two days before Christmas. The soft light on wood paneling in the bar area creates an intimate space where people can celebrate special occasions and couples can have a romantic date night. The dining room offers a quieter space. All tables were full well into the evening, so reserving yours is smart. Otherwise, help yourself to a bar seat. Bartenders Richie & Lance took good care of me and my neighbor. We came for a holiday dinner and were pleased with the quality of food and service. Plates are made with an emphasis on presentation and craftsmanship. They are portioned for multi-course meals with drink pairings from their extensive wine list and full bar. My neighbor and I created a two-course meal and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, our food, and new friendships with the barside staff. I'm glad to see that Nana's remains strong and we each look forward to our next visit. read more

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Service was phenomenal. We had a work group of about 10 and the server was phenomenal with keeping up with our group. I didn't get a pic of the buttermilk rolls but our entire group raved about those - would highly recommend trying them! I got the NC chicken that was pan roasted very well. It was crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. We also got a few desserts but the one I wanted to try and really enjoyed was the hot chocolate soufflé - it's rich but very good Something to note, the parking around here isn't the greatest so make sure to give yourself a few minutes to grab parking if you're meeting someone. read more

Nanas - Hot chocolate soufflé - Desserts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Great food, great service, great ambiance. I wish there was more parking though. Otherwise it's great.

Had a *great* meal at Nanas in Durham. The menu has French & Italian inspired dishes that added an NC influence with local ingredients. [e.g., benne seed? super cool] The service was top-tier with an awesome server backed-up with a supporting team on assist. Nanas has an art deco influenced, white-table cloth dining room; it's casually cool. Very much recommended. read more

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Nana's is a true Durham classic that absolutely lives up to the hype. It's the kind of place that reminds you why dining out can be such a special experience. Thoughtful service, elegant but not stuffy ambiance, and a menu that reads like a love letter to seasonal, Southern-inspired cuisine. The decor has that cozy-yet-refined charm you want for a date night or celebration dinner. Warm lighting, white tablecloths, and just enough vintage flair to make the space feel timeless. It's intimate without being pretentious, and you can tell a lot of care has gone into creating an experience that feels elevated but never overdone. What I love most about Nana's, besides the food of course, is the pacing and service. The staff makes you feel like a welcomed guest without hovering. Courses come out perfectly timed, and they're more than happy to offer wine pairings or thoughtful suggestions if you're having trouble narrowing down your picks. Now for the good stuff -- the food. Nana's delivers dish after dish that is beautifully composed and absolutely bursting with flavor. Some of my personal standouts: The Warm Buttermilk Dinner Rolls with cultured butter and sea salt are deceptively simple but unforgettable. Soft, warm, and just the right touch of saltiness, they set the tone perfectly for the meal ahead. The Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio is incredibly fresh, with bright notes from the shallot, chive, and piquillo pepper vinaigrette. The pickled guindilla peppers give it a subtle kick, and the crispy benne seed grissini adds just the right amount of crunch. The Scallop Milanese is a showstopper, delicious breaded scallops served with additional tender bay scallops in a rich beurre fondue, accented with capers, parsley, and a splash of Meyer lemon that keeps it feeling light and luxurious. If pasta is your thing, do not skip the Spaghetti Nero. The NC shrimp are plump and perfectly cooked, the tomato confit and spring garlic add depth, and the pangrattato gives the dish a satisfying texture and pop of lemon. The Crispy Niman Ranch Lamb Shoulder is another standout, deeply savory and perfectly tender. It's served with sweet onion lamb pancetta, Lyon Farm's creamed spinach, and the most delightful mushroom raviolo that ties it all together. And if you've saved room for dessert, which I highly recommend you do, the Hot Chocolate Soufflé, served with Bourbon-Caramel Ice cream and Hot Fudge, is an absolute dream. It arrives warm and pillowy with a deep, rich chocolate flavor that's balanced and not too sweet. A perfect way to end an unforgettable meal. All in all, Nana's is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression. Every bite feels intentional, every dish crafted with care. It's a Durham gem I'll return to again and again. read more

