OK, I will admit that I have only eaten in Cavey's French restaurant once so I am going to give it another chance, especially because I've heard such good things about the Italian side (such as the... More

OK, I will admit that I have only eaten in Cavey's French restaurant once so I am going to give it another chance, especially because I've heard such good things about the Italian side (such as the service is less snooty, and the place more upbeat and approachable). I have dined in some of the finest French restaurants in the country in both New York and Las Vegas (Jean George, le Bernardin, Bouley, Campagne in Seattle, the Picasso in Las Vegas, Le Chateau, Jean Louis in Greenwich, etc., etc.), so it's not like I don't have enough experience or finesse to handle such a place. That said, I found the food at Cavey's excellent but the atmosphere and the service a bit on the strange side. I have never enountered a snootier wait staff anywhere, and when you consider that this is Manchester, CT, and not New York or Paris, you have to wonder why. I am not exactly a dolt or a rube. I am well spoken, well dressed and attractive. So it really bugged me at being treated like some sort of of classless idiot. I was especially insulted by the sommelier, who almost refused to serve me a glass of port wine because I ordered it with dinner. He seemed outraged at this, insisting that it was not a dinner wine, which is true, but is that a reason to insult my choice and almost refuse to serve it to me? I know it's not a dinner wine - I just happened to feel like a glass of port. That he assumed that I didn't know that is insulting. Honestly, I felt pressured to order wine in the first place. I am not really a wine drinker - I prefer mixed cocktails. But then after finally giving in to the pressure to be insulted like that was almost over the top! Who did that guy think he was? Obviously the staff there does not have the class it thinks it has. Next time I will dine in Cavey's Italian side. I'm giving it 4 stars on the food alone (the r@ck of lamb was divine) but as for the service, well ... I might feel differently next time. I won't let one bad experience deter me. Pros: Great Food Cons: Weird atmosphere (French side), snooty wait staff
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Caveys offers two dining rooms; upstairs is Italian and downstairs is French. While both areas are very elegant, downstairs is extremely formal. Both menus are interesting and the meals are... More

Caveys offers two dining rooms; upstairs is Italian and downstairs is French. While both areas are very elegant, downstairs is extremely formal. Both menus are interesting and the meals are delicious.
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Not a complaint (except for maybe the price).... extensive wine list, pleasant and knowledgable waitstaff, beautiful display of food, delicious flavors made with high quality ingredients. Would... More

Not a complaint (except for maybe the price).... extensive wine list, pleasant and knowledgable waitstaff, beautiful display of food, delicious flavors made with high quality ingredients. Would definitely return
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I went into Cavey's on a Weds. night, to inquire about getting a menu. I live in Manchester, but had never been inside Cavey's before. My husband has been wanting to eat at Caveys for quite awhile... More

I went into Cavey's on a Weds. night, to inquire about getting a menu. I live in Manchester, but had never been inside Cavey's before. My husband has been wanting to eat at Caveys for quite awhile and had always heard the best things about this place. His birthday is coming up this weekend, so I thought I would get a menu and check it out. I had just come from work and was not dressed up, but I didn't think this would be an issue, as I was ONLY stopping in for a quick minute for a menu. When I got into the entrance area, the "host' looked me up and down and in a very "lispy", crisp voice said "May I help you"? I asked very politely for a menu (meaning the french menu, you know, the EXPENSIVE menu for downstairs?) He looked me up and down again, thought and handed me a menu. With that I quickly took off. Come to find out, he only gave me the Italian menu, NOT the french menu....hmmmm...I don't know why. One thing for sure, I feel bad for my husband, because even though he strongly desires to eat at Caveys, I will not step foot in that place again. How does that "host' know how much $$ I have and what I can afford? Bad mistake on his part. What a lesson for me, too, to not judge a book by its cover. BTW, it was DEAD in there, but looks like they don't need the business anyway, hmm?
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Due to the high remarks online about Cavey's, we expected a grand dinner out. It was, instead, underwhelming. (Mind you, we lived in Paris for 3 years and Thailand for 8 months, so we've had... More

Due to the high remarks online about Cavey's, we expected a grand dinner out. It was, instead, underwhelming. (Mind you, we lived in Paris for 3 years and Thailand for 8 months, so we've had experience lately with elegant dining out.) The lights are much too bright. There is little character in the downstairs French restaurant. I have learned much from my French husband about what good dining is about, and the fact that the place was almost empty at 8pm on a Saturday night was not a good sign. It was exciting to see first a wine "book", though my husband said it seemed to be limited to American and French wines... and then to be handed a meal menu that was one sheet only for everything was... surprising. I would think it would fare better if they showed the menu first and THEN thrill people with the extensive wine list. My husband had to ask for toast, which- in France, is never absent from any plate serving fois gras. It isn't just for decoration, it's taste and warmth enhances the flavor of the fois gras. The wait-staff was pleasant, the meal was good. But I can't say fantastic. And the sticker shock was impressive. Our meal, which included only a warm starter, an entree, and desert (each) came to $170.00 (with 15% tip) -that was without any alcohol. (We don't drink if we're driving.) If we'd added the first suggested "cold course" (salad), that would have added at least another $24. (I can say the Creme Brulee Neapolitan was outstanding!) I am not here to "slam" the restaurant. I get the impression the folks there are very nice. However, I wish I'd had lower expectations when I went- I probably would have enjoyed it more. If they made some changes in cost (and with so few patrons, I don't know if they can afford that) and decor/lighting (Now I'm asking too much)... they might pull in a few more folks. I asked friends their opinion later & the reviews were unanimous, "Not worth the price." Pros: Tasty food Cons: No ambience, costly, bright lighting, empty restaurant
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One of the finest restaurants I have ever had the pleasure to experience. Deciding between the Italian upstairs or the French downstairs is almost as difficult as picking from all the choices on... More

One of the finest restaurants I have ever had the pleasure to experience. Deciding between the Italian upstairs or the French downstairs is almost as difficult as picking from all the choices on the extensive menus. Pros: great service, excellent food, great atmosphere
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Have never had an unsatisfactory meal at Cavey's. Menus changes seasonally and contain frequent tasty surprises. Service is smoothe and service staff always friendly and helpful. Wine list... More

Have never had an unsatisfactory meal at Cavey's. Menus changes seasonally and contain frequent tasty surprises. Service is smoothe and service staff always friendly and helpful. Wine list extensive and covers all price ranges. The room is exquisite! Everything far surpasses the offerings at other restaurants in this class. We don't have to go anywhere else in the area for a great meal. Merci et bon appetit! Pros: food presentation, unobtrusive service, well thoughtout menu Cons: parking could be dicy
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Cavey's is one of the Best - East of the River, Wherever! The ambience created by their personnel, decor and music complements the food - an epicurean delight! It is very hard to describe the... More

Cavey's is one of the Best - East of the River, Wherever! The ambience created by their personnel, decor and music complements the food - an epicurean delight! It is very hard to describe the experience - but to say...everyone should go at least once to experience it! Pros: Quality, Ambience Cons: NONE
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