Death and Taxes

Amazing Birthday Celebration I celebrated my birthday at Death & Taxes in December 2024 with family and friends, and the whole experience was incredible. Everyone in our group had a great time. The Second Rodeo cocktail was a standout—perfectly balanced with a smoky twist that I’ll definitely come back for. The food was delicious from start to finish—each dish was packed with flavor and cooked with care. The wood-fired cooking really added something special. The atmosphere was cozy yet modern, and the open kitchen made the experience even more engaging. The staff was attentive and made us feel welcome throughout the night. It was a memorable evening, and I’d highly recommend Death & Taxes for birthdays, celebrations, or just a great night out in Raleigh.

We went to Death and Taxes last night for my boyfriend’s birthday, and honestly, WOW. From start to finish, this meal was unforgettable. The hardest part of the evening was choosing what to order, because everything on the menu sounded so good. Luckily, we went all in and it paid off. Drinks I ordered the Placebo Effect (Zero Proof) — clarified pineapple and orange juice, ginger, and coconut. This drink was phenomenal. Refreshing, bright, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of tartness. It paired seamlessly with every dish we ate and was so easy to sip on that it lasted me the entire two-hour dinner. A true standout in its own right. Appetizers We kicked off with three appetizers: two seasonal and one menu staple. • Fried NC Shrimp, Buried Garlic Aioli, Pickled Green Tomatoes Hands down the star of the night. Perfectly fried, juicy shrimp paired with tangy pickled tomatoes and the most addictive garlic aioli (the kind you unapologetically scrape clean with a spoon). It was so good that after our mains, Adam ordered a second round. That’s how good it was. • Grilled Golden Beets, Roasted Beet Purée, Dill Crema, Fennel, Pumpernickel Croutons Refreshing and beautifully balanced. The light earthiness of the beets met its match with the creamy dill and crunchy pumpernickel croutons. A perfect counterpoint to the richness of the shrimp and oysters. • Roasted NC Oysters, Chili Butter, Preserved Lemon Gremolata These were the best oysters I’ve ever had. The warmth of the chili butter with that hit of lemony brightness made each bite sing. I usually struggle with oyster texture, but I devoured my half of the plate. A couple had bits of shell (a reminder of just how fresh they were), but nothing that took away from the experience. Main Course We let our server guide us, and she steered us toward the NC Fish with Black Rice, Smoked Oyster XO Sauce, Bok Choy, and Prosciutto. A flawless choice. The fish was perfectly charred and flaky, the black rice was creamy yet delightfully chewy, and the umami-packed XO sauce tied everything together. Even the bok choy, which I almost skipped at first, turned out to be one of my favorite bites of the night. The crunch of the prosciutto added the finishing touch to an already perfect dish. I will dream about this plate for weeks. Dessert Though we were nearly full, dessert was non-negotiable. • Grilled Cornmeal Cream Puff, Blueberry Mousse, Corn Flake Brittle, Burnt Honey Syrup Light yet indulgent, with all the right textures, airy mousse, crisp brittle, soft puff, and warm honey. It felt like the perfect bow to end the night. And because we couldn’t resist, we took home the Corn Frangipane Tart with Market Peaches and Embered Whipped Cream, which I happily ate for breakfast this morning. Sweet-tart peaches, smoky cream, a buttery crust with just the right bite, and a little crumble on top, pure magic. Honestly the best breakfast I’ve ever had. Final Thoughts What I love most about Death and Taxes is how intentional every dish feels. Each element highlights the wood fire at the heart of the kitchen, without ever being gimmicky. Everything we ate was layered with flavor, balanced with texture, and beautifully plated. This meal wasn’t just dinner, it was an experience. I can’t wait to see what’s on the next season’s menu, and I already know I’ll be back for those oysters and another round of the Placebo Effect.

Death and Taxes is a great spot for a 4th or 5th date (or first, if you’re a big baller), or celebrating any occasion. The food is good to great, and service is really excellent! I tend to only leave 5 star reviews if this combination is met, and they definitely delivered. We are vegetarian, and it is pretty hard to introduce us to new ways to eat vegetables. So, the beet appetizer was a pleasant surprise as we hadn’t really had such a flavor profile before. The tomato appetizer was also good. We shared the vegetarian pasta afterwards, which was citrusy and good, although could have used more umami notes. The carrot side was also good, and family style sharing is definitely possible (or even encouraged?) here. All the dessert options and drinks are delicious. Our waitress was awesome, in line with other reviews. Shocked to hear it was only her second day on the job! Upon hearing about the reasons for our celebration that evening, she kindly brought out a little pour of something special on the house. But regardless of that gesture the attention and excitement she has for the food and our dining was impressive. Since I was a bit confused about dress code before going, I can now suggest this spot fits squarely into the category I call “if your shirt has at least two buttons, you’re good.”

