Panache in Ramsey

[viejomajadero]

Hi

Heard there is a new chef and some other changes.

If you have been since the change I would like some opinions. Am planning to go in January.

Thanks

Viejo

[bpsklar]

Hi

Heard there is a new chef and some other changes.

If you have been since the change I would like some opinions. Am planning to go in January.

Thanks

Viejo

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[/quote

Kevin Kohler is the chef/owner. There may be a new soux chef, but Kevin is still in charge. Still the best kitchen in NJ.

[tsure]

Kevin Kohler is the chef/owner. There may be a new soux chef, but Kevin is still in charge. Still the best kitchen in NJ.

You mean in all the time I spent in the Mahwah, Ramapo, Suffern, Ramsey area there was a really good restaurant? I'm going to have to check it out the next time I'm there. Where is it?

[viejomajadero]

BPsklar

Thanks for the reply. 172 hits on my question. Cafe Panache is #15 on Zagats most popular; score of 28 of 30 in Zagats Top Food Ratings and only one comment from this food forum. Kind of bothers me.

tsure

Cannot comment on Panache as have not been there for a long time and when I was I was not impressed at all. I can say that the Saddle River Inn, a BYO, in Saddle River consistantly delivers a top meal. Food 27 0f 30. I also ate in July at Varka (fish restaurant)in Ramsey around the corner from Panache and had a very enjoyable dining experience. Food 25 of 30.

Will do a short report later in January. Hope there is some detailed recent commentary.

Viejo

[Cook456]

BPsklar

Thanks for the reply.  172 hits on my question. Cafe Panache is #15 on Zagats most popular; score of 28 of 30 in Zagats Top Food Ratings and only one comment from this food forum.  Kind of bothers me.

tsure

Cannot comment on Panache as have not been there for a long time and when I was I was not impressed at all.  I can say that the Saddle River Inn, a BYO, in Saddle River  consistantly delivers a top meal. Food 27 0f 30. I also ate in July at Varka (fish restaurant)in Ramsey around the corner from Panache and had a very enjoyable dining experience. Food 25 of 30.

Will do a short report later in January.  Hope there is some detailed recent commentary.

Viejo

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I was there several years ago and although I don't recall what I ordered, the food and the dining experience was wonderful. I'm sorry I haven't been back.

Definitely go...

[viejomajadero]

Thanks Cook456

But, I guess you are proving my point.

Viejo

[Cook456]

Thanks Cook456

But, I guess you are proving my point.

Viejo

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Not Really...I just don't dine out that much anymore.

[viejomajadero]

Well, went there last night. The place was very busy, a positive in the current financial environment. The updated restaurant was a positive compared to the old space. But in the end, for me anyway, is --- first the food and second the service and third the space.

Since there was nothing offered in this forum for what should be a well visited restaurant, I am going to assume that hot dogs and hole in the wall places rule over this level of dining. Before I get plastered with comments, I love hot dogs and hole in the wall places. So, based on the lack of commentary I went to Panache with an open mind but not too hopeful.

Service first. The Zagat write up is baloney, and no offense to baloney lovers either. Our waitress, in my humble opinion, was poorly trained and should not be at a restaurant of this caliber. Without going into details, never in all of the many times I have dined with one of my friends at the table have I seen him snap at wait staff. This was a first, and we are talking about a laid back easy going under control guy.

Food second. I brought a 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

from my cellar. I opened and decanted it myself, as soon as I arrived, to give as much breathing time as is possible. Based on my wine I chose Filet Mignon ravioli as my appetizer and a venison loin dish. Three pieces of venison came with soft polenta, mushrooms, and a reduction sauce. Three at the table ordered the same dish. My three pieces were cooked perfectly, but were tough. My wife said two of three were tough, one piece she left on the plate as inedible. My friend said all of his were tender and enjoyable. Two people ordered salmon. Both said was good. One asked when he placed his order that potato be served with the dish. The dish came without potato. He had to re-ask and get the potato specially delivered. The last dish was seared scallops which I tasted and found plain and boring.

Lastly. When we sat down at 6:30, I asked the waitress when she expected to turn the table. She said we are ok to about 9:00--9:30. At 8:30 the maitre d was begging us to give up the table.

My wife and I are borderline as to whether we would return. One other couple said they would not. The last couple gave no opinion as of now.

My Zagats shows this restaurant with a food rating of 28 of 30. Having eaten in 14 restaurants in the 27 and 26 rating groups, I can say 28 is much too high.

Thanks

Viejo

Edited January 18, 2009 by viejomajadero (log)

[PicnicChef]

Well, went there last night.  The place was very busy, a positive in the current financial environment.  The updated restaurant was a positive compared to the old space.  But in the end, for me anyway, is --- first the food and second the service and third the space.

Since there was nothing offered in this forum for what should be a well visited restaurant, I am going to assume that hot dogs and hole in the wall places rule over this level of dining.  Before I get plastered with comments, I love hot dogs and hole in the wall places.  So, based on the lack of commentary I went to Panache with an open mind but not too hopeful.

