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Cafe Panache Reviews List
Cafe Panache
Chef-owner Kevin Kohler tantalizes the "sophisticated" set with an "exceptional" seasonal menu and "seamless" service at this "top-drawer" Eclectic BYO, the epitome of "big-ticket" dining in Ramsey; a "refreshingly elegant" setting... Zagat 2011
See more Cafe Panache details
56 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 56 reviews
5 stars
(30)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- special occasion(31)
- fit for foodies(27)
- neighborhood gem(25)
- romantic(18)
- good for groups(9)
- great for lunch(6)
Cafe Panache Reviews List
Review 1 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Romantically Perfect
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Once again an absolutely perfect evening with couples who have returned from Florida. We celebrate their being home in N.J. by dining at Cafe Panache. The quality of food was outstanding as usual, the ambiance was perfect as usual and the service was outstanding as usual."
Dined on 5/22/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always Enjoyable!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have been dining at Cafe Panache for the past several years and have never had an unsatisfactory experience. The dining room is elegant and the menu and food are delecable. This restaurant will remain on our list of favorite places to eat for sure!"
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Cafe Panache is everything you could ask for in a great restaurant. The food, the service and the ambience outstanding. In this BYOB restaurant remember to bring your own wine. The menu is creative and the specials are based on local availability. From the time we were greeted by Mark the host till the meal end the service was perfect. My wife had the goat cheese beet salad and salmon. I had the special soup which was a lobster bisque with mussels and clams.The filet mingnon raviolis were so good that my wife who does not usually order meat asked for seconds after trying my dish.. Try the pineapple tart great. The experience here has now added Cafe Panace to our must repeat dining places. The staff made us feel like we were regulars bravo"
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 4 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pretty good w/ a few caveats
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Ambience was great. My steak was a little over cooked (I ordered medium rare, got medium). It was still tasty. Overall, the other meals were enjoyable. Creme brulee was great. Service was very good.
However, I was disappointed with my warm goat cheese & beet salad appetizer. There were only 2 quarter slices of beet (and a small little broken piece) in the ENTIRE salad. I don't mean it was just small--I mean this was a big salad w/ greens, grapes, cran, apples, walnuts--this was a huge salad with everything under the sun in it except beets!
In a goat cheese and beet salad---I expect there to be actually beets! They should just call it a what it really was--some sort of delicious summer salad with goat cheese!"
Dined on 5/15/2013
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Review 5 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Local Restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"If you want a local restaurant that is special try Café Panache. It our favorite for all special occasions."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 6 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Yummy Food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The stuffed artichoke was absolutely delicious, we got full from dipping the tasty bread in the artichoke sauce, I had filet minon which was cooked to my ordering very good sauce and the crispy onions and small puffs off mashed pototoes were very good as well. I didn't like the Kalua in the tiramisu so I sent that back and ordered another creme brûlée which was divine. The service was perfect. I had wanted to go to Cafe Panache for awhile and it was worth the wait. It's hard to be on a diet while eating there as well as be a vegetarian I broke down and had meat, oops !!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This is one of my favorite New Jersey restaurants. I hadn't been there in a long time but it is better than ever. There were so many good choices on the menu and the food was absolutely delicious. And, I love bringing my own wine. I get to drink what I like at a price I can afford. Great evening."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 8 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Perfect dining
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Perfect dining, delicious food, friendly management, decor elegant and quiet theme. Overall, all mentioned has brought us back for dining over 25 years and will continue to bring us back for the next 25 years. Management skills are excellent and makes everyone feel comfortable. The waiters are charming. Cafe Panache is a total package of excellence in every way!"
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Top Tier for Bergen County
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Good food, good service (not amazing since we felt a bit rushed) decent price. Not much more you can ask for in the small town of Ramsey. Its a neighbor gem just don't compare it to Manhattan."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 10 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This is the first time I've
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is the first time I've been to Cafe Panache in a number of years, and I immediately wondered why I'd been away so long. Attentive service, excellent food, and a nice environment. I know many people wait for a special occasion to visit this restaurant, but we went on a normal Thursday and felt very pampered and special, especially since Cafe Panache wasn't packed, so we got even more attention from the professional wait staff. Worth a trip!"
Dined on 04/25/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 11 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing as always. We've
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Amazing as always. We've been dining at Cafe Penache for years and have never been disappointed. The staple wild mushroom arugula salad was fabulous. We ate the filet mignon ravioli and the halibut special in a wasabi sauce. Both were tasty and beautifully prepared.
