I came to visit Durham for the first time in a long time And was pleasantly surprised to see all the new and exciting restaurants. A friend suggested we try this place. We made a reservation and were seated upon arrival. Our host was Anthony, I think his name was, with a keen interest for ginkgo trees. He was very attentive, friendly and extremely helpful. He took her order and had some good suggestions. I was craving shrimp and grits which was probably the most unique shrimp and grits. I've had ever. Very distinct flavor and still very rich and familiar. The shrimp were large and juicy as well as remained crunchy overall cooked very well. We also had the summer tomato and burata salad which was really refreshing and delicious. My friend ordered the mac and cheese which is a hefty serving size. Definitely a shareable side or a main for one person. Our host came to check on us frequently, our Waters never went empty. Other hosts were also helping check in on us which was nice. The restaurant itself is large. Booth tables available, which made for a cozy environment. We ended the night with some brownie a la mode, which was the perfect dessert to have on a hot summer day. Overall the experience was amazing, great food and incredibly nice people. Definitely Miss miss the southern hospitality of Durham. Definitely recommend a try here at plum Southern kitchen & bar. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Stopped by for dinner and sat outside with our dog- VERY dog friendly, relaxing classical music outside, with some cute decor- including flowers and lights. The menu had recently changed so we got to try quite a few new items. We tried the panzanella- sweet corn, red beans, heirloom tomato, patty pan squash, pea tendrills, and a roasted red pepper vinaigrette. This dish was my favorite of the night- small but shareable, entire dish was refreshing and all the flavors and textures went together so well. For dinner I ordered the roasted chicken and the baked mac and cheese with bacon. The roasted chicken was juicy and tasty, and a bit sweet with the bourbon ginger and plum reduction, but the mac and cheese seemed dry and overcooked. We also ordered the buttermilk cheddar biscuits- that taste slightly undercooked (in a good way), so the texture was soft and chewy (and amazing). The honey butter and large maldon salt granules made the biscuits perfect. They were so good we ordered a second order!! I would definitely return to Plum, for both the food and hospitality. read more

There are various types of crimes, right? Crimes of passion. Crimes against humanity. And then there is this crime: A restaurant that is universally loved and acclaimed that has been a mainstay in Durham since 2019 (and survived the pandemic when others didn't) has to close their doors because the landlords are a bunch of greedy succubi that decided to double the restaurant rent from - not increase it, not negotiate it - but double it from $21 to $42 because this is Durham and Durham is blowing up. Now keep in mind, this isn't some cozy French bistro that seats three. This is a 4000 square foot establishment that probably seats about 70-80 people, I'm guessing. I spent the better part of three hours there the other night - I'm visiting from San Diego - and got to know Marquee (that is how you spell his name, OK?), Anthony, Christine (that may or may not be how you spell her name, OK?), and the owner, Lisa, and have never felt more saddened by, nor felt the love among them, so powerfully in just about any restaurant I've ever been to. This is truly a family affair. On a bittersweet note, they are still open until next Saturday, September 27 and you would be truly remiss not to stop by. And if you do, you'd be - how should I say this? - a loser if you don't try their buttermilk cheddar biscuits which are rhapsodic. The braised pork belly was inspired, too, served with their Carolina barbecue sauce and a wonderfully tangy purple and green slaw. I am truly fortunate to have caught them before things went south and feel honored to have not just met, but got to know, however slightly, the team behind Plum. Kudos, guys. And if the property landlords are reading this: You're homewreckers, have put people out work, robbed Durham of an extraordinary restaurant and are basically a bunch of assholes. read more

