No More Reservations Available

On Wednesday, Durham's Magnolia Grill chef/owner couple Ben and Karen Barker announced their plans to close their restaurant as of May 31st.  The news came as a shock to decades of loyal fans, patrons and the vast family of alumni that had made their way through the restaurant over the years.

In an email to News & Observer food writer Andrea Weigl, the Barkers shared the information that no more reservations are available to dine between now and when the restaurant closes.  Walk in customers may be accommodated in the bar, but there is no assurance that a table will be available - it's a game of chance for those who wish to try their luck at this point.

The Barkers wrote to Weigl that the response to the announcement of their closure was "overwhelming."  Some tried for hours to get reservations; some successfully, others not.  The choice of words clearly echoed how those who heard it feel about the restaurant, and its impending closure.

For more on this story, go here and here.