This is more of a 3.5...Parts of this visit were excellent but it comes down to the fact that I…read morewill probably not return. This is a little off the beaten path but if you follow the signs, you will have no problem finding it. There is plenty of parking but no marked spaces so you just have to hope that most of the guest use common sense and park well. There is a sign on the front of the building that says FARM HOUSE and a door but it's not clearly marked as an entrance and no hours are listed. When you enter, there are still no signs and you have to guess which door to open. I had been here before 20 years ago, so I knew to expect that it was dimly lit inside. We had a reservation for 8 at 6pm. There was a line in front of us but we were seated promptly. I didn't see the entire dining room as it seemed sectioned off, but it must have been large because people kept coming and and kept getting seated. It never felt crowded. Part of our party was late, which highly frustrated me and made me feel bad for the waitress (and made me completely understand why some restaurants won't seat you until your entire party is there!) But Marsha, our waitress, was so incredibly gracious and brought us drinks while we waited. The cheese, pate, and veggies were a nice change from the bread basket you usually get. The pate by itself was a bit too salty and smoky for me but combined with some of the pickled veggies, it was excellent! They had a decent selection of beer and wine and Marsha made sure to point out that they had a full bar. When we finally ordered, almost everyone got the 8oz Ribeye. The steaks come with a potato (regular or sweet), and a house salad (you choose the dressing.) I got a sweet potato and ranch dressing. The sweet potato comes with brown sugar (on the side). Butter (and sour cream and imitation bacon bits) are already on the table. I did ask about the lettuce and she said that it was from a local wholesaler and it came in heads and they chopped themselves, which I felt safe enough to eat. The salad was good and the potato was SO HOT. It stayed hot the entire time I was eating it. The steak was also screaming hot which was much appreciated. However...the website says that they cook on a charcoal grill. That may be but there were barely any sear marks on my steak. It wasn't brown on the outside...and everyone knows that brown food tastes better! It was also pretty tough for a ribeye. I was not really impressed. $33 for a 8oz Ribeye, salad, and potato would be a pretty good deal if it was all yummy...but sadly this just felt overpriced. It was my brother in laws birthday and they did bring him a free dessert which was very nice! There is 20% gratuity automatically added to parties of 6 or more. They did split checks though. It ended up being a good night to celebrate a birthday but I will not come back on my own....huge shoutout to Marsha who was the best part of this experience!

Quaint, vintage, iconic, charming... all of those could describe the comfort of eating in a…read moresteakhouse that has been in business since 1969. The Farmhouse is about as authentic as one could hope for in this modern world of constant attention grabbing media and technology driven algorithms. No app to order, no QR codes, the lighting is dimmed to create a chill setting, and it was a welcome change from the bright lights and inauthentic greetings from walking in to many modern restaurants. You walk in, wait for the one cashier/host to work down the line of guests both checking out as well as requesting a table, and sit on the log bench to await your server. The walls are adorned with historic characters of nearby UNC, along with antiques and many of the hosts and servers are chatting with locals that they have obviously known for years... maybe decades. We were there on the Saturday before Father's Day, so maybe the dining area was extra busy, but we waited no more than 5 or 10 minutes for a table to open up and we were seated. Very quickly, our server brought a plate of liver pate, a soft cheese spread, surrounded by some fresh cut veggies, and another basket of assorted crackers. The pate was a bit salty, but paired well with the veggies, and the cheese was... well, cheese. We decided to split the bigger ribeye (12oz) and the server said they would go ahead and cut it in half and serve on two plates. We had an extra salad ordered and opted for a loaded baked potato. Pretty standard fare for a classic steakhouse. No fru-fru dressings for the salad, just your standard ranch, bleu cheese, Italian, French, or Thousand Island. Back where the kitchen was located there stood the head steak chef, busily moving the cuts along the grill and transferring them to cast iron skillets as the serving plate (VERY hot... use caution with errant fingers and forearms). The potato was piping hot... literal hot potato. The server added two generous bowls of butter and sour cream to make the potato our own, and the crispy (though fake) bacon bits added some crunch and saltiness to the mix. I dolloped some of that cheese spread from earlier for a bit of a mix and it was perfect. The steaks were cooked perfectly, and the only thing I could think of that would improve them would be using some of that excellent butter on the grill while cooking. The flavor was good but just needed a bit more... umami. We added a side of horseradish to punch up the flavor and it was a perfect addition. All in all, an excellent and romantic change of pace that I was very happy to have experienced.