My wife and I had a great time at Death & Taxes. We had to change our reservation from a party of 4 to 2 after some friends couldn't make it. We called the day prior and D&T was kind to accommodate our change. We arrived about 35 minutes before our reservation time of 7:15 and mentioned to the hostess that we wanted to have a drink at the bar first before being seated. The hostess mentioned the bar was full but that they could go ahead and seat us at our table and we could be free to have a drink there and take our time to soak in the ambiance. That was a great accommodation. I ordered a perfect gin martini and always have to describe what that is. Our server took the order but the bar tender came to our table later to make sure he knew exactly what I wanted. That was simply outstanding service in a very busy restaurant. He made me two Perfect martini's for sure. I'm grateful for the attention to detail and the willingness to get it just right. Our server Caleb was super friendly and took great care of us. He was supported by at least 3-4 other staff that was always looking after us. We started with the tuna tartare served with pita points. It was different than we had before with other ingredients in the mix but was absolutely delicious. I would recommend this as a great variation of this dish. Our steaks were cooked to perfection for the filet my wife had and the aged NY Strip which was served with a brown gravy which I took on the side. The steak was clearly aged as described and still had a bit of the pellicle from the dry aging process on one age which I didn’t mind at all. This helped to form a great sear on that side and contributes a nutty and earthy taste which is great. The brussels sprouts were unfortunately a huge miss and were burned and undercooked at the same time. We didn't ask for it but they took those off our bill. It likely was just a new cook or just a bad batch as they looked like they could be excellent. Very excited to have dined at D&T and would highly recommend it.

We brought our friends here for a lovely meal! A very intimate space. The wait staff were well versed in the menu and also friendly to chat to in-between courses. We all got a variety of different food but my personal favorites were the potato leek style soup, the roasted oysters and the wintered greens. It was an amazing meal and I can’t wait to come back and try it with the rotating menu!

This casual and unfussy spot is very appealing and the staff are exceptional. Amy and Kat are absolute gems and the whole team is devoted to the dining experience. Wine list and bar are well-curated and the cocktail menu (including zero-proof options) is nicely refined. Food is good, with standouts (salads, breads, and pasta). My bass was good, but the crispy pancetta and Asian sauce overwhelmed. Dining partners liked the simply prepared steaks. We liked the reliance on seasonal and NC produce. Disappointed with the dessert options. We ordered the three available and the baked Alaska was tasty. Will definitely return for drinks and a light bite.

They were accommodating for food allergies & made an off menu dish for my vegan friend. I got the spaghettini and felt the portion size was very small. The atmosphere was very nice. The food was rather forgettable for the price.

The bread and pasta is fresh and delicious. The wood grilled oysters with clarified butter are delicious as they are unique. The cocktails are quite complex in their ingredients (especially one particular whiskey drink that includes mezcal and amaro combined) and there is a good local beer selection. I had the Boone County Honey Ale with my braised duck rye pasta.

Tucked away on West Hargett Street in the heart of Raleigh, Death and Taxes not only serves a name that catches your attention but dishes that will capture your heart. Celebrating a special birthday over the weekend, my wife and I were treated to an exquisite culinary experience. I savored the confit of pork shoulder, perfectly paired with grilled delicata squash and a tangy pomegranate-juniper jus, while the side of grilled NC asparagus with whipped hollandaise and crispy prosciutto danced on the palate. My wife was equally enamored with her dish of scallops, beautifully complemented by smoked cannellini beans, charred tomatoes, and leeks. What truly elevates the dining experience at Death and Taxes is their mastery of wood-fired cooking. Each dish benefits from the smoky kiss of the grill, adding a layer of flavor that's both rustic and refined. However, no review of Death and Taxes would be complete without a standing ovation for Paige, our server. Her vibrant energy, deep knowledge, and genuine interest in our experience made our evening not just a meal, but a memorable celebration. For anyone seeking a top-tier dining experience in Raleigh, make your way to Death and Taxes. It's more than a meal; it's an event worth every penny.

Our first time dining and definitely not the last. My partner surprised me with reservations on Valentine's Day, this was a delightful evening. The menu was coursed and the wine pairing was thoughtful. Our server, Anna, was friendly and knowledgeable; especially enjoyed her wine introductions at each new course. Ambiance was busy yet professional. Everything was truly delicious but some standout items were the king crab, that twice baked potato, and the lemon dessert. We loved how the menu was so comforting and not over-thought. Not that they need our suggestions, but the salad needed a crouton or five, the horseradish sauce was super weak, and that strawberry puff didn't slap at all... Still a superb meal and the half press decaf during dessert was a clutch choice on my part. Oh, and the handmade dishes? Oh la la, this potter approves! Thank you, Chef!

We all know that Death & Taxes is unavoidable, and you should definitely not avoid this restaurant! I fell in love with Death and Taxes many years ago on my last visit to Raleigh, NC. I went back last night on another visit along with three friends. When we arrived for our 6:00 reservation, we were greeted with a smile, asked if we wanted to check our coats, and brought to our table. Shortly after being seated we were greeted by our server Kat M. who showed great excitement and admiration her workplace. Accompanying Kat were many other servers that supported her impeccable service. The entire team kept our water glasses full, ran dishes from the kitchen, cleared dishes from the table and kept things organized. The passion Chef Ashley Christensen has for fine dining and inventive food, is channeled through each server in the way they discuss the dishes we ordered and the restaurant in general. Our experience started with some cocktails; Tequila Gimlet, Botanist Negroni, and "Quittin' Thyme" from the specialty cocktails menu. After exploring the menu, the four of us agreed that we should sample a number of appetizers and the order a couple of hearty entrees plus sides for our entree course. Roasted NC oysters, chili butter, preserved lemon gremolata, Grilled shrimp, rice peas, parsley, pine nuts, Castelvetrano olives, piquillo pepper, an appetizer special consisting of Alaskan King Crab salad on Avocado Toast, and the Sourdough and salted butter course. Each dish delivered its own unique flavor explosion. We selected a bottle of California white (Vermentinu) to complement our seafood appetizers. Light, crisp, mineral. The perfect wine to go with the Apps. The entree course consisted of Confit of pork shoulder, grilled delicata squash, polenta, pomegranate-juniper jus, Dry-aged Long Island Strip, twice-cooked fingerlings, grilled red onion, charred herb beef fat steak sauce, Grilled broccolini, vidalia vinaigrette, toasted cornmeal, and Charred brussels sprouts, chèvre, walnuts. Each item was incredible. A couple of stand-outs were the pork and the Brussels sprouts. the confit of pork shoulder (braised in duck fat) was tender and flavorful combined with the creaminess of the savory polenta, the smoky accent of the grilled squash and the sweet-tart pomegranate- juniper jus was another flavor explosion. The Brussels sprouts had a nice smoky and acidic flavor rounded out by the chèvre with the walnut crunch complemented the pork perfectly (and I don't usually like walnuts!) A bottle of Italian red accompanied our entrees. To close out the meal a couple of us got the Chocolate mousse profiterole, coconut, nib crunch, braised cherries. Rich chocolate with the pastry, tart cherries pus crunch did not disappoint. The two of us that did not order dessert received lemon cakes with a white chocolate glaze in the shape of a heart on the house. It pays to be kind to your servers. There is a sign on the exterior window reminding us to "remember kindness".

I'd been wanting to come here for some time and requested a visit for my birthday dinner. So glad we came - the service was attentive and the food was delicious overall! We decided to split a salad and the homemade green goddess dressing was the best I've ever had. Then we decided to split two entries because they both sounded so good. We ordered the pork with risotto and peas. The risotto was fantastic, the pork was a little too salty for my liking and I wished there were more peas. They were more like a garnish than a side - bummer. The eggplant however, stole the show! It was a whole breaded then fried eggplant with a side of summer squash and we both loved it. The taste and texture were amazing! Our cheesecake for dessert really completed a great meal!

The food was phenomenal for the most part. The campanelle pasta with truffle is definitely a star - it was perfectly rich and the amount of truffle was so well balanced, along with the grilled shrimp appetizer - the beans were a nice, tasty surprise and so was the pop of heat. The cons for the food was that the fish skin was soggy and the pommes aligot was room temperature, and thus didn't get that stretchy, warm feel you crave. The service was rough last night when we went - We showed up 15 minutes early, and we still weren't served our entrees for over an hour. The time between our appetizer and entrees was 50 minutes, which was a bummer. Our waiter was great in his food explanations and recommendations, but unfortunately never addressed the long wait and stopped checking in on us during that long wait. It was my husband's birthday and we unfortunately didn't have time to try any desserts because the wait was so long and we had reservations across the street at The Merchant after. We had kitchen bar seating, and it was very cool to watch the chefs at work. I am hoping this service issue was a fluke as I normally love all Ashley Christensen restaurants, and the couple next to us seemed to get their food in a timely manner. Thus, we will likely be back.

All around great upscale restaurant. The cocktails were creative and delicious. The food was well balance and innovative. The service was outstanding. A perfect date night restaurant with great romantic vibes. The home made sourdough and chocolate profiteroles are a must.

Death & Taxes earns 10 out of 5 stars from me! This was one of the best dining experiences my family has ever had! We came as a party of 5 and sampled almost everything on the menu!! Our server, Kaitlyn, was exceptionally helpful with food and drink recommendations, allowing us to order the perfect amount. The staff was so attentive and so friendly! My favorite side items on the menu were the oysters and mashed potatoes! The entrees were all delicious with the steak and chicken being my favorite! The steak was so tender and had the best fingerling potato side! I highly recommend checking this place out if you're in the Raleigh area!

Service was fantastic. Less so the food. Few choices and this restaurant does not offer a broads selection for various dietary restrictions. Beware. It's expensive and aside from the staff, isn't exceptional.

We came to visit my aunt and uncle and they were really excited to bring us to Death & Taxes for a nice treat dinner! I loved the ambiance of the space and it felt upscale and fancy without being too extra. Our server was great - she helped answer questions about the cocktails and the menu and was very knowledgeable. No issues with her rounding or timing - we had everything we needed. The cocktails were definitely interesting -- I expected mine to be much more bourbon/spirit-forward and it was a bit too much carrot for my taste. Fun to try something different but I ordered a more classic bourbon cocktail (smoked!) for my second drink. The bread was OUT OF THIS WORLD good - we could have eaten two plates of that along. I think we had some mixed reviews for our entrees - my uncle and I really, thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and my husband and aunt were a bit less than impressed. Overall, still really great food but for the price I think we were looking for something a little bit more on the steak dishes.

Setting: Located in downtown Raleigh it is nearby to various parking garages and also a parking lot that was convenient. The restaurant is not large by any means, but it has comfortable two top seating near the bar and tables towards the back of the restaurant. Windows face the street and the two top seating has a view of the kitchen. On the night that we went in the middle of the summer, the air conditioner was set very low, and it was a little too cold for my wife. Food & Drinks: We started off with the Patè, which was absolutely delicious, and it was served alongside pickled onions, bacon jam, two mustards, and perfectly toasted crostini. Our second appetizer was a grilled octopus dish that had tremendous flavor. Perfectly cooked with a charred flavor. For my main dish I had Poulet Rouge, farro, embered hummus, red wine vinaigrette, roasted red peppers, olive. This was one of the most deliciously flavored pieces of chicken I have ever had. It was served alongside Crispy new potatoes, aged beef fat, fines herbs. I love potatoes cook this way they are crispy on the outside and tender in the inside. I wish I was able to cook potatoes like this at home. The cocktails in my opinion or nothing to write home about they are creative and interesting, but I prefer classic cocktails that aren't so elaborate. My wife had a coconut cocktail that came with a huge amount of some sort of whipped cream, and it was just overwhelming. My drink which had bourbon in it unfortunately ended up tasting like a V-8 tomato drink. For our dessert we had Embered cream panna cotta, cold brew granita, cracked coffee shortbread crumble, cherries jubilee. The presentation was nice and the taste was good, but it was nothing special in my opinion. I would come back once the menu is updated with different offerings. The waitress we had was extremely knowledgeable, and the service was prompt and attentive without being overbearing.

We ended our vacation at Death & Taxes, and it was a wonderful decision. Beautiful interior that captured that old-timey vibe, and nice and attentive staff. I had one of their more experimental cocktails (Two Peas in a Pod). The savory and pea-forward flavor was new to me, but I enjoyed it. For food, we started with the housemade sourdough with cultured butter. This was honestly one of the stars of the meal. I was blown away but how perfectly baked this bread was. After the bread, we had grilled octopus and chili butter NC oyster. Both outstanding as well. I was disappointed with my entree, which was the twice cooked pork shoulder. It was a bit dry, and the chicarrones seemed out of place. I couldn't quite figure out what their purpose was. However, my fiancé's meal, the fettuccine with vegetable bolognese, was to die for. Overall, wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it.

Best meal to be had in Raleigh. I went all over the place but this was THE place to be. The food was out of this world delicious and carefully created. The staff was super friendly and attentive - amazing from the very beginning!! The ambiance is soft and refined - very intimate and special. I am a big fan of this location and if I end up back in Raleigh, I will be here!! I wish I could have ate more of the apple torte but I was so full! Amazing meal and experience!!

Great fine dining experience, out of this world level service, with an incredible performing kitchen. Cocktail list was underwhelming, and steak options limited. But everything we had was exceptional. Not much complaints-wise just didn't have an entree on this evening that blew me away.

Went with my friend before seeing a ballet. So accommodating. We were in the mood for a cocktail and didn't like anything on the menu. The server promptly asked what type of drinks we like and came up with a delicious alternative that included my favorite gin from Durham Distillery. Our drinks were delivered and he next asked if we have any dietary restrictions. He then walked me through the menu and what could be changed (I don't eat beef or pork). I settled on the oysters, little gem Caesar (we split it) and mushroom pasta (we split it). Everything was excellent. My only complaint is that they won't take your order until you know everything you want. They pace the meal after you order which is why they do it that way. You definitely do not get rushed out the door. Will go back!

After living in Raleigh for a few years, I finally got to check Death & Taxes off the list. The food was put together masterfully. They made a squash starter dish look like a Monét painting. My pork chop entree was an easel of textures and flavors--one of the best pork chop dishes I've had to date. Both cocktails were balanced and went down easy. Can't quite give 5 stars because of overall service. We waited 15 or 20 minutes to be seated when we arrived on time for our reservation. Ticket times were slow, probably 20+ minutes behind what you'd expect. Food was five stars, everything else was three, so I'll give it a 4.

This was an amazing meal! Honestly phenomenal in every aspect. Service was top notch and the food was just utterly amazing. It was well worth the stop on our cross country trip and was amazing! If I lived here I would make this my favorite in town restaurant.

Excellent service. We sat at the bar had great drinks, excellent conversation with our bartenders. The food was delicious perfectly portioned and just a beautiful clean restaurant.

Definitely one of the best restaurants in Raleigh. Everything on the menu "touches the wood fired oven in some way," as our server earnestly explained, and we found that both amusing and delicious. I tried: + Quittin' thyme cocktail + Suzy sunshine cocktail + Roasted NC oysters + Fried NC shrimp + Steak tartare + Grilled octopus + Fried NC fish + Seeded sourdough bread + Fettuccine + Pork chop + Crispy new potatoes + Strawberry baked Alaska + Embered creme brûlée + Videri chocolate peanut butter tart + You're a fine girl dessert cocktail + Forty weight dessert cocktail My favorite drinks were the quittin' thyme and you're a fine girl, and the best dishes were the fried NC shrimp, sourdough bread, fettuccine, pork chop, baked Alaska and creme brûlée. The crispy new potatoes were also awesome. Only miss was the steak tartare, which did not taste like any tartare I've had (just very saucy and weird). Some things were also a little salty, but that's kind of par for the course in this town. Amazing service, too. Definitely will return!

FINALLY visited Death & Taxes after years of passing by this wonderful restaurant. The food is amazing and the servers are attentive. They take special Carew in ensuring you have new utensils and a clean table for each plate, which I really like. As wonderful as it was, I have to take off 1 star for the painfully slow service. It took a really long time to get our food. We waited almost an hour to get our mains. I noticed the kitchen is small, so I get it, but it was a really long wait nonetheless.

Such a cute place inside! They have the option to sit at one counter where you can watch the cook in the kitchen and a cocktail bar. We headed to the cocktail bar for drinks and dessert. The bartender was amazing with suggestions. I ended up getting the "quitting thyme" and my girlfriend got an old fashion. 10/10 We got the pumpkin chess tart for our dessert and it was so good! We were skeptical about the ginger sorbet but it complimented the dish so nicely. If you're lucky they'll invite you to the wine cellar! Everyone was so nice as well even though we were there pretty late. Would definitely recommend!!

Dined here on a Thursday evening for a special occasion. We had reservations and were seated immediately. Our server Kat was incredible. We were a party of 6 and were told the specials upon being seated. One of which was a 36 oz Tomahawk steak. We ordered our appetizer and meals only to find out they only had one left and we wanted 2. The waitress took a couple of minutes and came back and said that she had arranged for another one to be available but it had to come to temperature before cooking. That was not a concern for us as we were there for a relaxing evening and we really appreciated her efforts. We had oysters, bread, heirloom tomatoes and peaches, baby greens, swordfish with mussels, corn, potatoes, and of course the steaks. Best meal ever!!! You will not find better food anywhere in the Raleigh area. Finished up the night with dessert and it was a wonderful finish. Can't wait to return again as every experience we have had here has been outstanding

10/10 spot for an upscale dinner in downtown Raleigh. The waitstaff was delightful and exceptionally knowledgeable and the atmosphere was very good - refined but not stuffy. The food was also delicious. Didn't snap a pic but order the bread - one of the highlights of the meal!

We went there for the atmosphere/ambiance, delicious and creative food, and exceptional service. We sat at the bar, met Roy, he was delightful. We had an appetizer, drinks, meal, & dessert. It was the escape that I needed, a mental reset from this crazy world. Much appreciated.

Death and Taxes, apparently named because the space was once occupied by a mortuary and an accountant firm, is a beautiful modern environment with delicious modern food. We had the roasted oysters, poulet, steak and sea bass over risotto- all were delicious and the service was wonderful, friendly and helpful staff.

Wow. Stellar. Dry aged strip (who features a Strip) was phenomenal. So rich and great combos of sides that come with it. Liked the grilled shrimp starter too.

We came based on a recommendation from friends. Restaurant is thoughtfully arranged to facilitate the flow of patrons and staff. Host was gracious and seated us cordially. This is a fine dining experience. Waitstaff are refilling water glasses invisibly, exchanging flatware between courses while not disrupting you. In addition to the wine menu there were two pages of additional choices. Plus the wines listed on the menu. You're covered for wines Our waiter was very helpful making suggestions. For example he correctly recommended one appetizer would serve both of us. We had the pâté, which was surreal. The chef designs some of the dishes to be dynamic. For example the pâté is fabulous on its own, but it is served with options, so you can explore adding a touch of mustard, to modify the palate experience. Or a little pickled onion for variety. Or pancetta. All for you to tune to your personal taste. But it's interesting to challenge your palate while you're enjoying your meal. I found the fish was also dynamic. In my case the red drum was flame seared and served over a bed of hogao (onions and tomatoes in a piquant sauce). Then the PEI mussels, in a garlic butter sauce were distributed around the perimeter. So, as I opened a mussel and reveled its sauce. I had one sauce experience. But, as I ate, the sauces mingled. Thus every mouthful was slightly different. No matter how delicious a dish is, our olfactory system reacts differently for the first bite than the last. Dynamic flavors keep bringing surprises. Dessert was sublime. In our case a pastry filled with baked apples and glazed pecans with a small dab of ice cream surrounded by roast pecans. With the exquisite service and the original, creative dishes we thought Death and Taxes was a very affordable experience. Great value, when you appreciate everything you get.

Absolutely incredible meal. We had the oysters, chicken entree and salmon entree. Best meal we had on our vacation to Raleigh!

Lima beans. Who loves them? Certainly, not I! But pair them with some pork fat and "rice beans" which remind me of a perfectly cooked barley and serve them under the most delicate pork cut spiced and seared to perfection with a pork crackling unlike any other and... yes. I now love Lima beans. Split that entree with an order of Bok choy on the side and you and your date will have leftovers. Wished we had ordered the seeded sourdough but we are trying to lay low on carbs. Stunning presentation, service was high class; however they had a few hiccups but worked them out without so much as a blink. Ask for a tour of "the vault" with Natalie! Amazing!!! Highly recommend this tiny, tasty place for a special occasion! We will be back!

I was in Raleigh for business, and I stopped by this place. I ate at the bar. It gave me visibility into the kitchen, and I really like the care with which they were preparing the food. The owner was even back there, ensuring that every dish came out perfectly. It is pretty upscale, with generous portions. The dishes are all solid, and worth sharing with others.

Everything was presented beautifully. The aesthetics of the restaurant are so nice. It's a smaller space so feels very cozy and intimate. The service was wonderful. Our food was perfect and very flavorful. I always find myself coming back here because I love the overall vibe of this place so much. Definitely would recommend!

Haven't done my taxes yet but the State owes me a lot of money since I have a son! Goonies never say death or die! Pirates ECU Camelot Alumni thing you'd have to be born there to understand!

My husband and I ate at Death and Taxes for the first time last night to celebrate Valentine's Day early. I love the vibe. Our reservation was for the dining room but I think sitting at the bar could be fun too. Our server was very attentive and great. We waited over an hour for our entrees. Thankfully, the staff noticed we were getting hangry and threw in the first round of our drinks for free, and sent us home with dessert. The pork shoulder was good, a little too salty for my taste though. I loved the Snowbird and would recommend. I feel conflicted because I wanted to love this place, but it just didn't do it for us.

This place is absolutely amazing. I have been twice and it's always a special treat. If you go you MUST have the grits. Just get them as your appetizer. You won't be sorry. My friend and I each got our own because they are so good. The servers are always angels and will help you out with any questions you have. It is a beautiful space as well. Great little downtown spot.

Bone marrow appetizers, exquisite cocktails, and properly cooked ribeyes. Make reservations in advance. There's a reason why.

My son, took me here for father's day He could not have picked a better place Wow...let's start with the service. Christina, our servicer was helpful, knowledgeable, and just great We sat at the counter where we watched them prepare our food. We started with cocktails, all excellent. Then shared a Tagliatelle as an appetizer. I had a Pork Chop and my son had a Long Island Strip Steak. Everything was excellently prepared and the presentation was attractive. A perfect end to a great father's day. Thanks!

I'd heard such good hype about this place, I was almost nervous to go, but it's just a neat spot with GREAT food and impeccable, friendly service. The space is neat -- love an open kitchen, and especially love the wood fire, both for vibe and because it makes everything delicious. Our cocktails were totally part of the tasting experience, with even the spirit-free drinks created and described with incredible care. I loved that my Blueberry Basil cocktail came with a lightning bolt zest in it! The oysters in chili butter were really good (even for someone who doesn't like oysters), though one of them lost its butter before going into the oven to get kissed and got a little shriveled. The mixed greens salad was so so good and HUGE. Shaved Manchego should be listed as the first ingredient. No regrets though! It's almost weird to mention but the seeded bread is divine. I'd seriously go just for that with cultured butter. The pork chop was really well cooked. Lots of fat, which I eat around, but the seasoning, the sear and the cook were perfect. It was actually the farro and butter bean curry under it that I could not stop eating! We were crazy stuffed but got the chocolate peanut butter tart with salted caramel whipped cream anyway and it was silky and rich but not overly sweet. Really yummy! Deserving of the hype, this a must do in Raleigh.

What can I add that hasn't already been said? Ashley Christensen is famous in Raleigh and this is her fanciest restaurant. She won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef. This is a national award and so well deserved. To start, the restaurant offers some creative cocktails. They are generally on the alcohol forward side so don't order if you're expecting a sweet concoction. The roasted oysters is a staple appetizer and my husband says their steak tartare is one of the best he's had. For entrees, I would generally order her pasta entree as I've never been disappointed with her pasta+meat entrees. Most recently we went here for Valentine's and I ordered their special gnocchi dish. OMG it was sooooo good. Creamy cheese and a little bit of greens to make you feel like you aren't being totally glutinous. My husband ordered the lamb shank which was another V-day special. It was good but I probably wouldn't order again. We do like to try desserts here and order a side of French press (decaf) coffee. We found that a half-press is enough for both of us to have a full cup of coffee.

Wowww is all I can say. I've been wanting to come here for years. We went on a Tuesday and it was the perfect date night - fancy but not "I don't belong here" fancy. Highly recommend the sourdough bread. PLEASE GET THE SOURDOUGH BREAD. Also, the beet salad was the best thing I've tasted in years (I love beets!). I got the NC Fish which was very good, my husband got the steak (he has a stomachache after so wondering if it was too raw).. but the real winner was the bread and the beets. BREAD AND BEETS.. enough said. Also, cheaper to get a bottle.. we got 2 glasses of wine each and since the pours were on the smaller side (we're used to full glasses, you know? Millennials), we should have gotten a bottle. The service was great, too!! We'll definitely be back.

We had a great time at Death and Taxes. We sat at the kitchen bar and had David as our server. He gave us a great rundown of the menu and the restaurant in general. He was on top of everything! For dinner we had the Beet salad which was light and delicious, octopus, steak and sweet potato, and fish & risotto. The drink menu was creative and the cocktails were perfect.

From start to finish it was terrific. Get your reservations! The food was delicious. We shared two main courses (steak and pork tenderloin) and both were mouth watering, along with the sides. We also got the creamed corn which was the first to go. The wait staff was top notch. Our waiter let my wife taste multiple wines to find the right one for her dinner. They also gave us a complimentary dessert because THEY thought the food service took too long. I'd go back over and over if I lived here. Service is friendly and attentive, keeping your water full and cleaning off the table from crumbs or used dishes. Five stars for everything.

Came here for our wedding anniversary. Got a reservation to sit at the bar!!!! Who does that?? I can't believe they would have taken a reservation to sit at the bar. I'm in sensory overload here. I can't even have an intimate conversation. Why take a reservation if all you have is bar sitting. Huge disappointment!!! Can't recommend this place. I'll never ever come back. So if you ever want to celebrate your anniversary don't come unless you can get a table.

My daughter waited until i could visit to take me here because we are true foodies and very hyped up about this due to it being an Ashley Christensen restaurant. We ordered pork and did not really enjoy it. The menu was rather small. Drinks were good but on the pricey side for the size and amount of liquor included. The dinnerware was amazing! We commented on it and apparently they make this special for them and the glaze even includes some embers and burnt bits for the glaze. The bread was wonderful and sides were tasty. Portions were small.

i have been to d&t several times over the years are they have been pretty cool experiences. but this last time was much different. the vibe is always great, it feels fancy without being stuffy. the food sounds yummy on paper but it did not deliver in reality. most things were lacking an attention to detail, namely seasoning and salt. the proteins were generally seasoned well, but every other component on every dish (the sauces, the starch elements, etc) we tried was under seasoned, whether it be salt or acid. at this price point, you'd really expect things to be stellar, and they just werent this time. the server, i think he was a back waiter, was also VERY intrusive physically, to the point that it had to be done intentionally. when he would reset our table or refill waters, he would get so close to my (and my dining partner's) face that I could feel his breath directly on me, it was really uncomfortable. i really wanted d&t to be a reliable, exciting fine dining restaurant to come to, but it really missed the mark, and given the prices im not sure I will be back.

Still consistently excellent. I have been to D&T multiple times and still considered their food one of the best in the area. Go visit.

We're new to Raleigh and were wondering about all the Ashley Christensen hype. Well, it's for real. Our meals -- Poulet Rouge and Long Island strip steak, mixed lettuces (which looked like a green birthday cake; in our case, an anniversary cake), seeded sourdough bread, and crispy new potatoes -- were inventive and nothing short of fabulous. We've eaten at a lot of excellent restaurants, but this was this best, and not as pricey as some of the others. The only downside was not saving enough time for dessert. Next time. Our server, Roy, was engaging and informative. Bottom line, a great dining experience for our 43rd anniversary.

Our host was David and he was absolutely amazing. He provided great insight on how the menu works, gave great recommendations for food and drinks, and told us the history of the building. The main course was absolutely delicious and the smoked vanilla bean ice cream was absolutely incredible.

It's been years since I've been back and I've got to say the food here was even better than I remembered. We sat at the kitchen bar and it was such a treat to watch the chefs perform their art. We started with the tartare and watching it being made was such a treat. The bread was some of the best we've had at a restaurant and the house made butter, amazing. Bok Choy sautéed just right and the umami topped with the garlic chips just made it pop with flavor and the right texture. That pork chop... just look at it!! And they even threw a rib in!! A spot on medium temp, this dish was perfectly curated. The Striped Bass is honestly one of, if not the best fish dish I've had hands down. Crispy exterior, while the texture and moisture of the fillet stayed in tack. And that risotto... it just slapped!! Dessert was a surprise when I saw them firing a Baked Alaska. I haven't had one of these since I ate at Bern's Steakhouse almost 10 years ago and this did not disappoint. If it's on the menu when you go, it's a must! Every staff member from the host to the servers were top notch and were trained phenomenally. Hats off to this establishment and one of my new favorites in Downtown Raleigh!!

Lovely delicious food , carefully prepared. Wonderful, attentive wait staff. Great ambience, what's not to like ?

Great Date night spot for all ages. Ask to sit at the "Counter" at the end by the ovens! Great experience.

The food was outstanding along with the service as well. We will definitely return. Only complaint is the women's bathroom floor is extremely slippery and a definite hazard.