Cypress Hall — Restaurant in New Bern

Supposedly, this is the best that New Bern has to offer. Frankly, I was less than impressed.

To start things off, my wife and I arrived for a fairly early dinner (about 6p) and even though the place was practically empty, both the hostesses - who, by the way, left us standing in the doorway twiddling our thumbs for more than a few minutes while one was on the phone and the other stood idly by doing nothing - were reluctant to seat us because of a 730p reservation.

After being forced to convince them that we could be done before 730 we were seated. Our waiter arrived promptly with menus and water and allowed us ample time to peruse the menus. He was prompt and polite but lacked personality. He also didn't tend to our table very much. He didn't deliver our food he didn't clear any of our plates and he didn't refill our waters (those tasks were all handled by a rather expansive team of food runners and bussers, we didn't see the same face twice). I don't know if this is typical of Cypress but if it is it's wrong. How is he supposed to know if our meals were satisfactory if he's not present to find out?

Anyways, we ordered and after an acceptable wait our appetizers arrived. We chose to split a grilled romaine salad and a half order of the deviled eggs. Let me just say, the deviled eggs were tasty...until I hit the horseradish. Now, I'm not afraid of horseradish, but the sauce it was in was WAY too strong and unfortunately the eggs were placed directly in it, so there was no avoiding it. It probably should have been dabbed around the plate instead of smeared in order to limit exposure. As for the salad, the grilled bits of the lettuce were very pleasant, and the flavor of the salad as a whole I found to be enjoyable. It was topped with pickled onions and sardines and ranch and these wonderful fried parmesan brittle crisps. However, the croutons were deep fried leaving them very greasy and thoroughly disappointing.

My entree was, likewise, replete with issues. The fish was slightly overcooked making it rubbery and the skin was not crispy because it was topped with a white wine reduction that left it soggy. The ratatouille and the parmesan garlic sauce were both quite tasty but the plate as a whole lacked any kind of textural variety. It was mush veggies over mush rice with a side of mush protein. Some crispy fried fish skin would have remedied that problem, but alas.

If I'm being honest the shining star of my meal was the mixed drink I ordered. It was full of flavor, refreshing, and downright unforgettable...though I forget the name... But I asked how it was made and I stopped at the ABC store on the way home to buy some gin so I can make it later this week.

To sum up, if you're looking for a highlight reel dinner, you're not likely to find it here. If you just want to be part of the New Bern elite who don't really care about quality and think that just because they spent forty dollars per plate it must have been good, then this is your spot. Seriously, this review would probably be two stars if it weren't for that...

I've only been once, but I was BEYOND impressed. The good was so delicious that I actually missed it the next day and did my best to recreate part of my meal because I was craving it.

The ambiance of the restaurant was perfect. I went with my cousin, but it would also make a fabulous date-night spot. It's high-end Southern comfort food and they did it PERFECTLY.

Make sure you allow plenty of time. They took our food order after the appetizer came, so it was a little long, but it didn't bother me because it was such a nice setting. Just want to make sure you leave time to really relax and enjoy your experience and aren't rushed eating in order to your next appointment.

They have small plates which are like appetizers, and the big plates are regular entrees with sides.

For my small plate, I ordered the chicken chiccharones which are a cross between fried chicken skins and fried chicken tenders that are perfectly glazed in a hot sauce/ honey/ lemon sauce that was so good I even ate some of the lemon slices. It was a good portion too.

For my big plate I ordered a brisket burger which was delicious. The smashed potatoes (little potatoes baked, squished almost flat, then either baked again or fried, I can't remember, but crispy and full of flavor!) were one of my favorite parts. I dipped them in their homemade ranch and the 247 sauce, and I honestly can't tell you which was better. Both so good.

My cousin gave me one of her deviled eggs and I've never in my entire life experienced (yes, "experienced") a deviled egg that amazing. I like deviled eggs, but I wouldn't normally order them at a restaurant, until now. Next time I go, I will be ordering some.

Prices range from very affordable to kind of pricey, so it's nice that there's a variety.

In case you can't tell, I highly recommend this restaurant and absolutely want to go back as soon...

So my wife and I decided to try this place out for dinner. We walked in and the place looked great. We asked for a table and we were asked if we had a reservation. My wife and I looked at each other because it was 4:45PM and there were 6 people at the bar and NO ONE sitting at any tables. We're told the waitress no we didn't and she did they didn't have any open tables. I looked at my wife and then under my breath asked if I am missing something. I asked the hostess about how there is no one eating and that there is no availability. She then stared she could seat us at a table but it was reserved and would we be finished by 7? 7PM???? Seriously??!!! That is TWO hours away, who takes that long to eat? So of course we said yes we obviously would be. Then she says that we would have to wait being seated because she was waiting for new menus top be printed. Now at this point we have been inside for almost 20 minutes willing to give this restaurant our money. This came to a quick end when another couple walked in and they had reservations and were obviously seated with no problems even with menus. How is this possible when the place was empty and we were just told that she had to wait for new menus?

So let me take wild guess on the blow off......I had just got off work and I grabbed the wife because I was hungry. So maybe they thought I looked scummy and couldn't afford the prices? Or maybe I just didn't fit their classier decor? My wife looked nice as usual so I don't get it. My wife said forget it and we walked out, we had the best seafood dinner at MJ's Raw Bar & Grill!!! If you haven't eaten there you need to! Their food is great, their staff was SUPER friendly, and best of all, we weren't treated like low class scum which is...