Prix fix Mother's Day with party of 3. Food was excellent...every single dish. We went for it and started with Foie and didn't stop. Starters (lettuces, asparagus) and firsts (risotto to lamb) and mains (from chicken to beef to duck), Cab-Franc wine special. The best classic Negroni w/o Campari (which I don't love), was amazing. Dessert was also a topper (Hazel Nut pastry). Bennett was a pro. Give him a raise. He earned every penny, knowledgeable beyond expectations. The ding: the foyer room on the high-top where we were seated. I get it, you're trying to squeeze folks in...but that room, which is a combo lounge, view into the storage closet, right next to the exit door, looking into the parking garage needs some help. (hire my wife, she's an interiors expert...or hire someone.). So, with apologies to the chef, here's my classic score: food: 28 service: 27 ambiance: 16 Fix that room (which has so much potential!), and you could have a private dining experience, or something else. We'll be back. But not for that room. read more

I'm glad my wife and I got to check out the restaurant to check off our list. However it left a bad taste in our mouths! I was also blown away by the cost. We dropped $271. We don't believe it was worth that cost. You would have thought that kind of bill would have included a bunch of drinks, but it didn't. I was very disappointed that my check arrived with a mandatory 18% tip on it. It was good service, but was bothered that I had no choice. Plus the restaurant was ridiculously hot! I sweated through dinner. That really killed any sort of vibe. I don't see my wife and I ever going back. read more

We really enjoyed this place. We've walked past it a bunch since we moved here but it was recommended by a friend so we decided to check it out for my birthday. The service was top notch. Every single staff member we encountered was friendly, professional and great to work with. The food was great overall. The chicken in the Coq au Vin was a little over cooked and dry but everything with it was amazing. My partner got the steak frites and it was to die for. The selection of wine, good cocktails and ciders was wonderful. It was small which gave it an intimate vibe that I love. I think this place would be great for a special dinner or even just some wine and cheese with the besties. We'll be back for sure, hopefully soon. read more

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Rue Cler in Durham has the kind of charm that draws you in from the sidewalk. The space is cozy and warm, with soft lighting, Parisian café vibes, and a touch of understated elegance that feels classic but not fussy. It's the kind of place that invites you to linger. The service was great, friendly, informed, and welcoming without being overbearing. From the moment we were seated, everything felt well-paced and thoughtfully executed. To start, they brought out a plate of cheese gougères, which was such a nice surprise. Warm, airy, cheesy little puffs that melted in your mouth. A really lovely way to open the meal and definitely appreciated. First up from the menu was the Soupe de Pêche, a chilled peach soup topped with crème fraîche and a crab-corn salad. The crab-corn topping was actually delicious, bright, sweet, and fresh, but the soup itself was a bit off. It didn't have a strong peach flavor and left a slightly strange aftertaste. I ended up just eating the topping on its own. Next came the Jambon et Melon, and this was a total hit. Salty slices of Bayonne ham paired beautifully with fresh melon and pickled red onions. It was balanced, refreshing, and one of those classic combinations that just works when done well. Loved every bite. For the main course, I had the Scallops with shaved fennel salad, beurre blanc, and olive couscous. The scallops were cooked perfectly with a nice sear and tender center. The fennel salad added a bright, crisp element, and the beurre blanc was buttery and smooth. The couscous had a great texture, but the green olives were a little overpowering for my personal taste. If you're an olive fan, you'll probably enjoy it more than I did. We finished with the Tarte Financier aux Pommes, and it was absolutely delicious. Warm almond and apple tart served with crème chantilly. The sweetness was balanced, the apples had a lovely fresh bite, and the warm tart was comforting without being too heavy. This was easily the best dish of the night and something I would come back for. Overall, Rue Cler delivers a beautiful dining atmosphere and great service. The food had high points and a few misses, but when it worked, it really worked. I'd come back, just with a little more intention around what to order. read more

