Epernay - Restaurant Review

Dined at Epernay again, first time since the change in ownership.

Epernay has always been a favorite of Nell's so we decided to give it a try before she left for college.

Updated 9/10/2006

See Update Below.

We enjoyed our dinner but Epernay is just not the same.

Met the new owner Franco DelBarba who greeted us cordially, but briefly. Not the warm welcome and conversation we enjoyed with Courtnay.

I found the wait staff not quite as efficient or attentive as they were.

The Frisee Salad was very good, but the soft boiled egg was cold. The Heirloom Tomato Salad was just fair.

We enjoyed our entrees of Sea Bass with truffle mashed potatoes and vegetables which was delicious as was the Roasted Chicken, with mashed Yukon Gold potato,tomato confit & braised mushrooms, always a favorite.

We will be back for the the fall menu.

I hear that Courtnay and Mark have their new restaurant in Ithaca under construction, hoping for a fall opening.

Dined at Epernay again Friday September 8th.

Service was much snappier, very attentive, much improved over the last visit.

Diana loved the Seared Tuna over Lentils, the fresh greens with a Taragon Vinagrette was very nice. I had the Roast Chicken again, was just in the mood for comfort food.

Enjoyed a delicious white Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Amanti. 

Comments

[Michael Fenton]

Not a very good experience. Parking is a pain. Cigar smokers pollute the outside tables. Service is fair and servers do not seem interested in what they do. Four diners, one had undercooked food, one had overcooked seafood, sauces are glutenous, and when the owner asked how the meal was, and was told, he shrugged and did nothing that we could see. He seems to feel that customers are a necessary inconvenience. I've never had such a poor experience in France, and I lived there for three years. Ambiance inside is pleasant with bad artwork jammed on to the walls. Outside is a joke, unless you like the smell of cigars and traffic fumes to go with your meal. I think one can get better desserts at Shop Rite.
Way overpriced to add insult to injury.