Chef Eric DiStefano changes the menu frequently at this superb restaurant in the Borrego House, which dates from 1756. A typical meal might start with seared Hudson Valley foie gras with candied ginger, sugared pecans, brioche French toast, and sundried-cranberry compote. Entrées are artful, like peppered elk tenderloin with applewood-smoked bacon, garlic-mashed potatoes, snap peas, and a brandy-mushroom sauce. The Sunday brunch is also impressive -- try the provolone-and-spinach omelet with prosciutto-wrapped halibut and hollandaise sauce. The intimate, white dining rooms have beamed ceilings, wood floors, fireplaces, and cushioned bancos. In summer you can dine under the front portal; in winter the bar with fireplace is inviting.
Posted by dphillipscarolina from North Carolina on 4/30/08
This is the third time in three years that we have had to wait for a table, even though we had a reservation. This time, in April, with 4 couples, we had to wait over an hour. Then when we got to the table we waited another 30 minutes before we ordered. Now our servers were nice and tried to make up for the long wait, but we were all really upset. The food was quite good, but nothing is worth the waiting we had to endure. When we got our check we said somnething to the waiter about our long wait. He consulted the manager and they said they would pay our bar bill from when we were waiting for our table, which they should have offered in the beginning, then we would have felt that they were truly sorry for making us wait. We won't go back and the sad thing is that they have become arrogant over the years and probably don't care that our experience was bad!
Posted by DallasBill from Dallas, Texas on 1/14/08
Granted, we booked our reservation for Christmas Day dinner, so we expected a very busy restaurant. However, we showed up on time and were hustled off to the bar to wait for our table, which would have been just fine, but the bar is a small room and we stood there in the middle of the room pressed against folks that were actually taking their meals in the bar. We were then shown to our table, which was located directly across from the front door (20 degrees outside), so my lady friends kept their coats on their laps throughout the meal to keep from freezing to death. Worse still was the so-called Amish Veal (we're from Amish country and have never seen or heard of such a thing), which was so full of gristle that my wife sent hers back. The new owner spent most of her time fawning over the locals. Needless to say, we'll never be back, and fould the O'Keeffe Cafe a much better value.
Posted by when from Buffalo, NY on 7/31/07
We chose their five course "tasting menu", which started with a delicious ravioli dish, followed by chilled lobster and scallops in a spicy remoulade, then, after the "intermezzo", lamb tenderloin in a very peppery sauce. For dessert, two cheesecakes: caramel and "Bailey's" chocolate. The food and service were excellent in every way. Two minor complaints: most restaurants of this caliber (and price) provide a complimentary "amuse bouche" to start; and the ice cream intermezzo was too sweet for our tastes. The price is about the same as other restaurants of this level - high.
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