The ambiance was warm, gentle, and welcoming. It felt like coming over to an auntie's home for a cozy home-cooked dinner. The biscuits with the smoked tomato honey butter was everything! It was my favorite. The market salad was decent and had the right balance of acidity. The shrimp and grits was heavy but delightful. I also enjoyed the mocktail. The only thing that was confusing for me is that there's an automatic 20% living wage charge but the server told me that the staff don't receive all of it despite the receipt saying it does. Maybe I misheard? The service definitely deserved a 20% tip, which I planned to give anyway, but the whole thing was confusing for me. For biscuits, a mocktail, salad, and main dish, the bill was $71 including the living wage charge and tax. If you're in Durham, I highly recommend stopping by. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - Mocktail (left) | Biscuits (center) - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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We had a wonderful dinner. The mushroom risotto was delicious, just perfect. My Burrata tomatoes salad, all locally sourced was superb. The proprietor, Lisa came by after dinner and was very gracious and friendly. Our server Julio professional. Located in a historic building the ambience was very pleasant. Highest recommendation. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - Exterior - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Came here with a buddy for dinner and drinks. The food and drinks were pretty good, but the cost was quite expensive. I don't think the food warranted the price. For that reason I will not come back. Dinner shouldn't have cost me $120. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The atmosphere is very nice though the menu is a little limited. We liked that this is a living wage restaurant that features locally sourced ingredients. The Angel Biscuits were epic! This would be a good spot for cocktails we think. read more

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Finally coming for date night after hearing so many recommendations! Plum nestles in the quieter side of durham downtown with easy parking. Combining Boho and eclectic vibe, Plum is quiet, spacious, making it a lovely cozy place for a spontaneous date. All the staffs we met were friendly and efficient. Everything tastes delicious, the brisket tacos, the biscuits, shrimp and grits, Plum does the classic southern very well. My happy surprise was the pork osso buco (on a rotating menu), the absolute best osso buco in the area!!! The braised meat was so on point - with the perfect texture! Pear tart was pleasant (because the frangipane was very good) but there was so little poached pear so the name was misleading. We will certainly come back and try more seasonal items, and get a different dessert (maybe Emma's cake!) read more

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It was the day before New Years Eve and it was super empty when we arrived right at 5. I feel like this is the type of place that would typically be super busy. There's an interesting modern take on southern design as there's hanging quilts on the walls and milk jar as a carafe. The service was excellent and the owner introduced her to us and I was happy it was a women owned restaurant and excited to try her modern take on all of the dishes. It's a nice welcome when the owner is there to greet you. Spoiler: she lived in NYC for many years before opening up in Durham so no wonder the food is so good ~ it definitely is on par or even better than restaurants back where I'm from in NYC. You will not be disappointed. We ordered the brisket taco, Brussels, market fish, white bean and broccoli hummus and for dessert the banana pudding. The brisket taco was nice but didn't blow my mind. The flavors were tasty and definitely elevated but it was only one taco and $8 so sort of hard to justify for me. On the other hand, the brussel sprouts had a really tasty vinaigrette and I will never forget this dish as it topped my favorite brussel sprouts I've ever tasted in my life. And honestly I thought that brussel sprouts can be made even more perfect but this place really got my heart with this dish. It BLEW ME AWAY. For a main course we got the market fish which is sea bream at the time and they get it locally at a North Carolina fish market. This dish is served with a light parsnip and apple puree that really opened up all the flavor and with the fig jam it added a really nice sweetness to it. It definitely tasted like fall. We were curious about the white bean and broccoli hummus so we also ordered that one but not as impressed with that one even though it has trout roe and smoked trout it was a little underwhelming compared to all the others. It was tasty still but not as much as the rest. I would recommend dipping the fish separately from the broccoli. I feel like a suggestion here is to teach the customers how to eat this one since I didn't realized you're supposed to be eating the broccoli separate from the crackers. The crackers also weren't really that crunchy. What blew my mind even more than the brussel sprouts was the banana pudding. I don't like bananas but this is absolutely amazing. I RECOMMEND getting a cup of black coffee with it as it's the only way you should eat it. The coffee is on the house since nobody really orders it but I am going to repeat ORDER THE COFFEE WITH IT. It really brings out all the flavors and I could actually continue eating the vanilla cookie that came with it as well. I absolutely loved my visit and would definitely come again! read more