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Rue Cler is a cozy but modern-feeling Parisian restaurant in Downtown Durham. They have prix fixe and à la carte menus as well as features; to note, you can order à la carte from the prix fixe menu. They also have an extensive wine/drinks list. My dinner party all opted for the prix fixe, and I got: - Huîtres Grillées (broiled NC oysters, white miso butter): The butter was absolutely delicious, but I'm just not an oyster girlie. - Confit de Canard Gratinée (duck confit, summer squash, sauce Bechamel): I liked the creamy sauce as well as the perfectly cooked veggies, but the duck was a bit dry at spots. - Côtes Courtes (braised beef short ribs, beech mushrooms, sauce Bechamel, lentils): This was probably the best savory bite. The short ribs were decently cooked but the sauce and lentils were just so flavorful and rich. I tried my friends': - Soup de Pêche (chilled peach soup, crème fraiche, corn-celery salad): Certainly interesting and refreshing, but not my cup of tea flavor-wise. - Jambon et Melon (Bayonne ham, mixed melons): Surprisingly good! The sweetness of the melon and saltiness of the meat complemented each other well. - Risotto: Can't remember the exact ingredients of these last three dishes, but I liked the mushrooms in the risotto. First time eating escargot, wasn't really my thing. Thought the risotto itself could have been more flavorful. - Scallops: Scallops were cooked perfectly; the fennel and couscous salad was delightful with great texture. - Duck breast: My friend decided to add foie gras to this entrée, so I got to try it for the first time. It was interesting- super fatty and reminded me of pork belly. The duck itself was fine, nothing that stood out. Lastly, some other things I got: - Cocktail: Can't remember the name or contents of this either haha, it was like violet something. But really good! I asked for their sweetest drink and the server recommended this- tbh it wasn't super sweet but was kinda tart/citrusy and I really liked it. - Tarte Financier aux Pommes (almond and apple tart, crème chantilly): This wasn't just an amazing dessert, it was probably the best bite of the night. It was fresh out of the oven which I'm sure added to how delectable it was. I loved the subtle almond, perfectly crunchy but also soft apples, and creamy and complementary chantilly. Definitely get this! I appreciated the wide variety of dishes I was able to try with prix fixe, but wasn't necessarily wowed by them. If I were to come back, I think I'd stick to trying the classics. Service was awesome, the servers were very knowledgeable about the menu and they even brought out these complimentary cheesy puff things that were delicious. There's free nearby parking in City of Durham garages on weekends or after 7pm on weekdays. 7.5/10 would recommend at least once! read more

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Genuinely such amazing food, and the staff is so passionate about the menu BUT I am quite upset that I booked my reservation for my sober anniversary and they didn't allow me to bring my NA wine without a $50 uncorking fee which normally i'd 100% understand except for the fact that they did not have NA wine on offer (and my family got 2 bottles of wine and it was a screw off lid hehe) ... Perhaps I am being nitpicky and again the food was exceptional but just very disappointed due to the circumstances for the dinner being my sober anniversary read more

Rue Cler - escargot - French Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Dinner tonight at Rue Cler was perfect. We were seated and greeted immediately, a few minutes before our reservation time. We ordered a bottle of wine and observed the food on nearby tables. It led us to the special roasted chicken entree, which was excellent. While we waited they brought complementary puff pastries and bread service. Dessert was shared profiteroles (!!). While largely a traditional French bistro menu, it's a little unusual, with a dominant price fixe section, from which you can select anything ala carte. There are also blackboard specials. Also note that there is an 18% gratuity added to the bill, with the option to add more. It doesn't get any better. read more

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Food was overall good. We waiting a long time in between courses for our pre fixe meal. My old fashioned was very mediocre. Dessert was sub par. Wait staff was excellent however. read more

