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Cafe Panache

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by LMT, Apr 6, 2008.

  1. LMT

    LMT New Member

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    I haven't been to Cafe Panache yet, and months ago, I read some decent reviews. Has anyone been there recently? Is the food/service/atmosphere still good?
     
  2. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    still amazing... definitely go!!!
     
  3. rich351854

    rich351854 New Member

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    Best restaurant out here if you are looking for higher end real food.......

    FYI to those looking to start a business we need more non chain good food
     
  4. shim

    shim shim

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    Panache' is French for OVER RATED! Food does not rise to the level of prices charged. We had Easter brunch there for $35 p/p and had scrambled eggs. The food was dissapointing and the ambience was the pits. No a cut flower or a bunny anywhere to be seen. :nono:
     
  5. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i've never had easter brunch there but we've reularly had sunday brunch- and they offer everything from salmon to flank steak- and desserts and salads... i have to jump to the defense of one of my fave ashburn local restaurants.

    why'd you only have scrambled eggs??
     
  6. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    I have to agree with Shim...we had brunch there last summer, never went back. IMO - it was way overpriced for what you get. But I'm not one to judge - we rarely eat out anyway....like my own cooking best. :)
     
  7. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    It is also one of my favorite restaurants and is reasonably priced.
    I like the atmosphere and have not had a bad experience there yet.
     
  8. MamaBear

    MamaBear New Member

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    Totally agree.We were there for Mother's Day Brunch last year, and it was very good.You picked a dish off a menu.This year we went for Easter.Completely different and the price seemed higher.They had no menu, just a few platters
    scrambled eggs, not that great, dried up fried potatoes, sausage and bacon, lamb, mashed potatoes, oh, and French toast.Nothing was made fresh to order the food appeared to have been sitting there a while.Definitely not worth
    $35.Never will go back, sad to say.
     
  9. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

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    I agree with everything minus the reasonably priced portion of your statement.
     
  10. LMT

    LMT New Member

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    Hmm...quite a variety of reviews.

    My wife & I don't go out much without the kids & Friday will be one of those few times. Maybe the brunch experience wouldn't necessarily be similar to dinner.

    We've been to The Dock in Lansdowne and liked that. For those of you unimpressed with Cafe Panache, do you have any other recommendations for a nice night out without the kids?
     
  11. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

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    Panache is worth checking out ... I just found it pricey, but I think it is more intimate than Clydes (mostly due to the size of the two) and the food is just as good if not better. The Dock is great, and so is Not Your Average Joes.
     
  12. Tech91

    Tech91 Member

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    Great food, great atmosphere. Reasonably priced for the quality food you receive. I have been many times and have yet to have a bad experience.
     
  13. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    I second nyajoes- need to go to the Dock still. i still havent had a bad meal at panache, and i've been 20 times- brunch, lunch, dinner, small plates at the bar... the only thing i've never tried are the specialty brunches.

    i avoid dining out during those times- it's too crowded, and typically- in many upscale restarurants the food ISN'T as good as the regular menu...
     
  14. SteelerFan

    SteelerFan New Member

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    Just my opinion...the food is very good, but for a place that continually bills itself as affordable and reasonable the prices are pretty darn high.
     
  15. aoakley

    aoakley New Member

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    My husband and I love Panache. We often go and just get appetizers and wine. If you sit in the bar area (or patio when it's warm) they have a seperate menu that includes larger portions of apps. One of my favs are the kobe beef sliders.

    We are DINKS and eat out a lot, so when we want to go out we want the whole package and are willing to pay a little more for it. I'd rather spend $20 more at Panache than deal with Clyde's or Bonefish.

    We'd had brunch there once and it was so-so. I would recommend going for dinner and try it again.
     
  16. jarezzo

    jarezzo New Member

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    If you like fine dining, go to Cafe Panache. My husband and I go there whenever we are sans kids. The food is great, they have a great wine list (and they make great martinis), and the atmosphere is the nicest you can get around here. I don't understand how anyone can give Cafe Panache a bad review. I think that most people that live in this area have bad taste---that's why the chain restaurants are crawling with people every night and a non chain can't stay alive. It's a shame.
     
  17. Tech Head

    Tech Head New Member

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    Are all of us bad-taste Ashburners "clinging" to our chain restaurants? :)
     
  18. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    food is subjective- just because someone likes a different style of food than you jarezzo, it doesn't make their taste BAD. be GLAD there are so many people who like different levels of cuisine, otherwise you could never get a table at YOUR favorite spot!

    (and this is from the most opinionated critic of local businesses around! ;) )

    i enjoy a Big Mac as much as Panache Kobe Beef Sliders b/c my expectation of each is different! i am not a fan of most chains but i am also an adventurous eater and not afraid to take a chance on a no-named unknown local restaurant.

    chains have their place- people with unruly children won't embarrass themselve at Cafe Panache- they can anonymously take their wild ones to red robin and fuddruckers where the behavior isn't so noticeable. and if someone makes amazing korean food at home (THEPEA!!!!) then they just might LOVE going out for a grease-bomb burger since their HOME cooking is cuisine.

    don't judge- OPINE...
    :)
     
  19. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

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    The wine list is pretty good, I will admit that, although I would much rather goto the wine Smith and get really good stuff for the same or equal price and enjoy at home. The food, is great the few times I have been there, again I just found certain things to be higher in price, and most people in todays market care about the price. For a special evening with a significant other I would choose Cafe Panache over Clydes for the intimacy and atmosphere for the same quality.

    Not to say I do not like bonefish either...both are nice, humble places I feel...Just pricey at times :)
     
  20. cmbm

    cmbm New Member

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    The poundcake martini at Cafe Panache is Awesome! Clyde's has a similiar drink but it is no where as good. I like going to Panach when we don't have the kids. It is quiter than most of the restaurants around and there food is good.
     

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