Stopped by Flour & Barrel for a quick dinner. When you arrive parking can be difficult in this area. It may be worth just walking a few blocks to avoid circling for a parking spot. Walking in you'll feel like you've been transported to a rustic, lively, and romantic vibe. The menu consists of small plates which I enjoy as you can try several different dishes. To start I ordered the love of the stranger (west coast ipa) and the raspberry sour. Fun fact flour & barrel also brews their own beer. By far my favorite was the raspberry sour. For entrees we ordered the Mafaldine pasta (creamy pesto / lemon / panko breadcrumbs / dill) which was excellent. The pasta was fresh and piping hot and delicious. We also wanted a protein source so we also ordered the Chicken Parm (crispy crunchy panko / marinara / mozzarella) which was cooked perfectly, and wasn't dry. Definitely check flour & barrel out if you are in the Glenwood south area looking for good Italian food. read more

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Came here on a Monday night to check out the specials, which included half‑off house wine and beer plus a five‑dollar small‑plate pasta. The atmosphere was cute and cozy, but the air conditioning wasn't working, so it was noticeably warm inside. Our waitress was incredibly friendly. She was the only server that night and was handling several tables, but she still did a great job checking in, refilling drinks, and offering thoughtful recommendations. She was personable, down‑to‑earth, and truly made the experience better. For food, I ordered the bread plate and the Radiatore. Both were delicious. The pasta tasted fresh and the sauce was excellent. Just keep in mind that Flour and Barrel focuses on small plates, so the portion is exactly that: small. Next time I might add a protein for an extra cost to make it more filling. Overall, we had a good experience. read more

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The food was so amazing from the bread to the chicken parm allá vodka this was some of the best vodka sauce ive had since moving from New Jersey. The drinks were really good as well. We also had the carbonara which came with a slight presentation - this really made it feel fresh and you can also see the kitchen Gorgeous interior with great ambiance. They even had live music which was a really nice touch. The curtains were closed so it was kind of dark which added to the ambiance but also it was just a little hard to see the menu. The staff was really kind extremely considerate and the manager spoke with us at our table. The only downside was it was so hot: I'm not sure if the AC was out or if it's from the wood oven but it was a little toasty. read more

Flour & Barrel - Lambchops - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I want to start off by saying I love flour & barrel - their food is always consistent and the flavors are great. Fun non-traditional italian tapas vibe. However - last night my friends and I went for a birthday and we had a reservation (there were 8 or 9 of us). We get there, they tell us they have no AC. We stay, because it's 7pm on a Friday in downtown, and we likely wouldn't get sat anywhere close by without a reservation. I do think it's a bit of a poor business practice to not call customers with reservations ahead of time to let them know the situation, especially when apparently the AC has been out for an extended period of time and it's 90+ degrees outside. read more

Flour & Barrel - Radiatore - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The best pasta I have had in NC. I do not usually order pasta at any restaurant but the ones i have had compared to this is nothing, this was an amazing experience as well. We were thankful to be able to get a last minute reservation on a saturday night ! The pasta was served out of a mason jar and poured right into our plate I regret not ordering two plates myself after demolishing one plate fairly quick! The wine paired with the pasta was delicious. Sadly did not have room for dessert. read more

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Omgg! You MUST go to Flour & Barrel if you are visiting or live in Raleigh. First- I read about this place and its focus on homemade bread and pasta. Literally my two fav things in life. I also read about the restaurant guru, Anthony, who was there and came to chat with us in person. Such a nice and friendly guy. Lastly, of course I was excited to try this place with its ties to Top Chef. Shoutout to Chef Katsuji Tanabe. Ok now about the food. AMAZING. You must try the table bread and the pasta. We had to try the Radiatore- carbonara yum. And of course the meatball. So good. This place is meant for sharing since they are small plates. I wish I could have tried more items on the menu! Our server, Autumn, was a delight too! Thanks for the great food and hospitality!! read more

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We had dinner for two on a slow Sunday night at Flour & Barrel. We had made reservations just in case. We were seated right away and had a wonderful server. We started with cocktails which were so perfectly made. It's dark and romantic inside of Flour & Barrel, it's also pretty with lots of candles and artwork on the wall above the kitchen. There was a draft of air that we couldn't escape. I saw a couple move twice due to it. The menu isn't huge, but it's also hard to choose. We started with the warm bread and butter, then ordered 4 menu items to share so that we could get a good variety. The 'Big Ass Meatball' was so good!! Perfectly made and seasoned. The Chicken Parmesan was really good too. A good ratio of chicken, parm, sauce, good flavor. Everything else was just ok. Everything came out quickly and was served hot. There wasn't much flavor on the pasta dishes with noodles, we actually added the garlic salt that we keep on us. I would consider going back to give them another try, but will keep my garlic salt on hand. read more

