Cafe Epicure (Tamiami, Sarasota: living, restaurant, price)

[davery5872]

I am still a little peeved about our experience at Cafe Epicure the other night and wanted to see if any others have had similar experiences. We had never been there, but decided to try it a couple of nights ago. They were somewhat busy, but there was no wait. We sat outside and it took the waiter 8-10 minutes to get our drink orders. No big deal, he seemed very nice. I tried to order the pepperoni pizza and was told they were out of pepperoni. Really? An Italian place out of pepperoni? Oh well, sausage pizza it is. After about 15 minutes another waiter, not ours, brought out the pasta dinners for the other two people in our group. I thought he was going to bring my pizza out, but didn't. After about 15 minutes I was able to track down our waiter (he had not been back to our table) and ask him. He went somewhere and then I saw him talking with the manager. He came back to the table and said there was a mix up and the manager would take care of us. My pizza finally arrive over 30 minutes after the other two dinners arrived. I must say, it was pretty good pizza. After waiting another 15 minutes for refills. our waiter brought the check. No "taking care of" there, as the pizza was on the bill. The waiter brought out dessert on the house, which we did not want. I talked with the manager and he gave me 20% off the next visit. Is this common here? We are part timers in Sarasota. If this were in Ohio, they would have comped the pizza and maybe the entire meal. It's sad, because the food was pretty good.

[NYtoOsprey]

i've never been to cafe epicure but i had an issue somewhere and i remember they took it off the menu and also sent desserts on the house. sounds like they had some kind of internal chaos going on there. i'd give the place a try again if the food was good.

[Coachgns]

Cafe Epicure is usually a good place to go if you want something quick & good at a reasonable price. However, at times they seem to get overwhelmed, and the service falters. This weekend, for example, with THunder On The Bay right on their doorstep, I'd expect some glitches.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by Coachgns

Cafe Epicure is usually a good place to go if you want something quick

Then it is very poorly named.

[blueherons]

As the wife of a restauranteur, since you are still upset about this, I would go back into the restaurant and speak to a manager.

Let them know that you weren't looking for a freebie but would like someone to acknowledge your miserable experience instead of brushing you off with a 20% off coupon.

I'm sorry you had this experience. Usually I'm over tolerant of restaurant glitches but my husband and I had an extremely rude experience at the Outback on Tamiami south of Stickney and I'm still steaming about it.

[davery5872]

Originally Posted by blueherons

As the wife of a restauranteur, since you are still upset about this, I would go back into the restaurant and speak to a manager.

Let them know that you weren't looking for a freebie but would like someone to acknowledge your miserable experience instead of brushing you off with a 20% off coupon.

I'm sorry you had this experience. Usually I'm over tolerant of restaurant glitches but my husband and I had an extremely rude experience at the Outback on Tamiami south of Stickney and I'm still steaming about it.

That is what I should. But what I will probably do is just not return. That's OK, there are many, many other places with much better service.

[On-da-Beach]

20% off your "next visit" means they don't expect to see you again anyway.

We went to Mattison's on Main today during the bikefest. They were packed. We had a pizza and drinks and the service was great (the pizza was even better!). I was really impressed.

What a great day today in SRQ!!

[LandsharkJB]

My wife and I are big Mattison's on Main lunch fans. The lunch menu has reasonably priced sandwiches (around $10), they serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday as well, and service has always been good. Hopefully I didn't jinx myself.

What a scene downtown, I couldn't believe how many people were at bikefest. Of course we drove right in to downtown with no traffic, I found a free parking space two blocks from the bikefest/farmers market, parked and said "This is why I love downtown Sarasota".

[Coachgns]

Originally Posted by LandsharkJB

My wife and I are big Mattison's on Main lunch fans. The lunch menu has reasonably priced sandwiches (around $10), they serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday as well, and service has always been good. Hopefully I didn't jinx myself.

What a scene downtown, I couldn't believe how many people were at bikefest. Of course we drove right in to downtown with no traffic, I found a free parking space two blocks from the bikefest/farmers market, parked and said "This is why I love downtown Sarasota".

Can't beat Downtown Sarasota!

And just think, tomorrow afternoon I'll be able to sit in my living room watching football and listening to the Marshall Tucker Band playing right at my doorstep!

[Ladywithafan]

Cafe Epicure has never impressed me, ever...Went once for dinner & once just for a gelato, they were rude both times...