The meal was excellent, but service was slow and somewhat lacking in detail. The coffee was lukewarm and the server didn't tell us about any specials(we overheard her tell the table next to us after we ordered). That said, I would still go back for the food...loved the collard "chips" and catfish salad!
DavidS
I have watched the pbs show A Chef's Life and wanted to try the restaurant. My experience there lived up to all of my expectations. The staff was welcoming and very well trained which helped with the overall experience. The food was different than what I have experienced but also something that I enjoyed very much. I feel that it is a very good value and would not hesitate to return.
ElizabethA
Such a treat! Our waitress was fantastic and the food was so delicious! We particularly loved Miss Lily's biscuits, the crispy collards, and the rice pudding!
We Drove over from Charlotte to have a quick getaway and celebrate our 10-year anniversary. We stayed at The O'Neil hotel which is an old bank that they turned into a small hotel right across from the Chef and the Farmer. Now having been there I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else if you are doing an overnight. The first night we were in town we had dinner at The Boiler Room which was so so good! Following dinner that night we went over to the bar at Chef and The Farmer and had cocktails and desserts. My wife is more of a desert person than me but it was delicious and I was excited that the bar had Pappy Van Winkle bourbon which can be pretty hard to find. We spent the next day checking out the town which includes some nice little shops and Mother Earth Brewery all on the same square block as Chef and the Farmer. Our dinner that night was excellent. I was excited to see that they had Tom Thumb on the menu because that was one of the shows that was memorable to me and it was cool to connect the two. Portions were very generous and service was fantastic. Ben was there too and it was really cool to connect with him and see him walking around greeting tables. He also has amazing artwork which you can purchase right off the wall! Overall it was a fantastic experience that I would strongly recommend you do. We will certainly go back again. What they have done to revitalize an otherwise small and uneventful eastern NC town is nothing short of amazing and awe inspiring. Sorry for the long review that lacks details specific to the food but I feel like the entire experience we had is what makes the food more than just another good dish.
Thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It was my wife's birthday and a surprise. She had just received the cookbook and after our arrival was looking forward to having Vivian sign it for her. Didn't happen, but we understand. The food was delicious and the service was acceptable. I felt the noise level, when we were seated, was too noisy to enjoy the meal but as it turned out, it was not a factor.
Wonderful food. Great service from the moment you walk in . Our waitress was superb with great incite to the menu. We had been planning to come for some time. Now we are glad we came.
the atmosphere is very relaxing, the staff is customer focused and is excellent. The food is over the top and worth the price. We drove for four hours to experience The Chief and the Farmer, worth every minute.
Been a Big fan of Vivian Howard's tv program, Chef and the Farmer, so wanted to dine there for a long time. Finally came and it was just as good as I had imagined, even better. Love the unique combinations of this talented chef, and the delicious manner she prepares regional ingredients. Look forward to coming again soon! Wish she was open for lunch!
VPalma
We stopped by after the most successful TRUMP Rally in KINSTON last Wednesday evening and the food was just wonderful, as were the desserts! What a virtual symphony of scrumptious tastes, textures, aromas and presentations! The only drawback was a noisy family of 4 children and 2 complacent adults nearby. They were WAY too impolite, loud and inconsiderate to be out in public eating at that, (9:30 PM) or ANY hour!! I so wish there were some sound absorbers installed....Fortunately, I had my trusty earplugs with me and was relegated to using them during the entire dining experience...
Tyler
Overall I had an amazing experience at Chef and the Farmer for my first visit. Would definitely recommend to any other friends. Our waitress Maria was awesome and explained everything very well. The only slight issue with the restaurant is the noise level inside the dining area. Wish it could be a little more quiet. Great job Vivian!
Staff very friendly and helpful especially when they found out our motel had been flooded and they failed to call us and tell us they were closed. Beth went out of her way to try to find us a place to stay. our waitress Jessica was outstanding. fun seeing the folks we recognized from the show. food very good.
Opentable Diner
The Chef and the Farmer is one of those gems that you have to truly engage with to get the experience. You can't make the mistake of drawing conclusions based on a single experience, as the reality of a farm to table restaurant is going to present some inconsistency. Our first trip there several years ago (before the fire) was nothing short of spectacular, with a springtime focus on early harvests and blooms. Over the years as we have returned, we've had very different experiences. Sometimes this was based on the cuisine, other times the service. A chef that swings for the fences is going to strike out now and again, so be prepared for being underwhelmed by certain dishes. With that said, more often than not the results are nothing short of amazing, as they were this past weekend. If you've watched "A Chef's Life" and are expecting some magical experience superior to any other restaurant out there, you might be disappointed. If you're willing to be adventurous and step outside your comfort zone, you may just find a restaurant that will become your go to for special occasions, or just a need to get away from the normal for a whimsical farm to table experience every now and again.
LinRonS
We had oysters at the Boiler Room and then a delightful evening at the Chef and the Farmer. We drove from Tampa to celebrate my wife's birthday with Vivian Howard in Raleigh for her book signing and dinner in Kinston. Well worth the trip. Thanks also to Ben Knight for the photo op at the Chef and completing our "Chef's Life" tour.
robt
Love the food, it is very creative and tasty. I feel that the cocktails are pricey though. And the noise level was quite high. I had to get the person that I was with to keep repeating or try to read lips.
Stro
We were greeted quickly and seated on time for our reservation. Table for two was of adequate size. Wait service was very helpful and explained the menu well. Environment was too noisy. It was hard to carry on a private conversation without SHOUTING. Food was beautifully presented and delicious. Wine list had a good variety, but was way too pricy. All-in-all a good to great experience.