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Good was very tasty, but some of the sauces and dishes did feel a bit heavy and/or overly sweet. Very indulgent kind of meal. The drinks were great, the blueberry mocktail is definitely for those who *really* like blueberry, I preferred the citrus one personally since it had a nice tanginess. The potato purse is flavorful but can feel very heavy. Ambiance and service were excellent. Very nicely decorated and friendly staff. Wish we got bread at the start since the wait was a little long read more

Nanas - Desserts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while. We decided to check it out finally on a date night yesterday. We went early as we were going to DPAC. We were seated just outside the host stand and it was empty. Weird but ok. The rest of the time we were distracted by a very bored wait staff wandering around. Our waitress was great answering all our questions. They even have a vegan menu. We are choosy carnivores but a nice touch. We started with the twice baked grits on the vegan menu. Amazing. And the little lettuces. Yummy. I had the champagne old fashioned. I don't get it. Tasted like a watery old fashioned without bubbles. I had the fish. It was $50!! But decided to go for it as it sounded amazing. Not so much. The sauce was what made it. It was supposed to be deboned and I kept crunching on bones. Gross. Brought it to the waitress' attention and she said she would tell them. No manager, no discount, no follow up. Won't be back. read more

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Very disappointing. They are trying for a Michelin star. The waiter was incompetent. Looked disheveled, had a demeanor suitable for a roadhouse bar. Since when do we pay for rolls? Which were a little doughy, not quite done. We both ordered the trout, with English peas and carrots. We found three peas. The trout was an appetizer size serving. The sauce was salty and unpleasant. Won't go back. read more

Best mashed potatoes of my life (even if they were 75% butter)!!! Had a date night here, for dinner, sat at a high top near the bar and loved the atmosphere (very cozy and intimate). Our waitress was very nice, she welcomed us to the neighborhood with a sweet dessert at the end of the meal. For dinner I ordered the warm buttermilk dinner rolls, potato gnocchi, rye tagliatelle with duck ragout, and the NY strip (with a side of mashed potatoes). The 2 pasta dishes were the standout dishes. They pasta was cooked al dente, and sauce and the seasoning were well executed. They were unique flavors I haven't had before; the only thing I'd do differently next time, is order a bunch of pastas for my main meal (all veryyy small plates of pastas- but all amazing). The steak was seasoned very well (one of the few times I haven't needed to put a sauce on it), the mashed potatoes were out of this world, and the chocolate soufflé we had for dessert was delicious!! Loved Nanas, and although on the pricey side, I would return (food was worth it). Heads up- make a reservation (bar is first come, first serve, but fills up fast). And parking all around the establishment will be full, so Uber if you can! read more

We had been to Nanas several time before but this was our first time since it was sold to local restaurateur Matt Kelly. Parking is always tight in this little strip but our reservations were early and we pulled in easily. Nanas still has that old-school vibe with a dark-paneled bar up front and two cozy dining areas. We ordered the famous dinner rolls and grilled oysters, both delicious. And then we waited, and waited, and waited. It took an unusually long time to get our entrees. We were here celebrating our anniversary and noted it on our reservation. The restaurant and our server didn't do anything special but then I overhead another server asking her table if they were celebrating anything. We got the tagliatelle with duck ragout entree and Scottish salmon entree and while both were nicely prepared, we would have enjoyed slightly larger portions. One other note: I know staff are trained to upsell but our waitress seemed a little too eager to recommend the most expensive items, or to suggest that we order two appetizers. I still recommend Nana's but a few of those little details kept this from being a five-star review. read more

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This is a fun place for a special-occasion dinner. It has a cozy little snug of a bar off the tight entryway, and the dining areas have been redone for it's relaunch a year or so ago. There are some plaid carpeting, big abstract splashes of color in the paintings, and some Art Deco touches in some rounded frames on mirrors and wall hangings, giving everything a late '70s/early '80s feel. The vibe reminds me of the places Jonathan and Jennifer used to frequent on "Hart to Hart." The food was good for the most part. I enjoyed the Milanese part of my Scallops Milanese, but the bay scallops surrounding it were a touch rubbery. The halibut special was delicious. It was served with a side of fingerling potatoes topped with lump crab. It was a fun combination, if the temperature differences were a little odd. Desert was a house-made oatmeal cookie ice cream, which I could eat a pint of every day until doctors made me stop. Others at the table enjoyed their meals, though one thought the gumbo was too spicy. (But he's a wimp.) Service was very friendly if slightly unpolished with pacing that's a little uneven. The cocktail list is great and the wine list quite sufficient. My only other note is that the parking is not fun -- there are some spaces along the front, but you'll never score one of those. There are many spaces behind the building, but the lot is absurdly narrow and hard to navigate and I wouldn't even consider going back there with anything bigger than a mid-size sedan. Otherwise, I suppose you would have to park along the sides of the neighborhood streets surrounding the restaurants. read more

Excellent service, extremely flavorful and creative food. I had the veal cheek when we went a couple of months ago. Our server was attentive and kind, giving us recommendations that were spot on. we will be back for another special occasion! read more

The inside of Nana's was very cool- eclectic and it had a retro vibe to it. The server was nice and walked us through some of the menu items and their recommendations. We ordered a cocktail and it was delicious (don't remember the name of it, but it had ginger beer in it). A person came around and gave each person at our table literally one piece of focaccia bread on our plate and olive oil to share. For how expensive this restaurant was, i would've expect them to give us a little more than just a piece of bread, maybe a bread basket would've been nicer, so that was a little disappointing. the bread was absolutely delicious though, so i will give them that. For our entrees, we got the gnocchi and a spaghetti dish, we asked our server if the portion of the spaghetti would've been enough for dinner and they said it should be fine. Personally, the size of the pasta entrees were NOT worth the price at all. We finished the meal in just a few bites. However, the dishes itself were good, we definitely wish the portions were just a little big bigger. We ended our dinner with some creme brûlée and it was tasty, nothing special about it. Sadly, between the one piece of bread and our individual entrees, we left our dinner not fully satisfied. There were parking spaces in front of the restaurant and behind the building and did not have trouble finding parking. read more

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We had a great dining experience at Nanas! Love the retro decor and the service was impeccable. The drinks were spot on and unique and the food was delicious. Must try the Caught in the Rain. A twist on your pina colada. The desserts were all yummy. I didn't get a pic of the chocolate soufflé because it disappeared so quickly! read more

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The positive was our waiter. Caring, knowledgeable, good timing and attentive. But aside from two other positives little else impressed us. The Granddad Old Fashioned was very good but the Angel Manhattan was overly sweet and far too weak for a $27 drink. The grilled oyster appetizer was not tasty and the presentation was disappointing. For dinner, why not expect hot food? This is perhaps our #1 complaint of some restaurants we visit. Both the salmon (which WAS very flavorful) and the duck were tepid. They were sent back for reheating. The duck presentation was OK but only four very small slices - why so little? The desert selection were all things Nana's likely prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. So, our rating included some things done well but there are far too many negatives. This, incidentally, is a very expensive place to eat. It does not live up to expectations. Boston folks read more

Made it into Nanas 2.0 which opened up this week. This classic restaurant has re-opened after a pandemic-induced break and has been renovated and revamped. While the exterior remains the same (plain jane), the interior is beautiful. Sporting a 70s or 80s retro vibe, the woodwork and lighting at the main bar is fabulous. The menu is ecelectic, seasonal, I did the classic shrimp risotto and duck tagliatelle. Service was solid as I would expect to be at these price points. Didn't make it to the chocolate souffle which takes 20 minutes to bake. But overall, super impressed with Nanas in Durham and can't wait to get back! read more

Nanas - a large group of people sitting at a bar - Desserts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Food was expensive but very good. Waitress a bit stuffy and not terribly engaging. Noisy but tolerable. The one reason I will NEVER go back was the parking situation. They refuse to provide valet parking and unless you eat dinner at 500 good luck finding a spot on the street. The restaurant staff were unhelpful in helping with this. Bottom line food was good but not with the hassle and there are many other places just or good or better to eat without having to drive around the neighborhood. We will never go back read more

I think it is terrific! I would say the portions are a little small but they can make very interesting meals and weird cocktails! As my mom noticed, there seems to be an abundance of servers! Maybe they are doing some training. This place has gone through a lot of trouble in recent years. The new setup seems good! read more

Nanas - Ravioli on top of lamb! Why? Why not? I think the green is spinach. - Desserts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