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Another visit and STILL superb. Last visit in 2021, the decor and ambiance haven't changed. Still a relaxed urban vibe. Started with a pair of cheddar biscuits. These are hockey-puck sized drop biscuits, expertly baked to have a nice crunch to the crust yet warm and moist on the inside. They're paired with an outstanding whipped pimento butter. Next up deviled eggs. 3 eggs halves filled with a dollop of creamy, whipped egg yolk, topped with fried shallots and dusted with paprika and chives. The sensory of the smooth creamy egg, the crunchy shallot and the smoky tang of the paprika and the barely-there onion-like chive is extraordinary. On to the brussels sprouts. A big plate of halved sprouts is broiled til crispy and tossed in lemon maple vinaigrette. Then it's sprinkled with candied pecans and chunks of bleu cheese, with a few pickled onions to garnish. Friends, if you love b-sprouts, you're going to ADORE these. So good. Next, a catch-of-the-day, red drum. A nice sized fillet is halved and broiled, skin-on. It's served in a lemon cream sauce with kale and butter beans, and topped with a stack of fennel. Red drum is similar to sea bass - not as sweet but the same texture. The prep is perfect for this fish because the butter beans and cream sauce complement the fish but don't overpower it. Last but not least, had to (re) try the banana pudding. This is STILL the best 'nana puddin' I've ever had. And the recipe is still the same. Luscious banana pudding, slathered in bourbon caramel, encased by shortbread and surrounded by bourbon caramel and topped with whipped cream sprinkled with crunchy cocoa nib. It's totally worth it to come to Plum for this dessert alone. Making a pact here and now to get over to Plum more often. read more

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Let me start by saying we should have taken all the subtle hints and pick elsewhere to dine. While visiting my cousin from Texas, we attempted to make a reservation but the system was down. My cousin called and we were advised that they took the reservation offline because they were wrapping up for the week but they would love for us to come in. We drove 20 min and arrived to a virtually empty restaurant. The hostess greeted us and quickly stated that some menu items were unavailable because again, they were closing for the week and they didn't want food waste. Our server came and told us they were just out of biscuits and ice cream sandwich. Ok, that didn't seem so bad. But then as we proceeded to order from an already minimal menu, everything was out ( ahem -no grits for shrimp and grits..). We ordered hushpuppies, watermelon salad, brisket taco ( it's only one taco) and pork belly. Prices are definitely high compared to portions. We also ordered two bar drinks. Because they were closing it seemed like everything was skimped on- for example my salad had four small watermelon cubes. Pork belly was not crispy. Eggs had way too much Dijon mustard. Drinks were not good. Overall food did not meet our expectations. Bill total for that was $127 plus an automatic livable wage tip built in. Hopefully this isn't their normal treatment and operation. I would like to chop it up to them closing for the week and not wanting to waste food on paying customers... read more

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Food was delicious! Get the biscuits! They are absolutely scrumptious. My husband and I went and enjoyed a shared salad and biscuits, Brussels sprouts, mac 'n cheese, pork belly entree. Owner came around, and we let her know food was delicious. Only had one waiter, but he hustled and did a great job. Bartender, main hostess, and owner would help serve the food and drinks a little. One star off for this because they really should have more than one waiter so he could get a break! read more

This was a great establishment! What a shame the greedy land lords undercut a great local restaurant! Great food, friendly service and a nice set up to chat and enjoy an evening out. A real loss for Durham! read more

Highly recommend Plum! We stopped in for dinner while visiting Durham. We had Skyler as our server and she was great and knew her stuff! The apple cider margarita was a huge hit! We started with the biscuit appetizer with the very tasty roasted tomato butter. For entrees we did the shrimp and grits and the salmon - both huge hits! Also, cinnamon rolls for dessert were a great way to finish a great meal. read more

Food was stellar! Exciting and innovative while familiar! Gorgeous place! Very convenient to DPAC and staff accommodating for show times!

