Rue Cler

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted as friends and they managed to find us a table less than an hour before closing. Delightful small, provencale nook.
It is the best authentic French nouvelle cuisine we've had in the US! Each course more delicious than the one before. Scallops perfectly sauteed!
Amazing wine selection with spot-on recommendation.
We stumbled upon this and we will return!

Make reservations because it is cozy and has a small footprint. This is my second time dining here and it has been delicious both times. Their bread is from a local bakery so please get some. Their food is just so flavorful and their French wine selection is varied. I love white burgundies and they have a good selection. The staff is very friendly. It is not inexpensive and it is about $100 per person if you have wine, bread, entree and dessert.

Rue Cler is a corner restaurant that serves up authentic French cuisine. I came with a friend on Friday and was fortunate to be seated on arrival. Our hostess said they were booked for 6pm tables. I knew coming before 6 was important. Otherwise we'd be on a wait. I was smart to have my friend call ahead to see if there was a wait. The restaurant has a semi-casual vibe and is good for couples and small groups.

Rue Cler's selection of wines was splendid. I saw two tables drinking a certain red wine. I asked my server, Nate, what they ordered. The one he pointed to was beyond my budget so I settled on a different one by the glass. I started the evening with a featured white wine. Once my entree came I changed to a featured red.

My French Onion Soup was done well. My last memory of having this was that it's very salty. This one didn't have as much. I thank the cook there. My friend had their chicken special and I had their Coq Au Vin. Both were awesome!

This is our first time at Rue Cler in Durham. We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day on the 15th and hubby and I were looking forward to this. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, especially on the wines. We were very happy with his recommendations!

It's a bit confusing as to how to order since there are specials (without prices) listed on a board, a menu with a 3 course Prix Fixe, area and a couple of areas also on the menu listed with a la carte items. The price for Prix Fixe was $79 instead of $69 listed on their website (I know menu and prices are subject to change), so not a big deal. But if you don't read small print then be prepared. I wasn't sure how the pricing would be for mine. I went with the potato leek soup listed on the Prix Fixe (minus chives, not an allergy just don't prefer them) and opted for a la carte salmon "cutlets" with bernaise, haricoverts and potatoes. My husband ordered 1/2 dozen oysters and then chose the potato leek soup, beet risotto and lamb shanks from the Prix Fixe menu.

While we waited, we were given cute, small, crisp, flavorful cheesy profiteroles. We got a generous portion of delicately flavored, light soup and the wine pairing suggested was perfect. Hubby didn't get his oysters delivered or the risotto. The next course out were our main dishes. We reminded our waiter and he checked his book and apologized because it had gotten somehow lost between him and the kitchen. We said, "forget the oysters" and he comped us the risotto and our second glasses of wine. Our dinners were plenty generous and I took half of mine home. I was slightly disappointed in my salmon as it was too salty for me (it was the top portion they seared), and the bernaise had lots of finely diced chives. I pushed off the bernaise with chives and dug into the remainder. Not the best salmon as it was a little dry (thin portions). Hubby's lamb shank was quite flavorful.

Overall, a good outing but not as good as I had expected. Will give them a try again.

A little steep on price, but exceptional food and service levels you simply don't find anymore, even at the best restaurants.

Love Rue Cler - food is exceptional, low key, bistro-style ambiance, great service - always a beautiful night out for a special occasion. I didn't know what to expect the first time I went and was afraid it would be intimidating but the atmosphere is warm and the staff are friendly, welcoming and very knowledgeable. It's fine dining so be prepared to splurge on the price, but the quality is excellent.

I must be honest and say I was a little nervous about eating here because my experience with French restaurants is pretty limited and I wasn't really sure what to expect. We were a party of 5, myself, my cousin and his wife and my aunt and uncle were in town. We were out celebrating my Aunts bday. I must start by saying the space is smaller than I expected but had a cool rustic type vibe. Our server, Trent was awesome! The food was absolutely exceptional!!! I was blown away with the watermelon salad, gnocchi, and scallops!!! The flavors and various sauces were amazing! I was able to sample some of the cantaloupe and ham, savory beignets, and olives. I was also fortunate to pick off the plates of my family members and tried some French fries and the amazing potato's there were served with the salmon that my aunt ordered. I ordered some sort of hazelnut dessert special which was good and in my opinion was superior to the bite of crème brûlée I tried. I am a bit bummed that I didn't have an alcoholic beverage due to being on call for work, but I crushed bottle after bottle of water! Thank you for an amazing dining experience-food, service and atmosphere was pure perfection! Thank you!!!

I have come around from my iffy review from a few years ago. This place is dynamite! I wish it still had a brunch service. Excellent everything, all around, service, food, drinks. It is a little noisy for those with hearing issues. But maybe in a corner it would work out better.

They often have nice oysters, a full bar, and interesting wines on the other chalk-board (and also french cider!)

Lovely little restaurant in downtown Durham. The waiter Jordan was so friendly and warm made the experience. We ordered food from the Prix fixe or three course menu. The reason for one less star was the size of the food of the second course was quite small. The regular menu looked to have normal size portions. So, I would probably order that instead. The ambiance was great but without reservation, you end up at the bar. There were a few empty tables we could have been seated. I did not mind Jordan though. My husband and I appreciated the company. :)

Came in on a Friday evening for a 5:30pm reservation. There were plenty of empty tables. Got the foie gras appetizer, the bread (which we didn't know was not complementary), coq au vin (chicken) and the Magret De Canard (just the entree rather than the whole Prix Fixe menu).
Ambiance: 5/5
Service: 4/5 some times it felt that our waiter forgot us but for the most part he was good. The food also came out at the perfect times.
Food: The Foie Gras was good but the shining star was the Coq Au Vin- perfectly cooked with deep earthy flavors. The duck was good but definitely didn't match the Coq Au Vin.