Where is Herons located?
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Herons is located inside the Umstead Hotel and Spa at 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary, North Carolina, 27513. We are right in the heart of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Herons takes its coffee and tea service seriously, which means you can enjoy the highest quality selections after a hearty meal or with your morning pastry. For its coffee service, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant uses Valentine Coffee, offering you a choice between French press and drip coffee. Either option is divine, and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one cup.
Tea at Herons is equally tasty and satisfying. All the tea in the restaurant is by Mighty Leaf, and you can sample it with any meal or during the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Service. Choices include Himalayan Peak Darjeeling Organic, Earl Grey Organic, Ti Kuan Yin, Green Tea or Chamomile Citron.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Herons takes its coffee and tea service seriously, which means you can enjoy the highest quality selections after a hearty meal or with your morning pastry. For its coffee service, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant uses Valentine Coffee, offering you a choice between French press and drip coffee. Either option is divine, and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one cup.
Tea at Herons is equally tasty and satisfying. All the tea in the restaurant is by Mighty Leaf, and you can sample it with any meal or during the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Service. Choices include Himalayan Peak Darjeeling Organic, Earl Grey Organic, Ti Kuan Yin, Green Tea or Chamomile Citron.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar, Herons may be best known for its selection of reds and whites — but it also features a few special liquors. With the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant's refined atmosphere, you may be inspired to order a handcrafted cognac or rare bourbon. Cognacs here are something to be savored; you'll want to swirl the richly colored pour in your glass for several minutes, enjoying its aroma before taking the first sip. Bourbon is another high-end alternative that has been aged to perfection; how could you visit the South and not indulge in its famous spirit? Don't bother mixing it into a cocktail or diluting it over ice; the flavors are so dark and rich you'll want to drink it slowly to savor every sip. Just ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for suggestions or house specialties that can add another dimension to the restaurant's Five-Star fare.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar, Herons may be best known for its selection of reds and whites — but it also features a few special liquors. With the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant's refined atmosphere, you may be inspired to order a handcrafted cognac or rare bourbon. Cognacs here are something to be savored; you'll want to swirl the richly colored pour in your glass for several minutes, enjoying its aroma before taking the first sip. Bourbon is another high-end alternative that has been aged to perfection; how could you visit the South and not indulge in its famous spirit? Don't bother mixing it into a cocktail or diluting it over ice; the flavors are so dark and rich you'll want to drink it slowly to savor every sip. Just ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for suggestions or house specialties that can add another dimension to the restaurant's Five-Star fare.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Since the menu at Herons changes with the seasons, it lends a sense of unpredictability to what you can order. However, you can always expect a few types of dishes the Five-Star restaurant does particularly well. Here are five favorites:
1. Fish. Delicate, buttery and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong by ordering a seafood dish, such as the wild king salmon or roasted ahi tuna.
2. Soup with fresh, seasonal flavors. One recent summer menu featured a summer gazpacho with cucumber, yellow tomato, strawberry, jalapeno, radish and basil sorbet. It was perfectly refreshing and equally satisfying.
3. Southern breakfast fare. Many of the items on Herons’ menu pay homage to traditional Southern dishes, especially breakfast items like shrimp and sage grits, with portobello mushrooms and vidalia onion gravy.
4. Scones. Technically, you don’t need to specifically order scones, since they’re included with afternoon tea and your bread service at dinner. Flaky, moist and flavorful, we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at just one.
5. Sweets. Tap into your sweet tooth and save room for dessert, because Herons takes it seriously. Try the sweet ratatouille, a chocolate zucchini cake with lavender honey crème frâiche and olive oil ice cream. Desserts at Herons may prove to be the most memorable part of your meal.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Since the menu at Herons changes with the seasons, it lends a sense of unpredictability to what you can order. However, you can always expect a few types of dishes the Five-Star restaurant does particularly well. Here are five favorites:
1. Fish. Delicate, buttery and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong by ordering a seafood dish, such as the wild king salmon or roasted ahi tuna.
2. Soup with fresh, seasonal flavors. One recent summer menu featured a summer gazpacho with cucumber, yellow tomato, strawberry, jalapeno, radish and basil sorbet. It was perfectly refreshing and equally satisfying.
3. Southern breakfast fare. Many of the items on Herons’ menu pay homage to traditional Southern dishes, especially breakfast items like shrimp and sage grits, with portobello mushrooms and vidalia onion gravy.
4. Scones. Technically, you don’t need to specifically order scones, since they’re included with afternoon tea and your bread service at dinner. Flaky, moist and flavorful, we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at just one.
5. Sweets. Tap into your sweet tooth and save room for dessert, because Herons takes it seriously. Try the sweet ratatouille, a chocolate zucchini cake with lavender honey crème frâiche and olive oil ice cream. Desserts at Herons may prove to be the most memorable part of your meal.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
While practically everyone knows that Herons has some of the best food in the area, only true insiders know about the unrivaled views. Inside, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a visual masterpiece, with nature-inspired art and pottery. But it’s outside where you’ll find the best art that nature offers: a gorgeous three-acre lake with a fountain, peaceful woods, lush green lawns, a butterfly garden and a velvety blue-colored swimming pool.
Luckily, it’s not hard to take advantage of Herons’ views; you can sit at one of several outdoor tables. Or, if the weather drives you back in, take advantage of one of the indoor tables stationed right beside the Five-Star restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
While practically everyone knows that Herons has some of the best food in the area, only true insiders know about the unrivaled views. Inside, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a visual masterpiece, with nature-inspired art and pottery. But it’s outside where you’ll find the best art that nature offers: a gorgeous three-acre lake with a fountain, peaceful woods, lush green lawns, a butterfly garden and a velvety blue-colored swimming pool.
Luckily, it’s not hard to take advantage of Herons’ views; you can sit at one of several outdoor tables. Or, if the weather drives you back in, take advantage of one of the indoor tables stationed right beside the Five-Star restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Rain or shine, some of the best tables at Herons are the ones with views of the Five-Star The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s immaculate grounds. If the weather’s nice, be sure to request a table outside on the patio, where alfresco dining has never been more romantic. You’ll still enjoy all the same culinary delights as you would inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, but dinner is sure to taste better when served with a refreshingly light breeze and a gorgeous lakeside view.
If you choose to stay inside, Herons offers several indoor tables right by the windows. You’ll love basking in the soft natural light that filters through during the day, or seeing the aqua-blue glow of The Umstead’s pool at night.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s no way around it: You’ll pay more for a meal at Herons than you will at a typical restaurant in the Raleigh-Durham area. The cost of a three-course meal at Herons is $70 per person, not including wine, tax or tip — which is why the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is the ideal spot for a special occasion or if you’re simply feeling the need to indulge. The pricey menu doesn’t necessarily make it a place to dine every day of the week, but it’s certainly a place you’ll be itching to come back to soon.