Drinks, service, and pasta 10/10. Sat at the bar, and had Jordan serve us- he was wonderful! You are able to order the Prix Fixe menu, or may order individual items off THAT menu, as well as items off the "regular" a La carte menu. I ordered the cheese board (nothing special to write home about), gratin dauphinois (potato au gratin), the pasta special of the night, and the steak frites. The pasta was cooked al dente, and was served with this rich and creamy sauce, with goat cheese throughout. It was the star of the show and we ordered a second round of it. The potatoes were delicious (very rich), creamy on the inside but crisp on the outside. The steak was a bit overcooked, but was still tender, juicy, and well-seasoned; the fries were overcooked for my liking as well, but paired well with the Hollandaise dipping sauce. Overall, I enjoyed all of the wine, the service, and the ambiance (feels like you're in a Bistro in France). I would return 100%. read more

The staff at Rue Cler was lovely- helpful, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu. I was part of a party of 4. We were sat immediately on a weekend evening. We all realize that prices everywhere have increased, but we all felt this restaurant took it to the next level. $17 for a cup of French onion soup??? $17 for a pear cider??? $40 for the smallest piece of duck breast we've ever seen??? Ridiculous. What made the price even more painful was the food was good- not great. read more

Would strongly recommend avoiding for a graduation dinner. The food was good but I understand the low rating- the waiter was on a power trip. We went there for a law school graduation celebration, in full cap and gown with the diploma and the Dean of the law school at the next table, but the waiter was trying to say the graduate couldn't have any alcohol because she didn't have a physical government ID on her. It was so ridiculous and annoying that everyone thought he was joking at first. As a former waiter, he should have used his common sense and made a judgement call. But no, we almost had to leave and try to scramble to find a different place willing to take us graduation night. Good food, but the service could use more common sense. Also the waiter corrects your French prononciation to make it incorrect... read more

Rue Cler is a corner restaurant that serves up authentic French cuisine. I came with a friend on Friday and was fortunate to be seated on arrival. Our hostess said they were booked for 6pm tables. I knew coming before 6 was important. Otherwise we'd be on a wait. I was smart to have my friend call ahead to see if there was a wait. The restaurant has a semi-casual vibe and is good for couples and small groups. Rue Cler's selection of wines was splendid. I saw two tables drinking a certain red wine. I asked my server, Nate, what they ordered. The one he pointed to was beyond my budget so I settled on a different one by the glass. I started the evening with a featured white wine. Once my entree came I changed to a featured red. My French Onion Soup was done well. My last memory of having this was that it's very salty. This one didn't have as much. I thank the cook there. My friend had their chicken special and I had their Coq Au Vin. Both were awesome! read more

Rue Cler - Coq au Vin - French Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I have been going here for 10-15 years, through different owners. We came here yesterday before a show at the Carolina Theater. It was three of us. The waiter unlocked the door at maybe 4:55 pm and cheerfully (?) said, "we'll start early". Then he put us at a table for six by the door. We were the first and only table. I made the reservation about 2 weeks before. Service was OK but not great. I couldn't get another glass of wine to go with my entree. (I wasn't driving for several hours.) At the end we had trouble getting the check, even after we told the waiter we needed to leave at a certain time. It felt like once there were other tables, we were forgotten. The food was OK, but really overpriced for what you get. $32 for Coq au vin. The thigh meat was good. The breast meat was way too dry. $14=18 for a glass of wine. The fixed price menu ($69) was criminally overpriced. I was cringing inside at the prices. I think next time I'll just go somewhere else. read more

I have come around from my iffy review from a few years ago. This place is dynamite! I wish it still had a brunch service. Excellent everything, all around, service, food, drinks. It is a little noisy for those with hearing issues. But maybe in a corner it would work out better. They often have nice oysters, a full bar, and interesting wines on the other chalk-board (and also french cider!) read more

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Love Rue Cler - food is exceptional, low key, bistro-style ambiance, great service - always a beautiful night out for a special occasion. I didn't know what to expect the first time I went and was afraid it would be intimidating but the atmosphere is warm and the staff are friendly, welcoming and very knowledgeable. It's fine dining so be prepared to splurge on the price, but the quality is excellent. read more

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The coq au vin was really dry. The staff were friendly and the ambiance was nice. This is a better place for wine and they have a larger wine selection. read more

Rue Cler - The coq au vin was really dry. They need to marinate a little more. I wouldn't get this here again. - French Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

A birthday go to when I'm in the area. I go for a port, but stay for the food and service. Every time.

Came in on a Friday evening for a 5:30pm reservation. There were plenty of empty tables. Got the foie gras appetizer, the bread (which we didn't know was not complementary), coq au vin (chicken) and the Magret De Canard (just the entree rather than the whole Prix Fixe menu). Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 4/5 some times it felt that our waiter forgot us but for the most part he was good. The food also came out at the perfect times. Food: The Foie Gras was good but the shining star was the Coq Au Vin- perfectly cooked with deep earthy flavors. The duck was good but definitely didn't match the Coq Au Vin. read more

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Make reservations because it is cozy and has a small footprint. This is my second time dining here and it has been delicious both times. Their bread is from a local bakery so please get some. Their food is just so flavorful and their French wine selection is varied. I love white burgundies and they have a good selection. The staff is very friendly. It is not inexpensive and it is about $100 per person if you have wine, bread, entree and dessert. read more

I must be honest and say I was a little nervous about eating here because my experience with French restaurants is pretty limited and I wasn't really sure what to expect. We were a party of 5, myself, my cousin and his wife and my aunt and uncle were in town. We were out celebrating my Aunts bday. I must start by saying the space is smaller than I expected but had a cool rustic type vibe. Our server, Trent was awesome! The food was absolutely exceptional!!! I was blown away with the watermelon salad, gnocchi, and scallops!!! The flavors and various sauces were amazing! I was able to sample some of the cantaloupe and ham, savory beignets, and olives. I was also fortunate to pick off the plates of my family members and tried some French fries and the amazing potato's there were served with the salmon that my aunt ordered. I ordered some sort of hazelnut dessert special which was good and in my opinion was superior to the bite of crème brûlée I tried. I am a bit bummed that I didn't have an alcoholic beverage due to being on call for work, but I crushed bottle after bottle of water! Thank you for an amazing dining experience-food, service and atmosphere was pure perfection! Thank you!!! read more

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Lovely little restaurant in downtown Durham. The waiter Jordan was so friendly and warm made the experience. We ordered food from the Prix fixe or three course menu. The reason for one less star was the size of the food of the second course was quite small. The regular menu looked to have normal size portions. So, I would probably order that instead. The ambiance was great but without reservation, you end up at the bar. There were a few empty tables we could have been seated. I did not mind Jordan though. My husband and I appreciated the company. :) read more

Rue Cler - Anchovy tomato toast- tasted like bruschetta - French Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I was highly disappointed at the service, or lack there of, we've received. My beautiful family of 3 arrived as the restaurant opened for dinner on Saturday, 11/8. We were denied service due to a "fully booked" event. We were sadden as all tables were open. We opted for another spot on the same street. After eating, we walked back to our vehicle to see many tables were still open at Rue Cler. I hate to say it's due to the demographic my family and I share. However, the obvious was apparent. They were still accepting patrons and had many open tables. I intend on sharing this experience with the manager. Don't waste your time trying to dine here! read more

A little steep on price, but exceptional food and service levels you simply don't find anymore, even at the best restaurants.

