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Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern

4.4 (728 reviews)
PriceyNew American, Bars
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern Photos

SECOND EMPIRE RESTAURANT AND TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Romantic
Classy
Upscale
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern

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Lychee martini
Christine W.

The food was okay, a tad salty but the waitstaff instantly offered to remake the dish. I didn't want to ask them to do that, though, bc otherwise food would be thrown out. The service stood out to me most. The ambiance was nice, although the lighting was pink. Overall it was a positive experience; their raw oysters were tasty and the chicken was good.

Mocktail with ginger beer
Hayley P.

My partner and I came here to celebrate our 8 year anniversary. I had been once before, probably a decade ago, and this was his first time. I encourage making a reservation here - they are busy and it is in a refurbished historic house. They do have tons of seating but on a typical weekend, they seem to have little walk-in space. We came on a Saturday evening at 6:30pm. We were sat and greeted by our servers - there were three that helped us. After letting us know all of the specials for the evening, I ordered the salted maple Old Fashioned and my partner ordered a mocktail. They had a whole separate mocktail menu. I don't recall the names of the mocktails he ordered but they were delightful with the second one, which had ginger beer in it, our favorite. My old fashioned was so delightful I ordered a second one. For the first course, I ordered the Duck Confit & Tofu Steak Salad. While this was delicious, calling it a salad is a bit of a stretch. The portion is small but delightful. My partner got the Empire Crispy Local Lettuce Salad, which was your standard salad though with nothing that stood out to me. For our entrees, I got the Pan Roasted Sea Scallops and my partner got the special of the day, which was a filet mignon dish with Johnston County collard greens. I remember getting the sea scallops the one time I came before and these absolutely lived up to what I remember. My partner thorough enjoyed his meal as well. For dessert, I got the creme brulee and he got the empire chocolate souffle. Both were absolutely delicious and a perfect way to top off our dinner. We enjoyed our meal as the snow started to fall, which was a lovely sight while we were tucked away warm inside. Overall, this is an award-winning spot in the Triangle. It is definitely worth a stop in whether you're visiting the area or you're a local.

Bavarian cake
Jennie N.

Maybe it was the time of day that we went (-8pm) but it was alright. The food tasted good but it was definitely cold/lukewarm. I think we looked past that since the food did taste good. I 100% believe it couldve been better. The chocolate apricot cake was disappointing. Not just bc it was a 'fine dining' restaurant but in general this cake was pretty dry and lacked flavor. However the bavarian cake was wonderful. Our server was nice - he was very fast paced and didnt spend too much time with us which was fine. Our water glasses were never empty so i will say the service is pretty great. We were definitely taken care of but nothing that gave "out of our way" experience. It may have been bc it was the end of the night I appreciated how they decorated - it really is a beautiful home. Just wish we enjoyed the food more.

Grilled Beeler Farm's Pork Rib Chop
Kristinne B.

We booked our anniversary dinner here, and from the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted and well taken care of. For starters, we had a crispy point Judith calamari and the crispy Beeler farms, braised pork belly. The pork belly was definitely the star- it literally melted in our mouth and was packed with so much flavor we couldn't get enough. For our entrees, we ordered the grilled beeler farms pork rack chop & the Roasted Australian lamb rack. The pork chop paired perfectly with the sauces- honestly, I was speechless. The lamb rack was also incredible--tender, perfectly cooked and seasoned just right. To end the night, we had a chocolate martini and crème brûlée for dessert, and both were absolutely superb. Everything from start to finish was amazing. Will definitely be coming back to try more dishes highly recommend this place.

Tavern Area
Trista W.

Hands down, this place is easily one of the best fine dining establishments I've encountered! We had drinks in the tavern, then dinner in the atrium. We opted for the Pepsi Pork Belly to share. I got the special filet mignon and husband got the rack of lamb. For dessert, well, I knew I had to do soufflé! ALWAYS DO SOUFFLÉ IF GIVEN THE OPTION! Husband got something tasty, but he's asleep now and I can't recall what it was. But he loved it! Seriously, EXCELLENT service. Wonderful fellow patrons (sigh of relief), and just... such a wonderful way to spend our 11th wedding anniversary this evening. Thank you to the whole team for being the epitome of professional and providing exquisite service. Thank you chef and kitchen for giving it your all. I know it's stressful back there! Proud of you! Michelin, wake up! You're sleeping on this one. Also, if you've made it this far.... And you happen to travel to San Diego. Check out Born & Raised--on the same vibe wavelength, IMO. Superb!