Service first.  The Zagat write up is baloney, and no offense to baloney lovers either.  Our waitress, in my humble opinion, was poorly trained and should not be at a restaurant of this caliber.  Without going into details, never in all of the many times I have dined with one of my friends at the table have I seen him snap at wait staff.  This was a first, and we are talking about a laid back easy going under control guy. 

Food second.  I brought a 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

from my cellar.  I opened and decanted it myself, as soon as I arrived, to give as much breathing time as is possible.  Based on my wine I chose Filet Mignon ravioli as my appetizer and  a venison loin dish.  Three pieces of venison came with soft polenta,  mushrooms, and a reduction sauce.  Three at the table ordered the same dish.  My three pieces were cooked perfectly, but were tough.  My wife said two of three were tough, one piece she left on the plate as inedible.  My friend said all of his were tender and enjoyable.  Two people ordered salmon.  Both said was good.  One asked when he placed his order that potato be served with the dish.  The dish came without potato.  He had to re-ask and get the potato specially delivered.  The last dish was seared scallops which I tasted and found plain and boring. 

Lastly.  When we sat down at 6:30, I asked the waitress when she expected to turn the table.  She said we are ok to about 9:00--9:30.  At 8:30 the maitre d was begging us to give up the table. 

My wife and I are borderline as to whether we would return.  One other couple said they would not.  The last couple gave no opinion as of now.

My Zagats shows this restaurant with a food rating of 28 of 30.  Having eaten in 14 restaurants in the 27 and 26 rating groups, I can say 28 is much too high.

Thanks

Viejo

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But....how was the Lalande?

[viejomajadero]

PicnicChef

You asked, "But....how was the Lalande?"

Well, it was good. But, I think it needed an hour of "air" time to open up more. Have about 7 more to find out.

So, on the positive side to Cafe Panache I can say they have a great wine list!!

Viejo

[Curlz]

My Zagats shows this restaurant with a food rating of 28 of 30.  Having eaten in 14 restaurants in the 27 and 26 rating groups, I can say 28 is much too high.

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Proof once again as to why I only use Zagats as a phone book. Seriously; if you haven't already, it's time to realize that Zagats is useless!

[Hikeleader]

I went very recently. Not impressed.

My wife and I went for our anniversary. We called and let them know it was a special occasion.

On previous occasions we have gone to Panache we have felt the service was rushed. I wrote it off to some extent that the restaurant, before the remodel, was smallish and I can understand the need to turn tables on the weekend.

We went on a Tuesday night. The restaurant was recently expanded.

When we arrived we were immediately escorted to the worst table in the house.

I should have said something, I usually do, but did not want to fuss.

The table was positioned by the entry and by the kitchen at a narrow turn. Waiters going to and from the kitchen and patrons going to and from the restrooms knocked into the back of my chair 6 or 7 times. There were plenty of other, much nicer, tables available.

While my wife and I conversed the waiter abruptly stepped up and started to read off the specials. No "Good evening my name is Joe, may I read the specials to you tonight?" Obnoxious!

My wife had the endive/gorgonzola/apple salad. I had the filet mignon ravioli.

The salad was glopped in some kind of french dressing. The ravioli were good but one dimensional....just very rich but no distinguishing flavors. Both appy's lacked any attempt at presentation.

Did I mention I hate to be rushed? The appy's were brought out to us within 3-4 minutes of ordering.

My wife purposely dawdled while eating her appy. But sure enough within 2 minutes of her finishing out came the entrees as though they were just begging to be freed from a heat lamp.

The mains were:

She had halibut, I had duck. The duck was good but the sauce was overly sweet and again one dimensional. The bok choy was very good. The presentation was better but still not inspired. The halibut crust was a bit chewy but otherwise a nice dish from what I could tell. It clearly sat under the heat lamp. As my better half also posts on this forum perhaps she will chime in.

We (ok I) decided to order a desert and we split a caramel pecan sponge cake.

The flavor of caramel and pecans was good but again..no presentation...just a "piece o cake" on a a plate.

The sponge cake was dry, the caramel icing very very sweet.

We had a $150 gift certificate I gave my wife for Christmas. The bill was $107 before tip. They gave us a new GC for $43 rather than change. I thought that was cheesy. Is this normal?

We were in and out of the restaurant in less than 2 hours. Maybe they should put in a drive through?

I'll go back again...I have to spend that $43!! But I will make sure I only order my appy and will make them wait b4 giving my entree order.

Other notes: No one offered to take my wife's coat although we saw several others (regulars I presume) be offered this service. My wife sat with her coat squished up against her in her booth. A table next to us was offered a tasting menu..we were not. Again, they were regulars.

[viejomajadero]

Hikeleader

I would say you reiterated my feelings based on my last visit. In my estimation there is no reason to return to this place.

Viejo