Chef and The FarmerHighly recommended. OutstandingHighly recommended. Outstanding food with several options. I thoroughly enjoyed a lovely dinner with friends.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the best....!My husband and I have eaten here on several occasions. This time we brought a long-time family friend who was visiting. All of our meals were absolutely delicious. She was very impressed with the food and the restaurant's decor, and we were very happy this is where we chose to take her out to dinner.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMRaising the bar in eastern ncChef and the Farmer is an exceptional restaurant that merits a trip from other towns. The food is incredibly fresh, locally source and creatively prepared. The head chef, a recent semifinalist for the James Beard award, demonstrates her skills across the board, offering a wide variety of mainstays as well as some whimsical options like the kicked-up grits section of the menu. This is not simply more of the 'upscale southern' cuisine. The oysters on the half shell with sweet onion mignionette were the best we've ever had. We have yet to encounter a better trained, more professional and friendly staff in any restaurant of this caliber, be it in NC or NYC. The by the glass wine service was poured at the table with insightful suggestions.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Pearl of Eastern North CarolinaI have lived in Greenville NC for six years and this is, without a doubt, the best restaurant in the region. We have been fortunate over this time to enjoy many meals and even get to know the owners a bit. Beyond having great food, great service, great ambiance, and great wine, the owners and staff are simply good people. Everyone is always pleasant. If seating takes a little bit of time, they always make it right with an appetizer and apologies. They make regular dinners specials and special occasions fantastic. I can say without reservation that they drive is worth and and it is money well spent.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAlway good food.As always, the food was amazing, the server knew the menu like the back of her hand, and overall our group was very pleased with the experience. The two negatives from the night was the fact that our reservations for 8:00 did nothing for us getting a table as we were not seated until 8:40, without compensation. Another group had come in while we waited who's reservations were "lost" and they were offered a free round of drinks because the wait was going to be about 45 minutes, or the same as we waited with reservations. The second negative was that we ordered a side that did not come out until the meal was almost over and we had to remind the server. We will be back next Thursday and cannot wait!!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience!An excellent place for a great meal with an elegant feel. Food has a sophisticated appeal to it. The staff is always an a+ and very knowledgeable.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWhere to go......for a unique dining experience in eastern NC. We like the Chef and the Farmer for special occasions. We don't go often so we don't have the same menu choices each time. The menu is always interesting and has a local connection with traditional southern cooking but a more metropolitan influence.The food is excellent, well-prepared and beautifully-presented. The servers are professional and attentive, yet friendly and engaging. The atmosphere is casual and if I have a complaint it would be that the concrete floors and hard surfaces make for a rather noisy environment. It is reminiscent of a more urban restaurant with a vibrant public-house feel. Great food. Moderately expensive, but worth it.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, great serviceOur second time here was just as good as the first. Food is amazing and service is impeccable from the servers, to the bartenders, to the busboys and more. Someone is always showing up at the right times.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food but a bit loudMeal was among the best we've had this year. Service is slow but attentive. Our only complaint was the noise level was sometimes too high for normal conversation. Ambience would be improved by some improvement to the acoutics.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMTruly an outstanding restaurant!Truly an outstanding restaurant! We'll be back. Wish it was closer.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThis great restaurant is where?I didn't know there was such a great restaurant in rural eastern NC until I located the reviews on Urban Spoon. This place is has really good quality, fresh food. Limited seating area means you might consider making reservations ahead of time. We made reservations for 8pm, arrived at 7:15 thinking because it was Kinston we wouldn't have any trouble getting seated early- wrong. We spent 45 mins at the bar and enjoyed a nice drink and were seated at exactly 8:pm. - no other spare tables in the room and you can see them all from anywhere in the place. The open kitchen allows you to see the activity. Grits appetizer- great, entrees freshly prepared with local farm fresh ingredients- great.
We will return- its quite a drive but worth it.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLove your ‘online reservation’Love your ‘online reservation’ system and super fast response. The Sea Bass was excellent in every way, the Lamb was over the top....and the oven fired pizza - wonderful !! We all had the tasty Grits that were full of many wonderful flavors. The staff's knowledge was superb ....from the bar staff to the table waiters. Everyone was friendly and very attentive to your questions or needs. We took guest from Houston and they said this gem matched anything in Houston. It was a relaxing evening with beautiful food presentation.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best restaurant near my motherThe food is always good, and the service is usually fine too5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was outstanding,The food was outstanding, with innovative presentation. Every dish we had was superbly prepared.
The service was mediocre. It was disappointing in this type of establishment. For example, the wine arrived after the main course. The room is very noisy.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMNot as expensive as you may think!We heard it was very expensive, but were pleased to find out that the menu had a full range of prices. A meal could easily be constructed to meet any potential budget.
The cheeseburger turned my veggie Wife into a carnivore!
We will definitely be back multiple times to take advantage of the reasonable prices, excellent service and diverse menu!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a favorite place to dineExcellent menu with some unusual items for the adventurous. Our server was very helpful and pleasant. Ambiance is comfortable and makes for a good dining experience. Our expectations are usually exceeded each time we visit. One of our most favorite places to eat in Eastern North Carolina.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMLives up to reputationThe trout was outstanding. Excellent service and well prepared desserts.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatSeasonal selections and changing menu.
My favorites were not on the menu this time around, but everything else was very good.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in NCThis was one of the best dining experiences we've had and definitely the best restaurant in this part of NC.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent experienceThis was our first visit to Chef and the Farmer and it will not be our last. We tried several shared plates and they were great, especially the grits. The entrees were all delicious. The coconut meringue cake was some of the best I have ever had. Our server, Tyler, was attentive and helpful. We enjoyed his sense of humor. This restaurant is quite a treat for NC.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI had heard wonderful storiesI had heard wonderful stories about this place, but nothing compares to trying it yourself. The sweet potato and grits appetizers were the most flavorful that I had ever had. The double cheese burger melted in my mouth. I may never go to a fast food restaurant again! The service was impeccable. The servers never let my water glass go half empty or use the same utensil twice. They were knowledgeable about the menu and were pleasant if offering suggestions. I was certainly glad that I took the advise to try the cinnamon roll with cinnamon ice cream for dessert. You MUST try this place. Pace yourself (or bring food home) so that you can experience every course. I will be back.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMMemorable Evening!A special occasion place with wonderful food and outstanding service. Pricey.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth the trip from Raleigh!!Had seen the great reviews and was not disappointed. We came to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary so had a later reservation so a few items were "86" not available but loved the trout and catfish. the mac & cheese was plenty for two and awesome. We are already checking our schedule to see when we can come back.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good menu. The candiedVery good menu. The candied yams were a real treat4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMwalabeService was perfect, very attentive and accurate on their recommendations, the food was better than expected in all aspects and well worth the price. We will be back without question!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightfulA wonderful place to enjoy great food, visit with friends, and reconnect with the tastes of home that have been magically transformed into new tasteful delights!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasant surprise in an areaPleasant surprise in an area where fine dining is not very common! The food was outstanding and very inventive.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI had heard about the ChefI had heard about the Chef and the Farmer for some time before having the opportunity to try it, and it lived up to its billing. We were first struck by the elegant, but comfortable and creative decor(with a variety of eye-catching light fixtures), and the friendly, attentive service. The menu offered some unusual taste combinations, but the staff was helpful in explaining and making recommendations. Cocktails were also creative and tasty, along with an extensive wine list and beer choices, many courtesy of local Mother Earth Brewery. When one of the wood-fired pizzas was a few minutes late coming out, the staff was extremely apologetic and bent over backwards to make up for the delay. A thoroughly enjoyable dining experience.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMA welcomed and pleasant surpriseA welcomed and pleasant surprise in downtown Kinston! After stepping inside, I no longer felt as if I was in Kinston, but perhaps Atlanta or New York. Chef and The Farmer was absolutely fantastic! When I visit Kinston again...I will definitely dine again!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you are within an hourIf you are within an hour drive and you DON'T eat here...you owe your taste buds an apology!! Great wine list!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMAs usual, the entrees we selectedAs usual, the entrees we selected were absolutely scrumptious! My husband had pheasant and I chose the flank steak, and we started with our favorite appetizer, pork bellies smothered in a blackberry sauce. We topped dinner off by sharing a piece of pecan pie with a chocolate bourbon ice cream on the side...excellent! If you've not eaten at this restaurant, you are missing a most enjoyable dining experience!! Make reservations though!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond time we have eatenSecond time we have eaten there and it gets better every time. Big time restaurant in a small town. More than exceeds expectations.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMRhapsody in Dining!What a gloriously celebrated evening of excellence in dining, ambience and service. Our server, Susan catered graciously to our every need which included a gluten-free diet for one member of our party. Every selection was delightful with every morsel of scallops al dente to be savored. The steak was beyond tender. The timing of each phase throughout the meal was perfect, offering an extraordinary balance for the pleasure of all. I so desired to let my daughter and son-in-law know how pleased I was to have them visit and the Chef and Farmer said it all! Thank you for a matchless dining experience.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was wonderful!!!!!!Everything was wonderful!!!!!! Service was excellent!!!!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe both had the flank steakWe both had the flank steak and thought it was delicious. I also especially liked the potatoes that came with the meal. The Chef and the Farmer is about our favorite restaurant anywhere and we try to make it there about once a month.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI have dined here about 8I have dined here about 8 times and the food is always superb as well as the service. Suggest that blinds be added to the restaurant windows to block bright sunshine.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time out to Chef. ExcellentFirst time out to Chef. Excellent service as well as a bountiful wine list. The food was good although it wasnt quite filling.Overall excellent experience!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent dining experience.Excellent dining experience. Such a blessing to have a restaurant of this scale in our community. Thank you for choosing Kinson.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMImpress Out of TownersI had been before but my party had not. It was most enjoyable for all. My friends enjoyed eating food prepared in a different than usual waym3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFive plus stars!The Chef and the Farmer was amazing! My husband and I went on a date night and were beyond impressed with the atmosphere, service, and most of all the food! We will definitely be back soon and have already told all our friends and family to check it out.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWent here on or 18th weddingWent here on or 18th wedding anniversary and we were completely satisfied from the moment we walked in the door as were greeted to the servers and even the chef. The food was amazing the atmosphere was as good. Would recommend to anyone.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMVery nice experience overall.Very nice experience overall. Make sure to get a side item, the portions are not overly large. A little noise issues, but more related to the modern design and high ceilings. Had the quail and it was done very nicely. Wife had the scallops, all 3 of them. She loved them, but wanted more.
Still trying to figure out what smart casual in dress code means.....one guy had holes in his jeans and you could see his underwear and the one next to him in a suit. No real dress requirements that I could tell......not even with the wait staff.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThere is always somethingThere is always something new and exciting to try. A real restaurant for foodies in Eastern North Carolina. We always enjoy our meal.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMBest restaurant in eastern NC?A great place for dinner. Plenty of parking. Staff was friendly, helpful and attentive. The food arrived hot and was very tasty. The prices were high for our area but so was the food quality, service, attention to the small stuff (more flatware as needed, keeping the table clear enough for the new dishes) and ambiance. The atmosphere was happy. My table was too.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWorld Class RestaurantWe've dined in some of the best restaurants in the world and I'd certainly include this one in my top favorites. The ambiance is upscale but informal. Service is friendly and professional although a bit slow. Jamie, our server, was very attentive and kept us informed of the time line. My wife is a vegetarian and the menu was light on selections. She was able to order a salad and grit dish (both excellent) but it would be nice to include one or two entrees. I had the wood fired oysters and clams. Could be the best shell fish dish I've ever had. The ingredients were fresh and perfectly cooked. Seasoning was creative and balanced. Can't wait to try other creative menu items. Prices are very fair. Wine pours, by the glass, generous.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect dining experienceI have been several times and am never disappointed.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMNever lets me down...We had an awesome time at The Chef celebrating our five year wedding anniversary! We told the host and he was very good of informing the others who waited on us, as they all complimented us on five years together. Our food was delicious, as always, as well as the wine! Took a bottle home for myself. Our waitress was phenominal and very friendly. We even received complimentary flutes of champagne, as well as dessert! We visit this restaurant every year for our wedding anniversary, as well as other times, and intend to continue the tradition as long as they are around. Fine dining for Kinston, NC!3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM