Rue Cler Restaurant

10/09/11

Time up

by saragrand at Citysearch

On a recent Saturday night we met friends for dinner at Rue Cler. Our Reservation was for 6:30 and we arrived on time. Started with cocktails, and talked while we looked at the menue. Our waitress explained how their menue worlked and we eventually placed our orders. The French Onion Soup was wonderful and our salads were good. We ordered the steak and a good bottle of wine to go with it. Everything was cooked as we asked and the wine was very nice. After our dinner we ordered desert and that also was good. We paid our bill and sat back with coffee and were having a nice conversation when the manager or head waiter came over and told us they needed our table. They offered to buy us another drink at the bar...which was extremely noisy and crowded, but we already had enough alcohol so we left. We had been there a total of two hours and fifteen mintues. Not sure how I felt about that , it certainly was the first time I was ever asked to vacate a table in a resturant.first time for all of us for hat matter. If the resturant has timed seatings they should have told us upfront,when making reservations or suffered through. I don't think two house and fifteen minutes from cocktails to coffee is over staying our welcome. Liked the food but left with a bad teast in my mouth.

07/14/10

Could use some work

by smurf1812 at Citysearch

Our group of 15 were the only ones in this restaurant that unfortunately, appears to have been placed in a gutted fast food location and has no atmosphere, coziness, warmth or character. Very bare bones essentials.

The waiter, a tattooed, double large earing "man", ran through the menu as if he was practicing to do the auto sales disclaimer for a radio ad. That is, when they eventualy took our order which was by no means speedy.

The menu, true to form, was in French but ironically enough, even though I frequent Indian and Chinese restaurants, both realize that many do not speak Hindi or Mandarin and kindly may print in both the native tongue as well as English. Perhaps the owner of Rue Cler though that using English letters would be sufficient.

• Pros: Varied menu
• Cons: Menu truly is in French with no translations

02/14/10

most disappointing

by jmhceo at Citysearch

Dinner was very pedestrian, menu a bit confusing, service very very slow, and the food was just not up to french bistro standards. My beef brisket was like a TV dinner and my companion's mussels were over flavored with strong lemon sauce. I do not intend to return

• Pros: easy parking
• Cons: service, food,

08/20/09

Thoroughly Enjoyed!!

by foodfan09 at Citysearch

I have been to Rue Cler 3 times now and all 3 times have been great experiences! Twice I ordered off of the prix fixe menu, the third time ala carte. The food has been consistently good and fresh and the servers have always provided my husband and I with tasty wine suggestions.

• Pros: Unique atmosphere, helpful staff, great menu variety
• Cons: Not a lot of seating, menu online not always to date

07/09/09

What is everyone else ordering?

by jscnm at Citysearch

I have been to Rue Cler twice, the first time being so bad that I didn't think I would ever go back. Tonight I decided to give it another try and was equally disgusted and annoyed. In my opinion, any "French" restaurant that cannot manage to concoct and even decent Croque Madame or onion soup is a shame.

I see these good reviews and wonder where the problem is. My husband and I eat at many Durham establishments and this is by far the very worst. Vin Rouge is so much better, with a much more lovely ambience as well. Don't waste your time or money at Rue Cler.

• Pros: ?
• Cons: Bad food, rude service