At Herons, you’re paying for high-quality ingredients, which often translates to locally produced fruits, vegetables and meats. Meals are artfully prepared by chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene, and you’ll likely sample sweets from pastry chef Daniel Benjamin. You may even want to enlist the help of sommelier Michael Cappitelli to pick the wines that go just right with your dish. With a meal at Herons, extra thought is put into every detail, which is why we believe it’s worth every penny.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Rain or shine, some of the best tables at Herons are the ones with views of the Five-Star The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s immaculate grounds. If the weather’s nice, be sure to request a table outside on the patio, where alfresco dining has never been more romantic. You’ll still enjoy all the same culinary delights as you would inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, but dinner is sure to taste better when served with a refreshingly light breeze and a gorgeous lakeside view.
If you choose to stay inside, Herons offers several indoor tables right by the windows. You’ll love basking in the soft natural light that filters through during the day, or seeing the aqua-blue glow of The Umstead’s pool at night.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
To help its dining room remain blissfully spacious and uncrowded, Herons has 24 tables inside — a moderate amount that gives both waitstaff and diners plenty of room to maneuver. The result is comfortable and cozy; a feeling that’s heightened by the restaurant’s warm, neutral colors and well-placed artwork.
On warm evenings, you might choose to sit at one of the Five-Star restaurant’s seven outdoor tables. The terrace, which is located directly outside Herons’ main dining room, is not only an extension of the restaurant, but it also offers its own gorgeous views of The Umstead’s three-acre lake, manicured grounds and outdoor swimming pool.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
To help its dining room remain blissfully spacious and uncrowded, Herons has 24 tables inside — a moderate amount that gives both waitstaff and diners plenty of room to maneuver. The result is comfortable and cozy; a feeling that’s heightened by the restaurant’s warm, neutral colors and well-placed artwork.
On warm evenings, you might choose to sit at one of the Five-Star restaurant’s seven outdoor tables. The terrace, which is located directly outside Herons’ main dining room, is not only an extension of the restaurant, but it also offers its own gorgeous views of The Umstead’s three-acre lake, manicured grounds and outdoor swimming pool.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s a striking subtlety to the interior design of Herons — as if the Five-Star restaurant knows it has the best food in town and doesn’t need a flashy space to prove it. But that’s not to say that Herons isn’t a sight to behold. Soft lighting, earth-toned colors, a curved ceiling and massive windows strike the perfect mood for an elegant night out.
Original art may catch your eye for a moment in Herons’ dining room, but you’ll be too interested in the glass-enclosed kitchen or the gorgeous lake view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to stay distracted long. This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a place of elegance and a study in sophistication, but at the same time, a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s a striking subtlety to the interior design of Herons — as if the Five-Star restaurant knows it has the best food in town and doesn’t need a flashy space to prove it. But that’s not to say that Herons isn’t a sight to behold. Soft lighting, earth-toned colors, a curved ceiling and massive windows strike the perfect mood for an elegant night out.
Original art may catch your eye for a moment in Herons’ dining room, but you’ll be too interested in the glass-enclosed kitchen or the gorgeous lake view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to stay distracted long. This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a place of elegance and a study in sophistication, but at the same time, a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive menu and elegant atmosphere, Herons is not the place you’d want to be caught in jeans and sneakers. Officially, the dress code at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is business casual — but that translates to a wide range of styles you'll see throughout the dining room.
Men are not required to wear coats and ties, so you won’t see many formal suits; sports coats and button-down shirts are more the norm. Women’s wear runs the gamut — you’ll see dresses with sky-high heels, casual skirts and the occasional pantsuit that you might spot around the office. Since the typical clientele at Herons tends to fall somewhere between young professional and established retiree, the styles follow suit. Go for conservative and polished over edgy and hip when you think about how to dress for Herons.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive menu and elegant atmosphere, Herons is not the place you’d want to be caught in jeans and sneakers. Officially, the dress code at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is business casual — but that translates to a wide range of styles you'll see throughout the dining room.
Men are not required to wear coats and ties, so you won’t see many formal suits; sports coats and button-down shirts are more the norm. Women’s wear runs the gamut — you’ll see dresses with sky-high heels, casual skirts and the occasional pantsuit that you might spot around the office. Since the typical clientele at Herons tends to fall somewhere between young professional and established retiree, the styles follow suit. Go for conservative and polished over edgy and hip when you think about how to dress for Herons.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Located inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., Herons is convenient to practically everything — including Raleigh-Durham International Airport. From I-40, one of the main thoroughfares in the Raleigh-Durham area, take the Harrison Avenue exit. If you’re traveling from the west, you’ll turn right onto North Harrison Avenue; if you’re traveling from the east, you’ll turn left. At the first traffic light, turn left onto SAS Campus Drive. The Umstead Hotel and Spa is the first turn on your left, and its beautifully constructed exterior is something you can’t miss.
To get to Herons inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa, go through the main entrance of the Five-Star hotel and turn left. When you reach the end of the hallway, turn right and you’ll see the entrance to the restaurant.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Located inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., Herons is convenient to practically everything — including Raleigh-Durham International Airport. From I-40, one of the main thoroughfares in the Raleigh-Durham area, take the Harrison Avenue exit. If you’re traveling from the west, you’ll turn right onto North Harrison Avenue; if you’re traveling from the east, you’ll turn left. At the first traffic light, turn left onto SAS Campus Drive. The Umstead Hotel and Spa is the first turn on your left, and its beautifully constructed exterior is something you can’t miss.
To get to Herons inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa, go through the main entrance of the Five-Star hotel and turn left. When you reach the end of the hallway, turn right and you’ll see the entrance to the restaurant.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
The Umstead Bar and Lounge, which sits adjacent to Herons, isn’t known for making signature mocktails or non-alcoholic drinks; this is more a place where wine lovers gather for tastings or an after-work bottle of pinot grigio, or where the post-golf crowd swirls and sips glasses of bourbon.
But that’s not to say that The Umstead’s bartenders won’t accommodate special requests. If you’re poolside, craving a frozen daiquiri sans the liquor, simply ask the bartender and he or she will be happy to whip something up. The bartenders will also be happy to make suggestions for mocktails that mirror The Umstead Bar and Lounge’s own seasonal bar list — so perhaps you can still enjoy a fruit-infused martini, even if you hold off on the liquor.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s no better place to take your sweetheart in Raleigh-Durham when it’s time for a nice dinner out — Herons is one of the most romantic restaurants in the area. You'll swoon as soon as you see the gorgeous dining room in the Five-Star restaurant, with its soft lighting, original artwork on the walls and jazz music playing softly in the background.
Inside, the tables are spaced far enough apart to give you plenty of privacy — or you can choose to sit outside on the patio where the lakeside views become a quick conversation piece. Once dinner at Herons ends, don’t miss an opportunity to grab a cocktail at The Umstead Bar and Lounge, where you can cozy up by the outdoor fireplace.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Herons takes its coffee and tea service seriously, which means you can enjoy the highest quality selections after a hearty meal or with your morning pastry. For its coffee service, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant uses Valentine Coffee, offering you a choice between French press and drip coffee. Either option is divine, and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one cup.
Tea at Herons is equally tasty and satisfying. All the tea in the restaurant is by Mighty Leaf, and you can sample it with any meal or during the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Service. Choices include Himalayan Peak Darjeeling Organic, Earl Grey Organic, Ti Kuan Yin, Green Tea or Chamomile Citron.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its 2,500-bottle cellar, Herons has earned a reputation as a destination for wine enthusiasts. The Five-Star restaurant offers a menu full of selections from practically every corner of the globe — and many are available either by the bottle or by the glass. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, however, you may want to select a stellar bottle to complement your dinner.
Herons offers an impressive selection of rare bottles of wine. Specifically, it offers three-year verticals of the following wines: Domaine de la Romanée Conti ’05 to ’07; Chateau Cos d’Estournel ’86, ’95 and ’02; Chateau Petrus ’95, ’04 and ’06 and Chateau Montelena ’99, ’00 and ’01. And if you’re not sure what all the wine jargon is about (c’mon, not everyone does), don’t hesitate to ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for help.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Vegetarians have found a haven at Herons. You can choose from three menus: à la carte, a chef's tasting menu or a vegetarian and wellness menu. You'll have plenty of delicious options when it comes to meatless meals; even if you select from the regular menu, you'll still find at least one vegetarian dish. A recent summer menu at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant featured summer flavors, a succulent combination of smoked portobello mushrooms, eggplant and goat cheese.
Vegan options are also available — your server can give you recommendations or will inform the chef of your request. When you make your reservation at Herons, we recommend alerting the hostess of your food preferences so the restaurant can be prepared when you arrive.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar, Herons may be best known for its selection of reds and whites — but it also features a few special liquors. With the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant's refined atmosphere, you may be inspired to order a handcrafted cognac or rare bourbon. Cognacs here are something to be savored; you'll want to swirl the richly colored pour in your glass for several minutes, enjoying its aroma before taking the first sip. Bourbon is another high-end alternative that has been aged to perfection; how could you visit the South and not indulge in its famous spirit? Don't bother mixing it into a cocktail or diluting it over ice; the flavors are so dark and rich you'll want to drink it slowly to savor every sip. Just ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for suggestions or house specialties that can add another dimension to the restaurant's Five-Star fare.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Executive chef Scott Crawford and chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene keep one major goal in mind when creating dishes for Herons: To incorporate fresh, locally sourced ingredients into high-quality, American cuisine. It may sound like a simple strategy, but it never fails to produce some of the most delicious dishes in the Raleigh-Durham area.
Greene makes a special effort to use locally grown organic produce and farm-raised meats, ensuring the flavors at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant are always ripe, succulent and perfectly in season. Many dishes on the menu take on a distinct Southern flair, while others have their own style. Even so, the result is always the same: Consistent, superior food that may be the best you’ve ever tasted.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
While Herons does not have gluten-free or allergy-sensitive items on the menu, the staff is always happy to accommodate dietary restrictions. Your first line of defense at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is your server, who knows practically everything about each dish and can answer questions in regard to ingredients or methods of preparation. If you have any serious allergies, you should inform your server before ordering.
The highly skilled chefs at Herons are well-versed in altering recipes to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions. If they’re unable to change a dish, you’ll be informed immediately, and your server will suggest another item off the menu.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
The most important thing you need to know about the menu at Herons is that it’s always changing; the chef goes the extra mile to make sure the Five-Star restaurant’s menu reflects what’s in season, which means you’ll find a different selection in the summer than you will in the fall, winter or spring. But that’s part of the beauty of Herons — you’ll almost never have the same visit twice. The changing menu also means that each dish, from the perfectly seared king salmon entrée to the intriguing sweet ratatouille dessert, is made fresh from locally grown produce.
Even though the menu changes, Herons’ dishes tend to have one thing in common: They’re often influenced by traditional Southern fare, but with a twist. That means you should expect to see dishes such as barbecue sliders, or grits updated with unique flavors when you visit the Five-Star eatery.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There is no bar directly inside Herons. However, just outside the restaurant’s entrance is The Umstead Bar and Lounge, where you can order more casual fare and unique cocktails off the bar menu. The atmosphere is slightly more scaled-down than it is in the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, so you’re more likely to see the jeans and t-shirt crowd eating burgers and drinking beer bar-side here. But that doesn’t mean you won’t still feel the elegant, artsy vibe of The Umstead. There’s just as much elegance and artistry in the atmosphere — plus, the bar often features live music (typically piano or acoustic guitar) and boasts a working fireplace. If you arrive a few minutes early for your reservation at Herons, we recommend stopping in for a drink while you wait for your table.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Since the menu at Herons changes with the seasons, it lends a sense of unpredictability to what you can order. However, you can always expect a few types of dishes the Five-Star restaurant does particularly well. Here are five favorites:
1. Fish. Delicate, buttery and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong by ordering a seafood dish, such as the wild king salmon or roasted ahi tuna.
2. Soup with fresh, seasonal flavors. One recent summer menu featured a summer gazpacho with cucumber, yellow tomato, strawberry, jalapeno, radish and basil sorbet. It was perfectly refreshing and equally satisfying.
3. Southern breakfast fare. Many of the items on Herons’ menu pay homage to traditional Southern dishes, especially breakfast items like shrimp and sage grits, with portobello mushrooms and vidalia onion gravy.
4. Scones. Technically, you don’t need to specifically order scones, since they’re included with afternoon tea and your bread service at dinner. Flaky, moist and flavorful, we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at just one.
5. Sweets. Tap into your sweet tooth and save room for dessert, because Herons takes it seriously. Try the sweet ratatouille, a chocolate zucchini cake with lavender honey crème frâiche and olive oil ice cream. Desserts at Herons may prove to be the most memorable part of your meal.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Rain or shine, some of the best tables at Herons are the ones with views of the Five-Star The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s immaculate grounds. If the weather’s nice, be sure to request a table outside on the patio, where alfresco dining has never been more romantic. You’ll still enjoy all the same culinary delights as you would inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, but dinner is sure to taste better when served with a refreshingly light breeze and a gorgeous lakeside view.
If you choose to stay inside, Herons offers several indoor tables right by the windows. You’ll love basking in the soft natural light that filters through during the day, or seeing the aqua-blue glow of The Umstead’s pool at night.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
The selection of music that lulls through the speakers at Herons is true to the restaurant’s personality: Understated, jazzy and softly romantic. It’s not something you notice at first; you’ll likely focus instead on the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant’s art collection or glass-enclosed kitchen. But once you find your place at a cozy table and settle in for a night of great food and intimate conversation, you’ll notice the first few notes of light jazz. Is that Diana Krall? John Coltrane? The music may be familiar, but it’s not distracting. It simply blends into the background at Herons, giving you something to talk about without having to talk over.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
While practically everyone knows that Herons has some of the best food in the area, only true insiders know about the unrivaled views. Inside, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a visual masterpiece, with nature-inspired art and pottery. But it’s outside where you’ll find the best art that nature offers: a gorgeous three-acre lake with a fountain, peaceful woods, lush green lawns, a butterfly garden and a velvety blue-colored swimming pool.
Luckily, it’s not hard to take advantage of Herons’ views; you can sit at one of several outdoor tables. Or, if the weather drives you back in, take advantage of one of the indoor tables stationed right beside the Five-Star restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s a striking subtlety to the interior design of Herons — as if the Five-Star restaurant knows it has the best food in town and doesn’t need a flashy space to prove it. But that’s not to say that Herons isn’t a sight to behold. Soft lighting, earth-toned colors, a curved ceiling and massive windows strike the perfect mood for an elegant night out.
Original art may catch your eye for a moment in Herons’ dining room, but you’ll be too interested in the glass-enclosed kitchen or the gorgeous lake view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to stay distracted long. This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a place of elegance and a study in sophistication, but at the same time, a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive menu and elegant atmosphere, Herons is not the place you’d want to be caught in jeans and sneakers. Officially, the dress code at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is business casual — but that translates to a wide range of styles you'll see throughout the dining room.
Men are not required to wear coats and ties, so you won’t see many formal suits; sports coats and button-down shirts are more the norm. Women’s wear runs the gamut — you’ll see dresses with sky-high heels, casual skirts and the occasional pantsuit that you might spot around the office. Since the typical clientele at Herons tends to fall somewhere between young professional and established retiree, the styles follow suit. Go for conservative and polished over edgy and hip when you think about how to dress for Herons.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
To help its dining room remain blissfully spacious and uncrowded, Herons has 24 tables inside — a moderate amount that gives both waitstaff and diners plenty of room to maneuver. The result is comfortable and cozy; a feeling that’s heightened by the restaurant’s warm, neutral colors and well-placed artwork.
On warm evenings, you might choose to sit at one of the Five-Star restaurant’s seven outdoor tables. The terrace, which is located directly outside Herons’ main dining room, is not only an extension of the restaurant, but it also offers its own gorgeous views of The Umstead’s three-acre lake, manicured grounds and outdoor swimming pool.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s no way around it: You’ll pay more for a meal at Herons than you will at a typical restaurant in the Raleigh-Durham area. The cost of a three-course meal at Herons is $70 per person, not including wine, tax or tip — which is why the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is the ideal spot for a special occasion or if you’re simply feeling the need to indulge. The pricey menu doesn’t necessarily make it a place to dine every day of the week, but it’s certainly a place you’ll be itching to come back to soon.
At Herons, you’re paying for high-quality ingredients, which often translates to locally produced fruits, vegetables and meats. Meals are artfully prepared by chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene, and you’ll likely sample sweets from pastry chef Daniel Benjamin. You may even want to enlist the help of sommelier Michael Cappitelli to pick the wines that go just right with your dish. With a meal at Herons, extra thought is put into every detail, which is why we believe it’s worth every penny.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Located inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., Herons is convenient to practically everything — including Raleigh-Durham International Airport. From I-40, one of the main thoroughfares in the Raleigh-Durham area, take the Harrison Avenue exit. If you’re traveling from the west, you’ll turn right onto North Harrison Avenue; if you’re traveling from the east, you’ll turn left. At the first traffic light, turn left onto SAS Campus Drive. The Umstead Hotel and Spa is the first turn on your left, and its beautifully constructed exterior is something you can’t miss.
To get to Herons inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa, go through the main entrance of the Five-Star hotel and turn left. When you reach the end of the hallway, turn right and you’ll see the entrance to the restaurant.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
With its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar, Herons may be best known for its selection of reds and whites — but it also features a few special liquors. With the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant's refined atmosphere, you may be inspired to order a handcrafted cognac or rare bourbon. Cognacs here are something to be savored; you'll want to swirl the richly colored pour in your glass for several minutes, enjoying its aroma before taking the first sip. Bourbon is another high-end alternative that has been aged to perfection; how could you visit the South and not indulge in its famous spirit? Don't bother mixing it into a cocktail or diluting it over ice; the flavors are so dark and rich you'll want to drink it slowly to savor every sip. Just ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for suggestions or house specialties that can add another dimension to the restaurant's Five-Star fare.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Since the menu at Herons changes with the seasons, it lends a sense of unpredictability to what you can order. However, you can always expect a few types of dishes the Five-Star restaurant does particularly well. Here are five favorites:
1. Fish. Delicate, buttery and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong by ordering a seafood dish, such as the wild king salmon or roasted ahi tuna.
2. Soup with fresh, seasonal flavors. One recent summer menu featured a summer gazpacho with cucumber, yellow tomato, strawberry, jalapeno, radish and basil sorbet. It was perfectly refreshing and equally satisfying.
3. Southern breakfast fare. Many of the items on Herons’ menu pay homage to traditional Southern dishes, especially breakfast items like shrimp and sage grits, with portobello mushrooms and vidalia onion gravy.
4. Scones. Technically, you don’t need to specifically order scones, since they’re included with afternoon tea and your bread service at dinner. Flaky, moist and flavorful, we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at just one.
5. Sweets. Tap into your sweet tooth and save room for dessert, because Herons takes it seriously. Try the sweet ratatouille, a chocolate zucchini cake with lavender honey crème frâiche and olive oil ice cream. Desserts at Herons may prove to be the most memorable part of your meal.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
While practically everyone knows that Herons has some of the best food in the area, only true insiders know about the unrivaled views. Inside, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a visual masterpiece, with nature-inspired art and pottery. But it’s outside where you’ll find the best art that nature offers: a gorgeous three-acre lake with a fountain, peaceful woods, lush green lawns, a butterfly garden and a velvety blue-colored swimming pool.
Luckily, it’s not hard to take advantage of Herons’ views; you can sit at one of several outdoor tables. Or, if the weather drives you back in, take advantage of one of the indoor tables stationed right beside the Five-Star restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
To help its dining room remain blissfully spacious and uncrowded, Herons has 24 tables inside — a moderate amount that gives both waitstaff and diners plenty of room to maneuver. The result is comfortable and cozy; a feeling that’s heightened by the restaurant’s warm, neutral colors and well-placed artwork.
On warm evenings, you might choose to sit at one of the Five-Star restaurant’s seven outdoor tables. The terrace, which is located directly outside Herons’ main dining room, is not only an extension of the restaurant, but it also offers its own gorgeous views of The Umstead’s three-acre lake, manicured grounds and outdoor swimming pool.
-
-
Forbes Inspector answered a question:
-
There’s no way around it: You’ll pay more for a meal at Herons than you will at a typical restaurant in the Raleigh-Durham area. The cost of a three-course meal at Herons is $70 per person, not including wine, tax or tip — which is why the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is the ideal spot for a special occasion or if you’re simply feeling the need to indulge. The pricey menu doesn’t necessarily make it a place to dine every day of the week, but it’s certainly a place you’ll be itching to come back to soon.
At Herons, you’re paying for high-quality ingredients, which often translates to locally produced fruits, vegetables and meats. Meals are artfully prepared by chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene, and you’ll likely sample sweets from pastry chef Daniel Benjamin. You may even want to enlist the help of sommelier Michael Cappitelli to pick the wines that go just right with your dish. With a meal at Herons, extra thought is put into every detail, which is why we believe it’s worth every penny.
-
-
Located inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., Herons is convenient to practically everything — including Raleigh-Durham International Airport. From I-40, one of the main thoroughfares in the Raleigh-Durham area, take the Harrison Avenue exit. If you’re traveling from the west, you’ll turn right onto North Harrison Avenue; if you’re traveling from the east, you’ll turn left. At the first traffic light, turn left onto SAS Campus Drive. The Umstead Hotel and Spa is the first turn on your left, and its beautifully constructed exterior is something you can’t miss.
To get to Herons inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa, go through the main entrance of the Five-Star hotel and turn left. When you reach the end of the hallway, turn right and you’ll see the entrance to the restaurant. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
The following are the hours for Herons: breakfast is Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; lunch is Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; brunch is Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and dinner is Monday through Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. -
With its impressive menu and elegant atmosphere, Herons is not the place you’d want to be caught in jeans and sneakers. Officially, the dress code at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is business casual — but that translates to a wide range of styles you'll see throughout the dining room.
Men are not required to wear coats and ties, so you won’t see many formal suits; sports coats and button-down shirts are more the norm. Women’s wear runs the gamut — you’ll see dresses with sky-high heels, casual skirts and the occasional pantsuit that you might spot around the office. Since the typical clientele at Herons tends to fall somewhere between young professional and established retiree, the styles follow suit. Go for conservative and polished over edgy and hip when you think about how to dress for Herons. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
All Herons reservations are subject to a 24-hour cancellation policy. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Reservations for Herons can be made by calling the restaurant directly at 919-447-4200 or by booking online via OpenTable.com. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Reservations are strongly recommended for Herons, particularly for dinner. We certainly always try to accommodate our in-house guests, however, Herons is a popular restaurant and is often fully committed. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Here are five things you should know about Herons restaurant:
Herons features high-quality ingredients and presents food in a highly stylized, artful manner.
We have arm, polished and professional table service.
The dining room features an intriguing collection of art.
There are expansive views from the dining room of our landscaped terrace and woodland pond.
Herons features an eclectic collection of wines from around the world. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Herons features both a private dining room, which seats 12, and a semi-private dining room that seats eight. For groups of these sizes, Herons is an ideal place for entertaining guests. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Our private dining room is a comfortable, secluded room that features fine North Carolina pottery, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the landscaped terrace and woodland pond. -
There’s no way around it: You’ll pay more for a meal at Herons than you will at a typical restaurant in the Raleigh-Durham area. The cost of a three-course meal at Herons is $70 per person, not including wine, tax or tip — which is why the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is the ideal spot for a special occasion or if you’re simply feeling the need to indulge. The pricey menu doesn’t necessarily make it a place to dine every day of the week, but it’s certainly a place you’ll be itching to come back to soon.
At Herons, you’re paying for high-quality ingredients, which often translates to locally produced fruits, vegetables and meats. Meals are artfully prepared by chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene, and you’ll likely sample sweets from pastry chef Daniel Benjamin. You may even want to enlist the help of sommelier Michael Cappitelli to pick the wines that go just right with your dish. With a meal at Herons, extra thought is put into every detail, which is why we believe it’s worth every penny. -
While practically everyone knows that Herons has some of the best food in the area, only true insiders know about the unrivaled views. Inside, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a visual masterpiece, with nature-inspired art and pottery. But it’s outside where you’ll find the best art that nature offers: a gorgeous three-acre lake with a fountain, peaceful woods, lush green lawns, a butterfly garden and a velvety blue-colored swimming pool.
Luckily, it’s not hard to take advantage of Herons’ views; you can sit at one of several outdoor tables. Or, if the weather drives you back in, take advantage of one of the indoor tables stationed right beside the Five-Star restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows. -
Located inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., Herons is convenient to practically everything — including Raleigh-Durham International Airport. From I-40, one of the main thoroughfares in the Raleigh-Durham area, take the Harrison Avenue exit. If you’re traveling from the west, you’ll turn right onto North Harrison Avenue; if you’re traveling from the east, you’ll turn left. At the first traffic light, turn left onto SAS Campus Drive. The Umstead Hotel and Spa is the first turn on your left, and its beautifully constructed exterior is something you can’t miss.
To get to Herons inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa, go through the main entrance of the Five-Star hotel and turn left. When you reach the end of the hallway, turn right and you’ll see the entrance to the restaurant. -
With its impressive menu and elegant atmosphere, Herons is not the place you’d want to be caught in jeans and sneakers. Officially, the dress code at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is business casual — but that translates to a wide range of styles you'll see throughout the dining room.
Men are not required to wear coats and ties, so you won’t see many formal suits; sports coats and button-down shirts are more the norm. Women’s wear runs the gamut — you’ll see dresses with sky-high heels, casual skirts and the occasional pantsuit that you might spot around the office. Since the typical clientele at Herons tends to fall somewhere between young professional and established retiree, the styles follow suit. Go for conservative and polished over edgy and hip when you think about how to dress for Herons. -
There’s no way around it: You’ll pay more for a meal at Herons than you will at a typical restaurant in the Raleigh-Durham area. The cost of a three-course meal at Herons is $70 per person, not including wine, tax or tip — which is why the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is the ideal spot for a special occasion or if you’re simply feeling the need to indulge. The pricey menu doesn’t necessarily make it a place to dine every day of the week, but it’s certainly a place you’ll be itching to come back to soon.
At Herons, you’re paying for high-quality ingredients, which often translates to locally produced fruits, vegetables and meats. Meals are artfully prepared by chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene, and you’ll likely sample sweets from pastry chef Daniel Benjamin. You may even want to enlist the help of sommelier Michael Cappitelli to pick the wines that go just right with your dish. With a meal at Herons, extra thought is put into every detail, which is why we believe it’s worth every penny. -
While practically everyone knows that Herons has some of the best food in the area, only true insiders know about the unrivaled views. Inside, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a visual masterpiece, with nature-inspired art and pottery. But it’s outside where you’ll find the best art that nature offers: a gorgeous three-acre lake with a fountain, peaceful woods, lush green lawns, a butterfly garden and a velvety blue-colored swimming pool.
