Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern Menu (2025 Update)
Located in Raleigh, NC, Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern is a luxurious and historical dining destination offering New American cuisine. With a romantic and upscale ambiance, it is perfect for special occasions or business dinners. The menu features unique and flavorful dishes, including options for pescatarians and vegans. Customers rave about the top-tier service provided by knowledgeable wait staff, as well as the impeccable presentation of the food. Highlights include the black grouper, lamb chop, sea bass, and morel mushroom appetizer. The attention to detail, from the building's beautiful architecture to the personalized touches like a signed menu for special occasions, sets Second Empire apart. If you're looking for a fine dining experience that exceeds expectations, Second Empire Restaurant And Tavern should be at the top of your list.
First Courses
Jumbo Lump Crabmeat & Kabocha Squash Phyllo Cigar
roasted cauliflower & seaweed salad, crispy sweet green lettuce, snow peas, celery root puree, frisse, spicy ginger & english pea vinaigrette
Crispy Duck Leg Confit
northern bean & tuscan kale, butternut squash puree, horseradish, rutabaga slaw, bacon, dried cherry port jus
Dry Age Black Angus Striploin Tartare
sunny side quail egg, capers, beet carpaccio, shiitake mushroom duxelles, spicy cucumber salad, chipotle mango dressing
Local Blue Sky Farms Tender Greens Salad
curly leaf lettuce, oak leaf, bibb, frisee, radicchio, belgian endive, dill, dijon mustard shallot vinaigrette
Crispy Point Judith Calamari
lightly seasoned buckwheat & cornmeal flour, creamy roasted pineapple lime dipping sauce
Steamed Clams & Pork Cioppino
creamy ricotta polenta, prince edward mussels, shrimp, plum tomatoes, herb cracker, white wine broth
Empire Winter Salad
roasted brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, butternut squash, sweet crispy green lettuce, iceberg, spinach, walnuts, pancetta, feta, maple orange vinaigrette
Classic French Onion Soup
caramelized spanish onions, gruyere cheese, toasted herb croutons, rich broth
Soup Du Jour
Pan Roasted Portland, Maine Sea Scallops
sauteed amaranth & millet, roasted leeks, kabocha squash, wilted spinach, roasted cauliflower salad, pecans, roasted red bell pepper jus
Grilled Kvary Arctic Salmon
cannellini beans & ouster mushrooms, bacon, braised escarole, celery root puree, grapefruit salad, roasted poblano prune sauce
Grilled Citrus & Oregano Bell & Evans Chicken Breast
bomba spanish rice & eggplant, chick peas, feta cheese, almonds, napa cabbage, butternut squash compote, spice molasses vinaigrette
Bosc Pear & Fennel Braised Black Angus Short Rib
creamy herb & oyster mushroom polenta, haricot verts, irish cheddar & dried cranberry salad, natural braising jus
Grilled North Carolina Mountain Trout
rice noodles & roasted broccoli, bok choy, parsnip puree, brussels sprout salad, corn & lemongrass jus
Empire Seafood Paella
steamed mussels, clams, scallops, seasonal fish, shrimp, saffron rice, chicken, chorizo sausage, stagionato cheese, herb fumet
Roasted Savory Moroccan Meatballs
sauteed spinach, creamy root vegetable & zucchini, grape tomatoes, english peas, gold raisins, stagionato cheese, ancho chili tomato jus
Roasted Peking Duck Breast
asian mung bean & roasted root vegetables, butternut squash puree, shiitake mushroom salad, curry savoy cabbage, pineapple red wine jus
Grilled Australian Lamb Rack
trio of potatoes & leeks, roasted asparagus, wilted spinach, parsnip puree, apple & fennel salad, white wine olive tomato jus
Entrees
DESSERT MENU
Carrot & Strawberry Layer Cake
Spiced carrot cake layered with strawberry mousse. Iced in dark chocolate milk glaze and served with strawberry sauce, carrot lace cookie, and fresh fruit
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Traditional vanilla custard, caramelized sugar, fresh berries & an almond lace cookie
Sweet Potato Cherry Bread Pudding
GF N.C. sweet potato tea bread soaked in a spiced cherry custard with fresh and dried cherries Topped with streusel crumble and cherry ice cream. Served with ginger cream anglaise, blackberry sauce, ginger snap cookie and fresh fruit.
Empire Chocolate Souffle
Classic chocolate souffle baked to order, powdered sugar, & Chantilly cream.
Second Empire Key Lime Pie
Graham cracker crust, creamy key lime custard, whipped cream, fresh blueberries, & blueberry sauce.
Espresso Semifreddo
GF Chocolate chiffon sponge cake. Espresso Meringue, toasted pistachio, almond & oat biscotti crumbs. Topped with toasted espresso meringue. Served with pistachio anglaise, mango sauce, gluten free tuile cookie, & fresh fruit
Homemade Ice Cream And Sorbet
A variety of French-style ice creams and non-dairy sorbets, fresh berries, & a cookie.