What a great experience- chill atmosphere, good service, great steaks! Save room for fresh, string coffee and seasonal desserts. read more

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The food was incredible but management did nothing about the big roach that climbed onto our table. - A large roach climbed onto our table and they just left it there. A bunch of staff came out to gawk at it but once it climbed off, management told us "it's fine, it went behind the mirror". When we asked to be moved, they told us to leave our food but then they wouldn't discount any of it it. - I asked for a dirty martini with Ketel One and normal olives (no blue cheese) and I received a gin dirty martini with blue cheese olives. I got the same gin martini and blue olives when I asked for it to be fixed. Again, the food was incredible, but the management was incredibly rude to us and our server. read more

Somewhere between a 4 and 5 star review, I can't put my finger on it but not comfortable with five stars. Started with the scallops Milanese, the bay scallops and sauce were great, I didn't like the consistency that much in the actually scallops Milanese, which was like a thinly sliced scallop cake, didn't work perfectly. I ordered chicken as my main, not usually a chicken first person, but it was very good. The sauce was extremely flavorful and made the chicken anything but boring; my only small negative was it was somewhat hard to cut given the small pieces of cartilage (probably best totally deboned). Also it was listed with asparagus, and there were only a few very small almost unidentifiable slices of asparagus stem. The sauce with the scallops was great as was the flavor of the chicken, so please do not take this review negatively, it just wasn't perfect. read more

Nanas - Chicken - Desserts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I had a wonderful dinner at Nanas! Love the vibe and the interior design of the place. I was a little confused parking at first since the front parking lot was filled, but I realized afterwards that they have a whole lot in the back of the building. Our server was super friendly and always there when we needed him. The menu had so many interesting things to order, it was hard to narrow it down. We wanted to start with the rolls, but unfortunately there was an issue with the yeast that evening. The focaccia they over to every table was a nice consolation though. The scallop Milanese was amazing. I've never had scallops prepared that way and it did not disappoint. The ricotta gnudi was tasty as well, the duck ragout though was the pasta winner for me. For dessert we went with the hazelnut tiramisu. It was one of the prettiest tiramisu dishes I've ever eaten. It was delicious as well, highly recommend! Definitely worth a wonderful night out! read more

Probably one of my favorite restaurants in Durham. The recent renovation that took place also makes this one of the best atmospheres for dinner. The bar is great. Amazing cocktails, comfortable seating options, and friendly staff. The food is very good. The best food I've ever had... no. However, I wasn't disappointed nor was I blown away. Everything is just very good. The perfect spot for date night, going out with friends or taking folks from out of town. read more

Nanas - Desserts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

best cosmo in durham, heavy on flavor but not alcohol. roasted chicken meal is delicious and filling and a better value than other offerings. the " whole" fish item was overpriced for a small trout. great service, just wish parking was easier. read more

What a great start to 2024! First meal out in this New Year, and we decided to visit the new-new Nanas, and it did not disappoint. The pumpkin agnolotti was probably _the best_ pasta I've had in a long time -- neither my wife nor I could remember the last time we had better. Everything else (bread, baby lettuces, chicken pate, whole fish and cocktails) was delicious too. Service was excellent, the interior nice -- and speaking of nice, it certainly was, to see one of Durham's historic big 3 restaurants resurrected in such a classic, excellent way! We will be back! read more

For three people - Excellent first courses: grit soufflé, beet salad, and oysters. Excellent desserts egg nog ice cream and two chocolate soufflés. One good shrimp entree but two of us ordered the lamb ragu which was mediocre. Indeed that is a compliment. In many years of fine dining I can't remember a more disappointing entree. read more

Sublime food, lovely if odd decor, and helpful unobtrusive server. Recommend without hesitation. Not inexpensive but worth it. read more

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My wife and I went to Nana's a lot a long while back but honestly it had been a while since I had thought about it when it shuttered a few years back. It was always very good but it seemed a bit predictable and boring towards the end. I remember when I was younger and it, Foursquare and Magnolia Grill were the only fancy dining options in Durham -- it was really such a dazzling testament to creative cooking in my home town at that point. By the time it closed those days had passed -- Durham has a plethora of great places to eat, so why go to Nanas for the same cast iron cooked duck they were serving in the late 90s? When I saw Matt Kelly was taking it over it was pretty exciting. When a good buddy of mine who has really good taste went for his birthday and loved it the excitement grew. Looked at the new menu and I really wanted to go. The ambiance looked similar but it seems like some renovation had been done and the who place seemed less stuffy (though it had been nine years since I had been so I can't remember it properly). The service was excellent which to be fair was always the case in its previous life. As to the food: 1. Parker house rolls were fine and did a great job of sopping sauces; 2. Oxtail mezzaluna was fantastic -- also not a huge portion so worked well as an app. Loved the smoky pecans alongside it; 3. Scallop Milanese -- amazing. Best part of the night. U10 scallop pounded flat and then expertly fried. Served with a tarragon and caper sauce and surrounded by seared bay scallops; 4. Duck with duck sausage, sweet potatoes and braised collards -- cooked perfect and in a delicious Madeira sauce. My wife loved it, especially the duck sausage; 5. Salmon with blackened fennel, mussels and citrus -- perfectly cooked as well. Especially loved the citrus element And 6. Chocolate soufflé -- it took quite a long time to cook but it was totally fine. Probably the low point of the meal which is more than anything a testament to its uniform excellence. Thrilled about the new Nana's and can't wait to return!! read more

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The food was top notch and the service was impeccable! I love the vintage restaurant design. It really helped with the ambiance. This restaurant deserves more than a recommendation, it deserves a star! read more

Date night and hit/miss on food quality- some dishes good, but fresh "de boned" fish was full of bones. Alerted staff to this and no follow up or apology.... And there were many staff and managers present... expensive place not worth returning read more

Hands down my favorite Durham restaurant- do yourself a favor and get the grit soufflé...chefs kiss

One of my top dining experiences. Entrees were delicious. Service was great. Parking is an issue, but the good things far outweigh that issue. read more

Outstanding service! Nice ambiance inside, but 2 top tables are close together - can hear your neighbor's conversation. Food was top notch and portion sized right for the quality. Shared an app, had a pasta and shared a dessert - perfect! Husband had the fish, it was grilled and perfectly cooked. Make a reservation and visit this restaurant. This is one that's worth returning to! read more

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My husband and I had a next-level experience at Nanas. We made our 6:45 reservation 10 days or so in advance and could only get a high-top in the bar area, and as soon as we arrived, it was apparent why it was so popular. The aesthetic is so cool and retro, totally unpretentious but brings you right back to the 1920s. Our server, Besa, was such a joy -- she gave us a quick rundown of the menu sections and let us know her favorites from each, and we were totally, and rightly, convinced. The scallop Milanese was like nothing we'd had before, and the rye tagliatelle with duck was out of this world. My husband got a veal cheek entree that was on special, and he said it was the most spectacular entree he'd had at a restaurant in years, maybe ever. I had the lamb shoulder whose sauce actually took my breath away. We rounded things out with dessert; Besa pointed us toward an apple pie sundae with the most out-of-this-world caramel sauce. I wish I'd taken pics of all the food, as it was truly artwork. My husband had two amazing cocktails -- their craft is beyond exceptional -- and I had the two NA mocktails that were both also outstanding. For a special occasion, Nanas cannot be beat! read more

We sat at the bar and this was the first time we dined here since it reopened under new ownership. I love the decor and dark wood. Music was great playing in the bar. We had 4 dishes we shared and they were all good. Grit cake, bread with agrodolce honey and fig, shrimp risotto and scallop Milanese all tasted good. Portions were on the smaller side. Bartenders were very attentive. I would go back. It would be great if they offered a bar menu in addition to the regular menu. read more

The food was delicious (albeit our choices were very rich), the service was quite good; it was like a return to the old Nanas when it was very delicious and deeply lovely to dine there and enjoy being with your special people. We particularly enjoyed the sauces on the well prepared dishes and my friend (we were celebrating her birthday) much enjoyed her risotto and her duck -- not bad for someone who just turned 88!! Yay for the return and the great update on Nanas!! read more

Got food poisoning over the holidays there. Literally puking and throwing up all over the place. Left them a message. They finally got back to me and simply said sorry. I guess business is so good there they can afford it. Warning! Do not order any fish, crab, or seafood related dishes!!!!!! read more