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Flour & Barrel has an interesting concept, offering both house-made pasta and beer! We got the Bread for the Table: the bread had a fluffy interior and crusty exterior and came with a whipped butter and marinated Olivers. I also got the seasonal pasta, which was Butternut Squash and Burrata. Pasta was very al dente (not my preference), sauce was subtly sweet, burrata provided a nice creaminess, good portion size. Overall, I had a good meal, but it wasn't mind blowing. Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance is really nice, very modern and elegant with pretty murals, great for date night. There's paid street parking and a parking deck. 8/10 would recommend. read more

Flour & Barrel - Seasonal Rigatoni - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Bottom line: Lunch at Flour & Barrel was great! Small but nice selection of items on their lunch menu. The Radiatore small pasta was delicious and satisfying while just the right size for lunch, adding chicken for a protein boost. My friend enjoyed the Chicken Parm Sando and Kardashian Chopped Salad. Good service in a surprisingly well decorated atmosphere, I would come back to Flour & Barrel for more Italian goodness! The Deets: I wanted to catch up with a friend over a weekday lunch and we scoped out Flour & Barrel in DTR to do just that. When entering in from the pretty nondescript exterior/entrance on the corner of North and Harrington Streets, it becomes a colorful well decorated bistro/bar type feeling inside which is welcoming. We were shown to our table next to one of the wide windows facing North St, I liked this table with lots of natural light and yes, I am a people watcher as well. The server took our drink orders and asked if we had any questions about the menu. The lunch menu is pretty succinct but well represented, offering focaccia sandwiches (sandos), small pastas (pasta handmade in-house), and salads. It also has a wine and craft beer selection also if needed. My friend went with the Chicken Parmesan Focaccia Sando (has pomodoro, mozzarella, and basil) with Kardashian Chopped Salad (made with romaine, salami, provolone, piquillo peppers, artichoke, and garbanzo) for a side while I chose the Radiatore small pasta selection. The Radiatore is described on the menu as "our version of carbonara but creamier / guanciale / egg" so naturally it caught my eye. I am usually pretty cut and dry about wanting carbonara to be the traditional type but since they stated upfront that this is their version, I was willing to give it a go. I am glad I did, as this pasta dish was great. The serving was the perfect size for lunch, plus I was able to add chicken to it as well. The sauce was creamy and delicious, going well with the al dente pasta. This meal was most satisfying and I would love to get this one again in the future. My friend really enjoyed the sando so much, he had originally planned to eat half and take the other half home...that didn't work out the way he planned as he devoured the whole sandwich there, it was that good. He also enjoyed the salad as well. Our server did well checking on us and making sure we had what we needed. I am so glad we decided to try out Flour & Barrel for lunch, it worked out perfectly and was a very enjoyable meal. read more

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This is a great place to go. The meatballs were amazing. Really great area to be in. Once you finish, plenty of places to go hang out at. Try the shrimp here. read more

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Came for a girls' night and we were first sat at a high top which had very little surface area, it was strange since there were a lot of other tables open and some others were at 4-seater tables despite having just 2 people. We asked to be sat at a lower table which were bigger, you kind of need more space when you're eating tapas! The server was nice about it though. Notable dishes: radiatore (but def recommend asking for fresh ground pepper), kardashian chopped salad, and bread for the table. We also ordered the baked provolone which arrives at your table on fire which is neat but the concept of the dish is a bit strange, as it's cooling it's really hard to actually scoop the cheese and honestly the taste was just ok. We also got the big ass meatball which in my opinion is overrated. Glad to try it out as an Offline restaurant but overall it was decent but not mindblowing. read more

