Terrace Kitchen — Restaurant in Durham

Dinner Service Experience

Food: For the appetizer, we had bruschetta bread and calamari. For the main course, I ordered the 10 oz. ribeye paired with broccolini, and a loaded potato (sour cream, bacon, cheese). A mushroom sauce accompanied the steak. My daughter had the shrimp risotto.

I enjoyed the bruschetta. It was topped with tomatoes, shaved cheese, onions, garlic, and drizzled balsamic and came with three (3) pieces. The calamari was ok. There's not much to it. The marinara sauce was tasty.

The steak was ordered medium-well and tasted delicious. No additional seasoning was needed. The outer had a good sear with grill lines. The mushroom sauce was a win as well.

The loaded potato had a salty skin, which is fine with me given french fries are salted on the outside. It was on the cusp of too salty however. I don't know if it can be called "loaded" given it was missing chives, onions, etc. It was wrapped in aluminum foil, which I think works for a mid-level restaurant. This restaurant strikes me as fine dining. Because of that, the aluminum could've been done without.

The broccolini was decent in count for the serving but lacked seasoning. It was cooked with oil and did have evidence of a seasoning but it didn't come through the vegetable.

Now the shrimp risotto...what a dish!!! The shrimp was cooked well and the risotto wasn't hard or mushy. The sauce had a rich flavor and was well-seasoned. Terrace doesn't have a children's menu, and that's fine but this dish was sufficient for my daughter. The portion was enough for her and the table.

Overall: The food was solid and has room to go to the next level. Portion size was good and the speed of food delivery was good.

Service: Our server (young female with black hair) was friendly and attentive to our needs. There was not much down time between drinks, food, and check-ins. She was knowledgeable about the menu and her suggestions were spot on. I have to give four (4) stars only because the system they were using caused a delay with the order going to the kitchen and thus, our table receiving it. The other thing was she was somewhat hovering when I was settling the tab. The tip screen was pulled up and given the proximity, she could see what you would leave. No issue for me and maybe I'm looking too far into it but if this is a common practice, a customer may feel uncomfortable about this.

Atmosphere: Overall, the restaurant was nice. I think the "Open" sign with the hours can be removed. It sends takeout/ quick bites vibes versus fine dining. Also, where we were seated, the double-doors to our right (in the picture) were not tinted or covered by a curtain. As a result, when people park, the lights from the vehicle shine directly into the business. I can see this being an issue if there is a party that is sitting on that side of the restaurant.

Final Thoughts: A solid restaurant with good beginnings!!! If you are about supporting local businesses and want a good meal, give it a go. More advertisement on the street would be beneficial given where the restaurant is located. We look forward to trying lunch and brunch service...

This was our second visit, and it was on Valentine’s Day. Our first visit was all 5-star! The ambiance is wonderful, very clean and decorated nicely. We were the only customers that first night and were well taken care of! Service was quick, server was very attentive, etc. Tonight the place was filled! There are close to 20 tables and I was excited to see how busy they were! However, it didn’t take long to realize there were some things that need addressing. We ordered the Capriese Salad and the Ribeye Steak. Oh, my! Both were scrumptious, the Capriese Salad with fresh mozzarella discs and tomato slices topped with an incredible balsamic vinaigrette. The steak was just how we ordered, potato & broccolini were decadent. But it took 90 minutes to get our food! Our server, though very pleasant, was so busy I couldn’t get his attention to get refills on water. I talked with one of the owners and it turns out they are understaffed & in need of servers and more kitchen staff for big nights. Being a new venture in Durham, one that has all the makings of a really great place to eat, I ask that if you had the same experience we did on a night that was crowded, please know they are working to be the dining experience one would expect. Tonight they get a 2, but we will go back again because the food is worth the wait!! And I have a promise that they are working on improving the glitch in timely service on...

I had an incredible dining experience at Terrace Kitchen! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant has a great ambiance—cozy yet stylish, making it perfect for any occasion.

A special shoutout to Happi, who was our waiter for the evening. He was absolutely fantastic! Friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, he made great recommendations and ensured we had everything we needed. His service truly elevated our experience, making us feel valued and well taken care of.

The food was outstanding—every dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The lamb chimps was a standout, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The drinks were also great, with a well-curated selection of cocktails and wines that complemented the meal perfectly.

Overall, Terrace Kitchen exceeded my expectations in every way. If you’re looking for delicious food, top-notch service, and a wonderful atmosphere, this is the place to go. And if you have the chance, ask for Happi—he’ll make sure you have an amazing dining experience!...