Food was fantastic. Granddaughter said the mac and cheese was off the charts. I agree! Definitely a must for downtown Raleigh dining! Service is a 10, too!
Annie P.
Stopped at this restaurant and it did not disappoint. If you're a vegetarian your options are really only salads or the butternut squash ravioli, but don't let this deter you from coming. The butternut squash ravioli was the best ravioli I've ever had. It was rich and creamy with the perfect mix of mushroom and sweetness from the squash. The marinated avocado salad was delicious as well. I don't usually like blue cheese but it was very mild in this dish. The people I was with ordered the pot pie which they said was great. The service was also great and everyone was extremely friendly. Would 100% recommend.
Andrea Spivey
Delicious food at a nostalgic old Raleigh
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share, Salad
Sarah M.
Tried the last of the AC restaurants tonight, Poole's. We were very excited to try the mac n cheese, and at least that did not disappoint. Unfortunately, like her other restaurant Death & Taxes, the timing between appetizer/salad and entree was subpar, with a 40 minute wait time in between. The food, however, was delightful. The star was the macaroni au gratin, a Poole's classic, which had that delicious crusty top and creamy, decadent white cheese interior. I love how the macaroni noodles were small in this dish. We started out with the Bibb Lettuces salad, which came out in 10 minutes, and was very refreshing - it had the perfect amount of vinaigrette and the aged parmesan melted in your mouth. One entree was the roast half chicken, which is another classic here. The chicken was roasted perfectly & retained its moisture, the potatoes were perfectly smooth though we missed the "herb scented" aspect, and the smoky chicken stock was incredibly flavorful and really lifted up the dish. However, it may have been missing a fresh element as it was all very rich. The pan-roasted trout with turmeric-coconut broth was nice & light - the broth had amazing flavor and the trout was cooked nicely, though I missed the crispy skin. We finished off our meal with the hazelnut pot de crème. This dish was just okay - the cookie was average and the pot de crème, although perfectly smooth, lacked that punch of chocolate and hazelnut flavor we were craving.
Bradford L
If you're in town do not skip this joint. The retro diner vibe fits perfectly with the cocktails and (much elevated) comfort food experience. One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Highly recommend the roast chicken, the "Pickle Juice" Caesar salad and the Marinated Avocado...but really everything (we ordered one-of-each entrees and shared). The Macaroni au Gratin is huge and decadent but worth it for even a few bites. Dessert may have been the best of course, which is saying a lot. Staff was great. Give yourself some time as the space is tight and deservedly crowded. In short, the awards were not wrong. Go. As often as you can.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share, Half Chicken with Whipped Potatoes, Salad, Avocado
Jeff Bailey
Phenomenal food and staff (possibly my favorite food in Raleigh) and maybe its a conscious nod to the “diner” aspect, but its just so loud here when busy. We literally would find ourselves shouting across the table. Also, the shared back seat I am in jostles significantly when the guy behind me shifts in his seat. These sre fixable things!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Larkins
Came here to celebrate an anniversary. Our server on the other hand, the older gentleman behind the bar, was not really. He didn’t acknowledge our anniversary and made it very clear he was unhappy to be serving us. We even overheard him say to the staff how he didn’t want to be there. Ironic, that all the other servers were attentive and kind. It made it very apparent how he was the opposite. The food was okay, lacking in flavor to match the prices. Surprising because of the awards. Perhaps it was an off night, but I wouldn’t necessarily come here to be celebrating anything.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Richard K
Amazing food; great since they now allow reservations. Mac and cheese is to die for!Parking: They validate parking across the street
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share
D Richards
I made a reservation at this place because I saw it was rated the best diner in the south on southern living. I came on time today in the evening.I ordered the chicken entree and my partner,who’s vegetarian, got the ravioli. It took around 1 hour and ten minutes for the food to come to the table. It took so long we were given a complimentary Mac and cheese dish for our patience.When the food arrived, it tasted so bad that we actually laughed. The ravioli was undercooked and some sort of lima beans were placed under it as a side. Those two flavors do not go together. It was awful as it sounds. She also got a side that was essentially a sampling dish of all the sides there. It was so flavorless and without cohesion, it tasted like something that would be fed to a barn animal in a trough. Pinto beans and Brussels sprouts? Who would even think that was a good idea.The chicken I received was overcooked and glazed with some sauce that tasted essentially like a store bought bbq sauce that had been charred. The mash potatoes that accompanied it were creamy but absolutely flavorless. Looking in our food for a bite that had been properly cooked and seasoned was like looking for a bottle of water in the middle of the Sahara desert.The only good things were the Mac and cheese (that we didn’t even order), the wine I got (a decent Bordeaux) and the water.The people in the restaurant seemed to be ok with the food. But they were all a minimum of 65. Perhaps craving the flavorless dishes that decorated this region before integration.We left completely dissatisfied but at least moderately entertained. And with a box of very good macaroni and cheese as a trophy for the ordeal.The high reviews of this restaurant have me concerned about the bar set for fine dining or dining of any kind in this region.
