Second Empire Restaurant and TavernGreat RestaurantFood was great and service was exceptional. Will definitely visit again during my next business trip to Raleigh.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA Gem tucked away downtownWe found second Empire 2 years ago and are just amazed every time we go back. After moving to NC from NY we thought we left fine dining behind. Boy were we wrong.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent experience, so so foodWe had our first dining experience at Second Empire for our 10th wedding anniversary. All in all it was a wonderful experience. The staff was very professional and welcoming, the ambience could not have been better suited for a romantic special occasion. Our server Randy was on point and helpful without hovering. The only down side was that in our estimation the meal was not par with the price tag. There was nothing inadequate or negative, barring an undercooked filet that was quickly corrected and profusely apologized for. There was just nothing that left us feeling like we were wowed. I'd dine there again in a heartbeat and recommend it to others, but I will definitely temper my enthusiasm about the food being the star of the show.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat birthday dinner!Very good all around! Nice touch wishing me Happy Birthday on their menu!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful evening!Our server was very efficient and well versed in all the offerings. The staff was attentive and pleasant. The meal was well presented and tasty. We will definitely come again!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe atmosphere was very friendly,The atmosphere was very friendly, not stuffy. The bartender was helpful in wine selections and was also quite friendly. The food was excellent. I thought the scallops were huge and very tender.....a wonderful dish. The veal cigars were a unique dish and very tasty. The waiter was also helpful in describing the menu so we could make good selections. All in all, I would return to The Tavern and Second Empire and I would definitely recommend it to friends for special occasions or just a fun night out.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMA must in RaleighIf you have an special celebration or simply you want to enjoy a nice and sophisticated dinner this is the place. Nice wine list and outstanding service.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMfoodPerfect preparation and presention and very attentive service.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome 25th AnniversaryMy wife and I were in Raleigh for business though the end of the week. Our 25th anniversary was right around the corner so we decided to do something a bit different since we were out of town. We looked at some online reviews but honestly can you ever trust them? Not knowing what to expect, we were thrilled with the decision. Being an architect, the venue was so interesting since we are currently working on our own restoration project in VA. Ashley took care of us and provided us with a wonderful menu. The chef prepared our courses that tasted and looked amazing. Beginning to end of the decadent dessert and after dinner drinks we were treated like king & queen. Thanks so much to the staff for making our anniversary a special memory for us.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMFor a pretty penny you getFor a pretty penny you get a great dinning experience5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent in every way. TheExcellent in every way. The service and food are some of the best around.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM!!WOW !!, You will be impressedAwesome place for that special occasion. We were definitely impressed from the second we walked in the door. Food was off the chart and the chocolate sufflee was to die for4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall a great experience.Overall a great experience. The armosphere is great....request a table in the room facing the street, its much more open. Service on all our visits has been stellar. The staff is knowledgable without being pretentious!
The food ranges from amazing to so so depending on the dish. The scallops were very good the short rib croquettes were dry.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMI have eaten at a lot of placesI have eaten at a lot of places but this restaurant
was one of the best that I have been to. Very
impressive staff and menu. Well worth every
penny!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMMy world favorite....I live in Seattle and we do have fantastic restaurants, but I must admit…Second Empire is my favorite among all the restaurants I wine and dine at through-out my world travels. You will love the old mansion, abundant service and impeccable dishes.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and superiorExcellent food and superior service. Made a very special birthday memorable!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic food, amazing service.Fantastic food, amazing service. Overall great experience4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, quality service,Excellent food, quality service, and an unmatched ambiance.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond Empire is on of theSecond Empire is on of the finest restaurants we have ever visited. The staff, food and ambiance far surpassed expectations. I have added this location to my top 5 worldwide best restaurants for cost and quality. Don't miss it!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place, worth the experienceWent there for my fiancee's birthday. Great spot, GREAT service, good food. We had the lamb and filet mignon. Food was very good, but you could expect more for the price... ended up being 150. Seemed like filet was slightly undercooked for medium rare.
We were in the Restaurant section. Very, very quiet, too quiet for my taste. I hear the tavern portion is more energetic.
I would return, but at prices like that it's a special occasion only type place. Likely won't return for a long time.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAlmost perfectSecond Empire always delivers. The food is outstanding and of course sitting downstairs you have the added benefit of the two menus. Service was attentive initailly but later in the evening we seemed to be looking for our wait staff. After dinner, we were ready & waiting for another bottle of wine and the waiter delivered dessert menus instead. When we made our wishes known, he insisted on taking our dessert order as well - you guessed it - we got wine, dessert and coffee etc... all at once. Felt a little bit rushed toward the end of the evening and it was only 9pm.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was incredible,The service was incredible, from our waiter to the house staff; everyone was suberb. The food was a little on the salty side but delicious courses with small but adequate proportions. The dessert, especially the lemon tart, was spectacular and probably the highlight of dinner. The setting is very intimate with close seating to other tables, so you become very conscious of your own conversation as well as other convos.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything about Second EmpireEverything about Second Empire was first class from the reception through to the service and food. An elegant experience and well worth the price.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love Second Empire andWe love Second Empire and as usual the food, service, & atmosphere were great. I love the way they deliver your food to your entire all at once and setting it down on the table in a synchronized fashion.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMAn extraordinary dining experience!An extraordinary dining experience! Excellent friendly staff! Can't wait to return14/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe always enjoy having dinnerWe always enjoy having dinner in the Tavern. The food,service and food presentation are wonderful. I really enjoy when they serve everyone at the table at the same time.......we had eight at our table. Great place!!!!! Thank you!!!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed our anniversaryWe enjoyed our anniversary dinner. From the moment we arrived, all of the staff was very attentive. Our food was very good.