Charcuterie board
Amy P.

If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would! We were greeted so kindly upon arrival and seated right away in a lovely spot. Our waitress--who's only been there a year--served us with the kind of grace and expertise you'd expect from someone with decades in fine dining. I truly feel terrible for not remembering her name!!! As someone with celiac, I'm used to limited options. But every single thing here can be made gluten-free--and not just safe, but spectacular. My son treated me to a fancy dinner, and it was honestly the best I've ever had. We started with a gorgeous charcuterie tray featuring duck and artisan cheeses with GF bread, then foie gras, followed by a filet for me and lamb chops for my son--both were phenomenal. We split two desserts to top it off. From start to finish, every bite was perfection. The prices are what you'd expect from an upscale experience--but the portion sizes are surprisingly generous. Make a reservation--whether downstairs or upstairs--so you can take in every moment of this exquisite meal.

The filet dinner special, Nov 2025.
Chip R.

Bottom line: Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern delivered a wonderful meal this visit. Every part was great. The cheese board, French Onion Soup, and the night's filet special I feel deserve all five stars. Good service in a charming Victorian house atmosphere. Awesome! The Deets: I've not experienced Second Empire in such a very long time, so when some friends/coworkers suggested we hit Second Empire after work recently then I was all in. Set in a large Victorian era house in DTR, it is beautiful as well as charming inside and out. We decided to hang in the tavern/bar area downstairs for dinner as we did not have reservations for the night. After a surprisingly minimal wait, we were guided to one of the side wall seating areas in the tavern area where you can also order/enjoy dinner. They have a great menu of beers, wines, cocktails, and mocktails to enjoy pre-meal. I went with the Sweet Tart mocktail (tasting very much like the candy namesake, and very sweet indeed) and the non-alcoholic version of Bitburger beer with my meal. We all decided to share a five cheese plate to begin our meal experience and every cheese was so delicious, it was so worth it. I also chose their French Onion Soup for a first course starter as well and I have to say it was nearly perfect, I would definitely order again! Lots and lots of cheese with a perfectly seasoned (as in not overly seasoned but balanced) soup with plenty of croutons within it. For my main course, I went with their filet special that night. When it came out, it had a beautiful presentation. I asked for it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. The accompanying items gave it a wonderful profile including the sauce, hominy, potatoes, kale...just everything blended together for an amazing filet, I was very satisfied! Our server was helpful and knowledgeable, we were well taken care of during our meal. Definitely giving all the stars for this visit to Second Empire, I had a great meal!

Roasted Five Spice Pennsylvania Duck Breast*
Joey C.

A Raleigh staple with good reason. From being greeted upon entering, to leaving out the front door, the service, ambiance, and overall experience exceeded expectations. Chef Daniel Schurr has got to be one of the most talented chefs in Raleigh blending classic dishes with modern twists and flavors. From starters to desserts we enjoyed every aspect of the meal.

Scott J.

What a fun date night! My wife and I came here and had an elegant, intentionally slower dinner together. My only regret is that we didn't get to try more items on the menu. The chef definitely knows what he is doing in the kitchen. Our waitress was great! Thanks for a wonderful evening!

Foie gras on potato rosti (feature of the day)
Cindy C.

My family had a wonderful experience here to celebrate my dad's birthday a little while ago, and everything was phenomenal from the food to the service! Plus the historical charm of this building / house is just so lovely and perfect for a date night or special occasion. We arrived a bit early for our 7pm reservation so they seated us downstairs in the Tavern for a while before leading us back up to the main dining area for our table once it was ready. We got a nice and cozy corner table, and they even gifted my dad with a personalized menu from the chef for his birthday :) The 3 of us shared two starters, both of which were featured that day and were not on the printed menu -- foie gras on potato rosti and mushroom soup with bacon, Serrano ham, etc. The mushroom soup was good but what really stood out was the foie gras, which had the perfect texture that melded beautifully with the crunch of the potato rosti! For entrees, I got the sauteed Chilean sea bass, and my parents got the roasted Australian lamb rack and roasted Pennsylvania duck breast. Out of these three, my favorite would be the sea bass -- the fish was tender and light, and flavor of the sauce was so delicious. The duck breast was also a hit while the lamb might have been the least favorite (though that doesn't mean it was bad per se). Finally, we ended the night with dessert, and we got the key lime pie and the vanilla & chocolate wafer pudding pie. Both were fantastic and it was great to have a more chocolate-y dessert along with a fruity / tart dessert! The slices also aren't too big which was nice, since we were all very full by this point.

