Magnolia Grill

We were exited to go hear as we had heard it was a great place to eat. We bought one of the chef's cookbooks to give as a gift while we were waiting for our dinner. When the dinner came my wife's grouper was not fully cooked. It took them 20 minutes to come ask how our food was, by then we had to leave as we had a babysitter. We will never go there again and we recommend against it to everyone. The waiter was rude to us, would not take the improperly cooked fish off our bill etc. Go to Michael Deans instead, great service and wonderful food that is not so overpriced. Pros: Reputation Cons: Slow Service, bad waiter, crowded more

It doesn't matter how good the food is, it doesn't matter how much it costs. The service is abominable. And not just slow--it's the attitude that hits you in the face when you walk in. Don't these people realize that paying customers vote with their feet? I'll never be back, nor will I recommend Magnolia Grill to anyone else ever again. What a disappointment! Pros: food is good, lovely napery, wine list Cons: attitude of staff, LOUD, overpriced more

Attitude such as this wouldn't last 3 days in a bigger city. The aura of self-annointed greatness permeates this establishment; if only the food were so worthy. The entrees were murky, the desserts were unbalanced. We requested to please be in the non-smoking section; this evidently was highly irregular for those without reservations. However, a favor was granted, and we were reminded of their benificence. Go to Nana's for the best food in Durham - without the overflow of self regard. Pros: Location, Fire exits Cons: attitude, food, atmosphere more

Since moving to the area the 'Magnolia Grill' has always been mentioned as the place to go for great food, excellent service and a gourmet ambiance. We finally got there and from the time we sat down until our dinner (and appetizers) were served it took 1 hour and 45 minutes. The reason, so we were told, was that we had ordered our appetizers and our dinner at the same time and since we missed the ordering window they delayed until the next cycle without a notification of any kind. Then the manager was offended when we left a small tip. He should have thanked us for leaving anything. This was a very disappointing experience but with better customer service, more organization and some attention to the little things this may eventualy be a place where you would actually want to spend too much money. Cons: Too much good press more

Ok. I will admit that the food is quite good at Magnolia Grill. The thing that my wife and I can't get over is the lighting. We even like the concept that it is located in an old neighborhood grocer. Lose the flourescent lighting (both the indirect lighting around the room and from the kitchen), add some halogens, candles, etc and the ambiance would match the food. As it stands, the overall dining experience doesn't justify the price. Four Square provides a similar complexity and innovation on the menu with an incredibly classic ambience. No complaints on the service, but try to get a table in the dining area. Dining in the bar area just exaggerates the effect of the poor lighting. Pros: innovative menu, complex dishes Cons: lighting, overall ambience more

I read several poor reviews, citing a snotty, rude wait staff. DON'T BELIEVE IT!!! We found the wait staff to be courteous and helpful. Keep in mind, eating at this restaurant is an event. Don't expect to be in and out in an hour. It was obvious that the food was prepared with great care, and dinner is served very leisurely. This might explain why some people felt the service was poor. The food was outstanding, and while it was too pricey for me to patron once a week, for a special occassion, it's worth every penny. Pros: delicious, romantic Cons: poor parking more

My husband and I attempted to get a table at the Magnolia Grill with our sleeping 6 month old and were told they had ""no room for strollers"" and that the two of us could sit in the bar if we like. This statement was ludricrous as ur stroller would take up no more room than a third guest. What the rude and hostile host meant to say was ""we don't allow babies in our restaurant"". We went down the street to Vin Rouge and were welcomed in with our stroller and, as usual, our daughter slept through dinner and did not bother any customers. We will never again try to eat at the Magnolia Grill. Cons: Rude host, bad customer service more

Ok, this restaurant is one of the priciest I have ever been to, but to celebrate the occasion of my girlfriends birthday it was definately worth it. The food was AMAZING and the service was a good pace. If you yourself are not snobby nor standoffish than you will see that the praise received by this restaurant from Food & Wine magazine was well deserved. Don't expect your $ to get you something you don't deserve, like kudos for willing to spend it. Relax, enjoy, and savor the food and wine. more

Spoke very sarcastically to me on the phone when calling for reservations. If their attitude is a taste of the food, I'll never eat there. Rude people to a prospective guest is not called for. No restaurant is that great to disrespect a customer. When I walked in to eat several days later, the food was cold the service was rushed and in a hurry. I think they bit off more than they can chew. The guest like this place because of the location and environment, but my opinion is, quality of service and attitude are key to the way the food taste and the time it takes to serve it. At least let the guest know if you are delayed or rushed, don't just brush by them... Pros: location, environment at Duke Cons: poor service, poor attitude more

While the idea of simplicity in taste and ingredients is generally a sound dotrine by which to cook and eat, the chef at Magnolia Grill uses dozens of ingredients within a single dish to great success. All the flavors are present without quarrel; none are superfluous. I had never previously enjoyed an oyster, yet for some whimsical reason I ordered them here: a lightly fried concotion with a magical, melting center. For desert, a menchago cheese-filled turnover, which I had with calvados. more

My fiancee and I had an amazing meal, and a complete experience. Every member of the staff had a smile for us, and offered excellent advice on the menu. Every course, from appetizer to salad to entree, to dessert and coffee was perfectly timed and delicious. You can't go wrong here -- we now make a trip here a reward for recent accomplishments. more

I've had the filet here 3 times now and twice it was incredible, the other time it was good. I had the same experience with the desserts, and appetizers. Twice they were awesome, and the other time they were good. The service is good, but not outstanding, the decor is of a similar level, and the prices are high. There's only one reason to go to this restaurant, and that's for the food. From personal experience 2/3 times I had two of my top 10 meals there. Pros: Food, Food, Food Cons: Price, need reservations more

My husband and I went here for our anniversary---had heard about it but never ventured.0 Excellent food. Good Service. Best we've had around. Complex tastes--with every penny. more

The food continues to be sublime: the depth of flavors are unsurpassed, and the combinations are inspiring. The room always enjoys a tangible sense of vibrancy, and the service is impeccable. Day in and out, the Grill remains one of the select few best restaurants that I have eaten in on this continent and abroad. Pros: Attentive service, The food is amazing, Interesting wine list more

The Magnolia Grill continues to maintain its hold on the hearts and stomachs of the New South. Despite being lauded nationally for its cuisine, Magnolia Grill has remained below the radar of the ordinary Triangle foodie. It's neighborhood ambiance and subtle touches deserve more attention from those outside of the Durham-scene. Exceptional creation and presentation of the food is muted only by the slow (and ocassionally aloof) service... hardly an ""aw schucks"" attitude, by a waitstaff that has forgotten the roots of the food and the two brilliant chefs that originally created it. The Barkers clearly have created an establishment of Southern sophistication that should be experienced by all. Pros: Food Quality, Chef Vision, Nationally Awarded Cons: Lacksidasical Service more

Food was decent but overpriced. Waitstaff was absolutely obnoxious. We felt like intruders on their sacred domain. Between the snobby and slow service and very loud room, we won't be back. I can get good food and good service at enough other places that I don't need MG. Pros: decent food, nice artwork Cons: loud, snobby, poor service more

Simply outstanding in every regard -- food, service and decor. The only true fine dining option in Durham. more

and visit one of the great eateries nearby: Cafe Parizade, Pop's, or Taverna Nikos. MGs food IS delicious - what there is of it. No side dishes to confuse the palate here! Wines by the bottle and desserts are the standouts. Service was fair. Atmosphere: crowded, noisy. Price: wines & desserts, very good; appetizers, good. Entrees high: $25 for a 3oz.(pre-cooked weight) portion of fish. MG has potential, but a great restaurant has to all the marks to be truly outstanding. Pros: might impress in-laws, you can dress up, great wine list Cons: over-priced, small portions, noisy more

This rating is specifically for the Chef/Owner.\r What a horrible way to treat a customer who has been coming to his restaurant for 10 years.\r The food has always been wonderful and the service great.\r While the service was still great and the food that I ate was delicious...\r My entree was OVERCOOKED on one side. Med-Rare for one 1/2 and Med-WELL \r for the 2nd half. And the Med-Well half was cut side down as if to hide that it was cook\r improperly. The chef refused to do anything about it. The waitress took it back to the chef\r 2x and then the manager got involved. I didn't want anything for free. I just wanted to enjoy ALL of my dinner. Well, I didn't get the rest of my dinner. And we left without getting dessert. I was very sad and disappointed. \r \r A place like outback would have taken an improperly prepared steak back and given the customer\r what he/she ordered.\r \r Here are some quotes from the chef/owner - \r \r ""Our philosophy has always been based on a foundation of the best available ingredients, carefully prepared and served without pretension.""\r \r ""We love people who love food and wine and know what it feels like to work in an environment where that is most important.""\r \r Apparently, my entree was not carefully prepared and on this night, we were in an environment where the food was NOT one of the most important things.\r \r We well not be returning. Such a shame. Pros: Great Waitstaff Cons: Chef/Owner has no sense of pride or care for what he serves. Poor attitude toward customers. Obviously has a superiority complex. more

Culinary grad and international traveller took our chances. Location is an old brick storefront with peeling paint and a weathered sign. Interior is a patchy remodel with loud but uninteresting art, and strings of hot pepper lights. Hostess (owner) was rude to say the least. Service otherwise was acceptable.. waitstaff was efficient and friendly but didn't know the menu. Fois gras was perfect but everything else missed the mark: grainy soup, overdone shrimp, deceptive descriptions (potato straws= hashbrowns), and odd combinations (dry, faintly chocolate cake with jalapeno slices). You get the picture. If you have a wad of money and are looking to impress an uneducated palate.. this is your place. Those that demand perfection for 160 without wine should head to Fin's, Butterfly, or Four Square. This restaurant isn't an exploration in flavour, its a culinary experiment gone awry! Pros: imaginitive menu Cons: quite expensive, sketchy food quality, inconsistent service more