Chilly Reception at Fort Greene's L'Epicerie?
We’ve been hearing a lot of people complaining about the bad vibes at gourmet market L’Epicerie on Vanderbilt. Evidently, the owners aren’t exactly winning customers over with their warm and fuzzy interpersonal skills. How have readers’ experiences been recently?
We’ve been hearing a lot of people complaining about the bad vibes at gourmet market L’Epicerie on Vanderbilt. Evidently, the owners aren’t exactly winning customers over with their warm and fuzzy interpersonal skills. How have readers’ experiences been recently?
I have to disagree with all the negative comments made here. I moved into the neighborhood in November 2004 and every time I have visited this establishment the help has been very nice, warm, and cordial. I guess you get back what you put out………….that’s all I have to say.
JB went through quite a bumpy road since he’d lost A Table last year. I actually miss it– one of the “old” establishments of Fort Greene — a lot. When A Table first opened, the neighborhood was still really rough. He and his parents, yes all Parisians, were somewhat friendly but with a touch of snobbery. When my Mom and sisters from Taiwan paid a visit in Brooklyn, we had pretty good time there. Free drinks and dessert, you know….
i think we’re missing something hear people- they are FRENCH- ok there I said it- but actually I am kidding- i have a list of people and places that exude attitude for no reason. I struggle at Fabian’s in williamsburg often, and a long time ago Bean in the wb, as well, just seemed to hate only me- i swear i did nothing but spend money there… it would be fun to think back of the places that i tried to make a part of my life and they didn’t seem to want me- i can happily say L’Epicerie isn’t one of those places for us- i think a better topic would be to mention many places and not just one- and take a pole or something- as you can see from the response posts here it seems to be mixed.
Hanger steak? Hanger steak! There ain’t no such freakin thing! You ask me that one more time and I’m coming over the counter at you!
Always found the service there to be great. This is really gossip and can’t vouch for the truth, but I did hear the owner just went through an acrimonious separation from Husband who co-owned L’Epicerie and a Table. As part of the split she kept L’Epicerie he turned a Table into the new med place.
So if true she may be having her share of good and bad days.
Hope people will find a better experience on their next visit, I’ll continue to buy my Hanger Steak there.
the couple that used to run it were actually really nice and the guy (their son?) who runs it now is a bit of a loose canon and not so nice…I’ve heard of some run ins he had with loyal customers. we’ve avoided it in the last months because of it. there’s a new place opening on grand and lafayette that looks like it might be good and the people opening it seem cool. i’ve stopped to talk to them…
Actually, they’ve been nice to me–memorably so on one occasion. Frankly, there’s nowhere else to go for organic produce and nice packaged foods in this neighborhood, which is the real problem–is there *anything* we can do about this? I live more in the western end of the neighborhood, and I am desperate to find better foodstuffs nearby. Any would-be grocery owners out there? Anyone?
Things seemed to be a bit hit or miss there for awhile. The “fresh” turkey I ordered there for Thanksgiving had clearly been frozen; produce could be fresher. But I still drop in from time to time, and they seem to be trying harder in the friendliness dept. I’m glad to hear they’re carrying fish.
Never really noticed anything out of the ordinary. Sort of typical New York City service. Not exactly Southern hospitality, but nothing rude either.
GDF