Fearrington Granary

10/26/08

Always Wonderful

by rtpfolks at Citysearch

We go to Fearington House about every other year and each time it is as exceptional as before. Our recent visit had everything: A unique menu with the food excellently prepared, beautiful setting inside and out and first class service.

04/28/08

The very best in the Triangle.

by myongsun at Citysearch

I can only say that I'm kicking myself for not having visited here sooner.

Chef Graham Fox will dazzle you with an incredible array of tastes, smells and platings. His short stint at the French Laundry seems evident with several Thomas Keller influences.

We opted for the Chef's Tasting Menu, an eight-course, three-hour tour (plus a box of sweets to take home). We also decided to let Sommelier Max Kast pair each dish for us, and the result was very generous pours of some wonderful wines and an informative, brief chat with Max about each. Since most plates are very small portions, we almost felt as though we were on more of a wine tasting tour than a food tasting jaunt, but we were not about to gripe about it.

I won't bore you with a description of each dish. Let's just say they were all astounding (see image of menu).

One very small negative: we felt the lone chandelier in our room was too bright. We talked to two different members of the staff about it, but they must have felt the lighting was just fine the way it was.

Regardless, the only meal I've had which comes remotely close to this was at the Inn at Little Washington. That meal was a full hour longer, but it takes four hours to drive there. To have a dining experience of that caliber--- so much closer to home--- is truly gratifying.

The restaurant at the Fearrington House represents the very best culinary expertise offered in The Triangle. My humble recommendation does not do it true justice.

$340 for two (excluding gratuity).

• Pros: Few places compare to this culinary treat
• Cons: lighting a bit bright in our room

03/25/08

Nothing Extraordinaire

by Ogie at Citysearch

Easter lunch was good but service wasn't great for a restaurant w/ 4 or 5 star criteria rate.When we ordered our glasses of wine,our server poured wine in each glass,only 1/4 of a glass.He just basically emptied out what's left of an opened bottle.My husband asked him to pour an adequate amount for what we have ordered at that time(a glass of wine for each of us).After opening another bottle,poured more wine,making sure to stop at an imaginary line he had.As we are making our toast & started on sipping on the wine, he interrupted by asking,"So, are you ready to order?!" I can't help but notice how the next table from us have received a better service from a young lady who seemed to know good restaurant service-using a table scraper,not reaching over the table w/ her arms.Overall, it just felt like an ordinary restaurant compared to other restaurants that we've been to that are deserving of 4 or 5 stars.

• Pros: Quaint place in Pittsboro,NC
• Cons: Sub par service for a 5 star restaurant