Greg's first Five-Star review: Herons

It's been almost a month and I remain most disappointed by our experience at Heron's. Four of us went there, primarily based upon your review. First of the disappointments - the vaunted service outside of the restaurant was no where to be found. Indeed, we even had difficulty finding the restaurant after entering the hotel and no one ventured to assist us. Then we were told we could not be seated until the appointed reservation hour - fifteen minutes away and with the restaurant half empty when we were finally seated. We whiled away the minutes in the bar area waiting for someone to take a drink order. My husband finally had to go to the bar itself to place an order since no one came to our table. When the designated reservation time came we were escorted to the restaurant but carried our bar drinks in ourselves. I believe you noted that this service was provided for you. Not a biggie - but still.Once in the restaurant the service was fine, but then issues with food arose. The winter mushroom soup was excellent. However, my venison was bland, in spite of the promised cranberry, etc., sauce. The accompanying sweet potatoes were equally without flavor, lower than tepid in temperature (like the venison). Presentation was "interesting." The venison marched along one side of the plate, the sweet potatoes on the other. In the plate's middle was a very large white emptiness. The others, who ordered the fish entree and the pheasant seemed to fare a bit better. However, we all agreed that the restaurant was definitely not worth a return visit when Raleigh's Bloomsbury Bistro and Durham's Magnolia are available.