First time here, sat at the bar. great time, amazing food, great service! all around an amazing…read moredinner! our bartender was very informative, he recommended a pumpkin spice espresso martini, which was literally the best one I've ever had in my life!!!! the we split a bottle of mascato (so reasonably priced, $22). The vibe was a guy playing piano who sang so well! we enjoyed the dimmed lights and the lowkey vibe atmosphere with it being classy. overall great dinner!

Disorganized and Disappointing…read more We had high hopes for Duke's, especially with its upscale vibe and menu, but the reality fell far short. From the moment we sat down, things started going sideways. First red flag? The water left on our table had bugs floating in it. Not a great start. The waitress, while friendly, seemed completely overwhelmed--she forgot our orders multiple times, asked the same questions repeatedly, and left us waiting far too long between check-ins. It took 40 minutes just to get our soups, and the entrees didn't arrive until over an hour after we ordered. The entire experience felt chaotic. At one point, another server brought two dishes and a drink to our table that weren't even ours. Total confusion. Now let's talk about pricing--specifically, a $12 charge to split a 24 oz ribeye. How does that make sense when one person might not even be able to finish it? It felt like a greedy upcharge for no real reason. Menu clarity was another issue. The sides weren't listed clearly, and no one explained that the "loaded potato" option was actually a soup--not an actual potato. The clam chowder? It's a tomato-based red soup, which is definitely not what most people would expect when ordering chowder. A simple explanation from the staff would've gone a long way. The duck was actually fantastic, the crab cakes not so much. Dessert was also oddly handled. They offer a brownie, but ask, "Is that okay?" as if there are other options (there aren't). Then they bring one brownie split four ways--literally bite-sized portions on a single plate for a group of four. It felt more like a sampler than a real dessert. When it came time to pay, we were asked if we were ready for the check, but then they came back later and had to double-check everyone's order just to get the bill right. And instead of bringing the check, you're told to scan a QR code to pay--likely a move to avoid credit card processing fees, though it puts the burden on the customer to complete the transaction. Overall, Duke's tries to present itself as upscale, but the execution just isn't there. Sloppy service, confusing policies, and unnecessary upcharges make it hard to justify a return visit. Definitely not the dining experience we were hoping for.

Cute little wine shop. Friendly employees. Nice wine selection. We went on taco Tuesday, was worth…read morethe 6 bucks. Specials on other nights too. We will go back

Very nice atmosphere. We sat outside and enjoyed a very pleasant evening. The wait staff was…read moreawesome and very attentive. The food was outstanding! You must visit this little jewel in Hickory. Highly recommend

Disappointing. This was our first time experience at this restaurant; and we won't be giving it a…read moresecond try. It was our anniversary, we had high hopes based on other reviews. However, Service was extremely slow. Chicken was visibly burnt and dry, fettuccine pasta had no flavor whatsoever. We sent back a drink that was made wrong and told the server we will just stick with water. However when we got the bill the drink was still on there. The most confusing part was that the place wasn't even that busy so the poor service was perplexing. Hopefully this review saves someone else from the same bad experience.

My friends & I met here on Friday afternoon for a drink & some bites. First, I want to say that I…read moreloved the vibe & decor. They offer a variety of seating options from the bar to tables to couches, as well as a patio out back. We started off at the bar for a drink. I tried to order a couple of beers they happened to be out of so I settled on the Mango Wine slushie, which was huge & had such a good flavor. We then ordered a couple of Flatbreads & Goat Cheese Dip that everyone loved. The rest of their menu looked amazing as well so I want to go back & try a variety. It was very laid back environment. We were there early so it was not too busy. We noticed a lot more people trickling in as a musician was setting up for live music. Do not be fooled by all of the work downtown - the roads are navigable & there is plenty of parking nearby!

I love this place - the wine, food, art, and service. It is my wine shop go to for an outing with…read moregirlfriends. The location near the movie theater and NOCO art gallery makes it in especially great place to visit.

