The Quincy Exchange — Restaurant in City of Corning

The following was part of a 5 star review from less than 1 year ago...(The sentence regarding tipping is of most importance in this update)

We have visited 3 times, and usually brunch on Sunday. Bright, spacious, and not overly “stated” Staff…always spot on! Bloody Mary’s(had never been a fan)are amazing!! Oysters=had an issue once, and was immediately corrected. They are very good for an “off shore” restaurant Shrimp/Grits=heaven. Crab cakes= very good(Not Maryland, but that’s understandable) Monkey Bread= Perfect! We love the fact that tips/gratuities are included (yes, they mean it) which gives a vibe of “take your time and enjoy”! And, we do!! Try this place…you’ll be glad you did!!

UPDATE:

Our most resent visit left us disappointed, and quite frankly, mad. We have spent a lot of money at QE, because of the great food, staff, and of course to support a local proprietor. The cost for brunch was usually between $125-$150 (B-Mary's/Oysters/Shrimp-Grits/Coffee/Water for 2), including tip, again which is mentioned above in detail. Not a small amount, but we justified it for the reasons mentioned above. Please see their menu for pricing.

Imagine our dismay/frustration after our last visit when we ordered brunch, ate, and then received the check (SAME AMOUNT) which now did not include the tip!?! No advance notice noted by the door, or by the wait staff! Questioning the wait staff indicated that tipping was now mandatory! They did mention the prices had decreased (I noted on the menu the S-Grits are now $30 and were previously $31, and the sourdough bread now $4 from $5, and everything else was the same) That's almost laughable. Add a minimum 20% tip to the above amount and we now spent $182.00 for 2, for brunch!

I could elaborate on the matter in great detail, but suffice to say we will absolutely not return. I think that will hurt us more than QE! Anyway, there is absolutely NO excuse for the way this was handled by QE. Respect your customers, and do not hide what will become...

A just OK addition for our dining options, and now our lowest recommendation to anyone seeking a an acceptable dining experience. The concept is somewhat unique but in the falls short, where you have two options, tapas or formal dining, both of which are wonderful. Serving staff and floor management are variable in ability. My wife is vegan and gluten free, and they have limited ability to accommodate. My only wish is that the restaurant opened at 4pm rather than 5pm. Service is included so no tipping needed and at times the service warrants no tip, as it's poor. Went back last night which would be our 7th visit. I have to say we were disappointed with the service last night. Despite informing them, upon reservation, that it was a special birthday celebration, there was no acknowledgment of that, not even a word of congratulations! Not that I expected anything special or over the top, but I would have expected someone in the hospitality business to take care of making guests welcome and appreciated on such an occasion. The food was good, but every single drink we ordered I had to get up from our table a chase down, as they did not arrive. Even at one point when we were the only seated table in the restaurant and there was no one seated at the bar. Some items ordered/requested never even arrived at the table...turned out that the server was on his third day on the job, and he was clearly not ready to be out there on his own, but no one was supervising him. I do not blame him, we've all been there on our 3rd day, but the whole disjointedness of the flow of the night really spoiled the enjoyment for us all! An occasion where the already added service charge was not at all merited! By the end of the night, our friends questioned our choice of this restaurant for the celebration, it...

Enter Quincy Exchange, an unassuming gem in Corning, New York that's been dishing out a 5-star culinary experience in the heart of a town rich with history. It's been a year since my visit, but the memory of the meal lingers like a delightful aftertaste that deserves its due praise.

Our gastronomical journey commenced with a cheese and charcuterie board - the edible prelude setting the stage for the symphony of flavors to come. Their contemporary American menu, a testament to culinary creativity, spins the ordinary into extraordinary with a flair that's as brilliant as it is delectable.

Housed in a renovated bank, the restaurant is a beacon of space and brightness, its modern aesthetics belying its antiquated past. My curiosity piqued by the whispered tales of a converted vault now functioning as a private dining room, a treasure I hope to explore on a future visit.

Yet, it was Quincy Exchange that schooled me in the art of brown butter. Sure, I'd cooked with it before, but their version was akin to finding the Holy Grail of butter. Extra toasted milk solids transformed the humble ingredient into a star that shone brightly across multiple dishes. Their clever use of caramel in desserts left a sweet note that echoed long after the meal.

Lastly, the welcoming atmosphere of the bar added an extra sparkle to the evening. Despite its bustling nature, there was an undercurrent of warmth that made one feel at ease, as though enveloped in a blanket of hospitality.

In a nutshell, Quincy Exchange is like a culinary lighthouse in the quaint town of Corning - bright, inviting, and guiding your taste buds to shores of epicurean delight. In this former bank, the currency is indeed good taste, and it pays...