Had dinner at Plum before attending a show at DPAC. They have their own parking lot so it was easy to park. Staff was friendly and seated us promptly. The space is open and light -- love the exposed brick walls and bookshelves filled with cookbooks. Our waitress was very attentive. I ordered a glass of Prosecco and shared a panzanella. Panzanella was okay but my main dish, the Country Captain, was a huge disappointment. It had potential but the sweet potatoes weren't cooked enough and worst of all neither was the rice. My table mates did enjoy their shrimp and grits. I tasted the Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake which was superb. Unfortunately based on this experience I wouldn't go back. read more

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Delicious meal in Durham! Highly recommend from the food to the service! Food was so good! We had the following: Brisket taco-nice and flavorful. Tomato/cucumber/mint salad-fresh and full of flavor Shrimp and grits-some of the best we have had! The shrimp was cooked well and just all the flavors came together. Highly recommend this dish. Emma's Cake for the week-was this amazing creation of marble cake with caramel buttercream and chocolate ganache. This was so good and it was sweet but not in that overly sick way. Just the right amount. The owner came around through the evening and greeted each table. Our two servers were a joy and even the host were all extremely pleasant and kind and made us feel very welcome. A wonderful restaurant in Durham! read more

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First time at this restaurant. Limited menu but great variety. Ordered wings and Brussels to start- absolutely delish! My husband ordered the steak and I ordered the seasonal salad and almond cake for dinner. The wine I had originally ordered they were out of. The bartender was gracious enough to come by the table to let me know. Only 1 tiny issue during our visit- when the bill came they charged us for 2 glasses of wine they did not have (more expensive) so we had to wait for someone to adjust our bill. Overall, delicious food. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - Seasonal salad and almond cake - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Plum was a totally random choice and we were glad we made it! Amazing food and staff and the owner, Lisa, came and met us to ensure everything was great - and it was. My husband had the deviled eggs and the panko chicken and I had the salmon and couscous. Everything was outstanding. The cocktails were great too (Plum old fashion and a French 75). This was our first time but it will not be our last. We strongly recommend it. read more

Our server, Heather, was excellent. We enjoyed being in a small room that was more intimate. We tried the Duck, squash soup and the gnocchi. All had excellent flavors and were not over-sized plates. Overall, a very nice experience. read more

There was an excellent atmosphere, and the food was terrific! The waitstaff was very attentive, too.

We dined in at Plum before a show at The Carolina Theatre and had a fantastic experience. To start we had cocktails, it was the Plum 75 followed by the Smokegroni for me and the Hot Toddy for my husband. Next we split the Southern Biscuits, Miss Roberson's Squash Soup, Brussel Sprouts and Chicken & Dumplings. We really enjoyed all of the drinks, food and service. FYI: If you want to dine inside, proof of vaccination is required and a reservation is recommended. read more

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Went again in August this year. What a disaster!! The food was terrible. The service was ok. I am so sad with what happened to this place. Not even a shadow of what it was. read more

This restaurant is delicious and has become a go-to for special occasions. The staff goes above and beyond with their cheerfulness and knowledge. The ambiance is a little loud, but it's cozy and comfortable. The food is the real highlight. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the small plates I've tried. I need to remember not to order the fish from the large plates section because that hasn't been amazing, but whenever I've tasted other large plates they have been delicious. The desserts always knock it out of the park! read more

I love this place! The food is very very good. Have been a couple times - most recent was with friends. My wife and I have a number of food allergies (tree nuts, gluten, Alpha Gal syndrome) and the wait staff handled all of it like pros. If you go, have the deviled eggs appetizer. It is really special. Can be gluten free if you ask. I've had the fish dish a couple times (they change the fish based on availability) the wife has had the Winter Vegetable Cassoulet a couple times. We have really enjoyed each time. This is a great date place. I don't think it's good place for kids. read more

The food here is incredible. We've been twice in 6 weeks and both times the food and service were excellent. We went shortly after Christmas for a celebratory dinner. The highlight was the cheddar biscuits -- the best biscuits I've ever had -- a hybrid Southern biscuit / croissant. They were incredibly flaky and buttery. The pimento cheese butter was just the right, light accompanying touch. I had the shrimp & grits -- the grits were local (Red Tail grains, I think) and also light, despite their cheesy goodness. The shrimp were large and perfectly grilled -- with a slight flavor of lime at the end of each bite. Tomato-y sausage hid in a pillow between the shrimp and the grits and were also quite good. Spouse had the fish, which was good - his favorite was the biscuits, but he also quite enjoyed Emma's cake. That night, it was a champagne / grapefruit concoction served with a small lit candle to honor a birthday. Luscious light cake, cream cheese and a grapefruit citrus between the layers, and a light buttercream outside. I felt like we were on the Great British Baking Show. Yum. We also went for Thanksgiving, and that was amazing too. The green bean casserole was the BEST I've had (I am not a fan); it was more of a green bean salad with a bit of warm, thick, savory sauce to hold it all together. The dessert bar was amazing - i have never had banana pudding for Thanksgiving before, but it worked quite well. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - Emma's cake. - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We went for dinner at Plum on a Wednesday evening and they were not busy. The restaurant has a warm welcoming feeling, and our server, Marquis, was excellent. We loved the Summer Salad, and the biscuits were good. The filet reduction was delicious and everything on that dish seemed to be perfectly cooked. However, the filet itself, which should've been the star, was tasteless and chewy, which is not what I expect from a filet, especially at this price point. Perhaps the buyer of beef let down the chef, I don't know. The stroganoff had an excellent flavor in the sauce, but again the beef let down the overall appeal of the dish due to its toughness, something that surprised us for a cut of beef that should be very slow cooked. We may try Plum again after some time to see if they improve the quality of their meats. read more

Cutest spot with the coziest vibes on a cold winter evening. Staff were so friendly and kind, and food was excellent. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We had a wonderful dinner tonight. So many restaurants are closed on Sundays and it is great that Plum is open (and offering half-price on bottles of wine too). We had several of our favorites like deviled eggs and short rib stroganoff, but the best things tonight were the perfectly cooked salmon and the strawberry shortcake read more

The owner is an absolute sweetheart. Came to our table to deliver the first dish. Our server Ellie was on point to and very accommodating of my dairy allergy. Many dishes can have dairy removed and still be flavorful and delectable! I must say the pickles were so good and freshly made and pickled. Personally crisp, from a pickle fanatic. These top the list! The inside had great music and very easy to stay for a bit enjoying dessert and a few cocktails! I will absolutely return! read more

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I googled 'non- chain' restaurants in my area and this restaurant came up first on the list. It wasn't too far and decided to give it a try. It's located in a pads type shopping center. I walked in and asked if I could sit at the bar. I ordered a Prosecco from the bartender asked what was some of his favorites. He recommended the tuna toast and the shrimp and grits. I tried both and they were phenomenal! I'm definitely going back! read more

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Giving it three stars to be fair -- I really wanted to give 1 star because the food was actually really good, but they now have a different executive chef due to the owner's racists actions and lack of accountability after the incident. You can read more about this on IndyWeek. For me, this type of behavior from the owner is a deal breaker for me. read more

We sat at the bar , service was okay & food was delicious. Started with the special of the day quail .. that was the best part of the meal. We ordered steak and mashed potatoes but ended up being whole potatoes and steak was cooked too much. Good place for date night especially for drinks and an appetizer don't for get dessert .. the main courses were okay. read more

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This is my new favorite place! After trying it the first time, I came in the very next day (the food and service is just that good). The next day, the staff (kitchen & front of house) remembered me and even preemptively sent out the appetizer that I regretted not ordering the night before (for free, so nice). Our lovely server Diane thoroughly and efficiently explained the menu and was just a very sweet person. Not to mention the owner coming out to chat with us! So kind and not something you get to experience much anymore...Also the place is absolutely gorgeous. Very thoughtful presentation of food and beautiful drinks as well. I really can't say enough good things about Plum, I will be back very soon :) read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - My beautiful cocktail - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

First try- Yelp steered me wrong. Yelp says they close at 9. I arrived at 8 to learn they close at 8 except on the weekend. Dang. 2nd try: WOW!!! Worth trying again. Fantastic food and warm service! Though I was lured in by the "brisket tacos" I had to try many things. Those were AWESOME! So was the chicken liver (to my amazement) and the biscuits. The dessert cake was a bit overwhelming, more than enough for two. I wish I lived close enough to try it again. If your visiting it's a must do. read more

