Taverna Banfi - Ithaca

This restaurant is likely the best in the area, with fine food that is elevated for the area. The food quality is 3 stars, while the service is exceptional at 5... read more This restaurant is likely the best in the area, with fine food that is elevated for the area. The food quality is 3 stars, while the service is exceptional at 5 stars - attentive, accurate, efficient, and friendly. Overall, it receives a 4 star review. As for the food itself, many dishes consist of a mixture of vegetables in a stew-like base, served with meats and fish like salmon. While the attempt at creating a ratatouille was apparent, it was somewhat overcooked. The zucchini pasta, a gluten-free, veggie noodle option, would have been decent if it wasn't drowned in a thick tomato paste sauce. Lighter seasoning with olive oil, olives, parmesan, and basil would have been more enjoyable. The salmon was cooked well at medium-rare, but nothing extraordinary. Unfortunately, the fried calamari did not meet expectations - the breading fell off, was soft, and lacked the desired light and crispy texture.

I would rate my overall experience as a 4/5. I ordered two drinks - an espresso martini and an Irish coffee. The espresso martini was excellent, with a good bal... read more I would rate my overall experience as a 4/5. I ordered two drinks - an espresso martini and an Irish coffee. The espresso martini was excellent, with a good balance between the espresso and alcohol, topped off with 3 beans for garnish (5/5). However, the Irish coffee was not to my liking as it tasted unblended and too strong (1/5). For my entrée, I had the statler fried chicken which was absolutely amazing (5/5). The chicken was moist and delicious, albeit slightly salty - which I personally enjoy. The polenta was excellent and the broccolini was cooked perfectly. I ordered the same entrée on Valentine's Day and it was just as good this time around. Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their meals, making this restaurant a solid choice for a celebratory meal.

We had dinner here for our son's graduation so they only offered a pre fixe dinner menu but the items they selected for the limited menu were all amazing. There... read more We had dinner here for our son's graduation so they only offered a pre fixe dinner menu but the items they selected for the limited menu were all amazing. There was a salad, app, entree and dessert. For salads, they only had 2 options so we had 2 of the heirloom tomatoes and the house made mozzarella. They were good but nothing that special. For apps, a choice of 3 but we again went for 2 of the bean soup and the truffle barley risotto. Both were very good but only order the risotto if you really like truffles. For entrees, we had 2 strips, cascatelli buttera and the salmon. All of the entrees were amazing, especially the salmon, which is saying a lot because I love steaks and pasta. For desserts, we had 3 cheesecakes and a coconut tapioca pudding. I forgot to take a pic of the pudding; I am not a fan of coconut so probably subconsciously I skipped it. The interior is very nice and they gave us a table in a little alcove so it almost felt like private dining. The service was also top-notch by a class of 2025 waitress, who was helpful and attentive. Nothing more we could ask for.

The weekend Brunch Buffet is where its at!! I've been to a lot of different hotels, but the Statler has the best food. Even my picky family loved the roasted me... read more The weekend Brunch Buffet is where its at!! I've been to a lot of different hotels, but the Statler has the best food. Even my picky family loved the roasted meat and cute desserts. The taste of the bread is unforgettable. I think it was ciabatta? Pictures are below:

We celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary dinner on September 7th, 2023 at Banfi. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly with a big smile and a Hap... read more We celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary dinner on September 7th, 2023 at Banfi. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly with a big smile and a Happy Anniversary. The hospitality and friendliness continued throughout the evening, from our server to the maitre d'. The 'Shrimp Scampi on Angel Hair Pasta ' and the 'Game Hen with Hankerchief Pasta ' that we ordered were both excellent and beautifully presented. The sauces on both dishes were absolutely delicious. We enjoyed a bottle of wine from Cornell's partnership with a winery in Tuscany, Italy. The price of our meal was on par with other fine dining restaurants in Ithaca, but the quality far surpassed our expectations. We were curious as to how the staff knew it was our anniversary, and it turns out our children had arranged for our meal. Banfi has now become our favorite spot for fine dining, and we plan to return for their incredible Sunday brunch and other meals. Thank you Banfi for a memorable evening!