Flour & Barrel - Kardashian Chopped Salad, Bread for the Table - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Thought we would give this business a try in Raleigh. Looked like a different experience for us, more up beat than usual. I say it's located a little off the main area of Glenwood South located in an interesting building, decorated retro with tall ceiling, exposed air ducts and wiring. With an ambience of real candles everywhere helps the decor as well as on tables. There are tables of different sizes and heights as well as a bar with seating. We were seated right away and greated almost same time by our waiter who took drink order. This business serves small plate items, meant to be shared. Menu offerings are limited and small portions. We started with an order of bread and the Big Meatball. The butter which comes with focaccia bread is flavored as decribed on menu which we did not care for. The meatball is large and served on a plate surrounded with marinara sauce and is baked with crunchy exterior. After cutting into meatball we felt there was hardly any meat, looked like baked mush, not that flavorful. We then ordered a plate of Fusilli which is corkscrew pasta, pancetta, grape tomatoes and a scoop of whipped ricotta. Our order came with bland tasting sauce on pasta, ricotta not flavored with anything, one small tomato and a few ever so small pieces of the pancetta. The star of evening was plate of Shrimp Scampi that had good size shrimp drenched in garlic butter and presented nicely. The best flavored item of night. We decided to finish evening with S'mores Flambe for dessert. The presentation was good arriving on fire burning off Grand Mariner. Well, a little too much burning as bottom portion of brownie tasted burnt. Disappointing experience to say least. read more

Flour & Barrel - S'mores Flambe - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Came on a Thursday and they had some really great specials for ladies night! There was two salads to choose from that were half off and then you have $6 April Spritz and espresso martinis. Sat at the bar and met a few of their ladies one of which whom I had happened to know from social life out anyhow! There was live music playing and everything was really tasty. I got the top salad which was an actual normal size portion but I opted to add on some grilled chicken for extra protein. The ambiance is a warm cozy feeling. I can't wait to come back for the other events during the week. read more

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This was my first time coming here and I've been waiting to get her on Thursdays for their $6 espressos and half off salad specials. I sat at the bar and ordered me an espresso martini and the Kardashian salad. The salad was good and surprisingly filling for me. The espresso martini came in a cute little glass. We also got bread for the table while was ok nothing spectacular . I also tried the cucumber jalapeño margarita which flavor wise was good the only bad was too much ice in the drink. They also had live music as well which was awesome. It's a cute intimate spot and I would come visit again. read more

Flour & Barrel - Kardashian Chopped Salad and espresso martini - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Absolutely loved going to this restaurant for ladies night- on Thursdays they have six dollar espresso martinis and aperol spritz as well as half off salads with live music! The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the music was fantastic. Definitely would go back! read more

Flour & Barrel - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Visited Flour & Barrel recently and it was a delight! The ambience is great, super intimate and wonderful for a lil date night. We tried the Radiatore pasta (without the meat), and it was delicious, kind of like a cacio e pepe and very flavorful. The star of the show, though, was their rigatoni. I'm literally still thinking about it. It wasn't one of those fall dishes that leans heavily on traditional fall spices or flavors like pumpkin or squash. It was creamy, salty and had all the right flavorful, the cold burrata was such a good contrast to the hot pasta and each bite was so so soooo good also the portion was huge in the best way. read more

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The pasta/peer pairings were well done. I absolutely love homemade pasta. The ambiance was great; perfect place for casual dining or even a date night. read more

Flour & Barrel - Bad area - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I came here for a girls night dinner. We all shared a bunch of the pastas, apps, bread, and a salad. Nothing really stuck out to any of us except the whipped ricotta which was very good. The pastas were fine but nothing special. One was definitely not fully cooked. The chicken parm did not taste like a traditional chicken parm at all. Very strange flavor. Wine was good though! The ambiance was also not the best. It was night time and the dining room was so dark that we could barely see the menus. The service was pretty slow as well, but they seemed understaffed. Overall, I probably won't be back. read more

The moment you come in, you see this HUGE Muriel that says "the love of strangers" what a sweet concept. The decor and every thing was so intimate and cute with the real wax candles. We ordered a few things: filet mignon. It was good but not worth $39 like really? It literally was just the steak n butter. We then ordered the potatoes and bone marrow. The potatoes were the best i had in Raleigh. The bone marrow.... it was like a love- hate relationship; it was a tad bit salty, not enough marrow unfortunately. But it definitely was tasty. We also ordered the chitarra. Pasta needed a lot more salt. Shrimp was tasty. Probably wouldn't get the chitarra again. But when saved THE NIGHT, was that brownie flambé. OH MY! a thick brownie served in a skillet was flambed home made marshmallow torched with grand marnier.... WHAT?! amazing Definitely would come back read more

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Visited Flour & Barrel recently on a Monday, which is what they call their Industry Night. $5 pasta (likely a smaller portion than their normal size) plus half off house beer and wine. Got pasta, the bread for the table app, and 2 glasses of Prosecco for $22. Can't beat it. Perfect spot for Girl Dinner with a friend. The place is also decorated so chicly - perhaps a mix of Italian and Greco. I really loved it. Tons of seating and close to a paid parking deck in DTR. Definitely a great find! read more

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3.5 stars. I had high hopes for this place but was somewhat disappointed. The drinks were great, and the food was really tasty. Unfortunately, the service was subpar, and the restaurant was out of several things we wanted to order (one pasta and two of the beers). We didn't receive water at our table for 20 minutes; in fact, our drinks from the bar arrived before our water (in a plastic cup... why?!?). Flour & Barrel boasts a celebrity chef and has settled into the space where Little City Brewing used to be. We will probably return for the handmade pasta. Perhaps they need more time to settle into a groove? read more

Flour & Barrel - Hand-made pasta with crab-meat - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I visited last night for the Tuesday Night Strangers to Friends specials. F&B is located in Smoky Hollow. Street parking is scarce so you'll have to choose a parking garage. Upon arrival we were instructed to choose a color wristband if we were open to meeting friends or those looking to date. The night's specials were specific to Chardonnay Wine for $1 if someone purchases the drink for you and the Chirrata Squid Ink and Jumbo Shrimp pasta dish. My guest and I ordered a Old Fashioned and Expresso Martini. They were ok. Not the best I've had. We decided on sharing the whipped ricotta dish which was so delicious. The honey and pistachios paired so well with the ricotta dip and crostini. Our bartender was helpful with going over the event and specials for the night. I will admit the options were disappointing. For entrees we decided on the Squid Ink Jumbo Shrimp Pasta dish and Vodka with chicken cutlet dish. Not impressive. I was also disappointed in the service last night. This was not a large event or a busy night. There was 1 chef working and it took over an hour for my plate to arrive. When it arrived it was disappointing. The flavors were honestly a miss for me. Very bland. The guest sitting next to me shared the same sentiments. Martha was a sweetheart. She communicated the kitchen's obstacles honestly to me and my dinner was paid for on the house. This event was very female dominated. Very few men attended. It was nice to chat with new locals at the bar and I was happy to meet a new acquaintance who shares similar interests. I think with time Flour & Barrel has an opportunity to improve their quality and staffing dilemma. read more

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Walking into this small plates Italian cocktail bar feels like slipping into the kind of dream where everything is warm, golden, and just a little bit cinematic. The soft wood tones wrap around you like a well-tailored suit, and the glow from the radiant lighting overhead makes every glass, smile, and shadow feel carefully framed--like Manhattan sophistication found a softer, more romantic accent. It's equal parts polished and playful, where the clink of glassware and the whisper of citrus peel in the air set the stage for a night that feels both familiar and full of surprise. I prefer to belly up to the bar, and here the bartender is part scientist, part storyteller--shaking, stirring, and sliding glasses your way with a wink that says, this one's got a plot twist. Bottles glitter behind them like a technicolor skyline, and every Old Fashioned feels like its own little adventure--balanced, unexpected, and just a bit cheeky. The wood tones of the bar keep things grounded and warm, but there's a sparkle in the air that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a secret club where excellent drinks and easy charm are the house specialties. They take ricotta and whip it until it's impossibly silky, the kind you want to linger over for hours, and crown it with local honey that adds that slow, golden sweetness, while pistachios bring just enough crunch to keep things interesting. It's indulgence dressed up as simplicity--soft, sweet, and absolutely perfect! And onto ne of my favorites, the Chicken Parm, beautifully crisp chicken, golden and seasoned to perfection, sitting proud in a rich, vibrant marinara that's been cooked down with love. Then--fresh mozzarella, melted just right, not rubbery nonsense--oozing over the top. It's bold, it's comforting, and it bloody well delivers! Then comes the best part, dessert! The S'mores Flambe is where Gooey marshmallow meets dark chocolate, but wait--there's a flirtatious twist of orange mariner that winks with every bite. Flames dance, sugar crisps, and suddenly camping by the fire feels a little more...fabulous. Small plates conquered, cocktails demolished, memories made. Cheers! read more

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Ambiance - intimate and dimmed restaurant, great for dates and small groups Service - staff was really nice and accommodating Food - yuzu made the pasta a little more sour to my liking, the add on chicken was a little lacking in flavor read more