Last night was my 3rd trip to Rue Cler and the most amazing of them so far. Besides the usual excellent service and the food that I had, I found myself thinking of it as I went to sleep and again when I got up this morning...it was just such a perfect experience. The Grand Prix is a nice option and what I've gone for each time just because I like dining on something unique the only sad part I have is I won't be able to have a repeat of last night's meal again. Many people have had Fois Gras( a special) but I had always wanted to try it but not been sure of it... I am so happy I went out on a limb. It was so delicious. The rest of my meal was from the grand prix, there was this salad of sweet pickled strawberries and beats with feta, then Morrell mushroom served with this perfect fried egg.(I am still working how perfect that egg was, none of the normal lacing at the edges) and the way the flavors blended - there's such an art to designing meals that include flavors that just bring each other out like that. Lastly it was duck breast with apricots and olives. I'm not an olive guy. But these were delicious and mild. However un pitted which made them less enjoyable to eat at a restaurant. They were the one downside to my whole meal as I felt they were uncomfortable to work with to small and tight to cut and use easily and who wants the grotesque moment of having to spit out the a pit at dinner. The one other part that I still am unsure of is tipping there's an 18% gratuity included which was explained as being shared with the kitchen and that as my additional gratuity is split with the front house. 30 years ago I had to tip my bar and others from my tips. I'm unsure if that is what is meant or exactly how tip distribution works but wanting my waiter tipped I felt obligated to leave an equally larger sized tip for the front of the house. While I don't regret it I just felt it was very unclear on how the tips are distributed and made me feel obligated and uncomfortable not to add additional money. read more

Made it back to Rue Cler for the first time since covid. Cozy interior, friendly and good service. Escargot were interesting...but we prefer the classic garlic and butter sauce. Same with the Onion Soup, it was a little different than usual, and we enjoy the classic more. The mains were the highlight, Coq au Vin was delicious, the best I've had outside of France. Duck breast was also very good. We enjoyed the begnets, very light, tasty and served warm. Profiteroles also delicious. Nice selection of French wines as well. read more

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This is our first time at Rue Cler in Durham. We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day on the 15th and hubby and I were looking forward to this. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, especially on the wines. We were very happy with his recommendations! It's a bit confusing as to how to order since there are specials (without prices) listed on a board, a menu with a 3 course Prix Fixe, area and a couple of areas also on the menu listed with a la carte items. The price for Prix Fixe was $79 instead of $69 listed on their website (I know menu and prices are subject to change), so not a big deal. But if you don't read small print then be prepared. I wasn't sure how the pricing would be for mine. I went with the potato leek soup listed on the Prix Fixe (minus chives, not an allergy just don't prefer them) and opted for a la carte salmon "cutlets" with bernaise, haricoverts and potatoes. My husband ordered 1/2 dozen oysters and then chose the potato leek soup, beet risotto and lamb shanks from the Prix Fixe menu. While we waited, we were given cute, small, crisp, flavorful cheesy profiteroles. We got a generous portion of delicately flavored, light soup and the wine pairing suggested was perfect. Hubby didn't get his oysters delivered or the risotto. The next course out were our main dishes. We reminded our waiter and he checked his book and apologized because it had gotten somehow lost between him and the kitchen. We said, "forget the oysters" and he comped us the risotto and our second glasses of wine. Our dinners were plenty generous and I took half of mine home. I was slightly disappointed in my salmon as it was too salty for me (it was the top portion they seared), and the bernaise had lots of finely diced chives. I pushed off the bernaise with chives and dug into the remainder. Not the best salmon as it was a little dry (thin portions). Hubby's lamb shank was quite flavorful. Overall, a good outing but not as good as I had expected. Will give them a try again. read more

Dinner at this downtown Durham spot before a show at DPAC. Service outstanding, food good. It's a storefront restaurant with about 12 tables spaced in a square dining room. A bar at the front with 4 or 5 seats, a few small tables along the window and a scattering of 2 and 4-tops towards the back. There's a separate room to one side; not being seated on this night. Reservations were honored to the minute. Proof of vaccine and masks are required. THANK YOU for protecting our safety and that of your staff. Shout out to our server Emma who executed the meal flawlessly, with great descriptions of the menu and daily specials and a wine recommendation, all with a smile and good humor. Began with onion soup. This is a small crock of traditionally prepared onion soup - hearty broth brimming with onions, a slice of floating crusty bread and scrumptious cheese melted on top. It was just as you would expect, with a little tang to the broth from the sherry. TBH, peeling the melted cheese off the rim of the crock is the best part of eating French onion soup. One of the daily specials was Hachis Parmentier. Something I've never tried and it sounded delicious. Essentially it's a french-style shepherd's pie. Layers of mashed potato and ground beef, topped with cheese and baked to golden, crispy brown. Not sure which spices are used, but it's a unique and earthy taste and texture. Definitely comfort food and very tasty. Also tried Steak Frites. I was a little disappointed on this one. Rue Cler's version is a NY Strip steak, seasoned and broiled, served with pomme frites (french fries). The steak was masterfully prepared, medium rare just as ordered and seasoned perfectly to enhance the flavor of the beef without overpowering. Fries were outstanding - thin, extra crispy. When I've had Steak Frites in the past, the beef is usually served sliced; not the case here. Somehow, cutting into a full Strip steak felt more like Outback than French Cafe. All that said, it is a delicious steak, and well prepared. End the meal with crème brûlée. Another classic prep, a ramekin of creamy, rich custard topped with crunchy crystalized sugar, adorned with a dollop of whipped cream, a shake of powered sugar and a halved strawberry. As good as any crème brûlée I've ever had. Nothing unique, but still delicious. The menu changes monthly, with lots of interesting daily specials. A return trip is already being planned. read more

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Had a wonderful meal here!! I had the steak and fries and friends had duck. all meals were delicious as well as the bread served before meal. our waiter and assortive staff were very attentive and a wealth of knowledge about each and every dish as well as the wine selection read more

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted as friends and they managed to find us a table less than an hour before closing. Delightful small, provencale nook. It is the best authentic French nouvelle cuisine we've had in the US! Each course more delicious than the one before. Scallops perfectly sauteed! Amazing wine selection with spot-on recommendation. We stumbled upon this and we will return! read more

I had high expectations because of the raving reviews. But the steak was overcooked ( we ordered medium well but it was well done), dry, and very salty. Lamb shank was almost cold when it was brought to us. Did enjoy the Froi gras. Then there's a mistake with the check and got very confusing. Overall experience was being rushed. read more

Did someone say Sazerac? The green fairy beckons whenever I do French. Lol This Yelp steer was so "on the money" that we ate here twice in one day -- once for brunch and again for a late dinner with our son. Parisienne quality bistro dining in Durham. Who would have thunk it? If you enjoy steak/frites with classically prepared béarnaise -- and the crispiest and lightest beignets you have ever eaten -- this is your kind of place. On food alone -- every bit of 5 stars worth. My brunch was a 6 oz skirt steak -- perfectly medium rare -- fork tender -- with crispy thin cut frites. Add 2 eggs up -- NOLA quality beignets and a big basket of warm baguettes -- and you have enough for two hours of fine gustatory amusement. Sweetie ate a delicious Croque Madame -- for brunch -- basically a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with sunny side up eggs and sauce béarnaise. Perfectly executed in every respect. Dinner was more adventurous. We mixed and matched the prix fixe menu with specials. No problem doing so here. Among our dinner favorites: My veal sweetbreads special over celery root and an apple tart tatin in a Madeira sauce was spectacular. A memorable symphony of sweet and savory flavor and a silky/crunchy texture in every bite. Equally delicious was the lamb shank -- tender inside but thoughtfully roasted to a thin bark like texture outside -- seasoned professionally -- not stewed to death like some Mediterranean versions of this dish that I have eaten. Escargots were roasted in a mushroom garlic purée -- a riff on a Burgundy classic and addictive -- with toasted baguette rounds to mop. We ate 2 orders. :) A shared creme brûlée was perfectly charred on top -- but the custard was a bit watery. Espresso was sweet and delicious -- straight up. Drinks wise -- I indulged in a Sazerac at both seatings -- it was classically prepared. You know that the mixologist is on their game when a cocktail that requires some skill is identically prepared every time. Nice. And so far as wine goes - this bistro has collected many years of Wine Spectator awards (including for 2019) to go hand in glove with its 13 year stellar culinary run in Durham. We drank a delicious Reserve red Burgundy (Pinot Noir) which was very reasonably priced. Service was professional and courteous at brunch (thank you Isatu) but a different crew at dinner was a bit aloof and confused with our reservations and gave away our reserved table to walk-ins moments before we arrived. In the end this wrinkle was ironed out behind minor wrangling with the hostess -- and for our troubles we dined at the largest and best corner table in the house. All good. If you want a taste of Paris in Durham -- don't miss Rue Cler. Well worth a taste any time of day. Top Tip: Reservations are easy on Yelp. Covered parking available across the street which is free after 5pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. read more

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I have not received such impeccable service as with Rue Cler! We enjoyed the most amazing meal with Jordan as our server! This is one of the most thoughtful chef's menus! The pate was so good we ordered another helping! My duck was perfectly cooked, which is often a struggle for eateries to get right. I could have eaten a whole bowl of their fava beans that accompany the lamb, which was super yummy. Bar area was cool as well as the detail in the handcrafted cocktails. The vibe is cool; nothing pretentious about it. Overhead music was also a vibe Roy Ayers, etc. classically French with a modern touch! Get here! read more

We called about 8:40pm to confirm closing time. They said they seat until 9pm. We arrived and waited briefly while they cleaned a table. The entire evening I could have been in France- seriously- we were never rushed. It was all about the dining experience. This restaurant is going in my permanent rotation. Ok onto the food... We started with the best escargot I have ever had. It was mushroom based. I could have done that with 1/2 baguette and been done. Unbelievable!!! Next they brought an asparagus salad that we didn't order- they joked it was because of how specific our directions were for cooking the steak frites. We had a small green salad after to cleanse the palate and be healthy. My friend loved it. I liked it too but more vinegar that I usually use. I had the roast chicken and it was incredible. Crispy skin and juicy meat. The potatoes on the side were perfectly cooked. My friend enjoyed his steak frites. There were lots of frites- enough to share! We ended with profiteroles that I will dream about and compare every future profiterole to. Service was very attentive. The manager Ian took special care of us. He was extremely knowledgeable about wine and interesting to talk to. read more

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Wow! Rue Cler has been my favorite restaurant in Durham so far! My fiance and I celebrated our anniversary here this past week. Atmosphere - I loved the decorations, music, everything about the interior of the restaurant. Everything truly makes you forget that you're still in Durham and feel like you're in Paris instead. Service - 5/5! Our server Elise knew the details of each details and provided helpful recommendations. She was welcoming and struck the perfect balance between attentiveness and non-intrusiveness. I also loved that dessert was brought out by the chef himself, who mentioned that he could tell that we loved the food because all the plates came back spotless! Drinks - I ordered the Green Rose. All the ingredients tasted so fresh and distinct, and were very well-balanced! The star of the show was still the gin, but it was accompanied very well by the brightness of curacao and a hint of licorice from the absenthe. Appetizers - savory beignets (recommended by our server) and escargot Entrees - coq au vin and the duck breast. Dessert - creme brulee Our favorites were the beignets (which come with a olive tapande - a welcome deviation from the typical sweet beignets you can find in New Orleans), the duck breast (so tender, and paired so well with the sauce! reminiscent of a cassoulet but elevated for a high end restaurant experience instead of French countryside homecooking). Pictures attached for some of the dishes. read more

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Made reservations through Resy and requested a high top. At the restaurant, we ended up seated to a completely different table. When my husband, very politely asked the host if we can get a high top (two were empty, and one stayed empty until we left), this young man (early 20s) was so rude. Rude, crass and dismissive. Not only that but both bartender and the manager saw how he responded and did absolutely nothing. Service was terrible. My husband received his appetizer and I just started at him while waiting 1 hour for mine. Food was mediocre. Also the final check includes 18% percent tax, which given the service we have received and how the host behaved, was a rip off. I will not go back and I would have left if it wasn't for my husband who insisted we stay. read more

Note: This review is based only on the leftover fries my spouse brought home yesterday. Rue Cler is serving the best fries in Durham. A cross-sectional size between QueenBurger's (thinner) and Blue Note's /Bull City Burger's dirty fries (thicker). Rue used to be neck-and-neck with the frites from Vin Rouge, and about the same size. They've made a change - The fries brought to me last night were slightly larger. Probably 90 minutes out of the fryer, no longer hot. Normally I'd put them into the oven for a re-crisp. These didn't need it. Ate every last fry in that takeout box. One would have to assume they're even better hot. I don't know what exactly they're doing to make them so good. Maybe they fry them in unicorn fat. Clearly, they're putting in extra effort. The effort is paying off. These fries are incredible. No notes. Congrats on the achievement. Yeah, my spouse said the duck was excellent. And my teen's steak was so satisfying they couldn't finish the fries. My other teen went on about the freshly reheated mini baguettes. I've enjoyed many a martini there. Rue is not a one-trick pony, and it's pricier than a burger joint. Fries can't be the reason to dine at a French restaurant, and Rue gives you plenty of other reasons to visit. But on the top of that list? - Those fries. read more

Doesn't look much from the outside, but the inside was nice. Nice set up, nice people, nice aesthetic. The service was good, but what it lacked was knowledge and communication of the menu. We had to ask over five times how the menu worked. They really made it an experience but it was over the top. It became complicated and difficult. We asked for a steak sauce and they said they didn't carry any, so we asked for something similar, and they gave us ketchup! $215 for 4 drinks, steak frites, beignets, salmon, and one rack of ribs. Whiskey sour was not it. Espresso martini was flat. Cranberry vodka was alright. And they didn't have any straws or paper straws. Steak was a regular slab of steak. With a ton of fries. Salmon was three small slices. Pretty tasty and good. And string beans. Beignets were not beignets. We have traveled and lived in French Quarter of New Orleans. And maybe it's just different, but the beignets were like pillsbury dough from the store dropped in fryer. Overall, it wasn't worth it for us. . read more

Rue Cler - don't even know - French Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Solid, well executed, delicious food every time. I have been coming to this place since 2007. Chefs have changed over years, I guess the owners, too, but quality has never dropped. Also hands down the best wine list in the whole triangle area. Don't expect a 500-wine long list, but a short, supremely curated one. read more

It's been a while since I had French for brunch, so we looked up Yelp! and found this gem in Downtown Durham. We made a reservation thru the Yelp! App. This place is pretty spacious with two more dining rooms behind the bar. We started with a dozen beignets, coffee, Bloody Mary and beer. What a great combination to start your weekend! Beer selection was great! I had a Kölsch and a tripel by myself. As for entrées, I mean, Plats Principal, we ordered Duck Confit Crêpe and Moules-Frites. They were both amazing. Now this makes me want to try their dinner specials. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. read more

My partner and I were in Durham for business and an acquaintance from the Durham area recommended Rue Cler. I cannot thank her enough. We do not eat away from home very often and, except for this instance, have never eaten twice in the same restaraunt on a trip. The food and service were incredible. Over two nights we had three course the prix fixe meal ($59) and tasted two a la carte appetizers (raw oysters and escargot), three salad course, four appetizer courses, and three entrees. After a cocktail and first course, we were full, and two thirds of the meal was ahead of us - Rue Cler servea a lot of food and it is rich, perfectly seasoned, and satisfying. If we were dining at home, we would have split the three-course meal. Every dish was a Cadillac (a quote stolen from James Lee Burke, who would have loved the meal). And they have a great wine list with reasonable prices, too. Chef Todd also works the front of the house and converses knowledgably with his patrons. If Rue Cler were in Manhattan, put linen on the tables, and doubled their prices, they would have a Michelin star. read more