Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern

Went this evening to celebrate for our anniversary. 10/10 on every metric: service, food and ambiance. It felt like one coherent team, everyone on the same page. Hats off to the chef and a gracious thank you to our waiter, Derrick. More

Undoubtedly One of the Best Restaurants in the Raleigh-Durham Area ---- After moving to the area earlier this year, I have had the opportunity to eat at dozens of local culinary establishments in search of the best food experience. I believe we have a winner! Having traveled to over 69 countries, 33 states, and 6 continents, I have had the opportunity to dine at some of the world's best restaurants with some of its finest chefs. The Second Empire takes staple classics found around the world. It adds its own unique flair, flavor profile, and combination of ingredients to elevate the entire experience to a truly elevated level. ---- From the charming old-school house atmosphere with its unique décor, a warm family environment, and elegant ambiance, to attentive and informative staff, and exemplary food, they have truly elevated the entire patron experience. ---- We started with the Crispy Point Judith Calamari, a lesson in balance and texture to learn. Each bite boasted a lightly breaded outside with a soft, sweetly tender calamari within. The creamy roasted pineapple garnish added a subtropical sweetness, elevating the course far beyond a fried starter-like experience to one of refined flavors. ---- The Classic "330" French Onion Soup was a sophisticated, yet reassuring, take on the classic without the typical beef broth. This is only the second time in the US that I have had the opportunity to enjoy a truly authentic French onion soup, where the broth is made from the main ingredient, not beef-flavored broth. This chef truly demonstrates the classic French training that creates masterpieces. Rich, sweet depth was added to the rich broth by caramelized Spanish onions, and Gruyère melted into a rich, nutty layer over toasted herb croutons. Every bite was packed with both heartiness and subtlety, demonstrating that great ingredients, when cooked well, can create deep satisfaction. ---- The Grilled Beeler Farms Pork Rack Chop*- Beautifully browned and seared, the pork rack chop easily stood out on its own. Cooked to perfection, juicy and tender, it was complemented with a creamy, rich ricotta cheese and grain mustard polenta, providing a great balance of subtle tanginess and creaminess to the dish. Added to this blended mix of baby kale, curried Brussels sprouts, bacon, and cabbage salad was a dish that offered a mix of savory, bitter, and smoky flavors. The addition of the ginger-raisin cider vinaigrette jus created a crisp, sweet, and spicy balance, which harmonized the entire dish. ---- The Pennsylvania Five-Spiced Duck Breast* was a culinary exercise in precision and global influence. Seared to a precise medium-rare, the duck's rich, gamey flavor was complemented by the Provençal hominy and eggplant, as well as the creamy zucchini and mozzarella. The braised Napa cabbage and elote salad provided texture and freshness, while the ancho chili roasted pineapple sauce added a hint of sweetness and heat, but not enough to overpower, instead highlighting the duck. The dish was in balance, being both complex and comforting, which made it unique. ---- Lastly, there was a 7-ounce filet special. Unfortunately, since it's a special, I don't have the lengthy combination of ingredients that made up this perfect dish. However, the preparation and execution were flawless, with the main staple – the filet— seared to a perfect crust with a juicy and tender texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. The culinary sophistication, achieved by combining all the ingredients, creates an elevated view of a classic meal. ---- Overall – I can’t say anything else. It is by far one of the best restaurants in the area. I would not only recommend this restaurant to anyone without hesitation, but I would challenge local restaurants to learn a lesson from this restaurant's impeccable overall customer experience and culinary execution. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

We came to celebrate our anniversary, and the staff did several things to help us celebrate. Derek was our waiter, and he was very knowledgeable about not only the menu, but the history of the restaurant as well. Staff was very accommodating, checking in frequently but not too much. The food was delicious, and the presentation was fantastic. We started with the French onion soup and the roasted duck leg at pineapple salad. For entrees, we had grilled moroccan seasoned swordfish and the New Hampshire crabcake. Both were perfect! In addition to the delicious food, we enjoyed some of their signature drinks. To top things off, Derek gave us a tour of the home/restaurant. It was an excellent experience. Price per person USD 50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 3-4 people Wait time No wait

The service was impeccable. Waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and the history of the restaurant. Ambiance is on the fancier side with white table cloths and an emphasis on fine dining. The menu is varied with each dish being very complex with lots of flavors going on at once, borderline overly so. However, they are all in balance so everything still tasted good. I will note that seafood Paella was more of a jambalaya with Latin flavor profiles. But was still tasty. Definitely worth going at least once to experience the ambiance and the chef’s menu. Price per person USD 30–50 Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes Rack of Lamb, Charcuterie Board Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 3-4 people Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Free parking lot, Paid parking lot, Free street parking Wheelchair accessibility They do have an elevator to access the upper and lower floors, however it can be a little tight with how the tables are laid out.

This restaurant is so classy and special, we’ve been a few times over 10 years or so, to celebrate something special. This time our 18 year wedding anniversary. It was a great choice and the staff does nice things to ensure your special occasion is recognized and celebrated. The chef gave us a signed menu to do something nice and give us a keepsake. Really nice. The food is tremendous and tastes super fresh and healthy. I think the ingredients they use must really be top notch. The building is beautiful and just oozes charm everywhere. You won’t be disappointed! Price per person USD 100+ Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Moderate noise Group size 2 people, 3-4 people, 5-8 people Wait time No wait

The service and overall atmosphere were truly the highlight of our experience. My husband took me here for my birthday, and I was immediately impressed by the upscale ambiance. Our waitress was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive, she guided us through the menu and helped create a special, celebratory experience for my day. As for the food, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. I started with a salad that was overly salty. The lamb I ordered was decent, but I’ve had better, and my husband’s duck was just okay. While the dishes were fine, they didn’t stand out or feel worth the price. Overall, the ambiance and exceptional service stood out far more than the food itself. Price per person USD 50–100 Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 2 people Seating type Indoor dining area

Really cool restaurant with great food. Started with a 3 cheese plate. The sheep's milk blue cheese was the star of the show. They had a dinner course special of foie gras and a filet mignon. Both were paired with too many things to … More

I have a habit of being too effusive in my praise in many of my reviews, but for SECOND EMPIRE, I cannot possibly hold back. This restaurant is phenomenal, on every level. … More

Best fine dining restaurant in Raleigh! My husband took me here to celebrate my birthday. The food was exquisite and the ambience was amazing. They even gave me a signed menu by the chef as a birthday gift. Truly loved the whole experience. Highly recommend it! More

This is truly an exceptional dining experience. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the service very much. This is a special occasion restaurant. They made our 39th wedding anniversary very special!. We even had a signed menu from the chef waiting for us! Highly recommend for those special occasions! More

The service was fine, I had the scallops. Over $50 with tip for three scallops just is not worth it. The scallops needed way more salt and maybe a side of lemon to balance the flavor. Overall, service was fine, but not at all what I am used to visiting fine dining establishments. Underwhelmed on all fronts. Food: 3 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 3 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 1 person

Our visit to Second Empire was absolutely phenomenal! Elegant Victorian house, the ambience set the tone for a perfect dinner. Every dish we tried was a masterpiece! Just amazing! Impeccable service!!! We felt like VIPs! It was our anniversary dinner and everyone at the restaurant made sure we had an excellent experience. I can’t wait to return! If you are looking for an upscale dining experience in Raleigh with unforgettable food and service, Second Empire is a must visit. Highly recommend!!! Price per person USD 100+ Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 2 people, Suitable for all group sizes Seating type Indoor dining area, Bar area Recommendation for vegetarians Not sure Vegetarian offerings Not sure Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Paid parking lot, Free street parking, Paid street parking, Paid parking garage Kid-friendliness Probably not Wheelchair accessibility Probably yes

My family and I went there to celebrate. It was an amazing dinner. The food was so flavorful and different than any other place. The chef is very talented at combining flavors. The desserts were very unique, but very good. For example, their was a chocolate and apricot cake which I’ve never had before and it was amazing. It seemed like the chef put his own touch. Our family all ordered different dishes. The highlight of the night was definitely all of the desserts lol, the ribeye, and calamari. Also shouout to Amanda for remembering all of the dishes and specials lol 😂 Price per person USD 50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Reservation Reservation required Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 3-4 people

First timer and will return! When the hostess called to confirm and asked if we were celebrating something special, I mentioned our anniversary. We arrived for our 6:45 reservation about 6-7 minutes early and were seated immediately in the main dining room. We were presented with the standard menus, wine list, special cocktail list, etc., plus a copy of the menu with a Happy Anniversary (with our names) at the top and signed by the Chef as a keepsake of the evening -- such an awesome touch. Every staff member was amazing. They were knowledgable, friendly, authentic, and attentive. We started with the Aleppo Margarita (great amount of spice and flavor) and a standard Rum & Coke (also balanced for something simple). For firsts, we split the pork belly and a foie gras special. The depth of flavor was incredible. Perfect amount of sauce, accents, and temperature. For seconds, we both had the ribeye. We're definitely picky with steak, in general, as we both can make great steaks - these were flavorful and excellent cuts. I was surprised that the recommendation was "Medium." My husband got his rare and I said medium to medium-rare. Medium rare is my go-to, but with the Chef recommending Medium, I didn't want to stray too far from the preferred. The outermost parts of my steak edged on the far side of Medium, but the rest was just as asked for. I would consider my husband's medium rare (at least 90% of it), so there are probably some hot parts of the grill/pan. All that aside, the cut, flavor, and sides were so well-balanced. We split a bottle of WillaKenzie Pinot Noir and it went well with all. We were stuffed and didn't even consider dessert. We would absolutely return because of top notch service, attention to detail, atmosphere, and quality and taste of food! While we did spend a lot per person (according to google review options), there are many dishes and wines by glass options that make it more affordable! Price per person USD 100+ Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size Suitable for all group sizes

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern in Raleigh is a true gem, offering an exceptional fine-dining experience within the historic and beautifully preserved Dodd-Hinsdale House. From the moment you arrive, the elegant atmosphere sets the tone—refined yet welcoming, with a sense of timeless charm that makes any evening feel special. The cuisine is nothing short of outstanding. Every dish is thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented, making each plate feel like a work of art. From the rich, flavorful paella to the evening special of perfectly executed crab cakes, the food delivers both creativity and balance, highlighting high-quality ingredients and expert technique. Each bite is as delicious as it is beautiful. The service is equally amazing—our server Sam and his assistant were polished, attentive, and genuinely warm. A special highlight was dessert: each pastry choice was outstanding, clearly made with the same care and artistry as the main courses. To make the evening even more memorable, the chef personally signed our menu, a thoughtful gesture that made our anniversary feel truly special and unforgettable. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Reservation Reservation required Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size Suitable for all group sizes Seating type Indoor dining area, Private dining room Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Free parking lot, Paid street parking