Magnolia Grill

08/22/08

If you don't like this place, you're the problem.

by raddspencer at Citysearch

I am not a culinary expert nor do I have an educated or discerning palatte. I do however, know ridiculously good food when I eat it. I have never, ever, in all my life tasted anything as flavorful and unique as the dishes I had at MG. This is truly a lifetime perspective changing experience that no one should be without. This place is not overpriced, so anyone who says it is just doesn't understand that this isn't just some assembly line style mall parking lot restaurant. The staff is very pleasant and they were quite patient with my simpleton questions and unknowledgable demeanor. I found the atmosphere charming, unfettered, and very approachable. I have heard people complain that it is too average looking. So what, if you want to have to wear a suit and tie to eat go somewhere like that. I'll never understand why people try to take a lifetime's worth of messed up comparisons and expectations into a situation and then complain and judge the entire time they are witnessing a miracle.

Bottom line, you have to try this place if you are in the area. It simply is the best dinner I've ever had without exception.

P.S. Stella Artois on tap = sweet baby jesus awesome

• Pros: This is the dumbest question ever. Uh ... everything.
• Cons: Kahn? No Kahn's here captain this is Seti Alpha 6.

11/09/09

Honestly disappointed

by funnyornot at Citysearch

So many people brag about this restaurant so I finally went for a try. Forgive my ignorance: reservation on the day is too late. Later I was told I should reserve 3 weeks in advance. Okay, my bad, but I was looking forward to the food even more!

We waited 45 minutes for our appetizer. Lots of dishes ran out by the time we ordered but magically became available when we left. Appetizers and entrees were decent; I've had much better ones with much lower cost. The only plus I'd give for Magnolia Grill is its desserts: the chocolate tart was absolutely superb.

Waiting staff were friendly and professional, but An's is better. VERY slow service and honestly the food was not worth the wait.

• Pros: Dessert
• Cons: Price and service

07/31/09

Disappointing

by Pharmalady at Citysearch

We went to the Magnolia grill for our wedding anniversary, I have been there in the past and found the food to be delicious, and therefore we picked the place. We ordered the fresh tomato salad which was wonderful, but it all went downhill from there. The crusted grouper I ordered was overcooked, the crust a bit burnt and the fish dry, I complained to the waitress that it tasted bad, she talked to the manager and came back with, and I quote: “we can get you something else, but you will have to pay for both dishes. . .”

We also ordered the “French toast brulle” apparently they must have been short staffed in the kitchen that day, as this was a bit singed as well. The peach ice cream that went with it was delicious though.

I would recommend Nana’s in Durham instead, if you are celebrating a special occasion and do not want to ruin it with “overcooked arrogance”.

• Pros: delicious salad and ice-cream
• Cons: overcooked main course

06/03/09

Big fish in a little snobby pond

by LMar at Citysearch

In town for business? Save yourself the hassle if you're visiting Raleigh and spend your money where it is appreciated. This is just a big fish in a tiny pond. Servers are rude and unaccommodating.

When our 9 month pregnant guest asked for a menu modification, for obvious health purposes, the server simply answered, "no." I understand that menu changes from customers are annoying, however, so are unmannerly restaurants and servers (it comes from above).

We will not go back because of the service. Food was incredible.

If you can tolerate the pretentious service then bon appetit, however, I think your money is better spent elsewhere.

• Pros: Incredible food and menu
• Cons: snobby service

09/08/08

Excellent--even for Celiacs

by milkstoo at Citysearch

My bf made the reservation to surprise me and conversed w/ the chef prior to our arrival to confirm their knowledge of my intolerance/disease to be sure that this was not a problem. So, first, and most important to me, that worked out wonderfully--NOT sick at all (THANK YOU!). Now let me give you a quick background, I have lived and worked all over the country and travelled the world. I have eaten in some wonderful restaurants around the world. I have also worked in some wonderful restaurant ('four star') kitchens, as well. I LOVE food. MG, hands down, was one of the best meals I've ever had. In my life. Seriously. The chef will not substitute anything in his meals, but as I said earlier, we let him know that I was coming, and he was very helpful. It is unfortunate to see negative reviews and I can only base my review on my experience. I highly recommend.

• Pros: service excellent, food is ridiculously great, excellent value (would say UNDER priced)

05/23/08

Pretentious attitudes come from both sides! Good food, vegetarians and big egos beware.

by fromdurhamandhateduke at Citysearch

First, I would like to say that the person who wrote about water refills must be one of the dumbest people on the planet. Those are restrictions put in place by the CITY because of DROUGHT, sorry you have to bother yourself to ask for water when you want it. Further, they could be fined if they pour water without request, so take it up with the city, are you living under a rock? That is the most self centered attitude, and it is this kind of thoughtless demand for endless natural resources that creates problems in the first place.

To give an even handed analysis: Yes, the Barkers and the staff can be pretentious at times. But what's more pretentious than these award winning Chefs and their staff of snobby lackeys? The culture of Dukie stuff shirts that coalesce around this restaurant like flies on, uh, fruit! These pampered bags of whine love to throw their weight around the city they disdain, especially at important social/business gatherings which often involve a bite to eat at Magnolia Grill. Obviously, there are many good hearted Dukies out there, but reading some of these reviews made me laugh at the hypocrisy snobs calling snobs snobby.

I have been in many times, the food is excellent, and is not over priced. The service is good, sometimes great, sometimes not. The Chef is stubborn, so if you don't like the menu, don't go because he wont change it most of the time. The china and glassware is old and beat up, if that bothers you, don't go. If you are a strict vegetarian, this is not your place. Meat lovers will enjoy, the best dishes are hefty in southern flavor and most all of the red meat is fantastic. Dessert is the Best! Save room!

• Pros: Food, Desserts
• Cons: Snobbery

05/10/08

A Jewel in Durham

by jrhaviland at Citysearch

This might be one of the best dining experiences of your life. An amazing mixture of big flavors both in entrees and desert. A menu that integrates flavors and attitudes of the South with the diversity of cultures that is modern Durham delivered in an urbane atmosphere that could be in any of the more traditional dining meccas. The staff is widely knowledgeable of both the menu and the wine list (diverse and reasonably priced) as most of them have been here for a while. I've heard some disparaging things from locals who are more comfortable in a less foody environment, but if you like daring culinary experiences, you'll love this place.

• Pros: menu, staff, wine list
• Cons: make reservations well in advance

04/29/08

Won't seat after 8:30!

by srdiner at Citysearch

I have tried to go to this place multiple times and they have either turned me away or were closed! They wouldn't even let us sit at the bar. I don't know how a place can turn away profit at 8:30

04/27/08

Very rude and unduly pretentious

by Kewp at Citysearch

My friends and I went there to get dessert and drinks on a week night. The first thing the waiter said to us was "if you want water, you have to ask for it because we won't fill it up for you unless you ask for it." His manner was quite rude and its ridiculous to deny people a glass of water and have to make them flag down the waiter when you want water. Anyways, my friend was hungry and decided to get a salad, but she is a vegetarian and wanted them to keep the bacon off the salad. He said that the chef refused to do so. When we asked what other vegetarian options there were, there was like 2 other unappealing options. The place overall was incredibly pretentious, the staff was rude, and the whole experience left a very bad feeling. Which is too bad because the dessert I had was quite delicious, but I would never go back there to be treated so badly.

• Pros: tasty dessert
• Cons: rude, pretentious, overpriced

04/19/08

A TRULY HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE

by efjenkins at Citysearch

When my husband and I were choosing a restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, we picked Magnolia Grill based on a good meal we'd had with my parents despite the usual difficulty getting a reservation and long wait. We ordered a very expensive bottle of wine ($130), though to our surprise, the waiter came back to inform us that the chef refused to sell us the bottle unless we both ordered meat. Regardless of the fact that we had already enjoyed this exact bottle with the chef's very own tuna ceviche, I had already settled on trout for my dinner, and we decided to scrap the wine altogether. Too bad for them we suppose because our entire meal was less than the bottle would have been. If you're looking to be disrespected by a pretentious, self-absorbed and condescending chef who makes adequate food at best, then this is the place for you. Save your time and money--there any plenty of other equally delicious restaurants in the triangle.