C'est La Vie

A Long-Overdue Love Letter to C’est La Vie It’s not often you come across a restaurant that gets *everything* right, consistently — but C’est La Vie in downtown Lancaster has quietly, confidently been doing just that for years. And frankly, this glowing review is long overdue. From the moment you step through the door, it’s clear that every detail of the space has been curated with intention. The ambiance is effortlessly chic — a blend of trendy comfort and belle époque elegance that transports you. The warm lighting, rich textures, and thoughtful spatial design all work in harmony to create an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and intimate. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for hours, lost in great conversation, without ever needing to raise your voice. The acoustics are a minor miracle in themselves. But let’s talk about the food — *mon dieu*, the food. The French-inspired cuisine never ceases to amaze. Every dish is a marriage of high-quality ingredients and meticulous presentation. Whether it's traditional mussels beurre monte, a perfectly seared duck breast, or a decadent crème brûlée, there’s a certain *je ne sais quoi* to every plate that leaves you both satisfied and eagerly anticipating your next visit. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between innovation and tradition — French classics elevated with subtle, modern twists that surprise and delight. The cocktails are no less impressive. Creative, balanced, and beautifully presented, each drink is a testament to the skill and imagination behind the bar. Whether you're indulging in something floral and aromatic or bold and spirit-forward, there’s always something on the cocktail menu that feels just a little bit special — like it was made just for you. As for the service: friendly, professional, and perfectly timed. The staff at C’est La Vie have mastered the art of being present without ever hovering. They seem to have an innate sense of when to appear — whether it’s for a water refill, a wine recommendation, or simply to check in. It’s a level of attentiveness that feels rare these days and only adds to the overall sense that you are being *taken care of*. What makes C’est La Vie so special, though, is the consistency. This isn’t a place that rests on its reputation. Every visit, whether a spontaneous weeknight dinner, a business lunch or a celebratory evening out, meets — and often exceeds — expectations. There’s clearly a deep level of thought and pride that goes into every element of the dining experience, and it shows. As a lifelong Francophile, C’est La Vie feels like home away from my happy place. It captures the spirit of France — not just in the food or decor, but in the *experience*: the joy of sharing a beautiful meal, of savoring the moment, of feeling like time has slowed just enough to let you *live* a little more fully. C’est La Vie isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Lancaster — it’s one of my favorites. Mes remerciements à toute l'équipe!

Even thought the service and ambience experience were positive , food quality and preparation didn’t match the price nor overall reviews . The bourguignon was the only good dish that I could recommend , bouillabaisse felt blend and didn’t taste fresh . The pizza was nothing like other pictures posted online and felt like a frozen pizza from the market, jumbo shrimps were dry probably over cooked . My wife was given a broken wine glass . Far from impressed

I made reservations this morning via the Open Table App for my first dining experience. It was a perfect day for al fresco dining and people-watching as shoppers came and went at the historic Lancaster Central Market. Our server Ben asked my daughter and me our first names and addressed us by our names when checking in for our orders, a first in all my years of dining out. Chef’s kiss for the Surf & Turf: filet mignon and crab cake. C'est La Vie is worth the drive from Harrisburg.

A very nice menu… we got the berry salad and that was great. Also, the best onion soup I’ve had, ever! Short rib sandwiches for lunch…with great fries. Exceptional coffee! The wait staff was very friendly and professional.

We’ve been to C’est la Vie every Valentine’s Day for the past 3 years, and this year we decided to come for our anniversary too! We had the same server as V-day (Mike D) and he is spectacular! He’s so kind and personable; we will be asking for him the next time we visit. We’ve also had Benjamin before and he was great too. As for food, my partner gets something different every time we come because you can’t get anything bad on this menu. I on the other hand am a creature of habit, so I always get Chef Daniel’s Crab Cakes because they’re simply the best crab cakes I’ve ever had! Highly recommend getting dessert as well. The creme brûlée is out of this worlddddd 😍

Would have given 5 stars all the way across the board however the woman that is the hostess was pretty rude to us. We came about 10 min prior to opening, staff was setting up outside and I asked if we could kindly just put our name in as we had a party of 5 and it was a Saturday during th very busy Strawberry Festival. Celebrating my daughter finding her wedding gown that morning, she was like “ummmm NO u need to wait until we open at 1130”. When we went back at 1130 another young man was at the hostess station and was super kind and took us right to a great table. The service was great, amazing cocktails and food was great as well. The hostess needs to be a little more kind with her approach otherwise we have eaten here several times and LOVE it! Highly recommend!!

The food was absolutely delicious. The steak was cooked to perfection. The beef bourguignon was exceptionally seasoned. Great cocktails too. Definitely recommend this place.

C'est La Vie was a fantastic experience! My friend and I had an amazing time enjoying their delicious pizza, which had a perfectly crispy crust and fresh toppings. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor, a great complement to our meal. We paired everything with a couple of their signature cocktails, which were expertly made and refreshing. The atmosphere was charming, with a relaxed vibe that made it easy to unwind. The service was friendly and attentive, making the whole dining experience even better.

On Saturday morning, I made reservations through the Open Table App to enjoy al fresco dining at C'est La Vie Bistro on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Chef's kiss for the superbly prepared Surf & Turf that my daughter and I ordered. Our server, Ben S, asked us our first names and addressed us by name when he checked in on us during our meal. I definitely will be back for another excellent dining experience.

I really enjoyed my experience here! We were staying in the area and the restaurant was within walking distance from our hotel. The restaurant was very cozy and nicely decorated for the holidays. Our server Benjamin was great! He was very attentive during our meal. The french onion soup was delicious! I also really enjoyed the Croque Monsieur. My husband and I shared the Crème Brulé, it was the perfect ending to our meal. I highly recommend this restaurant!

Service - top notch service from Benjamin, our server. He was very attentive, replenished our beverages when he noticed them getting low, gave menu recommendations based on our indecisiveness, and was an overall joy to have as our server. Not to mention he's also from Maryland - which is where we are from. Visiting the area we were excited to give C'est La Vie Bistro a try - and as you can see we are glad we did! It's a beautiful bistro which was also beautifully decorated for the holiday. Everything was delicious, for starters we ordered the mussels, deviled eggs, and shrimp cocktail. Our entrees were the fried chicken, veggie pasta, crab cake, pizza, and short rib sandwich - the meals were plentiful and we all enjoyed every bite. For dessert we had the carrot cake - which was a tad dry BUT the filling was so amazing it made up for the slight dryness of the cake. Not sure when I'll be back in the area - but C'est La Vie has made my top places to visit when I am! Thanks for great service and great food!

Food taste and presentation were great, but I will simply return because of the service provided by Ben. Very personable and attentive. He made a lovely dinner all the better.

Our waiter was Amazing! I have to start texting myself servers names so I remember them when I get to the review. Since the night was not too hot we sat outside. We started our meal off with blue crab deviled eggs. There was a nice piece of blue crab on top of the egg. Nice but probably not something I would eat again. Our meals - Lamb Tenderloin was just as it sounds nice and tender and the mushroom risotto creamy and perfect. My sandwich would have been better in my opinion as an entree with no bread. The brioche bun could not stand up to the moistness of the meat and the bun fell apart. The fries were crispy with the perfect amount of salt. Now our desserts were stars - mine the cake version of the candy Roche. Dreamy with smooth chocolate and crisp from hazelnuts.. My husband's cake was beautifully presented. Almost like a cheesecake by fluffy and creamier.

Charcuterie board was disappointing . There was little flavor in the meat and cheese and the crackers tasted like a first holy communion wafer.

Came here for a girls lunch on a Saturday and had a lovely time! the ambiance was really relaxed but modern. We sat at a high top and started with some yummy cocktails. I got the mushroom soup and a blt. The soup was very watery and not a lot of flavor but the blt was yummy!

Great local restaurant adjacent to the central market. Good food and service. So nice to sit outside on a nice day and take in the fresh air.

The crab cake sandwich was fabulous. The crab cake has absolutely no filler and was served on a light croissant. The flounder sandwich was panko coated and served on a croissant with coleslaw in it. It had a perfect amount of crunchiness. Both came with a large serving of russet potato fries that were also great - crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. We discovered this by accident and will tell friends who come to Lancaster about it.

We had a largely positive dining experience at this quaint eatery. Service by Benjamin was excellent. Drinks and several appetizers started the evening. The margarita pizza and beef tartare were excellent. The escargot was the only disappointment. A more simplistic approach of butter and garlic would have been better as the dish was over complicated with flavors that didn't really work and a ring of squash that was undercooked. That said, the presentation was appealing. Most of the entrees were exquisite. The surf and turf was excellent. The crab cake had no filler and the filet was first sous vide and finished on the grill. Compliments to the chef as this was perfection. Do scallops, mushrooms and cheese go together? Yes! The coquille Saint Jacques, while rich, was very good. The duck was a mixed bag. While the risotto was a 10, some of the duck was dry while other bites were moist. Desserts were good...beautifully presented and well plated, but were nothing to write home about. The restaurant was clean and comfortable on a cold night.

