I'm writing about the Hibernian in North Raleigh (couldn't locate it in Citysearch, maybe b/c it's not quite a month old). It's so very cool inside... mahogany wood, booths set in like little cozy coves, a library, details in architecture everywhere, little nook-knacks everywhere... A+ for ambiance. Friendly waiters (not hostess). However... they are like Nazi's when they seat you. I've been there four times, and each time, I wait at least 15 minutes, despite the fact that there are PLENTY of empty tables. They say their kitchen can't handle it. Ahhh... get a better cook? I'm *dying* to sit in the library, just once before I die, but I'm not allowed, for some reason. Makes me feel like I'm not good enough. Being older, they tried to seat me on this little round stool two feet from the ground, no back support; I would be in agony. Customers have no rights about where they're seated, even if you request an empty table. The seats dig into your hips. They ALWAYS seat me in the ""yellow"" room in back where it's so very loud. All this, IF (and big IF) you can find parking. I got the last parking space available on a Tuesday at 1:00!\r
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I love the outdoor seating but I am never allowed to sit there.\r
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Be prepare to wait a looooong time for your food. Bangers and mash taste plain, with mushy flavorless bangers/sausages. With the corned beef and cabbage, the thick corned beef was tough and grizzly, and the cabbage has a funny taste. The Reuben sandwich was excellent. I substitute coleslaw instead of sauerkraut, b/c sauerkraut makes me puke. Just sayin'... \r
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I miss Duffy's, where I went about 3 times a month, at least. (I'm having she-crab soup withdraws). Due to parking and seating and waits, I may come here 3 times a year. While it looks nice, it's just too uncomfortable. And LOUD!\r
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To their benefit, they're only a month old, so maybe they'll get their act together with the too-narrow chairs, acoustics, seating arrangements, and parking.
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