Taverna Banfi

Name: Taverna Banfi
Address: 130 Statler Drive Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States, 14853
Telephone: (607) 254-2565
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1362 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

22 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 6 times today

Good for special occasions
Great for brunch
Good for business meals

A Tuscan Inspired Italian Restaurant In Ithaca, NY.
Tuscan culture embraces a cuisine that is inspired by availability and accessibility. At Taverna Banfi, our seasonal menus reflect this attitude. Located at the heart of Cornell University campus, our casual fine dining atmosphere is perfect for entertaining family, friends, and clients visiting Cornell University and the Finger Lakes region. We offer Complimentary Valet Parking.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Daily 07:00–10:00 Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00–14:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–14:00 Dinner Daily 17:30–21:00
Phone number
(607) 254-2565
Website
http://statlerhotel.cornell.edu/
Payment Options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Andrew Nichols
Private party facilities
For parties of 6 people or more, please call the restaurant.

Location
130 Statler Drive, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
Area
Ithaca
Cross Street
130 Statler Drive
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Housemade MozzarellaUS$18.00
Oven-Dried Tomatoes, Confit Eggplant, Arugula, Cracked Black Pepper
Grilled Octopus SaladUS$18.00
Chorizo, White Gazpacho, Marcona Almond, Grape
CalamariUS$16.00
Cherry Peppers, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Spicy Pomodoro
Brooklyn RicottaUS$16.00
Mushrooms, Pickled Lemon Zest, Pine Nut, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Crostini

Salads

Tuscan GreensUS$13.00
Mesclun Mix, Currants, Pine Nuts, Radish, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Lemon Vinaigrette, Balsamic Glaze, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Baby Kale CaesarUS$13.00
Parmesan Crisps, Croutons, Grape Tomatoes, Caesar Dressing
Beet and Arugula SaladUS$13.00
Caramelized Fennel, Orange Supreme, Pistachio, Goat Cheese, Mustard Vinaigrette

Pastas

Gluten Free Pasta Available Upon Request

Zucchini Noodle PuttanescaUS$27.00
Quinoa Crocchettes, Oven-dried Tomatoes, Olives, Capers, Pomodoro, Red Pepper Pesto
Cascatelli ButteraUS$29.00
Italian Sausage Bolognese, Chili Flakes, Peas, Pecorino-Romano
Ricotta GnocchiUS$36.00
Braised Beef Ragu, Kale, Shaved Parmesan, Foie Gras Cremeux, Worcestershire Demi-Glace
Shrimp ScampiUS$33.00
Shrimp Emulsion, Angel Hair, Herbs, Pecorino-Romano
Porcini CampanelleUS$27.00
Oven-dried Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Cippolini Onions, Wheat Beans, Broccolini, Shaved Crostini, Cashew Cream

Entrees

Jurgielewicz Duck BreastUS$37.00
Cauliflower Purée, Sweet Potato Fondant, Braised Red Cabbage, Duck Fat Tuile, Maple-Currant Agrodolce
Grilled Statler ChickenUS$32.00
Mushroom and Cipollini Bread Pudding, Ratatouille, Basil Cream Sauce
SalmonUS$34.00
Tuscan Beans, Broccolini, Cipollini Onion, Mushrooms, Pickled Onion, Sun-dried Tomato Cream Sauce
New York StripUS$54.00
Potato Purée, Asparagus, Almond Romesco, Brown Sugar Bourbon Glaze, Truffle Salt
Bone-In 22 Ounce Cowboy RibeyeUS$79.00
Onion Rings, Asparagus, Shallot Cream Sauce, Black Garlic Compound Butter
Braised Lamb ShankUS$42.00
Boursin Polenta, Shallots, Radicchio, Broccolini, Lamb Demi-Glace, Mustard-Tomato Sauce

Sides

MushroomsUS$9.00
Potato PureeUS$9.00
Grilled BroccoliniUS$9.00
Tuscan BeansUS$9.00

What 1,362 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Southern Tier
Best Overall
Southern Tier
Best Food
Southern Tier
Best Service
Southern Tier
Best Ambience
Southern Tier
Best Value
Southern Tier
Good for groups
Southern Tier
Healthy
Southern Tier
Neighbourhood gem
Southern Tier
Good for special occasions
Southern Tier
Lively
Southern Tier
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Taverna Banfi offers a delightful dining experience with "superb food and service" and a welcoming atmosphere. Known for its diverse brunch offerings and seasonal menu, the restaurant is praised for "delicious innovative food" and attentive staff. While some find the brunch buffet overpriced, the overall experience is "a must" when in Ithaca.

1,362 Reviews

B
Brad
New York City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
a great place for a business meeting, or a friendly chat with an old friend.
Is this helpful?
T
Thierry
New York City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 9 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
As always, great food and a relaxed atmosphere. Waiters and waitresses are top notch!
Taverna BanfiResponded on 11 December 2024
Hi Thierry, thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the great food and relaxed atmosphere at Taverna Banfi. Our team takes pride in providing great service, and your kind words mean a lot to us. We cant wait to welcome you back soon! Felicia Barrett Taverna Banfi General Manager
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A
Amy
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 8 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A very nice restaurant. The food was excellent, service outstanding.
Taverna BanfiResponded on 11 December 2024
Hi Amy, thank you so much for you kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food and had outstanding service experience with us at Taverna Banfi. It means a lot to us! We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Felicia Barrett General Mangaer Taverna Banfi
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P
Pamela
VIP
New York City
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on 3 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great good and wonderful service. Very nice wine list
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D
Diane
Upstate NY
13 reviews
2.0
13 reviews
Dined on 2 December 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Banfi's can seem tired. Especially on a Monday night. We (my friends and I) keep going there three times a years, always for our birthdays, because we live so close. However the menu hardly changes and the one sole veggie option (zucchini noodles with quinoa croquettes) varies in quality and can get quite routine after having eaten it for years. There are a lack of other choices, so a better option is to go with a soup and salad. Our experience this week would have benefitted from service of our wine much sooner (were we supposed to order on the iPad? not sure.), by acknowledging from our reservation that we were celebrating a birthday, and asking more about our meal. Our wait staff was nice enough: it's a learning process for students, which I truly do appreciate. But wait staff can only go so far; they have little control over many factors, including menu choices and so forth. All in all I'd say Banfi's could use a refresh.
Is this helpful?
N
Nicholas
Upstate NY
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 19 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was great. Waitress was great. Highly reccomend.
Taverna BanfiResponded on 20 November 2024
Thank you so much Nicholas for taking the time to share your positive experience with us on OpenTable! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit. Thanks again for your support, and we hope to see you soon! Warm regards, Felicia Barrett General Manager Taverna Banfi
Is this helpful?
M
Miriam
New York City
41 reviews
5.0
41 reviews
Dined on 16 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a delicious meal last night here. We were immediately seated when we arrived, and within minutes our waitress came to take our drink order. Bread was brought to the table, which was warm and tasty. We shared a delicious mozzarella appetizer. My husband and I shared the cowboy ribeye steak, which was prepared exactly as we requested . It was flavorful and tender. One of the best steaks we have had !! Our granddaughter had the beet salad with salmon. Also prepared perfectly. The manager was walking around and stopped to make sure everything was to our liking. We ended dinner sharing a decadent desert. Our waitress was very attentive and refilled our water glasses before we even had a chance to ask, We were never rushed. It was a perfect dinner! Was it expensive-yes. But it was worth it.
Taverna BanfiResponded on 20 November 2024
Dear Miriam, We just wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for your wonderful review on OpenTable. We're so glad to hear you had a great experience with us at Taverna Banfi! Your kind words about our staff truly made our day. We take pride in delivering excellent service and creating memorable experiences for our guests, and it’s rewarding to know we succeeded in doing so for you. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon! Thank you again for sharing your feedback and supporting our restaurant. Warm regards, Felicia Barrett General Manager Taverna Banfi
Is this helpful?
T
Thomas
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 16 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Food was excellent and commensurate with cost. Ambiance and service was average at best.
Is this helpful?
EW
EllisW
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 14 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Second visist to this restaurant. Food and plate presentation are wonderful. Because the restaurant is located in the Statler hotel on Cornell campus, the ambience is OK, but maybe not so intimate like some other restaurants.
Is this helpful?
v
vandana
Dallas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 11 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We went for a birthday dinner. Ordered salad appetizer, pasta and desserts - everything was delicious.
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FAQs

Taverna Banfi is rated 4.6 stars by 1362 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

22 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 6 times today

130 Statler Drive, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

Additional information

Cross Street
130 Statler Drive
Area
Ithaca
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Daily 07:00–10:00 Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00–14:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–14:00 Dinner Daily 17:30–21:00
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Valet
Payment Options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Andrew Nichols
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://statlerhotel.cornell.edu/
Phone number
(607) 254-2565
Private party facilities
For parties of 6 people or more, please call the restaurant.

Taverna Banfi

Make a booking

Additional information

Salmon

New York Strip

Flat Iron Steak

Starters

Housemade MozzarellaUS$18.00

Grilled Octopus SaladUS$18.00

CalamariUS$16.00

Brooklyn RicottaUS$16.00

Salads

Tuscan GreensUS$13.00

Baby Kale CaesarUS$13.00

Beet and Arugula SaladUS$13.00

Pastas

Zucchini Noodle PuttanescaUS$27.00

Cascatelli ButteraUS$29.00

Ricotta GnocchiUS$36.00

Shrimp ScampiUS$33.00

Porcini CampanelleUS$27.00

Entrees

Jurgielewicz Duck BreastUS$37.00

Grilled Statler ChickenUS$32.00

SalmonUS$34.00

New York StripUS$54.00

Bone-In 22 Ounce Cowboy RibeyeUS$79.00

Braised Lamb ShankUS$42.00

Sides

MushroomsUS$9.00

Potato PureeUS$9.00

Grilled BroccoliniUS$9.00

Tuscan BeansUS$9.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Taverna Banfi restaurant rated?

Is Taverna Banfi currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information