HAWTHORNE & WOOD — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

Hawthorne & Wood stands in a class of its own, delivering an exceptional dining experience that exceeds all expectations. From the moment our party of six was seated at one of their coveted larger tables, it was clear we were in for something special.

The cocktail program deserves its own spotlight. Their signature drinks showcase both creativity and craftsmanship, striking that perfect balance between innovation and classic technique. Each cocktail arrived as its own small masterpiece, setting the perfect tone for the evening ahead.

The menu's progression from starters through main courses reveals the kitchen's remarkable talent. The butternut squash soup, in particular, was a revelation – velvety smooth with a depth of flavor that lingered long after the last spoonful. This wasn't just soup; it was a warm embrace in a bowl, expertly seasoned and clearly made with precision and care.

The true star of the evening was the venison entrée. Cooked to absolute perfection, the meat was tender and flavorful without a hint of gaminess, showcasing the kitchen's expertise with game meats. The dish was elevated by its thoughtful accompaniments: salt-kissed braised kale, and roasted parsnips that added a subtle sweetness to balance the rich meat. This careful composition demonstrated both technical skill and creative vision, with each element complementing the others perfectly.

The attention to detail extends beyond the food to every aspect of service. The staff moved with practiced grace, anticipating needs before they arose and sharing their extensive knowledge of both food and beverages with genuine enthusiasm.

While the price point reflects the quality, the value proposition is undeniable. This is elevated dining that manages to feel both special and comfortable – no small feat in today's restaurant landscape. If rating systems allowed, this would be a clear six out of five stars.

For those who haven't yet experienced Hawthorne & Wood, consider this a passionate plea to make a reservation. Whether for a special occasion or simply to experience dining at its finest, this restaurant delivers something truly memorable. Just be sure to book well in advance – excellence like this doesn't remain a...

We were happy patrons of this restaurant until recently. Our last experience involved very slow service and flippant attitudes. The food was just ok. Took a while to place our order, and our waiter was very lascadaisical. We loved the old fried olives and pickles app., which was one of the only reasons we selected Hawthorne instead of Metro 8 (whose service we find to be exceptional to this day), but were informed the app was removed from the menu just because, despite being popular with diners (the waiter informed us, "yeah people come in asking for it all the time.") We dined for a birthday. We hoped to try one of the dessert trios after dinner, but, alas, that was removed from the menu also. (The trios were awesome. You received a nice sized sampling of 3 desserts. Just enough after a filling meal.) As neither of the desserts available appealed to us, we figured we'd make due with the bday dessert that used to be provided in the past-a slice of cake I believe it was. This time, the waiter (who forgot we were celebrating a birthday and who didn't offer to until after we requested it) brought out a comical gelatin like, candy sized piece of sweet that tasted horrible (see picture). Seemed like a cheap gesture for an upscale restaurant. (We wound up enjoying a delicious dessert at Metro 8 across the street.) The atmosphere at Hawthorne feels very different now. For a fine dining establishment, and for the amount paid for our experience, we were very disappointed in the service received. Finally, had we known about the incident involving the patron and the disrespectful manager from a couple years ago, we would have never returned here. We firmly believe that the staff of any business is a direct reflection of ownership. Anyone with the gall to speak to a paying guest that way must be part of a culture that values money over customer satisfaction and chaos over common sense dispute resolution, or else they would have know better, in our opinion, than to behave that way. We will not...

My husband and I celebrated my recent birthday at H&W on the outside patio. We were socially distanced from the other tables and felt totally safe. All I can do is brag about the service and the food. Andi was our server (she was fantastic!) and Connor (may favorite mixologist) made one of those delicious seasonal blood orange martinis as well as an old fashioned. We had the olive bar snacks and the kitchen provided a complementary general tso’s cauliflower bowl. Yum! Andi asked about our wine preferences (both red) and she brought us samples of what she would recommend. Spot on! Jo landron “la louvetrie” muscadet 2019 and the averaen pinot noir 2019 were our choices. For our main courses we had sauteed north Atlantic halibut and the pastrami-spiced seared yellowfin tuna. Amazing! For dessert the kitchen provided a complementary birthday yummy chocolate concoction and then we ordered the crème brulee and the pavlov with coffee. Just let me say that the moment we entered the door we felt like we were among family. Definitely that “neighborhood” restaurant feel, but with upscale food and drinks. This has always been the case. There are very few restaurants that really value you as a customer in this way. I can also never say enough about the drinks and food. Why this restaurant has not been considered for a Beard award is beyond me. If not now, it has to happen in the near future!!! Please continue to patronize this local restaurant and help keep it afloat during these...