Littler

The food was excellent, the service was great, and the atmosphere was just right. What I did not like is that we spent $60 a person with half of the people not getting drinks and no desserts and then when we left we went across the street to a pub because everyone was still hungry and ordered food at the pub. I also did not like that they could not handle five people. They squished thee people on the bench and put two place settings on a spot for one place setting. There were plenty of empty tables, but they decided to squeeze us instead. We also ordered the bread, and there were only four slices, and they had no option for five people other than ordering a second round of four slices. The place seems to be designed for couples or a pair of couples. At the end of the day, the party of five all agreed that the food was exceptional and the staff was great, but we would not return because of the reasons listed in this post. If you want to spend lots of money and have a romantic time, then you should go. The food is worth it. If you are hungry, go across the street.

We went here as the first stop on our mini-moon and I don’t have enough good things to say! I was able to work with them to surprise my wife with by having a glass of her favorite wine ready when we got to the table, and the food was absolutely outstanding! The oysters were fresh and buttery, and the sourdough was perfect. We got the gnocchi with scallops and the short rib for our mains—both blew us away. The desserts and cocktails were great too! We will definitely be back!

Littler is a true gem for food enthusiasts. From the first bite to the last, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The sweet potato and mushroom dishes were comforting and flavorful, setting the stage for the seafood extravaganza that followed. The sea bass and scallops were cooked to perfection, tender and succulent. The olive cake was a surprising delight, a unique and delicious addition to the meal. The dessert was equally impressive. The beet sorbet was a refreshing and unexpected flavor combination. To top it all off, the coffee and espresso martinis were the perfect way to end the meal. And let's not forget the mercy of the bartender drinks, which added a touch of whimsy and creativity to the evening. Joe, the bartender, was fantastic, crafting delicious cocktails that perfectly complemented the meal. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience, Littler is the place to go.

Honestly was shocked by my experience here. 1. the place is usually packed and understandably so it's cozy and cute so reservations are needed 2. we ordered three dishes a. the tartar good start. b. the egg custard soup ? texture was odd but flavor was ok ..but wont order again c. the scallops... 3 of the 4 we tasted had a lot of sand. SAND the primary reason behind my one star. to clean scallops simply rinse them..I didn't feel clean to eat anything else after that. and expressed my discomfort. 3. we were comped for the scallops only . 4. we left to eat elsewhere

Great spot for dinner in Durham. Highly recommended cozy location in heart of city. Food, cocktails and desserts are amazing. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Must try, look forward to coming back as their menu changes seasonally I believe.

Exceptional customer service. After an incredible meal and great evening of cocktails, there was a mix up and another guest accidently took my winter jacket home. The way the management handled the situation was truly incredible and honestly above and beyond what I would have expected. Thank you Hannah and the Littler team for a great evening and remedying what was an unfortunate mix up. We will definitely be back.

A gem! As a former server, I actually don't mind that they add a 20% tip to the bill. The restaurant, in my opinion, is pricey but justifiably so. Main plates are about $26-38. They have a smaller menu, always a good sign. I got the trout, which was delicious. My friend got the scallops and they were cooked perfectly. We didn't get any small plates. We did get Oysters and Bread, both fresh and delectable. Cocktails are $14-16, inventive and tasty. The server was patient, pleasant, and knowledgeable. The ambiance was cozy and low key but polished. We will be back!

The carrot cavatelli is a perfect dish, and the only item that's been on their menu since the very beginning! The rest of the menu rotates regularly and is consistently amazing. Most recently, their ribbon fish appetizer was phenomenal. This is consistently my favorite restaurant in Durham! If the beef short rib is on the menu, don't skip it.

If I could give the service, ambiance and drinks 10 stars I would! Out of this world! We did 4 of the bartenders choice last night and they were all phenomenal. It was like the bartender had known us for years I loved how intimate the space was. It was the perfect date night. The food was overall pretty good. We had the hamachi appetizer and that was great. We then had the carrot cavatelli which was good. I had the striped bass and my husband had the short rib. We didn't love the short rib, but that was our only complaint. We then had the olive cake and chocolate mousse. We loved both. The olive cake was a little dry but that seemed like it was on purpose as there was glaze on top. Overall, definitely a place to check out!

