Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern

The menu is impressive. Each time I'm there I look forward to the dishes I order. However I'm disappointed each time as they never are as impressive as they sound on the menu. They never meet my expectations. The meals aren't bad at all, just nothing much to talk about. Considering the high price, you don't get your money's worth as you can easily get a better meal somewhere else for half the price. more

I am a very picky diner, but Second Empire is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. I absolutely love the setting. It's located in an old historic-looking house. The service has always been great and attentive. The food is well-presented and simply delicious. I've never been disappointed with a meal. The chef does a really good job of blending flavors for a unique and flavorful dish. The food is pricey, but well-worth it. (I especially love the lamb and the veal). I've eaten both in the formal dining room and in the more casual downstairs. I much prefer the casual area. The formal dining room is a little too stuffy for me, which I suppose it is intended to be very formal, but I just prefer an atmosphere a little more relaxed. Overall, highly recommended! A great restaurant for a special occasion or a date. A nice, quiet atmosphere. I would not recommend for children or large groups. Pros: food, service, atmosphere Cons: none more

I am a very picky diner, but Second Empire is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. I absolutely love the setting. It's located in an old historic-looking house. The service has always been great and attentive. The food is well-presented and simply delicious. I've never been disappointed with a meal. The chef does a really good job of blending flavors for a unique and flavorful dish. The food is pricey, but well-worth it. (I especially love the lamb and the veal). I've eaten both in the formal dining room and in the more casual downstairs. I much prefer the casual area. The formal dining room is a little too stuffy for me, which I suppose it is intended to be very formal, but I just prefer an atmosphere a little more relaxed. Overall, highly recommended! A great restaurant for a special occasion or a date. A nice, quiet atmosphere. I would not recommend for children or large groups. Pros: food, service, atmosphere Cons: none more

My husband and I were looking for a place for a romantic night out just for the heck of it, not even to celebrate anything special. This place fit the bill and then some. We were 15 minutes early for our 8:30 reservation, and they were able to seat us at a great table with no problems. Our server and server's assistant were excellent in every way--as a few of the previous reviews have said, they were attentive without being too attentive, and were not uppity or snobby at all. My husband couldn't decide between two of the first courses and two of the entrees, and James, our server, was extremely knowlegable about all 4 selections and helped him choose. I am a vegetarian, and when I asked about vegetarian options (the menu states to let your server know if you have any dietary restrictions), James didn't miss a beat and gave me detailed descriptions of their vegetarian menu. We also mentioned that it was mentioned on citysearch that if you told them you found it on citysearch, dessert was free, and they were very accomodating and said "you're absolutely correct!" We would definitely come back here and recommend this place to our friends in a heartbeat. Pros: Ambience, service, delicious food Cons: none! more

My husband and I were looking for a place for a romantic night out just for the heck of it, not even to celebrate anything special. This place fit the bill and then some. We were 15 minutes early for our 8:30 reservation, and they were able to seat us at a great table with no problems. Our server and server's assistant were excellent in every way--as a few of the previous reviews have said, they were attentive without being too attentive, and were not uppity or snobby at all. My husband couldn't decide between two of the first courses and two of the entrees, and James, our server, was extremely knowlegable about all 4 selections and helped him choose. I am a vegetarian, and when I asked about vegetarian options (the menu states to let your server know if you have any dietary restrictions), James didn't miss a beat and gave me detailed descriptions of their vegetarian menu. We also mentioned that it was mentioned on citysearch that if you told them you found it on citysearch, dessert was free, and they were very accomodating and said "you're absolutely correct!" We would definitely come back here and recommend this place to our friends in a heartbeat. Pros: Ambience, service, delicious food Cons: none! more

I took my husband here to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary. I would not say that we are well travelled in fine dining, but we are making our way there slowly. I stumbled across this restaurant in citysearch and read the reviews and thought, this place sounds great to take my husband. So we went, and it was UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING! We had a great time. The service was wonderful. The food was delicious. The portions were so generous, we were stuffed before the main course got there! The ambience was perfect (The decorations were lovely and the tables were spaced perfectly!). When I called ahead to make the reservations, I let them know that this would be an anniversary dinner, and they were most accomodating (They printed us up a special menu, just for us to take home, and it was signed by the chefs of the evening. When it was time for dessert we were given a beautiful congratulations display. It was wonderful, and I'm glad to have keepsakes!). The restaurant is above and beyond anything I thought was possible in the Durham/Raleigh area. I was very pleased, and we will return (again, and again!). I already told several friends about it. As you can tell, the experience was magnificent. The wait staff was very pleasing. They were very friendly (not upitty or rude), very knowledgeable about what they were serving, and very attentive, but not too attentive that you can't have your privacy (you know what I mean). After we left, my husband and I were talking about how amazing everything was, and we were talking about our servers and how they came at the perfect time every time! It was as if they knew exactly when they were going to be needed every time! Please note, this is a special occasion restaurant. And if you are in a hurry, this is not the place for you. It is meant to really enjoy the evening, and relax, and really take in every course, and enjoy the meal with the special ones you are with! So take this knowledge and make the best of it! Enjoy! Pros: Ambience, Food, Service Cons: I didn't know about this place sooner! :-) more

I took my husband here to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary. I would not say that we are well travelled in fine dining, but we are making our way there slowly. I stumbled across this restaurant in citysearch and read the reviews and thought, this place sounds great to take my husband. So we went, and it was UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING! We had a great time. The service was wonderful. The food was delicious. The portions were so generous, we were stuffed before the main course got there! The ambience was perfect (The decorations were lovely and the tables were spaced perfectly!). When I called ahead to make the reservations, I let them know that this would be an anniversary dinner, and they were most accomodating (They printed us up a special menu, just for us to take home, and it was signed by the chefs of the evening. When it was time for dessert we were given a beautiful congratulations display. It was wonderful, and I'm glad to have keepsakes!). The restaurant is above and beyond anything I thought was possible in the Durham/Raleigh area. I was very pleased, and we will return (again, and again!). I already told several friends about it. As you can tell, the experience was magnificent. The wait staff was very pleasing. They were very friendly (not upitty or rude), very knowledgeable about what they were serving, and very attentive, but not too attentive that you can't have your privacy (you know what I mean). After we left, my husband and I were talking about how amazing everything was, and we were talking about our servers and how they came at the perfect time every time! It was as if they knew exactly when they were going to be needed every time! Please note, this is a special occasion restaurant. And if you are in a hurry, this is not the place for you. It is meant to really enjoy the evening, and relax, and really take in every course, and enjoy the meal with the special ones you are with! So take this knowledge and make the best of it! Enjoy! Pros: Ambience, Food, Service Cons: I didn't know about this place sooner! :-) more

My boyfriend proposed to me at Second Empire and it was the most wonderful experience! He set up the entire evening with the special events coordinator. I could not have asked for a more perfect night. The staff is great! They are friendly and knowledgeable! The food is complex and delicious, and if you ask to see the kitchen you can meet the cooks! The managers are attentive and knowledgeable as well. They have three parking lots, I never have a problem finding a spot. We even got a chance to meet the owner's. This restaurant is top notch, and you are missing out if you do not try it!!!!!! Pros: Service, Food, Quality Cons: Closed on Sundays more

My boyfriend proposed to me at Second Empire and it was the most wonderful experience! He set up the entire evening with the special events coordinator. I could not have asked for a more perfect night. The staff is great! They are friendly and knowledgeable! The food is complex and delicious, and if you ask to see the kitchen you can meet the cooks! The managers are attentive and knowledgeable as well. They have three parking lots, I never have a problem finding a spot. We even got a chance to meet the owner's. This restaurant is top notch, and you are missing out if you do not try it!!!!!! Pros: Service, Food, Quality Cons: Closed on Sundays more

Overall atmosphere was noisy, waiters inattentive and unfriendly, individual entrees did not meet expectations. more

Overall atmosphere was noisy, waiters inattentive and unfriendly, individual entrees did not meet expectations. more

My sister and her boyfriend recently got engaged in Raleigh. Her boyfriend planned to have dinner at Second Empire, and they had nothing but rave reviews about the quality of food and service at the restaurant. However, the problem came when my sister did not receive the present the I had told the restaurant to give her. I called the restaurant three times earlier in the week to plan the event and was told repeatedly that it was not a problem. However, it turned out to be more than the restaurant could handle. The general manager returned the gift later, but I still have not received an apology from the special events coordinator for ruining my sister's surprise engagement. Thus, while the food is excellent and the service at the restaurant is good, if you are planning on celebrating a special event, take your business elsewhere. more

My sister and her boyfriend recently got engaged in Raleigh. Her boyfriend planned to have dinner at Second Empire, and they had nothing but rave reviews about the quality of food and service at the restaurant. more

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and it was spectacular! I could not have been more pleased with the service--knowledgable, friendly, and courteous. The wine list was phenominal, and the house itself is just gorgeous. Sitting next to a couple straight from Manhattan who said it was better than any in NYC. Couldn't agree more. Be prepared to spend a lot but it's a wonderful dining experience. Can't wait to try the Chef's table... Pros: exquisite food, fantastic service, beautiful atmosphere Cons: none more

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and it was spectacular! I could not have been more pleased with the service--knowledgable, friendly, and courteous. The wine list was phenominal, and the house itself is just gorgeous. Sitting next to a couple straight from Manhattan who said it was better than any in NYC. Couldn't agree more. Be prepared to spend a lot but it's a wonderful dining experience. Can't wait to try the Chef's table... Pros: exquisite food, fantastic service, beautiful atmosphere Cons: none more

My wife and I had our anniversary dinner at Second Empire. Based on reputation, we expected to be wowed. Half of our meal was outstanding- the best foi gras first course I've ever had and my wife's superb enormous ribeye steak special. The half bottle of French red wine recommended by our waiter was perfect. The pork porterhouse cut was generous, but a little tough and not as good as I expected. The carrot cake dessert was dry, but the chocolate souffle was excellent. The service needs improvement. Our waiter was very knowledgable and highly trained, but had too many tables and was not available at times when we needed him (and this was on a Wednesday night). The assistant waiter was helpful, but the service needs to be reworked. Pros: Beautiful Building, Elegant, Great Wine List Cons: Inconsistency, Service more

My wife and I had our anniversary dinner at Second Empire. Based on reputation, we expected to be wowed. Half of our meal was outstanding- the best foi gras first course I've ever had and my wife's superb enormous ribeye steak special. The half bottle of French red wine recommended by our waiter was perfect. The pork porterhouse cut was generous, but a little tough and not as good as I expected. The carrot cake dessert was dry, but the chocolate souffle was excellent. The service needs improvement. Our waiter was very knowledgable and highly trained, but had too many tables and was not available at times when we needed him (and this was on a Wednesday night). The assistant waiter was helpful, but the service needs to be reworked. Pros: Beautiful Building, Elegant, Great Wine List Cons: Inconsistency, Service more

This is what fine dining is all about. The restaurant is elegantly set and romantically lit which was a great setting for my late Valentine's Day dinner with my girlfriend. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about not only the wine list but the preparation methods for every menu item. For the first course we had the grilled vegetable with goat cheese terrine and the lobster ravioli. For our entrees I had the lamb rack and my girlfriend had the duck breast and we loved them both (presentation and preparation were both top notch). For dessert, we had the chocolate soufflé (which was made to order) and the German chocolate cake, which my girlfriend wasn't real thrilled about, but I personally liked. Expect to spend about $75 per person depending on the wine selection and prepare to be impressed. Pros: setting & lighting, service, food Cons: parking more

This is what fine dining is all about. The restaurant is elegantly set and romantically lit which was a great setting for my late Valentine's Day dinner with my girlfriend. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about not only the wine list but the preparation methods for every menu item. For the first course we had the grilled vegetable with goat cheese terrine and the lobster ravioli. For our entrees I had the lamb rack and my girlfriend had the duck breast and we loved them both (presentation and preparation were both top notch). For dessert, we had the chocolate soufflé (which was made to order) and the German chocolate cake, which my girlfriend wasn't real thrilled about, but I personally liked. Expect to spend about $75 per person depending on the wine selection and prepare to be impressed. Pros: setting & lighting, service, food Cons: parking more

For all the talk about what a great place to go for our 25th anv. Cons: parking, lighting more