This is one of those spaces that does half the work before the food even hits the table. It used to be an old-school diner, and a lot of that DNA is still there. The bones feel nostalgic, but the overall vibe is current and lively. It's the kind of place that feels familiar but still cool. Service Service is where things really clicked. Our server knew the menu inside out and guided us through it with confidence. Every recommendation landed. It also felt like one of those menus where it would be hard to order poorly. The Food The menu leans comfort food with a modern edge, and it's done really well across the board. We started with a Caesar salad with dill pickle dressing, which sounds like it shouldn't work but absolutely does. Bright, fresh, and just different enough to be interesting without trying too hard. The beet salad was also excellent, clean flavors and well balanced. Then came the pimento cheese with fried crackers. This might have been the sleeper hit. The crackers are dangerously good. Simple idea, executed perfectly, and hard to stop eating. For mains, the fried chicken was solid but didn't stand out the same way the starters did. The short rib pot pie, on the other hand, was exactly what you want from a dish like that. Rich, flaky, and deeply comforting. Overall Poole's is the kind of place where everything feels considered, from the space to the service to the food. It's approachable, well executed, and very easy to enjoy. read more

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Our second visit for dinner at Poole's since relocating to downtown Raleigh last year. We were just as impressed on this recent visit as we were a few months ago. We opted for a reservation at the bar, and we enjoyed excellent service from Brittany and Kylie. They were attentive and very detailed with the excellent service that we have found out is the norm in every one of Ashley Christensen's restaurants. Our starter of roasted beets had an incredible blend of buttermilk blue cheese with white balsamic thyme, pickled pumpkin, and Marcona almonds. So yummy. Then my husband and I shared the Ricotta Gnocchi that we agree is the BEST gnocchi we have ever had the privilege of eating. So light in spite of a duck bolognese being the sauce. Fried rosemary sparked my home chef mind for future meals! We also shared the Brussels sprout upon Brittany's recommendation. One of the most unique preparations on Brussels sprouts ever with oyster mushrooms and a sherry cream sauce. We typically pass on dessert, but the description of their Pear Tart Tatin coupled with Kylie's verbal description hooked us and we were thrilled to enjoy every bite of the hazelnut praline ice cream that is part of this beautiful dessert. read more

The place is split into two different area for dining and a more casual bar. I dined in the dining room for dinner on a Monday night. We definitely order more than we could eat because we want to try various dishes. The service was quick even when the food was made to order. Expect a price point of anywhere from $35 to $40 per main entree. You will need to get the sides separately. I definitely recommend one of the chefs best, which is the macaroni au gratin ($18). The restaurant validates parking. The parking lot is across the restaurant. Remember your license plate. read more

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We had reservations so we got seated right away. The waitress helped us pick our cocktails and food. Everything was delicious! I would recommend this as a place to catch up with friends read more

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Poole's has been around for a while and serves up comfort food. It's over average priced than a typical diner. They are known for their Mac n Cheese. This time around we got the following: Crispy Fried Oysters: these were not my favorite. The oysters were a bit bland. Bibb Lettuces: This is a constant on their menu. Nothing special. Basically lettuce covered in parm cheese. Baguette: A typical baguette served with butter Roast Half Chicken: this was my favorite. I don't typically order chicken but this was delicious. The triple reduced stock was definitely a hit. read more

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Mac and cheese and airline chicken were yummy! I would skip the milk chocolate creme brûlée dessert wise; the brûlée was way too crunchy and made me want to choke. Our waitress was nice and packaged our leftovers nicely, including info on how to heat the leftovers up optimally. The ambiance was lovely and I loved the bathrooms -- they even had floss sticks for patrons to use! read more

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Sitting on the original side of Poole's felt like the right move. That suspicion was confirmed when I found myself seated next to five other industry folks who had chosen the winding bar for a night of good food and drinks. The bartender was friendly, knowledgeable, and equally comfortable discussing both the menu and beverage program. My first order was the Pickle Juice Caesar Salad, and it ended up being the best thing I ate all night. While it's a far departure from a traditional Caesar, it was exactly what I wanted after a hot Raleigh afternoon. Think more wedge salad than Caesar. The dressing is lighter and less creamy, with none of the anchovy-forward flavors you'd expect from the classic version. Instead, it's bright, acidic, and incredibly refreshing, with great crunch from the lettuce and plenty of texture from the Parmesan cracklings. The famous mac and cheese came highly recommended. For me, it was just okay. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente, but the cheese sauce bordered on overly rich, which may very well be the intended effect. Personally, I would have preferred a creamier sauce with a bit more balance. I ended up asking for hot sauce to cut through the richness. It wasn't bad by any means, but it also wasn't the transcendent mac and cheese experience the hype had led me to expect. The fried shrimp, however, were every bit as good as the salad. Perfectly fried with a crisp, crunchy exterior while remaining plump and juicy inside. They were seasoned beautifully and paired with a garlicky remoulade featuring pickled ramps that provided just the right amount of acidity to balance the richness. The accompanying potatoes were described as "newly dug." I'm not entirely sure what that designation adds in terms of flavor or texture, but whatever it means, they were fantastic. While the mac and cheese didn't quite live up to its legendary reputation for me, the salad, shrimp, service, and atmosphere made Poole's well worth the visit. read more

First time customer and we were with friends who had been here before and they were surprised at the changes. When I saw the old side versus new, I knew what they meant. The new side is very sleek and inviting. The old side has charm. Our server was super friendly and helpful with the menu. I started out with a Hibiscus Haze, which was a nice cocktail. We ordered a baguette, the rainbow carrots and the Mac and cheese as starters. For my entree, I ordered the half chicken. Each starter was as good as the next, but probably the Mac and Cheese was the star. We waited a fairly long time for them to arrive, but were busy talking so it was ok. Half way through we all ordered a glass of wine. They brought our entrees which came well after our appetizers and I especially liked that until I took a bite. I'm guessing our entrees were just sitting there waiting until we were done because mine was barely lukewarm. I asked and all 4 of us had the same issue. The chicken was nothing special, in fact fairly dry and the sauce on it didn't have any flavor. Well into our entrees our wine arrived. I had forgotten I even ordered it because it was a long time ago. Overall, service started out great but declined. Drinks and food started out great and declined. I see a pattern. read more

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This was a tough review. Probably closer to a 3.5 but with this price point a menu with severely limited vegetarian and dairy free appetizer and entree options means I'm rounding down instead of up. Friendly service. Decent wine and cocktail menu. Cute decor. Highlights from my visit included the Bibb lettuces salad, roasted beets, and short rib. I do not recommend the NC Slow Shrimp risotto (way too heavily buttered). read more

Poole's - King crab entree (one of the specials of the week). - New American Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Had the best dining experience at Poole's. I read about this place and I am so glad that I dined here. First of all, the staff was lovely. Shoutout to Adama for making a delicious cocktail, and for her great service and friendly attitude. I had been saying that I wanted to try the pickle Caesar salad so the manager Kaitlin (spelling?!) brought me one on the house. SO nice. It was amazing. I'm so glad that I got to try it. The fried fish was delicious- extra hot, well-seasoned, with a lovely tartar sauce. And the real showstopper- the Mac and cheese. You MUST try it. I'm just disappointed that I didn't have any room for dessert! Highly recommend Poole's if you are visiting or live in the area. Thanks again!! read more

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Hands down best dessert in town. Cute ambiance, wonderful appetizers. Incredible service! Great location too. Only critic is the fried oyster plate had 4 oysters... for the price I'd prefer a couple more! read more

When you walked in you can tell this is going to be a great place. Make sure you get reservations! We started off with drinks, I got the El Diablo because I'm a tequila guy. It was very good! Also tried the Stone Fence, a great winter drink. On to the appetizers, a MUST are the NC Blue Crab Doughnuts, they are Amazing! Also got the Pimento Cheese with Crostinis, also good. And you need to get the Baguette! Salads... we got 2 the Bibb Lettuce with 24 month Parm on top, they load it on, sooo good! Then we were curious about the Pickle Juice Caesar, sounds crazy, and it was CRAZY Good! Those are both a must have! Mains we got the Rosemary & fennel Roasted Pork Loin, this is a must. Also got the Roast Lilly Den Half Chicken, very good. Sides - Macaroni Au Gratin, MUST have! Soooo good! Brussels Sprouts, I don't touch them, but the rest of the table loved them. If you live in Raleigh you need to try this place, if you are visiting put this on your list. Look for the new addition soon! read more

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One of the highlights of our trip to Raleigh! Way a great meal. The service was top notch. Cocktails were strong and the environment was matched the meal. It definitely felt like past michelin restaurants experiences I have had. And was some of the best service I've had in a long time! If I had one critique it would be the fake plants. But liked the pocket knife style cutlery. I think if you have fake plants make them more kitsch. It felt like target decor for college students. The food was excellent perfectly executed and cloaked under the veil of simplicity it shows off techniques and bold flavors. Oh lastly the dessert was insane warm peach upside down cake with some sort of almond crumble and ice cream was great! Really enjoyed Poole's! read more

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Delicious! I had the coffee braised short rib rigatoni and it did not disappoint! The brussel sprouts were sooo yummy. They had the most delicious mushrooms mixed in and weren't oily at all. Lobster doughnuts were alright - unique but not very much lobster. My partner also had the avocado vinaigrette and it was SO good. Honestly wish I got that for myself. The waitress and staff were so accommodating to the allergies in our group. They were so kind. The new Poole's inside dining area was very nice too! read more

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Second visit to this Ashley Christensen establishment. Love the layback setting. Everyone is nice and friendly, ready to share their favorite items on the menu with you if you are indecisive. But the menu isn't long and neither is the wine list. Bibb lettuces is a wonderful choice for appetizer. I would skip the pimento cheese. Multiple regional beers on draft and worth trying. Tonight I tried the NC shrimp a la vodka. The penne was perfect. Vodka sauce perfect. The NC shrimp however did not wow. I was expecting a crispier bite. Overall, Poole's is a go to dinner place alone or for business. read more

Poole's - Shrimp a la vodka - New American Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The two times I've eaten dinner at Poole's have both been very enjoyable and I'd definitely go back if someone's visiting and raises the idea of checking out an AC Restaurant. The staff has been wonderful. I love how well the staff know the menu and can answer questions about food and drinks. They set the mood with a friendly and welcoming energy! The food at Poole's has been good both times! The pics are from my most recent meal. The Mac n Cheese (macaroni au gratin) really stole the show. I split and shared the pork loin and chicken half 50/50, which turned out to be the right decision. Both would've been a little hard to finish as one sole dish because the pork was a bit dry and the chicken and mashed potatoes would've been a bit too bland. That said, 1/2 of each together was delicious and a lot of food! To complement our mains we also got greens and fois gras. The fois gras was delicious! The portion size was huge. All in all, Poole's is worth a visit! Park across the street in the validated lot, make time for a drink and a few dishes, and see what you think! Don't skip the Mac, and remember to show the staff some love! read more

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Great for a well rounded, southern dining experience! Highly recommend doing a family style ordering for a table and get multiple apps and an entire or two depending on the size of your party because there's so many good options to choose from. Not only that but the food has an incredible range for it being southern dining with a light, seasonal heirloom tomato bruschetta (seasonal item in September) to classic heavier staples like the au-gratin Mac and cheese. Service was great as well as they made sure to bring out all the courses in an ordered and timely manor. This allowed for an enjoyable experience that didn't feel rushed like when restaurants bring out apps 6 minutes before your entire. They are intentional in you enjoying your time and all the food you get. Highly recommend for good southern cooking. Especially if you have out of town guests that may be looking for some good southern dining read more

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Ashley Christensen's restaurants have never let us down, and Poole's Diner is no exception. Her legacy and original establishment, now in its refreshed, more modern space, still carries that same heart and soul that made it an icon. We started with the baguette and cultured butter. Simple, yet perfect for our needs. We purposefully skipped salads (smart move, given the generous portions), we went straight to the mains. The Roast Lilly Den Half Chicken with smoky triple chicken stock and herb-scented whipped Yukon Gold potatoes was nothing short of spectacular. Incredibly rich, comforting, and deeply flavorful. The Prince Edward Island Mussels and North Carolina Shrimp dish, normally served with white acre peas, roasted tomatoes, and Hakurai turnips, was adjusted for the season with homemade pasta instead. It too was a knockout. The meal was rounded out with drinks. The 0% Alcohol Cucumber Rickey (a mocktail of several they offer) was crisp and refreshing, while the Spanish Grenache added the perfect touch of warmth to the meal. Our Server, Kate? A gem. An absolute masterclass in hospitality. She was engaging, knowledgeable, and had that rare ability to make you feel both special and at home. Love, love, love Kate. Unfortunately no pictures. Just one of those know your surroundings kind of thing. This marks our fourth Ashley Christensen restaurant, and trust me, we're already mapping out the next. If you haven't been to Poole's yet, the old location next door or this fairly newer location, fix that immediately. read more

Not sure how this place gets the good reputation it has. We were there last night and had a very disappointing dinner. The service was fine, but the atmosphere was lacking and the kitchen did a terrible job on our main courses. The pork belly dish was much fattier than normal and the steak was the worst we've ever had. The side dishes were good, but at those prices everything should be perfect. We won't ever be going back there again. read more

This restaurant is a treat. The food is beautiful. The staff is incredibly seamless, well coordinated, attentive, caring. It is expensive, but for celebrations it is appropriate. Our waiter was the best. The food is like a gourmet diner. They atmosphere is between art deco and acant-guardcand some sort of 1930s feel. It is certain unique. Under the bar is a no diving pool sign. In our party of fthreecwe had a vegan platter we shared a very salad, which was incredibly beautiful and healthy, very, very, very good For the non-vegan, a hamburger was ordered. For vegetarian. a cheese with decorative crackers hecshared with the carnivore. I am vegan so I shared with everyone in our party it was a very nice adventure. Thecstaff works hard to please you sobtip them well. You will feel better to do that. read more

Poole's was excellent. The service was stellar. The food was out of this world, just incredible. The sweet potato creme caramel was so good it broke my face!! I sat in the original seating area and was a little nervous about sitting so close to strangers - but in time it became cozy and fun. Lovely time, if Im in the area again - this is my first stop. read more

We went back to a local favorite, Poole's diner, in their new expanded location! I appreciate the extra space here and better lighting. The service was also much better this time around, in terms of timing between food service. The menu had some awesome upgrades that we were so excited to try. We started with the lobster donuts, which were light and fluffy, fried to perfection, and had a generous amount of lobster. The pickle juice caesar is a classic that we got again - this time the pickle juice was a lot more prevalent which I loved. The marinated avocado salad was also delicious, with great crunch from the nuts, funkiness from the blue cheese, and nicely ripe pears. For the entrees, we split the short rib rigatoni & mussels + shrimp. The short rib was cooked to perfection - fell apart at the touch of the fork, and the juniper jus that coated the pasta had a phenomenal savory flavor. The mussels and shrimp were in a delicious garlicky, buttery broth that paired nicely with the turnips and seafood. We paired dinner with another Poole's classic - the macaroni au gratin. It was superb per usual - the small macaroni noodles sop up the delicious white cheese sauce perfectly, and the breadcrumb crust on top was deliciously crunchy and buttery. For dessert, we couldn't choose and ended up getting all 3 options. The peanut butter banana pie tasted like a Reese's pb cup, though I didn't get much banana flavor. The apple cobbler had a delicious brown sugar crunch. The maple praline pots de crème was incredibly soft, smooth, and had the perfect amount of maple flavor. I can't wait to come back and try the rest of their menu items! Fingers crossed pizza is added back! 8.5/10 s *Maine Lobster Donuts w/ smoked tomato-tarragon aioli *Pickle Juice Caesar salad *Marinated Avocado salad w/ pear, buttermilk blue, marcona almonds, & maple-dijon vinaigrette *Mussels & Shrimp w/ white acres peas, roasted tomatoes, & Hakurei turnips *Coffee-Roasted Short Rib Rigatoni w/ charred onion, candy roaster squash, juniper jus, & fried rosemary *Macaroni Au Gratin *Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pie *Apple Cobbler *Maple Praline Pots De Crème read more

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Got there at 7pm seats open everywhere & they asked us (a party of 2) to sit and wait to be seated. After 10 to 15 mins, one of the 4 women just standing around came over and said it would be at least an hour to be seated. 2 people and tons of tables. Had they just told us no, we could've been at another restaurant. You can't have poor service and expect to be a quality restaurant. read more

Great first time dining at Poole's! The staff and ambience were great, and the parking validation was an added bonus. Our waitress was amazing at explaining all the menu items and accommodating out dietary restrictions. The food was very well cooked. The Pâte tasted great with the mustards and Apple chutney. The pork loin and half chicken I split were very well cooked, and were tender and well marinated as well. In the pork loin dish, the cornbread in the Panzanella was a good added touch. The greens were well cooked too. The Macaroni was one of the best I've had, and the crust gave it a nice crispy texture on the top which I loved. Overall, zero complaints about the service or the food. Definitely check this place out if you want a nice filling meal! read more

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Great food and atmosphere. Will definitely come by again and try out more of their unique menu read more

Poole's - Mac and Cheese - New American Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

A staple in Raleigh! This place is a must try. Takes southern comfort food and elevates it with local seasonal ingredients. Service is always top tier and has a cute retro vibe to it reminiscent of a classic dinner. You really can't go wrong with anything you order, but make sure to leave room for dessert because it's always amazing. read more

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Exceptional seasonal menu. This place never disappoints. Great for a date night or just apps and drinks before a downtown show.

timely wait, absolutely no where to park, and when my family and I got our order half of ours were wrong...

Service was AWESOME, every employee we talked to, whether that's the hostess or any of the waitresses, were super friendly and helpful. We also loved the decorations/theme of the restaurant, it has a good vibe to it. All of the food was SUPER tasty. Had a family member with that is very picky and she got the lumaconi pasta with pulled pork shank, and absolutely loved it, said it was one of the best meals she's had in years. BUT. I got the hokkaido scallops. The cook on them was perfect, and the flavor of both the scallops themselves and the beans underneath them was great. My one problem though, and I know it's a somewhat upscale place where portions are going to be smaller... But THREE medium sized scallops is absolutely not a dinner sized portion of food, and had we not gotten some Macaroni Au Gratin for the table that I had an extra scoop of, I'd have left our table still hungry! Overall, great restaurant with very tasty food, but depending on what dish you order, don't expect to leave full unless you order some other items on the side. read more

We walked in off the street. There are six ladies at the hostess area. The first thing they said is do you have a reservation? Then they said well I guess we could give you a table. We have a reservation at 7:30. Do you think you can be done eating by 7:30 ? RUDE and somehow that was our fault we were like we just wanna get something to eat is that a problem and then they said no it's OK. There were maybe two parties in this entire restaurant. The hostess outnumbered to guest, the servers and the cooks outnumbered. The guest service is great. I will admit they did an amazing job after they finally decided. We are acceptable to come into the restaurant It was about 5:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday. It was about to storm outside, so I said let's go to this restaurant Because it's closer & that was a huge mistake When we finally got a seat, my daughter had a water bottle that she brought from the symphony and she put it on the table. A lady came over and said you need to remove that bottle from the table. My daughter is like what like yeah you can't have that water bottle on the table and she was like OK note that my daughter 17 and the lady was quite rude. I understand they're giving us water but my daughter just had her bottle on the table because we had very little room to sit so she put it on the floor. I told her make sure lids tighten, and set the seat next to us. No please no can you would you please put your water bottle down on the table no explanation just you need to put your water bottle off the table. It can't sit there. I just about walked out, but I was like it's pouring down rain outside. We're kind of trapped here so let's make the most of it the best of it. Let's see what else happens. It cost $210 for food for three people, and my daughter only tried to eat a salad . The food was mid to OK with interesting combinations. The lady explained we change the menu seasonally and I was like OK. I got one small piece of fish, half a cup of COLD roasted beets & potatoes, and plateful of hummus, and it cost me $38. I was going to share it with my daughter and my daughter looked at it and said mom there's not enough food on there for anybody & I feel guilty even taking half of that little piece of fish. The fish taste just like the frozen flounder I get from Walmart nothing special my son said that really smells. I said yeah it's bland. My daughter's salad was half a head of iceberg lettuce cut in half covered in Parmesan cheese and pickle juice and it was kind of gross. My son ordered the half chicken, which was basically a really small half of a chicken covered in barbecue sauce on top of mashed potatoes. It also cost $38. He said well mom I could've went to Costco and got a whole chicken for five dollars. It taste good but I don't know if it was really worth it. Chicken on mashed potatoes covered in barbecue sauce really? I will say the desserts were awesome. Got one of each they're $10 apiece the hazelnut cheesecake with marshmallows on top and a bourbon caramel sauce that was to die for that's the only reason I gave this three stars. and also you add that the servers a hostess, the bartender they were great but the prices to purchase mid food was disappointing. The food was just bland to ok so not exactly the best atmosphere or the best food but we had a good time and the desserts well you have to get the dessert or you'll starve I think most people come for the weird mixed drinks as the bar was center stage. If you want weirdly dressed rude but attentive hostesses and servers this is for you. Probably should've walked the other direction and just went to McDonald's at least there we know the food is nasty and homeless people are less rude than these hostesses and you can keep your water bottle on the table. We could've got an ice cream cone for dessert and my potatoes would've been warm. I would've missed out on some of the best hummus I've ever ate, but you know I don't think it was worth $38 for hummus I know that it was not worth $210. But if that's for you have fun. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience. The food was delicious as always. The staff were so polite and accommodating. I can't eat dairy so they were very eager to figure out which items on the menu I could have and what modifications they could make to the dish. They checked with the chef on multiple occasions and really made it a point to make me feel heard. They expanded next door from their original location and the new place is very nice. More updated and modern than the old place but still have some older touches. Will absolutely return again! read more

Had an amazing dinner here for moms birthday. The staff was very nice and explained that you have to take photos of the menu yourself and they had no paper menus. Service was excellent and the food was very very good. It was a bit loud in there but I think it was people having a good time. Fine dining with casual atmosphere! Make sure to book your table a whole week in advance Get the Panna Cotta dessert! read more

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I will say 4-4.5 stars for this place. This is definitely a fancy place that you need to make reservations to guarantee a seat. Luckily they do vouch for your parking and we were seated promptly for our reservation. We did like their pimento cheese appetizer, but wish they'd bring the fried saltines back instead of the crostini. The baguette and butter was alright, nothing too special. We also got a couple cocktails, as well as the half-roasted chicken and the macaroni au gratin. It's definitely worth coming for the signature macaroni. The sauce on the roasted chicken and the mashed potatoes were very tasty, but I'm unsure if half a chicken is worth $32. Overall, this is more of a fancy date night spot and the food is delicious. If we go again, we will have to try their other unique dishes like the pickle Caesar salad and the short rib pot pie. read more

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Poole's checks all the boxes. The level of service is top notch. It's got a cool vibe. It's The staff are welcoming and friendly. Our waitress was attentive without being overbearing. Their food was impressive. The rosemary, fennel pork loin was outstanding. The royale with cheese was rich and creamy. We were very happy at pool's read more

Poole's has become an iconic institution in downtown Raleigh and doesn't disappoint. Housed in an old diner, the vibe is one of an active, high energy diner. Ashley Christensen's modern interpretation of Southern comfort food is amazing. We started with the Bibb lettuce salad which was amazing! Our entree was the Royal with cheese which is an off-menu item only offered on Sundays. Sides included Brussels sprouts and the do-not-miss mac and chess au gratin. The four of us split the salad and sides and we shared two Royals. Service was spot on. Attentive, knowledgeable, and very personable. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. read more

Poole's - New American Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I have gone to this spot twice, the first time I was disappointed and just figured it was a bad night so thought I would give it another try, this idea of it was exciting, the reality of it is average and overpriced. 1) If you arrive early for your reservation there is no place to have a drink, you can order one and sit on a chair by the host stand but for "high end" restaurant this makes no sense, especially since the chairs are uncomfortable and right by the door. 2) My last visit, I arrived on time for my 7:30 reservation. We were seated and told that they were 86'd on a number of their items. When we did finally get our food, at 8:45, bear in mind our reservation was 7:30, it was disappointing. The short rib was fine but slightly over cooked and nothing special, the chicken ($32) under cooked. The Mac and Cheese was fine and they push that as their signature dish but it okay and expensive ($18). 3) I should add that while we were waiting for our dinner the women next to us leaned over and told us NOT to order the Pork ($36), she said it was terrible, and so we did not. The ambiance is nice, other than not having a place to have a cocktail before dinner. I gave it two tries and I am not going back. I would not recommend. read more

