Lina L.

Cute little brunch spot with solid food and even better vibes. We came with a big group, and while the wait was kind of wild (maybe because we sat outside?), once our food arrived, it was totally worth it. My dish came with the dreamiest runny yolk - total chef's kiss moment. Their chai latte was so warm and literally a hug in a cup. The latte art was very adorable (peep the fancy little "A" on the foam), and the overall plating was aesthetic af lol. Great for catching up with friends. The outdoors seating was great, esp on a warm breezy day. That said, when it comes to Ithaca brunch, I'd still give the edge to Milkstand, MIX, or Angelhearts. But if you're nearby and craving a cozy morning bite, this spot delivers.

Stacy G.

This was not at all what was expected. The photos are so deceiving. This was a sad, overpriced experience. I waited a while to post this review with the notion to possibly return. I can't bring myself to suffer this experience again with the hopes that it will improve. I drove 5 hours to visit my mom and wanted to take her someplace out of the ordinary. The reviews and pictures were fabulous so I booked a reservation, which turned out to be very necessary for brunch. We ordered coffee which arrived quickly and was wonderful. Then things took a downward spiral as we sat and waited a very long time for our food order. My mom got the stuffed French Toast and I chose the Ploughman's Lunch. When everything came out I immediately noticed mine looked nothing like the pictures. My mom's was beautiful! Although beautiful, the toast had a smear of mascarpone and no idea where jam or lemon curd came into play. It was so dry and left her hungry. There was nothing on the plate except pretty...like Kate Moss in her early modeling career. Mine was ridiculous. The chicken sausage was so odd and overly sweet. It was gross and sadly, cold. Half the potatoes were burnt and inedible. The eggs were overdone and thrown on the plate. After all this, breakfast for two cost $55+ including tip (the waitress was very nice). Heartbreaking as this was the first time I have had a meal alone with my mother since moving from Georgia. I've decided we will not have a redo, ever. The cost is not worth the opportunity to be let down this again. I did not return or say anything about the food and just ate what I could. For this price, reservation expectations, and small menu, no one should ever have to endure this experience.

Shelley B.

I love this gem of a restaurant! The food is delicious and varying. The service is excellent, accommodating and welcoming. Lovely warm ambience...

Eman S.

One of the best brunches in all of Ithaca. You must make reservations or you'll be hopeless on a weekend. The aesthetic is one of the best I've seen. It makes you feel cozy, warm, and like you can really unwind and have good conversation with someone you actually like. The Benedict was tasty and the bread it comes with is weird but delicious. I'm not sure what kind of toast it was but it was the most enticing toast I've had on my plate. The pancakes were phenomenal and I don't recommend skipping them. They weren't life changing but they were solid and perfectly made, which is all I can really ask for in pancakes.

This is a charming spot for brunch with delicious food. My Eggs Edinburgh was one of the best I've had -- the flavors and textures were perfectly balanced between the ingredients. My husband ordered the sandwich and really enjoyed it, and my daughter had the Eggs Benedict, which she liked as well. However, the Belgian hot chocolate was a bit of a letdown. It looked great, but the flavor was too intense, and the consistency was overly thick. It almost tasted like several cups of hot chocolate had been condensed into one.

Erica R.

So, generally speaking, I would probably give this place a 3.5. That said, I'm rounding up to 4 stars based on the fact that the people who work here are truly lovely. If you're going for brunch, I certainly recommend a reservation. I wish they had an online option for making reservations (Resy, OpenTable, etc), but it seems to be via phone call only. If you don't speak with someone directly, you can certainly leave a message. In my experience, they'll get back to you pretty quickly. The space itself is lovely, and I really enjoy the overall ambience. The staff are very attentive as well. So in all these areas, Allechant functions well. Perhaps the less successful aspect of Allechant is the food. Now, as someone who loves to cook (and does a good amount of it), I'm looking for certain things when I go out to eat... flavor, texture combinations, freshness, and so on. One of the first things that kinda turned me off when enjoying brunch recently was when my cousin asked our waitress if the orange juice for the mimosas had pulp. The waitress stuttered a bit and ultimately said she didn't think so... and that the orange juice they used was just regular, store bought orange juice. Other than that, the dishes are rather simple. My ploughman's lunch, for example, was described as "chicken sausage, chutney, gruyere cheese, fried eggs, roasted potatoes, and toast". I'm not sure exactly what kind of chutney it was supposed to be... but it tasted like a chunky ketchup. The gruyere cheese was simply a slice of cheese on the plate, which... I don't know. It seems like there could have been SOMETHING interesting done with it. I also wonder if the chicken sausage was store bought. I even wonder if the potatoes just came out of a store bought bag and got tossed in a fryer or skillet to reheat. And here's the thing... don't get me wrong... I love some of the simple-style "full English breakfast"-type meals. But I can also make those from home. If I'm making chicken sausage for something like a ploughman's lunch at home, I'm searing it, maybe even slicing it, for the crunch of the brown bits... or I'm creating a fruit chutney with seasonal fruits and interesting spices (i.e. it's not going to taste like bland, chunky ketchup). There are so many possibilities for just doing the most minimal things to amplify the flavor. TL;DR Allechant didn't fully hit the spot for me. The food is okay, but it definitely didn't wow me. If you go, make it for the ambience and the service... because those things are truly delightful.

Charlie J.

A perfect place to enjoy a summer evening in the finger lakes and beautiful Ithaca. Simply engineered menu with authentic French and variations of the same. Something for everyone but in no way overwhelming. This is not some small town eatery trying to do French. This is a small town eatery very much doing French, thank you very much. My daughter loves the Risotto - it was gone before I could ask for a bite. I loved the Moroccan Cod Tangine. Hearty, complex flavor profile - yet refined. And while their desserts rotate, I could have easily eaten any one of the five presented to us. We chose the Strawberry Dacqouise and were thrilled with it. The only thing that could have screwed up this meal was the service. But they nailed that too. If you're just passing through Ithaca, skip the touristy Commons and head here.

The 26 letters of the English language seem measly when trying to form any sentence adequate enough to express my true love for Allechant. I know that's an outrageous statement, but everything this place offers--the incredible food, the amazing people and management, the wonderful atmosphere--makes it the best restaurant in Ithaca, bar-none. My partner and I have probably been to Allechant 20+ times in the past two years, and it never disappoints. The brunch menu is full of fantastic staples and seasonal takes, the dinner menu is inventive and substantial, the desserts are to die for, and the serving sizes are perfect (you always feel satisfied, but rarely like you've over-eaten). Plus, the coffee and chai and among some of the best we've had locally, and the wine selection is solid, too. Plus. (And a big plus here.) The workers are INCREDIBLE!!! Seeing Matt and Katie truly brightens our week whenever we come by. Wherever we go, Allechant will always be in our hearts, and we cannot recommend this place enough.

Maxwell Z.

Came here for dinner and all I can say is wow. This has to be Ithaca's hidden gem. The restaurant is so bright and clean and takes you out of the "Ithaca feel". Seating is extremely limited (like 10 tables), so make a reservation, especially in peak season! Dishes are unique, but simple! Salmon, hanger steak and the special Shepards pie were delectable! Service is fantastic and the owner goes out of his way to speak to every table! Make sure you try dessert! Chocolate cake was ridiculously tasty!

Cathy C.

As a special brunch event our two daughters (and granddaughter) brought my husband and me for brunch. As my 91 year old husband is limited in mobility, he was helped graciously into a chair After scanning the menu we all decided on quite a variety of their dishes. The "eclair" waffle looked just like an eclair but was definitely breakfast food. The stuffed French toast was as perfect as one could wish. The Ploughman's Breakfast was a challenge but my husband finished it with a smile. Lemon soufflé pancakes with a drizzle of chocolate and raspberry sauces were quite a hit for one daughter. No maple syrup was needed. Coffee refills were gladly received without asking.

Samantha H.

Had brunch at Allechant after hearing many good things and it lived up to the hype! Very hard to choose from the menu, everything looked so delicious. Ambiance in the cafe was really charming and perfect for a rainy Sunday morning. Service was friendly and food came out fast and hot. I really enjoyed my Eggs Fiesole, there was no shortage of fresh greens and the focaccia was also really tasty. Eggs Benedict and the egg sandwich also got great reviews from my dining companions. I did not take a picture but we also had the pumpkin French toast which was just magical. Can't wait to return!