What a wonderful restaurant!! I was recently visiting Hickory and this was the best place I ate…read more The restaurant decor is inviting and elegant, and enhances the dining experience. Even when crowded, the spacing of the tables and overall layout ensured it never got too loud. The food was amazing!! My mom and I split several tapas, my favorite was probably the green beans! Everything we had was delicious- the paella, the charred green beans, the grilled Caesar. The cocktails were also really good and worth treating yourself. If you can, save room for dessert! They had a nice range on their dessert menu and I gobbled up the pot de crème. Our waiter was fantastic, checked on us throughout the meal, kept our waters full and made sure we had what we needed. Also, the bathroom smelled AMAZING. This may seen a little silly to include, but they had some fresh lilies in there which made the whole bathroom smell lovely (and I'm sure cover all the less pleasant usual bathroom smells ). Just a really nice detail. You can tell how much thought and attention is put into this restaurant, from the food, to the layout, to the service. Everything is given real care. This place is a gem. We will absolutely be back!

Such a beautiful and comfortable place! Seating in a booth was private and quiet except for piano…read moremusic playing in the background. Food was excellent- we shard a salad , green beans and the classic paella. We could not finish it all! Cocktails were delicious and sized generously. Such a wonderful evening out!

Absolutely loved this little wine spot tucked away in Blowing Rock. All my friends were shopping…read moretil they dropped and I opted for a wine break. I was delighted by the white sangria which was cold and refreshing. I didn't ask what was in it (silly me) but it tasted like Chardonnay. The atmosphere was super relaxing. I sat back in a big, comfy chair, the kind you sink down into, and sipped my sangria. There were two servers running the place and keeping up other the many other patrons that stopped by. Super nice and got the job done well!

Sweet little wine shop in downtown Blowing Rock that has a huge selection of wines to pick from. We…read moredid a flight, the sweet one, and every wine was really good, although my favorite was the blueberry. We were greeted as soon as we walked in. When we brought the flight to our table, he gave a quick overview of each wine and flavor to expect. Each tasted exactly as he described! The selection to pick from is massive, but they are there to help you pick the right one for you.

We tried to get a table here almost every day of our 5-day trip, but it was packed! We finally…read moresmartened up and called a day ahead for a reservation. It might have just been the holiday rush, but I always figure "busy means good," so my expectations were high--and The Local didn't disappoint. We started with the nachos; they were delicious, though I do wish they came with a bit more meat. For mains, the burger was outstanding--probably one of the best we've had in the entire area. We also ordered the Brazilian steak, which was cooked perfectly and came with great plantains. The quinoa with tofu was good, too, though it was a little dry and would have been perfect with a sauce. The service really stood out. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and refilled my water at least four times without me asking. Great ambiance and an all-around good experience. Definitely worth the wait!

I was visiting my son in Boone, as we move him into college... Ordered the wings, I had what I…read morebelieve was a blackened goat cheese, and fig burger with caramelized onions, which was off the charts, my son had the Salmon. Ratings- He gave the salmon a seven I give my Burger a nine, and the wings were about a seven(dry rub). That said, sitting at the bar was absolutely a treat... Erin was fantastic. Will 100% return and this is definitely a spot not to be missed. Also fantastic beer selection!!!

The food is extremely good for tavern style food. The chef knows what he's doing. Excellent service…read morefrom the bartenders and servers as well.

Food is good and reasonably priced.Service is good , and friendly staff. Laid back and mellow…read moreatmosphere.

Hickory definitely needed a mead house and Battle Axe is absolutely perfect. Great location not too…read morefar off the downtown square and a fantastic selection of meads from three different meaderies at present. Also a selection of beers, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks for those that may not quite be into mead. Nice, clean environment with a great Nordic feel and Jason was a great host for our group today. If you like mead, you need to check it out. And even if you're just curious about mead, you need to check it out.

Service is amazing! Jason has made this place feel welcoming and relaxing. Coffee house feel, but…read moremead!

Literally the best downtown shop! The sweetest owner! Yummy whole coffee beans, candles, bags,…read moredecor, and huge selection of wine! Great descriptions of each wine offered. Special events also! Love this place

The shop recently changed ownership. So worried about how the atmosphere would be. Laura and Jim,…read morethe new owners are amazing. They have not only kept a good thing going but made it even better. The Friday tastings are awesome and the charcuterie boards a delight ! We will definitely be back!