We got the chef meal. Chef Nicholas Chavez brought us five courses. We didn't know what to expect. He served us each course. Not knowing what to expect made it better. We had a great time. Every course was fantastic! We bought a glass of wine but also brought our own bottle. The service was great. We ate early -- at 5:30. We like to eat early and we like it quiet. It was quiet at first but the restaurant quickly became full. This was our second time. We will go back. Lord willing.
Rachel
Some of the best food I've had in North Carolina and I say that as a born and raised local. I literally said I got so used to just bland or okay tasting food, that I genuinely did not know how to react when I had the food here it was so good and well made.
Christian
Took us early. Service was terrific. We needed delicious, fast...and you guys delivered! Thanks!
Merrit
Our dinner was a complete success! The location was perfect, the lighting was fabulous. We enjoyed every morsel, especially the brussels and cheesecake! A delight!
Nancy
Food was exceptional and our server was so knowledgeable about wines and helped us pick out a bottle of wine that was perfect. Menu choices were varied and enticing and our choices were so tasty. Kiddos to the chef and staff.
Enrique
Had a great meal with the family. They accommodated my older parents as well as someone with food allergies. The drinks were great and the whole family style meal was ideal. The only thing I would have recommended was the family style be emphasized earlier in the ordering process but it was fine.
Kaitlyn Matthews
Cannot wait to go back! Amazing staff & enjoyed chatting with the chef. A great quality place with amazing food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noelle
Amazing food and atmosphere, take advantage of the cute outdoor patio and bar with fire pits!
Lindsey
We have come to Dram Yard several times, and the food never disappoints. However, the service this time around was just not what it needed to be for the price. We arrived to Brunch with a 10:15 reservation (they open at 10), and were seated right away. However, the hostess also chose to seat a 6-top without a reservation at the same time. The hostess who sat us asked if we wanted water, and while pouring our water asked if we wanted a cocktail which we ordered. By the time our actual server came over, we were mostly done with those cocktails. I could tell other tables were struggling to get service too, as the table next to us had to flag her down at one point to put in their order. The server was hardly ever around, difficult to flag down. It was almost like she was actively avoiding making eye contact with any of her tables if she wasn't going to see your specific table for something. Then we were told that the kitchen was short-staffed, and that's why our food was taking so long. Okay, understandable. However, another staff member informed us that all the tables around us had placed their orders at the same time...which is a server issue, not a kitchen issue. Additionally, if you hadn't seated a 6-top right at the start of brunch service, when you had reservations, there wouldn't be so many orders coming in at the same time. This was our second attempt at brunch at Dram Yard. The first time, we arrived for our reservation only to find out that the restaurant was closed for the day due to a gas issue. The communication for that was horrendous, as they sent an email early in the morning. I don't know about you, but I don't wake up on Sunday and read my emails before Brunch. The cancellation through Open Table came 15 minutes after our intended reservation time. Overall, between the previous attempt and this one, it seems like communication amongst the staff and with customers needs some work. I'm hesitant if we will try it again.
Rebecca
Staff is friendly, attentive and willing to work with food allergies. Lovely... second time and will be back!
Brunch came highly recommended. Had various meal items at our table and all happy with choices. Chef accommodating.
Jared
The Brussels sprouts were absolutely outstanding. I think we've ordered them all 4 times we've been there and, surprisingly, last night's were the very best. The wine was great, we loved the corn vichyssoise, the oysters, carbonara and curried sweet potatoes. Our server, pretty sure his name was Evan, was attentive, professional, and friendly. Oh, and did we house some chocolate torte with vanilla gelato? Uhhh yeah.
Brian
This place is awesome! The best plantains I've ever had, tuna tostada was outstanding. We basically had six or seven shareable plates. Everything was very very good. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good place to eat that's not just seafood.
Jaclyn
I wanted to love this restaurant! PROS: - The design & ambience is beautiful. Exposed brick walls and wallpapered ceilings felt fashionable. We didn't sit outdoors, but the patio is beautiful with all sorts of plants - The food was good. None of it stood out, especially compared to other restaurants in the area at this price point, but it was solid. CONS: - Our service was kind, but not very good. We consistently had to ask for refills. There were long periods of time where we didn't see her. We ended up having to ask questions of other staff people who were walking around. The questions we did ask her came with unclear responses, which felt like she wasn't very familiar with the menu or the service style. - The cocktails and mocktails we ordered were overly sweet with not that much flavor. - Our server described the food as "family style." When I think of family style, I think of large portions with serving spoons and the type of food that's easy to share. One person in our group had the chicken and dumplings, which were the closest thing to family style. The other two dishes were a smash burger and a sweet potato covered with a chickpea curry. These did not feel easily sharable at all, but they were all delivered at separate times, making our meal feel very awkward. - Finally, when making the reservation, the platform asks if you are there for a special occasion. I indicated that we were coming for a birthday, and then I emailed them separately letting them know it would be a birthday. So I was surprised when no one even mentioned the special occasion, much less offered a treat. I would not recommend this restaurant to others and I won't return. I'd much prefer to go to Seabird or Olivera, where the servers are knowledgeable about the menus and their role in helping pace the meal, the food is deliciously memorable, AND the design aesthetic is great.
Tanya
John at the gazebo bar is a savant with making any type of drink that fancies you. No need for a ‘named drink' just tell him your mood, season, preferred tastes, etc and he'll make you a fabulous smooth drink. it was the highlight of our drink along with accommodations at ARRIVE Wilmington which is on same property.
We got the chef meal. Chef Nicholas Chavez brought us five courses. We didn't know what to expect. He served us each course. Not knowing what to expect made it better. We had a great time. Every course was fantastic! We bought a glass of wine but also brought our own bottle. The service was great. We ate early -- at 5:30. We like to eat early and we like it quiet. It was quiet at first but the restaurant quickly became full. This was our second time. We will go back. Lord willing.
Some of the best food I've had in North Carolina and I say that as a born and raised local. I literally said I got so used to just bland or okay tasting food, that I genuinely did not know how to react when I had the food here it was so good and well made.
Took us early. Service was terrific. We needed delicious, fast...and you guys delivered! Thanks!
Our dinner was a complete success! The location was perfect, the lighting was fabulous. We enjoyed every morsel, especially the brussels and cheesecake! A delight!
Food was exceptional and our server was so knowledgeable about wines and helped us pick out a bottle of wine that was perfect. Menu choices were varied and enticing and our choices were so tasty. Kiddos to the chef and staff.
Had a great meal with the family. They accommodated my older parents as well as someone with food allergies. The drinks were great and the whole family style meal was ideal. The only thing I would have recommended was the family style be emphasized earlier in the ordering process but it was fine.
Cannot wait to go back! Amazing staff & enjoyed chatting with the chef. A great quality place with amazing food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and atmosphere, take advantage of the cute outdoor patio and bar with fire pits!
We have come to Dram Yard several times, and the food never disappoints. However, the service this time around was just not what it needed to be for the price. We arrived to Brunch with a 10:15 reservation (they open at 10), and were seated right away. However, the hostess also chose to seat a 6-top without a reservation at the same time. The hostess who sat us asked if we wanted water, and while pouring our water asked if we wanted a cocktail which we ordered. By the time our actual server came over, we were mostly done with those cocktails. I could tell other tables were struggling to get service too, as the table next to us had to flag her down at one point to put in their order. The server was hardly ever around, difficult to flag down. It was almost like she was actively avoiding making eye contact with any of her tables if she wasn't going to see your specific table for something. Then we were told that the kitchen was short-staffed, and that's why our food was taking so long. Okay, understandable. However, another staff member informed us that all the tables around us had placed their orders at the same time...which is a server issue, not a kitchen issue. Additionally, if you hadn't seated a 6-top right at the start of brunch service, when you had reservations, there wouldn't be so many orders coming in at the same time. This was our second attempt at brunch at Dram Yard. The first time, we arrived for our reservation only to find out that the restaurant was closed for the day due to a gas issue. The communication for that was horrendous, as they sent an email early in the morning. I don't know about you, but I don't wake up on Sunday and read my emails before Brunch. The cancellation through Open Table came 15 minutes after our intended reservation time. Overall, between the previous attempt and this one, it seems like communication amongst the staff and with customers needs some work. I'm hesitant if we will try it again.
Staff is friendly, attentive and willing to work with food allergies. Lovely... second time and will be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Brunch came highly recommended. Had various meal items at our table and all happy with choices. Chef accommodating.
The Brussels sprouts were absolutely outstanding. I think we've ordered them all 4 times we've been there and, surprisingly, last night's were the very best. The wine was great, we loved the corn vichyssoise, the oysters, carbonara and curried sweet potatoes. Our server, pretty sure his name was Evan, was attentive, professional, and friendly. Oh, and did we house some chocolate torte with vanilla gelato? Uhhh yeah.
This place is awesome! The best plantains I've ever had, tuna tostada was outstanding. We basically had six or seven shareable plates. Everything was very very good. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good place to eat that's not just seafood.
I wanted to love this restaurant! PROS: - The design & ambience is beautiful. Exposed brick walls and wallpapered ceilings felt fashionable. We didn't sit outdoors, but the patio is beautiful with all sorts of plants - The food was good. None of it stood out, especially compared to other restaurants in the area at this price point, but it was solid. CONS: - Our service was kind, but not very good. We consistently had to ask for refills. There were long periods of time where we didn't see her. We ended up having to ask questions of other staff people who were walking around. The questions we did ask her came with unclear responses, which felt like she wasn't very familiar with the menu or the service style. - The cocktails and mocktails we ordered were overly sweet with not that much flavor. - Our server described the food as "family style." When I think of family style, I think of large portions with serving spoons and the type of food that's easy to share. One person in our group had the chicken and dumplings, which were the closest thing to family style. The other two dishes were a smash burger and a sweet potato covered with a chickpea curry. These did not feel easily sharable at all, but they were all delivered at separate times, making our meal feel very awkward. - Finally, when making the reservation, the platform asks if you are there for a special occasion. I indicated that we were coming for a birthday, and then I emailed them separately letting them know it would be a birthday. So I was surprised when no one even mentioned the special occasion, much less offered a treat. I would not recommend this restaurant to others and I won't return. I'd much prefer to go to Seabird or Olivera, where the servers are knowledgeable about the menus and their role in helping pace the meal, the food is deliciously memorable, AND the design aesthetic is great.
John at the gazebo bar is a savant with making any type of drink that fancies you. No need for a ‘named drink' just tell him your mood, season, preferred tastes, etc and he'll make you a fabulous smooth drink. it was the highlight of our drink along with accommodations at ARRIVE Wilmington which is on same property.
Loading...