Flour & Barrel - Conchiglie with chicken - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Came in for lunch with a friend and was really excited to try this place seeing the fun menu and buzz around it being new. The restaurant is spacious and decorated nicely, and we were greeted promptly and kindly. The lunch menu is smaller than the dinner menu, but we were able to order the Kardashian chopped salad, side of potatoes, vodka pasta, and chicken parmesan sandwich which seemed like popular items. Unfortunately, nothing we ordered was amazing. The potatoes came covered in a horseradish sauce that was so overwhelming it tasted like paint. The menu doesn't mention this sauce. The vodka pasta looked great, but tasted flavorless and watered down. The chicken in the chicken parm sandwich was cooked nicely but the sandwich itself could've used more sauce and was dry. The salad was probably the best thing we had but it was pretty small. Not sure if there are other dishes during dinner that could be better but other than a nice vibe and (possibly) good drinks, I wouldn't return for the food. read more

Flour & Barrel - chicken parm sandwich, vodka pasta, kardashian chopped salad - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Flour & Barrel is built on the idea of "Love of the Stranger," and you feel that the moment you walk through the door. Immediately walking into the establishment, you are met with a cool ambience that perfectly fits the mood for a late afternoon dine. With the layering of warm lighting, large wooden tables, and the hum of a busy bar, Flour & Barrel creates the same comfort of stepping into the kitchen of someone you love. Every dish is crafted by acclaimed Executive Chef Katsuji Tanabe and Chef de Cuisine Matthew Parker, furthering that sense of care. While every plate is big enough for one, sharing feels almost necessary to get the full experience. Stealing a fork of your best friend's lumachel and your mom's chicken parmesan, lets you taste each bit of love poured into the dishes. But you don't get the full experience of Flour & Barrel without trying one of their brewed-on site craft beers. These much-talked-about brews, also found at other Anthony Rapillo locations, always seem to be sparking conversation. Whether you choose an IPA or a German dark Lager, these sips offer a bit of comfort to the already congenial space such as an Italian-inspired restaurant. It would be a mistake to live, or visit, Raleigh and not try this wonderful restaurant backed by love, experimentation, and tradition. read more

I wanted to try this restaurant before my birthday because I had high hopes for it. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. The salad was probably the best dish we got. The dressing was great, and the avocado was a nice addition. We had to send the focaccia back because it was over baked and difficult to even bite into. The pasta was also disappointing. The sauces for both of them lacked flavor. My vodka pasta sauce needed more salt, and a stronger tomato flavor. The squid ink pasta sauce tasted like blended tomatoes. There was no garlic, spices, or salt. I'm giving this place 3 stars because the pasta itself was cooked well, and the shrimp actually had good flavor. Unfortunately, I cancelled the standing reservation I had there for my birthday. read more

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Very pleasant atmosphere, soft live music, real candles. Very good food, unique flavors, don't miss out on the bread. Chicken Parm was among the best I've eaten. Rigatoni was excellent too. Great service. Clean restrooms, they take pride in this place. read more

Flour & Barrel - Ambience - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I love the dark moody ambience of this place. Candles everywhere! The squash burrata pasta I got *muah* it was creamy delish. We had tried several apps, (bread was bomb). Convenient with family in town they had high chairs for babes. Our waitress was friendly overall I'd say a place worth checking out! read more

Flour & Barrel - Burrata pasta squash sauce - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Craving some of the best Italian in Raleigh? At Flour & Barrel I always go for their creamy Conchiglie with lump crab, the iconic Big Ass Meatball, and crispy Chicken Parmesan for a dinner that hits every comfort note. Whether it's date night or a weekend feast, this C downtown Raleigh spot never disappoints. read more