The food was pretty good. We came here on Valentine's Day for dinner. They had steak frites on the menu but ran out. It looked delicious though. We ended up with short rib pot pie and baked chicken. The pot pie was delicious, the chicken was just ok. The sides were delicious and the staff were super nice. It was an enjoyable experience. read more

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A couple of foodies from California visit Raleigh looking for a fun food experience. Turns out Pooles was just the place. Lucky us. A small jammed packed restaurant with a noise level like a 777 taking off doesn't seem to bother the crowd one bit as they drink excellent cocktails and wait for their creative food. As you might expect the noise levels increase as the alcohol gets consumed and louder voices prevail. The food--the menu is posted on the wall and selections are lovely. Local fish, local Meat, a great small variety that makes choosing difficult. Every other dish coming out of the kitchen seems to be chicken. We had one and it was superb. Also tried the fish stew-- very delicate in a tasty but not heavy "jus" vs pasty tomato sauce. Also brined pork- it's served sliced vs as chop- it was tender and delicious. Deserts are interesting- we had panna cotta and chocolate slice cake. To die for. Last/ I must mention the Mac and Cheese-one of a kind. Definitely a share for 4. Don't even think about trying to finish it solo. read more

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I knew Poole's had amazing reviews, but I was honestly shocked HOW good the food was. We snagged an early reservation before a concert at Red Hat. Started with some cocktails and the bread with butter. We're from NJ and I was truly SHOOK by how good the bread was, haha. We also got the watermelon salad which was delish. For dinner, my husband had the pork tenderloin and I had the chicken. Both were absolutely amazing. My husband said that his meal was the best meal he ever had. It's decently pricey for how casual it is, but that speaks to the quality of the food. Next time, we'll definitely sit at the counter. read more

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We went here for a work dinner with a client. At first I thought it was a diner but I was wrong, it was just diner themed. The food and the prices where a different level than the decor. They have that stupid rule about everyone in your party being present before they seat. We had 4 of 5 and a reservation but had to wait. Finally I showed that the 5th person was down the street and they had too many incomplete parties taking up the waiting space so we were sat. The menu is on chalk boards around the restaurant. That was the only instruction we received so we had to get up, look around and take pictures to realize that the two boards on the left and the two boards in the front said the same thing. Neither could be completely viewed from where we were so the pictures came in handy. They are also particular about how you order. You cannot order without everyone being there even if it is just appetizers and you can't order from certain menus out of order. This might help with some efficiency but we were there for 3 hours so I am not seeing it. When we could finally order we were so hungry. We started with pimento cheese and fried crackers. Yes they literally fried saltine crackers. Some people liked it, I thought it added calories and fat without adding flavor. The pimento cheese was strong, not to my taste but we did eat it all. We then could order the beet salad, Bibb lettuces and macaroni au gratin. The beet salad tasted just like it sounds, like beets. So if you like beets then it is very good. What it comes with is very complimentary to the flavors. The Bibb Lettuce was my favorite. The lettuce is very soft and buttery, almost melts in your mouth kind of flavor, and the cheese and dressing add just enough flavor. The macaroni was talked up quite a bit so there were high expectations. The noodles were so very tiny and very al dente. Almost not cooked enough. We ate one serving of it between 5 of us. For the main course three people got the Hanger done three different temperatures and they all said they were correct and delicious. One person got the balanzoni which is a pasta with cheese and she said it was good. I had the halibut, which was prepared well. What it came with seemed more like a soup with a little sliver of potato tiny square of squash. The fish was prepared well. I am more about the sides myself but honestly by the time the mains came I was getting pretty full. Of course you can't walk away from a work paid for dinner without dessert even if you can only take a bite. We got the panna cota and the chocolate cake. The panna cota was sweet and light, I loved the oatmeal thin cookie it came with. I had one nibble of the cake and it was very rich and strong in flavor. It was good, but I could only do one small bite. Last comes the bill. We did order a lot of food, but when I compare what we got with how much we spent, I probably wouldn't come back. I am glad to have the experience and even more happy to be reimbursed for it. I will probably try to find some Bibb lettuce, at least one thing new that I am happy I tried. read more

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