Teca
38 East Gay Street
,
West Chester
PA
19380
Teca, West Chester’s Euro-style cafe, has tripled it’s seating area with a stylish addition into the historic Goodwill Fire Company structure next door. Along with the Italian tiles, designer Barbara Balongue used chandeliers imported from the Italian island of Murano to create an ambiance where couples and small parties may enjoy a glass of premium wine from the most extensive list of reserve wines outside of New York City.
The menu selection is reasonably priced and gourmet all the way. You’ll enjoy a wide variety of Italian tapas-style appetizers and salads, all under $10. Fuller meals are served in the evening and include a selection of fish and pasta dishes.
Expanded outside seating is available when the weather is nice.
37 Comments So Far
Teca is the worst dining out experience I have EVER had. After waiting 45 minutes (we had reservations for 8:00) by 8:45 I was left BEGGING the hostess for a place to sit for my 9.5 month pregnant friend (the reason we made sure we had a reservation to avoid such a wait). The hostess was actaully beligerent when I confronted her with the excessive wait and the reason for our distress. When we finally were seated we then waited another 2 hours at the table before the food (which was NOTHING special) came. I repeatedly asked to speak to the owner, I was told he was not available so I asked for his name and phone number – no one could give me that. After another 30 minute wait a man comes to the table and tells me he is the manager when I tell him I want to speak to the owner – he tells me he is the owners father- and yet STILL he could not give me the last name of the owner!! The wait staff became downright nasty. I would never recommend this restaurant to ANYONE. Please think twice before considering going. The food was in no way worth the money or the wait. And the waitstaff are not worthy of serving dogs. Futher, the entire set up of the place is horrific, they actaully have low tables right next to the bar so people are forced to eat with the crowdes butts in thier face. Again, THE WORST experiece eatting out of my entire life!
I am sorry to read such a bad review of Teca. I can only offer information about my experience and say that I can only imagine it was a really off day for Teca. To A. Wagner, I would suggest writing a letter to the owner (Rob) who is there almost everyday because of his dedication to the restaurant.
I have been visiting Teca a few times a month since they opened. The restaurant could be referred to as specializing in tapas. A very Italian menu, offering excellent selections of meats, cheeses, bruchette, salads, etc. The atmosphere is dark wood with interesting Murano glass lighting.
The left side of Teca is smoking and the right side is non-smoking offering options for anyone. There is a wide selection of beers and quality wines that compliment the food. The service I have received has been excellent everytime, and the owner, who is there most everytime I have visited, has personally seated us and checked in to make sure everything is to our liking.
Note – this is not a ravioli and spaghetti type of Italian restaurant.
The food at Teca has been good. The prices on the lunch salads are a bit pricey. But there are less expensive items. Wish the service was – little bit too snotty here for my liking and if they aren’t aloof they look miserable – could we get a smile in this place. They just don’t make you feel welcome. And the waitstaff is not that knowledgable or helpful with the menu. The decor is nice enough chandeliers in the bar area are funky. I like the music they play pretty good mix – the bossa nova music is cool.
We ate at Teca with another couple in January in the newer, non-smoking section. We were able to get a booth with just a short wait. We were puzzled by the menu, but the waiter was extremely helpful, and we just put ourselves in his hands for the most part and had a delightful meal. We shared several appetizers and then five or six small entrees, and everything was very enjoyable.
We tried to eat there again a few months later, and it was mobbed beyond belief. Bodies were jammed in everywhere, and everyone seemed harried and miserable. We were told they only took reservations for parties of six or more (we were four). We waited in the doorway for almost an hour after being told it would be about a 20 minute wait, and then gave up and went somewhere else.
Our first experience was later in the evening on a weeknight, and the second was earlier on a Friday – maybe the answer is to avoid the place on a weekend?
I went to Teca after hearing so many people talk about it being the "it" restaurant in WC. I will not be going back. I think the snob-factor is the only thing keeping this place in business.
My associate and I went on a Thursday night and waited for a half-hour (considering there are maybe 10 tables, I guess this was actually good). We were seated next to the bar, which another reviewer mentioned, left us staring at the posteriors of uppity and obnoxious patrons who mistakenly thought they were in a trendy Philly lounge, not an overhyped Mediterranean version of a NJ diner.
The sandwich I had was Teca's version of a Ham & Cheese and I think Oscar Mayer does it better, but my associate's salad was tastier though a far cry from being worth the rather pricey charge.
Our waitress was friendly, but like everyone else has said, it's like they hired gloomy & inexperienced college kids, which does not bode well for a place trying to make its bones as the upscale dining alternative in WC.
Overall, I'd say if you are already a fan of Teca or just going there for street cred among, kudos. If you haven't been there, don't waste your time or the money. There are far better alternatives.
These reviews are dead on. Where do these people think they are? Everyone was so snotty and the food wasn't anything to write home about. I got a panini because I couldn't decipher anything else on the menu…it was alright. Our waitress was cute, but she sure did know it, and had her nose so high in the air it was a wonder she could see our table to take our order.
Another problem we had was the slow service. I went for a business lunch and we were there well over an hour. Some people need to get back to work! Also, my panini was extremely spicy. I resorted to drinking a coworker's water when the waitress was MIA for twenty minutes.
I wouldn't go back to this place.
Teca is my favorite pre-movie dining place. I love the selections of foods, they are always wonderfully prepared and matched. This is real food for real foodies. Those who think it is “snobbie” just don’t like food enough, in my view. Of course, I get there early, before the crowds, but I have never waited for a table. The wait staff doesn’t know as much about the menu as I do sometimes, but they are always willing to go to the back and find out from those who do–the owners and chefs, who obviously really care about offering high-quality, interesting, and unusual food at a reasonable price. Too bad the majority of the reviews are by people who didn’t like the place, rather than the hundreds who keep returning, as is obvious by its popularity. If you like food, like to be able to sample a wide variety of foods in one sitting, and enjoy eating nicely balanced and paired tastes and textures, this is the place for you.
I like Teca, and I’ve had some great food and wine there. It’s beautiful.
However, the gossip from foodies in the surrounding CC area is that the products and ingredients are not of great calibur. Gossip around the WC area is that the bar upstairs is a flop.
Anyone agree/disagree? Has anyone voiced concern with Teca, or possibly forwarded them a link to this website? It’s great to have a forum to praise and criticize, but it would be even better to make our concerns and pleasures loud, so that everyone’s experience can be improved!
Teca is good for drinks. Good wine and beer selections. But the food is awful. The menu sounds good but the portions are too big and I use better ingredients at home. I’ll go elsewhere…Spence Cafe and Gilmore’s are right across the street.
Now let me think, Gee everyone complains of long lines. I have one remark. Amateur dinners go out for dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Intelligent people know that a weekend night is usually a restaurants busiest and slowest service of the week. You all sound like a bunch of complaining Amateurs. If you want to choke yourselves on Gilmours French food then do it. How do you compare the two they are not even in the same league. It’s the city man, Your gonna pay a premium for a glass of water, But all you pros know that right.
This is a place for people who like to be seen. The food is good but I think they try a little too hard to be European. Everyone seems to like it. Just a touch too trendy for me. I don’t like the fact that the “In people” get preferred service. That’s ok as long as you don’t make the rest of feel like outsiders. Don’t go on Friday or Saturday night.
This has been a favorite restaurant of mine for the past two years. True – there is a wait and it can often be very long on the weekends but with such a small dining area, it is something we have come to expect (more time to enjoy a glass of wine!). We waited for a table once for over an hour and the staff was so accommodating that they served us a complimentary panini due to our extensive wait (while we waited for our table) – I thought that was a nice gesture. I have always liked the wine and the menu selections – great salads and bruschetta! Great place to try!! Disappointed to hear that others have not had a positive experience at Teca.
Teca had been a favorite resturant of mine for years. However, I believe it lost a lot of it’s character and quality of food once it expanded and the “non-smoking” section was added on. Before this addition, Teca was a this great little place to get lunch and catch up with a friend or go for a quiet dinner but now it’s just full of loud people and snotty individuals looking around the room to check everyone else out. I tried to embrace the change but I’ve moved on, it’s just not the amazing place it used to be.
Nice spot for a glass of wine–just wish the pour was a little more…
[...] 38 E. Gay Street West Chester, PA 19380 610.738.8244 More Restaurant Info [...]
We go to Teca often and think it is great. It is one of our favorite places in town. Robert the owner always says hello and works amazingly hard. The bartenders are always friendly and willing to make drink recommendations. We love the food (especially the cheese platters).
We normally go during the week when it is less crowded which may be why we enjoy it so much. The new wine area is fantastic and the wine selection is amazing.
It is a Euro cafe (and much faster service than traditional cafe’s we have visited in Europe). We were amazed to see the negative comments about the service as we have never experienced that. I guess when we go to a European style cafe we expect to have slower service because that is what a Euro cafe is all about – slowing down the pace and having time to catch up with friends.
We never thought of it as a ‘trendy’ place or a place to be ‘seen’ or even noticed the ‘snobs’ people are talking about. That’s not quite our style and we are normally focused on the people we are with – so guess we must have missed it.
In terms of the long wait, I have waited longer for the Olive Garden so guess that doesn’t bother me either.
To A. Wagner, You can get Robert’s full name very easily off of the downtownwestchester.com web site when you look under Teca. It has his phone number (and even his picture so you’ll know what he looks like). It’s a shame you had to wait, but I guess if my friend was 9.5 months pregnant, I probably wouldn’t be taking her her out on a Friday night at 8:00pm… although the hospital is close by. Fiorello’s up the street does great take out if you are interested.
I TOOK A FRIEND TO TECA'S LAST NIGHT TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY. WE HAD A GREAT TIME…GOOD FOOOD AND DRINKS, ATTTENTIVE WAITRESS AND A PLEASANT CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNER. I WILL CERTAINLY GO BACK. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THESE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ARE COMING FROM, BUT I HAVE SOME IDEAS.
I went to Teca and the service was S-L-O-W. It took forever to get food and drinks. I do have to say the bean puree was fantastic. However, either the owner or the owner's father (?) came over to speak to the people at the table next to us, and proceeded to wedge himself between our tables, so we had to eat our meal with this guy's rear-end about 10 inches from our faces. RUDE. That pretty much ruined the whole experience for me. Would not go back.
So this review isnt necessarily for Teca, but for their upsatirs establishment Mezzanine. My buddy and I had a friend come in from out of town who is interested in moving to West Chester permanently. We decided to show him some West Chester night life starting with Mezzanine. We arrived at the door with sharp blazers, designer jeans, and nice shoes….nothing ripped or torn. We are all in sales/finance and generally are a clean cut group of guys. Well, we were denied entry b/c we were wearing t-shirts under our blazers!?!?! and nice t-shirts…once again, nothing torn! WTF? We were so ready to spend lots of cash on some good drinks! Mezzanine, this is not Manhattan, nor will it ever come close to it. You know this b/c you used to charge $20 cover and now you dont b/c people werent coming to your bar! Please, get a clue. Train your bouncers to know how to view class in people. you lost our business for life. I guess you'll make up for it from the restaurant downstairs, which is good, but way overpriced.
I usually go to Teca for a couple glasses of wine and some light food. The food is decent and the wine is good. The last time I went, I got soda instead of wine. So did the person I was with. The waitress egarly refilled our sodas before they were empty. When we got the bill, we were charged $12 for diet soda!!! I was never told refills were not free (the glasses are half the size of regular glasses).
When I spoke with the owner about it, he was very rude. This really surprised me because I always see him there working very hard to run his restaurant. He actually insulted me by telling me most people don’t drink that much soda (two normal sized glasses each doesn’t seem excessive to me) and told me that Teca is a much classier establishment than I must be used to dining at!!! Then he took my soda charge “down” to $7. I was insulted and felt tricked. I will NEVER go back there.
They recycle their cheese!! Gross!!!
What’s happened to Teca? This had been a favorite spot but I’ll think twice about returning after my lunch there a few weeks ago. Had the special sandwich – roast beef and bleu cheese. It was priced at almost twice that of any other sandwich on the menu – it was dry and tasteless; if there was blue cheese on the sandwich I never tasted it. At over $14 for the sandwich, it was served with a quarter slice of a grape tomato, period, pathetic. You can’t even call that a garnish – it looked more like a mistake, plate litter. Also had the same experience of being charged for iced tea refills.
What a sad group of low life wanna-be parolees hang out at this place. If fake NJ shore tough guys and skanks are your idea of a good night, you'll love Teca.
2 glasses of wine + 3 pieces of cheese = $100 later…still have to get pizza…at Culinary of course! Enjoy the over price experience…never going back….ever.
Didn't want to like TECA, but thought we would give it a try…
It was the right time to go, not too busy for a Saturday. We ate inside, no wait. I would have to say it was good.