Stopped by Bin 54 Steak & Cellar for dinner while out in the Chapel Hill area. When you arrive…read morethere is plenty of parking in the lot out front. Walking into the steakhouse it gives off a classic, upscale steakhouse vibe with dark wood paneling, red contemporary lighting, and intimate/sophisticated atmosphere. To be seated you'll check in with the host and then be shown to your table. I'd highly recommend a reservation just to ensure you are able to be seated vs. just walking in. For drinks, I ordered the black manhattan (Elijah Craig Rye, Amaro Nonino, Orange and Angostura Bitters served up with a bada bing cherry) to start which was well balanced and smooth. We then ordered a bottle of the Brancatelli Valle Delle Stelle Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was excellent with a nice finish and paired great with all of the food. Later on to end the meal I ordered an espresso martini with whiskey. For appetizers we ordered the house smoked local bacon (hot honey, charred red onion), the crab cake (roasted corn remoulade, cabbage slaw), the lobster gnocchi (truffle brown butter sauce, parmesan), and the seared diver scallops (blood orange carrot puree, miso brown butter, crispy capers). All of the appetizers were excellent but by far my favorites were the crab cake and the lobster gnocchi. The amount of crab meat and lobster in each dish was great. Pro tip: ask the server for extra bread to dip in the truffle brown butter sauce once you finish the lobster gnocchi. For my entree I ordered the 22 oz. Bone-In Ribeye with the Red Wine Demi Glacé on the side. The steak was perfectly cooked and you could taste the difference of how the steak is cooked on hickory wood and over an open flame. For the sides to the steak we shared the creamed spinach casserole, onion rings, and scalloped potatoes. By far the creamed spinach casserole was my favorite side with the amount of cheese and flavor throughout the side dish. For desserts we shared the Banana Pudding (bourbon pecan crumble, banana pastry cream, torched meringue) and the crème brûlée (I believe this was a raspberry lemon flavor). Both desserts were excellent and definitely are worth trying. Overall the level of service, quality of food, and experience may put this steakhouse at the top of my list for one of the best steakhouses in the NC triangle. Definitely a must try if you are in the Chapel Hill area!

Old school ambience was my first thought as we entered. We were here for a group event. They have…read morea great space near the back of the restaurant. It was private and could seat around 25-30 people. The Caesar salad was one of the best I have ever had. I wish I had opted for just a double portion of this instead of the steak. I guess they are well known for a smoky flavored steak ? I didn't like it. When a sauce is presented before your steak arrives that is never a good thing. The steak was cooked fine although I have also never been presented with a filet that had been sliced. Sides were a dry bowl of spinach the table shared and mashed potatoes. MEH. The crème brûlée was the star !! The raspberry compote surprise at the bottom of the dish was decadent !! I loved this dessert. Maybe we will return for salad and dessert ? They have an extensive wine list as well.

Yes , yes , yes ! This was such a nice family dinner at…read morefirebirds we raved about it driving back to the house. My niece had never been here so it was a must that I brought her here. I've visited the one back in Orlando several times and knew everyone would enjoy the service , ambiance and delicious food. I'm so addicted to the bacon deviled eggs that we always get two orders because I refuse to share.

Today I went to firebirds with my friend and we were amazed by the service!!…read moreOur server Jai was wonderful and so lovely with her conversation and I would definitely sit in her section again. We ordered the filet deal and it tasted perfect, the loaded baked potato went perfectly with my steak, my compliments to the chef and our server!

I came for dinner with my wife on a Saturday night, and even though we didn't have reservations, we…read morearrived right when the restaurant opened at 5pm and were promptly seated by the window. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us a rundown of the menu before we ordered. I decided to start with the Cheese Plate, which included 3 different cheeses, buttered baguette slices, jam, mustard, and pickles. I enjoy cheese plates, and this one was great, but I can understand it may not be for everyone. My wife ordered the Red Fish, which had a more Southeast Asian-inspired twist to it. It came over rice and pickled onions and beets, and the flavors were a blend of lemongrass and coconut. The fish was cooked well - nice and tender, not too dry - and the flavors went well together. I ordered the New York Strip, which was delicious - the meat was well cooked, had great flavor, and was a generous portion that was very filling. The only gripe I had was that the char on the eggplant overwhelmed the flavor, so most of what I ate tasted like burnt eggplant. The place is clean and fairly laid back for a more upscale restaurant. If you're looking for a nicer restaurant in Chapel Hill where you might spend a little more, but you'll get great service with interesting food options / combinations, then look no further than Hawthorne & Wood.

