02/13/09

WHAT A GEM!!!!

by RBirch81

First off let me say that this is a fantastic restaurant and I never would of expected such from Hillsborough st. My boyfriend and I went with a large group last night and sat in there extended private dinning room, we were greeted by a nice hostess and a great server. I LOVED the drink list and beers on draft there, what a great diverse selection, I fell in love with their season beer. The server pointed me in the way of the pork chop and said it had been a favorite of his for years, let me say....what a pork chop. My boyfriend had the hanger steak and it was great as well. The server was really nice and very informative about the menu, when we asked for all separate checks, he said no problem and came back with all of them in minutes. Sadly to say that this doesn't happen at most places I go. I highly recommend this place, I'll definitely be back. TRY THE PORK CHOP!!!!!

• Pros: Food, Drinks, Staff
• Cons: Parking

01/11/09

Caring staff

by LinThompson

Staff went out of their way to make us comfortable even though we had brought a two year old who was very hard to control. Very gracious people. Food was very acceptable and enjoyed the atmosphere. Enjoyed Porter's very much,

09/12/08

A wonderful evening out

by Margbfrance

My boyfriend and I are tourists in this great city and randomly ended up at Porter's Tavern. What we encountered was great atmosphere coupled with fresh home-made food. We sat in the smoking section and were served by the bartender who was very professional. We had a great night and recommend Porter's Tavern to any through travelers or locals looking for unique food.

What we had AND what we thought

App:

Tavern chips traditional style

So good, and not a soggy chip in the bunch!

Entree:

NC flounder:

brown butter sauce is hauntingly good

NC shrimp and grits:

shrimp in every bite, very filling

Dessert:

espresso double shot:

surprisingly well poured

Vanilla creme brulee:

a layer of vanilla... yes fresh vanilla

Overall: FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: Service, menu, price (parking not a problem
• Cons: not that I can think of :)

03/15/08

Over-rated, online menu out-dated, food was so-so

by euncapher

We had a girl's night out here with the gals from work. We were seated promptly, since it was a Thursday night AND we had reservations. Our waiter was very friendly and upbeat. I'm on a diet, so I checked out the menu on their website before going so that I had an idea of what to get calorie wise. I was really looking forward to the Ahi Tuna and the Swordfish Salad!

When I got the menu at the restaurant, neither of these items were on their menu. I asked the waiter about both and he said the website hasn't been updated in a while and they no longer had either of these featured items. Blah! I was really looking forward to either Ahi Tuna or a Swordfish Salad. So instead, I opted for the Salad with Salmon. I cook better salmon at home. For $13, that was a darned pricy salad! I didn't like the salmon at all! I also got a to-go meal for the man at home, since it was girl's night out and all. I ordered the salmon with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was $17. They sure don't give you much food for $17!

The other ladies I went with from work didn't sound very impressed with their items. I tried a bite of the shrimp and grits. They were average. Certainly not worth the hefty price for them. I also tried the Crem Brule, which was excellent!! That was their saving grace!

Their beers were a little overpriced. The bartender recommended the Brooklyn Brown to me since they didn't have Yuengling. I was a fan.

It's a really cool restaurant with awesome decor, so if you are just going out for a night of drinking and not dinner, Porters is a very trendy place to hang out! As far as food goes, save your money, the price is high for the average food.

• Pros: Very trendy and hip, great service, great desserts!
• Cons: Food is average, prices are too high

02/10/08

Our favorite regular spot!!

by mikeanddeb2004

We've been going to Porter's for a couple of years now. We've always had great service, every time we've gone. The food is always very good- their burgers are the best in Raleigh, to me. Somewhere I can get a burger and a beer, and my wife can get something a little nicer, and we both enjoy it. We've had a few nice dinners there as well, but the casual atmosphere is more our scene. Great place to go with friends, Great draft beers.

• Pros: A fun place
• Cons: A little loud on the weekends

01/24/08

Question About a piece of art in the restaurant

by woodduck

This a strange question. I recently ate here and sat in the private party room (?). There were several brightly colored painting hanging on the walls. One was of fish with sharp teeth, and the other of two brightly colored birds (red and yellow maybe?) Does anyone happen to know who the artist is or what they are called. I am really interested in the one of the birds. I know nothing about art! Any info would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

The food was good, the wait was a little long, and the portion was not worth the price. But I would eat there again.

01/19/08

Great food and even better service!

by tommy16

This is fast becoming one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. The food is delicious, portions are good and prices aren't outrageous. They have great beers on draft, all microbrews. Our server was great, she never let our drinks get empty and really knew the menu.

I don't think tavern-style restaurants can get any better than this! A must-eat place in Raleigh.

• Pros: Food, bar, service, big tvs!
• Cons: Parking, only take reservations for parties of 6 or more

11/19/07

Awesome Food and Awesome Service

by sharonpinkney

Our first time at this restaurant and we will most definitely return. The service was really good and the food was even better. Great for a special occasion or just a last minute spot for dinner.

• Pros: Ambience, service (hostess and the wait staff) were great
• Cons: Parking

10/23/07

Not worth the very long wait ( and they underestimated that by nearly 30 minutes)

by riggsbee

Longer Wait than promised - Not worth it.

This was our third time to Porters. I agree with others the atmosphere is great. Unfortunately the night we went it ws clear there was some catered event in another room somewhere as wait staff kept going out some door with food. We were told 20 to 30 minute wait and it was 50 minutes. The normal chairs in the wait area were gone, so we had to stand. Once finally seated - the food took forever, 45 minutes from after our drinks came, our dinner came. And the topper ? 2 of the 3 of us had poor dinners. My wife had a piece of salmon that she said was as good as she makes. My daughter had some pasta and told me that it was far worse than she has had almost anywhere ( and she has very good taste). I had a salad - it was awful. The croutons looked like french fry bits that were pulled from the bottom of the deep fryer. Except they were soggy. Bottom line - total disappointment and we won't go back - unless it is just for a beer and maybe a burger

• Pros: Atmosphere
• Cons: Food, wait

04/12/07

Not all it's cracked up to be..

by jennyc123

The food was alright, but definitely not worth the price. The portions were border-line small. Also, the large party I was with was seated in the back room which made me feel cut off from getting the full effect of the restaurant. The enviromnent created at Porters was not that impressive, especially not for the price you're paying for a "nice" meal. The one thing they did have going for them was the chocolate creme brulee. Other than that, I probably would not return.