Poole’s Downtown Diner

I’ve tried this place twice now and have been disappointed both times. While I did enjoy the food selections, the inconsistency of their offerings are nothing short of annoying. Also, the location leaves much to be desired. I had a group of clients in town and was advised to take them there and they were clearly frightened to get out of the car or enter the diner (which most closely resembles an abandoned and forgotten pool hall). The drinks were, however, stellar and if it weren’t for those, I don’t think I would have come back a second time. However, with what I can only describe as an elitist-style brand of cuisine, which does not mesh with its location at all, I think I will be, against my better judgment and preference, stick to restaurants with more widely-known reputations for having both good food and ambience, and not a place in a sketchy part of town that purports itself to be “high-end”!

By {screen_name} 02/06/11

Pros:  allegedly good food (and the only reason they earned a second star)
Cons:  Where to begin…
  * Rude, self-important management
  * Poor location (unless you like parking/eating next to a dangerously-congested main traffic artery across from a Firestone tire dealership)
  * Selfish owner-focused operating hours (Wed-Sat dinner only)
  * No printed menus, either on web site or in restaurant—you have to strain to read chalk boards on one wall.

I have tried three times to eat here, twice during their Yelp-published operating hours.  However they are now open just four days out of the week, and only for dinner.

Not knowing about these strange hours, my second attempt was on a Wednesday for lunch and hallelujah, their door was open!  However the two ladies who presumably run the restaurant gave us a dirty look and didn’t otherwise acknowledge us for quite some time, after which they rudely asked “can we help you with something?”  They then dismissed us, informing us unapologetically of their limited hours, and sarcastically bid us “good luck.”  I stopped back this past Saturday for lunch and again they were closed, even though Yelp indicated they should be open—strike three.

The only thing that intrigues me about this establishment is others’ reviews of their menu selections, although other than that their entire way of doing business is a complete turn-off.  Any establishment that doesn’t serve dinner at least 5-6 days out of the week is simply lazy, or perhaps just self-important.  Their web site offers absolutely no details on what one can expect here food-wise, and ordering from the handwritten chalkboard menu opposite the bar (they have no menu books) is quite inconvenient.

Given all of the other great choices nearby, I find it unlikely that I’ll try Poole’s again.  I wound up going around the corner to Jibarra and was treated to wonderful food and fantastic service which further confirmed my decision to eliminate Poole’s from future itineraries.

By {screen_name} 01/23/11

food=great but ordering is weird
atmosphere=$ for $ sake

By {screen_name} 10/21/10

My favorite restaurant in Raleigh, nay, the world.

By katdesign83 01/22/10

Poole’s is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. Everything on our plates was “the best” my date and I have eaten - from the brown butter scallops to the macaroni and cheese to the spare ribs. The beer and wine list is also top notch. The atmosphere is retro, dark, and trendy all at the same time, giving diners that the feeling that they aren’t in kansas anymore, so to speak.

By Christian 06/07/09

My fiance and I went to eat at Poole’s on a Friday night. We got their at 6h30 and took stools at the bar.

The atmosphere was really retro and unique, very cool and pleasant…. By 7h15 though, masses of people came in and crowded the bar section to discomfort. As diners, it was not ideal. Especially where mid-way through our meal we were interrupted by a request to move over stools to accomodate another party. Of course, there’s little management can do about other impolite diners; however, I would imagine they would be concerned about the building being over capacity.

The food selection is not what you would expect from a “diner.” Indeed, it was gourmet food. We ordered the duck and chicken liver pate ($9) and the baguette ($3) for starters - delish! My fiance ordered the “special,” of bone in NY strip with an au poivre sauce and fries. After seeing the bill (they charged $36 for the steak) it was highly disappointing as the steak was unevenly cooked (medium on the outside, rare in the bone nook..) one would expect a $36 steak to be cooked perfectly throughout. I had the roasted beet and avocado salad ($9) which was divine! We also ordered a side of the Macaroni au Gratin ($9) which was very tastey, too.

Overall, I really loved the meal and the service was great.

With the gourmet food and price tags, I would expect a little more in terms of seating comfort, but I guess that is why it carries the name of “diner.”

By Lizounette 01/27/09

I came in at about 6:30.  Restaurant not particularily busy, but atmosphere good, lighting tuned down, etc.  I was dressed appropriately for dinner anywhere in the city.  I do not have any physical or speech deformaties.  I ordered a glass of wine and a salad (after some discussion) and indicated I would order an entree in a bit after thoroughly considering the choices (they all sounded good; I wanted to get a bit of a look at what was coming out of the kitchen to help me make up my mind).  It was a bit uncomfortable not to have a printed menu and to have to turn around to consult the chalk board as other diners/staff were walking by (it’s really not that hard to put out a menu even with a daily changing fare).  My salad took a very long time to arrive despite the apparently snappy service to other tables, and of course my waiter did not serve my salad.  As a matter of fact he didn’t speak or look at me again for 45 minutes.  I thought I had on my invisible cloak.  He chatted up the guy to my right and the guy to my left and never so much as checked in with me to see about the state of my wine or salad, or more to the point, if I had decided on something else for my main course.  Am I way off here or do other single ladies in Raleigh like to be ignored when they are out alone for dinner?  I was soooooo primed to love this place and unfortunately, the service ruined my meal and any taste I might have for coming back.

By {screen_name} 10/09/08

So far, I have only been to Poole’s for brunch, but have been several times. The food is absolutely wonderful. I’ve tried several different dishes on the ever-changing menu and have not be disappointed (even when my “favorites” were not available). I understand how some can be annoyed by the chalkboard menus, but when a restaurant’s menu changes often, it seems like a reasonable solution to try to have new menus printed constantly.

I love Poole’s and am thankful it’s walking distance from home.

By {screen_name} 08/13/08

I love everything about Poole’s. The food is always delicious. The prices are reasonable. And the menu changes frequently - I love to go in and check out the as-yet-untried delicacies on the chalkboards!

By {screen_name} 06/30/08

I’ve described my second and third visits to Poole’s as the triumph of hope over experience. I appreciate the thought that has gone into the concept but I wish whoever came up with the chalkboard menu would please let go of this tedious gimmick. While I appreciate the execution of the food, something just isn’t clicking with the deconstructed diner concept. Rather than creating an intriguing contrast the low and high elements are sabotaging each other.
If these can be reconciled, I think Poole’s could be a valuable part of the downtown dining experience.

By Michael 06/25/08

Finally had dinner here over the weekend and it is easily one of the best quality food places in Downtown Raleigh.

By Jedidiah 03/24/08