Porter's Tavern

09/12/2008 Posted 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 :)

03/15/2008 Posted 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

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

02/10/2008 Posted 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

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

01/24/2008 Posted 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.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful

01/19/2008 Posted 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

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

11/19/2007 Posted 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

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/23/2007 Posted 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

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful

04/12/2007 Posted 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.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

03/12/2007 Posted by rob1977nc

This place, along with its sister restaurant, Fraziers, is just what Hillsborough Street needs more of! Great food, great service, great atmosphere. The Sunday Brunch is also great...it's THE place in west raleigh to be on a sunday afternoon! When it's warm, they open up the patio which is great for eating and watching people go by.

Pros: Tasty options, great Brunch choice, good locale

Cons: Brunch starts late. Smoky bar.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

02/11/2007 Posted by rossmck

We've been to Porter's Tavern three times now. Each time has fully met our expectations. The food is excellent and reasonably priced, the service prompt and helpful (it's causual enough that you pour your own wine through the meal), and the atmosphere friendly. The wine list is decent, although not flashy. I'd say it's a better place for a nice dinner for two than a big group (we've done both), mainly because they don't seem to have many tables for groups of 5 or larger. The tavern chips are dynamite - but don't order them for two unless you don't mind turning back leftovers. The serving is about right for five.

Pros: Casual atmosphere, very high quality food, excellent service, nice for two

Cons: Lack of reservations for less than six, okay wine list

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful