My wife and I were flying into Raleigh this January and wanted a good meal for lunch. I read that Second Empire was a Wine Spectator awarded establishment and that it was set in a old mansion. We dined in the tavern. We were were very impressed with the setting, which was converted from an old root cellar, with exposed brickwork all around. There were I believe three dining area; one close to the street with windows, the other by the bar, and another used for the main upstairs dining room as overflow. The wine cellar also located off to the side. My wife had the trout (she always tries to get the local specialty) while I had a risotto with duck comfit.. I asked the water for a wine recommendation for this meal and I think we settled for the Malbec for South America. There was a corn muffin server lady (???) and she brought us each a small warm muffin with 'nice' butter. Got my taste buds flowing. This was a good start. Our meals arrived not long afterwards and both were very good, especially the trout. Full of flavor and well prepared. My risotto had peas and nice chunks of duck. fish was served with beans and other veggies and I was sorry when it was gone, ( I eat other peoples meals, no one can stop me.) Dessert was great also, something called Chess Pie, another special. I recommend this place and will go back given the opportunity, perhaps for dinner upstairs. Oh, and our waiter, who resembled Michael McDonald (Stewart' from MadTV) gave us a tour upstairs in the mansion and a history lesson at the end of the meal. We felt we got good quality and service for the price, which was around $50.
Pros: good food
Cons: I was never arrested
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