That was a treat! After MANY attempts (often derailed by my own schedule) finally made it to Downtown for dinner. As luck would have it, it was Binghamton Restaurant Week and we attempted a walk in - first available was three+ hours later - but the hostess mentioned we could get the RW menu at the bar and two seats were calling. Lots of choices on the menu but friend and I ended up having the same meal! Cup of Cauliflower, potato and leek soup to start was yummy - very comforting, not too thick, good flavor - I could have stopped here! But fortunately did not! Main was spectacular! Salmon with everything bagel spices served over pearl couscous in a risotto style was inspired (honestly, I will try this at home)! I hope this is a menu regular because I will crave this for many more meals! Add a black Manhattan and this meal is a treat! (Took the dessert course to go - blueberry cronuts were better than chocolate but both likely suffered a wee bit from loss of ambiance and slight steaming that occurred on drive - good for sure but did not compare to the rest of the meal). Shout out to Tommy F for exceptional service - attentive but not intrusive. Ambiance is lovely (the lighting dimmed as we sat - hysterical) but we also scored the most comfortable seats in the house (I hate a high top stool with no back and no padding on the seat - those stools look nice but should go away). Also love the hook under the bar. read more

See all

Our family loves the Downtown By Chef Jay vibe. We came to celebrate a bday. 5 stars for food, loved everything. 3 stars for service. I think it was Lauren, she was nice enough but did not go above and beyond for her customers. She did not want to move us to a more comfortable table, despite our requesting multiple times and the place was literally empty. Finally she was able to make it happen but it was already unpleasant. She was good with bringing us hot waters with lemon as requested, but there was zero proactiveness to refill the hot water or any of the iced water. It was like us going out and trying to please the waitstaff. She did make a good suggestion for the lavender gimlet cocktail. Overall disappointing. read more

See all

I came here for brunch with a friend. My friend loves this place and we'd wanted to visit together before but couldn't get a reservation, so I was excited to try it today. We got in just fine on a Sunday around their 11 am opening time with no reservation, and the place wasn't too busy, but university was on break so I'm not sure if this is normal. I was underwhelmed by the (non-alcoholic) drinks. I was torn between ordering tea or a mocktail. I decided to get tea, but was a little disappointed when the tea options that were brought out were all a cheap brand. After I finished the tea I figured since the tea wasn't expensive, I might as well remedy the experience by ordering the mocktail anyway. I thought the cranberry cooler sounded good, but I found the taste of the coconut cream was a little odd with the cranberry (maybe just me), and there were specks of solidified coconut cream that made the drink a little grainy. The food, however, was very good! We shared an order of wild mushroom toast (conveniently 2 pieces) and a stuffed French toast (1 big piece). The housemade ricotta on the wild mushroom toast was a highlight - it was different than I was expecting because it was totally smooth, but very creamy and with a nice flavour. I really liked the rye bread too. The stuffed French toast was impressive to look at and to eat. The fluffy bread and whipped cream cheese inside were delightful. I'm glad that we decided to share and split these two entrees, because the mushroom toast was on the light side and the French toast was pretty rich and sweet. I really like the atmosphere. I was here when it was a Beer Tree it's not really recognizable as the same place. There is still a little bit of an industrial slant to the aesthetic, but it's very classy with plants and wood tones... and comfortable cushioned seats. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive. We stayed for a while after we were done eating and we were told we could take our time, which we appreciated since we had a lot of catching up to do. I definitely want to visit them again for dinner! read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - "Pain perdu" stuffed French toast - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

Whenever my family visits my sister, or I do, for that matter, going to Downtown by Chef Jay is a must. All of the staff are very friendly and amazing when it comes to efficiency. They are honest on what foods the recommend and are knowledgeable on the items on the menu. It is on the pricier end but the food never ceases to amaze me. I love the quaint but almost forest-y vibe the restaurant have where it's like if a high end lounge or bar got combined with an outdoor woodsy restaurant. It's gorgeous with fake vines and wood gazebos indoor. If you are in Binghamton, I highly recommend you have at least one meal here. read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Gnocchi with breaded katsu (I can't remember if it was pork or chicken) - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

See all

I was really torn between 3 and 4 stars. I loved the ambiance, our server was so friendly, and I loved the amount of GF + GF alternatives on the menu. However, for the price and general vibe of the whole place, we were expecting to be a little more impressed with the food, and it was decent, but not enough to really write home about (which would make it more of a 3 in my book). I did like my GF gnocchi, though. The portion sizes are also giant, which was a bummer because we don't have a fridge in our hotel for leftovers. read more

See all

Fantastic service, food, and drinks highly recommend if you're in Binghamton. Everything came out quickly.

My cousin and I decided to have brunch at Downtown by Chef J, located in the former Beer Tree Brewing space. The restaurant is part of a larger collaborative concept, and we had been there the day before during the Binghamton Martini Walk. We really liked the atmosphere, so we decided to return for brunch after seeing several appealing options on their menu. I booked a reservation through Resy, and upon arrival, the host already had a table set for us. I was pleasantly surprised that while the restaurant uses the modern metal dining chairs common in many places, all of theirs were cushioned and surprisingly comfortable. Our server was polite, knowledgeable, and helpful in walking us through the menu and drink options. One small disappointment was that the cold brew coffee listed on the menu was unavailable, which we only learned when we tried to order it. We opted for hot coffee instead. My cousin ordered the shrimp and grits, while I chose the deviled eggs and mac & cheese. The restaurant's décor leans industrial but has warm, inviting touches throughout, particularly in the bar area. The food arrived quickly. The shrimp and grits were well-seasoned and flavorful--my cousin really enjoyed the dish. Unfortunately, my selections fell a bit flat. Both the deviled eggs and mac & cheese lacked flavor for my taste. I asked for hot sauce, which helped, but I also noticed there was no salt or pepper available on the tables, which had to be requested. When the check arrived, I noticed that both the deviled eggs and mac & cheese were each $2 more than what was printed on the menu. I brought it to our server's attention, who confirmed the discrepancy by checking the printed menu. While they ultimately honored the lower, printed price, I was told that the system reflected updated pricing and that the printed menu was outdated. I was informed that the discount was being given as a courtesy--though it felt more like an error that should have been proactively addressed. While the overall ambiance and service were pleasant, the pricing inconsistency and lack of flavor in my dishes left me unsure if I'll return. I'd advise future diners to double-check the prices on the printed menu versus what appears on the final bill--especially since it happened with two separate items during my visit. For what it's worth, the prices for the shrimp and grits and the coffee matched what was listed. read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Brunch Menu - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

See all

It was really good. The clam chowder was creamy and every spoonful had chunks of clam in it. The tuna tartare is a must try! The deviled eggs were excellent. The butcher's burger was juicy and spicy. The bolognese was saucy and a little bit spicy. Our waitress was nice and helpful. She had a lot of suggestions! The restaurant was cozy and a little dark, and had lovely music playing! This is an amazing place to eat! read more

After having an amazing brunch here, decided to return with family to try the dinner service and it did not disappoint. We had reservations for a high top and the waitstaff were very prompt and knowledgeable of the menu. Everything was cooked perfectly and was delicious. We will definitely be returning soon! read more

See all

Finally found a restaurant in Binghamton! For the last 2 years we have been exploring the area looking for a place we really like. The food was fantastic! Probably the best burger and fries I've ever had. The service was great and decor is beautiful. Will be back read more

Came here for date night - we made reservations but no need for it. We were promptly seated and had a great host - Kira. She made some great recommendations and we enjoyed our meal. A bit on the buttery side but no complaints here! read more

See all

Wish I could give this place a better review because it's part of the same group that gives us Beer Tree Farm, a great rural venue about 15 miles out of town. However, Downtown is a different story. It is upscale, intimate and pricey. The atmosphere is lovely, the drinks spot-on and the service wonderful-- the quality of the food is the issue. It doesn't match the high cost of the meal. For instance, a steak runs in the high fifties, but it's only-- a steak; nothing special. The salmon was so-so at best and half of the desserts were mediocre while others were fine-- but nothing memorable in any of it. The level of excellence needs to go up and the prices drop down. So much potential here, but not yet what it aspires to be. read more

Nice place, food is awesome I will be back. Went there to try the French soup. No longer on the menu read more

Great ambiance, really special meals and appetizers- you can tell he's creatively worked up this menu. Live music sometimes.

I had been here before, but before the revamp by Chef Jay Pisculli. So I already knew the beers were good and the space was really nice, but hadn't tried the new brunch menu. Welp ... now all I dream about is the duck egg benedict with sliced duck prosciutto, poached duck egg, hollandaise, english muffin, with a side green salad in a champagne vinaigrette. Wow. Can't recommend enough. read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

First things first. This review is for the rooftop portion of the restaurant. The limited good news is the crispy deviled eggs were interesting and unique. Now the really bad news. We ordered via the QR code and ordered an appetizer, the deviled eggs, and two hamburgers. All the food arrived at the same time. I really dislike when that happens...why order an appetizer if it arrives with the entree? The picture is my wife's burger. Clearly not medium rare as ordered. If I had gone to veterinary school I think I could have saved this cow. The only staff available was the bartender. She neither offered to replace or refire. My burger, also medium rare, was at least 50% edible. Customer service and satisfaction was clearly not a priority August 20 update. Within 12 hours of my post, the management reached out to apologize and make it right. They offered to refund the entire check. I thought that we should pay for the deviled eggs, since we ate them and they were great. You can't I ring the bell, but they have done their best with an unpleasant experience read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Medium rare hamburger - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

The food, service, and atmosphere were excellent! Highly recommend. Great variety of food, yet the menu was still well curated. Given the menu and all the different spaces, this place would work for groups, or a romantic vibe. Maybe not a great kids spot; I didn't see any kids. We ate in the dining room, it was charming. I ordered the filet mignon, it was cooked and seasoned perfectly, the risotto and sprouts were also excellent. A great place for steak! My husband got the scallops and even ate his vegetables, a sight to behold! Get the cronuts. We ordered both desserts available tonight, the cheesecake was good but the cronuts were a clear winner. Our server was excellent, even though several tables were seated all at once, including large parties with split bills (a server's nightmare folks, get yourself some Venmo people!). He kept his cool and was very charming. The whole service team was solid, from host to food runners and bussers, things appeared well run. We'll be back! With friends! read more

We were stopping in Binghamton for lunch and the first joint we planned on was closed. Thank goodness cause this was the best brunch we ever had. I called and asked if we needed a reservation and they said; "how many? ..2 we can fit you in come on in!" Well already this kind of service is awesome. The brunch menu was just the right size. Our server was great, food arrived promptly and was so delish! Highly recommend for brunch. read more

See all

Newer restaurant in town. It's kind of a modern industrial ambience, you know, wall and ceilings painted black. It's is very well decorated and quite pleasing. The staff is phenomenal, very accommodating knowledgeable, pleasant, just top notch. The food is good, not knock your socks off good but good nonetheless. We had a couple of appetizers, the meatballs and fried deviled eggs. Both are supposed to be signature items here and they were ok. The thing about the deviled eggs is that once you fry the whites, they get kind of tough and chewy which is wierd but was an interesting appetizer. The pork chop got rave reviews but their handhelds were just so-so. The bar drinks were fine and reasonably priced as was everything on the menu so all in all, a pretty solid establishment. read more

Such a cute spot! The atmosphere is 10/10. The drink menu was good and I love that they have a ton of the Beer Tree Beer (owned by the same people) and their beer is always excellent. Especially loved that you could get a small beer flight. Although the wood plank the beers were on didn't quite fit the beers and they almost fell over. Food items were hit or miss. The steak was AMAZING and the scallops were also great. The pork belly tacos were way too sweet and hard to chew. The plank they were served on was also too small and the sauce kept spilling onto the table. The deviled egg app was very underwhelming, almost tasteless. The server was very nice and quick, but needed a bit more training. Will be back if we're in the area because it is one of the best restaurants in the area, but a few small things just need the kinks worked out! read more

Our first visit, but definitely returning. Staff were very competent. Food was excellent from oysters to soup to main dishes. Drinks were perfect. Ambience was upscale but comfortable. read more

Very cool looking, nicely decorated. Didn't love the patio area, didn't seem as fancy. Food was decent but seemed under-seasoned. Service was very good. Also they only serve NY state beer, wine and liquor so the drink menu was somewhat limited. read more

See all

Nice restaurant and staff. Food is very good with some nice items in a hip industrial-ish space with cool outdoor dining too. Look forward to coming back. read more

See all

Our second visit. First time was restaurant week and had a limited menu but was great. This time we had the full menu and both had amazing meals. Wife had the Chilean Sea Bass. Beautifully prepared and presented. I got the sirloin which was just amazing in both prep and presentation. Good drinks, friendly attentive people and just a great experience!! read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Sea Bass, amazing!! - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

See all

If I could give zero stars I would! We waited for 55 minutes for brunch and were served COLD eggs Benedict! Not even the sauce or eggs were the least bit warm. How do you poach and egg and have it be cold inside? Server was apologetic but we left and came to a diner down the street. Served in 5 minutes! read more

Great restaurant in Binghamton. I was impressed. We came to the restaurant about an hour before our reservation time and they were flexible about this and were able to seat the 4 of us promptly. Decor is contemporary and neat. Great atmosphere. Background music was contemporary easy jazz- sorta like in a spa. Food choices were very good. We tried a couple appetizers to start. One was a veggie and hummus tray. It was beautiful and tasty. The other was a Mexican item and that was fantastic. (I'm writing this nearly one month afterward, so don't recall all the names of things.) For entrees we had the wonderfully prepared Chilean Seabass, Mac & Cheese for our niece's friend and a lovely crispy chicken & greens salad. We all enjoyed our meals. There was plenty to bring home, too. But wait, there's more! Since our niece was celebrating her birthday, a very nice desert was brought out. I was pleased to see that the wine list included some finger lakes wines-it only makes sense to me to support local vintners. Extensive mixed drink menu. We were very happy with our meals and we will be back! read more

See all

I'll start with the bad, which in the grand scheme of things really wasn't. The reservation system on their site was not working. Went to the service providers site that way and not that much availability, so I called. Basically the same reply but I did get a table for the time I wanted? My understanding is that there is an association with Beer Tree brewing so how do you run out of a beer at 6p on a Saturday night? Would think restocking a lager would be as easy as a phone call? The good, the food was tremendous, we had shrimp tacos, tuna tartare and this 20 oz pork chop which was off the hook, I couldn't stop eating it. The corn creme brulee side was delicious. The bad side to the meal was I was unable to venture into the desert menu,too full, maybe next time? Service, our gal (think her name was Tommi) was very attentive, well versed in the menu and was there when our glasses were empty and needed a refill every time! So, if you're looking for a spot for a great meal and the atmosphere wasn't too shabby either I highly recommend this place, dont think you'll be disappointed, I wasn't and I'll be back soon with friends... read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - 20 oz pork chop - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

See all

Dinner was great , service was very good. we had cronuts for dessert it was perfect. The only issue we made the reservation three weeks ago our second visit and they tried to seat us in the bar. When I mentioned I reserved the dinner room I was told it was a dinning room table. I mentioned it was not in the dining room. We were eventually seated in the dinning room, second incident with a reservation we were initially asked to eat in the bar. I would just ask plan head to accept reservations for the dinner room. read more

Great food and service. I had the Ribeye and wife had the filet. Both cooked to perfection.

Beautiful place! Appetizers were great, we got the fried deviled eggs, meatballs and bread service. Steak was decent but wasn't a fan of the potatoes. I was expecting a better presentation for our entrees... no garnish no sauce or anything just steak and strange looking potatoes on the plate. It was pretty bare. Besides that it was pretty good. Will be returning! read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Bread service. - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

Took my nanny for a holiday meal. We had outstanding service from Frank who is extremely knowledgeable with the wine selection/wine pairings. The Ambiance was perfect and the restaurant was nice and warm on a cold winter night. Thanks for the great time! read more

Downtown By Chef Jay Pisculli - Lobster feature - Lounges Near Me - Binghamton, New York

Loved our meal here. Great drinks (try the Last Word). Loved the deviled eggs, ribeye, salads and of course cronuts. Only miss was octopus which was still ok read more

Admittedly, I've only been to Downtown by Chef Jay Pisculli for a wine tasting event, but the quality of the food we were served leads us to believe it would be well worth our while to visit again. Chef Jay was making the rounds during the wine tasting festivities, explaining each meal he'd prepared for the pairing event. He stopped by each table to greet guests and chat. Clearly, the man knows food and how to be adventurous in preparing it. We look forward to an "ordinary" dining experience soon. read more

Delicious meal - started with the Faccia Brutto spritz, along with the arugula & burrata salad and the tuna tartar on rice cakes, perfect appetizers. The sirloin was perfectly cooked and tender, paired with addictive house fries - there were no leftovers! The chicken Milanese salad was also beautifully executed. Top it all off with chocolate cronuts, yes. Friendly and efficient service, nice music, decor, and ambiance, clean, well-appointed restrooms. Really nice menu with a lot of interesting, fresh options - highly recommend, look forward to coming back. read more

Not overly loud for a date. The service was decent, did need to remind for water and another beverage. Server Tommi was very good at knowing the menu and recommending things and handling substitutions. Also good at timing checkins in the beginning and was quick with the check. The veal did not have enough vodka sauce, really happy they provided a side of the sauce when asked! Outside was a bit darker/ dryer than I would have liked. Also ordered the corn brulle and it was also over torched on 1/5 of it. Filet mignon was cooked correctly and peppercorn sauce was very tasty. Also really liked the pesto gnocci. Dessert menu was a disappointment. No chocolate cake/torte, lava cake, or brownie. The chocolate option was table side s'mores or chocolate cronut... Also no crème brulle or cake of any sort. read more

We are back and forth from Binghamton and always like to try new restaurants and always have just a handful we really love! This is one . It has a great atmosphere, wonderful service, lots of smiling faces and top quality food!! Great drink menu with really good prices! We will definitely be making this a regular stop! read more

Once again chef Jay did a wonderful job preparing our meal! The service was wonderful and the ambiance was inviting.

We came to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food was delicious. I had the Gnocchi and shared a steak. The bleu cheese fondue on top of the steak was amazing. We would pass on the octopus next time, it was a little fishy tasting. They were out of a few of the beers we ordered-- but that is life. Be prepared that It is a little pricey for the portion size. It was esthetically pleasing and the waitstaff was very attentive. read more

Let's start off by my self declaration of being a bit of a food snob. I don't eat much (6-8oz per meal) so when I go out, I want it to be amazing. Downtown did NOT disappoint. It's a little pricey for the area and I hope that doesn't stop folks from going. We started with the French Onion soup. It was excellent, but I felt it needed a pinch of salt to really tighten it up. Then shifted gears to the house made stuffed meatballs, which I had zero faith that they would be any good. WOW, was I wrong!!!! Dense, lots of flavor (little kick in there) but nicely complimented by the marinara sauce and then soaked up all that leftover happiness with the bread basket served with herbed butter. Let's talk bread. Served warm, nice lightly crisped crust dusted pre baked, with sea salt and served with herbed butter, outstanding!!! Finished off with the pork belly tacos!!! The chunks of pork belly cooked perfectly, so you get a little crisp and a little fatty chew in every morsel. The sauce they use to toss the pork in was tasty, a bit too much in the taco, I don't think it was necessary to ooze with sauce with every bite, would have preferred less sauce. Overall, the best restaurant I've eaten at in the southern tier region, will certainly return for a new culinary adventure!!!! Bravo to the chef. But wait, there's more. The decor is contemporary without coming off as out of place chic, nice clean space, with outdoor seating and a rooftop that is open on weekends and I guess, weather permitting, and the server was great. She was attentive without being overbearing, and knew the menu well. All in all, 5 stars all day long. Walking distance to the arena and convention center and close enough to go before or after a Rumble Ponies game, which is what we did. Should have worn a longer shirt to cover the little wet spot left on my shorts as I ate the last bite. You won't be disappointed. read more