Il Palio

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1. TM

   ThomasM

   New York Area

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Out table of four all had the tasting menu with wine pairings. Each course had two or three different plates that we all shared. We had a wonderful carpaccio plate and prosciutto plate for an appetizer, followed by three different cheeses, three pastas in different sauces, a meat course and dessert. The wines were prosecco, rose, pinot nero, montepulciano d'abruzzo, and port. Il Palio does not disappoint in food, wine, service or atmosphere.

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2. GL

   GabrielL

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I brought my sister to the restaurant to celebrate her getting her PhD. She had a fantastic time at the restaurant. Food was amazing and flavorful. Definitely will bring her back again.

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3. CH

   ChapelHillVistor

   Raleigh

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   If you wish to experience fine dining in the Chapel Hill area, il Palio is the place I would look to go with a nice selection for food and wine. Its upscale casual, and a bit pricey, but worth it for a special occasion.

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4. r

   raync

   Raleigh

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience3

   We did the chef special menu where they chose dishes and wine pairings. An excellent introduction/overview. This was a great way to sample many dishes. All were excellent. The caprese was the best I've had outside of Tuscany. Homemade pastas we're perfect. Main course of veal cutlet, grilled asparagus, roasted brussel sprouts, garlic potatoes. Four different wines. Wonderful food; excellent service.

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5. GB

   GregB

   Charlotte

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Service was excellent, as was the food. Will definitely be back when in the area again!

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Raleigh

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We went to Il Palio for the second straight year to celebrate my wife’s birthday, and they did not disappoint. Food, service and ambiance were top notch. One of our favorite Triangle restaurants came through again!

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7. m

   marciadi

   Raleigh

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall3food2service2ambience3

   When the food came to the table it needed to be re-heated and the service was only fair.

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8. CH

   ChapHillCouple

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The food was amazing. The Chef’s Tasting with wine pairings was excellent. Everything that was served tasted better than I expected and the wines were great.

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9. PD

   PestoDog

   Toledo

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on June 17, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We’re considering Il Palio as the venue for our kids’ wedding rehearsal dinner. To get a good idea of a large number of the restaurant’s menu we ordered the family meal. We’re huge fans of Italian cuisine, and have experienced some of the best in Tuscany. Everything we tried during our Il Palio meal was as good as or surpassed what we’ve experienced in Italy. We sampled most of the highlights from their summer menu. Amazing. Fresh, fresh ingredients, silky, fresh pasta, wonderful service….. It was one of the most enjoyable 3 hours we could have wished for. Definitely treat yourself to a wonderful meal—family meal or not.

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10. R

    Robert

    Raleigh

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was great especially the octopus app!

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11. z

    zboni

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    After driving 9 hours, we definitely needed a good meal and Il Palio obliged. We sat outside since we had our pup with us and they were very attentive to him as well as us. The 2 pasta dishes we had were cooked perfectly, al dente and the flavors were excellent. Our second course of veal was delicious. Of course we couldn’t pass up the bombolini’s which were fantastic! I highly recommend Il Palio.

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12. RF

    RayF

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The entire experience was absolutely worthy of a 5 star ranking. We were celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary and the staff made sure the evening was exceptionally memorable especially our waiter Massimo. We savored every morsel - the grilled artichoke appetizer, the Pappardelle Bolognese, Eggplant Involtini and the cannoli. The food was outstanding and wait staff superb.

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13. DB

    DonaB

    Western NC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 31, 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience4

    The amount of pasta (ordered the half) was actually minuscule! The eggplant main order was enough and tasty. The bruschetta order was tiny as well but good. Perhaps the other main dishes would be larger but also more expensive. I won't find out if they are tasty as I won't be back. Not a good value unless you just don't mind parting with your money.

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14. CH

    ChrisH

    Raleigh

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous evening celebrating our wedding anniversary at the bar at Il Palio. When we arrived it was very quiet and because the bartenders knew it was our anniversary had Proseccos waiting as well as a Happy Anniversary menu. Cocktails were very refreshing and ideal for a hot day followed by scrumptious oysters, Caprese salad and grilled octopus starters. We both had small plate pastas - lobster ravioli for my wife and black truffle tortellini for me. Incredible taste in both. The bar staff was very attentive and when a large, loud group arrived at the bar offered us a move to a quieter place several times. We said no as we enjoyed the atmosphere. A great evening anniversary celebration thanks to Il Palio!

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15. P

    Paul

    Raleigh

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    One of the best dinners we have ever had at Il Palio and dinners are always wonderful. The tuna tartare, rigatoni with monkfish and whole roasted bronzini were all amazing. All of this made even better by Massimo, the best waiter in the world!

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16. RP

    RussellP

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    tasting menu is an outstanding value. Highly recommend

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17. r

    ra52

    Columbus

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best food, cocktails, and service. We always have an unbelievable time at Il Palio! Extra shout out to Massimo who always takes care of us and Pietro for exceptional recommendations last night. Walk don’t run to Il Palio for your next date night!

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18. SB

    StephenB

    Charlotte

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    We used to eat at Il Palio often but hadn't been back for a decade. My wife and I had the tasting menu. The first course was prosciutto with fava beans (nice!), and a tomato caprese that was probably the best I've ever had—luscious buffalo mozzarella from Italy and beautiful ripe tomatoes from NC. The second course was lobster with buratta ravioli and a spaghettini alla carrettiera (a simple work of art). The third course was eggplant involtini (superb), fried brussels sprouts and chicken marsala. The sprouts did nothing for me and the chicken was overwhelmed by the heavy, dark sauce, IMO. Dessert was a banana (couldn't taste that) bombaloni with a lovely lemon curd. For us, the meal was one half outstanding and the other half not so much. I would have happily made a meal of the caprese, the pastas (especially the spaghettini) or the eggplant, and walked out of the restaurant raving about the genius of the chef. If all we had were the brussels, the chicken and the dessert, we wouldn't be back. I could see myself ordering any of these dishes on a given day, and being mighty disappointed. Il Palio is a pricey place with a great reputation, and I think all of the dishes should be wonderful They're not.

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19. CH

    ClarkH

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 24, 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience1

    It had been awhile since I'd visited the restaurant at the hotel; usually, I just sit in the bar. But this was a special occasion (anniversary) and since their remodel years ago, I've found the hotel bar to be cold, acoustically overwhelming, and dominated by TVs with sports programming, like any other sports bar in Chapel Hill, but of course with Adam Rose menu designs and pricing. So I reserved a table in the restaurant. What I found there was fine Italian dishes (again, thanks to Adam Rose) and their accompanying priciness, but also extreme coldness. Literally, in that the dining room was freezing & the staff didn't seem to care much about it, instead tried to make a joke of it. But also architecturally: the back room is windowless and dark; the floors are wood plank, the tables are wood plank (no table cloths), the chairs are straight backed and armless (and hard), the booths are like dark caves raised above the rest of the space, like any sports bar you've been in in Chapel Hill. What you get at Il Palio isn't so much a sense of privacy and fine dining and personality as a space built to be indestructible, along with one of the priciest menus in town. The quality of the food is not worth the discomfort of having to sit in that space.

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20. RR

    RyanR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Chef's tasting menu with wine pairing did not disappoint. The various dishes built to a climax when the main dishes came. Without question I did not leave hungry!

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21. ML

    MargueriteL

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Dining outdoors is perfect! Service is perfect. Pietro who served us is both eager to please and humorous. Initial glitches like an unstable table that was quickly fixed, and an overly salty dish that was replaced by a new plate keep me from checking 5 stars throughout. Maybe next time!

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22. D

    Debbie

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent Food, Excellent Ambiance, Excellent Service

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23. M

    Mikey

    Wilmington

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Have always enjoyed our time at the Sienna. Room, Food and Service are always great. We were celebrating our Anniversary dinner and had the Chef's table menu..

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience3

    Way overpriced!

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25. LS

    LeeS

    Wilmington

    82 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    82 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We've known our server Pietro for 6 yrs. Always pleasant and professional. The food is not to be missed, especially the bolognese. If you get the half orders of pasta then you have room to try the crispy brussel sprouts and the trio of crostini, and of course dessert. Enjoy.

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26. LG

    LuisaG

    Raleigh

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    The food is good and we may go again if we are in the area.

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27. l

    luv2dine

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We had a nice Sunday brunch but thought it was overpriced for the experience. Our bill was $200 for 2 people. The servers were all very friendly and helpful, but lacked the "polish" that you would expect from a high-end establishment. Would recommend but not as a fine dining experience.

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28. BG

    BigGene

    Philadelphia

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Need reservations. Very small ( intimate ) dining room. Classic Italian cuisine. Professional wait staff.

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great service and food!

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30. P

    Penny

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Dinner was excellent! All the servers were nice and personable. I had the cheese board and the lobster ravioli. Perfection!

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31. MM

    MarkM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    We ate on the terrace.The evening was cool and quiet. The service was prompt,and friendly. We shared chilled oysters which were perfect. The veal dish was delicious as was the truffle laced pasta. Our waiter was knowledgeable and suggested the perfect complimentary wines. We are ready to back again soon.

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32. MH

    MarciaH

    Minneapolis

    10 reviews

    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience5

    The service was really slow. My pasta was not hot, and one of our guests said his fish wasn't cook properly on one side. We had been there once before and loved it. I was embarrassed that our out of town guests had to experience such a disappointing meal. We won't be coming back or recommending it to friends.

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33. SE

    SandroE

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 23, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    The Foie gras appetizer was served with only two slices of toast, which was far from optimal to enjoy the dish properly. Besides, the pasta alla amnatriciana, despite being a well-established spicy dish, was far too spicy making the experience less enjoyable. But overall, we had a pleasant family dinner.

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34. KM

    KevinM

    Raleigh

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Chef was spectacular. Most attentive. Great help in wine selection.

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35. GS

    GregandSusan

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Authentic Italian cuisine, well prepared with the freshest ingredients. Bravo!

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36. AM

    AnneM

    Wilmington

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Easter menu was lovely.

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37. b

    bobm

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food is outstanding...best we have had in the area!

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38. T

    Thomas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 12, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    The food was excellent. The garden salad was perfect and the lobster ravioli superb. Service was very polite and professional, although our waiter did not check on us enough and we had to flag his attention a time or two. Overall, this is a very good restaurant.

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39. AP

    AlessandroP

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A taste of Italy. The restaurant is in a very exclusive hotel in Chapel Hill. The staff of the hotel is very kind and make you feel very welcome after you step in. The Restaurant… Massimo is the best of the Italian expression and all, waiter and waitresses, gives their heart and skin to make you feel at home. All the plates I tried deserved time and calm to taste the amazing feeling, the combinations and the quality give you another level of food experience. My suggestion is, once you try “Il Palio”…. We know how the sentence finish..

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40. KM

    KathyM

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 5, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Delightful evening at Il Palio celebrating a birthday. Food presentation was spectacular and beyond delicious. Whole Bass, Rigatoni Bolognese and salmon and octopus appetizers brought smiles. Serving sizes for 'regular' portion of pasta was fine given the bread and large appetizer that was not shared. Wait person provided solid recommendations and though he seemed to be only wait serving 6 tables was able to provide some personal attention.

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