Came here with my boyfriend while on vacay in Palm Beach. The food here was delicious, including the bread basket, which I unfortunately filled up on. We had two separate appetizers, which I can't remember, but they were really tasty, and I had the fish special for dinner. My fish was halibut and was seasoned well and really good. The wine list was extensive, but we brought our own, because it was a bottle they didn't have from a small winery. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the food and even offered to call us a cab to the cvs across the street. Coming from NY, we get a lot of great choices, and this restaurant was certainly on par with city restaurants.
(5)
Tony Z.
Arrived at 7PM on Sunday for a birthday celebration dinner. The place was not too busy. Very nice ambiance and we were able to converse throughout the evening without any difficulty. Service was very good. The lobster bisque was excellent as was the veal chop, macadamia crusted snapper, and the filet mignon. We will definitely return to this fine restaurant.
(5)
Sarah P.
Entrees - 5 Ambiance - 5 Bar - 5 Service - 5 ! Appetizers - 3 Amazing place to grab dinner or just a drink. The bartender was wonderful and made some great recommendations, allowing us to try a few options until we found The One. The decor is fantastic, and it's especially cozy with the holiday decorations. I would live here if it were allowable. I was startlingly disappointed by the appetizers. The lobster bisque was lukewarm at best, and the silverware wasn't clean so my soup cooled even more as I waited for a clean spoon. The portion size on the tuna was small and it could have used a bit more texture or zing... Something. I'd say skip the apps and save up for the main course. The entrees were delectable. We ordered the lamb and the short ribs and both had amazing flavor. The meat was tender and perfectly prepared, the seasoning was a flavor symphony. Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
(5)
Michele V.
I live nearby and have come to rely on this gem. More often than not, a friend and I will sit at the bar and dine. Food and wine pairing suggestions are always spot on and I have found it to be a fun learning expereince! Service is terrific throughout thre restaurant and they are always amenable to a small change here or there. Never disappointed....
(5)
John S.
Always great food and service. Wine list good but overpriced as most. My wife and I love this place and never had anything that did not live up to expectations that was not taken care of by expert staff. My wife still compares the lamb at other restaurants to Chardonnay Grill, and few measure up to their level.
(5)
Hugh G.
Had a wonderful dinner with my wife two daughters and parents this evening. The service was exceptional and the food very good. I had a kale salad and lamb chops. Nice atmosphere. Crowded but not so noisy that you couldn't hear yourself think. I will definitely go back!
(4)
Howard D.
Went again on Saturday early and found the service to be perfect and the food was great. The wine choices were ok.
(4)
Lily M.
Enjoyed a delicious meal with the family for my birthday. Mike was our server, and he was great! We've been coming here for years, and the food and service continue to impress!
(5)
A.L. S.
I love the setting and the wine list is great. I've been here twice for lunch only. I loved the 3 course lunch with soup, salad and 1/2 sandwich, but this second time wasn't as good as the first. My croissant wasn't toasted like it had been done previously, and my minestrone was cold and bland. Maybe it was a bad day? I'll give it a shot, because i loved this place before.
(3)
Jordan B.
Excellent meal you can never go wrong ordering anything here. My wife had veal chop and I had scampi. My favorite was desert.
(5)
Charlie B.
What a HORRIBLE birthday dinner I've ever had, our table wasn't decorated with birthdays confetti like the others and the hostess was sooo unfriendly. We sat at a table by the stairs where we kept on getting bumped into by the servers, busboys (spilling water on the floor) and other guest passing by us because where the table was placed there was only two ways to get around. The atmosphere was so loud and noise, you couldn't hear the person right next to you. Our server Mike was so not helpful at all, when you asked him a question about the menu/ specials about what he would recommend he stood there with a smug annoyed look on his face he was probably thinking (get on with your order people). The food was good I had the: Poached Pears and Almond Crusted Goat Cheese Organic Baby Greens and Champagne vinaigrette...$11 Macadamia Crusted Yellowtail Snapper, Coconut basmati rice, tropical fruit salsa, and Orange Beurre Blanc...$36 But overall the food was tasty! I waited forever to get my water filled and when I tried to flag Mike down he pretended he didn't see us and walked back into the kitchen. When it was time for dessert I just wanted to go home. However I'm never going back due to the lack of friendless we got from the server Mike and the hostess
(2)
Yomaira P.
Great place with an excellent costumer service. They have an excellent wine selection and the food is amazing.
(5)
Joseph R.
Been going to this fantastic gem of a restaurant for over 25 years and they've been consistently brilliant. The food is always on point while the wine is carefully selected and skillfully suggested. Do yourself a favor when you have a nice dinner or date to plan, choose this place and you'll never go wrong.
(5)
Michelle F.
Love! Fab food and experienced staff... Always a great experience! Everyone is so friendly and professional.
(5)
Neil R.
WOW! We went for our 20th anniversary based on a Zagat review and we're not disappointed. Delicious octopus and calamari appetizer. Amazing New Zeland rack of lamb cooked to perfection and lobster with scallops. Very nice ambiance only thing I noticed was the "grey hair" crowd. Maybe I'm getting old? Nah!
(5)
Brian S.
About as good as it gets in the Jupiter Florida area, this was a memorable dining experience for Jan and I as we enjoyed the last night of our mini vacation in the sunshine state. Food, service and ambience over the top and so was the price but who cares when the occasion calls for it. Go dine and enjoy ...
(5)
Claudia A.
Amazing place. My husband is in this area (PGA Commons) for a conference and we decided to make it a weekend of exploring. We found this quaint little strip mall and took a look at yelp for friendly suggestions. This place ranked number 2 and OMG it blew our mind. I ordered the salmon and lentils and my hubby ordered the scallops and lobster. Everything was scrumptious. Once again my theory of bread comes true, if the restaurant cares to give free darn good bread IMAGINE THEIR FOOD!
(5)
Aimee K.
Yes, yes, yes and yes. If Cafe Chardonnay was in St. Louis, I'd be there at least once a week. This place is hands down one of the most wonderful restaurants I've ever been to. When we arrived to West Palm Beach from the airport it was already 9:55, so as we passed by I called to see if we could still order. The friendly hostess told us the kitchen was closed, but had me hold on. A few seconds later, she came back on the line and told me to come on in because the kitchen was waiting for us. I can't remember the last time I had that type of exceptional service and we were so grateful! Service was absolutely flawless and I enjoyed a great glass of chardonnay. Our server also brought us the rest of a bottle of merlot that was going to waste, and it was just as impressive. After scanning the menu (and wanting everything I saw), I decided on the goat cheese & pear salad and the heirloom tomatoes. I don't know what it was about this combination, but the healthy & fresh ingredients completely hit the spot. The pears were spiced and a little sweet, the goat cheese was tangy, and I was impressed that I loved the tomatoes because I'm usually not that crazy about them. They were deep red & covered with a light coating of vinaigrette with some parmesan cheese on the side. Simple and perfect. My friend had the tandoori chicken and said it was one of the best meals of his life. I can't sing the praises of Cafe Chardonnay enough. Enjoy the beautiful interior or grab a seat on the patio that twinkles with lights. It is pricey, yes - but worth every cent.
(5)
howard a.
For my wife's big birthday(notice I didn't say the year) I decided to go all out and was very glad I chose this restaurant. Two bottles of the red wine I had pre-picked were open and breathing on the table when we arrived. Linda who was outstanding was there to serve other drinks. The orders were taken and served in just the right amount of spacing. Everything was prepared to order. There was no rush and I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed. I can't tell you how rare it is to have everything go so smoothly anywhere and I greatly enjoyed the entire evening!
(5)
Adreana C.
I took my father to Cafe Chardonnay for his birthday. It was hard to chose what to get from the menu but I went with the herb and Dijon crusted rack of lamb, my father got the swordfish. The server was nice and put the orders in right away, he came with the bread and dip which was some type of Mexican onion dip. The food came out twenty-five minutes later, the presentation was nice. My lamb chops were undercooked and tasteless, my father's swordfish was not worth the value at all it was pretty dry and a small portion as well. The food is over priced my food was $42 and my dad's was $39. The server at least came seven times to fill our glasses and check on us. Overall the atmosphere was really nice, pricy food, and friendly staff. Definitely recommend this place for nice occasions!
(3)
Vivian T.
Dissappointed tonight. Everything mediocre: service, entree: chicken tandoori...too sour, too much lemon juice? Bread overheated and dry..too much dressing on lettuce wedge. Husband said his duck was so-so. Waiter lacked finesse. Had to keep asking for things that should be part of fine service...coffee with dessert. Fork for our cake.Did enjoy the linzetorte. Enjoyed outdoor patio and the hostess very nice. Have been coming for years and never dissapointed before. Prices are high so my expectations were also high.
(2)
Kerry D.
My dad was really excited to take us here- he loves the place- sadly, we weren't as wowed as he'd hoped. Our server was fine, he had a ton of tables so service was a little slow at first and then non-existent- but not horrible. The atmosphere is fine, we sat downstairs and it was very busy/noisy, dimly lit and the bar seemed like a good pick-up spot, for an older crowd. I started with the (suggested) wild mushroom strudel, which was a bit bland and wet. I tried some of the other starters, onion soup and lobster bisque- both were fine. Entrees, I had a pasta, they had the lamb, and skirt steak...everyone was underwhelmed. Not to say that anything was bad- nothing was- but nothing was out of the ordinary, either. Everything was fine.
(2)
Paul K.
Wonderful restaurant. Service is excellent and the ambiance is beautiful. The food is excellent and I recommend it for a special occasion. Make your reservations early as it is always busy.
(5)
Diane G.
First impression is this is very old school. My husband and I are both in our 50s and we were some of the youngest people. It was very busy but service was good. We had mushroom strudel appetizer, which was very good. I had a beet salad which was very good and I don't even like beets, usually. Husband had swordfish which was baked. He commented that it didn't taste like swordfish but he liked it. I had yellow tail snapper which was ok. Wine was excellent but pricey. Very large bill for what was average dinner.
(3)
Lisa S.
The entire package! Hidden gem! Excellent service. Delicious food! We had bruschetta, caprese salads, tilefish, curry chicken, Cabernet beef short ribs that were fork tender and unbelievable. Extensive wine list. Key lime pie for dessert.
(5)
Kursten R.
Me and my sister went there today for lunch and were sat outside. It was a slow day not many tables. We never even had a server come over before we decided to leave which was 10 mins after we sat down. My sister went inside to return the menus but the hostess wasn't there, no one even bothered coming to the door. I've heard such good things about this place and was really excited. But I will never know if it's as good as everyone says.
It was a Saturday night in the busy season. The restaurant was packed, as was the outdoor dining space, yet our comfortable round table was ready and our party of eight was immediately seated in the balcony section of this very elegant restaurant. We started by splitting some appetizers. For entrees, a few of us ordered the grouper on a bed of lobster risotto and asparagus. My wife had the scallop and lobster on a bed of corn ragout. Other dinners were the fillet mignon, and shrimp (absolutely huge) on a bed of fresh linguini. We were pretty well stuffed and passed on deserts. One caveat, to be observed...go over your bill. As mentioned earlier, the place was packed and a bit chaotic. We had incorrectly ordered a bottle of wine that we sent back (unopened). They also brought a martini, that wasn't ordered...and we returned that too. However, both were on the bill. There was no problem getting the charges removed, but it would have cost us $50 bucks if the bill went un-examined. The final tab came to $135 per couple, pre-tip. Not cheap, but well worth it.
(5)
Debra L.
If your under 50 don't bother. I used to go there every year for my birthday. Last time we went the food had gone down hill drastically. It's very over priced for the quality of food. It gets very noisy and the crowd was terrible. We were trying to have a romantic evening but every table around us had flashlights out blinding you while they are trying to read the menu!
(1)
Billy W.
A real bar, like drinking at the 21 Club in the 70's. Love it. Never had a bad meal ever in 15 years. Always felt the check was justified by a terrific time and a great meal. BRAVO
(5)
Jessica G.
Visiting from NYC. The food was good, not amazing. We made reservations at 6:15, that was all they had available. We wanted to sit outside but the said all the tables were reserved. Annoying. So we sat inside. It was us and two other groups only. We ordered an appetizer, pasta Alfredo with a poached egg and truffle. Barely any truffle, and the sauce was a little too soupy but the flavor was good, a little too salty. Grandmother had the lobster bisque, very very good and rich. For dinner I had the macadamia nut crusted red snapper. It was absolutely delicious. The portions were huge. Grandmother had short ribs- very good but a little on the salty side and my mother had lobster and scallop special- It was ok. Very buttery. We then ordered dessert, deep dish apple pie and the almond joy torte. Both were okay. I wouldn't recommend getting a dessert. Two hours and $200 later all the tables in the restaurant were full and the ones outside were still empty. Service was great. Dinner was delicious. Skip apps and dessert.
(4)
Nic B.
If you are under the age of 30, they will not seat you unless you are wearing a silk blouse wearing moth-ball perfume and dining with a man in a top hat with a sinister yet historic looking mustache. Luckily, we came on an off day. Let it be noted that this is a lovely place in the way that senior citizens and high school English teachers use the word. Think less second date more Grandmother's 80th birthday. But if you do come here on a date, you can adapt and overcome, especially if you are dating in your eighties. Do try the grilled asparagus salad and make sure you have someone to split the chocolate truffle cake with.
(4)
Amy F.
My husband and I arrived on time for our 6:45 reservation. We heard a couple in front of us check in for a 7:15 reservation. They were seated immediately, we were told to please wait. They said our table was not ready yet. So we waited patiently for 15 minutes. Finally they seated us. And guess where? Right next to the service/kitchen door. My husband's chair was literaly in the way of the door, so we moved it over to the other side of the table. So both of us sat next to each other, at this small round table. Ok, so we ordered our meal, and in comes a birthday party, which occupied the 3 tables surrounding us! NOISE and people bumping into our chairs and table. We ate as fast as we could and got out of there. The food was good, the service was good, the experience was horrible. Will not go back. Would never recommend.
(2)
Crystal F.
The place is beautiful and the service is very attentive. However, that's where the good new ends. Food was awful! We ordered foie gras to start and it gave us heartburn. Didn't even bother ordering anything to follow. Won't be back
(2)
Martha G.
Cafe Chardonnay has always been a favorite. I was sadly disappointed to eat there last week. I got the special pasta which had grilled chicken. The chicken was so dry, it must have been from the night before. Lunch mates had good meals, but mine was not appealing.
(2)
Paul S.
Has been a favorite for more than 20 years. Now going way downhill, rude, unpleasant service, long wait between courses, waiter constantly telling us how good his service was hinting for big tip, and to top it off, after spending $400 we were told we had to leave after lingering over wine because they needed the table. Frank Eucallito, the owner, is clearly either unaware of what is happening to his formerly wonderful, upscale restaurant, or he just doesn't care about customers because there is always the next one waiting to come in .....
(1)
marilyn a.
Well jenny, at least we older broads can spell and pronounce what we order. This is a relaxing place for a good glass of wine, interesting enough menu with satisfying preparation of the food. The under 30 crowd should be fairly sophisticated in their taste. Good wine list. Easy to get to and out of. Love the guys behind the bar. They're entertaining and helpful. This is Brian.
(4)
Charlotte W.
Cafe Chardonnay is always a stop with my family during our Christmas holidays in Palm Beach. We have been there for lunch, dinner, birthday celebrations, and last year, the restaurant's New Year's dinner event. Cafe Chardonnay is located in a little outdoor mall-plaza called the The Gardens Square Shoppes. During warmer temperatures, there is a charming outdoor seating area, but inside, the restaurant is quite huge - with two floors. My parents and I, being booth people, always request one of the two booths in the restaurant. For this night, we were celebrating my dad's 51st birthday. Now, I have been coming here for 4 years and to this day, I always have the Tandori Chicken for my main which is a yummy (large) juicy piece of meat served with apricot and couscous. The chicken was so big that we brought it home for soup flavouring. For appetizer, I had the Mushroom Phyllo pastry which I always alternate between the Foie Gras. Both are excellent. My dad was feeling like he needed his Omega's so he opted for the salmon. Later on in the night, he said he forgot to tell the waiter he wanted his cooked on the more raw side, but just as he was about to notify the waiter, the salmon came out very cooked. Delicious but not cooked to his liking. My mom had the duck and she said it was average, so it appears that I enjoyed my main course the most. If you like soup, the lobster bisque is very nice as both my parents love their soup and always come here to have the bisque. Service is impeccable. We always have Jim as our waiter, and although he doesn't recognize us, we recognize him and were pleased to have him that night. As for booze, you will not be disappointed as they have a large variety of French's and New World wines. Cafe Chardonnay's bar area is always hip and jiving so if you like to have a drink before going elsewhere, this is not a bad pre-stop. All in all, if you're even in the Palm Beach Gardens area, then you should stop by Cafe Chardonnay. It's quaint, the food is really good, and the service efficient and friendly. I am already missing it.
(4)
Amir L.
A local legend-despite recent reviews to suggest the contrary-the service and food were top notch-and I didn't come here with my grandmother. Definitely try the short ribs!
(4)
Ed F.
I had waited too long to find a restaurant for Mother's Day -- if the place I was trying didn't take reservations, the wait was 90 minutes to 2 hours for a table, and if they did, they were booked for weeks. Although I called them about 2 hours before we dined, they squeezed in a table and made room for us. Took Mom here for Mother's Day brunch, and the Eggs Benny were excellent -- perfect Hollandaise sauce. Creme Brulee for dessert was rich and creamy under the crispy glaze. Judging by the cleanliness of the plates at the table, I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed their dishes. My only strike are the prices. which are on the high side -- brunch for 4 with only one Mimosa for Mom and no appetizers was $135 before gratuity. Make it a spot for a special occasion, like your Anniversary or Mother's Day, but not for a quick bite before the movie. Beautiful dining room, staff was a little arrogant but still attentive, and hostess was friendly. I'll be back, but it'll be a while.
(4)
Christine D.
My grandparents live in the area and are fan of Cafe Chardonnay. We've been there before but recently were excited to go back for my small (7 people), family only, engagement dinner there during my trip to Fla. My grandma had lunch there a few days before and thought it was a perfect environment to celebrate. The atmosphere is a little dark- even if it's in the middle of the day you'll feel cool and calm with the dark woods and thick window tapestries. I love restaurants that set the mood and ambience in a comforting way. At 7pm on a Saturday the noise level grew to a quite roar so I had to strain to hear people across the table, but I've experienced worse. The menu is large enough to please everyone- unless you're a vegetarian. The waitress handled me asking what they make without meat by asking me if i wanted vegetables on a plate. I ended up with a really tasty and fresh angel hair pasta with alfredo and spring vegetables that mostly consisted of asparagus. For such a nice restaurant I wasn't impressed that they couldn't handle meals without meat in them in a more gracious manner- although my pasta was good. My grandfather ended up getting frustrated after the waitress brought the wrong wine twice and then stormed off. The sommelier was also arguing with my grandfather...and what it comes down to is even if the customer is wrong you have to be professional in how you deal with it, and in my opinion he was not a very professional sommelier (i dont know who was in the right here). The wines were good but we had 2 great bottles and then one that the waitress opened by accident. We ended up skipping desert and coffee this time and our bill came to the mid $600's. While I enjoyed my food I would've expected better service and some options besides steak and pork chops, leading me to only give Cafe Chardonnay an A-OK with 3 stars.
(3)
Sharon G.
I had lunch here with a friend last week and I was blown away! The Cobb salad was delish. The service was wonderful and you can't beat the ambiance!
(5)
Marjorie Z.
This place must have been around since this kind of place was considered good. It is pretty ordinary. We love pasta and this was the first time I ever heard my husband say the sauce was inedible. It seems a number of restaurants here use inferior tomatoes for sauce...they wouldn't last a week in the NY/NJ area where every town has an Italian neighborhood joint with better sauce.
(2)
Travis K.
Cafe Chardonnay is as good as it gets in Palm Beach Gardens. It isn't about dinner at Cafe Chardonnay, its truly about the experience. Jim was our server and he was exceptional... we had a great time and enjoyed a meal that was second to none. I started with the French Onion Soup, which was top notch, then into a caesar salad that was a little heavy on the dressing, but delicious all the same. Then I had the veal chop thtat was beyond words. The presentation was excellent, but the meal itself was even better. This isn't a restaurant that presents you with a super small portion, but it looks great... it looks amazing and is enough for you to leave plenty full! We finished our meal with a shared piece of the chocolate pecan pie and coffee... great experience all around and we will be back very soon!
(5)
Shafi H.
We love Cafe Chardonnay. Some items you can't miss: The mushroom strudel was stupendous. We are good about sharing but I would have started a war if my partner ate a smidgen more than half. The hand cut pasta with scallops and lobster is delicious. Even a person with little or no palet can taste how fresh that pasta is. Although in fairness, the dish could use a liitle more lobster. Stuffed veal chop with bone in. It was a generous and rich high-end cut of meat, definitely worth every penny. I have been here several times and never been disappointed. I know that there are several other dishes that i have raved about to family and friends, but don't remember the specifics. I don't think you can go wrong here. The service is top notch. The wine list is impressive. Their reputation has grown with their longevity. They have been wowing customers for at least 20 years. I can't wait for my next excuse to go. HELPFUL HINT: Costco sells $100 in gift certificates for $80.
(5)
Dave G.
Very little scotch in drink, swordfish sure seemed like not swordfish, lousy key lime pie coffee great. Expensive
(3)
David K.
I've been here two times and the food and service was excellent. Before going, I started looking at the menu online and a great sign of a great restaurant is when everything on the menu sounds good. I ordered the four course special last night for $35 and that was a great deal. My wife ordered the filet mignon. The food was well prepared and very good. We both had wine too; they have a nice wine selection that we enjoyed. The service was really great. Our waiter wasn't overly attentive and whenever we needed more wine/water it was filled right away. Our appetizer and salad plates were also cleared quickly after we were finished. The inside has an elegant look for a special dinner. I'll definitely be back for another special occasion.
(5)
Donald M.
We celebrated our anniversay at Cafe Chardonnay . The service , food and hospitality was fantastic, Certainly fit for foodies and highly recomended. A wonderful experience and we cant wait to go again..
(5)
Stephen S.
Outstanding as usual.
(5)
Alan N.
Consistently good food, excellent service. In a small mall in Palm Beach Gardens lies this elegant restaurant. Equally good for a casual dinner or a fancy special occasion. We have also used their catering service for parties, also excellent.
(4)
Lauren B.
The best boyfriend ever took me here for Valentines Day last year. He flew me all the way from Boston to Palm Beach Gardens just for this! (hah you wish, but he did fly me to FL!) From what I recall, it was great. Really nice, good food, good atmosphere. Good french onion soup! Goofy, awkward waiter. YES! The only thing I did not like was that we were seated up stairs. No I am not your typical 75 year old Palm Beach Gardens clientele, but on the other hand, I am a 20 something who likes wine and high heels. ugh.....can you say disaster? Luckily for my wonderful boyfriend and I; I did not fall down the stairs on the way out. I did however; sing to JLo the entire ride home. Great place. :-D
(5)
Tonie L.
onion soup was the worst I ever had. I didn't order after that so i cant say on dishes. Very very very expensive.
(1)
L L.
I have only eaten here once, despite living down the street for 2 years. Not sure why. We went on a Sunday night. There was no wait and we were taken right to a table. It was busy, not many empty tables even for a Sunday but we visited during season. The food was great and the service was beyond good. Very impressed with service. The crowd was older - you won't see many 20 or 30 somethings here. My complaint is about our table. We didn't request another one because 1) there weren't any other open tables and 2) I really didn't want to be "that" person and ruin the night. It was a 2 person table, very small, and right in between 2 other tables on either side. Literally 6-8 inches away from the other people. I didn't enjoy that, especially because we ordered several courses and bottles of wine, and shared food, so we could have used more space and definitely more privacy. Put bread, bread plates, water glasses, wine glasses, wine bottles, a few app dishes and silverware on a tiny table and it is a crowded mess. If I return I will request a booth table or a table on the raised platform area. Overall, great food and service with prices similar to other upscale restaurants in the area. I would return.
(4)
Jenny C.
I think that this place is amazing if your looking for a romantic night out come here i come her for every romantic evening Valentines Day, Anniversary's, Birthdays, The Wine List is great i love everything about this place except that it is a cougar hang out lots of cougars at any time of the day strangely its an older crowd its so funny seeing them pop bottles of Crystal at the bar lol, Fraguas(spelling??) is amazing would recommend it to anyone!!!
(4)
Bruce G.
We ate here on a Thursday night. The place wasn't crowded but it was busy. Several diners ate outside because the weather let up a little. I had the sweet bread appetizer which was excellent and my wife had the escargot, which she enjoyed. She got the 4 course special dinner for $35 and it was well worth the reasonable price. I opted for the menu items. I enjoyed the beet salad along with my sea bass entree. The wine by the glass selection was decent but I would have liked a few more choices. I'll dine here again. (and there were quite a few diners under the age of 60).
(4)
Andrea C.
Cafe Chardonnay does not look its 24 years - the interior has an amber glow that is lovely. A small outdoor seating area, an "upstairs" and a small raised platform with tables make the restaurant more visually appealing than others in Florida strip malls. The bar is beautiful place to have a drink and the service is attentive and unobtrusive, if a bit slow at times. The night we visited, a prix-fixe four course menu was $35, with smaller portions of a limited selection of choices from the main menu. The menu is brief, but well-rounded, except the salad course. And the appetizers seem especially appealing. The beers are a disappointment, wines by the glass are pretty standard, and the bottles are top heavy in price. Alas, as in the past, I remain unimpressed by the food. The bread basket is an exception with a rosemary foccacia and french bread, which are both delicious. Save some to absorb the quantities of sauce that will accompany your food. A lobster tortelloni arrived doused in what was reportedly a truffled parmesan cream sauce that overwhelmed the flavors of the lobster. The roasted fennel that was supposed to be part of this dish was nowhere to be found. A salad of romaine, radicchio, and endive was similarly overdressed - ask for your dressing on the side unless you really enjoy drinking balsamic vinaigrette. My first choice for my entree - a pan roasted veal chop - was not available, even though it was early in the evening. I truly cannot complain about the rack of lamb which was cooked to my specifications and served with good mashed potatoes. Vegetables that accompanied it were under-cooked. The carrot cake made a fine ending to the meal, but was unremarkable. Frankly, finding good restaurants in the area is difficult, but Cafe Chardonnay could try harder to match the fine decor and service with better food, especially considering the prices. Reservations are available online and are probably a good idea on the weekends. Our visit was on a Monday night and the restaurant was not crowded.
(2)
Debbi R.
Everytime I have gone here, it has been great service and delicious food. One of the best in the area, if not the best
(5)
Hope M.
Cool place. Nice ambiance.
(4)
Jeff L.
My wife and I made a 5 PM reservation on Open Table. When we arrived the hostess told us they didn't open until 5 30. When I showed her the reservation she said they would seat us at 5 10. I explained that we needed to leave for the airport at 5 40 and she assured me we would be served promptly. We ordered salad and entrees at 5 10 and asked for both to be brought at the same time. The salad didn't arrive until 5 30. At 5 40 the entrees still hadn't arrived and we left. The hostess apologized but insisted that we pay for the entire meal. The food may be good but the service certainly isn't. There are too many good restaurants in the area to waste your time here.
(1)
Tom P.
Cafe Chardonnay has been here for 21 years so they must be doing something right. We enjoyed our anniversary dinner there and had a great evening. The martinis were top notch as was the wine list. The lobster bisque and Caesar salads both rated a 10, the fillet was cooked properly and fork tender. One of their signature dishes was a nut encrusted Grouper that I found a bit heavy. Overall I give it 4 stars.
(4)
Kyle E.
A nice restaurant...but sort of lacking. The experience begins with an entrance that leaves one wanting air...it is an awkward set up where one is crowded in with people seated at a small bar or right outside the front door. The food is nice and there are many unique daily special presentations. I have dined at Chardonnay dozens of times for lunch and dinner. Never had bad food - certainly plenty of just ok dishes - but not bad. The ambiance is great but they have many sort of customers that behave as though they "own the place." It turns somewhat New York deli like with clients actually yelling for their "personal wines" or have so and so come over and see me and meet my guests. This has happened so many times. I have gone on a number of nights and seen the same couple and their guests and the gentleman just seems to take over the dining room with noise, critique, his greasy tanned skin, slicked back hair and voice that would carry a church choir while waking the dead. I know where he lives, what his income is and that he is on the board of a local performing arts center as he shares it so loud,..is this necessary? Moreover, I would hope the management would not take kindly to that type person who actually ruins other guest experiences to a minimum. They however embrace it. The restaurant seems to cater to the "neighborhood" or those regulars - though I would say if a patron visits a restaurant once or twice a month for lunch and or dinner that is somewhat regular. I guess not. But - if you can divorce the quirks and just focus on the food and great wine selections - a place worth checking in to from time to time.
(3)
B. B.
Never had a bad meal here...and last Friday night was no exception. Rack of Lamb just perfect..service good and choice of wine outstanding. Love this place especially the summer specials.
(5)
Ken G.
My wife and I were invited to a party at Cafe Chardonnay. This was our first visit to the restaurant, and we found the food to be so good that we made it a point to go back. We were two couples, and as before the food was exceptional. Each of the four of us ordered different dishes, salmon, duck, steak, chicken. Every dish was excellent, prepared perfectly. My wife and I split a roasted beet and gorgonzola salad that was also exceptional. The downside were problems with the service. Drinks were ordered and one was left out which took a while to get corrected. We had to ask three times to have the bread basket refilled. The salad which we told the waiter we wanted to be split between me and my wife was served to me alone. We pointed out the mistake and the salad was taken back and divided onto two plates. None of these problems were deal busters in terms of going back to Cafe Chardonnay, but when you pay approximately $60 per person, which included only two alcoholic drinks, one coffee, and no desserts, these deficiencies are not acceptable. I give the food 5 stars, the service 3 stars, and I averaged them to wind up with a 4 star rating overall.
(4)
Ed E.
Great food, service and wonderful atmosphere. I have been eating here for years and it is a classy place with outstanding food. Romantic place and one of my fav's.
(4)
Jessi S.
A little pricy, but a great place for client lunches- quiet, classy, with a great lunch menu. All of the salads are wonderful. The lunch pastas are always a big hit- my favorite was the chicken pasta dish tossed in an olive oil pesto with pine nuts and roasted tomatoes, that was my go to dish. The french onion soup was also pretty decent.
(4)
East West Coast Girl C.
Good but not great. Friends raves about this place. With we went early on a weekday evening. It was quiet except for staff & regulars chatting to the point of distraction. Kudos For a decent wine list but if your name is wine, it better be your game. Beet salad with arugula was good. Crab cake was full of lump crab without too much bread so it was delicious. Rigatoni bolognese was over cooked, mushy & watery. Chocolate pecan pie had sauce to die for bit the pie was nothing to write home about. Some hits. Some misses.
(3)
Nelson S.
At this price point there are far better choices in the PGA -Palm Beach area. The salad was ehh. Fresh and all but not perfectly dressed, and the dressing tasteless. The snapper special was OK, but slightly overcooked. The mixed seafood special $35's is bit pricey for 2 scallops+1/2 a small lobster claw in a bowl of what tasted like a bland corn chowder. Table mates enjoyed the bouillabaisse. Again, at this upper echelon price point more creativity in pastry/desert offerings was anticipated. Chocolate cupcakes ehhh All this was marginally prepared food was amplified by a waiter who apparently hated his job. Service was inattentive and rude.
(2)
Nelson S.
At this price point there are far better choices in the PGA -Palm Beach area. The salad was ehh. Fresh and all but not perfectly dressed, and the dressing tasteless. The snapper special was OK, but slightly overcooked. The mixed seafood special $35's is bit pricey for 2 scallops+1/2 a small lobster claw in a bowl of what tasted like a bland corn chowder. Table mates enjoyed the bouillabaisse. Again, at this upper echelon price point more creativity in pastry/desert offerings was anticipated. Chocolate cupcakes ehhh All this was marginally prepared food was amplified by a waiter who apparently hated his job. Service was inattentive and rude.
(2)
Charlie B.
What a HORRIBLE birthday dinner I've ever had, our table wasn't decorated with birthdays confetti like the others and the hostess was sooo unfriendly. We sat at a table by the stairs where we kept on getting bumped into by the servers, busboys (spilling water on the floor) and other guest passing by us because where the table was placed there was only two ways to get around. The atmosphere was so loud and noise, you couldn't hear the person right next to you. Our server Mike was so not helpful at all, when you asked him a question about the menu/ specials about what he would recommend he stood there with a smug annoyed look on his face he was probably thinking (get on with your order people). The food was good I had the: Poached Pears and Almond Crusted Goat Cheese Organic Baby Greens and Champagne vinaigrette...$11 Macadamia Crusted Yellowtail Snapper, Coconut basmati rice, tropical fruit salsa, and Orange Beurre Blanc...$36 But overall the food was tasty! I waited forever to get my water filled and when I tried to flag Mike down he pretended he didn't see us and walked back into the kitchen. When it was time for dessert I just wanted to go home. However I'm never going back due to the lack of friendless we got from the server Mike and the hostess
(2)
Yomaira P.
Great place with an excellent costumer service. They have an excellent wine selection and the food is amazing.
(5)
Joseph R.
Been going to this fantastic gem of a restaurant for over 25 years and they've been consistently brilliant. The food is always on point while the wine is carefully selected and skillfully suggested. Do yourself a favor when you have a nice dinner or date to plan, choose this place and you'll never go wrong.
(5)
Michelle F.
Love! Fab food and experienced staff... Always a great experience! Everyone is so friendly and professional.
(5)
Neil R.
WOW! We went for our 20th anniversary based on a Zagat review and we're not disappointed. Delicious octopus and calamari appetizer. Amazing New Zeland rack of lamb cooked to perfection and lobster with scallops. Very nice ambiance only thing I noticed was the "grey hair" crowd. Maybe I'm getting old? Nah!
(5)
Brian S.
About as good as it gets in the Jupiter Florida area, this was a memorable dining experience for Jan and I as we enjoyed the last night of our mini vacation in the sunshine state. Food, service and ambience over the top and so was the price but who cares when the occasion calls for it. Go dine and enjoy ...
(5)
Ariel G.
Came here with my boyfriend while on vacay in Palm Beach. The food here was delicious, including the bread basket, which I unfortunately filled up on. We had two separate appetizers, which I can't remember, but they were really tasty, and I had the fish special for dinner. My fish was halibut and was seasoned well and really good. The wine list was extensive, but we brought our own, because it was a bottle they didn't have from a small winery. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the food and even offered to call us a cab to the cvs across the street. Coming from NY, we get a lot of great choices, and this restaurant was certainly on par with city restaurants.
(5)
Tony Z.
Arrived at 7PM on Sunday for a birthday celebration dinner. The place was not too busy. Very nice ambiance and we were able to converse throughout the evening without any difficulty. Service was very good. The lobster bisque was excellent as was the veal chop, macadamia crusted snapper, and the filet mignon. We will definitely return to this fine restaurant.
(5)
Sarah P.
Entrees - 5 Ambiance - 5 Bar - 5 Service - 5 ! Appetizers - 3 Amazing place to grab dinner or just a drink. The bartender was wonderful and made some great recommendations, allowing us to try a few options until we found The One. The decor is fantastic, and it's especially cozy with the holiday decorations. I would live here if it were allowable. I was startlingly disappointed by the appetizers. The lobster bisque was lukewarm at best, and the silverware wasn't clean so my soup cooled even more as I waited for a clean spoon. The portion size on the tuna was small and it could have used a bit more texture or zing... Something. I'd say skip the apps and save up for the main course. The entrees were delectable. We ordered the lamb and the short ribs and both had amazing flavor. The meat was tender and perfectly prepared, the seasoning was a flavor symphony. Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
(5)
Michele V.
I live nearby and have come to rely on this gem. More often than not, a friend and I will sit at the bar and dine. Food and wine pairing suggestions are always spot on and I have found it to be a fun learning expereince! Service is terrific throughout thre restaurant and they are always amenable to a small change here or there. Never disappointed....
(5)
John S.
Always great food and service. Wine list good but overpriced as most. My wife and I love this place and never had anything that did not live up to expectations that was not taken care of by expert staff. My wife still compares the lamb at other restaurants to Chardonnay Grill, and few measure up to their level.
(5)
Hugh G.
Had a wonderful dinner with my wife two daughters and parents this evening. The service was exceptional and the food very good. I had a kale salad and lamb chops. Nice atmosphere. Crowded but not so noisy that you couldn't hear yourself think. I will definitely go back!
(4)
Ed F.
I had waited too long to find a restaurant for Mother's Day -- if the place I was trying didn't take reservations, the wait was 90 minutes to 2 hours for a table, and if they did, they were booked for weeks. Although I called them about 2 hours before we dined, they squeezed in a table and made room for us. Took Mom here for Mother's Day brunch, and the Eggs Benny were excellent -- perfect Hollandaise sauce. Creme Brulee for dessert was rich and creamy under the crispy glaze. Judging by the cleanliness of the plates at the table, I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed their dishes. My only strike are the prices. which are on the high side -- brunch for 4 with only one Mimosa for Mom and no appetizers was $135 before gratuity. Make it a spot for a special occasion, like your Anniversary or Mother's Day, but not for a quick bite before the movie. Beautiful dining room, staff was a little arrogant but still attentive, and hostess was friendly. I'll be back, but it'll be a while.
(4)
marilyn a.
Well jenny, at least we older broads can spell and pronounce what we order. This is a relaxing place for a good glass of wine, interesting enough menu with satisfying preparation of the food. The under 30 crowd should be fairly sophisticated in their taste. Good wine list. Easy to get to and out of. Love the guys behind the bar. They're entertaining and helpful. This is Brian.
(4)
Christine D.
My grandparents live in the area and are fan of Cafe Chardonnay. We've been there before but recently were excited to go back for my small (7 people), family only, engagement dinner there during my trip to Fla. My grandma had lunch there a few days before and thought it was a perfect environment to celebrate. The atmosphere is a little dark- even if it's in the middle of the day you'll feel cool and calm with the dark woods and thick window tapestries. I love restaurants that set the mood and ambience in a comforting way. At 7pm on a Saturday the noise level grew to a quite roar so I had to strain to hear people across the table, but I've experienced worse. The menu is large enough to please everyone- unless you're a vegetarian. The waitress handled me asking what they make without meat by asking me if i wanted vegetables on a plate. I ended up with a really tasty and fresh angel hair pasta with alfredo and spring vegetables that mostly consisted of asparagus. For such a nice restaurant I wasn't impressed that they couldn't handle meals without meat in them in a more gracious manner- although my pasta was good. My grandfather ended up getting frustrated after the waitress brought the wrong wine twice and then stormed off. The sommelier was also arguing with my grandfather...and what it comes down to is even if the customer is wrong you have to be professional in how you deal with it, and in my opinion he was not a very professional sommelier (i dont know who was in the right here). The wines were good but we had 2 great bottles and then one that the waitress opened by accident. We ended up skipping desert and coffee this time and our bill came to the mid $600's. While I enjoyed my food I would've expected better service and some options besides steak and pork chops, leading me to only give Cafe Chardonnay an A-OK with 3 stars.
(3)
Travis K.
Cafe Chardonnay is as good as it gets in Palm Beach Gardens. It isn't about dinner at Cafe Chardonnay, its truly about the experience. Jim was our server and he was exceptional... we had a great time and enjoyed a meal that was second to none. I started with the French Onion Soup, which was top notch, then into a caesar salad that was a little heavy on the dressing, but delicious all the same. Then I had the veal chop thtat was beyond words. The presentation was excellent, but the meal itself was even better. This isn't a restaurant that presents you with a super small portion, but it looks great... it looks amazing and is enough for you to leave plenty full! We finished our meal with a shared piece of the chocolate pecan pie and coffee... great experience all around and we will be back very soon!
(5)
Shafi H.
We love Cafe Chardonnay. Some items you can't miss: The mushroom strudel was stupendous. We are good about sharing but I would have started a war if my partner ate a smidgen more than half. The hand cut pasta with scallops and lobster is delicious. Even a person with little or no palet can taste how fresh that pasta is. Although in fairness, the dish could use a liitle more lobster. Stuffed veal chop with bone in. It was a generous and rich high-end cut of meat, definitely worth every penny. I have been here several times and never been disappointed. I know that there are several other dishes that i have raved about to family and friends, but don't remember the specifics. I don't think you can go wrong here. The service is top notch. The wine list is impressive. Their reputation has grown with their longevity. They have been wowing customers for at least 20 years. I can't wait for my next excuse to go. HELPFUL HINT: Costco sells $100 in gift certificates for $80.
(5)
Dave G.
Very little scotch in drink, swordfish sure seemed like not swordfish, lousy key lime pie coffee great. Expensive
(3)
David K.
I've been here two times and the food and service was excellent. Before going, I started looking at the menu online and a great sign of a great restaurant is when everything on the menu sounds good. I ordered the four course special last night for $35 and that was a great deal. My wife ordered the filet mignon. The food was well prepared and very good. We both had wine too; they have a nice wine selection that we enjoyed. The service was really great. Our waiter wasn't overly attentive and whenever we needed more wine/water it was filled right away. Our appetizer and salad plates were also cleared quickly after we were finished. The inside has an elegant look for a special dinner. I'll definitely be back for another special occasion.
(5)
Sharon G.
I had lunch here with a friend last week and I was blown away! The Cobb salad was delish. The service was wonderful and you can't beat the ambiance!
(5)
Marjorie Z.
This place must have been around since this kind of place was considered good. It is pretty ordinary. We love pasta and this was the first time I ever heard my husband say the sauce was inedible. It seems a number of restaurants here use inferior tomatoes for sauce...they wouldn't last a week in the NY/NJ area where every town has an Italian neighborhood joint with better sauce.
(2)
Donald M.
We celebrated our anniversay at Cafe Chardonnay . The service , food and hospitality was fantastic, Certainly fit for foodies and highly recomended. A wonderful experience and we cant wait to go again..
(5)
Stephen S.
Outstanding as usual.
(5)
Gary C.
Excellent.best restaurant in Palm Beach county. Has been great for over twenty years.
(5)
L L.
I have only eaten here once, despite living down the street for 2 years. Not sure why. We went on a Sunday night. There was no wait and we were taken right to a table. It was busy, not many empty tables even for a Sunday but we visited during season. The food was great and the service was beyond good. Very impressed with service. The crowd was older - you won't see many 20 or 30 somethings here. My complaint is about our table. We didn't request another one because 1) there weren't any other open tables and 2) I really didn't want to be "that" person and ruin the night. It was a 2 person table, very small, and right in between 2 other tables on either side. Literally 6-8 inches away from the other people. I didn't enjoy that, especially because we ordered several courses and bottles of wine, and shared food, so we could have used more space and definitely more privacy. Put bread, bread plates, water glasses, wine glasses, wine bottles, a few app dishes and silverware on a tiny table and it is a crowded mess. If I return I will request a booth table or a table on the raised platform area. Overall, great food and service with prices similar to other upscale restaurants in the area. I would return.
(4)
Howard D.
Went again on Saturday early and found the service to be perfect and the food was great. The wine choices were ok.
(4)
Lily M.
Enjoyed a delicious meal with the family for my birthday. Mike was our server, and he was great! We've been coming here for years, and the food and service continue to impress!
(5)
Jordan B.
Excellent meal you can never go wrong ordering anything here. My wife had veal chop and I had scampi. My favorite was desert.
(5)
Claudia A.
Amazing place. My husband is in this area (PGA Commons) for a conference and we decided to make it a weekend of exploring. We found this quaint little strip mall and took a look at yelp for friendly suggestions. This place ranked number 2 and OMG it blew our mind. I ordered the salmon and lentils and my hubby ordered the scallops and lobster. Everything was scrumptious. Once again my theory of bread comes true, if the restaurant cares to give free darn good bread IMAGINE THEIR FOOD!
(5)
East West Coast Girl C.
Good but not great. Friends raves about this place. With we went early on a weekday evening. It was quiet except for staff & regulars chatting to the point of distraction. Kudos For a decent wine list but if your name is wine, it better be your game. Beet salad with arugula was good. Crab cake was full of lump crab without too much bread so it was delicious. Rigatoni bolognese was over cooked, mushy & watery. Chocolate pecan pie had sauce to die for bit the pie was nothing to write home about. Some hits. Some misses.
(3)
Aimee K.
Yes, yes, yes and yes. If Cafe Chardonnay was in St. Louis, I'd be there at least once a week. This place is hands down one of the most wonderful restaurants I've ever been to. When we arrived to West Palm Beach from the airport it was already 9:55, so as we passed by I called to see if we could still order. The friendly hostess told us the kitchen was closed, but had me hold on. A few seconds later, she came back on the line and told me to come on in because the kitchen was waiting for us. I can't remember the last time I had that type of exceptional service and we were so grateful! Service was absolutely flawless and I enjoyed a great glass of chardonnay. Our server also brought us the rest of a bottle of merlot that was going to waste, and it was just as impressive. After scanning the menu (and wanting everything I saw), I decided on the goat cheese & pear salad and the heirloom tomatoes. I don't know what it was about this combination, but the healthy & fresh ingredients completely hit the spot. The pears were spiced and a little sweet, the goat cheese was tangy, and I was impressed that I loved the tomatoes because I'm usually not that crazy about them. They were deep red & covered with a light coating of vinaigrette with some parmesan cheese on the side. Simple and perfect. My friend had the tandoori chicken and said it was one of the best meals of his life. I can't sing the praises of Cafe Chardonnay enough. Enjoy the beautiful interior or grab a seat on the patio that twinkles with lights. It is pricey, yes - but worth every cent.
(5)
howard a.
For my wife's big birthday(notice I didn't say the year) I decided to go all out and was very glad I chose this restaurant. Two bottles of the red wine I had pre-picked were open and breathing on the table when we arrived. Linda who was outstanding was there to serve other drinks. The orders were taken and served in just the right amount of spacing. Everything was prepared to order. There was no rush and I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed. I can't tell you how rare it is to have everything go so smoothly anywhere and I greatly enjoyed the entire evening!
(5)
Adreana C.
I took my father to Cafe Chardonnay for his birthday. It was hard to chose what to get from the menu but I went with the herb and Dijon crusted rack of lamb, my father got the swordfish. The server was nice and put the orders in right away, he came with the bread and dip which was some type of Mexican onion dip. The food came out twenty-five minutes later, the presentation was nice. My lamb chops were undercooked and tasteless, my father's swordfish was not worth the value at all it was pretty dry and a small portion as well. The food is over priced my food was $42 and my dad's was $39. The server at least came seven times to fill our glasses and check on us. Overall the atmosphere was really nice, pricy food, and friendly staff. Definitely recommend this place for nice occasions!
(3)
Vivian T.
Dissappointed tonight. Everything mediocre: service, entree: chicken tandoori...too sour, too much lemon juice? Bread overheated and dry..too much dressing on lettuce wedge. Husband said his duck was so-so. Waiter lacked finesse. Had to keep asking for things that should be part of fine service...coffee with dessert. Fork for our cake.Did enjoy the linzetorte. Enjoyed outdoor patio and the hostess very nice. Have been coming for years and never dissapointed before. Prices are high so my expectations were also high.
(2)
Ed E.
Great food, service and wonderful atmosphere. I have been eating here for years and it is a classy place with outstanding food. Romantic place and one of my fav's.
(4)
Jessi S.
A little pricy, but a great place for client lunches- quiet, classy, with a great lunch menu. All of the salads are wonderful. The lunch pastas are always a big hit- my favorite was the chicken pasta dish tossed in an olive oil pesto with pine nuts and roasted tomatoes, that was my go to dish. The french onion soup was also pretty decent.
(4)
Kerry D.
My dad was really excited to take us here- he loves the place- sadly, we weren't as wowed as he'd hoped. Our server was fine, he had a ton of tables so service was a little slow at first and then non-existent- but not horrible. The atmosphere is fine, we sat downstairs and it was very busy/noisy, dimly lit and the bar seemed like a good pick-up spot, for an older crowd. I started with the (suggested) wild mushroom strudel, which was a bit bland and wet. I tried some of the other starters, onion soup and lobster bisque- both were fine. Entrees, I had a pasta, they had the lamb, and skirt steak...everyone was underwhelmed. Not to say that anything was bad- nothing was- but nothing was out of the ordinary, either. Everything was fine.
(2)
Paul K.
Wonderful restaurant. Service is excellent and the ambiance is beautiful. The food is excellent and I recommend it for a special occasion. Make your reservations early as it is always busy.
(5)
Diane G.
First impression is this is very old school. My husband and I are both in our 50s and we were some of the youngest people. It was very busy but service was good. We had mushroom strudel appetizer, which was very good. I had a beet salad which was very good and I don't even like beets, usually. Husband had swordfish which was baked. He commented that it didn't taste like swordfish but he liked it. I had yellow tail snapper which was ok. Wine was excellent but pricey. Very large bill for what was average dinner.
(3)
Lisa S.
The entire package! Hidden gem! Excellent service. Delicious food! We had bruschetta, caprese salads, tilefish, curry chicken, Cabernet beef short ribs that were fork tender and unbelievable. Extensive wine list. Key lime pie for dessert.
(5)
Kursten R.
Me and my sister went there today for lunch and were sat outside. It was a slow day not many tables. We never even had a server come over before we decided to leave which was 10 mins after we sat down. My sister went inside to return the menus but the hostess wasn't there, no one even bothered coming to the door. I've heard such good things about this place and was really excited. But I will never know if it's as good as everyone says.
It was a Saturday night in the busy season. The restaurant was packed, as was the outdoor dining space, yet our comfortable round table was ready and our party of eight was immediately seated in the balcony section of this very elegant restaurant. We started by splitting some appetizers. For entrees, a few of us ordered the grouper on a bed of lobster risotto and asparagus. My wife had the scallop and lobster on a bed of corn ragout. Other dinners were the fillet mignon, and shrimp (absolutely huge) on a bed of fresh linguini. We were pretty well stuffed and passed on deserts. One caveat, to be observed...go over your bill. As mentioned earlier, the place was packed and a bit chaotic. We had incorrectly ordered a bottle of wine that we sent back (unopened). They also brought a martini, that wasn't ordered...and we returned that too. However, both were on the bill. There was no problem getting the charges removed, but it would have cost us $50 bucks if the bill went un-examined. The final tab came to $135 per couple, pre-tip. Not cheap, but well worth it.
(5)
Debra L.
If your under 50 don't bother. I used to go there every year for my birthday. Last time we went the food had gone down hill drastically. It's very over priced for the quality of food. It gets very noisy and the crowd was terrible. We were trying to have a romantic evening but every table around us had flashlights out blinding you while they are trying to read the menu!
(1)
Nic B.
If you are under the age of 30, they will not seat you unless you are wearing a silk blouse wearing moth-ball perfume and dining with a man in a top hat with a sinister yet historic looking mustache. Luckily, we came on an off day. Let it be noted that this is a lovely place in the way that senior citizens and high school English teachers use the word. Think less second date more Grandmother's 80th birthday. But if you do come here on a date, you can adapt and overcome, especially if you are dating in your eighties. Do try the grilled asparagus salad and make sure you have someone to split the chocolate truffle cake with.
(4)
Jessica G.
Visiting from NYC. The food was good, not amazing. We made reservations at 6:15, that was all they had available. We wanted to sit outside but the said all the tables were reserved. Annoying. So we sat inside. It was us and two other groups only. We ordered an appetizer, pasta Alfredo with a poached egg and truffle. Barely any truffle, and the sauce was a little too soupy but the flavor was good, a little too salty. Grandmother had the lobster bisque, very very good and rich. For dinner I had the macadamia nut crusted red snapper. It was absolutely delicious. The portions were huge. Grandmother had short ribs- very good but a little on the salty side and my mother had lobster and scallop special- It was ok. Very buttery. We then ordered dessert, deep dish apple pie and the almond joy torte. Both were okay. I wouldn't recommend getting a dessert. Two hours and $200 later all the tables in the restaurant were full and the ones outside were still empty. Service was great. Dinner was delicious. Skip apps and dessert.
(4)
Billy W.
A real bar, like drinking at the 21 Club in the 70's. Love it. Never had a bad meal ever in 15 years. Always felt the check was justified by a terrific time and a great meal. BRAVO
(5)
Charlotte W.
Cafe Chardonnay is always a stop with my family during our Christmas holidays in Palm Beach. We have been there for lunch, dinner, birthday celebrations, and last year, the restaurant's New Year's dinner event. Cafe Chardonnay is located in a little outdoor mall-plaza called the The Gardens Square Shoppes. During warmer temperatures, there is a charming outdoor seating area, but inside, the restaurant is quite huge - with two floors. My parents and I, being booth people, always request one of the two booths in the restaurant. For this night, we were celebrating my dad's 51st birthday. Now, I have been coming here for 4 years and to this day, I always have the Tandori Chicken for my main which is a yummy (large) juicy piece of meat served with apricot and couscous. The chicken was so big that we brought it home for soup flavouring. For appetizer, I had the Mushroom Phyllo pastry which I always alternate between the Foie Gras. Both are excellent. My dad was feeling like he needed his Omega's so he opted for the salmon. Later on in the night, he said he forgot to tell the waiter he wanted his cooked on the more raw side, but just as he was about to notify the waiter, the salmon came out very cooked. Delicious but not cooked to his liking. My mom had the duck and she said it was average, so it appears that I enjoyed my main course the most. If you like soup, the lobster bisque is very nice as both my parents love their soup and always come here to have the bisque. Service is impeccable. We always have Jim as our waiter, and although he doesn't recognize us, we recognize him and were pleased to have him that night. As for booze, you will not be disappointed as they have a large variety of French's and New World wines. Cafe Chardonnay's bar area is always hip and jiving so if you like to have a drink before going elsewhere, this is not a bad pre-stop. All in all, if you're even in the Palm Beach Gardens area, then you should stop by Cafe Chardonnay. It's quaint, the food is really good, and the service efficient and friendly. I am already missing it.
(4)
Amir L.
A local legend-despite recent reviews to suggest the contrary-the service and food were top notch-and I didn't come here with my grandmother. Definitely try the short ribs!
(4)
Amy F.
My husband and I arrived on time for our 6:45 reservation. We heard a couple in front of us check in for a 7:15 reservation. They were seated immediately, we were told to please wait. They said our table was not ready yet. So we waited patiently for 15 minutes. Finally they seated us. And guess where? Right next to the service/kitchen door. My husband's chair was literaly in the way of the door, so we moved it over to the other side of the table. So both of us sat next to each other, at this small round table. Ok, so we ordered our meal, and in comes a birthday party, which occupied the 3 tables surrounding us! NOISE and people bumping into our chairs and table. We ate as fast as we could and got out of there. The food was good, the service was good, the experience was horrible. Will not go back. Would never recommend.
(2)
Crystal F.
The place is beautiful and the service is very attentive. However, that's where the good new ends. Food was awful! We ordered foie gras to start and it gave us heartburn. Didn't even bother ordering anything to follow. Won't be back
(2)
Martha G.
Cafe Chardonnay has always been a favorite. I was sadly disappointed to eat there last week. I got the special pasta which had grilled chicken. The chicken was so dry, it must have been from the night before. Lunch mates had good meals, but mine was not appealing.
(2)
Paul S.
Has been a favorite for more than 20 years. Now going way downhill, rude, unpleasant service, long wait between courses, waiter constantly telling us how good his service was hinting for big tip, and to top it off, after spending $400 we were told we had to leave after lingering over wine because they needed the table. Frank Eucallito, the owner, is clearly either unaware of what is happening to his formerly wonderful, upscale restaurant, or he just doesn't care about customers because there is always the next one waiting to come in .....
(1)
Alan N.
Consistently good food, excellent service. In a small mall in Palm Beach Gardens lies this elegant restaurant. Equally good for a casual dinner or a fancy special occasion. We have also used their catering service for parties, also excellent.
(4)
A.L. S.
I love the setting and the wine list is great. I've been here twice for lunch only. I loved the 3 course lunch with soup, salad and 1/2 sandwich, but this second time wasn't as good as the first. My croissant wasn't toasted like it had been done previously, and my minestrone was cold and bland. Maybe it was a bad day? I'll give it a shot, because i loved this place before.
(3)
Lauren B.
The best boyfriend ever took me here for Valentines Day last year. He flew me all the way from Boston to Palm Beach Gardens just for this! (hah you wish, but he did fly me to FL!) From what I recall, it was great. Really nice, good food, good atmosphere. Good french onion soup! Goofy, awkward waiter. YES! The only thing I did not like was that we were seated up stairs. No I am not your typical 75 year old Palm Beach Gardens clientele, but on the other hand, I am a 20 something who likes wine and high heels. ugh.....can you say disaster? Luckily for my wonderful boyfriend and I; I did not fall down the stairs on the way out. I did however; sing to JLo the entire ride home. Great place. :-D
(5)
Tonie L.
onion soup was the worst I ever had. I didn't order after that so i cant say on dishes. Very very very expensive.
(1)
Jenny C.
I think that this place is amazing if your looking for a romantic night out come here i come her for every romantic evening Valentines Day, Anniversary's, Birthdays, The Wine List is great i love everything about this place except that it is a cougar hang out lots of cougars at any time of the day strangely its an older crowd its so funny seeing them pop bottles of Crystal at the bar lol, Fraguas(spelling??) is amazing would recommend it to anyone!!!
(4)
Bruce G.
We ate here on a Thursday night. The place wasn't crowded but it was busy. Several diners ate outside because the weather let up a little. I had the sweet bread appetizer which was excellent and my wife had the escargot, which she enjoyed. She got the 4 course special dinner for $35 and it was well worth the reasonable price. I opted for the menu items. I enjoyed the beet salad along with my sea bass entree. The wine by the glass selection was decent but I would have liked a few more choices. I'll dine here again. (and there were quite a few diners under the age of 60).
(4)
Andrea C.
Cafe Chardonnay does not look its 24 years - the interior has an amber glow that is lovely. A small outdoor seating area, an "upstairs" and a small raised platform with tables make the restaurant more visually appealing than others in Florida strip malls. The bar is beautiful place to have a drink and the service is attentive and unobtrusive, if a bit slow at times. The night we visited, a prix-fixe four course menu was $35, with smaller portions of a limited selection of choices from the main menu. The menu is brief, but well-rounded, except the salad course. And the appetizers seem especially appealing. The beers are a disappointment, wines by the glass are pretty standard, and the bottles are top heavy in price. Alas, as in the past, I remain unimpressed by the food. The bread basket is an exception with a rosemary foccacia and french bread, which are both delicious. Save some to absorb the quantities of sauce that will accompany your food. A lobster tortelloni arrived doused in what was reportedly a truffled parmesan cream sauce that overwhelmed the flavors of the lobster. The roasted fennel that was supposed to be part of this dish was nowhere to be found. A salad of romaine, radicchio, and endive was similarly overdressed - ask for your dressing on the side unless you really enjoy drinking balsamic vinaigrette. My first choice for my entree - a pan roasted veal chop - was not available, even though it was early in the evening. I truly cannot complain about the rack of lamb which was cooked to my specifications and served with good mashed potatoes. Vegetables that accompanied it were under-cooked. The carrot cake made a fine ending to the meal, but was unremarkable. Frankly, finding good restaurants in the area is difficult, but Cafe Chardonnay could try harder to match the fine decor and service with better food, especially considering the prices. Reservations are available online and are probably a good idea on the weekends. Our visit was on a Monday night and the restaurant was not crowded.
(2)
Debbi R.
Everytime I have gone here, it has been great service and delicious food. One of the best in the area, if not the best
(5)
Hope M.
Cool place. Nice ambiance.
(4)
Jeff L.
My wife and I made a 5 PM reservation on Open Table. When we arrived the hostess told us they didn't open until 5 30. When I showed her the reservation she said they would seat us at 5 10. I explained that we needed to leave for the airport at 5 40 and she assured me we would be served promptly. We ordered salad and entrees at 5 10 and asked for both to be brought at the same time. The salad didn't arrive until 5 30. At 5 40 the entrees still hadn't arrived and we left. The hostess apologized but insisted that we pay for the entire meal. The food may be good but the service certainly isn't. There are too many good restaurants in the area to waste your time here.
(1)
Kyle E.
A nice restaurant...but sort of lacking. The experience begins with an entrance that leaves one wanting air...it is an awkward set up where one is crowded in with people seated at a small bar or right outside the front door. The food is nice and there are many unique daily special presentations. I have dined at Chardonnay dozens of times for lunch and dinner. Never had bad food - certainly plenty of just ok dishes - but not bad. The ambiance is great but they have many sort of customers that behave as though they "own the place." It turns somewhat New York deli like with clients actually yelling for their "personal wines" or have so and so come over and see me and meet my guests. This has happened so many times. I have gone on a number of nights and seen the same couple and their guests and the gentleman just seems to take over the dining room with noise, critique, his greasy tanned skin, slicked back hair and voice that would carry a church choir while waking the dead. I know where he lives, what his income is and that he is on the board of a local performing arts center as he shares it so loud,..is this necessary? Moreover, I would hope the management would not take kindly to that type person who actually ruins other guest experiences to a minimum. They however embrace it. The restaurant seems to cater to the "neighborhood" or those regulars - though I would say if a patron visits a restaurant once or twice a month for lunch and or dinner that is somewhat regular. I guess not. But - if you can divorce the quirks and just focus on the food and great wine selections - a place worth checking in to from time to time.
(3)
B. B.
Never had a bad meal here...and last Friday night was no exception. Rack of Lamb just perfect..service good and choice of wine outstanding. Love this place especially the summer specials.
(5)
Ken G.
My wife and I were invited to a party at Cafe Chardonnay. This was our first visit to the restaurant, and we found the food to be so good that we made it a point to go back. We were two couples, and as before the food was exceptional. Each of the four of us ordered different dishes, salmon, duck, steak, chicken. Every dish was excellent, prepared perfectly. My wife and I split a roasted beet and gorgonzola salad that was also exceptional. The downside were problems with the service. Drinks were ordered and one was left out which took a while to get corrected. We had to ask three times to have the bread basket refilled. The salad which we told the waiter we wanted to be split between me and my wife was served to me alone. We pointed out the mistake and the salad was taken back and divided onto two plates. None of these problems were deal busters in terms of going back to Cafe Chardonnay, but when you pay approximately $60 per person, which included only two alcoholic drinks, one coffee, and no desserts, these deficiencies are not acceptable. I give the food 5 stars, the service 3 stars, and I averaged them to wind up with a 4 star rating overall.
(4)
Tom P.
Cafe Chardonnay has been here for 21 years so they must be doing something right. We enjoyed our anniversary dinner there and had a great evening. The martinis were top notch as was the wine list. The lobster bisque and Caesar salads both rated a 10, the fillet was cooked properly and fork tender. One of their signature dishes was a nut encrusted Grouper that I found a bit heavy. Overall I give it 4 stars.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Ariel G.
Came here with my boyfriend while on vacay in Palm Beach. The food here was delicious, including the bread basket, which I unfortunately filled up on. We had two separate appetizers, which I can't remember, but they were really tasty, and I had the fish special for dinner. My fish was halibut and was seasoned well and really good. The wine list was extensive, but we brought our own, because it was a bottle they didn't have from a small winery. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the food and even offered to call us a cab to the cvs across the street. Coming from NY, we get a lot of great choices, and this restaurant was certainly on par with city restaurants.
(5)Tony Z.
Arrived at 7PM on Sunday for a birthday celebration dinner. The place was not too busy. Very nice ambiance and we were able to converse throughout the evening without any difficulty. Service was very good. The lobster bisque was excellent as was the veal chop, macadamia crusted snapper, and the filet mignon. We will definitely return to this fine restaurant.
(5)Sarah P.
Entrees - 5 Ambiance - 5 Bar - 5 Service - 5 ! Appetizers - 3 Amazing place to grab dinner or just a drink. The bartender was wonderful and made some great recommendations, allowing us to try a few options until we found The One. The decor is fantastic, and it's especially cozy with the holiday decorations. I would live here if it were allowable. I was startlingly disappointed by the appetizers. The lobster bisque was lukewarm at best, and the silverware wasn't clean so my soup cooled even more as I waited for a clean spoon. The portion size on the tuna was small and it could have used a bit more texture or zing... Something. I'd say skip the apps and save up for the main course. The entrees were delectable. We ordered the lamb and the short ribs and both had amazing flavor. The meat was tender and perfectly prepared, the seasoning was a flavor symphony. Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
(5)Michele V.
I live nearby and have come to rely on this gem. More often than not, a friend and I will sit at the bar and dine. Food and wine pairing suggestions are always spot on and I have found it to be a fun learning expereince! Service is terrific throughout thre restaurant and they are always amenable to a small change here or there. Never disappointed....
(5)John S.
Always great food and service. Wine list good but overpriced as most. My wife and I love this place and never had anything that did not live up to expectations that was not taken care of by expert staff. My wife still compares the lamb at other restaurants to Chardonnay Grill, and few measure up to their level.
(5)Hugh G.
Had a wonderful dinner with my wife two daughters and parents this evening. The service was exceptional and the food very good. I had a kale salad and lamb chops. Nice atmosphere. Crowded but not so noisy that you couldn't hear yourself think. I will definitely go back!
(4)Howard D.
Went again on Saturday early and found the service to be perfect and the food was great. The wine choices were ok.
(4)Lily M.
Enjoyed a delicious meal with the family for my birthday. Mike was our server, and he was great! We've been coming here for years, and the food and service continue to impress!
(5)A.L. S.
I love the setting and the wine list is great. I've been here twice for lunch only. I loved the 3 course lunch with soup, salad and 1/2 sandwich, but this second time wasn't as good as the first. My croissant wasn't toasted like it had been done previously, and my minestrone was cold and bland. Maybe it was a bad day? I'll give it a shot, because i loved this place before.
(3)Jordan B.
Excellent meal you can never go wrong ordering anything here. My wife had veal chop and I had scampi. My favorite was desert.
(5)Charlie B.
What a HORRIBLE birthday dinner I've ever had, our table wasn't decorated with birthdays confetti like the others and the hostess was sooo unfriendly. We sat at a table by the stairs where we kept on getting bumped into by the servers, busboys (spilling water on the floor) and other guest passing by us because where the table was placed there was only two ways to get around. The atmosphere was so loud and noise, you couldn't hear the person right next to you. Our server Mike was so not helpful at all, when you asked him a question about the menu/ specials about what he would recommend he stood there with a smug annoyed look on his face he was probably thinking (get on with your order people). The food was good I had the: Poached Pears and Almond Crusted Goat Cheese Organic Baby Greens and Champagne vinaigrette...$11 Macadamia Crusted Yellowtail Snapper, Coconut basmati rice, tropical fruit salsa, and Orange Beurre Blanc...$36 But overall the food was tasty! I waited forever to get my water filled and when I tried to flag Mike down he pretended he didn't see us and walked back into the kitchen. When it was time for dessert I just wanted to go home. However I'm never going back due to the lack of friendless we got from the server Mike and the hostess
(2)Yomaira P.
Great place with an excellent costumer service. They have an excellent wine selection and the food is amazing.
(5)Joseph R.
Been going to this fantastic gem of a restaurant for over 25 years and they've been consistently brilliant. The food is always on point while the wine is carefully selected and skillfully suggested. Do yourself a favor when you have a nice dinner or date to plan, choose this place and you'll never go wrong.
(5)Michelle F.
Love! Fab food and experienced staff... Always a great experience! Everyone is so friendly and professional.
(5)Neil R.
WOW! We went for our 20th anniversary based on a Zagat review and we're not disappointed. Delicious octopus and calamari appetizer. Amazing New Zeland rack of lamb cooked to perfection and lobster with scallops. Very nice ambiance only thing I noticed was the "grey hair" crowd. Maybe I'm getting old? Nah!
(5)Brian S.
About as good as it gets in the Jupiter Florida area, this was a memorable dining experience for Jan and I as we enjoyed the last night of our mini vacation in the sunshine state. Food, service and ambience over the top and so was the price but who cares when the occasion calls for it. Go dine and enjoy ...
(5)Claudia A.
Amazing place. My husband is in this area (PGA Commons) for a conference and we decided to make it a weekend of exploring. We found this quaint little strip mall and took a look at yelp for friendly suggestions. This place ranked number 2 and OMG it blew our mind. I ordered the salmon and lentils and my hubby ordered the scallops and lobster. Everything was scrumptious. Once again my theory of bread comes true, if the restaurant cares to give free darn good bread IMAGINE THEIR FOOD!
(5)Aimee K.
Yes, yes, yes and yes. If Cafe Chardonnay was in St. Louis, I'd be there at least once a week. This place is hands down one of the most wonderful restaurants I've ever been to. When we arrived to West Palm Beach from the airport it was already 9:55, so as we passed by I called to see if we could still order. The friendly hostess told us the kitchen was closed, but had me hold on. A few seconds later, she came back on the line and told me to come on in because the kitchen was waiting for us. I can't remember the last time I had that type of exceptional service and we were so grateful! Service was absolutely flawless and I enjoyed a great glass of chardonnay. Our server also brought us the rest of a bottle of merlot that was going to waste, and it was just as impressive. After scanning the menu (and wanting everything I saw), I decided on the goat cheese & pear salad and the heirloom tomatoes. I don't know what it was about this combination, but the healthy & fresh ingredients completely hit the spot. The pears were spiced and a little sweet, the goat cheese was tangy, and I was impressed that I loved the tomatoes because I'm usually not that crazy about them. They were deep red & covered with a light coating of vinaigrette with some parmesan cheese on the side. Simple and perfect. My friend had the tandoori chicken and said it was one of the best meals of his life. I can't sing the praises of Cafe Chardonnay enough. Enjoy the beautiful interior or grab a seat on the patio that twinkles with lights. It is pricey, yes - but worth every cent.
(5)howard a.
For my wife's big birthday(notice I didn't say the year) I decided to go all out and was very glad I chose this restaurant. Two bottles of the red wine I had pre-picked were open and breathing on the table when we arrived. Linda who was outstanding was there to serve other drinks. The orders were taken and served in just the right amount of spacing. Everything was prepared to order. There was no rush and I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed. I can't tell you how rare it is to have everything go so smoothly anywhere and I greatly enjoyed the entire evening!
(5)Adreana C.
I took my father to Cafe Chardonnay for his birthday. It was hard to chose what to get from the menu but I went with the herb and Dijon crusted rack of lamb, my father got the swordfish. The server was nice and put the orders in right away, he came with the bread and dip which was some type of Mexican onion dip. The food came out twenty-five minutes later, the presentation was nice. My lamb chops were undercooked and tasteless, my father's swordfish was not worth the value at all it was pretty dry and a small portion as well. The food is over priced my food was $42 and my dad's was $39. The server at least came seven times to fill our glasses and check on us. Overall the atmosphere was really nice, pricy food, and friendly staff. Definitely recommend this place for nice occasions!
(3)Vivian T.
Dissappointed tonight. Everything mediocre: service, entree: chicken tandoori...too sour, too much lemon juice? Bread overheated and dry..too much dressing on lettuce wedge. Husband said his duck was so-so. Waiter lacked finesse. Had to keep asking for things that should be part of fine service...coffee with dessert. Fork for our cake.Did enjoy the linzetorte. Enjoyed outdoor patio and the hostess very nice. Have been coming for years and never dissapointed before. Prices are high so my expectations were also high.
(2)Kerry D.
My dad was really excited to take us here- he loves the place- sadly, we weren't as wowed as he'd hoped. Our server was fine, he had a ton of tables so service was a little slow at first and then non-existent- but not horrible. The atmosphere is fine, we sat downstairs and it was very busy/noisy, dimly lit and the bar seemed like a good pick-up spot, for an older crowd. I started with the (suggested) wild mushroom strudel, which was a bit bland and wet. I tried some of the other starters, onion soup and lobster bisque- both were fine. Entrees, I had a pasta, they had the lamb, and skirt steak...everyone was underwhelmed. Not to say that anything was bad- nothing was- but nothing was out of the ordinary, either. Everything was fine.
(2)Paul K.
Wonderful restaurant. Service is excellent and the ambiance is beautiful. The food is excellent and I recommend it for a special occasion. Make your reservations early as it is always busy.
(5)Diane G.
First impression is this is very old school. My husband and I are both in our 50s and we were some of the youngest people. It was very busy but service was good. We had mushroom strudel appetizer, which was very good. I had a beet salad which was very good and I don't even like beets, usually. Husband had swordfish which was baked. He commented that it didn't taste like swordfish but he liked it. I had yellow tail snapper which was ok. Wine was excellent but pricey. Very large bill for what was average dinner.
(3)Lisa S.
The entire package! Hidden gem! Excellent service. Delicious food! We had bruschetta, caprese salads, tilefish, curry chicken, Cabernet beef short ribs that were fork tender and unbelievable. Extensive wine list. Key lime pie for dessert.
(5)Kursten R.
Me and my sister went there today for lunch and were sat outside. It was a slow day not many tables. We never even had a server come over before we decided to leave which was 10 mins after we sat down. My sister went inside to return the menus but the hostess wasn't there, no one even bothered coming to the door. I've heard such good things about this place and was really excited. But I will never know if it's as good as everyone says.
(1)Ryan W.
This place screams that it's a fine dining cafe located in Sonoma Valley. For such Winos like my fiancé and myself, the atmosphere and ambience in this place made us fall in love with it alone. When the food came out it definitely solidified it as one of our top favorite restaurants. The rack of lamb was simply amazing. Perfectly cooked and was mouthwatering-ly delicious!!! The chimichurri skirt steak with garlic mashed potatoes easily rivals and in some cases outmatches others top chimichurri steaks. We will definitely be going back over and over again! Highly recommend to wine aficionados and foodies!!!
(5)Roger M.
It was a Saturday night in the busy season. The restaurant was packed, as was the outdoor dining space, yet our comfortable round table was ready and our party of eight was immediately seated in the balcony section of this very elegant restaurant. We started by splitting some appetizers. For entrees, a few of us ordered the grouper on a bed of lobster risotto and asparagus. My wife had the scallop and lobster on a bed of corn ragout. Other dinners were the fillet mignon, and shrimp (absolutely huge) on a bed of fresh linguini. We were pretty well stuffed and passed on deserts. One caveat, to be observed...go over your bill. As mentioned earlier, the place was packed and a bit chaotic. We had incorrectly ordered a bottle of wine that we sent back (unopened). They also brought a martini, that wasn't ordered...and we returned that too. However, both were on the bill. There was no problem getting the charges removed, but it would have cost us $50 bucks if the bill went un-examined. The final tab came to $135 per couple, pre-tip. Not cheap, but well worth it.
(5)Debra L.
If your under 50 don't bother. I used to go there every year for my birthday. Last time we went the food had gone down hill drastically. It's very over priced for the quality of food. It gets very noisy and the crowd was terrible. We were trying to have a romantic evening but every table around us had flashlights out blinding you while they are trying to read the menu!
(1)Billy W.
A real bar, like drinking at the 21 Club in the 70's. Love it. Never had a bad meal ever in 15 years. Always felt the check was justified by a terrific time and a great meal. BRAVO
(5)Jessica G.
Visiting from NYC. The food was good, not amazing. We made reservations at 6:15, that was all they had available. We wanted to sit outside but the said all the tables were reserved. Annoying. So we sat inside. It was us and two other groups only. We ordered an appetizer, pasta Alfredo with a poached egg and truffle. Barely any truffle, and the sauce was a little too soupy but the flavor was good, a little too salty. Grandmother had the lobster bisque, very very good and rich. For dinner I had the macadamia nut crusted red snapper. It was absolutely delicious. The portions were huge. Grandmother had short ribs- very good but a little on the salty side and my mother had lobster and scallop special- It was ok. Very buttery. We then ordered dessert, deep dish apple pie and the almond joy torte. Both were okay. I wouldn't recommend getting a dessert. Two hours and $200 later all the tables in the restaurant were full and the ones outside were still empty. Service was great. Dinner was delicious. Skip apps and dessert.
(4)Nic B.
If you are under the age of 30, they will not seat you unless you are wearing a silk blouse wearing moth-ball perfume and dining with a man in a top hat with a sinister yet historic looking mustache. Luckily, we came on an off day. Let it be noted that this is a lovely place in the way that senior citizens and high school English teachers use the word. Think less second date more Grandmother's 80th birthday. But if you do come here on a date, you can adapt and overcome, especially if you are dating in your eighties. Do try the grilled asparagus salad and make sure you have someone to split the chocolate truffle cake with.
(4)Amy F.
My husband and I arrived on time for our 6:45 reservation. We heard a couple in front of us check in for a 7:15 reservation. They were seated immediately, we were told to please wait. They said our table was not ready yet. So we waited patiently for 15 minutes. Finally they seated us. And guess where? Right next to the service/kitchen door. My husband's chair was literaly in the way of the door, so we moved it over to the other side of the table. So both of us sat next to each other, at this small round table. Ok, so we ordered our meal, and in comes a birthday party, which occupied the 3 tables surrounding us! NOISE and people bumping into our chairs and table. We ate as fast as we could and got out of there. The food was good, the service was good, the experience was horrible. Will not go back. Would never recommend.
(2)Crystal F.
The place is beautiful and the service is very attentive. However, that's where the good new ends. Food was awful! We ordered foie gras to start and it gave us heartburn. Didn't even bother ordering anything to follow. Won't be back
(2)Martha G.
Cafe Chardonnay has always been a favorite. I was sadly disappointed to eat there last week. I got the special pasta which had grilled chicken. The chicken was so dry, it must have been from the night before. Lunch mates had good meals, but mine was not appealing.
(2)Paul S.
Has been a favorite for more than 20 years. Now going way downhill, rude, unpleasant service, long wait between courses, waiter constantly telling us how good his service was hinting for big tip, and to top it off, after spending $400 we were told we had to leave after lingering over wine because they needed the table. Frank Eucallito, the owner, is clearly either unaware of what is happening to his formerly wonderful, upscale restaurant, or he just doesn't care about customers because there is always the next one waiting to come in .....
(1)marilyn a.
Well jenny, at least we older broads can spell and pronounce what we order. This is a relaxing place for a good glass of wine, interesting enough menu with satisfying preparation of the food. The under 30 crowd should be fairly sophisticated in their taste. Good wine list. Easy to get to and out of. Love the guys behind the bar. They're entertaining and helpful. This is Brian.
(4)Charlotte W.
Cafe Chardonnay is always a stop with my family during our Christmas holidays in Palm Beach. We have been there for lunch, dinner, birthday celebrations, and last year, the restaurant's New Year's dinner event. Cafe Chardonnay is located in a little outdoor mall-plaza called the The Gardens Square Shoppes. During warmer temperatures, there is a charming outdoor seating area, but inside, the restaurant is quite huge - with two floors. My parents and I, being booth people, always request one of the two booths in the restaurant. For this night, we were celebrating my dad's 51st birthday. Now, I have been coming here for 4 years and to this day, I always have the Tandori Chicken for my main which is a yummy (large) juicy piece of meat served with apricot and couscous. The chicken was so big that we brought it home for soup flavouring. For appetizer, I had the Mushroom Phyllo pastry which I always alternate between the Foie Gras. Both are excellent. My dad was feeling like he needed his Omega's so he opted for the salmon. Later on in the night, he said he forgot to tell the waiter he wanted his cooked on the more raw side, but just as he was about to notify the waiter, the salmon came out very cooked. Delicious but not cooked to his liking. My mom had the duck and she said it was average, so it appears that I enjoyed my main course the most. If you like soup, the lobster bisque is very nice as both my parents love their soup and always come here to have the bisque. Service is impeccable. We always have Jim as our waiter, and although he doesn't recognize us, we recognize him and were pleased to have him that night. As for booze, you will not be disappointed as they have a large variety of French's and New World wines. Cafe Chardonnay's bar area is always hip and jiving so if you like to have a drink before going elsewhere, this is not a bad pre-stop. All in all, if you're even in the Palm Beach Gardens area, then you should stop by Cafe Chardonnay. It's quaint, the food is really good, and the service efficient and friendly. I am already missing it.
(4)Amir L.
A local legend-despite recent reviews to suggest the contrary-the service and food were top notch-and I didn't come here with my grandmother. Definitely try the short ribs!
(4)Ed F.
I had waited too long to find a restaurant for Mother's Day -- if the place I was trying didn't take reservations, the wait was 90 minutes to 2 hours for a table, and if they did, they were booked for weeks. Although I called them about 2 hours before we dined, they squeezed in a table and made room for us. Took Mom here for Mother's Day brunch, and the Eggs Benny were excellent -- perfect Hollandaise sauce. Creme Brulee for dessert was rich and creamy under the crispy glaze. Judging by the cleanliness of the plates at the table, I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed their dishes. My only strike are the prices. which are on the high side -- brunch for 4 with only one Mimosa for Mom and no appetizers was $135 before gratuity. Make it a spot for a special occasion, like your Anniversary or Mother's Day, but not for a quick bite before the movie. Beautiful dining room, staff was a little arrogant but still attentive, and hostess was friendly. I'll be back, but it'll be a while.
(4)Christine D.
My grandparents live in the area and are fan of Cafe Chardonnay. We've been there before but recently were excited to go back for my small (7 people), family only, engagement dinner there during my trip to Fla. My grandma had lunch there a few days before and thought it was a perfect environment to celebrate. The atmosphere is a little dark- even if it's in the middle of the day you'll feel cool and calm with the dark woods and thick window tapestries. I love restaurants that set the mood and ambience in a comforting way. At 7pm on a Saturday the noise level grew to a quite roar so I had to strain to hear people across the table, but I've experienced worse. The menu is large enough to please everyone- unless you're a vegetarian. The waitress handled me asking what they make without meat by asking me if i wanted vegetables on a plate. I ended up with a really tasty and fresh angel hair pasta with alfredo and spring vegetables that mostly consisted of asparagus. For such a nice restaurant I wasn't impressed that they couldn't handle meals without meat in them in a more gracious manner- although my pasta was good. My grandfather ended up getting frustrated after the waitress brought the wrong wine twice and then stormed off. The sommelier was also arguing with my grandfather...and what it comes down to is even if the customer is wrong you have to be professional in how you deal with it, and in my opinion he was not a very professional sommelier (i dont know who was in the right here). The wines were good but we had 2 great bottles and then one that the waitress opened by accident. We ended up skipping desert and coffee this time and our bill came to the mid $600's. While I enjoyed my food I would've expected better service and some options besides steak and pork chops, leading me to only give Cafe Chardonnay an A-OK with 3 stars.
(3)Sharon G.
I had lunch here with a friend last week and I was blown away! The Cobb salad was delish. The service was wonderful and you can't beat the ambiance!
(5)Marjorie Z.
This place must have been around since this kind of place was considered good. It is pretty ordinary. We love pasta and this was the first time I ever heard my husband say the sauce was inedible. It seems a number of restaurants here use inferior tomatoes for sauce...they wouldn't last a week in the NY/NJ area where every town has an Italian neighborhood joint with better sauce.
(2)Travis K.
Cafe Chardonnay is as good as it gets in Palm Beach Gardens. It isn't about dinner at Cafe Chardonnay, its truly about the experience. Jim was our server and he was exceptional... we had a great time and enjoyed a meal that was second to none. I started with the French Onion Soup, which was top notch, then into a caesar salad that was a little heavy on the dressing, but delicious all the same. Then I had the veal chop thtat was beyond words. The presentation was excellent, but the meal itself was even better. This isn't a restaurant that presents you with a super small portion, but it looks great... it looks amazing and is enough for you to leave plenty full! We finished our meal with a shared piece of the chocolate pecan pie and coffee... great experience all around and we will be back very soon!
(5)Shafi H.
We love Cafe Chardonnay. Some items you can't miss: The mushroom strudel was stupendous. We are good about sharing but I would have started a war if my partner ate a smidgen more than half. The hand cut pasta with scallops and lobster is delicious. Even a person with little or no palet can taste how fresh that pasta is. Although in fairness, the dish could use a liitle more lobster. Stuffed veal chop with bone in. It was a generous and rich high-end cut of meat, definitely worth every penny. I have been here several times and never been disappointed. I know that there are several other dishes that i have raved about to family and friends, but don't remember the specifics. I don't think you can go wrong here. The service is top notch. The wine list is impressive. Their reputation has grown with their longevity. They have been wowing customers for at least 20 years. I can't wait for my next excuse to go. HELPFUL HINT: Costco sells $100 in gift certificates for $80.
(5)Dave G.
Very little scotch in drink, swordfish sure seemed like not swordfish, lousy key lime pie coffee great. Expensive
(3)David K.
I've been here two times and the food and service was excellent. Before going, I started looking at the menu online and a great sign of a great restaurant is when everything on the menu sounds good. I ordered the four course special last night for $35 and that was a great deal. My wife ordered the filet mignon. The food was well prepared and very good. We both had wine too; they have a nice wine selection that we enjoyed. The service was really great. Our waiter wasn't overly attentive and whenever we needed more wine/water it was filled right away. Our appetizer and salad plates were also cleared quickly after we were finished. The inside has an elegant look for a special dinner. I'll definitely be back for another special occasion.
(5)Donald M.
We celebrated our anniversay at Cafe Chardonnay . The service , food and hospitality was fantastic, Certainly fit for foodies and highly recomended. A wonderful experience and we cant wait to go again..
(5)Stephen S.
Outstanding as usual.
(5)Alan N.
Consistently good food, excellent service. In a small mall in Palm Beach Gardens lies this elegant restaurant. Equally good for a casual dinner or a fancy special occasion. We have also used their catering service for parties, also excellent.
(4)Lauren B.
The best boyfriend ever took me here for Valentines Day last year. He flew me all the way from Boston to Palm Beach Gardens just for this! (hah you wish, but he did fly me to FL!) From what I recall, it was great. Really nice, good food, good atmosphere. Good french onion soup! Goofy, awkward waiter. YES! The only thing I did not like was that we were seated up stairs. No I am not your typical 75 year old Palm Beach Gardens clientele, but on the other hand, I am a 20 something who likes wine and high heels. ugh.....can you say disaster? Luckily for my wonderful boyfriend and I; I did not fall down the stairs on the way out. I did however; sing to JLo the entire ride home. Great place. :-D
(5)Tonie L.
onion soup was the worst I ever had. I didn't order after that so i cant say on dishes. Very very very expensive.
(1)L L.
I have only eaten here once, despite living down the street for 2 years. Not sure why. We went on a Sunday night. There was no wait and we were taken right to a table. It was busy, not many empty tables even for a Sunday but we visited during season. The food was great and the service was beyond good. Very impressed with service. The crowd was older - you won't see many 20 or 30 somethings here. My complaint is about our table. We didn't request another one because 1) there weren't any other open tables and 2) I really didn't want to be "that" person and ruin the night. It was a 2 person table, very small, and right in between 2 other tables on either side. Literally 6-8 inches away from the other people. I didn't enjoy that, especially because we ordered several courses and bottles of wine, and shared food, so we could have used more space and definitely more privacy. Put bread, bread plates, water glasses, wine glasses, wine bottles, a few app dishes and silverware on a tiny table and it is a crowded mess. If I return I will request a booth table or a table on the raised platform area. Overall, great food and service with prices similar to other upscale restaurants in the area. I would return.
(4)Jenny C.
I think that this place is amazing if your looking for a romantic night out come here i come her for every romantic evening Valentines Day, Anniversary's, Birthdays, The Wine List is great i love everything about this place except that it is a cougar hang out lots of cougars at any time of the day strangely its an older crowd its so funny seeing them pop bottles of Crystal at the bar lol, Fraguas(spelling??) is amazing would recommend it to anyone!!!
(4)Bruce G.
We ate here on a Thursday night. The place wasn't crowded but it was busy. Several diners ate outside because the weather let up a little. I had the sweet bread appetizer which was excellent and my wife had the escargot, which she enjoyed. She got the 4 course special dinner for $35 and it was well worth the reasonable price. I opted for the menu items. I enjoyed the beet salad along with my sea bass entree. The wine by the glass selection was decent but I would have liked a few more choices. I'll dine here again. (and there were quite a few diners under the age of 60).
(4)Andrea C.
Cafe Chardonnay does not look its 24 years - the interior has an amber glow that is lovely. A small outdoor seating area, an "upstairs" and a small raised platform with tables make the restaurant more visually appealing than others in Florida strip malls. The bar is beautiful place to have a drink and the service is attentive and unobtrusive, if a bit slow at times. The night we visited, a prix-fixe four course menu was $35, with smaller portions of a limited selection of choices from the main menu. The menu is brief, but well-rounded, except the salad course. And the appetizers seem especially appealing. The beers are a disappointment, wines by the glass are pretty standard, and the bottles are top heavy in price. Alas, as in the past, I remain unimpressed by the food. The bread basket is an exception with a rosemary foccacia and french bread, which are both delicious. Save some to absorb the quantities of sauce that will accompany your food. A lobster tortelloni arrived doused in what was reportedly a truffled parmesan cream sauce that overwhelmed the flavors of the lobster. The roasted fennel that was supposed to be part of this dish was nowhere to be found. A salad of romaine, radicchio, and endive was similarly overdressed - ask for your dressing on the side unless you really enjoy drinking balsamic vinaigrette. My first choice for my entree - a pan roasted veal chop - was not available, even though it was early in the evening. I truly cannot complain about the rack of lamb which was cooked to my specifications and served with good mashed potatoes. Vegetables that accompanied it were under-cooked. The carrot cake made a fine ending to the meal, but was unremarkable. Frankly, finding good restaurants in the area is difficult, but Cafe Chardonnay could try harder to match the fine decor and service with better food, especially considering the prices. Reservations are available online and are probably a good idea on the weekends. Our visit was on a Monday night and the restaurant was not crowded.
(2)Debbi R.
Everytime I have gone here, it has been great service and delicious food. One of the best in the area, if not the best
(5)Hope M.
Cool place. Nice ambiance.
(4)Jeff L.
My wife and I made a 5 PM reservation on Open Table. When we arrived the hostess told us they didn't open until 5 30. When I showed her the reservation she said they would seat us at 5 10. I explained that we needed to leave for the airport at 5 40 and she assured me we would be served promptly. We ordered salad and entrees at 5 10 and asked for both to be brought at the same time. The salad didn't arrive until 5 30. At 5 40 the entrees still hadn't arrived and we left. The hostess apologized but insisted that we pay for the entire meal. The food may be good but the service certainly isn't. There are too many good restaurants in the area to waste your time here.
(1)Tom P.
Cafe Chardonnay has been here for 21 years so they must be doing something right. We enjoyed our anniversary dinner there and had a great evening. The martinis were top notch as was the wine list. The lobster bisque and Caesar salads both rated a 10, the fillet was cooked properly and fork tender. One of their signature dishes was a nut encrusted Grouper that I found a bit heavy. Overall I give it 4 stars.
(4)Kyle E.
A nice restaurant...but sort of lacking. The experience begins with an entrance that leaves one wanting air...it is an awkward set up where one is crowded in with people seated at a small bar or right outside the front door. The food is nice and there are many unique daily special presentations. I have dined at Chardonnay dozens of times for lunch and dinner. Never had bad food - certainly plenty of just ok dishes - but not bad. The ambiance is great but they have many sort of customers that behave as though they "own the place." It turns somewhat New York deli like with clients actually yelling for their "personal wines" or have so and so come over and see me and meet my guests. This has happened so many times. I have gone on a number of nights and seen the same couple and their guests and the gentleman just seems to take over the dining room with noise, critique, his greasy tanned skin, slicked back hair and voice that would carry a church choir while waking the dead. I know where he lives, what his income is and that he is on the board of a local performing arts center as he shares it so loud,..is this necessary? Moreover, I would hope the management would not take kindly to that type person who actually ruins other guest experiences to a minimum. They however embrace it. The restaurant seems to cater to the "neighborhood" or those regulars - though I would say if a patron visits a restaurant once or twice a month for lunch and or dinner that is somewhat regular. I guess not. But - if you can divorce the quirks and just focus on the food and great wine selections - a place worth checking in to from time to time.
(3)B. B.
Never had a bad meal here...and last Friday night was no exception. Rack of Lamb just perfect..service good and choice of wine outstanding. Love this place especially the summer specials.
(5)Ken G.
My wife and I were invited to a party at Cafe Chardonnay. This was our first visit to the restaurant, and we found the food to be so good that we made it a point to go back. We were two couples, and as before the food was exceptional. Each of the four of us ordered different dishes, salmon, duck, steak, chicken. Every dish was excellent, prepared perfectly. My wife and I split a roasted beet and gorgonzola salad that was also exceptional. The downside were problems with the service. Drinks were ordered and one was left out which took a while to get corrected. We had to ask three times to have the bread basket refilled. The salad which we told the waiter we wanted to be split between me and my wife was served to me alone. We pointed out the mistake and the salad was taken back and divided onto two plates. None of these problems were deal busters in terms of going back to Cafe Chardonnay, but when you pay approximately $60 per person, which included only two alcoholic drinks, one coffee, and no desserts, these deficiencies are not acceptable. I give the food 5 stars, the service 3 stars, and I averaged them to wind up with a 4 star rating overall.
(4)Ed E.
Great food, service and wonderful atmosphere. I have been eating here for years and it is a classy place with outstanding food. Romantic place and one of my fav's.
(4)Jessi S.
A little pricy, but a great place for client lunches- quiet, classy, with a great lunch menu. All of the salads are wonderful. The lunch pastas are always a big hit- my favorite was the chicken pasta dish tossed in an olive oil pesto with pine nuts and roasted tomatoes, that was my go to dish. The french onion soup was also pretty decent.
(4)East West Coast Girl C.
Good but not great. Friends raves about this place. With we went early on a weekday evening. It was quiet except for staff & regulars chatting to the point of distraction. Kudos For a decent wine list but if your name is wine, it better be your game. Beet salad with arugula was good. Crab cake was full of lump crab without too much bread so it was delicious. Rigatoni bolognese was over cooked, mushy & watery. Chocolate pecan pie had sauce to die for bit the pie was nothing to write home about. Some hits. Some misses.
(3)Nelson S.
At this price point there are far better choices in the PGA -Palm Beach area. The salad was ehh. Fresh and all but not perfectly dressed, and the dressing tasteless. The snapper special was OK, but slightly overcooked. The mixed seafood special $35's is bit pricey for 2 scallops+1/2 a small lobster claw in a bowl of what tasted like a bland corn chowder. Table mates enjoyed the bouillabaisse. Again, at this upper echelon price point more creativity in pastry/desert offerings was anticipated. Chocolate cupcakes ehhh All this was marginally prepared food was amplified by a waiter who apparently hated his job. Service was inattentive and rude.
(2)Nelson S.
At this price point there are far better choices in the PGA -Palm Beach area. The salad was ehh. Fresh and all but not perfectly dressed, and the dressing tasteless. The snapper special was OK, but slightly overcooked. The mixed seafood special $35's is bit pricey for 2 scallops+1/2 a small lobster claw in a bowl of what tasted like a bland corn chowder. Table mates enjoyed the bouillabaisse. Again, at this upper echelon price point more creativity in pastry/desert offerings was anticipated. Chocolate cupcakes ehhh All this was marginally prepared food was amplified by a waiter who apparently hated his job. Service was inattentive and rude.
(2)Charlie B.
What a HORRIBLE birthday dinner I've ever had, our table wasn't decorated with birthdays confetti like the others and the hostess was sooo unfriendly. We sat at a table by the stairs where we kept on getting bumped into by the servers, busboys (spilling water on the floor) and other guest passing by us because where the table was placed there was only two ways to get around. The atmosphere was so loud and noise, you couldn't hear the person right next to you. Our server Mike was so not helpful at all, when you asked him a question about the menu/ specials about what he would recommend he stood there with a smug annoyed look on his face he was probably thinking (get on with your order people). The food was good I had the: Poached Pears and Almond Crusted Goat Cheese Organic Baby Greens and Champagne vinaigrette...$11 Macadamia Crusted Yellowtail Snapper, Coconut basmati rice, tropical fruit salsa, and Orange Beurre Blanc...$36 But overall the food was tasty! I waited forever to get my water filled and when I tried to flag Mike down he pretended he didn't see us and walked back into the kitchen. When it was time for dessert I just wanted to go home. However I'm never going back due to the lack of friendless we got from the server Mike and the hostess
(2)Yomaira P.
Great place with an excellent costumer service. They have an excellent wine selection and the food is amazing.
(5)Joseph R.
Been going to this fantastic gem of a restaurant for over 25 years and they've been consistently brilliant. The food is always on point while the wine is carefully selected and skillfully suggested. Do yourself a favor when you have a nice dinner or date to plan, choose this place and you'll never go wrong.
(5)Michelle F.
Love! Fab food and experienced staff... Always a great experience! Everyone is so friendly and professional.
(5)Neil R.
WOW! We went for our 20th anniversary based on a Zagat review and we're not disappointed. Delicious octopus and calamari appetizer. Amazing New Zeland rack of lamb cooked to perfection and lobster with scallops. Very nice ambiance only thing I noticed was the "grey hair" crowd. Maybe I'm getting old? Nah!
(5)Brian S.
About as good as it gets in the Jupiter Florida area, this was a memorable dining experience for Jan and I as we enjoyed the last night of our mini vacation in the sunshine state. Food, service and ambience over the top and so was the price but who cares when the occasion calls for it. Go dine and enjoy ...
(5)Ariel G.
Came here with my boyfriend while on vacay in Palm Beach. The food here was delicious, including the bread basket, which I unfortunately filled up on. We had two separate appetizers, which I can't remember, but they were really tasty, and I had the fish special for dinner. My fish was halibut and was seasoned well and really good. The wine list was extensive, but we brought our own, because it was a bottle they didn't have from a small winery. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the food and even offered to call us a cab to the cvs across the street. Coming from NY, we get a lot of great choices, and this restaurant was certainly on par with city restaurants.
(5)Tony Z.
Arrived at 7PM on Sunday for a birthday celebration dinner. The place was not too busy. Very nice ambiance and we were able to converse throughout the evening without any difficulty. Service was very good. The lobster bisque was excellent as was the veal chop, macadamia crusted snapper, and the filet mignon. We will definitely return to this fine restaurant.
(5)Sarah P.
Entrees - 5 Ambiance - 5 Bar - 5 Service - 5 ! Appetizers - 3 Amazing place to grab dinner or just a drink. The bartender was wonderful and made some great recommendations, allowing us to try a few options until we found The One. The decor is fantastic, and it's especially cozy with the holiday decorations. I would live here if it were allowable. I was startlingly disappointed by the appetizers. The lobster bisque was lukewarm at best, and the silverware wasn't clean so my soup cooled even more as I waited for a clean spoon. The portion size on the tuna was small and it could have used a bit more texture or zing... Something. I'd say skip the apps and save up for the main course. The entrees were delectable. We ordered the lamb and the short ribs and both had amazing flavor. The meat was tender and perfectly prepared, the seasoning was a flavor symphony. Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
(5)Michele V.
I live nearby and have come to rely on this gem. More often than not, a friend and I will sit at the bar and dine. Food and wine pairing suggestions are always spot on and I have found it to be a fun learning expereince! Service is terrific throughout thre restaurant and they are always amenable to a small change here or there. Never disappointed....
(5)John S.
Always great food and service. Wine list good but overpriced as most. My wife and I love this place and never had anything that did not live up to expectations that was not taken care of by expert staff. My wife still compares the lamb at other restaurants to Chardonnay Grill, and few measure up to their level.
(5)Hugh G.
Had a wonderful dinner with my wife two daughters and parents this evening. The service was exceptional and the food very good. I had a kale salad and lamb chops. Nice atmosphere. Crowded but not so noisy that you couldn't hear yourself think. I will definitely go back!
(4)Ed F.
I had waited too long to find a restaurant for Mother's Day -- if the place I was trying didn't take reservations, the wait was 90 minutes to 2 hours for a table, and if they did, they were booked for weeks. Although I called them about 2 hours before we dined, they squeezed in a table and made room for us. Took Mom here for Mother's Day brunch, and the Eggs Benny were excellent -- perfect Hollandaise sauce. Creme Brulee for dessert was rich and creamy under the crispy glaze. Judging by the cleanliness of the plates at the table, I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed their dishes. My only strike are the prices. which are on the high side -- brunch for 4 with only one Mimosa for Mom and no appetizers was $135 before gratuity. Make it a spot for a special occasion, like your Anniversary or Mother's Day, but not for a quick bite before the movie. Beautiful dining room, staff was a little arrogant but still attentive, and hostess was friendly. I'll be back, but it'll be a while.
(4)marilyn a.
Well jenny, at least we older broads can spell and pronounce what we order. This is a relaxing place for a good glass of wine, interesting enough menu with satisfying preparation of the food. The under 30 crowd should be fairly sophisticated in their taste. Good wine list. Easy to get to and out of. Love the guys behind the bar. They're entertaining and helpful. This is Brian.
(4)Christine D.
My grandparents live in the area and are fan of Cafe Chardonnay. We've been there before but recently were excited to go back for my small (7 people), family only, engagement dinner there during my trip to Fla. My grandma had lunch there a few days before and thought it was a perfect environment to celebrate. The atmosphere is a little dark- even if it's in the middle of the day you'll feel cool and calm with the dark woods and thick window tapestries. I love restaurants that set the mood and ambience in a comforting way. At 7pm on a Saturday the noise level grew to a quite roar so I had to strain to hear people across the table, but I've experienced worse. The menu is large enough to please everyone- unless you're a vegetarian. The waitress handled me asking what they make without meat by asking me if i wanted vegetables on a plate. I ended up with a really tasty and fresh angel hair pasta with alfredo and spring vegetables that mostly consisted of asparagus. For such a nice restaurant I wasn't impressed that they couldn't handle meals without meat in them in a more gracious manner- although my pasta was good. My grandfather ended up getting frustrated after the waitress brought the wrong wine twice and then stormed off. The sommelier was also arguing with my grandfather...and what it comes down to is even if the customer is wrong you have to be professional in how you deal with it, and in my opinion he was not a very professional sommelier (i dont know who was in the right here). The wines were good but we had 2 great bottles and then one that the waitress opened by accident. We ended up skipping desert and coffee this time and our bill came to the mid $600's. While I enjoyed my food I would've expected better service and some options besides steak and pork chops, leading me to only give Cafe Chardonnay an A-OK with 3 stars.
(3)Travis K.
Cafe Chardonnay is as good as it gets in Palm Beach Gardens. It isn't about dinner at Cafe Chardonnay, its truly about the experience. Jim was our server and he was exceptional... we had a great time and enjoyed a meal that was second to none. I started with the French Onion Soup, which was top notch, then into a caesar salad that was a little heavy on the dressing, but delicious all the same. Then I had the veal chop thtat was beyond words. The presentation was excellent, but the meal itself was even better. This isn't a restaurant that presents you with a super small portion, but it looks great... it looks amazing and is enough for you to leave plenty full! We finished our meal with a shared piece of the chocolate pecan pie and coffee... great experience all around and we will be back very soon!
(5)Shafi H.
We love Cafe Chardonnay. Some items you can't miss: The mushroom strudel was stupendous. We are good about sharing but I would have started a war if my partner ate a smidgen more than half. The hand cut pasta with scallops and lobster is delicious. Even a person with little or no palet can taste how fresh that pasta is. Although in fairness, the dish could use a liitle more lobster. Stuffed veal chop with bone in. It was a generous and rich high-end cut of meat, definitely worth every penny. I have been here several times and never been disappointed. I know that there are several other dishes that i have raved about to family and friends, but don't remember the specifics. I don't think you can go wrong here. The service is top notch. The wine list is impressive. Their reputation has grown with their longevity. They have been wowing customers for at least 20 years. I can't wait for my next excuse to go. HELPFUL HINT: Costco sells $100 in gift certificates for $80.
(5)Dave G.
Very little scotch in drink, swordfish sure seemed like not swordfish, lousy key lime pie coffee great. Expensive
(3)David K.
I've been here two times and the food and service was excellent. Before going, I started looking at the menu online and a great sign of a great restaurant is when everything on the menu sounds good. I ordered the four course special last night for $35 and that was a great deal. My wife ordered the filet mignon. The food was well prepared and very good. We both had wine too; they have a nice wine selection that we enjoyed. The service was really great. Our waiter wasn't overly attentive and whenever we needed more wine/water it was filled right away. Our appetizer and salad plates were also cleared quickly after we were finished. The inside has an elegant look for a special dinner. I'll definitely be back for another special occasion.
(5)Sharon G.
I had lunch here with a friend last week and I was blown away! The Cobb salad was delish. The service was wonderful and you can't beat the ambiance!
(5)Marjorie Z.
This place must have been around since this kind of place was considered good. It is pretty ordinary. We love pasta and this was the first time I ever heard my husband say the sauce was inedible. It seems a number of restaurants here use inferior tomatoes for sauce...they wouldn't last a week in the NY/NJ area where every town has an Italian neighborhood joint with better sauce.
(2)Donald M.
We celebrated our anniversay at Cafe Chardonnay . The service , food and hospitality was fantastic, Certainly fit for foodies and highly recomended. A wonderful experience and we cant wait to go again..
(5)Stephen S.
Outstanding as usual.
(5)Gary C.
Excellent.best restaurant in Palm Beach county. Has been great for over twenty years.
(5)L L.
I have only eaten here once, despite living down the street for 2 years. Not sure why. We went on a Sunday night. There was no wait and we were taken right to a table. It was busy, not many empty tables even for a Sunday but we visited during season. The food was great and the service was beyond good. Very impressed with service. The crowd was older - you won't see many 20 or 30 somethings here. My complaint is about our table. We didn't request another one because 1) there weren't any other open tables and 2) I really didn't want to be "that" person and ruin the night. It was a 2 person table, very small, and right in between 2 other tables on either side. Literally 6-8 inches away from the other people. I didn't enjoy that, especially because we ordered several courses and bottles of wine, and shared food, so we could have used more space and definitely more privacy. Put bread, bread plates, water glasses, wine glasses, wine bottles, a few app dishes and silverware on a tiny table and it is a crowded mess. If I return I will request a booth table or a table on the raised platform area. Overall, great food and service with prices similar to other upscale restaurants in the area. I would return.
(4)Howard D.
Went again on Saturday early and found the service to be perfect and the food was great. The wine choices were ok.
(4)Lily M.
Enjoyed a delicious meal with the family for my birthday. Mike was our server, and he was great! We've been coming here for years, and the food and service continue to impress!
(5)Jordan B.
Excellent meal you can never go wrong ordering anything here. My wife had veal chop and I had scampi. My favorite was desert.
(5)Claudia A.
Amazing place. My husband is in this area (PGA Commons) for a conference and we decided to make it a weekend of exploring. We found this quaint little strip mall and took a look at yelp for friendly suggestions. This place ranked number 2 and OMG it blew our mind. I ordered the salmon and lentils and my hubby ordered the scallops and lobster. Everything was scrumptious. Once again my theory of bread comes true, if the restaurant cares to give free darn good bread IMAGINE THEIR FOOD!
(5)East West Coast Girl C.
Good but not great. Friends raves about this place. With we went early on a weekday evening. It was quiet except for staff & regulars chatting to the point of distraction. Kudos For a decent wine list but if your name is wine, it better be your game. Beet salad with arugula was good. Crab cake was full of lump crab without too much bread so it was delicious. Rigatoni bolognese was over cooked, mushy & watery. Chocolate pecan pie had sauce to die for bit the pie was nothing to write home about. Some hits. Some misses.
(3)Aimee K.
Yes, yes, yes and yes. If Cafe Chardonnay was in St. Louis, I'd be there at least once a week. This place is hands down one of the most wonderful restaurants I've ever been to. When we arrived to West Palm Beach from the airport it was already 9:55, so as we passed by I called to see if we could still order. The friendly hostess told us the kitchen was closed, but had me hold on. A few seconds later, she came back on the line and told me to come on in because the kitchen was waiting for us. I can't remember the last time I had that type of exceptional service and we were so grateful! Service was absolutely flawless and I enjoyed a great glass of chardonnay. Our server also brought us the rest of a bottle of merlot that was going to waste, and it was just as impressive. After scanning the menu (and wanting everything I saw), I decided on the goat cheese & pear salad and the heirloom tomatoes. I don't know what it was about this combination, but the healthy & fresh ingredients completely hit the spot. The pears were spiced and a little sweet, the goat cheese was tangy, and I was impressed that I loved the tomatoes because I'm usually not that crazy about them. They were deep red & covered with a light coating of vinaigrette with some parmesan cheese on the side. Simple and perfect. My friend had the tandoori chicken and said it was one of the best meals of his life. I can't sing the praises of Cafe Chardonnay enough. Enjoy the beautiful interior or grab a seat on the patio that twinkles with lights. It is pricey, yes - but worth every cent.
(5)howard a.
For my wife's big birthday(notice I didn't say the year) I decided to go all out and was very glad I chose this restaurant. Two bottles of the red wine I had pre-picked were open and breathing on the table when we arrived. Linda who was outstanding was there to serve other drinks. The orders were taken and served in just the right amount of spacing. Everything was prepared to order. There was no rush and I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed. I can't tell you how rare it is to have everything go so smoothly anywhere and I greatly enjoyed the entire evening!
(5)Adreana C.
I took my father to Cafe Chardonnay for his birthday. It was hard to chose what to get from the menu but I went with the herb and Dijon crusted rack of lamb, my father got the swordfish. The server was nice and put the orders in right away, he came with the bread and dip which was some type of Mexican onion dip. The food came out twenty-five minutes later, the presentation was nice. My lamb chops were undercooked and tasteless, my father's swordfish was not worth the value at all it was pretty dry and a small portion as well. The food is over priced my food was $42 and my dad's was $39. The server at least came seven times to fill our glasses and check on us. Overall the atmosphere was really nice, pricy food, and friendly staff. Definitely recommend this place for nice occasions!
(3)Vivian T.
Dissappointed tonight. Everything mediocre: service, entree: chicken tandoori...too sour, too much lemon juice? Bread overheated and dry..too much dressing on lettuce wedge. Husband said his duck was so-so. Waiter lacked finesse. Had to keep asking for things that should be part of fine service...coffee with dessert. Fork for our cake.Did enjoy the linzetorte. Enjoyed outdoor patio and the hostess very nice. Have been coming for years and never dissapointed before. Prices are high so my expectations were also high.
(2)Ed E.
Great food, service and wonderful atmosphere. I have been eating here for years and it is a classy place with outstanding food. Romantic place and one of my fav's.
(4)Jessi S.
A little pricy, but a great place for client lunches- quiet, classy, with a great lunch menu. All of the salads are wonderful. The lunch pastas are always a big hit- my favorite was the chicken pasta dish tossed in an olive oil pesto with pine nuts and roasted tomatoes, that was my go to dish. The french onion soup was also pretty decent.
(4)Kerry D.
My dad was really excited to take us here- he loves the place- sadly, we weren't as wowed as he'd hoped. Our server was fine, he had a ton of tables so service was a little slow at first and then non-existent- but not horrible. The atmosphere is fine, we sat downstairs and it was very busy/noisy, dimly lit and the bar seemed like a good pick-up spot, for an older crowd. I started with the (suggested) wild mushroom strudel, which was a bit bland and wet. I tried some of the other starters, onion soup and lobster bisque- both were fine. Entrees, I had a pasta, they had the lamb, and skirt steak...everyone was underwhelmed. Not to say that anything was bad- nothing was- but nothing was out of the ordinary, either. Everything was fine.
(2)Paul K.
Wonderful restaurant. Service is excellent and the ambiance is beautiful. The food is excellent and I recommend it for a special occasion. Make your reservations early as it is always busy.
(5)Diane G.
First impression is this is very old school. My husband and I are both in our 50s and we were some of the youngest people. It was very busy but service was good. We had mushroom strudel appetizer, which was very good. I had a beet salad which was very good and I don't even like beets, usually. Husband had swordfish which was baked. He commented that it didn't taste like swordfish but he liked it. I had yellow tail snapper which was ok. Wine was excellent but pricey. Very large bill for what was average dinner.
(3)Lisa S.
The entire package! Hidden gem! Excellent service. Delicious food! We had bruschetta, caprese salads, tilefish, curry chicken, Cabernet beef short ribs that were fork tender and unbelievable. Extensive wine list. Key lime pie for dessert.
(5)Kursten R.
Me and my sister went there today for lunch and were sat outside. It was a slow day not many tables. We never even had a server come over before we decided to leave which was 10 mins after we sat down. My sister went inside to return the menus but the hostess wasn't there, no one even bothered coming to the door. I've heard such good things about this place and was really excited. But I will never know if it's as good as everyone says.
(1)Ryan W.
This place screams that it's a fine dining cafe located in Sonoma Valley. For such Winos like my fiancé and myself, the atmosphere and ambience in this place made us fall in love with it alone. When the food came out it definitely solidified it as one of our top favorite restaurants. The rack of lamb was simply amazing. Perfectly cooked and was mouthwatering-ly delicious!!! The chimichurri skirt steak with garlic mashed potatoes easily rivals and in some cases outmatches others top chimichurri steaks. We will definitely be going back over and over again! Highly recommend to wine aficionados and foodies!!!
(5)Roger M.
It was a Saturday night in the busy season. The restaurant was packed, as was the outdoor dining space, yet our comfortable round table was ready and our party of eight was immediately seated in the balcony section of this very elegant restaurant. We started by splitting some appetizers. For entrees, a few of us ordered the grouper on a bed of lobster risotto and asparagus. My wife had the scallop and lobster on a bed of corn ragout. Other dinners were the fillet mignon, and shrimp (absolutely huge) on a bed of fresh linguini. We were pretty well stuffed and passed on deserts. One caveat, to be observed...go over your bill. As mentioned earlier, the place was packed and a bit chaotic. We had incorrectly ordered a bottle of wine that we sent back (unopened). They also brought a martini, that wasn't ordered...and we returned that too. However, both were on the bill. There was no problem getting the charges removed, but it would have cost us $50 bucks if the bill went un-examined. The final tab came to $135 per couple, pre-tip. Not cheap, but well worth it.
(5)Debra L.
If your under 50 don't bother. I used to go there every year for my birthday. Last time we went the food had gone down hill drastically. It's very over priced for the quality of food. It gets very noisy and the crowd was terrible. We were trying to have a romantic evening but every table around us had flashlights out blinding you while they are trying to read the menu!
(1)Nic B.
If you are under the age of 30, they will not seat you unless you are wearing a silk blouse wearing moth-ball perfume and dining with a man in a top hat with a sinister yet historic looking mustache. Luckily, we came on an off day. Let it be noted that this is a lovely place in the way that senior citizens and high school English teachers use the word. Think less second date more Grandmother's 80th birthday. But if you do come here on a date, you can adapt and overcome, especially if you are dating in your eighties. Do try the grilled asparagus salad and make sure you have someone to split the chocolate truffle cake with.
(4)Jessica G.
Visiting from NYC. The food was good, not amazing. We made reservations at 6:15, that was all they had available. We wanted to sit outside but the said all the tables were reserved. Annoying. So we sat inside. It was us and two other groups only. We ordered an appetizer, pasta Alfredo with a poached egg and truffle. Barely any truffle, and the sauce was a little too soupy but the flavor was good, a little too salty. Grandmother had the lobster bisque, very very good and rich. For dinner I had the macadamia nut crusted red snapper. It was absolutely delicious. The portions were huge. Grandmother had short ribs- very good but a little on the salty side and my mother had lobster and scallop special- It was ok. Very buttery. We then ordered dessert, deep dish apple pie and the almond joy torte. Both were okay. I wouldn't recommend getting a dessert. Two hours and $200 later all the tables in the restaurant were full and the ones outside were still empty. Service was great. Dinner was delicious. Skip apps and dessert.
(4)Billy W.
A real bar, like drinking at the 21 Club in the 70's. Love it. Never had a bad meal ever in 15 years. Always felt the check was justified by a terrific time and a great meal. BRAVO
(5)Charlotte W.
Cafe Chardonnay is always a stop with my family during our Christmas holidays in Palm Beach. We have been there for lunch, dinner, birthday celebrations, and last year, the restaurant's New Year's dinner event. Cafe Chardonnay is located in a little outdoor mall-plaza called the The Gardens Square Shoppes. During warmer temperatures, there is a charming outdoor seating area, but inside, the restaurant is quite huge - with two floors. My parents and I, being booth people, always request one of the two booths in the restaurant. For this night, we were celebrating my dad's 51st birthday. Now, I have been coming here for 4 years and to this day, I always have the Tandori Chicken for my main which is a yummy (large) juicy piece of meat served with apricot and couscous. The chicken was so big that we brought it home for soup flavouring. For appetizer, I had the Mushroom Phyllo pastry which I always alternate between the Foie Gras. Both are excellent. My dad was feeling like he needed his Omega's so he opted for the salmon. Later on in the night, he said he forgot to tell the waiter he wanted his cooked on the more raw side, but just as he was about to notify the waiter, the salmon came out very cooked. Delicious but not cooked to his liking. My mom had the duck and she said it was average, so it appears that I enjoyed my main course the most. If you like soup, the lobster bisque is very nice as both my parents love their soup and always come here to have the bisque. Service is impeccable. We always have Jim as our waiter, and although he doesn't recognize us, we recognize him and were pleased to have him that night. As for booze, you will not be disappointed as they have a large variety of French's and New World wines. Cafe Chardonnay's bar area is always hip and jiving so if you like to have a drink before going elsewhere, this is not a bad pre-stop. All in all, if you're even in the Palm Beach Gardens area, then you should stop by Cafe Chardonnay. It's quaint, the food is really good, and the service efficient and friendly. I am already missing it.
(4)Amir L.
A local legend-despite recent reviews to suggest the contrary-the service and food were top notch-and I didn't come here with my grandmother. Definitely try the short ribs!
(4)Amy F.
My husband and I arrived on time for our 6:45 reservation. We heard a couple in front of us check in for a 7:15 reservation. They were seated immediately, we were told to please wait. They said our table was not ready yet. So we waited patiently for 15 minutes. Finally they seated us. And guess where? Right next to the service/kitchen door. My husband's chair was literaly in the way of the door, so we moved it over to the other side of the table. So both of us sat next to each other, at this small round table. Ok, so we ordered our meal, and in comes a birthday party, which occupied the 3 tables surrounding us! NOISE and people bumping into our chairs and table. We ate as fast as we could and got out of there. The food was good, the service was good, the experience was horrible. Will not go back. Would never recommend.
(2)Crystal F.
The place is beautiful and the service is very attentive. However, that's where the good new ends. Food was awful! We ordered foie gras to start and it gave us heartburn. Didn't even bother ordering anything to follow. Won't be back
(2)Martha G.
Cafe Chardonnay has always been a favorite. I was sadly disappointed to eat there last week. I got the special pasta which had grilled chicken. The chicken was so dry, it must have been from the night before. Lunch mates had good meals, but mine was not appealing.
(2)Paul S.
Has been a favorite for more than 20 years. Now going way downhill, rude, unpleasant service, long wait between courses, waiter constantly telling us how good his service was hinting for big tip, and to top it off, after spending $400 we were told we had to leave after lingering over wine because they needed the table. Frank Eucallito, the owner, is clearly either unaware of what is happening to his formerly wonderful, upscale restaurant, or he just doesn't care about customers because there is always the next one waiting to come in .....
(1)Alan N.
Consistently good food, excellent service. In a small mall in Palm Beach Gardens lies this elegant restaurant. Equally good for a casual dinner or a fancy special occasion. We have also used their catering service for parties, also excellent.
(4)A.L. S.
I love the setting and the wine list is great. I've been here twice for lunch only. I loved the 3 course lunch with soup, salad and 1/2 sandwich, but this second time wasn't as good as the first. My croissant wasn't toasted like it had been done previously, and my minestrone was cold and bland. Maybe it was a bad day? I'll give it a shot, because i loved this place before.
(3)Lauren B.
The best boyfriend ever took me here for Valentines Day last year. He flew me all the way from Boston to Palm Beach Gardens just for this! (hah you wish, but he did fly me to FL!) From what I recall, it was great. Really nice, good food, good atmosphere. Good french onion soup! Goofy, awkward waiter. YES! The only thing I did not like was that we were seated up stairs. No I am not your typical 75 year old Palm Beach Gardens clientele, but on the other hand, I am a 20 something who likes wine and high heels. ugh.....can you say disaster? Luckily for my wonderful boyfriend and I; I did not fall down the stairs on the way out. I did however; sing to JLo the entire ride home. Great place. :-D
(5)Tonie L.
onion soup was the worst I ever had. I didn't order after that so i cant say on dishes. Very very very expensive.
(1)Jenny C.
I think that this place is amazing if your looking for a romantic night out come here i come her for every romantic evening Valentines Day, Anniversary's, Birthdays, The Wine List is great i love everything about this place except that it is a cougar hang out lots of cougars at any time of the day strangely its an older crowd its so funny seeing them pop bottles of Crystal at the bar lol, Fraguas(spelling??) is amazing would recommend it to anyone!!!
(4)Bruce G.
We ate here on a Thursday night. The place wasn't crowded but it was busy. Several diners ate outside because the weather let up a little. I had the sweet bread appetizer which was excellent and my wife had the escargot, which she enjoyed. She got the 4 course special dinner for $35 and it was well worth the reasonable price. I opted for the menu items. I enjoyed the beet salad along with my sea bass entree. The wine by the glass selection was decent but I would have liked a few more choices. I'll dine here again. (and there were quite a few diners under the age of 60).
(4)Andrea C.
Cafe Chardonnay does not look its 24 years - the interior has an amber glow that is lovely. A small outdoor seating area, an "upstairs" and a small raised platform with tables make the restaurant more visually appealing than others in Florida strip malls. The bar is beautiful place to have a drink and the service is attentive and unobtrusive, if a bit slow at times. The night we visited, a prix-fixe four course menu was $35, with smaller portions of a limited selection of choices from the main menu. The menu is brief, but well-rounded, except the salad course. And the appetizers seem especially appealing. The beers are a disappointment, wines by the glass are pretty standard, and the bottles are top heavy in price. Alas, as in the past, I remain unimpressed by the food. The bread basket is an exception with a rosemary foccacia and french bread, which are both delicious. Save some to absorb the quantities of sauce that will accompany your food. A lobster tortelloni arrived doused in what was reportedly a truffled parmesan cream sauce that overwhelmed the flavors of the lobster. The roasted fennel that was supposed to be part of this dish was nowhere to be found. A salad of romaine, radicchio, and endive was similarly overdressed - ask for your dressing on the side unless you really enjoy drinking balsamic vinaigrette. My first choice for my entree - a pan roasted veal chop - was not available, even though it was early in the evening. I truly cannot complain about the rack of lamb which was cooked to my specifications and served with good mashed potatoes. Vegetables that accompanied it were under-cooked. The carrot cake made a fine ending to the meal, but was unremarkable. Frankly, finding good restaurants in the area is difficult, but Cafe Chardonnay could try harder to match the fine decor and service with better food, especially considering the prices. Reservations are available online and are probably a good idea on the weekends. Our visit was on a Monday night and the restaurant was not crowded.
(2)Debbi R.
Everytime I have gone here, it has been great service and delicious food. One of the best in the area, if not the best
(5)Hope M.
Cool place. Nice ambiance.
(4)Jeff L.
My wife and I made a 5 PM reservation on Open Table. When we arrived the hostess told us they didn't open until 5 30. When I showed her the reservation she said they would seat us at 5 10. I explained that we needed to leave for the airport at 5 40 and she assured me we would be served promptly. We ordered salad and entrees at 5 10 and asked for both to be brought at the same time. The salad didn't arrive until 5 30. At 5 40 the entrees still hadn't arrived and we left. The hostess apologized but insisted that we pay for the entire meal. The food may be good but the service certainly isn't. There are too many good restaurants in the area to waste your time here.
(1)Kyle E.
A nice restaurant...but sort of lacking. The experience begins with an entrance that leaves one wanting air...it is an awkward set up where one is crowded in with people seated at a small bar or right outside the front door. The food is nice and there are many unique daily special presentations. I have dined at Chardonnay dozens of times for lunch and dinner. Never had bad food - certainly plenty of just ok dishes - but not bad. The ambiance is great but they have many sort of customers that behave as though they "own the place." It turns somewhat New York deli like with clients actually yelling for their "personal wines" or have so and so come over and see me and meet my guests. This has happened so many times. I have gone on a number of nights and seen the same couple and their guests and the gentleman just seems to take over the dining room with noise, critique, his greasy tanned skin, slicked back hair and voice that would carry a church choir while waking the dead. I know where he lives, what his income is and that he is on the board of a local performing arts center as he shares it so loud,..is this necessary? Moreover, I would hope the management would not take kindly to that type person who actually ruins other guest experiences to a minimum. They however embrace it. The restaurant seems to cater to the "neighborhood" or those regulars - though I would say if a patron visits a restaurant once or twice a month for lunch and or dinner that is somewhat regular. I guess not. But - if you can divorce the quirks and just focus on the food and great wine selections - a place worth checking in to from time to time.
(3)B. B.
Never had a bad meal here...and last Friday night was no exception. Rack of Lamb just perfect..service good and choice of wine outstanding. Love this place especially the summer specials.
(5)Ken G.
My wife and I were invited to a party at Cafe Chardonnay. This was our first visit to the restaurant, and we found the food to be so good that we made it a point to go back. We were two couples, and as before the food was exceptional. Each of the four of us ordered different dishes, salmon, duck, steak, chicken. Every dish was excellent, prepared perfectly. My wife and I split a roasted beet and gorgonzola salad that was also exceptional. The downside were problems with the service. Drinks were ordered and one was left out which took a while to get corrected. We had to ask three times to have the bread basket refilled. The salad which we told the waiter we wanted to be split between me and my wife was served to me alone. We pointed out the mistake and the salad was taken back and divided onto two plates. None of these problems were deal busters in terms of going back to Cafe Chardonnay, but when you pay approximately $60 per person, which included only two alcoholic drinks, one coffee, and no desserts, these deficiencies are not acceptable. I give the food 5 stars, the service 3 stars, and I averaged them to wind up with a 4 star rating overall.
(4)Tom P.
Cafe Chardonnay has been here for 21 years so they must be doing something right. We enjoyed our anniversary dinner there and had a great evening. The martinis were top notch as was the wine list. The lobster bisque and Caesar salads both rated a 10, the fillet was cooked properly and fork tender. One of their signature dishes was a nut encrusted Grouper that I found a bit heavy. Overall I give it 4 stars.
(4)