Magnolia Grill
Durham, NC 27705-4107
Phone: (919) 286-3609
- Price:
- $$$
- Hours:
- Tue-Thu 6pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Magnolia Grill – by Dana Bowen
In Short
Chef/owners Ben and Karen Barker masterfully create New Southern meals--a genre they helped define. Ben Barker's dishes resonate with simple, Southern-at-heart melodies. Entrees are riveting: tender, balsamic-glazed pork loin complements Italian cabbage and white beans, and roasted red snapper sings alongside bacon-dressed spinach. Karen Barker's desserts are an intriguing finale: a State Fair tribute--complete with mini caramel apples--rivals a moist cocoa-cola cake, with salty peanut ice cream, for the blue ribbon.
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Insider Tips
What To DrinkWines by the glass ($6-$9) range from a peppery Seghesio Zinfandel to a floral Alban Viognier. Servers are well-versed, and can steer diners toward complementary--and if requested, inexpensive--bottles from the selective list.
User Reviews for Magnolia Grill
09/08/2008 Posted by milkstoo
My bf made the reservation to surprise me and conversed w/ the chef prior to our arrival to confirm their knowledge of my intolerance/disease to be sure that this was not a problem. So, first, and most important to me, that worked out wonderfully--NOT sick at all (THANK YOU!). Now let me give you a quick background, I have lived and worked all over the country and travelled the world. I have eaten in some wonderful restaurants around the world. I have also worked in some wonderful restaurant ('four star') kitchens, as well. I LOVE food. MG, hands down, was one of the best meals I've ever had. In my life. Seriously. The chef will not substitute anything in his meals, but as I said earlier, we let him know that I was coming, and he was very helpful. It is unfortunate to see negative reviews and I can only base my review on my experience. I highly recommend.
Pros: service excellent, food is ridiculously great, excellent value (would say UNDER priced)
08/22/2008 Posted by raddspencer
I am not a culinary expert nor do I have an educated or discerning palatte. I do however, know ridiculously good food when I eat it. I have never, ever, in all my life tasted anything as flavorful and unique as the dishes I had at MG. This is truly a lifetime perspective changing experience that no one should be without. This place is not overpriced, so anyone who says it is just doesn't understand that this isn't just some assembly line style mall parking lot restaurant. The staff is very pleasant and they were quite patient with my simpleton questions and unknowledgable demeanor. I found the atmosphere charming, unfettered, and very approachable. I have heard people complain that it is too average looking. So what, if you want to have to wear a suit and tie to eat go somewhere like that. I'll never understand why people try to take a lifetime's worth of messed up comparisons and expectations into a situation and then complain and judge the entire time they are witnessing a miracle. Bottom line, you have to try this place if you are in the area. It simply is the best dinner I've ever had without exception. P.S. Stella Artois on tap = sweet baby jesus awesome
Pros: This is the dumbest question ever. Uh ... everything.
Cons: Kahn? No Kahn's here captain this is Seti Alpha 6.
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