Spiced Duck Breast
Juliet M.

Such a grand anniversary experience! The restaurant feels elegant yet cozy. The hospitality and menu knowledge of the staff was top notch. We felt welcomed and taken care of. The duck and the grouper entrees were delicious. The chef had a unique and intentional interpretation of these dishes that I'd come back for again and again!

Stir fry customized just for me!
David M.

I loved everything about dinner at Second Empire. Several colleagues and I were closing out an offsite in Raleigh and we dined at Second Empire on the final night of our meetings. The Second Empire experience begins upon entry into the the late 19th century building -- a former residence -- in which the restaurant is located. My party started with cocktails in the tavern, a warm, dark, mostly subterranean room that only would have been made more enchanting had there been a fireplace. Still, as we sipped and decompressed from an intense week, the space was a perfect place to relax. When my party was complete, our server came to offer us a tour of the building. It was a delightful way to get a better understanding of the history of the space and a welcome treat. I started with the cucumber and melon medley salad, which I ordered without ham. It was a delightful blend of cucumber with various melons and feta and I found it to be a great palate cleanser. Both sweet and savory, flavorful and light, I could have turned it into an entree salad and been very happy with it. As I mentioned, I ordered my salad customized by the removal of ham, as I am a vegetarian. The menu, as presented, does not have many (if any) vegetarian options, but our server was quite helpful in offering many, many options from the menu that could be customized to suit my dietary preferences. After enjoying my salad, I moved on to my main course - a stir fry that is not on the menu but which should be. Excellent execution and flavor, the strip fry was full of seemingly every vegetable that the kitchen had on hand. It was fresh, well seasoned, and not in the very least oily. I finished my meal with an excellent slice of key lime pie. Tart, but not too tart. Sweet, but not too sweet. It was, perhaps, a bit gluttonous of me to have pie after having eaten every meal out for three days, but I am so glad that I ordered a slice and I ate it with unabashed gusto! I hope to return to Raleigh soon and will return to Second Empire!

Creme brulee
Sara N.

Came here for the first time wanting to try someplace new, the service was amazing very attentive and knoweledgable, the food was outstanding, so many different flavors everything cooked so well, the portions are actually pretty decent compared to what the pictures looked like and the cost in general was reasonable for what youre getting, definitely dont skip the cheese as an appetizer! Ambiance was pretty peaceful nice for date night or an anniversary overall great experience

Point Judith Rhode Island Crispy Calamari

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Ask the Community - Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern

Do they have high chairs?

I haven't seen any but it is an inn so I'm quite sure they would have high chairs. I would call them.

Can you accommodate vegans, I don’t see anything on the menu?

Hey Narvon, we can accommodate dietary restriciton and allergie. For vegans we can offer stir fry and pasta dishes. Everything is cooked to order so we like to find out the guests likes and dislikes so the dish is tailored to you.

Is there a cigar lounge?

Our server gave us a tour of the building prior to seating us and I did not see a cigar lounge. There was no evidence of any smoking in the establishment.

What is the dress code for Main Dining Room?

They're not going to throw you out for wearing jeans, but I'd suggest "business casual" as a minimum. Jacket not required, but not out of place, adding a tie would be a little formal.

In the restaurant, which dinning area would be best for romantic dinner for my boyfriend's birthday?

The Main Dining Room upstairs would probably be more "romantic" than The Atrium or the Tavern areas.

How is the parking situation? Do they have valet parking? I checked on the website and it says something about a pay lot across the street....but then again it has a "20th Anniversary Celebration" in October 2017 listed as an "upcoming event"!

I didn't notice any valet parking. There are two lots very close by, one across Hillsborough Street ant the other one (small) block north. Both were $6 for a Friday evening.

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Fantastic spot to grab a nice meal. It's on the more intimate side, so definitely make a…read morereservation during peak times. Was really impressed by the hospitality of the bartender Toulson (spelling?). He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and gave me detailed recommendations. -- The Hamachi Crudo was so bright and light. I really enjoyed the puffed rice on top and the basil ice complemented the dish well. The grapefruit added some nice acidity and the little crunchy bites were the perfect texture contrast. The pieces of fish were large and thick. -- The Manchego-herb Biscuits were awesome. One order comes with four small biscuits. Crust was flaky, the inside was soft and moist, and the flaky salt was the cherry on top. -- The Seared Duck Breast was phenomenal. The duck was juicy and tender and salted well. The skin was thick, sooo flavorful, and melted in your mouth but I would've liked a little more crispiness on the outside. I enjoyed the mix of fresh vegetables and warm cooked vegetables served with the dish. -- The Lemon Yuzu Tart was a nice bright and rich dessert. The tartness comes from the jam on top of the tart but it doesn't overwhelm the dish. The creme brulee style top was a nice touch. The buttermilk ice cream was more on the icier side than creamy. I really enjoyed all the dishes I tried here and am looking forward to my next visit.

Crawford and Son serves very tasty food in a modern diner atmosphere and attentive service…read more Although not a breakfast place, their famous biscuits are a great opener - so flaky and buttery with manchego cheese that adds deep, sharp flavor and a moist yumminess. I enjoyed the duck breast, with a crunch tasty dried beet topping. The duck was moist and tender and the strips were nicely roasted. For dessert, I savored the Dark Chocolate Ganache Cake. This is a rich cake with a full chocolate flavor. When I'm next in Raleigh, I plan to dine at Crawford and Son for a superb meal.

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Inside. Dining room and bar. Calm before the storm.
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Grilled Clam Toast. $16. Focaccia, nduja, chimichurri, pickled onion.
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Poole's

Poole's

4.0
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This is one of those spaces that does half the work before the food even hits the table. It used to…read morebe an old-school diner, and a lot of that DNA is still there. The bones feel nostalgic, but the overall vibe is current and lively. It's the kind of place that feels familiar but still cool. Service Service is where things really clicked. Our server knew the menu inside out and guided us through it with confidence. Every recommendation landed. It also felt like one of those menus where it would be hard to order poorly. The Food The menu leans comfort food with a modern edge, and it's done really well across the board. We started with a Caesar salad with dill pickle dressing, which sounds like it shouldn't work but absolutely does. Bright, fresh, and just different enough to be interesting without trying too hard. The beet salad was also excellent, clean flavors and well balanced. Then came the pimento cheese with fried crackers. This might have been the sleeper hit. The crackers are dangerously good. Simple idea, executed perfectly, and hard to stop eating. For mains, the fried chicken was solid but didn't stand out the same way the starters did. The short rib pot pie, on the other hand, was exactly what you want from a dish like that. Rich, flaky, and deeply comforting. Overall Poole's is the kind of place where everything feels considered, from the space to the service to the food. It's approachable, well executed, and very easy to enjoy.

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

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4.5
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0.4 mi
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Don't let the "$$$" fool you, total cost of a meal can be very reasonable. You pay for quality…read more Oysters run $3-$4 per (outside of their happy hour specials), but are top, top notch. Recommend getting oysters, sides, and apps. Great bar. Staff was excellent. Inside an old historic pawnshop, super unique surrounds.

St. Roch has been on my Raleigh dining list for a while, and after finally stopping in for happy…read morehour, I can see why it has such a loyal following. We started with 3 dozen Daily Happy Oysters, which at $9 per half dozen. The Southern Salt oysters were incredibly briny. I don't mind a salty oyster, but these crossed into overwhelmingly salty territory and masked some of the nuanced flavors I usually look for. The snacks, however, were absolutely spot on. The Crawfish Hushpuppies arrived piping hot with a crisp exterior and tender center, loaded with crawfish flavor. The Crispy Frog Legs were equally impressive--perfectly fried, wonderfully seasoned with tom yum spice and vadouvan, and paired with a Vietnamese mayo that tied everything together beautifully. To wash it all down, we enjoyed a few beers, including a crisp pilsner, a refreshing wheat beer, and a local IPA that paired nicely with the oysters and fried snacks. Service deserves a special mention. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable without being overbearing. They kept the oyster trays moving and made sure drinks never sat empty for long. Overall, St. Roch delivers a fun oyster bar experience with happy hour pricing, creative snacks, and top-notch service. If the Southern Salt oysters had been a little more balanced, this would have easily been a 5-star visit.

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Oak Steakhouse

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4.4
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0.2 mi
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I went here with a group of friends as a part of our Father's Day weekend, and it was a very good…read morechoice. The restaurant is very well decorated and appointed. The service was top notch as well. All of the wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable of the menu, and took care of our large group well. I started with the Old Fashioned Flight, with their Aged Old Fashioned, one with Old Forester 1920, and one with Buffalo Trace that they said was their restaurants pick. The first 2 were really good, but I think they gave me the wrong drink, because the one with BT didn't taste like it had any bourbon in it at all. But the waiter switched it out for me with a Tequila OF, which was really good. They brought out two salads for the table, and their Cesar Salad was really good, the dressing was so good. I ordered the Australian Lamb Chops, which were amazing. Simply seasoned, but done so well. I ordered a side of Chimichurri sauce, and it was not needed at all. My wife had the meatloaf, which was delicious, and the group all enjoyed their meals and drinks. We left full and happy. I definitely recommend you add this place to you list if you've never been.

We're new to the area and have now visited Oak Steakhouse twice. Both visits were wonderful overall…read moreand we'll definitely keep coming back. The restaurant is beautiful, cozy, and comfortable, and the hosts and servers have been excellent every time. We made reservations once through OpenTable and once by phone -- both were easy, and reservations are probably a good idea since they stay busy. The food has been great both times. On our first visit, my husband and I shared the ribeye and loved the flavor. Their Caesar salad is also surprisingly unique and delicious with broccolini instead of a traditional Caesar style. I also really appreciated being able to order a single Rockefeller oyster since most places require a half dozen minimum. The second time we visited for an early Mother's Day dinner with my son and shared the off-menu tomahawk, which was excellent as well. The only consistent issue we've had has been steak temperature. We usually order medium, but their interpretation of medium has come out significantly more rare than expected. The first time, we had to send the steak back, and they asked us to identify only the undercooked portions to recook separately, which was a bit awkward and something we hadn't experienced before at a steakhouse. The second time, we tried being more specific and even requested an approximate temperature around 140°, but the steak came out closer to medium-well. That said, the flavors, atmosphere, and service have been so enjoyable that we'll absolutely keep coming back. We're just hoping we can eventually land on the perfect medium steak on a future visit.

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4.1
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0.3 mi
•$$$

Wow, this might be one of the best restaurants in Raleigh! I stopped in for a business dinner and…read morewas really excited to finally try one of Ashley Christensen's restaurants. Parking can be a bit challenging as you'll either need to find street parking or in a open lot near by. The restaurant itself is located in a historic building that once was a funeral home and also was also a tax practice in a different chapter. The restaurant feels very upscale but there isn't a strict dress code. The kitchen is open as well if yo prefer to sit along the kitchen and watch the chefs cook. When you order you'll have to place everything at the same time but they'll pace it out to your table. For drinks, I ordered the In Gold Blood (Bourbon, amaro, Fino sherry, banana, golden raisin) and the head in the clouds (Vodka, Falernum, strawberry, pistachio). Both drinks were excellent and extremely easy to drink. You'll definitely want to start with the sourdough bread, NC Oysters (Roasted NC oysters, chili butter, preserved lemon gremolata), and fried NC shrimp (Fried NC shrimp, buried garlic aioli, pickled green tomatoes). All of the appetizers were excellent in their own way. The bread and butter just complemented each other so well, the oysters were well balanced and almost seared where they weren't chargrilled but partially still raw, and the fried nc shrimp has a nice contrast of flavor with the pickled green tomatoes and fried shrimp. For the entree we split the Prime-aged Delmonico (ribeye; and was served in a red wine jus, and topped with sea salt and peppercorn). The steak fell apart as you bit into it. For sides, we ordered the crispy potatoes (Crispy potatoes, Italian chili crisp, piquillo peppers) and Brussel sprouts (Embered Brussels sprouts, apples, lardon vinaigrette, almonds). The steak and potatoes were definitely my favorite. The Brussel sprouts were good but a bit on the salad side where they were still a little hard. For dessert, we ordered the cheesecake (Basque cheesecake, strawberry compote, olive oil shortbread) and the Sticky Toffee Pudding (Sticky toffee pudding, embered vanilla ice cream, benne seed brittle). The sticky toffee pudding was so warm and was excellent. The cheesecake also had a nice balance of flavor and the strawberry compote combination worked perfectly. This is by far one of my favorite meals I've had in Raleigh and you definitely need to go here if you are in the area.

It's not every day you get to dine in a former mortuary. Eating solo, I opted for a seat at the…read morebar, which turned out to be the right decision. While the food left me somewhat underwhelmed, the cocktails were exceptional, among the best I've had in recent memory. The standout was the Over/Under, a beet-infused gin take on a Negroni. Absolutely phenomenal. The earthy beet notes were subtle but present, complementing the bitterness of the Campari, the floral qualities of the gin, and just enough sweetness to tie everything together. Every cocktail I tried was excellent, but this was the clear winner. As for the food, it never quite reached the same heights. The beef tartare was the best dish I had all evening. In fact, I found myself enjoying it more on the accompanying sourdough bread than on the rice crisps it was served with, which ultimately justified ordering the bread. The "pickled egg yolk" was an inventive twist, essentially replacing both the raw egg and cornichons found in a traditional French tartare. Clever in concept, but the pickling process seemed to sacrifice some of the creamy richness that the dish could have benefited from. The rice crisp accompaniment is also part of a trend I've noticed at several restaurants and one I'm not particularly sold on. They're usually too brittle to hold much tartare and often end up scattered across the plate. I find they work better crushed into the tartare itself than as a delivery vehicle. The oysters were the biggest disappointment of the meal. Heavily drenched in butter, they felt one-dimensional, with the lemon zest providing the only real counterbalance. To be fair, this is likely intended as a shared dish, and as a solo diner consuming the entire portion myself, the richness may have become more pronounced than intended. The gnocchi delivered deep, satisfying flavor and were impressively light, though perhaps a touch too soft for my personal preference. As I glanced over at the roast chicken being served to the couple next to me, a sense of ordering regret began to creep in. What ultimately elevates Death & Taxes is its hospitality. The service was genuinely five-star. Every dish was explained thoughtfully as it was delivered, and the bar team struck that perfect balance of attentiveness and conversation, making a solo diner feel completely welcome. Their warmth and professionalism raised this experience from a three-star meal to a four-star evening. And they are all 5 star.

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Interior
Interior
Death & Taxes
Potatoes

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Potatoes
Beasley's Chicken & Honey

Beasley's Chicken & Honey

4.2
(2.2k reviews)
0.5 mi
•$$

I can't believe this place had to close and the only reason was pure greed from the landlord. I've…read morebeen going here since 2017 but recently when they switched to gluten-free fried chicken we started going more because my girlfriend has celiac. On Wednesday's they were doing all gluten-free menu and it was amazing...no crazy unreasonable upcharges, just honest menu pricing and great food. As of this review they are the #2 most reviewed place in Raleigh only behind the Pit. When we went last week for a farewell dinner it took us 3 weeks to get in. We got turned away 2 other times. The place was always packed and busy yet cozy and calm with great service. Hopefully they relocate or put some of the items from the menu at Pooles. Fuquay could use a nice place like this and it would be way cheaper than Raleigh! Best of luck to the staff in the future as they all look for work.

I went back to Beasley's Chicken & Honey one last time as they close January 25th. Even on a cold,…read morerainy morning, there was a line outside before opening. I understand as if you aren't seated when they open, you can expect a 90-minute to two-hour wait. I was hoping to get the Chicken Pot Pie this time and thought my prior visit was just off. I was thrilled that most of the menu was available. They were just out of the banana pudding. So I got to try the pecan wings I read about with the white sauce. It was so good. Then I got the chicken pot pie and biscuits. The pot pie had old biscuits for the topping, but the creamy mixture with large chunks of chicken was delicious. My biscuits came with honey and were served warm. I left with a slice of the chocolate-caramel-coconut cake, a side salad without onions, and a fried boneless thigh. The salad was made correctly, and the dressing was included. The salad was full of veggies, and the cake was rich and moist. Service was friendly and as soon as I finished my iced tea, another appeared. My wings were brought out first and it was a while for the rest of the meal as the restaurant was full. But they didn't rush me at all. I actually liked the space between the dishes, as I might not have been able to eat it all otherwise. I couldn't finish both biscuits and was even provided a container for the honey. I am going to miss Beasley's, but I'm glad I got a positive experience to remember the restaurant.

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Courtesy of @NewRaleigh
Courtesy of @NewRaleigh
Chicken + Honey!
Chicken + Honey!
Beasley's Chicken & Honey

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Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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