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While the food at Plum was great- Southern traditional cuisine with a Latin twist- it was a bit too expensive for the portion sizes we got. I highly recommend the elote and the banana pudding. I imagine it would be a great date spot if one were willing to shell out a bit extra; the ambience is lovely and the owner even came by to say hello. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - Shrimp & grits - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Very slow to seat a small group. Seemed to be quite understaffed as there were on a few people working and everything took a long long time. The service was okay. Our waiter offered box our food but then forgot and stacked plates on top of the rest of my friend's meal. She had over half of her beef stroganoff left which was over $30. They didn't offer to take it off the bill or make up for it in anyway. I would just expect this place to be better staffed and for better service with the prices and the service up charge read more

We were visiting Durham for the weekend and read about Plum on Yelp. This restaurant is absolutely incredible. I love tequila and mezcal. The server recommended the Electron which is a creative mezcal cocktail. And it turned out to be one of the best drinks I've ever had. The 5 of us shared a few small and large plates. Every dish was super tasty. Desserts were unique and also fantastic. We all highly recommend Plum. read more

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar - The Electron - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Plum is a whole vibe that gets me. Industrial yet cozy! Before I get into the food this may be the prettiest restaurant I have eaten at. It feels like you are stepping into a good friends house, like that friend who has style but you still feel comfortable and warm in their home. Also, it's woman owned so that gets points for me! We started with the Banana Bread and it was sweet yet delicate, not just a basic loaf. Next up we had the Huevos Racheros & Apple Pancakes. I am the Queen of ordering Huevos Racheros so the bar is high. These came through, nice complex flavor with all the right textures. The apple pancakes may have been the standout. They were fluffy, sweet, and full of goodness. Everything was portion perfectly - basically all you need Great service Ashley was pleasant. The owner came over. Also, everyone had on mask and vaccination cards were required. read more

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10/10 One of the best dining experiences ever. Let me tell you a tale of a restaurant I will eat at every time I go back to Durham. Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar. This place is dynamite. Flavors that will knock your socks off. Staff that is so incredibly friendly and professional. The chef Trenton Shank even stopped by when he heard we were from Austin to chat about being from the DFW area. I cannot express how much that does to elevate the experience for customers who appreciate great customer service like myself. Now, let us talk about the menu. For starters, we got the bourbon bacon chicken liver mousse which comes with these amazing pieces of bread and they don't skimp on providing enough to actually share. The accompanying cranberry mostarda was not overly sweet but added just enough tart the break up the savory mousse. It's perfectly balanced. Even the pickled cauliflower was amazing. We also tried the black eyed pea akara hushpuppies which were delicious. The aioli and the fresh fresno peppers provide a great little punch of salt and heat. The Presbyterian deviled eggs were also delightful but out of most of what we ordered this was my least favorite just because they were pretty standard in overall deviled eggs I have had in my life. My gf got the cornbread-grapefruit salad which she seemed to really like. I did try the cornbread croutons and they were hard like croutons but didn't have the same kinda crumble. The citrus honey vinaigrette isn't for me. But I am not the biggest fan of most vinaigrettes so I won't hold that against them. The brisket taco was really good. There's so much flavor in that one taco and it's a good size too. I was expecting it to be smaller but it was a Texas sized brisket taco on a really wonderful in house made tortilla. The crunch from the slaw and the crema elevated the whole bite. It was Texas approved! The pickle plate was also provided some interesting little fresh bites. The chef pickles the veggies in different seasoning. The carrots were the agreed favorite of the table. My main dish was a beef stroganoff that reminds you of being a child of the 80's but also brings you the flavors you would expect from a culinary chef on his way to greatness. This dish was seriously surprisingly amazing. I was creamy, the mushrooms were cooked to perfection, the thick noodles had a nice bite and the beef was just falls apart. Last but not least dessert. GET THE FRICKING BANANA PUDDING!!! It was to die for. I have been thinking about it since last Friday. I could eat it everyday and never get sick of it. Go check in and see what they are up to! Get a terrior margarita! Couple things to keep in mind for those who this affects, right now you do need to provide a vax card. They also automatically set a 20% living wage tip charge. Seems to be a common theme in a lot of Durham restaurants. read more