Paul D.
There are tons of reviews here, so I will mostly supplement or respond to them. 1. Many reviews say Poole's is loud. We found Poole's to be no more or less loud than your typical restaurant. Having said that, we were there from 5:30 to 7:15, and the restaurant was around 75% full; perhaps things get louder later in the evening. 2. The Mac and cheese comes in a huge serving: easily enough for two. 3. Many reviews complain that the food took 45 minutes or more to appear. Our first course appeared promptly (within 10 minutes), with what we considered adequate spacing between the courses. 4. One review mentioned that there is a certain way you have to place your order. We didn't find that to be the case at all. The restaurant had no issue, e.g., with bringing the Mac and cheese as an appetizer rather than a side dish to the main course. 5. It is true what reviewers say about the menus. Depending on where you are sitting, you may not be able to see a menu easily. 6. It is also true that the parking lot beside the restaurant is paid parking. Then again, you are in the middle of a downtown, so that should not come as a surprise. 7. I recommend a table rather than the counter--unless you don't mind being elbow to elbow with strangers. The stools at the counter are stationary and close together.
Everything we had was fantastic, fresh and cooked to perfection. We had the apple salad to start which was a great combination of textures and flavors. We also had the onion tart (smoky and sweet, perfect crust) and baguette. Entrees were shrimp and “grits” aka rice as well as the deconstructed beef pot pie. We also had the pot de creme which my partner loved. We will come back to Raleigh for Pooles alone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share
Fer Moon
Loved this place! Great food!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lourdes Reigosa
Food was delicious and just well-made! Loved the atmosphere. We had the onion tart, marinated avocados and baguette, and for entrees we had the ravioli and the pork tenderloin. We did not have space for the Mac n cheese but that looked fire too. All just WOW ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Kate Bailey
Best food for the bread was soft and the chicken was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share, Chicken Liver Pate with Twomustards and Pickles, Half Chicken with Whipped Potatoes, Shrimp and Grits
Alex Bignell
Really enjoyed diner here, home style cooking and great bar selection.
Food was fantastic. Granddaughter said the mac and cheese was off the charts. I agree! Definitely a must for downtown Raleigh dining! Service is a 10, too!
Stopped at this restaurant and it did not disappoint. If you're a vegetarian your options are really only salads or the butternut squash ravioli, but don't let this deter you from coming. The butternut squash ravioli was the best ravioli I've ever had. It was rich and creamy with the perfect mix of mushroom and sweetness from the squash. The marinated avocado salad was delicious as well. I don't usually like blue cheese but it was very mild in this dish. The people I was with ordered the pot pie which they said was great. The service was also great and everyone was extremely friendly. Would 100% recommend.
Delicious food at a nostalgic old Raleigh
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share, Salad
Tried the last of the AC restaurants tonight, Poole's. We were very excited to try the mac n cheese, and at least that did not disappoint. Unfortunately, like her other restaurant Death & Taxes, the timing between appetizer/salad and entree was subpar, with a 40 minute wait time in between. The food, however, was delightful. The star was the macaroni au gratin, a Poole's classic, which had that delicious crusty top and creamy, decadent white cheese interior. I love how the macaroni noodles were small in this dish. We started out with the Bibb Lettuces salad, which came out in 10 minutes, and was very refreshing - it had the perfect amount of vinaigrette and the aged parmesan melted in your mouth. One entree was the roast half chicken, which is another classic here. The chicken was roasted perfectly & retained its moisture, the potatoes were perfectly smooth though we missed the "herb scented" aspect, and the smoky chicken stock was incredibly flavorful and really lifted up the dish. However, it may have been missing a fresh element as it was all very rich. The pan-roasted trout with turmeric-coconut broth was nice & light - the broth had amazing flavor and the trout was cooked nicely, though I missed the crispy skin. We finished off our meal with the hazelnut pot de crème. This dish was just okay - the cookie was average and the pot de crème, although perfectly smooth, lacked that punch of chocolate and hazelnut flavor we were craving.
If you're in town do not skip this joint. The retro diner vibe fits perfectly with the cocktails and (much elevated) comfort food experience. One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Highly recommend the roast chicken, the "Pickle Juice" Caesar salad and the Marinated Avocado...but really everything (we ordered one-of-each entrees and shared). The Macaroni au Gratin is huge and decadent but worth it for even a few bites. Dessert may have been the best of course, which is saying a lot. Staff was great. Give yourself some time as the space is tight and deservedly crowded. In short, the awards were not wrong. Go. As often as you can.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share, Half Chicken with Whipped Potatoes, Salad, Avocado
Phenomenal food and staff (possibly my favorite food in Raleigh) and maybe its a conscious nod to the “diner” aspect, but its just so loud here when busy. We literally would find ourselves shouting across the table. Also, the shared back seat I am in jostles significantly when the guy behind me shifts in his seat. These sre fixable things!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here to celebrate an anniversary. Our server on the other hand, the older gentleman behind the bar, was not really. He didn’t acknowledge our anniversary and made it very clear he was unhappy to be serving us. We even overheard him say to the staff how he didn’t want to be there. Ironic, that all the other servers were attentive and kind. It made it very apparent how he was the opposite. The food was okay, lacking in flavor to match the prices. Surprising because of the awards. Perhaps it was an off night, but I wouldn’t necessarily come here to be celebrating anything.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Amazing food; great since they now allow reservations. Mac and cheese is to die for!Parking: They validate parking across the street
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share
I made a reservation at this place because I saw it was rated the best diner in the south on southern living. I came on time today in the evening.I ordered the chicken entree and my partner,who’s vegetarian, got the ravioli. It took around 1 hour and ten minutes for the food to come to the table. It took so long we were given a complimentary Mac and cheese dish for our patience.When the food arrived, it tasted so bad that we actually laughed. The ravioli was undercooked and some sort of lima beans were placed under it as a side. Those two flavors do not go together. It was awful as it sounds. She also got a side that was essentially a sampling dish of all the sides there. It was so flavorless and without cohesion, it tasted like something that would be fed to a barn animal in a trough. Pinto beans and Brussels sprouts? Who would even think that was a good idea.The chicken I received was overcooked and glazed with some sauce that tasted essentially like a store bought bbq sauce that had been charred. The mash potatoes that accompanied it were creamy but absolutely flavorless. Looking in our food for a bite that had been properly cooked and seasoned was like looking for a bottle of water in the middle of the Sahara desert.The only good things were the Mac and cheese (that we didn’t even order), the wine I got (a decent Bordeaux) and the water.The people in the restaurant seemed to be ok with the food. But they were all a minimum of 65. Perhaps craving the flavorless dishes that decorated this region before integration.We left completely dissatisfied but at least moderately entertained. And with a box of very good macaroni and cheese as a trophy for the ordeal.The high reviews of this restaurant have me concerned about the bar set for fine dining or dining of any kind in this region.
There are tons of reviews here, so I will mostly supplement or respond to them. 1. Many reviews say Poole's is loud. We found Poole's to be no more or less loud than your typical restaurant. Having said that, we were there from 5:30 to 7:15, and the restaurant was around 75% full; perhaps things get louder later in the evening. 2. The Mac and cheese comes in a huge serving: easily enough for two. 3. Many reviews complain that the food took 45 minutes or more to appear. Our first course appeared promptly (within 10 minutes), with what we considered adequate spacing between the courses. 4. One review mentioned that there is a certain way you have to place your order. We didn't find that to be the case at all. The restaurant had no issue, e.g., with bringing the Mac and cheese as an appetizer rather than a side dish to the main course. 5. It is true what reviewers say about the menus. Depending on where you are sitting, you may not be able to see a menu easily. 6. It is also true that the parking lot beside the restaurant is paid parking. Then again, you are in the middle of a downtown, so that should not come as a surprise. 7. I recommend a table rather than the counter--unless you don't mind being elbow to elbow with strangers. The stools at the counter are stationary and close together.
Restaurantji Recommends
Everything we had was fantastic, fresh and cooked to perfection. We had the apple salad to start which was a great combination of textures and flavors. We also had the onion tart (smoky and sweet, perfect crust) and baguette. Entrees were shrimp and “grits” aka rice as well as the deconstructed beef pot pie. We also had the pot de creme which my partner loved. We will come back to Raleigh for Pooles alone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share
Loved this place! Great food!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was delicious and just well-made! Loved the atmosphere. We had the onion tart, marinated avocados and baguette, and for entrees we had the ravioli and the pork tenderloin. We did not have space for the Mac n cheese but that looked fire too. All just WOW ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best food for the bread was soft and the chicken was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese to Share, Chicken Liver Pate with Twomustards and Pickles, Half Chicken with Whipped Potatoes, Shrimp and Grits
Really enjoyed diner here, home style cooking and great bar selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5