Epicerie Cafe Charbon

02/01/09

excellent vibe

by girlgirlgirlie

I recently went here for a friends going away party and was very happy w/ the whole experience. The lighting was mellow, crowd friendly and stylish, bartenders were attentive and friendly and music kicking. I ordered a Heffe Blonde and the bartender gave me a small wine glass of skittles to go with it and it was surprisingly amazing! I tasted the rainbow. Mingled with some hotties on the dance floor and the bathrooms were big and roomie with enough room for two! Great great great night and place. Would go again for sure.

11/09/08

Bad for Business

by Tee17

This place was awful! First we had to get our own drinks since the waitress was nowhere to be found. Then they spilled tomato sauce all over me since the kitchen staff decided to serve the dish over my head. Ruined my white sweater and favorite scarf. Would have been a funny story if they had not offered to comp the meal till we asked. None of us will be going back!

• Cons: Bad business practices

08/14/08

"poor service" would be a gross understatement

by arealnewyorker

The atmosphere is fine and our food was o.k., but the service was beyond atrocious.

After dining, we waited almost an hour, for our waiter to return. I decided to talk to the manager. That's when our waiter sprung into action and rushed over to find out what he could do for us. Too late loser. The apology and the two free drinks didn't take the sting out of it.

I will never return. Unbearable.

• Pros: atmosphere
• Cons: "poor service" would be a gross understatement

07/12/08

Best Hamburger in NYC and excellent bistro food

by stevebn

Stopped in around 9pm on a busy Friday night. Four of us were seated promptly and I had the best hamburger ever in NYC for $7.95 - served on a beautiful fresh brioche roll, about 1/2 lb, cooked to order, with excellent french fries, and a small salad. Waitress was friendly and very good and the big profiteroles with dark chocolate were delecious. Highly recommended.

• Pros: Nice casual atmosphere, very good service
• Cons: Open to the street, no a/c

06/11/08

Icky food - cute ambience - no air conditioning

by saratk

I went to Cafe Charbon last night with some friends. The service and atmosphere was fine and pleasant enough but the food was gross. The bread given as an appetizer seemed stale and airy and the olive oil smelled bad. As a main course, my friend and I ordered the vegetarian risotto which was the most schizophrenic dish I think I've ever had. Weird flavors and smells all thrown together to result in a big mash of gross gloop. Then topped off with some sort of balsamic vinegar strewn about. Ick. My other friend ordered the mushroom ravioli which she said was just ok. They're lucky they've got the location, ambience and adjoining bar going for them because relying on the food alone for success would take them under. Fast.

• Pros: Cute decor, nice location, pleasant service
• Cons: Gross food

03/11/08

Great food, awful attitude by the wait staff

by phinee16

I was attracted to this place due to the great review by TONY for the all you can eat mussels, which were great. However, I must say the service was pretty obnoxious. I received my bill which was separated out to food and drinks. I tipped about 20% of the food and left the restaurant. However, realizing I left my bag and returned to retrieve it. The waitress asked if everything was good and I replied yes. To my surprise she says " Well you usually tip 20% of the bill" Well I know of no written etiquette on tipping, and I may be wrong but I believe tipping should be up the customer number one. Last I checked, tipping is usually 15-20%of the food service, why would you separate food and drink on the receipt otherwise. AND you defnitely don't tip based on the taxed amount. I did tip 20% of the food total, which I now regret, and how dare you come chasing after me because you weren't satisfied with your tip. If I ever come again, which I won't, you should just do awful things to my entrees . At least your boss would still appreciate the business.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Awful attitude from waitress about what she expected for tip

01/15/08

Good food, hip scene and great value

by sorenhbech

Had a great meal on Sat night at this cute French bistro/bar with my partner. Calamari was fantastic, and definitely recommend the hangar steak with pepper sauce - YUM! And make sure you save room for the molten chocolate cake which was among the best in the city! Wine list was good. Food was a great value as well. Had been here before with a large group - food is consistent and restaurant is versatile for either a romantic night or a group outing.

• Pros: Great food, great value - romantic but also good for groups
• Cons: Service could have been a little more prompt

10/14/07

Best experience I can remember

by klairebear

My parents had never been to New York before, and I'd only been one time, so when they decided to go, they asked me to come. I was super excited, and we wanted to eat in little Italy one night. The place we wanted to go had an hour and a half wait, so we walked around a bit more and came across this place. The atmosphere was nice, and we were seated at the perfect table, it was inside, but right next to the open window, so it was kinda like it was outside, too. Our waiter brought us a very very nice cabernet - it was sooo delicious! The entrees were great..I got the trout, my mother got some chicken dish with capers, and my dad got the steak. All were great, but I loved my trout the most with the almonds on top..mmm! Our waiter's name was Carlos, and he was spectacular! He helped us with our touristy questions as well as provided excellent service. For dessert, I don't remember what it was called..but my dad got this crazy all chocolate super rich brownie thing with ice cream. My mom and I split the best creme brulee either of us have ever had. They also had the only beer I have ever tried that I thought was actually good, leffe blonde. So going into this place we had no idea it was French, and I'm glad cuz we probably would have left since we wanted Italian. This honestly was the very best restaurant experience I've had!!! I'll definitely make this place a for sure stop everytime I'm in NYC.

• Pros: Everything! Food, service, ambience...it's great!
• Cons: Nothing I can think of...

10/14/07

Beware Sat night in the bar--think middle school dance party

by konetsovska

Bar itself is really nice, but they bring in a DJ after 10 in Charbon who plays the same 15 songs over and over that were all the rage in junior high. I can't think of any situation in which it's appropriate to play Bell Biv Devoe three times in the same evening. Just painful.

• Pros: good food, nice decor, not too crowded bar
• Cons: terrible music in the bar

10/06/07

most suitable for bridge and tunnel crowd

by norabarn

This place is a disney fake french bistro. the food is school cafeteria friendly and the clientele ranges from drunken soccer fans singing on the top of their lungs while inhaling beer and the local traffic fumes on orchard street, to America's Next Top Model wannabes in k-mart knock offs. If you like places like this save your money and drive to the local mall for a cheaper night out without the noise and traffic.

• Pros: none
• Cons: annoying clientele, noisy, in middle of traffic and noise