Mt Ivy Cafe

Although Rockland County has often been known for hit or miss restaurant experiences, most of its eateries are at least fair to good. This one is horrible. But first the one good thing. It is not expensive, not inexpensive either, but the prices are moderate. Unfortunately, that is where the accolades must end.
On Saturday night, April 3, the place was ¾ filled, and the place was very, very, very, noisy. You actually had to raise your voice when speaking to your dinner partners. One large table of ten was filled with patrons who were celebrating a happy occasion. I actually feel that they did not get the atmosphere that they thought they were getting when they booked the party. Their family event was on display to all of the other diners. I’m sure that no one in that party, that included small children, who really did not want to be there, or so it seemed, enjoyed it as much as they might have in another venue. The fact of the matter is that the restaurant could (or should) have advised them that this place really was not an appropriate venue on a Saturday night to truly enjoy such a party because it required a private room.
This place has only one main room and a bar area off to the side. The service was adequate, albeit somewhat pedestrian, meaning no one on the staff was particularly memorable. The food was served unattractively and with no sense of the art of plating.
We were with another couple, and we all wanted some vegetables to be served with our main courses. We were told by the waitress that this is their standard policy and that no special order was needed because they are served family style. Well, vegetables for four consisted of four carrot slices and two broccoli florets. In other words, it was less than even a greasy spoon would serve to one person.
My wife had a Cosmopolitan as her cocktail. I guess that it was ok because she did not complain. I had a Bloody Mary It was nothing special. I also had a glass of sauvignon blanc, It didn’t kill me, so i guess that it was drinkable.
The really sad thing is that the Mt. Ivy Café used to be a destination place in Rockland. We’ve learned that it is under new management. «Under» is the important word here because if the quality stays like this, and more reviews such as mine pop up, it will soon be under the ground.
I truly hope that the current ownership either gets that British guy with the TV show (if he still is on the air) who advises troubled restaurants on how to save themselves or sells the place to someone who knows what he or she is doing. Or, better yet, I’d love to see the former management return so as to restore their legacy.

So I have not been hete since last summer
Stopped in here to get food to go as i had a 2 year old who did not like to sit still. ordered my Salad n ordered a kids pasts with extra meat sauce on the side (which I pay for as I like to freeze n use when I need dinner quickly)… anyways get home… (live across the street) n it’s just red sauce in container. called them back n their trying to tell me that there is actually meat in the sauce
…no.there’s not… it’s unfortunate. I have not been back

Great food eat there often love the place.
we do there take out at least once a week. There food belings in the city.

I passed this place all the time and heard great reviews about it. I decided to try it to see what everyone liked about it. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly waiter. I sat down waiting for my friend to arrive. I browsed the menu and they have a variety of items to choose from. I saw mostly Italian food until the mushroom Swiss burger caught my eye. I ordered that and my friend also did too. I asked for medium well. When the burger arrived, I couldn’t wait to try it. I cut it in half and saw the burger was perfectly cooked to my request. It looked amazing too. I bit into it and it was so flavorful and juicy! It’s difficult to find a place that cooks a burger exactly the way you want it and they know how to cook a burger. The only bad thing was the pickle they served with the burger was not good. Didn’t seem fresh. Other than that, the service was excellent, our waiter always checked on us, and our water glasses were filled constantly. We didn’t have dessert as we were too full from the meal. I will definitely be back.

Quality and great pricing. Everyone at my table ordered veal– which was fabulous. I had a side salad beets and goat cheese– five star. And the crab stuffed mushrooms were amazing as well. We will come back next time we visit family!

My husband and I never get a date night alone with two boys at home. We had the rare opportunity to a sitter. Thank you Mt. Ivy café. This was by far one of the best dining experience We have had in a long time. Charles our server was knowledgable and his recommendations were spot on. Charles your service was outstanding. We definitely will be back. We highly recommend Mt. Ivy Café the next time you go out to eat.
Efren and Angelique Rivera

Great surprise! We were driving from upstate to NYC, looking for a place to eat along the way. It’s classified as «Italian,» and while they may have had Italian food, I didn’t notice it because there was so much other good-​sounding food on the menu.
The service was fantastic from the moment we walked in (I love hearing «pick your table»). The ambiance is classy with quiet music and white tablecloths, but there’s obviously no dress code. We felt very comfortable in jeans.
My husband had the rib-​eye with grilled onions and I had panko-​crusted tilapia with a lemon-​butter sauce. Both main dishes were excellent: flavorful and properly cooked (even his rare steak). We both had garlic mashed potatoes, which I would put in the average category. The spinach that came with the tilapia was fresh and cooked just right, but a little bitter. They also brought an unexpected side of steamed fresh broccoli and carrots. Veggies always make me happy, so this was a nice touch.
It was more expensive that we would normally go for, but they have a prix fixe (sp?) menu that looks excellent. We will definitely go back when we travel this way again.

Worst restaurant experience ever.
Around 5:20 p.m. on Saturday, my wife, elderly parents, including my mother who walks with a cane, and I arrived at the restaurant intending to order from the advertised early bird special menu. We were expecting to be met, or soon joined, by my sister-​in-​law and brother. My brother recently had cancer surgery and entered on a scooter for the disabled. He admittedly arrived a few minutes past 5:30 because of difficulty with his mobility aid.
When we were all seated, we tried to order from the «early bed» menu. Though it was only minutes past the 5:30 «deadline,» the waitress told us we were too late to do so, even though I pointed out that she did not ask us for our orders prior to 5:30 when the first four of us were already seated.
I do realize that such restaurant promotions have restrictions. However, in light of the barely passed cutoff time, and in consideration of the two disabled persons in our party, I expected the waitress to show a little flexibility and consideration. Instead, she assumed a smug, scornful and patronizing tone in refusing to show any courtesy or good will to our party of six. Our family has lived in the area for 53 years, and never have we been treated this way in any restaurant, anywhere in the world.
Oh, and then to add insult to injury, our waitress arbitrarily added an 18 percent gratuity to our bill.
Finally, the food was mediocre, at best.

Solid food selection. Came for a graduation party and had the chicken francese, very tasty. The bar is decent and the staff is friendly. I would definitely come back.

Fast friendly service. Veal parm was great and so was the penne ala vodka. Great tilapia too.

«Used to be lovely!»
Reviewed June 2, 2015
Dinner last night was awful. Owner was nasty. I frequent the restaurant often and had parties there but last night was just terrible and the owner didn’t care. So I will not be going back. The owner said «she didn’t know that a bowling dinner was booked for over 25 people at the same time I made a reservation for a group of 11 friends». When I booked a reservation for 11 people at the same time she should have told me and I would have changed the date for my group! She also told me I could have a round table for my party. (how many large round tables could there be!!)
Visited June 2015

I have been going to the Mt. Ivy Café for a number of years.
I have found the food to be very good and the portions are large.
The wait staff is also very friendly and accomading. The food arrives quickly and is reasonably priced.

My family have been going to this restaurant since late 80“s or early 90“s
Was truly the best back then.
I’ve always loved this place. Food is always decent. Calamari is always excellent. For us… kind of like cheers.
Over the years some of the dishes that I loved are no longer offered. :(
Cant say this now because been awhile .but the bartender always did buy backs.

My parents went to this place for a senior lunch on New Year’s Eve despite my warnings that the food was terrible. My mom said the food reminded her of a frozen dinner. They had 2 (TWO) waitresses for a group of 60 seniors & eventually added a 3^rd when people complained. My parents said their appetizers & entrees both came out lukewarm/​cold, multiple group members complained, and what little staff there was seemed frazzled. My dad’s chicken parm was bland & lukewarm. My mom’s sliced beef was «shoe leather» & covered in a tomato-​based sauce (also bland). Eggplant parm was equally bland. My mom tried to order a soda & was told it wasn’t part of the package they paid for. She was willing to pay extra, but then couldn’t flag down a waitress to order it. They had limited choices for dessert (hard, cheap ice cream & bland rice pudding). I honestly can’t understand why anyone eats at this «restaurant.»

This place is a quaint little restaraunt The menus alright. Service was ok. Food was good, not great, but not bad. Overall it was a good experience. I would try it again.

Food is really good. I been there many times. Always clean and friendly. I gotta say the reviews here for the Mt ivy grill are off.

I come here with my husband because its within walking distance of our condo and, for the price, you get a lot of food. If you come for the Early Bird menu, you can get soup, salad, entrée, dessert, coffee/​tea for $ 16. Can’t beat that. Even their regular menu isn’t bad because it includes salad, bread, and a plate of veggies. Food is pretty good — especially the specials.

Food not bad
staff not to polite

Food was diner-​like at best and not what I expected from my old friend the Mt Ivy Café. A few of us ordered the Tuna Teriyaki. We specifically ordered it rare and it wasn’t. It came with fried onions, sauteed mushrooms and sauce that were much too heavily layered on top. Whatever happened to the notion «less is more». And although the waitress was attentive, there was some confusion about our tea selection with her insisting it was herbal when it wasn’t. I think it may have been the order code she was referring to but as patrons who cares.
On the positive side: The menu is extensive. The atmosphere is nice enough with linens and mood lighting. They offer sweet potatoes as a starch choice. Yeah! You probably don’t need a reservation and you can park right out front.
I will give it another try for old times sake and be more proactive in communicating with the chef when I order. My husband just told me I may have to go alone.

Mt Ivy is your basic NY diner, perhaps maybe a bit cleaner than others, but it’s a diner at heart. Lots of stuff on the menu, probably something for everyone.
Not bad but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit again.