My friends and I went to our usual Thursday dinner, and this time Offline referred us to Flour & Barrel in downtown Raleigh. First impression--such a cute vibe. Live music, beautiful decor, and the perfect lighting for a relaxed and intimate dining experience. We started off sampling a few wines, and I went with the Scansano which paired perfectly with the Filet--absolutely spot on. My friend isn't a big drinker, but she tried The Pom Tree and said it was dangerously good. Sweet and sour in just the right balance, she described it as "heaven in a glass." For our meal, we shared a mix of dishes so we could try as much as possible. We ordered the Big Ass Meatball, roasted potatoes, Filet Mignon, and the Chicken Parm. For pastas, we tried the Fusilli, the Radiatore, and the Conchiglie, plus bread for the table. The bread was a little hard for my liking, and I wasn't a fan of the unpitted olives, but the Kardashian Chopped Salad more than made up for it. Tossed in a sherry vinaigrette, the flavor profiles were incredible--you could really taste the artichoke and it was such a wow moment. Now, onto the standouts. The meatball was huge and absolutely full of flavor, with focaccia that kept it perfectly moist. The filet was flavorful, though I learned they only serve it medium rare or well done. I went with well done, but next time I'll definitely trust the medium rare since it's served on a hot plate and would have continued to cook to perfection. The pasta was another highlight. It was shaken and served tableside, which made for such a fun and unique presentation. We added chicken and shrimp, and it was nothing short of amazing. The service was phenomenal from start to finish. Our server was attentive, welcoming, and truly made the experience feel special. Overall, the food was amazing, the atmosphere was spot on, and everything tasted great. Offline may have introduced us to Flour & Barrel, but they've definitely got customers for life. read more

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We came early on a Friday night bc we had a baby and toddler. Food was delish and service great. All the candles made the ambiance romantic and cozy. They also have high chairs! read more

Flour & Barrel - Filet- the most delish and seasoned perfect! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Flour & Barrel has a stylish concept and some solid dishes, but our overall experience was uneven. The ambiance was extremely dim. Aside from light at the hostess stand, bar, and open kitchen, the only illumination at the tables came from open-flame candles. Unfortunately, our table didn't even have a candle when we were seated, forcing us to use our phones to read the menu. The candle eventually arrived about 20 minutes later--a large pillar candle with hot wax spilling onto the table, which felt awkward and poorly executed. The acoustics also made conversation difficult. We had four in our party and arrived on time, only to be told there would be a 15-20 minute wait. We were encouraged to wait at the bar, where my friend and I asked for a glass of merlot. We were surprised to learn that the restaurant only offered three red wines--Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and Chianti--which felt like a very limited selection for an Italian restaurant. Communication from the host was confusing: we were told our table was being cleared, then ready, then suddenly not ready again, all within a short span. Service was pleasant but inconsistent. Our server was friendly, but there were small missteps--most notably a mix-up with drink orders. I ordered a club soda and was brought plain water instead. When corrected, the club soda was mistakenly given to my husband. While the issue was fixed, there was no acknowledgment or apology. The food was good, but not memorable. The dishes are served tapas-style for sharing, which made the table feel cramped. The rigatoni had great flavor, but the pasta itself was undercooked. The "Big Ass Meatball" was underwhelming--more like a ball of meatloaf with little seasoning. On a positive note, the chicken Parmesan was very good, and the bread with olives was enjoyable. One final concern: as we were leaving, two of us waited in a very small vestibule near the door that was again lit only by large open-flame candles. My friend nearly backed into several of them--an accident waiting to happen. Overall, the food was good, not great; the lighting was excessively dark; the acoustics weren't ideal; and the service was fine but lacked polish. While there were some highlights, I probably would not return. read more

The ambiance here is beautiful! We got there on a Monday evening and we were the only ones in the restaurant but our server was very sweet and checked on us a bunch. I had a delicious pomegranate fig mocktail and I enjoyed all our dishes. One pasta item we ordered said it had some sort of meat in it but we didn't get any taste or texture of meat in the pasta whatsoever. Not sure if it was blended in the sauce or not. We shared one mocktail, one appetizer (whipped ricotta), one small pasta dish ($5 for Mondays) , chicken parm entree and the s'mores brownie for dessert. Our total came out to $80 and we were both still pretty hungry by the end of the meal so we wish it would've filled us up a bit more for the cost but overall we enjoyed the freshness of the ingredients. read more

