Taverna Banfi - Ithaca

Superb food and service in a very welcoming atmosphere read more Superb food and service in a very welcoming atmosphere

We used to attend Brunch at Banfi's a few years ago and today it was mediocre. Why? Only a few items were available: scrambled eggs (no hot sauce), bacon, dry p... read more We used to attend Brunch at Banfi's a few years ago and today it was mediocre. Why? Only a few items were available: scrambled eggs (no hot sauce), bacon, dry potatoes, oat meal, and two choices of crepes. We were expecting more than just a plate of various melons, and two types of cheeses.

Went for the “famous” brunch on weekend. Being european the quality and assortment of food didn’t quite meet the expectations… lack of sortiment of good cheese... read more Went for the “famous” brunch on weekend. Being european the quality and assortment of food didn’t quite meet the expectations… lack of sortiment of good cheese and the selection of sweets and desserts seemed to overrule the selection of proper food. Service was excellent and very attentive. Price was very affordable but it felt like a typical ordinary hotel buffet breakfast style. It was a good brunch but not something I would recommend food wise. The dishes that were presented was seasoned well and tasted good, but I was disappointed with the range. They only offered bad scrambled eggs for egg options.

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.