Luckily, it’s not hard to take advantage of Herons’ views; you can sit at one of several outdoor tables. Or, if the weather drives you back in, take advantage of one of the indoor tables stationed right beside the Five-Star restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
-
There’s a striking subtlety to the interior design of Herons — as if the Five-Star restaurant knows it has the best food in town and doesn’t need a flashy space to prove it. But that’s not to say that Herons isn’t a sight to behold. Soft lighting, earth-toned colors, a curved ceiling and massive windows strike the perfect mood for an elegant night out.
Original art may catch your eye for a moment in Herons’ dining room, but you’ll be too interested in the glass-enclosed kitchen or the gorgeous lake view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to stay distracted long. This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a place of elegance and a study in sophistication, but at the same time, a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. -
To help its dining room remain blissfully spacious and uncrowded, Herons has 24 tables inside — a moderate amount that gives both waitstaff and diners plenty of room to maneuver. The result is comfortable and cozy; a feeling that’s heightened by the restaurant’s warm, neutral colors and well-placed artwork.
On warm evenings, you might choose to sit at one of the Five-Star restaurant’s seven outdoor tables. The terrace, which is located directly outside Herons’ main dining room, is not only an extension of the restaurant, but it also offers its own gorgeous views of The Umstead’s three-acre lake, manicured grounds and outdoor swimming pool. -
Rain or shine, some of the best tables at Herons are the ones with views of the Five-Star The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s immaculate grounds. If the weather’s nice, be sure to request a table outside on the patio, where alfresco dining has never been more romantic. You’ll still enjoy all the same culinary delights as you would inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, but dinner is sure to taste better when served with a refreshingly light breeze and a gorgeous lakeside view.
If you choose to stay inside, Herons offers several indoor tables right by the windows. You’ll love basking in the soft natural light that filters through during the day, or seeing the aqua-blue glow of The Umstead’s pool at night. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Yes, the Umstead Hotel’s Bar and Lounge offers ample plush seating for waiting guests of Herons. This comfortable and spacious area lends itself to socializing before your dining experience. Featuring a signature cocktail list as well as many wines by the glass, guests may enjoy a beverage before the evening at Herons begins. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
The table settings for dinner at Herons are strikingly minimalistic with custom glass charges from Greece and crisp white tablecloths with a white napkin wrapped around a sterling silver napkin ring. The server presents your cutlery with the arrival of the first course. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Yes, the chairs in the dining room are extra wide, patterned upholstery that make for a very comfortable seat. The dining room is spacious with ample space between tables, furthering the private and personal feeling of the arrangements. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
The service at Herons is polished and professional yet warm and sincere. Armed with extensive knowledge of the menus, the Herons servers are an enhancement to the overall dining experience. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Yes, Herons offers an intimate dining experience that makes it an ideal place for a special evening. The tables in the dining room are spaced to offer privacy, the service is polished and the cuisine is a sensual experience — each dish is a work of art. -
There’s a striking subtlety to the interior design of Herons — as if the Five-Star restaurant knows it has the best food in town and doesn’t need a flashy space to prove it. But that’s not to say that Herons isn’t a sight to behold. Soft lighting, earth-toned colors, a curved ceiling and massive windows strike the perfect mood for an elegant night out.
Original art may catch your eye for a moment in Herons’ dining room, but you’ll be too interested in the glass-enclosed kitchen or the gorgeous lake view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to stay distracted long. This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is a place of elegance and a study in sophistication, but at the same time, a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. -
To help its dining room remain blissfully spacious and uncrowded, Herons has 24 tables inside — a moderate amount that gives both waitstaff and diners plenty of room to maneuver. The result is comfortable and cozy; a feeling that’s heightened by the restaurant’s warm, neutral colors and well-placed artwork.
On warm evenings, you might choose to sit at one of the Five-Star restaurant’s seven outdoor tables. The terrace, which is located directly outside Herons’ main dining room, is not only an extension of the restaurant, but it also offers its own gorgeous views of The Umstead’s three-acre lake, manicured grounds and outdoor swimming pool. -
Rain or shine, some of the best tables at Herons are the ones with views of the Five-Star The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s immaculate grounds. If the weather’s nice, be sure to request a table outside on the patio, where alfresco dining has never been more romantic. You’ll still enjoy all the same culinary delights as you would inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, but dinner is sure to taste better when served with a refreshingly light breeze and a gorgeous lakeside view.
If you choose to stay inside, Herons offers several indoor tables right by the windows. You’ll love basking in the soft natural light that filters through during the day, or seeing the aqua-blue glow of The Umstead’s pool at night. -
The selection of music that lulls through the speakers at Herons is true to the restaurant’s personality: Understated, jazzy and softly romantic. It’s not something you notice at first; you’ll likely focus instead on the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant’s art collection or glass-enclosed kitchen. But once you find your place at a cozy table and settle in for a night of great food and intimate conversation, you’ll notice the first few notes of light jazz. Is that Diana Krall? John Coltrane? The music may be familiar, but it’s not distracting. It simply blends into the background at Herons, giving you something to talk about without having to talk over.
-
There’s no better place to take your sweetheart in Raleigh-Durham when it’s time for a nice dinner out — Herons is one of the most romantic restaurants in the area. You'll swoon as soon as you see the gorgeous dining room in the Five-Star restaurant, with its soft lighting, original artwork on the walls and jazz music playing softly in the background.
Inside, the tables are spaced far enough apart to give you plenty of privacy — or you can choose to sit outside on the patio where the lakeside views become a quick conversation piece. Once dinner at Herons ends, don’t miss an opportunity to grab a cocktail at The Umstead Bar and Lounge, where you can cozy up by the outdoor fireplace.
-
Since the menu at Herons changes with the seasons, it lends a sense of unpredictability to what you can order. However, you can always expect a few types of dishes the Five-Star restaurant does particularly well. Here are five favorites:
1. Fish. Delicate, buttery and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong by ordering a seafood dish, such as the wild king salmon or roasted ahi tuna.
2. Soup with fresh, seasonal flavors. One recent summer menu featured a summer gazpacho with cucumber, yellow tomato, strawberry, jalapeno, radish and basil sorbet. It was perfectly refreshing and equally satisfying.
3. Southern breakfast fare. Many of the items on Herons’ menu pay homage to traditional Southern dishes, especially breakfast items like shrimp and sage grits, with portobello mushrooms and vidalia onion gravy.
4. Scones. Technically, you don’t need to specifically order scones, since they’re included with afternoon tea and your bread service at dinner. Flaky, moist and flavorful, we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at just one.