Flour & Barrel - Dining area - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I had such high hopes for F&B....the anticipation, seeing the bags of flour stacked up in the corner before they opened their space. The interesting menu. But the food and service was a letdown for the price. Drinks were inconsistent. Food depended on salt for the flavor. Staff lackluster and more interested in talking to each other for the first hour they were open instead of busying themselves with tasks that every restaurant owner know are constants. There is always something to do other than yack at the bar. LOOK BUSY!!!! I dunno. but that really made me feel like they were just clock punching for the job and not so much cared about the venue. Speaking of .... well. hmmmm..the venue....bougie vibe? No. French bohemian? A miss. Decor all over the place in terms of a vibe. Half of the tables are covered with a navy-ish table cloth. The other half...left bare with the bad foil wood covering giving an air mistakenly of cheapness....not the bougie bohemian they seemed to be aiming for. I hoped the food would make up for it in a big way. It was dark but not alluring or sexy. Candle holders with gobs of dripping wax on each table so gal-danged huge you couldn't see through the person sitting across from you. I am not sure all that candle wax everywhere looks clean. I felt like the dining experience was really a hooker joint where the cops were called and everyone ran to cover their traces and left the candlesticks in their wake. The plywood half finished seats just made me want to go to the dollar store and paint over them or get some sort of reflective material to give some visual punch to the place. Depressing to look at the screws and pretend that you were eating a classy meal. At the time of booking we mentioned our party was celebrating a birthday. Big whoop. Not a peep from the Hostess. So much for a celebration. I like Barcelona much better. read more

Flour & Barrel - Stained plywood....ambiance a little rough - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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It's a top chef and date night masterpiece! The food and cocktails are quite tasty. I also love the vibe and music here. This is absolutely where you want to bring a group for dinner and drinks as the aesthetic is phenomenal and the menu more than delivers. The chicken leg, baked provolone, and the conchiglie were all WINNERS, and prices were great. I was pleasantly surprised! Be back real soon as the chitarra is calling my name. Cheers! read more

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Flour & Barrel is a newly opened Italian restaurant in downtown Raleigh. We walked in without a reservation on Saturday and got seated at the bar since all the tables were reserved. We ordered a bunch of stuff from the menu and shared it. This is what we got: 1) Big Ass Meatball: It was lita big ass meatball. It was juicy and tender. Would recommend it. 2) Bone of the Beast: I love Bone Marrow so this was really good for me. They give you two bones that are topped with caper, parsley, anchovy and crostini. Really flavorful. I liked it. 3) Radiatore : I found it to be a bit bland. I won't get it again. 4) Conchiglie : This pasta was a lot more flavorful as compared to the other. Would definitely recommend it. We also got a couple of cocktails that were pretty decent. Their Sugar Daddy cocktail is supposed to be smoked but they don't have the cocktail smoker yet so that was a disappointment. I wish the bartender would have told me when I ordered it. I like a smoked cocktail and it was the reason I ordered it. Overall, it's a nice spot and it is priced pretty well. read more

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Food was average. Vodka sauce on pasta was flavorless. Theres a shitty "speakeasy" in the back where they don't let people in unless they have a special bookmark. I forgot mine and they didn't let me in so here yall go. read more

Flour & Barrel - Their "special invite" - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This might be the best new restaurant we have ever tried. Cocktails, service (Tori rocks), atmosphere, everything is amazing. But the star here (rightfully so) is the FOOD. And nothing is expensive. This is a restaurant designed to please, to excite and to outperform. The menu itself even has a sense of humor. Just reading it is fun. Cocktails are original and enjoyable. Food spectacular. Chef Katsuji Tanabe even delivered our food to the table, flaming our provolone and sharing a few secret ingredients when we inquired. How the big ass meatball could possibly live up to expectations was beyond me, but it did. The clams oreganata, and the crab pasta...all amazing! Food was so fantastic and reasonably priced that I even ordered the chicken marsala leg to go and can't wait to have it for lunch soon. For dessert we shared an refreshingly original version of a tiramisu (purple chai) and a busser dessert drink. If I had to nitpick something it would be that they don't have coffee or espresso. (they do have an espresso martini but it's made from powdered espresso). read more

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Came here for a group date night. Had a reso and needed to wait about 10 minutes to be seated as they were waiting for the table to free up. Not a big issue, but still of note if you're on a time crunch. After getting drinks, we were seated. The ambiance is cute, don't get me wrong, but man was it dark in there. That doesn't usually bother me, but I legit could not see my menu without a flashlight. Definitely felt like my mom in the moment. ANYWHO. We ordered the meatball and the fusilli pasta with chicken. The meatball was pretty good. It's large so definitely enough for 2 people. The pasta? It was mid at best. The nuts in it really threw off the pasta as a whole. And the chicken placed on top was not good. At all. It was very much giving lunch meat chicken vibes. It didn't even look appetizing. The color was pale. Yea, just no. Our friends enjoyed their food though, so maybe we just picked the wrong pasta. But it would be enough for me not to order food anymore. I'd come back for the drinks, but the food I'll pass on. read more