Death And Taxes

Splendid restaurant, we selected the winter squash as a starter which established a fantastic tone for the evening. My wife had the red drum with a black rice and leeks and I had the cavatelli and pork, both were phenomenal. We wanted a … More

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! Order type Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person USD 50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

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. Price per person USD 50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Reservation Reservations recommended Noise level Moderate noise Wait time No wait Recommendation for vegetarians Somewhat recommend Dietary restrictions They are super accommodating for dietary restrictions Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Paid parking lot, Free street parking, Paid street parking, Paid parking garage

Really disappointed with the valentines experience we had here. For us, nowhere close to a $120/person value (with my wife getting a cocktail, our check came out to ~$350). The best dish we had, by far, was the simple tagliatelle. Seafood tower (really, 4 bites of shellfish each) tasted clean but unexciting. The duck looked great, but both of ours were very tough and most of my pieces had sinew running through them that my knife could barely cut. We each left a half-chewed piece on our plates that was too tough to get down. (Great mashed potatoes though!) The team made a great chocolate mouse and whipped cream for dessert, and then decided to drown it in dominant, savory peppercorn oil that, for us, just didn’t work. I left a pool of the oil in the center as I tried to eat around it. Restaurants have the chance to be opportunistic on money-making holidays, but this felt pretty brazen to us. We actually had a great meal here a few years ago and still remember the steak fondly, so we couldn’t believe there wasn’t beef on the menu for this price. Bright and kind service from all the staff, but big letdown from the chef who put this together. Price per person USD 100+ Food: 1 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4 Reservation Reservations recommended Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Group size 2 people

Server was exceptional. Food was okay. Baked NC oysters were good along with the Cavatelli and braised pork. NC shrimp were okay. Needed more interesting sauce and complimentary slaw or something. Old historical bank building. Bar and counter seating available. Not a large restaurant. Maybe only 14 four tops. Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 3 Reservation Reservations recommended Group size 1 person, 2 people, 3-4 people Special events No special event Seating type Indoor dining area, Bar area, Counter seating

Death and Taxes is definitely an experience worth having. Walking in the door, the place has an unassuming feel to it. Simultaneously … More

The bread pudding was heavenly. Can say with certainty that it was the best dessert I’ve ever had. We had a double date here while celebrating our engagement. The staff were top-notch and accommodating. My fiancé dropped his fork and a few … More

A very enjoyable upscale restaurant with a "wood-fired" theme. The oysters were amazing - very lightly broiled, enough to melt the delicious butter. The tartare was equally enjoyable. The crab tagliatelle pasta was very well-cooked and … More

Truly exquisite date night out. Food and service was excellent! The sourdough is a must get along with the gem lettuce appetizer. Go check it out ! More

Amazing Birthday Celebration I celebrated my birthday at Death & Taxes in December 2024 with family and … More

I am not typically blown away by restaurants, but Death and Taxes in Raleigh checked all of the boxes. … More

The food was enjoyable. We started with the NC shrimp and Oysters with Chili, both were very good with a sizeable portion of shrimp. For entrees we had the Agonlotti pasta with mushrooms and it was exceptional. We also had the Cavatelli … More

I dined at Death and Taxes last night and had the pleasure of being served by Raymond. He was so friendly and accommodating, even with me being vegan. He knew the menu like the back of his hand and made the dining experience great! Will definitely be coming back More

The best food I've had in Raleigh! Went for a birthday dinner and the food and service were incredible. All the food was charred perfectly and beatifully prepared. They brought us complimentary drinks and were attentive and flexible. Highly recommend for a special night out, it's worthy every penny. More

We went here for our anniversary. They took our coats. We had got seated at the bar. We saw everyone in the kitchen cooking. The service was impeccable, they always kept water in our glasses. The menu leads you down a great path of many … More