Beautiful spot for creative New American cuisine. Their menu…read moreis seasonal so check out their website for updates. Loved the blue-toned palette and dim lighting. Service was great, and I was impressed that the staff remembered a food allergy in our party. We started with the cheese board--quality ingredients, though I prefer sliced cheeses and flatbread for easier sharing. The jam was a standout! My short rib entree was savory, with tender (but not fall-off-the-bone) meat, paired nicely with roasted eggplant, green chickpeas, and a touch of sweetness from the pomegranate jus. The eggplant was more charred than I prefer, but the flavors worked well overall. Cocktails were well-made, portions satisfying, and while entrées are on the pricier side, you leave full and happy.

Food was great and the service was excellent with Valorie. I got the oysters Rockefeller and a bone…read moreNew York steak- would recommend.

Everything about our experience here was good. Atmosphere, service, food quality, parking,…read morelocation. I highly recommend dining here on special occasions or for good business meetings and entertainment.

Food was great I had to steak wife had the cob salad. Service was excellent. I was very impressed…read moreby the experience

Staying here for work. Must say that for a hotel restaurant, it has good food and great service…read more I've had worse food at expensive places. Kevin behind the bar is quick with a drink and loves to talk sports. Try the steak sandwich or the chicken Danielle, you will not be disappointed

This was a such a good meal that I am definitely coming back…read more We didn't make reservations on Wednesday evening and immediately got seated. Our waiter showed up quickly taking order and giving some excellent reservations. I would highly recommend the hush puppies as an app. I ended choosing the flounder as my entree at the waiter recommendation and so glad I did. Portions were good all around that I was to full for dessert.

Their banana tiramisu was what dreams are made of and I am disappointed that it is no longer on the…read moremenu. It has been replaced by a banana pound cake, which while tasty does not compare. After dining on a couple of different occasions now, I can definitely say that their seafood selection/presentation/prices are worthwhile. I am highly disappointed in the quality and presentation of their cocktails though.

We chose Tabernas for our son's 16th birthday…read more We made reservations and we seated immediately. It was a slow night and we were one of a few tables. Not the norm. Our service was lack luster, rished, and we didn't get everything we ordered. We would have asked about the missing dish and ordered another round of drinks but no one checked back on us. They were just hanging behind the bar. We've waited tables since highschool and know a slow night doesn't usually equate with hmgreat service because people get too relaxed but I expeted us all to at least get the items we ordered. Heading home to feed.mynwofe.a tomatoe sandwich. She's vegetarian and her item was missing. No apology from the server. Just dropped the check. The wings and potatoes were good. The Shrimp were fine. The Cauliflower dish was eh and lacked something, or salt perhaps also where there brussel sprouts in there cause I saw like three leaves. I really wanted to try desert but just left in frustration.

I really wanted to love Taberna Tapas in Durham. The space has potential,warm, rustic charm with…read moreexposed brick, cozy lighting, and a few traditional Spanish design elements sprinkled in. On first impression, it feels like the kind of place that should deliver big on ambiance and flavor. The service was friendly and attentive, and the team clearly wants diners to enjoy the experience. Unfortunately, the food just didn't live up to the setting. Let's start with the overall vibe of the menu. While it markets itself as a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, the dishes felt more like Americanized small plates than true Spanish tapas. What was most noticeable across the board was the lack of seasoning and depth. These dishes were fine, but none of them left a lasting impression. We began with the Croquettas de Jamon, which were more creamy-fried than filled with ham. They were crispy on the outside and soft inside, but without that satisfying salty bite of jamón you expect. Nothing about them felt particularly special. Next up were the Albondigas in Savory Tomato Sauce. These meatballs were tender and cooked well, but the tomato sauce didn't bring much flavor. Again, it was just fine. It didn't offend, but it didn't excite either. We also tried the Calamares Fritos, which were fried properly with a light, crunchy coating. But it's tough to mess up fried calamari. There was nothing memorable about the seasoning or presentation. It lacked the boldness or creative twist that could have made it stand out. The highlight of the meal was the Empanadas de Carne. These were genuinely good. The puff pastry was buttery and crisp, and the filling had actual flavor, steak, potato, and shallots came together in a hearty, satisfying bite. This was the one dish that felt like it had been prepared with intention. Overall, Taberna Tapas has a great look and an inviting atmosphere, but the food feels like it's playing it too safe. Tapas, when done right, should be bold, flavorful, and transportive. Instead, we left feeling underwhelmed and wishing for more seasoning and personality on the plate. With such a charming space and a great location, it has all the ingredients to be great , it just needs a bit more soul in the kitchen.