Brilliant, absolutely bloody brilliant. We had gone to Lancaster for the day to peer into the lives of the Amish for our personal enjoyment, as is customary amongst the English. The first thing on the menu was to find a menu, because it was lunch time and if Lancaster is known for anything, it has got to be its French cuisine. Actually, our original plan had been to find something in the Central Market but man, what a mad house. Finding a seat in there is damn near impossible at peak times, which is basically open 'til close (6am - 3pm) on Saturday. After escaping to the alley to regroup, we saw C'est La Vie across the way. Good news is it was 11am right on the nose, and they were about to open. Bad news is we didn't have a reservation and they are strongly encouraged. The hostess made it sound very exclusive and was about to apologize when she jury-rigged a last second solution - we could be seated immediately if we didn't mind sitting at a "hybrid" table. You see, sliding glass doors out front open up so that people can dine outside and enjoy the hustle an bustle of the nearby farmer's market. Our table straddled the inside and outside. This ended up being freakin' awesome. We got the peaceful calm of the inside mixed with the cool breeze of the outside. I guess most people like to either be one or the other completely - there's no middle ground with them. Table extremists, as they're known in the biz. Lunch will be composed of handhelds for the most part with a wide array of sandwiches and brick oven pizzas. But don't get me wrong, if you want to indulge on a $49 filet at 11:30am on a Tuesday, then by all means. Personally I went for some type of burger topped with caramelized onions and Swiss. Handhelds come with tots. The site says fries, but maybe they were out on this day. Tots were fine, and they came with a tiny single-use Heinz ketchup bottle. I am such a sucker for these miniature jars. Like, I freakin' adore them and want to take them home with me. The flounder sandwich was nicely breaded and fried to to a deep brown. Maybe the panko crust was the fryer a bit too long. Either way, it still boasted tremendous flavor. There was a smattering of remoulade on the brioche bun (note: this was supposed to come on a toasted croissant) with a thin layer of coleslaw for a nice vinegary crunch. When it comes to the short rib sandwich, it was just balls to the walls nuttiness. I'm talkin' a generous portion of braised beef, horseradish aioli, and tomato chutney. Perhaps the best part of this was the layer of provolone on top that looked as though it were hit with a blowtorch - super melty with the ends bubbly and crispy. You know when the cheese slightly burns and gets that delicious crispy texture? You get that here, all along the edges. Those first bites must have been heaven. Ambiance is super classy and modern. The wiry lamps overheard look like traps from Saw. They have to be from some local artist. I'd have to describe the interior as.. Industrial Chic? This would absolutely be a prime date night destination. If you get the opportunity, try a hybrid table (warmer months, obviously). You truly get the best of both worlds. I don't even think I'd want to be fully outside with all the people jetting by. You'd be right in the action, at least on Central Market days (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday). Parking will need to be wherever you can find it. This place is tucked in the market square, so there's no dedicated parking lot. It's jungle law, man. Every man for himself out in the streets. But hey, that's life!

Easily one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. The service was absolutely top notch. The server was such a sweetheart and on top of it, seriously the best service I've had. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful. The food was absolutely incredible! My friends and I shared the fig and goat cheese pizza, escargot, crab deviled eggs, and the most interesting salmon macarons. I can't wait to come back here in the future when I back in town.

Tables outside are for dining only, that isn't written anywhere or said when being seated. When told, it was after after drinks were delivered basically forcing us to get food at that point. Clear communicating and courteousness goes a long way unfortunately we were met with neither.

I had high hopes but nothing stood out. I ordered a ribeye sandwich I believe, it was just OK and not to complain but they did put a ton of meat in there, like two sandwiches worth, for me I'd rather just have enough meat because it was challenging to eat and wasn't that tasty. Service was decent, outdoor seating pretty nice but the inside looked really romantic and cute. I might come back and try other things on the menu but I wasn't blown away with the selections.

I usually stay calm, but when it comes to discrimination, I have to speak up. From the moment we walked in, there were no accommodations or customer service. If you don't match the local demographic, you won't have any luck here. Despite having a reservation, we were told there were no available tables after giving them our last name. To our frustration, there were six empty tables outside and an entire bar area free of patrons. Next time, I'll make sure to not give my last name and look more like the local demographic.