We didn't expect much, service was slow, we did get two drinks (good), a brushetta (excellent), and small dinners (both very good).
don't go there expecting a ton, drinks small meals, and you'll be set.
next time we may just order appetizers, they had a great selection of those and sandwiches.
Teca is a very appealing restaurant, but only to the eye. If you are actually hungry, I dont recommend it. $35 for 5 miniature slices of steak is not very filling. Everything is way over priced. I paid $20 for three lamb chops, each took me two bites to finish. It was pathetic. We were charged extra money just for peppers on a sandwich that was dry and disappointing anyway. The owner opened a bottle of wine for our table which he recommended, 4 glasses of wine and 80 dollars later… I still didn’t even have a buzz. Not only did he reek of B.O but I believe a drip of sweat from his nasty hair that needs to be cut dripped onto our table. Disgusting if you ask me. Not only did the owner walk about the place like he has a stick in his ass and a pissed off look on his face, but he yelled at nearly every employee that crossed his path. I will never go back.
Teca used to be such a great restaurant. before the new side opened. It has slowly gone down hill.
Prices keep rising,portions get smaller, business seems slower than ever.
I have talked to numerous friends who were once regular customers, but forbid to go there anymore. One too many bad experiences I guess.
I have heard dozens of horror stories about this place. I will not mention all of them…but I can say, double check your bills, you may be paying for something you never had.
Teca is a shady place.
It doesn’t suprise me that there are so many reviews of this place that are negative. The owner, set-up by daddy who owns Alberto’s (which I just heard was going under)doesn’t understand customer service 101. The time I ate there with a friend of mine, they brought me the wrong entree. So I had to wait another 10-15 minutes while my friend ate his. Both of us had worked in the restaurant business when we were younger and couldn’t believe that I wasn’t at least offered a comped drink or dessert. This owner/manager didn’t seem to get it that such an offer is standard operating procedure in the business. Recently, someone who was a waitress there said the owner’s attitude is that such an expectation means that there is something wrong with the customer! She said his attitude is “we don’t want that kind of customer.” So he will trade no future business from someone and risk that the person will also bad-mouth his place so as not to lose 5 or 6 bucks for a drink or dessert? What a sharp businessman!
I was there last week for lunch, asked for a glass of the house red wine — $16. Crazy. Before that though, it almost seemed like the host didn’t want to seat us in his empty restaurant. Cold service. We waited forever for our change. We used to frequent Teca about three nights a week before it expanded, i think what kept the place alive was the great staff. All those people are gone now. The new people seem distant and cold. The Salads were fresh, interesting and not overdressed- which happens a lot at other places.
If Teca reads this, I hope you folks figure out customer service and customer relationship management. It equally important to your food/bev offerings and your beautifully appointed establishment.
I am so disappointed. My husband and I both loved to go to TECA. We would regularly visit 4 to 5 times a month, more so during the summer months. I came upon this website and was upset with the reviews I was reading, so we decided to stop in and see for ourselves.
First off, I received an e-mail from their advertising agency – HAPPY HOUR at TECA. Monday thru Friday 4-6. We decided to go as a group on a Monday night is early March. Surprise!!! – you need to sit at the bar to benefit from the happy hour prices. Really, you must have forgotten to put that in the e-mail. Oh well, I’ll move on and order my favorite – Mango Martini. FRUIT FLIES in my martini… that must be something new. Excuse me waiter, there is a fruit fly in my drink!!! Let’s try another one, looks good so far… whoops that little sucker needed to float to the top. Another fruit fly in my martini. Third times a charm.
Long story short – we had to tell the waiter to remove the drinks from our bill, those little fruit flies are expensive.
After he discussed it with his Manager – the manager came over and apologized and removed the 2 drinks. Do you think maybe they would have comped us somthing else? After all our bill was $200+.
Very disappointing indeed. Being a borough resident, walking uptown to enjoy a cocktail and good food is something my husband and I enjoy very much. Looks like we need to find another spot, TECA is in need of some much needed improvements before we return.
I am not sure why people feel the need to put Teca down. Personally Ive never seen such hard working people ever before in a rest. in west chester. If people cant afford the prices, then dont go. Not everywhere is 4 bucks for a fantastic glass of wine or .99 for soda plus free refills. Great atmosphere, cute outside seating, small meals, apps, and they are known for fun martinis and drinks. If you want bigger meals that fill you up, and cheaper drinks, then go somewhere else. That is all part of what makes it the place it is. There is no other place like it in town. And i personally dont think that making hits against the owner or his staff has anythign to do with anything. Enjoy dinner elsewhere if it is not your scene. And Albertos was bought out, it wasnt nor is it currently "going under".
Tecas food is great, and the fact that everytime ive been in there i seem to notice all the hard work going on to make it the successful business that it is. So…ENJOY!!!
Now, let’s gain some composure here. I absolutely agree with the last post-if you do not like it, simply don’t go back. If you are looking to fill up for under $20 there are a plethora of applebee’s and chilis and all of those other chains that will do just that. The worst review you can give a restaurant is to not go back. And while I appreciate these forums for reviews, I think people need to rethink who is writing them. Food critics…no. Seasoned palates…probably not. Professors of business and HR…my bet is no.
Try to be helpful to the other readers, here. Give a description n of what you had and let them make the judgement for themselves. If you have a personal vendetta with an employee there, bring it up to them. And if there is a problem with an owner you speak to them directly. The chances are, this “owner” that reviewers are referring to was probably not there. People mistake managers, waiters even bus boys for owners all the time. So don’t do that unless you are very sure.
I think people forget that restaurant owners, no matter how young or old or experienced or just starting out, make their livelyhood on their restaurants. They aren’t trying to be famous, and tthey sure aren’t doing it because it is easy work. they are running a restaurant because they like it. They like food, they like entertaining they enjoy an atmosphere where people are having a nice time.
So be helpful when writing these reviews…don’t be sarcastic or malicious or any of the above. And certainly do not write a bad review for a restaurant because they did not comp something for you. that in fact, is NOT standard practice. Every restaurant owner knows when it is appropriate to give something away and it is not to a customer who you know will just go and bad mouth you to everybody still after you gave them a free drink. THAT is being a smart business person.
And for all of those who read this and think it is an employee or the owner himself…it isn’t. It is a fellow restaurant owner with no relation at all to Teca. Are prices high…sure, no price is low enough now a days unless it is free. Are portions small, no. They are appropriately sized as they should be. Buca di Beppo super sizes if that is what you are looking for. Does the wine get you drunk….I don’t know, because I don’t drink for that reason. But I know the Barolo and Amarones at Teca are very nice and full bodied.
So good luck to all you eaters, I say give it a try. It is consistent and reliable. To all the reviews, please think before you speak. To all the readers, remember to consider who is writing these reviews (bad date, didn’t feel well, just found out your dog is sick) and don’t take them word for word.
The food is very good, but over priced. The service is decent as well. I like the atmosphere as it's laid back and not full of drunk college kids.
Wow! Teca wows you with its’ warm wonderful atmosphere and its’ great fish dishes. Roberto loves to serve his Tuscan grappa and will discuss wine til the sun rises. Sitting outside, watching the sights and sounds of West Chester and savoring every taste offered by this excellent restaurant. Would not hesitate to take anyone there – if he has them, try the stuffed figs wrapped in proscuitto. I hate the expression but “to die for”. Retire to the bar after your meal where you can experience many unusual beverages and great conversation. I am not surprised to see that so many people have written about Teca – Mangia in a easy atmosphere.
Fantastic dinner last evening…nice bottle of Malbec, had three of the specials, straight forward cheese platter for an app, delicious lobster ravioli and a tasty blush penne pasta. Dessert was a great creme brulee and a plate of mini cannoli's. We enjoyed ourselves, the staff and the atmosphere. Second time in six months. We will be back again. All around fun night in WC.
Must agree that service is slow with some of the staff. I know people that work and have worked there and they have directly told me that Roberto intentionally overcharge customers. FYI: check your bill and the menu pricing. He is definitely not a savvy business man.
Seems to be a common theme amongst posters – a theme that I totally agree with. You can have a singularly good experience at Teca. Food is generally pretty good. Not cheap, but good food isn't cheap so I'm OK with that. I live in the borough and the consensus is that Teca just doesn't treat "regulars" well. If you go there regularly, they'll find a way to hose you or treat you badly. Was there this weekend with a group of 16 people and we overheard owner bitching about how where our group was standing was making it difficult for servers to get through. Really, dude? Our tab was over $500! Just politely ask us to move rather than bitch to your staff behind our back. Anyway, around WC, it's very easy to find people who used to be regulars who won't go there anymore. Customers are tolerated not welcomed. It's ashame, because it is cool room without college kids and the usual fried bar food, but they need an attitude change.