The meal was excellent, but service was slow and somewhat lacking in detail. The coffee was lukewarm and the server didn't tell us about any specials(we overheard her tell the table next to us after we ordered). That said, I would still go back for the food...loved the collard "chips" and catfish salad!
I have watched the pbs show A Chef's Life and wanted to try the restaurant. My experience there lived up to all of my expectations. The staff was welcoming and very well trained which helped with the overall experience. The food was different than what I have experienced but also something that I enjoyed very much. I feel that it is a very good value and would not hesitate to return.
Such a treat! Our waitress was fantastic and the food was so delicious! We particularly loved Miss Lily's biscuits, the crispy collards, and the rice pudding!
We Drove over from Charlotte to have a quick getaway and celebrate our 10-year anniversary. We stayed at The O'Neil hotel which is an old bank that they turned into a small hotel right across from the Chef and the Farmer. Now having been there I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else if you are doing an overnight. The first night we were in town we had dinner at The Boiler Room which was so so good! Following dinner that night we went over to the bar at Chef and The Farmer and had cocktails and desserts. My wife is more of a desert person than me but it was delicious and I was excited that the bar had Pappy Van Winkle bourbon which can be pretty hard to find. We spent the next day checking out the town which includes some nice little shops and Mother Earth Brewery all on the same square block as Chef and the Farmer. Our dinner that night was excellent. I was excited to see that they had Tom Thumb on the menu because that was one of the shows that was memorable to me and it was cool to connect the two. Portions were very generous and service was fantastic. Ben was there too and it was really cool to connect with him and see him walking around greeting tables. He also has amazing artwork which you can purchase right off the wall! Overall it was a fantastic experience that I would strongly recommend you do. We will certainly go back again. What they have done to revitalize an otherwise small and uneventful eastern NC town is nothing short of amazing and awe inspiring. Sorry for the long review that lacks details specific to the food but I feel like the entire experience we had is what makes the food more than just another good dish.
Thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It was my wife's birthday and a surprise. She had just received the cookbook and after our arrival was looking forward to having Vivian sign it for her. Didn't happen, but we understand. The food was delicious and the service was acceptable. I felt the noise level, when we were seated, was too noisy to enjoy the meal but as it turned out, it was not a factor.
Wonderful food. Great service from the moment you walk in . Our waitress was superb with great incite to the menu. We had been planning to come for some time. Now we are glad we came.
the atmosphere is very relaxing, the staff is customer focused and is excellent. The food is over the top and worth the price. We drove for four hours to experience The Chief and the Farmer, worth every minute.
Been a Big fan of Vivian Howard's tv program, Chef and the Farmer, so wanted to dine there for a long time. Finally came and it was just as good as I had imagined, even better. Love the unique combinations of this talented chef, and the delicious manner she prepares regional ingredients. Look forward to coming again soon! Wish she was open for lunch!
We stopped by after the most successful TRUMP Rally in KINSTON last Wednesday evening and the food was just wonderful, as were the desserts! What a virtual symphony of scrumptious tastes, textures, aromas and presentations! The only drawback was a noisy family of 4 children and 2 complacent adults nearby. They were WAY too impolite, loud and inconsiderate to be out in public eating at that, (9:30 PM) or ANY hour!! I so wish there were some sound absorbers installed....Fortunately, I had my trusty earplugs with me and was relegated to using them during the entire dining experience...
Overall I had an amazing experience at Chef and the Farmer for my first visit. Would definitely recommend to any other friends. Our waitress Maria was awesome and explained everything very well. The only slight issue with the restaurant is the noise level inside the dining area. Wish it could be a little more quiet. Great job Vivian!
Restaurantji Recommends
Staff very friendly and helpful especially when they found out our motel had been flooded and they failed to call us and tell us they were closed. Beth went out of her way to try to find us a place to stay. our waitress Jessica was outstanding. fun seeing the folks we recognized from the show. food very good.
The Chef and the Farmer is one of those gems that you have to truly engage with to get the experience. You can't make the mistake of drawing conclusions based on a single experience, as the reality of a farm to table restaurant is going to present some inconsistency. Our first trip there several years ago (before the fire) was nothing short of spectacular, with a springtime focus on early harvests and blooms. Over the years as we have returned, we've had very different experiences. Sometimes this was based on the cuisine, other times the service. A chef that swings for the fences is going to strike out now and again, so be prepared for being underwhelmed by certain dishes. With that said, more often than not the results are nothing short of amazing, as they were this past weekend. If you've watched "A Chef's Life" and are expecting some magical experience superior to any other restaurant out there, you might be disappointed. If you're willing to be adventurous and step outside your comfort zone, you may just find a restaurant that will become your go to for special occasions, or just a need to get away from the normal for a whimsical farm to table experience every now and again.
We had oysters at the Boiler Room and then a delightful evening at the Chef and the Farmer. We drove from Tampa to celebrate my wife's birthday with Vivian Howard in Raleigh for her book signing and dinner in Kinston. Well worth the trip. Thanks also to Ben Knight for the photo op at the Chef and completing our "Chef's Life" tour.
Love the food, it is very creative and tasty. I feel that the cocktails are pricey though. And the noise level was quite high. I had to get the person that I was with to keep repeating or try to read lips.
We were greeted quickly and seated on time for our reservation. Table for two was of adequate size. Wait service was very helpful and explained the menu well. Environment was too noisy. It was hard to carry on a private conversation without SHOUTING. Food was beautifully presented and delicious. Wine list had a good variety, but was way too pricy. All-in-all a good to great experience.
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