The focus on fresh vegetables was excellent and notable in each of our dishes.
While the restaurant is not in our top 5 overall, it was the best we've had in Raleigh so far. (we are recent transplants from Texas)
Second Empire is worth the visit for special occasions and we will return.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond Empire is best in RaleighAfter living in Raleigh for years, we've somehow missed this restaurant until now. However, we'll definitely be returning. We went for my wife's birthday and it was amazing. The service was excellent. Our server, Ty, was very attentive and personable. Her knowledge of the dishes and attention to my wife's birthday was very great. Our food was excellent from the breads to our first courses the tuna tartare and the cioppino. Then the main courses of the striped bass and scallops continued the fantastic meal. Both dishes were excellent. Our desserts were incredible as well. My wife loved her Black Russian cheesecake and my chocolate souffle was the best I've ever had. Simply put, best dining experience in Raleigh we've ever had.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingThis was my first visit to Second Empire and will not be my last. The excellent food was only surpased by the outstanding service and atmosphere. Expensive but well worth it for a special occasion.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AM25th Wedding AnniversaryVery professional and very warm. Staff bent over backwards serving my wife and I.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I celebratedMy husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary at the Second Empire. It truly was an exeptional experience. The service was outstanding, the food was fantastic and no detail was overlooked. We had a wonderful evening and would highly recommend the Second Empire for a special occasion outing.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWent with a group from workWent with a group from work for a team dinner. There was something for everyone. We sat in the Tavern which had windows all around, very nice and bright. The food was delicious, the waitress was excellent. We had a really good time. Would highly recommend for groups or couples.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMLives up to its four MichelinLives up to its four Michelin star status. Stellar service and really excellent food.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, excellent. My porkAs always, excellent. My pork chop was a bit overdone but I can't allow myself to give this place 4 out of 5 for food rating based on overall experience. Will definitely be back, many times.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the moment we walkedFrom the moment we walked in to the moment we left, everything was outstanding.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMOur party of five all ravedOur party of five all raved about our appetizer selections which which were followed by entrees that were amazing. The plating of each entree was "eye candy", but the the flavors and textures were exceptional. Five very happy dining guests departed Second Empire last Saturday evening.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThere were two proposals thatThere were two proposals that happened while we were there, so it must be a romantic place. We enjoyed our meal very much. Killer chocolate souffle.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond Empire First RateWe arrived much earlier than our reservation and they accomdated us immediately. The appetizers, entrees and the cheese board we had were visually appealing and exquisite in taste. The wines were also to our liking.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMDining at its best in RaleighSecond Empire never disappoints. They have an exceptional selection of foods for any palate. If your choice is fish, lamb or steaks, they prepare exceptional dishes that will be both prepared to your liking as well as a delight to your tongue.
This is an exceptionally romantic place that serves as the backdrop to any special occasion you may be having - or for just a great night out. The upstairs dining room is quiet - or select the Tavern downstairs for more vibrant activity. You will be happy with your choice.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have enjoyed this placeWe have enjoyed this place a few times. Great fresh mesculin salad with just the right amount of dressing. Loved the grouper!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed the feel of a restaurantWe enjoyed the feel of a restaurant based out of a house. It makes for an intimate dining experience when you are in an actual dining room. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The reason I am giving only four stars is because my boyfriend requested two pay for a Marine's drinks, but they forgot to do so. It may be a strange complaint to want to pay more than the bill you get, but he gets really annoyed when active Marines have to pay for their own drinks. The food was delicious. We chose a three cheese plate and let our server pick the cheeses for us. We liked each of her choices, and it was nice that she asked if we liked bleu cheese first. For the main course I tried the scallops and he had the swordfish. They were both great!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful evening with greatWonderful evening with great food and company. The cheese sampler appetizer and the key lime pie stole the show from the mid courses! We will be back!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first visit toThis was our first visit to Second Empire. We ate downstairs in the Tavern part of the restaurant. We had an early dinner reservation so it was very quiet for the first part of our evening. It became more crowded during our meal, especially due to a large group seated next to us. I much preferred the quiet time since we had to speak very loudly to hear one another after our dining area became more crowded.
Excellent service at all levels- from management to servers to kitchen runners. We loved the food and will be back, although we may try the upstairs to try to avoid a louder crowd. A great choice for dinner in downtown Raleigh.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe really enjoy the tavern.We really enjoy the tavern. The food was outstanding and the service was great!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent andThe food was excellent and the atmosphere was great.Had a great dinner would recommnd to anyone.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM