Second Empire Restaurant and TavernAlways a treatService is impeccable. The food was terrific and distinct. Always a treat to visit 2nd Empire.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversaryMy wife and I enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere. Everyone was outstanding and very accommodating. Our diet restrictions were understood and fulfill.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMLEFT HAPPYI owned one of the most high profile restaurants in Manhattan and reviewed many restaurants, for the local Palm Beach paper, in Fl. We were welcomed, upon entering, by a very well dressed and groomed young lady. The ambiance is excellent, and everyone very friendly. I don't remember the name of our server, wish I did, but will request him the next time we dine. I was hoping to find at least one fault and the only thing I came up with is the following: I would have expected to be served, with our $11.00 each Capuchinos, a biscotti and a stirring rock sugar. With that stated, everything was above expectations and I have already recommended Second Empire to several friends.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMNew Menu - New Taste AdventureThis is our second time dining at Second Empire. The restaurant was full of graduation celebrants and families, so it is amazing the skill of the chef and level of excellence was still evident. Be prepared for a change in preparation technique as the chef's new menu displays some unique taste combinations one might not expect. For example, black grouper (the catch) topped with roasted beet and red wine risotto with shaved tasso ham, fried green tomato, asparagus, corn salsa, spicy apricot and poblano jus.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect EveningEverything was just wonderful! We could not have asked for better food, atmosphere, or service.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazingEverything about this meal was fantastic. Definitely one of the top 5 restaurants I've ever been to in all regards - food, service, ambiance, etc.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMConvivialThe Tavern is friendly and inviting. Service is attentive, and the food is outstanding. Service is attentive without being cloying.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMVery Romntic and Great ServiceWe celebrated our 1st anniversary there and it was amazing. The food was top notch! Our waiter was very experienced and knew the menu perfectly without even looking at it (that includes the wine and beer list,too). Can't wait to go back!6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best Restaurant around.Everything was great. My lady enjoyed her birthday dinner. We will definitely come back again.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful eveningwe had dinner with friends, for our anniversary. It was a wonderful evening. Our meal couldn't have been better.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was my husband's and myIt was my husband's and my 5 year anniversary! We wanted to have a special night to celebrate and reflect! The food was delicious, the service great...they made our evening very special!!! It def. is a great spot for a special occasion.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond Empire is Second to None!I took my wife to celebrate her birthday. We enjoyed well crafted cocktails from the Tavern bar prior to seating. My wife really loves how they make lemon drop martinis. We sat at a cozy table in the corner next to windows in the atrium on the Tavern level for dinner. Karen did an impeccable job from start to finish with the dinner service was fabulous from start to finish. Second Empire is Second To None!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good indeed. First visitVery good indeed. First visit for a couple of years-food better than I remember it; excellent Burgundy too. We ate in the Tavern which is casual but where you can select from the menu and wine list of the upscale restaurant upstairs which is a nice combination.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb diningExperience & knowledge of waiter on entree ingredients & preparation impressive. Service and timing perfect. Elegant and comfortable setting(main dining room). Will return when in Raleigh again. Chocolate soufflé is delicious!!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat 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 AMExcellent in Every WayWe enjoyed another special occasion at Second Empire -- this time in a smaller, more modern dining room at the rear of their exquisite Victorian building. Our server, Jeremy, attended to our every need in a timely and unintrusive manner and provided excellent advice on our food and wine choices. The duck and filet entrees were table favorites. Enjoyed several specialty coffees to complete our relaxed evening. Our foodie guest from Atlanta was impressed. Second Empire is second to none!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 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 AMDon Allen CritiqueObviously the ambiance is great and the food is very good. Service was the best from the top down.
My guest and I had the same dinner (filet of beef)and had the same comment. Could have had a bit more taste. My beef had some pretty hefty sections of gristle and my potatoes were bland even the sauce. The best was the desert (Key Lime Pie). While very tasty the portion was very small.
A good experience overall!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 AM