Comments on: City Beverage

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:23:58 +0000

I had a nightmare experience at the Lava Lounge about a year ago. It took over 45 minutes to get my burger, and when it came, it was raw. Not rare, raw. I couldn’t eat it and sent it back. I got a lot of attitude for complaining about a dinner I couldn’t eat. We ended leaving and going to eat somewhere else. I’m never going back.

By: Outdoor Dining Spots | Carpe Durham

Outdoor Dining Spots | Carpe Durham — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:25:53 +0000

[...] Beverage, 4810 Hope Valley Road, Carpe Durham Review. Note: Huge, huge patio with umbrella-topped [...]

By: James

James — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:10:36 +0000

I ate there for the first time the other day. My first impression was it reminded me of a bar I used to work at in Raleigh named The Stingray Room, so right away I was interested. It went downhill pretty quickly. The tomato soup I had was insanely rich, too rich to consume. My dates broccoli/cheese soup was mediocre, but with an added surprise of a long blonde hair…she’s a redhead. My italian sandwich was nothing more then some pepperoni and lettuce on bread, bread which was panini’ed to death, very, very toasted…almost burnt. She ordered a beer, a guinness, which arrived 10-15 minutes after ordering it, the restaurant only had about five tables filled at this point. I only had soda/water, and it was like pulling teeth to get refils. I noticed one bartender and four waitresses (along with a trainee) at this time, there was no reason for the lag in service, short of trying to maintain a “cool, hipster” vibe mixed with ennui. I’d be willing to try it again, but my normal attitude on a poor return visit is that I never come back, and I’m not willing to kill the joint just yet….

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:27:16 +0000

The atmosphere is the best aspect of the place. For the prices, I would expect better quality food. The cold brittle discs they use for tortillas (see the taco photo in the original article) are inexcusable in a city with so many great taquerias and sources for fresh tortillas. I emailed them this feedback and got no reply. I’m not eager to go back. Agree the Federal is better.

By: Sus

Sus — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:14:10 +0000

Mmm, yeah – if the prices were like 10% lower it would probably be a bit fairer. They do use good ingredients, especially in their specials. Since I’m in the neighborhood I’ve gone a bunch over the years. It’s got a fun vibe, the service is okay – not great, but it’s never been mind-blowingly bad. Honestly, it’s a bit like in Europe, which just doesn’t bother me that much as long as I get something to drink in the soon-ish time frame. I agree, the steak sandwich is ridiculous and the Cuban, while not on authentic bread is way yummy. I’d rather get tacos at Chubby’s, to be honest. Their salads are excellent. It’s not quite the Federal – wish it were because it’s so much closer to my house, but it’s good. Not everything has to be love it or hate it – I like it a lot every now and then. I would say that if you go, chill about the service. That hyper-efficient yes ma’am yes sir service gets on my nerves anyway.

By: Suzann

Suzann — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:25:29 +0000

I agree with most of the other reviews – service is just okay and the prices are too high. However, in this area of Durham, there isn’t much competition if you’re trying to stay out of corporate food world. They have a huge selection of beers, a pool table, and a huge outdoor patio when the weather is nice. Sometimes that’s all you want on a Friday night.

By: enwiebe

enwiebe — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:14:45 +0000

I first started going there when it first opened. We loved the crabcakes and fish tacos that first time out and still enjoy them. The original space was too tight on the weekends so I was happy to see the expansion. We really enjoy sitting outside in the nice weather. The service is certainly up and down, but never terrible. I don’t think bad service is ‘institutionalized’ as it is some places. We’re back about once every six months. It’s not a ‘must go to’ destination, but definitely high on the list when we’re on that side of town.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:59:52 +0000

Ridiculous steak sandwich, excellent!
Crab cakes, excellent!
Ability to walk over to the lava lounge and order burgers, satisfactory.
Beer selection and plenty of outdoor seating, excellent!
My only problem with City Beverage is the parking spaces, small and eneven.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:38:48 +0000

City Beverage could be the Federal if its prices were 30% lower. The atmosphere isn’t any better and the service is way worse, although it was better when they have the Lavaburger Lounge side of the house open. Unlike the Federal, their garlic fries are made from frozen. I’ve eaten there maybe half a dozen times and the tacos are very good, but at $10 with no sides, they should be. I want to like it, but I just can’t warm up to it.

By: Marty

Marty — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:15:39 +0000

No, I’ve had the same experience. Especially when you ask for something different or tell them you miss part of the old menu with the burgers. They act like you’re insane.