Cafe Charbon--Epicerie

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170 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
New York, NY 10002

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(212) 420-7520
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Reviews
( 23 )
( 33 )
( 22 )
( 14 )
( 24 )

Best

My boyfriend and I came here and we had a really great dinner and the service was swell. The food was pretty cheap, compared to other French places I'd been too. We left here feel...

Worst

My bf and I went to dinner on a cold & rainy Tuesday evening. I was hoping for a warm & cozy atmostphere and what we got was hard wooden chairs & tiled kitchen floor hidden by the...

Fine French Fare 7/20/2006

This is a legit place to eat. My girlfriend and I ordered the prociouto and spinach sald, the chevre cheese with tomatoes, soup du jour, and beef carpaccio. All where above average and priced appropriatly. Service is very nice. I would eat here again if i had more time. Pros: Lovely food Cons: none so to speak more
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Fine French Fare 7/20/2006

This is a legit place to eat. My girlfriend and I ordered the prociouto and spinach sald, the chevre cheese with tomatoes, soup du jour, and beef carpaccio. All where above average and priced appropriatly. Service is very nice. I would eat here again if i had more time. Pros: Lovely food Cons: none so to speak more
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Not nearly as bad as these reviews portray... 5/3/2006

I ate here when it first opened back in 2002 and, after reading the scathing reviews on Citysearch I was really bummed out -- the dinner I had wasn't bad at all. I hadn't thought about it again until a friend recommended their Sunday brunch. We had a party of seven and, although the service wasn't especially attentive, it was better that way -- we were all much more focused on hanging out with one another than having some fancy epicurian experience. The doors open, plus there is outdoor seating for smokers who like to light up after a meal on a nice day. And the brunch deal is a real steal -- ten dollars gets you grub, OJ and coffee which is just perfect for people like me on a NYC-work-in-entertainment budget. If you go on a Sunday you're privvy to checking out the pedestrian mall on Orchard Street. Pros: cheap eats, outdoor seating, cute decor Cons: so-so service more
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Not nearly as bad as these reviews portray... 5/3/2006

I ate here when it first opened back in 2002 and, after reading the scathing reviews on Citysearch I was really bummed out -- the dinner I had wasn't bad at all. I hadn't thought about it again until a friend recommended their Sunday brunch. We had a party of seven and, although the service wasn't especially attentive, it was better that way -- we were all much more focused on hanging out with one another than having some fancy epicurian experience. The doors open, plus there is outdoor seating for smokers who like to light up after a meal on a nice day. And the brunch deal is a real steal -- ten dollars gets you grub, OJ and coffee which is just perfect for people like me on a NYC-work-in-entertainment budget. If you go on a Sunday you're privvy to checking out the pedestrian mall on Orchard Street. Pros: cheap eats, outdoor seating, cute decor Cons: so-so service more
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Run away! 4/29/2006

No problems with the service compared to the other reviews, but the quality was terrible. The coq au vin tasted like it was made with canned mushroom gravy, I think the mashed potatoes were from a powder mix. For the steak frites, the steak was bland and tough and the frites seemed to be from frozen. And the olive oil they served with bread to start had absolutely no taste. If a french bistro can't pull off the basic French bistro dish of steak frites, they shouldn't be allowed to be in the French food category. Don't eat here. Pros: atmosphere Cons: bad food more
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Run away! 4/29/2006

No problems with the service compared to the other reviews, but the quality was terrible. The coq au vin tasted like it was made with canned mushroom gravy, I think the mashed potatoes were from a powder mix. For the steak frites, the steak was bland and tough and the frites seemed to be from frozen. And the olive oil they served with bread to start had absolutely no taste. If a french bistro can't pull off the basic French bistro dish of steak frites, they shouldn't be allowed to be in the French food category. Don't eat here. Pros: atmosphere Cons: bad food more
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Horrible Service 3/30/2006

I've been here a few times and the service is 80% of hte time horrific. Went here early this year for brunch and left the place even more hungry and upset. We were seated promptly but had to wait close to an hour for food that never came. What disgusted me most was the nonchalance of the servers. no apologies, no explanations. they simply avoided passing our way. a courteous ""we apologize but we are extremely busy"" might have made the situation a little better... Walked out we did. Pros: steak frites, ambiance Cons: bad service more
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Horrible Service 3/30/2006

I've been here a few times and the service is 80% of hte time horrific. Went here early this year for brunch and left the place even more hungry and upset. We were seated promptly but had to wait close to an hour for food that never came. What disgusted me most was the nonchalance of the servers. no apologies, no explanations. they simply avoided passing our way. a courteous "we apologize but we are extremely busy" might have made the situation a little better... Walked out we did. Pros: steak frites, ambiance Cons: bad service more
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cold night, food, and service 2/27/2006

Couldn't agree more with the table of four's recent review. Went Sat night - the food was OK (a bit bland), the service tried to be helpful, but there were some serious disconnects between the waitstaff, mgr, and kitchen. We must have waited close to 50 mins for our entrees (which were pretty simple to make). Also, they ran out of bread and had to serve us Rainbo Wheat Bread - at a French restaurant! There were other tables who had sat before us not being attended to or served, including one table who had wine spilled all over them. They did not even get a fully comped meal. Come here for the bar, not the restaurant. Pros: ambience Cons: service, bread, service more
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cold night, food, and service 2/27/2006

Couldn't agree more with the table of four's recent review. Went Sat night - the food was OK (a bit bland), the service tried to be helpful, but there were some serious disconnects between the waitstaff, mgr, and kitchen. We must have waited close to 50 mins for our entrees (which were pretty simple to make). Also, they ran out of bread and had to serve us Rainbo Wheat Bread - at a French restaurant! There were other tables who had sat before us not being attended to or served, including one table who had wine spilled all over them. They did not even get a fully comped meal. Come here for the bar, not the restaurant. Pros: ambience Cons: service, bread, service more
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Service PAS BON dutout 2/25/2006

We were a party of four, and after a long wait, were seated in a freezing corner. It was 25 degrees outside and the heat was barely on. I was wearing my coat and scarf the whole evening. We waited 20 minutes for someone so we could order. We had to ask many times for water and bread. Apparently, the restaurant ran out of bread and so we got white toast. This is a place that prides itself on being very French. So, to have white toast for bread is quite insulting. Anyways, it took them MORE THAN AN HOUR to bring us the food. By then, we were COLD, HUNGRY, and ANGRY. The manager is very nasty. She told us with bad attitude that a one-hour wait is perfectly normal. Finally, we got the check and saw that they had included an 18% gratuity. We couldnt believe their nerve!!!! Cons: service, service, service more
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Service PAS BON dutout 2/25/2006

We were a party of four, and after a long wait, were seated in a freezing corner. It was 25 degrees outside and the heat was barely on. I was wearing my coat and scarf the whole evening. We waited 20 minutes for someone so we could order. We had to ask many times for water and bread. Apparently, the restaurant ran out of bread and so we got white toast. This is a place that prides itself on being very French. So, to have white toast for bread is quite insulting. Anyways, it took them MORE THAN AN HOUR to bring us the food. By then, we were COLD, HUNGRY, and ANGRY. The manager is very nasty. She told us with bad attitude that a one-hour wait is perfectly normal. Finally, we got the check and saw that they had included an 18% gratuity. We couldnt believe their nerve!!!! Cons: service, service, service more
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C'est Bon! 11/29/2005

Rustic, aged and well-worn Epicerie is the antithesis to the modern, sleek restaurants I usually gravitate towards. However, a lot of Parisian charm from the decor to the service screams "sidewalk shop in paris." The food is REALLY good. I enjoyed a pot of mussels while my dining companion had the duck confeit. Both really delicious and decently priced. A great little restaurant to frequent if you're in the mood for french and are looking for a low-key night out. Pros: Great Food, Low Prices Cons: Attentive but slow, service more
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C'est Bon! 11/29/2005

Rustic, aged and well-worn Epicerie is the antithesis to the modern, sleek restaurants I usually gravitate towards. However, a lot of Parisian charm from the decor to the service screams ""sidewalk shop in paris."" The food is REALLY good. I enjoyed a pot of mussels while my dining companion had the duck confeit. Both really delicious and decently priced. A great little restaurant to frequent if you're in the mood for french and are looking for a low-key night out. Pros: Great Food, Low Prices Cons: Attentive but slow, service more
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Awful service 11/3/2005

I had enjoyed good brunch there previously, so I went to the Cafe Charbon with 4 friends last Sunday. We ordered at 12:20. At 1:15 we were still waiting for our plates! We didn't even have a tea or a coffoe because ""there were no clean mugs available"". Other customers that were arrived after us were already served. I asked what was happening... No answer, no apologies, no explanations... Finally, they brought 4 plates at 1:40, (we were 5, a French toast was still missing!!!!!!!). I was really upset!!!!!!!!!! more
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Awful service 11/3/2005

I had enjoyed good brunch there previously, so I went to the Cafe Charbon with 4 friends last Sunday. We ordered at 12:20. At 1:15 we were still waiting for our plates! We didn't even have a tea or a coffoe because "there were no clean mugs available". Other customers that were arrived after us were already served. I asked what was happening... No answer, no apologies, no explanations... Finally, they brought 4 plates at 1:40, (we were 5, a French toast was still missing!!!!!!!). I was really upset!!!!!!!!!! more
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overpriced and bland 6/17/2005

terrible service... slow and got our appetizer wrong. we ordered 4 of one item and they brought 2. our food arrived after an incredibly long time and was tepid to cold. overpriced for what you get and not terribly flavorful. their Stella on tap was almost flat, i saw the bartender "whisking" our beers to give them any sort of head. overall a terrible dinner. more
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overpriced and bland 6/17/2005

terrible service... slow and got our appetizer wrong. we ordered 4 of one item and they brought 2. our food arrived after an incredibly long time and was tepid to cold. overpriced for what you get and not terribly flavorful. their Stella on tap was almost flat, i saw the bartender ""whisking"" our beers to give them any sort of head. overall a terrible dinner. more
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wonderful, wonderful, wonderful 5/22/2005

I cannot say enough about this place. It has a wonderful, unassuming feel, great food, and good service. The mango mojito is delicious, the poulet roti is fantastic, and the waiters/hosts are great. Very friendly. From the moment my friend and I walked in, we felt immediately welcome. The great bar area in the front is a great place to just chill and have a few drinks. The bartender was great and we had an impromptu wine tasting which was fabulous. Desserts were fantastic. Around 11, the dj comes in and people are dancing at their tables. Overall, a wonderful place to have a perfect Friday night. Pros: great food, FRIENDLY STAFF, good value more
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wonderful, wonderful, wonderful 5/22/2005

I cannot say enough about this place. It has a wonderful, unassuming feel, great food, and good service. The mango mojito is delicious, the poulet roti is fantastic, and the waiters/hosts are great. Very friendly. From the moment my friend and I walked in, we felt immediately welcome. The great bar area in the front is a great place to just chill and have a few drinks. The bartender was great and we had an impromptu wine tasting which was fabulous. Desserts were fantastic. Around 11, the dj comes in and people are dancing at their tables. Overall, a wonderful place to have a perfect Friday night. Pros: great food, FRIENDLY STAFF, good value more
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Menu for Cafe Charbon--Epicerie


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    The owners of Flea Market, the French-bohemian haunt in the East Village, have recreated a Parisian street scene, Epcot-style. Faux storefronts lead into Cafe Charbon, a...

  • 7/28/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Lower East Side
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