5. Sweets. Tap into your sweet tooth and save room for dessert, because Herons takes it seriously. Try the sweet ratatouille, a chocolate zucchini cake with lavender honey crème frâiche and olive oil ice cream. Desserts at Herons may prove to be the most memorable part of your meal. -
- Scott Crawford
- The Umstead Hotel and Spa
- Executive Chef
- Cary, NC
Steven Devereux Greene is the chef de cuisine at Herons. Drawn to the kitchen at age 16, Greene's innate talent was noticed by French chef Pascal Hurtebize while they worked together at Marigold Market in Greenville, South Carolina. Hurtebize suggested the vibrant restaurant scene of Charleston as an ideal environment for an aspiring chef, sparking Greene's culinary adventures and career. He began in Charleston in the kitchen at 82 Queen, where he quickly rose to the level of sous chef. Lured away by McCrady's two years later, he was exposed to chef Michael Kramer's modern gastronomic artistry. Taking the reins at the Dining Room at Woodlands Resort and Inn, South Carolina's only Five-Star restaurant, Greene's combination of cooking fundamentals and progressive techniques allowed him to advance from sous chef to chef de cuisine, and he refined his techniques under several respected Southern chefs, including the Umstead Hotel and Spa's current executive chef, Scott Crawford. His training includes positions as a stagiere in the noted kitchens of Azul with chef Michelle Bernstein, MGM Grand's Joel Robuchon and with famed American chef Thomas Keller at the French Laundry, considered by many to be the greatest restaurant in the world.
In 2005, Greene revealed his own sophisticated style and transformed a century-old cigar factory in Greenville into his namesake restaurant, Devereaux's. The contemporary American cuisine of Devereaux's features French, Asian and Southern influenced dishes and has become one of the most recognized culinary establishments in the South. The launch of Deveraux's took Greene to the next level, where he added the restaurant to the prestigious ranks of the Table 301 Restaurant Group.
Recognized as a rising star by Restaurant Hospitality in 2008, Greene has remained true to his Southern roots, venturing to food and wine festivals near and far, including Southern Exposure with renowned chef Thomas Keller, as well as the Beaufort Food and Wine Festival, St. Michael's Food and Wine Festival and the Culinary Vegetable Institute's annual Food and Wine Celebration. Greene has had the honor to cook twice at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, representing Herons with chef Crawford in 2011 and Devereaux's in 2007. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Daniel Benjamin is celebrated for his creative and modern approach to Southern sweets as pastry chef of the Umstead Hotel and Spa and Herons.
A true master of his craft, Benjamin‚s forte spans from preparing pre-desserts and petit fours for fine dining to prepping expanded dessert selections for banquets. Noted for his contemporary take on dessert staples of the South, original Benjamin menu items exclusive to Herons have included the luxurious, burnt sugar cake with chocolate rice pudding, stewed cherries,and horchata ice cream; the sweet potato soup with apple, raisin, gingerbread panzanella and pain d‚epic ice cream, and bourbon chestnut moon pie, with toasted almonds, candied chestnuts,and burnt almond ice cream. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
The lunch desserts are generally modern recreations of classic desserts, or classic flavor combinations, with a lot of American influences. The dinner desserts are generally more modern, with much more of a composed dish concept than an actual dessert. By this, I mean I focus less on what dessert I want to create and more on the flavors I want the diner to taste. Once those flavors are determined, I look at what my options are for conveying those flavors to the guest. This results is more unique creations, where often the recipes are truly developed just for the dish we are serving — not ones that I have used in the past or are classic recipes. These desserts are a little more adventurous, but they pair nicely with the food and create what I consider a harmonious flow of courses. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Canneles have somewhat become a signature mignardises at Herons. They are a unique traditional pastry from Bordeaux. They are a little vanilla rum cake that is baked in a special tinned and lined copper mold. This mold creates a very crunchy caramelized outer layer and keeps the interior of the cake soft and moist, almost like pudding.
We generally will also have a macaron (French variety, spelling is correct). The flavors for the macarons change regularly and will also change from being a traditional flavor, such as chocolate and coffee macarons, to something more modern and unique likes carrot cake macarons with cream cheese frosting.
We generally will do a house made bon bon, and flavors will vary with the season, whether we use white, milk, dark chocolate or a combination.
We also typically will do a pate de fruit (fruit jelly). These are intensely flavored little fruit candies. We will do seasonal flavors, sometimes classic like apricot, or we might do something a little more modern like strawberry lemonade. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Currently not. In effort to continually change with the seasons and push ourselves to create new and interesting desserts, we have not kept any item on our dessert menu for longer than a season in quite some time. -
- Scott Crawford
- The Umstead Hotel and Spa
- Executive Chef
- Cary, NC
For special occasions or on request, the chef will personalize a signed copy of the menu as a memento of your dining experience. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
The food is highly stylized in an artful, modern and minimal presentation. Each dish truly is a work of art. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Yes, the entire menu is changed seasonally to ensure the freshest ingredients available are utilized. -
Since the menu at Herons changes with the seasons, it lends a sense of unpredictability to what you can order. However, you can always expect a few types of dishes the Five-Star restaurant does particularly well. Here are five favorites:
1. Fish. Delicate, buttery and cooked to perfection, you can’t go wrong by ordering a seafood dish, such as the wild king salmon or roasted ahi tuna.
2. Soup with fresh, seasonal flavors. One recent summer menu featured a summer gazpacho with cucumber, yellow tomato, strawberry, jalapeno, radish and basil sorbet. It was perfectly refreshing and equally satisfying.
3. Southern breakfast fare. Many of the items on Herons’ menu pay homage to traditional Southern dishes, especially breakfast items like shrimp and sage grits, with portobello mushrooms and vidalia onion gravy.
4. Scones. Technically, you don’t need to specifically order scones, since they’re included with afternoon tea and your bread service at dinner. Flaky, moist and flavorful, we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at just one.
5. Sweets. Tap into your sweet tooth and save room for dessert, because Herons takes it seriously. Try the sweet ratatouille, a chocolate zucchini cake with lavender honey crème frâiche and olive oil ice cream. Desserts at Herons may prove to be the most memorable part of your meal. -
Executive chef Scott Crawford and chef de cuisine Steven D. Greene keep one major goal in mind when creating dishes for Herons: To incorporate fresh, locally sourced ingredients into high-quality, American cuisine. It may sound like a simple strategy, but it never fails to produce some of the most delicious dishes in the Raleigh-Durham area.
Greene makes a special effort to use locally grown organic produce and farm-raised meats, ensuring the flavors at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant are always ripe, succulent and perfectly in season. Many dishes on the menu take on a distinct Southern flair, while others have their own style. Even so, the result is always the same: Consistent, superior food that may be the best you’ve ever tasted. -
The most important thing you need to know about the menu at Herons is that it’s always changing; the chef goes the extra mile to make sure the Five-Star restaurant’s menu reflects what’s in season, which means you’ll find a different selection in the summer than you will in the fall, winter or spring. But that’s part of the beauty of Herons — you’ll almost never have the same visit twice. The changing menu also means that each dish, from the perfectly seared king salmon entrée to the intriguing sweet ratatouille dessert, is made fresh from locally grown produce.
Even though the menu changes, Herons’ dishes tend to have one thing in common: They’re often influenced by traditional Southern fare, but with a twist. That means you should expect to see dishes such as barbecue sliders, or grits updated with unique flavors when you visit the Five-Star eatery. -
While Herons does not have gluten-free or allergy-sensitive items on the menu, the staff is always happy to accommodate dietary restrictions. Your first line of defense at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is your server, who knows practically everything about each dish and can answer questions in regard to ingredients or methods of preparation. If you have any serious allergies, you should inform your server before ordering.
The highly skilled chefs at Herons are well-versed in altering recipes to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions. If they’re unable to change a dish, you’ll be informed immediately, and your server will suggest another item off the menu. -
Vegetarians have found a haven at Herons. You can choose from three menus: à la carte, a chef's tasting menu or a vegetarian and wellness menu. You'll have plenty of delicious options when it comes to meatless meals; even if you select from the regular menu, you'll still find at least one vegetarian dish. A recent summer menu at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant featured summer flavors, a succulent combination of smoked portobello mushrooms, eggplant and goat cheese.
Vegan options are also available — your server can give you recommendations or will inform the chef of your request. When you make your reservation at Herons, we recommend alerting the hostess of your food preferences so the restaurant can be prepared when you arrive.
-
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
Michael Cappitelli -
With its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar, Herons may be best known for its selection of reds and whites — but it also features a few special liquors. With the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant's refined atmosphere, you may be inspired to order a handcrafted cognac or rare bourbon. Cognacs here are something to be savored; you'll want to swirl the richly colored pour in your glass for several minutes, enjoying its aroma before taking the first sip. Bourbon is another high-end alternative that has been aged to perfection; how could you visit the South and not indulge in its famous spirit? Don't bother mixing it into a cocktail or diluting it over ice; the flavors are so dark and rich you'll want to drink it slowly to savor every sip. Just ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for suggestions or house specialties that can add another dimension to the restaurant's Five-Star fare.
-
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
The hotel Bar and Lounge offers a selection of culinary inspired specialty cocktails that your Herons server will offer to you. This menu changes seasonally and is influenced by fruits and herbs that are fresh and local whenever possible. -
Herons takes its coffee and tea service seriously, which means you can enjoy the highest quality selections after a hearty meal or with your morning pastry. For its coffee service, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant uses Valentine Coffee, offering you a choice between French press and drip coffee. Either option is divine, and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one cup.
Tea at Herons is equally tasty and satisfying. All the tea in the restaurant is by Mighty Leaf, and you can sample it with any meal or during the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Service. Choices include Himalayan Peak Darjeeling Organic, Earl Grey Organic, Ti Kuan Yin, Green Tea or Chamomile Citron. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
We offer a wide selection of vintage wines from major grape-producing areas on our wines by the glass menu. Some of these include an Adriano Adami Poscecco, Heitz Cellar Chardonnay and Montinore Pinot Gris. -
- Steven Greene
- Herons
- Chef de Cuisine
- Cary, NC
We offer sparkling or still water through our Nutura Filtration System on a complimentary basis, and we also have available the finest waters for purchase. -
There is no bar directly inside Herons. However, just outside the restaurant’s entrance is The Umstead Bar and Lounge, where you can order more casual fare and unique cocktails off the bar menu. The atmosphere is slightly more scaled-down than it is in the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant, so you’re more likely to see the jeans and t-shirt crowd eating burgers and drinking beer bar-side here. But that doesn’t mean you won’t still feel the elegant, artsy vibe of The Umstead. There’s just as much elegance and artistry in the atmosphere — plus, the bar often features live music (typically piano or acoustic guitar) and boasts a working fireplace. If you arrive a few minutes early for your reservation at Herons, we recommend stopping in for a drink while you wait for your table.
-
With its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar, Herons may be best known for its selection of reds and whites — but it also features a few special liquors. With the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant's refined atmosphere, you may be inspired to order a handcrafted cognac or rare bourbon. Cognacs here are something to be savored; you'll want to swirl the richly colored pour in your glass for several minutes, enjoying its aroma before taking the first sip. Bourbon is another high-end alternative that has been aged to perfection; how could you visit the South and not indulge in its famous spirit? Don't bother mixing it into a cocktail or diluting it over ice; the flavors are so dark and rich you'll want to drink it slowly to savor every sip. Just ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for suggestions or house specialties that can add another dimension to the restaurant's Five-Star fare.
-
Herons takes its coffee and tea service seriously, which means you can enjoy the highest quality selections after a hearty meal or with your morning pastry. For its coffee service, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant uses Valentine Coffee, offering you a choice between French press and drip coffee. Either option is divine, and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one cup.
Tea at Herons is equally tasty and satisfying. All the tea in the restaurant is by Mighty Leaf, and you can sample it with any meal or during the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Service. Choices include Himalayan Peak Darjeeling Organic, Earl Grey Organic, Ti Kuan Yin, Green Tea or Chamomile Citron. -
With its 2,500-bottle cellar, Herons has earned a reputation as a destination for wine enthusiasts. The Five-Star restaurant offers a menu full of selections from practically every corner of the globe — and many are available either by the bottle or by the glass. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, however, you may want to select a stellar bottle to complement your dinner.
Herons offers an impressive selection of rare bottles of wine. Specifically, it offers three-year verticals of the following wines: Domaine de la Romanée Conti ’05 to ’07; Chateau Cos d’Estournel ’86, ’95 and ’02; Chateau Petrus ’95, ’04 and ’06 and Chateau Montelena ’99, ’00 and ’01. And if you’re not sure what all the wine jargon is about (c’mon, not everyone does), don’t hesitate to ask your server or the sommelier at Herons for help. -
The Umstead Bar and Lounge, which sits adjacent to Herons, isn’t known for making signature mocktails or non-alcoholic drinks; this is more a place where wine lovers gather for tastings or an after-work bottle of pinot grigio, or where the post-golf crowd swirls and sips glasses of bourbon.
But that’s not to say that The Umstead’s bartenders won’t accommodate special requests. If you’re poolside, craving a frozen daiquiri sans the liquor, simply ask the bartender and he or she will be happy to whip something up. The bartenders will also be happy to make suggestions for mocktails that mirror The Umstead Bar and Lounge’s own seasonal bar list — so perhaps you can still enjoy a fruit-infused martini, even if you hold off on the liquor.