Went to Littler with a work colleague. It's a small restaurant but does provide a nice ambiance. I decided on the carrot cavatelli and the braised beef short rib based on the waiter's suggestion. They also provided us with bread before our appetizers which was so delicious we almost forgot to save room for our main courses. The carrot cavatelli was a good portion and we ended up sharing some of it. The braised beef short rib was very tender and full of flavor!

One year later... still at the top of my list! For the first time had a later reservation, 8:30pm and my main course -the short rib dish was overcooked and after I called it to the attention of my server it was clear my observation didn't matter. No acknowledgement or concession suggested.... I love this place enough to extend grace. I will say that the previous 2 courses were amazing and ultimately the flavors on the overcooked meat still rose to the occasion. I shall return... just earlier vs later.

Great "little" place in CH..... great food, great service and nice atmosphere.... they served dinner in the prettiest plates! Our waitress was awesome.... I think her name is Kaitland but if you go ask her Indian name, so cool! Will be back....

The food is truly delicious at this restaurant.it is small plates and presented lovely. We started with the oysters, had the watermelon salad that was outstanding and finally shared the octopus. My daughter had the gnocchi and I had the eggplant, both dishes were excellent. The only thing I would say on the negative side is I felt although the food was delicious I do feel it was on the pricey side for what we received. However I do acknowledge these dishes take time.

Came here for a birthday dinner. Food: beware the portions are very small. Tapas style dishes. The food itself is delicious and very thoughtfully prepared as are the drinks. Ambiance: it's a small place. Gives date night vibe and a more upscale feel. The seats are very close together though giving very little chance for privacy. And tables are a bit small for all the plates you end up ordering. But it is appealing and great if you are trying to impress a date. Service: very helpful and informative. I guess because of the upscale vibe they are going with I wouldn't say they are friendly but definitely attentive to the point of hovering a bit. They clear plates as soon as they think you are finished and continuously check to make sure everything is fine maybe a little too much. The couple next to us had their drinks explained to them by the bartender... not sure what you have to do to get that service. We did eat enough of the menu to say everything on the menu is probably amazing and ordered enough to feel satisfied but it came at a pretty penny as the dishes are pricy for the amount of food you get.

A wonderful, intimate location for any special occasion. The first thing you notice when you enter, is the classic music, Play ed on LP's, over a high fidelity sound system. The menu is always seasonal, and always inventive. Local food is usually featured, and perfectly prepared. I ordered scallops, and they were perfectly done, with a crisp outside, and a melt in your mouth inside. The greens were crisp and flavorful, with a mash that added the perfect juxtaposition of texture for the dish. The dessert featured fresh berries on a passion fruit puree, with crispy toasted coconut to add the perfect texture. I've been here twice, and every time, they adhere to the French style of cooking where each dish contains a variety of textures and a perfect balance of flavors. The seating is very intimate, which ensures that the service is always impeccable.

I love the atmosphere and the food was terrific. Great service. A good place for a date or dinner with friends.

I've been here twice. The service, drinks and food are consistent and exquisite. The space is intimate and to add a nice touch their music comes from a record player that is always spinning. I recommend: fresh made bread of the day, carrot cavatelli and gnocchi. They also have a sweet potato side dish that is delish. Make reservations to avoid a long wait. Even on a Tuesday night the place was packed.

The only thing better than the MasterChef who prepares your exquisitely delicious food is the incredible service. Be sure and try something completely different. There are only about 40 seats in this place so be sure and make reservations. If you cannot get a reservation, it will be worth the wait. There are a few seats at the bar.

I had the opportunity to cross Littler off my triangle area wishlist this week. The food was excellent but a bit less memorable than that of some other peer establishments. Given the price point, a five-star would be unwarranted.

Hope to try it. I hear it is exceptional. Everything was "On Point," according to my acquaintance. (His rating.)

The only problem I have with this place is I wasn't hungry enough to order everything. It all looks amazing! Octopus was perfect. Scallop with gnocchi was the star. Service is great and not pushy which means so much to us. Drinks also on point, wish I had time for dessert. Maybe next time!!

We literally tried one of everything on the menu and it was an incredible eating experience. Classy service, amazing food, and they spaced it out like a 15 course meal. There were only 3 of us, and we found that one of everything on the menu is a lot of food. But we muscled through it and finished just about everything. (We shouldn't have ordered that second bread course).

Amazing food. Amazing cocktails. Incredible ambiance. Service was on point - attentive but not overbearing. Our new date night spot.

No frills but just great tasting dishes that make you want to come back again and again. That's precisely what happened to me. The small dinning area can be busy very quickly. Thanks to the bar top, for single dinners like me, we are lucky to always be able to fit in. The menu is interesting without being fussy. You will have to debate a little with yourself on what to get each time. But it won't be long. Haha. The dishes are savory, reflects the region, beautifully plated, good portion.

Amazing as always! The bartender is so great. One of the few who truly know how to make a French 75. The carrot cavatelli is the best thing I've ever eaten. We go twice a month it's so delicious. Prefer sourdough bread to the popovers!!

Food was delicious and staff was attentive. It's a tiny place so make a reservation.

Ordered the entire menu, since the menu is limited. From scallops to flounder - Tasty items, "littler" in quality quite big in price. Cocktails were made w care and tasty. Desserts were good. Worth trying and making your own opinion on littler

I'll start off by saying the service was exceptional and is not considered in the review. The review is only for food. Appetizers: Oysters, Latkes, and Bread. The oysters were extremely extremely salty! I am not sure if anything else was done to them but it was almost unbearable to eat. Our friends ordered the Latkes and said they were salty but the flavor was still very very good. I really loved the bread, which was fluffy and had such a delicate taste. Main course: Hanger steak, Striped Bass, Lamb Burger, Southern Fish Cassoulet, and Lima beans. The Hanger steak was juicy and cooked perfectly medium. Our friends ordered the Lamb Burger and also really liked it, but I tried the potatoes that came with it and it just tasted really funky. The sauce that came with it just did not make sense. The Striped Bass had a nice crispy skin on some parts and salted well, but overall the dish is underwhelming. There was nothing to really bring the dish together and the pickled cabbage and mousse did not make it better. I did love the oyster mushrooms, which was cooked well. The worst entree was the cassoulet, which was just a bowl of salt. If the seafood is already so salty, it is better to watch any additional salt added to this dish. It is overwhelmingly salty - and gets worst as you make your way down the bowl. Dessert: Chocolate Coupe and Currant Mousse. Wow! The red currant granita was packed with flavor and the strawberries really shined through! I was very impressed at how well the flavors were packed into this dessert. The chocolate coupe was also made well for any chocolate lover - really nice textures and contrasts of sweetness that made the dessert special. Overall, I left not feeling very impressed by the entire experience. I've been to Littler before and had a nice experience and was excited to return when they reopened. I think there were definitely moments where Littler shined and others where it dimmed. The cohesion of overall dishes remain questionable. Taste: 3/5 Presentation: 4/5 Recommend to a friend?: No Consistent: ehhh Cost: $$$ Expensive for tiny portions Parking: Plenty of parking in a deck nearby (1 block away)

Oh my goodness!!!! Dinning at Littler was a tasteful delightful experience! The service, atmosphere, music and food was amazing Be prepared to pay $$ to treat yourself and you will not be disappointed.

It's been a while since I made it to Littler but have been meaning to go-I mean, it's not every restaurant in Durham that has in the past featured things as "adventurous" as duck tongues on the menu! Plus the reel to reel and record player are fun. Stopped in for a quick dinner at the bar and was really happy with my drinks and food. The cocktail list was interesting and the drinks I ordered were lovely. Started with tiny bread and the pickled shrimp, both of which were excellent choices. For my main I did the catch of the day which came with fun onion cups and was perfectly cooked (not always a given with fish specials!) The space is tiny (it's cozy!) and it was full-even so service was friendly and food came out promptly. Slight issue with my check which was quickly fixed. One thing to note - bar seating is pretty tight and the bar stools are geared towards compactness and not comfort. Not a terrible trade off for being able to drop in and have a nice dinner, but the tables are definitely more comfy. Looking forward to returning.

Phenomenal food and cute atmosphere, love coming here. Highly recommend! We like to come before shows

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner at Littler. The staff made it feel special and the food was delicious! Love the vibe of this restaurant as well. Highly recommend.

Very limited menu. Odd combos (bread was sweet potato and smoked miso ?!) Lots of seafood but nothing like NC trout. Flan dessert was odd. More like thick jelly consistency and chocolatey but not really? Other dishes had way too many ingredients that didn't go together. Music also got strange later with Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Why?!

We stumbled upon this place to jump in for a cocktail. We weren't really looking for food at the moment, but WOW they have a phenomenal food menu. They have an elevated menu that has something for everyone. The prices were a tad high, but for the quality and what you are getting it's worth it. My mouth was watering everyone someone would bring in an order fro the kitchen. I would LOVE to come back just to try the food. So their cocktail menu was small since it was seasonal cocktails, but again quality not quantity. We tried the Vesuvio Fresco and the Falling Leaves. Lived them both. And their glasses were very retro. Great place! Can't wait to try the food!

The scallops I had tonight were one of the best things I've ever eaten, and everything else was also delicious. But I'm going to remember the scallops forever. Fantastic.

I really don't understand why this restaurant has such high reviews. The whole time through dinner I was thinking why do I torture myself and waste money here? Everything at Littler is little, except salt. When the waiter/waitress came over to serve water four times during an hour, you should know there was something wrong with your food. Lamb burger was the only thing I liked.

Phenomenal food and phenomenal service. I was able to get a bit of a last minute reservation here and I'm so glad I did. The menu is on the smaller side but everything is so delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by the carrot cavatelli and had to order a second one. If you're ordering many apps, you could do with one order but it is quite small for four people (though I admittedly ate most of the second order by myself). The smoked miso baguetti was not like any bread I've had before. For my main, I ordered the sea bass and WOW IT WAS PERFECT. By then I was full, but our table still ordered all three dessert options and the chocolate coupe was by far my favorite

So glad we came back Two uneven meals prior to COVID, but our daughter encouraged us to go back. So glad we did! For our anniversary, we enjoyed a near-perfect evening. The dishes were fresh, local, flavorful, creative, perfectly-balanced, and nice and light for the heat of Durham in the summer. Thankfully the chef did not rely on mounds of butter/cheese to add flavor. Two perfectly conceived and perfectly cooked fish dishes, a delicious and refreshing melon-burrata appetizer, and a lovely daily market vegetable dish (what a great idea) rounded out our meal. The only miss was the over-pickled NC shrimp appetizer, which was a bit mealy in texture (though the flavor was awesome). Kudos to Littler for their outstanding new chef and the stellar service and cool/industrial-yet-cozy/vintage vibe. So Durham! So wonderful. Littler, glad you are here.

We very much enjoyed our dinner! Staring out with amazing cocktails, followed by delicious appetizers. We got pickled shrimp which was extremely flavorful and delicious. Latke Benedict was also amazing. We had Fish Cassoulet and lamb burger for dinner. We were too full for dessert.

The ambiance of this place is so quaint and cozy. Super good music selection and the food and service were both top notch. The drinks were fun and unique, and as always gotta try the fish. Love me some edible flowers.

Very cute and welcoming spot. True to the name "Littler" as the space is little. Came here with my sister and niece. We enjoyed ourselves. My lamb burger was delicious, but the potatoes that came with it wasn't. Gave 4 stars because there was only one waitress serving so the wait for things such as lime and lemon for our sparkling water was longer than it needed.

Lamb shank over farro risotto! Started off with a delicious kale salad! We took a quick trip away to Elkin NC and stayed in these adorable tiny homes - Frog Holler. We wanted to support local and obviously wanted to eat well. Littler offers delicious take home meals (big portions) that include a cocktail kit, a perfectly paired bottle of wine, and 3 courses of Littler fare! It was simple, high quality ingredients and it tasted as though we were there in person! They pack it well so it was easy for us to travel with. The price is great, cocktails are unique and fun and the wine was exceptional FIRST COURSE lacinato kale salad, feta preserved lemon dressing, roasted olive croutons, pickled red onion, cured egg yolk SECOND COURSE braised lamb shank, red wine farro risotto, roasted baby bok choy, smoked mushrooms, jus THIRD COURSE pistachio/walnut blondie, golden raisins, dulce de leche caramel

WOW. I'm struggling with how to start this review because of how amazing my experience was. I think I'll just describe my visit. I made reservations at littler for a work dinner. I showed up an hour early for a snack and drink before my colleagues showed up. I started with the green thumb, which was a gin based cucumber, basil, dill drink, and a melon appetizer with a soft Italian cheese and spiced with chili's. Both were incredible! My colleagues showed up, and we ordered more drinks and dinner. I ordered the mercy of the bartender next, and the bartender asked me what flavor I was in the mood for, I said something like a Moscow mule, and she brought out an amazing drink which fit the bill. Unfortunately I can't remember what it was, other than delicious. There were four of us, one order of the hanger steak, three orders of the southern fish cassoulet we're next. All were superb! The staff recommended a bottle of rose for the table, which we ordered, but what surprised us in the most pleasant way was that they brought out a red for our diner with the hanger steak. It was a perfect pairing. We ordered all the of the desserts that were offered on the menu, and all were spectacular! The bottom line is that the service was attentive and thoughtful. The menu was epic. Every dish we tried was balanced, flavorful, and unique. I want to say the menu was sofisticated without being pretentious. It was one of the best restaurant experiences I have EVER had.

Very good food. Small dining room maybe a dozen tables. Nothing super unique or impressive about the dining room, but a nice relaxing ambiance. Although it's a higher end restaurant the atmosphere is laid back and not too stuffy - very authentic Durham. The food is a little more elevated (obscure ingredients, lots of puréed things, smaller portions, etc) which is normally not my style, but it was really well done and everything was delicious. Many of the elements (pastas, breads, etc) were made scratch there. Get the little bread rolls they are delicious - I think miso rolls if I remember correctly. At first when I walked in and saw $15 apps and that they were charging for bread I rolled my eyes and expected to be disappointed, but the rolls were worth it and everything else was very good too.

Can't believe I forgot to review this outstanding gem in downtown Durham. I've been here 4 times now (one of those times we did a Turkey sous vide for Thanksgiving during Covid and it was amazing). Last time I was there I had a slow cooked pork shoulder where the meat fell off the bone with no effort, was like butter. Service was exceptional, as was the ambience, a perfect date night, even better to celebrate something special. Need to go back, it's arguably my favorite restaurant in the Triangle, period.

So glad I finally had the opportunity to try Littler. It had opened just before I moved away from Durham and have not had the chance to try it. Upon returning and getting to see all the new changes to Durham I was very happy to have such an amazing meal! We started off with the crudo, which was light and fresh! Definitely a bright entre to start with. We also had the beef heart tartar paired with the thinnest rice cake I have ever seen! Really well done. Our main was the chicken and sided up with some delicious spicy carrots. We were incredibly stuffed! Not to mention, the southern hospitality I was missing we present throughout our meal. Our hostess was very friendly and informative. The restaurant itself is a small intimate but not pretentious atmosphere. Recommend reservations for best experience. Will definitely be coming back next time I'm in town!

We had two excellent cocktails, carrot cavatelli, bread course, scallops, steak and pineapple upside down cake. And the oysters. Everything was delicious. I found the pineapple cake and the cavatelli heavenly. I love the cozy hipster vibe of this restaurant and will be spreading the good word to my friends!

An always amazing evening of inventive food, great service, and drinks that add to the experience!

Omg! What a great place to have dinner! Had such a good time here. Ambiance is intimate and is perfect for a romantic date. Make sure to book a table, place is small. Food was delicious! We had oysters, scallops and potatoes. Special praise goes to a bartender! Cocktails were unique and delicious! Highly recommend!

Food was tasty and satisfactory. However the drinks were awful. My wife did not like the cocktail that the waitress recommended due to its bitter cucumber flavor. All six wines (red, rose, orange, and white) we tried were bad or mediocre at the best. Many did not have aromatics of the varietals as if they were leftover wines from a few days or a week ago. If you don't drink at all, this place is fine. If you want to enjoy both foods and drinks, this is not the place for that.

I have walked past this spot in downtown Durham for years but finally stopped in for my wedding anniversary. I was surprised by how small it was, but we didn't need a reservation on a Wednesday night (but I am sure you do on the weekend). The ambiance is perfect for a date night. The tables are pretty close together and you will overhear whatever the people next to you are talking about (but that's a lot of Durham restaurants). I loved the vintage china and glasses. Our server was very friendly and knowledgable. Overall, all the food was great. We had the scallops and petit tenderloin, both of which were cooked well (although the scallops were a bit salty). The carrot side dish was great and the bread was good too (even if it cost $5). Overall we spent over $100 for 2 entrees, a side, 2 drinks, and bread which is a lot, but it was all very well done and an excellent splurge for a fancy occasion. Next time I will save room for dessert as they looked amazing!

Woah New favorite restaurant in Durham-- not sure how I didn't know about it earlier!! Ambiance- cute, intimate, quirky and quaint all at the same time. Excellent service. Family run. Have had dinner but would love to sit at the bar. Drinks - good wine list. Excellent cocktails. I had the "it's not pumpkin spice" and a mezcal one the bartender made on the fly - they were both fantastic and I would come back just for the drinks. Food- delicious! We did a lot of small plates and could not have been happier. Must haves - octupus, chicken confit. I could eat these all day. Other favorites - lamb burger, latkes, crudo, acorn, brussel sprouts. Great for a date or small group of people. Walking distance from DPAC. Is a small space so I would recommend making reservations but they have a changing menu and I will definitely be back!!

The food was great and I like the wine selection. My only issue is that as soon as I entered the restaurant, the hostess reminded me that there is a 20 percent gratuity requirement. She told me she just wanted to make sure I knew what I "was getting into." I noticed that she didn't say that to the white customers and it seemed racist. The experience was good after the encounter, but her comment made me wonder if I want to come back here. It seems like this restaurant might prefer white customers.

Summary: Glad I tried it, but was underwhelmed / likely won't be back. Best case: Elevated American small plates in a cute, intimate atmosphere. Worst case: Overpriced combinations of random ingredients thrown together in a visually pleasing but tepid atmosphere. Worth trying if you can afford it. Note that this is my review as a vegetarian, so I did not get to try some of the more interesting dishes on the menu. ---------------Full Review---------------- Had been wanting to try this place after seeing pictures of interesting dishes and prior vegetable-forward menus much earlier; so finally came here last Friday for dinner with a friend after work. Space - 4 stars. Cute and modern rustic, but cramped! Friend and I both had our work bags and there was no place to put them - if we had not sat in the back left corner table with a rare bit of floor next to it, not sure where they would have gone. Coming from a 1-block walk, the room was also a bit chilly. Service - 2 stars. Just the bare minimum; lower than my expectations for this place. I am non-alcoholic and vegetarian. The menu just lists a bunch of ingredients without explaining the dishes well, so I needed to clarify to understand the dishes and make my selections. The waitress seemed to lose patience after I asked questions about the menu a few times, answering without fully explaining the dishes. Then she was not particularly warm or attentive the rest of the evening. Nothing bad occurred, but the lack of warmth certainly detracted from the intimate ambiance from the visual setting - I do expect hospitality when I am shelling out hard-earned $$$ to visit a place like this. Not sure if this was a bad day (which we are all allowed!) or just the norm, but the service was not at all aligned to the 20% auto-gratuity we paid. (The bartender, on the other hand, was sweet/warmer and made me a nice custom drink, brought it over & explained it.) Drink - 4 stars (non-alcoholic) - Asked for a less-sweet mocktail. Had a nice pomegranate-cardamom drink that was still on the sweeter side (not sure if the waitress actually passed on my request to the bartender) but with some nice flavors. Food - 4 stars (Vegetarian) - Overall food was tasty if you like American cuisine. I ordered the carrot cavatelli, which is apparently a crowd favorite/enduring menu item despite seasonal updates to the menu, and the swiss chard cooked in cream: --The cavatelli were al dente, sauced just enough, and had a nice balance of flavors and textures with the pickled ingredients, yogurt dots, and other elements. Portion was smaller than expected, just covering the bottom of a ~7-inch bowl, but ok for 1 person if you are getting another dish as well. Was not too carott-y, which I guess is an accomplishment - nothing particularly peculiar/offending in the dish, but also nothing particularly memorable stood out to me - guess it is a safe option hence the crowd favorite. Was served warm but not hot. --The swiss chard were chiffon-sliced and lightly cooked in a thin, runny creamy sauce with tomatoes and other vegetables. The green onions added a fresh touch, and this dish was actually much more flavorful than the cavatelli. Was a smaller side portion in a ~5x2-inch saucer dish. This dish was served hotter and was much more satisfying to me; would definitely recommend. (--Did not get dessert) Value: 2.5 stars (for the vegetarian options). Did not see anything unique enough to merit the higher prices, ingredient-wise. Though the cavatelli were more filling than expected, the portion size for the cavatelli was maybe 1/3 of the portion I would have expected for an $18 dish. IMO these vegetarian options did not stand out / were things I could have made at home equally for less. Of course you are coming here for the experience and not the value solely, but the overall experience was far below my expectations related to the pricing.

Absolutely love this hidden gem! Came here for a date night, and the food was incredible. My boyfriend and I got the beef heart tartare and the grilled octopus for appetizers and the petit tender and brussel sprouts for our main course. All the food was wonderful, but the octopus really stole the show in my opinion--highly recommend! Drinks were also very good, and the server was very knowledgable and very accommodating for my difficult diet (gluten & lactose intolerant). Can't wait to come here again!

Odd name for an odd--but cool--little space. But the name isn't inaccurate--this place can't be more than twelve feet across. But they've managed to get in several very distinct décor pieces like a wall-sized black-and-white photo of a fallen tree on a lakeside, a reel-to-reel tape player, and some way cool boomerang barstools. The entire left wall is plain brick, which keeps things from feeling too busy. The dishes are decidedly experimental and not a place you'd bring a picky eater. The most "normal" item on the menu is a lamb burger and things get progressively more offbeat from there. I had the potted rabbit with housemade ritz crackers. (Between those and the rabbit meatballs I had earlier in the evening at Mothers and Sons, it was a bad night for Thumper.) It was a very interesting dish with good seasonings and paired well with the crackers, though the texture of potted meat always takes a moment to acclimate to. It also came with three semi-pickled carrots. (I'm not sure if pairing rabbit with carrots was supposed to be food-themed humor or not.) Service was smooth if not effervescent. I really liked the space and the Summer Squeeze cocktail was refreshing. I think I'll put this place on the rotation for snacks and cocktails, but maybe not a full dinner.

Littler is located at the old Monuts location, across from Bull City Burger and Brewery in downtown Durham. The interior definitely has an upscale feel to it, being a wine bar and all. Service was wonderful and our waiters were attentive. I ordered the Eastern shore softshell, which was filling enough to be my main course. It came with iceberg, buttermilk dressing, and pepperoni. I usually don't like iceberg lettuce, but it was actually crispy with the creamy dressing and pepperoni. The softshell itself was flavored really well, and tender inside. It was my first time trying softshell crab--you do eat the whole thing, shell and legs and all. My friends tried the latkes benedict with poached yolk and smoked trout, butter bean falafel with goat yogurt, and guinea hen with herby dumplings and morels, and green and yellow beans. I tasted the herby dumpling and morels---the morels were AMAZING. Cooked just right and creamy and bursting with favor. Surprisingly I also enjoyed the herby dumpling, which was an interesting take on chicken and dumplings. My friends enjoyed the smoked trout and each falafel is huge. And finally, dessert. The highlight of the meal! We tried the panna cotta which was so creamy and light; next time I'm getting my own! My friend also ordered some cheese drizzled with honey and dried fruit, which was ok, but not the star of the meal. Littler is a great place for a fancy meal with fresh ingredients and any dish you try will not disappoint!