Desert was our usual white chocolate mousse which is to die for and of course great coffee and expresso. Without question one of the best, most consistent restaurants anywhere. Kevin and his staff do an amazing job."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love going to Panache where
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Love going to Panache where everything great from atmosphere to service to food is common. Great place to eat and enjoy ~ never rushed along."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 13 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always delicious, great ambiance,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Always delicious, great ambiance, BYO a plus. Worth the price! Happiness is the Filet Mignon Ravioli. It used to be an appetizer, but is now an entree--there is a ravioli God!"
Dined on 04/11/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 14 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
This may be a good restaurant
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This may be a good restaurant for an older crowd looking to dine in peace. The menu was extremely limited and for a moment I felt it was just the appetizer menu. Anyway, the food is excellent but the ambiance is more suited for an older , quiet crowd. The waiter seemed less enthusiastic and I can certainly understand that , given the lack of excitement around. When we asked for a recommendation he said "everything is good" ...plain and simple as that. Don't think I would be dining there again."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2006
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Review 15 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Will be going back
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"As soon as you walk in you feel welcome. The entire staff was great, Nice and friendly and would do anything for you. My fiancé and I went there for date night and would definitely go back. We both had a special – he had the lamb I had the fish. I'm not a "fish person" but I ate the whole thing, they were both amazing. Don't think I left without having one of the most amazing Ice cream desserts I've ever had. My fiancé not being a "dessert person" ate the entire thing we had to order a second. My parents are now going there next weekend for their date night!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 16 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was very good and the
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was very good and the service is excellent here. BYOB is another plus for this restaurant."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 17 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Had great service on a Friday
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Had great service on a Friday night. Food was all delicious but my filet which I ordered medium came out well done. We had the mussels in curry sauce and sausage and peppers appetizers and my girlfriend had the ravioli stuffed with filet."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 18 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The service and food were
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service and food were excellent and will recommend to my colleagues."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 19 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was the third time that
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This was the third time that I have eaten at Cafe Panache. The previously times were for fundraiser dinners they had hosted. Our decision to come back was well rewarded. Every aspect of the meal was exceptional. It is slightly more expensive than the typical restaurants I frequent, but it was very much worth it for this special occasion dinner. Definitely coming back again."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 20 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food and service are always
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food and service are always excellent."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 21 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Never disappoints
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We have been coming to Cafe Panache for 25 years......It NEVER disappoints! Kevin puts out the best, freshest and most inventive food in the area. Staff is professional while still being friendly. All around it's a 10."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 22 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This has been the best dining
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"This has been the best dining experience my husband and I had in a long time. The food was outstanding and the service was phenomenal."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
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Review 23 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We had dined at Cafe Panache
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had dined at Cafe Panache a number of times on Saturday evenings, but hadn't been there in several years. The menu selections, food and service had always been excellent and so we made a reservation for last Sunday night. Prior to that evening we studied the sample menu and were eagerly looking forward to our meal. What the restaurant's web site was not clear about, however, is that on Sunday evenings the restaurant offers a very abreviated menu which is limited to a choice of one of two soups and one of three entrees(none of which were on their sample menu on the website). Although the food and service were as good as we had remembered, had we known about their Sunday policy, we probably would have booked for a different evening."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 24 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Limited menu on Sunday
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"they didn't accept a gift certificate that had no Expiration Date because "that was issued with the owner's old partner". It should have been accepted. There was no mention that on Sunday's there is a price fixed limited menu."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2006
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Review 25 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good choice for romantic dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good choice for romantic dinner but a little noisy due to the tight quarters. Food and service is excellent (priced accordingly) despite somewhat limited menu options. BYOB."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 26 for Cafe Panache
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
My husband and I went out
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband and I went out early on a Saturday night. Our reservation was at 5:30 pm. The food was wonderful, as we have found it to be in the past. Unfortunately, it was "fast food". The pacing of the meal was extremely quick, we were out at 7:00 (we had appetizers, main course, and dessert/coffee). Clearly Cafe Panache is trying to turn its tables over more quickly so they get more revenue. With an hour and a half sitting, they can get 3 seatings out of our table (e.g. 5:30, 7:00, 8:30) instead of 2 (e.g.5:30, 7:30) for the night. This was a huge disappointment to us, as we like to relax and enjoy good food. With this caliber restaurant, I expect not to be rushed through my meal. We will not be back."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2012
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe Panache
Based on the average of (30) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
2 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate