Ask any Italian-American what ‘gravy’ is, and they'll tell you it's the pasta sauce that their mothers and grandmothers cooked fresh every night. At Gravy Restaurant we take the same care, preparing our signature sauce every day using select tomatoes and locally grown herbs. The heart and soul poured into the preparation of traditional Italian-American dishes pairs with inspired modern twists and a focus on seasonal ingredients to define Gravy’s unique approach to this classic cuisine.
"Went here on a Sunday around normal lunchtime. They only served limited brunch items which was disappointing. Decided to make the best of it and ordered the egg and polenta w cheese. It came out piling hot ... I dug into it, let it cool (or so I thought) and of course burned my mouth. Ok, I will take responsibilit for this... However, the eggs were not done and runny...which I could not eat. I tried a few bites and the flavor was ok.. Too much cheese for my taste. Again, I was disappointed in the food and doubt I will ever return to try their dinner menu. There are just too many other great restaurants to take another chance here."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 4 for Gravy
Overall rating
(Outstanding)5/5
love it
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/12/2013
Food
(Outstanding)5/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)5/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"they serve dishes I have never had before that are also very good eating! wait staff was super friendly and professional. they were busy as heck but our food came out timely and hot. overall excellent experience!!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"Food was amazing... Family Gravy and Chicken Marsala were both delicious, and the garlic rolls at the beginning were to die for. Only disappointment: got seated at a table right by the door, which was a little uncomfortable and awkward. I'd definitely go back!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
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"Some items did not match the description (e.g., no avocados in the lamb penne dish), and meals were bland overall. Overpriced for the quality. Some dishes seemed to be still frozen in the middle (i.e. microwaved instead of prepared in the kitchen?) Noisy ambiance. Service was attentive and the staff were very friendly."
Dined on 5/07/2013
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"So glad we finally made it to Gravy, we will be back. The food was great, my GF had the eggplant pie which she loved. I had the family gravy, it is a great dish if you want to try a variety of what they offer. The sausage is ground and cased in house which is hands down better than any other restaurant. Oh and the gravy? Be 100% Italian I tend to dislike sauce out at restaurants because I'm use to making my own the way I grew up eating it, however this reminded me of home."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We were pleasantly surprised by this restaurant as we had never been here before. The food was outstanding, the service was very good. It is a tight, small place so our table in the center left me feeling a bit exposed but we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and will be returning often!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Very good food. Some of the tables are just kind of in the way so if you end up wanting to take someone out on a date I do not recommend, they will usually give you a table right in the middle of the commotion. However, if you enjoy Italian food, it's great. So it's good for groups, parties, anything of the sort. Just not very intimate at all."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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"Not enough can be said in favor of this place. Chef Brent continues to outdo himself time and time again. Ingredient quality shines through in all of his dishes. Jacob is a true professional as a manager and the staff makes you feel welcome and well-tended to. Our server Nicky was excellent and is truly good at her craft. This is a true tiny gem in Raleigh."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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The place is rather small though, and I wouldn't rec for a very large group (more than 6). We went early on a Wednesday, so it wasn't crowded. I could see how it may get a little cramped in there.
We had a great time! I'd be very excited to go back."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Went there for my birthday dinner yesterday, had a great evening. To start the service was excellent, attentive without being over the top. I had the "Family Gravy" and my wife had the fish of the day, both were very tasty. Great addition to downtown dining, we'll definitely be back."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"My expectations were high. My experience exceeded them!!!! Wine recommendation was great. Salads were exceptional:baby romain leaves, uncut, fresh and crisp. arugula fresh and peppery. neither salad over dressed. Basic spaghetti and meatballs anythng but basic: great seasonings, pasta drained well, sauce tasty Gnocchi: tender, sauce creamy and beautifully seasoned, didn't even have meat added, perfect balance of flavors and textures Panna Cotta: best I have ever had."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"Great local spot and nice menu of options, with plenty of Italian favorites that use their gravy (as in sauce). Also have some good beef and fish specials. We were ther on a Sunday night and every table was full, which was great to see in downtown Raleigh. Definitely worth a try if you are in the area."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Food was pretty good. A little different dish than expected. Lasagna was dry but flavorful. Service was fast. Although salad brought out with meal rather than prior."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2013
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"i entertained six business associates and left it to our waitress to bring the chef's favorites. We had a great meal, fun and an overall memorable experience."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Another wonderful dinning experience. The rice ball appetizer is a must have. We have dinned at Gravy many times and have never had a bad meal. Everything is well prepared and fantastic. The Gravy staff always makes you feel right at home."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"It was a busy Saturday night. The noise left just kept growing while we were there. The menu is a good solid Italian style menu. The salads lack inspiration. I should have skipped that course."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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"The service was exceptional. The food was amazing. I could not have asked for a better experience for my wife's Birthday. I will recommend Gravy I anyone and everyone."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We'll be back for more!!! Our first try at Gravy was amazing, the food was fantastic (sorry to all my Italian family members). The size of the restaurant makes the noise level a little high at times so maybe not a first date spot...but the hubs and I enjoyed spending our 10th anniversary with the garlic knots and blood orange sorbet!! Planing a return trip soon"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Gravy is one of our very favorite restaurants. Tonights visit was spot on as always, with exception of the not so friendly hostess. We cheerfully tried to engage her in some friendly conversation while waiting for our table and she was obviously having none of it, as she virtually ignored us. Other than that little put off as always the food is outstanding and our server was prompt and friendly. You cannot go wrong with the gnocchi and family gravy."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find
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"I am not sure what I expected, but for my taste I just thought the food was marginal. I ordered lasanga which had more cheese than I prefer and just felt like I was eating a lot of melted cheese, I prefer more tomato and meat. My date ordered the osso buca which I tasted and thought was just ok at best. It was rather dry. The service was good, but they never came back to our table to see if I wanted another glass of wine. If you love tons of cheese, you should enjoy the food, if not avoid the cheese dishes or just go elsewhere."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2010
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"Staff was great - service was great - nice evening. We were late for reservation but the person up front was very accommodating. Ben was great, and seemed to understand that we came for the special on Sunday with Spaghetti & Meatballs!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find
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"Our standard italian place is bela monica so I was comparing Gravy to it the whole time. I like the locale/space much better - great spot downtown right next door to free parking on the weekends. Great music. Really good service - not sure how they do it but it is definitely by committee. They have a great wine guy, Ray, who told us all about multipuciano (grape and region).
The memu is good although nothing blew me away - I ended up just trying basic spaghetti - since I felt like I had to try the "gravy" - it was ok. My wife had the eggplant lasagna which was really good. Nothing though beats the "fresh" pasta at bela monica though...."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2010
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"This was the second time going to Gravy. And it was way better than the first (not that the first time was bad by any means)!! I brought my parents and my wife, and they had nothing but great things to say. Our waiter (I wish I could remember his name) was absolutely phenomenal. Knew everything and anything about the menu. Even suggested perfectly fitting beers for my father and I as well as a perfect wine for my mother. The service was second to none. The food just added to the night. All our dishes were delicious. Gravy is the perfect spot for a romantic date, or just a casual night out. I keep getting impressed by this place and can't wait to go back."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Absolutely delicious...My favorite downtown place to dine and hang out. Wait staff is always awesome....food is outstanding as well as the wine. Only suggestion....give more wine in the glass for $9.00. Gravy is so delicious, elegant. We took some friends that had never been and they were so pleased and plan to come back again!!!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot
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"We have been to Gravy several times and it has always been great. The service tonight was a little off and we were disappointed the waiter did not add garlic knots to our to go boxes as usual. The food was good, but has also been better in the past."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups
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"I had been to Gravy when they first opened and had not been back. This was a pleasant surprise. We all loved our food. I thought the beef special was particularly good."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Food was quite good. Very noisy. We ate there on a Saturday night before a concert. It seemed quite rushed as it became more crowded. Food came VERY quickly, as if it had been waiting to just be heated up. We had a drink, ordered with appetizers, main course, coffee all under one hour: MUCH TOO FAST."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2006
Special Features: notable wine list
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"It was our first visit and we were just delighted. The food was great. The service was great. We found out later that our companions wanted to go back again the next night just to have the food again. Parked right on the street within the same block. Really look forward to trying desert sometime. Oh, and killer Rob Roy, my compliments to the bartender."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Service was not very attentive especially considering that there were only 2 other tables on a cold rainy day. Server gave me a nasty look when I asked for a new water glass because mine had a red mark on it. She said that they use a red towel to polish glasses but I dont think arguing with a customer about clean glassware is appropriate. She did a real disservice to the reputation of a good restaurant. I will definitely go back for the atmosphere and food and hope I don't get her."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, great for lunch
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"Loved the food, and everything else- except our waitress who needs some re-education in how to provide service. I have heard from a couple people that the service isn't always the best. Drinks took way too long to arrive. 3 of the 4 in our party got their wine after awhile, but my cocktail didn't arrive until after my salad arrived and it was the wrong drink. The bread- well that arrive after the salad too. And where was the waitress when i wanted a wine? On a very good note, we did speak to the manager who was great, took the cocktail off the bill. The chef came out to see us when we inquired about what was in the bay scallop appetizer sauce- especially yummy by the way."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2009
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