Pop's At Durham

12/23/07

Best bread in town. by Karim _. at InsiderPages

Contributor at Insider Pages

I've always heard very good things about Pops and the quality of food they serve so the fact that the first thing that comes up when I think about this restaurant is the bread speaks alot about the quality of the bread. Out of all the restaurants I've eaten in town, the bread here is hands down the best I've had.

As far as the main entrees go, they are also very good. I would not say they are amazing but there was really nothing wrong with them. They were cooked well and the presentation was satisfactory. The food just didn't have that pop to it. That unique taste and flavor that I would have expected after everything I have heard about this place. The meals are more expensive than the norm for restaurants in this class. I have eaten there 3 times and would probably go back again if I am in the area, but would not make a reservation just to eat there.

Pop's has a sister restaurant called Rue Claires that I hope to try in the near future and see if it surpasses Pops.

06/16/08

Awesome food, service and atmosphere!

by stef575 at Citysearch

This is one of my favorite area restaurants! I ate here with my family and every bite was better than the next. With my family, when food is good, we share it. I tasted every entree we ordered and everything was so good I wished I had order it instead. The menu changes from time to time and I can't wait to go back and try more! The service was also very professional, and the atmosphere was relaxing. It was an all-around great experience.

• Pros: Food, service, atmosphere
• Cons: Everything was perfect!

09/28/07

Just around the corner from Brightleaf, hits the spot for Italian!

by euncapher at Citysearch

My friend Becca and I met at Pop's for dinner one night upon my friend Joel's recommendation. The staff was extremely courteous and helpful. I was on a garlic kick, so wanted some extra garlic in my desk. I got the baked penne and it was YUM-MY! The chef added loads of extra garlic, exactly the way I wanted!

I would've hoped for a broader menu, as there aren't a lot of things to choose from, as well as a salad with dinner since it is a bit pricy for just the pasta dish, but the food was good, so I didn't complain. And I still had enough as left overs for lunch the next day.

• Pros: Great Italian food, awesome wait staff!
• Cons: Pricey, few menu choices

A trattoria combining modern elements with Old South tradition.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
This delightful trattoria takes advantage of its hip loft space in downtown Durham. The exposed brick walls, high ceilings and graceful bar create an air of elegance. The crowd is mixed, unpretentious and dressy casual. Pop's is known for its inventive wood-oven fired pizzas, topped with everything from mushrooms to hard-boiled eggs. Lightly crisp calamari makes an excellent starter, and the Caesar salad is top-notch. For dessert, the tiramisu excels.

02/13/06

A Durham gem!

by foodie_78 at Citysearch

Pop's should be applauded for their creative use of fresh, flavorful, in-season dishes! The ambiance is uran-chic and romantic. I especially like the tables beside the bar that allow you to overlook the restaurant. I have worked for over 12 years as a restaurant service manager and the waitstaff at Pop's are top notch. The food is a bit pricey but certainly worth it for what you get. Highly, highly recommended!

• Pros: food, ambiance, service

01/31/06

Pop's Rocks

by bubbly65 at Citysearch

Appetizers at Pop's are where it's at. We had the warmed olives, the BIG BOWL of mussles (in an amazing broth - perfect for dipping their homemade bread into), the calamari, and the field greens salad. Those were amazing - we didn't get as far as dinner, because those, plus a couple glasses of wine, were perfect for a girls' night out. Couple that with the warm atmosphere, the friendly - yet professional - service, and you have a successful and satisfying evening.

• Pros: awesome appetizers, atmostphere, service

01/15/06

Delicious Food and Great Atmosphere

by rero at Citysearch

I've been to Pop's twice. My husband and I loved the food both times. Our favorite was the mixed greens salad with white balsamic and honey vinaigrette dressing. The goat cheese and herb ravioli with grilled asparagus was superb. The wood oven fired pizza with pepperoni and mushroom was tasty. Pop's is a fun restaurant, in a candle light, relaxed atmosphere. The owners use local produce which is also a plus!

• Pros: Great atmosphere, Yummy food, Friendly staff

12/06/05

Risotto

by gourmetgirl86 at Citysearch

The best dish on the menu is the Risotto. It has had many incarnations in my several visits, but i have NEVER been disappointed. The seafood is another strength of this Brightleaf restaurant. After visiting often for more than a year, I've become tired of their chicken and beef dishes, which aren't particularly spectacular; it's worth a trip for the risotto and seafood--until you start seeing repeats, then you should head somewhere else--nothing new is on the horizon.

• Pros: Risotto, setting
• Cons: repetitive menu

11/16/05

Above average but not great

by tkb_talos at Citysearch

My expectations were admittedly pretty high but I was disappointed that the food wasn't better.

Both the field green and caesar salads were very good. The pizza w/ white truffle oil was outstanding. My ravioli dish with goat cheese was just above average. Dessert (chocolate pudding cake) was spectacular.

The prices weren't outrageous. The service was good too. The restaurant's atmosphere is nice but it's too crowded and noisy to be romantic.

• Pros: Good food, Prompt service, Reasonably priced
• Cons: Crowded, Noisy

09/18/05

A let down

by bhooka at Citysearch

We were ten of us celebrating a friend's birthday.

We ordered the marinated olives as appetizers. They were excellent and is highly recommended.

For the entree's- We ordered the following:

Their shrimp pizza, a porcini pizza, A halibut served over a gnocchi and baby tomatoes, a flounder and a steak.

We had to return both the flounders back to the cook as they had actually gone bad. The restaurant replaced it with the halbuts.

The steak had a nice texture but the veal jus was extremely salty.

For dessert, we ordered the choclate pudding cake. Very moist and served well.

Will we ever go there again? I don't think so. I agree with some of the reviews that there are better places to eat in Durham.

08/18/05

Avoid --- Much Better Places to Eat in Durham

by saxman717 at Citysearch

Food was bland, moderate-quality and took over 45 minutes to arrive. Bread was close-to-stale and was distributed one piece at a time, not as a whole basket. Salad was a disappointment. Service was unattentive and indifferent. The antipasto salad is really Middle Eastern, with humus, pita bread etc. -- not a real Italian antipasto salad. The atmosphere was dark and the room was cramped. There are many better restaurants in Durham --- Pop's is exceedingly overpriced, sub-par food, average service, dismal atmosphere. Save yourself the trouble and avoid.

• Pros: Decent Bar, Decent Wine List, OK Location
• Cons: Expensive, Sub-par Food, Dark Atmosphere