Weathervane

03/08/09

Solid restaurant

by chapelhilldiner64 at Citysearch

A small group of us frequently go to Weathervane for breakfast, and while I've noticed there is some variability in the quality of the food (often really good, a few times not good at all, occasionally mediocre), I think overall it's one of the best (and most reasonable) breakfasts in town. I wish their coffee were better - you'd think with Southern Season there selling coffee, there would be more pains taken to ensure a really good cup of brew. But that's really my only complaint. My husband and I have also gone to Weathervane quite a few times over the years for dinner and have been really pleased! The fish specials they have are often fantastic, and they've had various dishes on their menu (which changes) that have been real standouts. They also have a lower corkage fee if you buy a bottle of wine there in the store.

• Pros: Great meals
• Cons: coffee isn't very good

03/08/09

Same name, entirely different restaurant

by HAM0829 at Citysearch

Excellent food and reasonably priced.The last time I ate at Weathervane (more than 10 years ago,) I was so disappointed, I swore that I would never return. A friend told me that there was a different chef now and convinced me to give it another shot. What a difference! Appetisers are great - I could make a meal of them. The bread is to die for, and the shrimp and grits are better than Crooks Corner. The Osso Bucco - well, it's the closest thing to heaven on this earth. Atmosphere is o.k. Could use some flowers on tables or some more aesthetics. Service is spotty. My waiter was great, but I heard complaints from the table beside me.

• Pros: outstanding seasonal food, reasonably priced
• Cons: service is spotty

02/23/09

Horrid experiance

by dermlady at Citysearch

My sister and I went to the Weathervane to have a sisters night out where we could experience terrific food and time together. When we arrived we were escorted upstairs and were the only ones up there. It took 15 minutes before were asked what we wanted to drink. While we waited for the drinks to arrive three other groups came in and were seated. They were asked about the drinks and then the waitress took their orders before she even asked what we would like to eat. The other tables received and finished their appetizers and entree's before we were given the appetizers. My sister had a salad which she truly enjoyed. However,when the Cauliflower fritters I ordered were given to me they were tasteless pieces of dough. When the server asked me how I liked them I honestly told her they were bland. She took the remaining fritters to the back and I watched as she made a comment to the manager, he looked up at me and they started laughing.

After waiting another 20 minutes our food was brought out and the Herbed Chicken with wild mushroom risotto I ordered was tough to cut and difficult to chew. The risotto however was very creamy and very delicious. My sister ordered the Salmon special with fresh tomatoes and spinich which she stated was very dry on the outside. After we were done eating we waited another 20 minutes for the ticket to be brought to us. Overall our server kept our tea glasses full but otherwise acted as if we were a burden for her to bear. We paid the bill and as we were leaving my sister overheard the host and hostess at the main entrance laughing and making unforgivable comments about the us and our overweight sizes. I will never step foot in their door again and I WILL spread the word about the unprofessionalism of not only the staff but the management .

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Service,Food,quality,

08/11/08

STAFF NEEDING OVERSIGHT AND TRAINING

by kilroy1973 at Citysearch

Having eaten at the Weathervane several years ago, I decided that it would be a nice place in-between Raleigh and Graham for my party to meet for dinner Saturday night. I strategically placed myself at the inside entrance of the Weathervane within Southern Seasons to not miss anyone. Staring down the corridor (main thoroughfare for patrons), I noticed ice chips being hurled from an alcove at a female waitress who was waiting for drinks from the bar. The thrower of the ice chips finally came out to collect the potential hazards, but not all. An elderly female patron walked through the leftover ice chip mine field. Thankfully, she didn?t slip. Noticing the thrower, I told him ?you know you have several pieces of ice that you did not pick up?if someone falls, you understand that it would a OSHA reportable?. He shrugged it off without apologizing for his childish antics. Since it was now 6:30pm, I proceeded to the hostess desk to let the host and hostess who were standing there know about that we were there. No sooner that I stopped speaking, they both proceeded to expound about their disdain for a fellow employee. I truly expect this behavior at a fast food restaurant, but not at a place that has >$15 entrees. Our waiter came on strong but he nosed dived after we ordered. He had to be reminded to bring the two sweet teas ordered and then reminded repeatedly to refill them. He also forgot to bring me a spoon with my after dinner coffee. I ended up stirring my coffee with an extra fork. The meal itself was AVERAGE at best. The Malbec recommendation was the only redeeming suggestion of the evening. If you want to slip and fall while heading to the bathroom, hear employees talk trash about one another, and have an average meal without getting refills on your beverage, then I HIGHLY recommend Weathervane Cafe. Then if you can still stand after falling, please go and shop at the pretentious Southern Seasons where the associates will completely ignore you.

• Pros: Malbec Wine Suggestion
• Cons: Poorly Trained Wait Staff, Ice Chip Hazards, Overall Food

08/04/08

Good food

by dwe1978 at Citysearch

Relatives of mine were visiting for the weekend. Two of them are vegetarians while the third is a vegan. Not many options out there. But the website to Weathervane said that there are vegan options. When we got there, the host had no idea of any. The waiter knew a little more but turns out there was really only one options. However, all of us liked the place. The wine was delicious. And my veal was very good too. I definitely plan on going back again.

• Pros: Good food
• Cons: Says it's vegan friendly but not really