Lovely holiday decorated restaurant seemed well managed with friendly staff. No reservation for Tuesday lunch so had a seat at the bar. Bartender was great. First visit so not inclined to order a $40 entree just to be cautious and feel the place out. Went with the croque monsieur which was very poorly prepared. I am a French classically trained chef and culinary arts teacher so feel qualified to critique. Sorry.....not even close to the classic French preparation. Basically slop on a plate. So disappointed. No excuse for that sorry to say. Happy I didn't order an entree. Probably never go back.

Good food, Great Server Brett Baker be sure to ask for Brett if you want great service.

The food is a little pricey for burgers and fries. Besides that the service was great , michael (waiter) was friendly and patient with me in my order in being my first time visiting the restaurant, Lastly the restaurant was very clean .

If you haven't been, you have to make it your next stop in Lancaster. The Christmas decor is stunning with excellent food/drinks. What really stood out was the service. We had a fabulous waiter, Brett. He went above and beyond to make our experience special. I can't recommend it enough.

Came here last minute after our volleyball tournament. Service here was great and everyone was proper and attentive. We REALLY loved the mussels- highly recommend and we loved every bit of it. The complementary bread was also very delicious with this. I got the corn basil pizza and I kind of wish I got something else. It was a bit too doughy for me unfortunately. Wish I loved it!

Went here for Mother's Day. The ambience and food were amazing. Our waiter Ben took great care of us.

We celebrated my mom's 80th birthday here with lunch and it was a great experience! I highly recommend this place and can't wait to go back. Our waiter Michael was fantastic! He had great suggestions, friendly banter and made sure my mom had a very special day. We especially loved the mussels and desserts, but our pizza and sandwiches and drinks were delicious as well. We all cleaned every plate. My mom is still raving about it. Thank you Michael and the restaurant!!

Our evening at this lovely bistro was wonderful. Our server, Scott, was funny and helpful, and we ordered everything delicious (including cocktails and wine). We started with the bacon appetizer, and then enjoyed a salad, the poutine, and shared the crab cake main. We also had both the crème brûlée and a flourless chocolate dessert. Delicious! If we are ever back in Lancaster we will be sure to return.

Outstanding bistro style French cuisine in the heart of historic Lancaster PA. C'est La Vie is adjacent to the Lancaster Central Market and tye menu is a nice mix of French specialties such as Bouef Borgingon and Coq Au Vin as well as more American fare such as steaks and a crab cake sandwich. The bistro features charming, Parisian style outdoor seating in addition to indoor tables. I enjoyed a Croque Monsieur sandwich while my companion enjoyed vichyssoise and the C'est La Vie salad. The salad featured a creamy onion and sweet corn vinaigrette which was excellent. Service was fast and attentive. Our server, Bernard, did a great job of being friendly snd attentive but not intrusive. We are looking forward to a future, leisurely evening visit to sample the French entrees. Most entrees are $25-$30 but well worth it based on our experience. Reservations recommended.

Amazing food and service! A beautiful bistro with great customer service! Absolutely recommend!

We've been here so many times! Hard to believe I've not previously reviewed?! The food here is stupendous! The service is wonderfully attentive. The decor is lovely, modern with some French-inspired flare. The outside seating is also really nice--right next to central market-- with awnings, umbrellas and heaters so it's good for a whole host of weather scenarios. And most important...they have a new top ranked French pastry chef and it shows! Kate the bartender is also great and makes epic cocktails. I would recommend this place to anyone! Their menu is also varied enough it can accommodate a snack, something simple and delicious like a wood fired pizza to wonderful fine dining. It's also in a PERFECT spot for a pre/post dinner stroll around the most charming areas of downtown Lancaster.

Outstanding atmosphere. Friendly service. Great selection of drinks and fare. Stopped in for a glass of wine and an app. Chose the French Onion soup. Just delicious. Perfectly prepared. Home made croutons, great consistency, and... perfect char on the cheese. Looking forward to going back for entrees.

I heard they're known for the crab cakes and it lived up to the hype. Big chunky pieces of crab - no ground up fillers in there! Delicious. Nice outdoor dining area and friendly staff makes this a worthwhile stop

Used to be our favorite but something changed. The mussels may have steeped too long in the little crock pot they now use. They used to be served in a more open dish maybe less prone to overcooking. Broth seemed different too. One too many ingredients on most dishes. Not everything needs a glaze. Lamb was good but accompanying risotto was over salted. Service was spotty tho well meaning.

My husband and I stopped here while having a lax night in Lancaster. We walked through here once before to visit Josephine's. The place is gorgeous and inviting, but I love that it's tucked away. The staff was warm and inviting, especially the bartenders (we opted for the bar). Tia was great and her coworker was just as bubbly and helpful! We wanted to just grab some drinks and apps. I got a filthy martini and I LOVED it. It was made perfectly while having REAL blue cheese stuffed olives. My husband enjoyed his cocktails as well. We started with the cocktail shrimp and charcuterie board. Originally, we were going to get the chowder, but the male bartender stated that there was bacon in it, which I'm glad he mentioned as I don't eat it. The food came out SUPER fast even though it was relatively busy. The cocktail shrimp were large in size and the cocktail sauce was delicious as it had a bit of a kick. I thought the presentation was on point! The board was huge, especially in comparison to one we had nearby a couple of months back. Overall, I really loved this place and wouldn't mind coming back for a meal as well as try some more items out on the menu. The prices were on par, especially for what you got. I highly recommend!

I'm sorry ,but after reading all of these nice reviews, I feel like we were in the wrong restaurant. We are from out of town and occasionally stop at the lovely Lancaster market next door. Cest La Vie's greatest attribute seems to be it's location. There is no where to sit in the market, and there are very few restaurants nearby. We have been there three times and each time the food has been less than mediocre. Truly, we went back because there was nowhere else to go. The place is attractive, and the staff has always been very nice but the food is not worth the trip. E.G--yesterday's flounder sandwich was a thin, flat , overcooked tasteless thing covered with a large amount of french fries. My companion's ham and cheese sandwich was also mediocre and covered with fries. It's a nice place in a great location but I wish they would get a new chef.

Quality food in the middle of downtown Lancaster food was top quality. Service was outstanding great date night

So yummy!!! Very amazing service and absolutely amazing food. The ambiance is spectacular they have a very nice bar and nice music inside.

I'm sitting here at our table writing this review because I'm extremely shocked after getting our check. I came here once for lunch and really loved the experience and my food, so I came back for dinner with my husband for a date night -- which happens once in a blue moon now that we have a baby. Because of this I was really looking forward to dinner but it was a total let down. The bartender did make me a really awesome mocktail and we loved our appetizer, so our experience to start was great. But when our entrees came out the mushrooms on my mushroom stroganoff weren't cooked so I ate half of my husband's short rib sandwich which was delicious. Our server checked on us once and didn't even refill our water glasses when they were empty. All in all I ate 2 bites of my meal because it wasn't cooked right. It was also bland so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone anyway. The waitress did offer a complimentary dessert which was appreciated but at that point we were full and didn't want it. We usually don't get dessert when we go out anyway. Well we got the check and the $27 entree that I didn't eat was still on our check!!!!!! I haven't had many bad experiences at restaurants but I just thought the professional thing to do would be to remove the meal from the check. ***I only took a photo of our starter which was pretty good but it's proof we were actually there. I probably won't be returning because of my experience.

I really like the concept of the restaurants in this building. C'est La Vie is the upstairs, somewhat more casual, but still very classy restaurant/bar. Softer light, comfortable seating - a very pleasant environment. The menu available when my fiancée and I went for Valentine's Day had a wide variety of choices on the relatively small menu. Definitely French-inspired, but not inaccessible for those less adventurous. I got the poutine as an appetizer and my fiancée the French Onion Soup. The poutine was tasty, but too much on the salty side. The curds tend to be salty, and I'm not sure if it was added salt to the gravy or fries. The cheese curds were among the freshest and most flavorful I've had. My fiancée's French Onion Soup was very good too. Onion rich, plenty of cheese, great soup base. For dinner, I got the Central Market pizza and my fiancée the steak entree. That day, the pizza had mushrooms, onions, and pepperoni on it. The dough was the perfect balance of doughey. I wish the cheese were shredded and more evenly distributed on the pizza, rather than sliced. Her steak was cooked exactly how she ordered it. The potatoes and asparagus that came with it complimented the meal well. Service, courtesy of Cassandra, was exactly what you expect from this sort of place. The meal was capped off with complimentary chocolate-dipped strawberries for V-day.

Definitely was not impressed with this one. Based on the atmosphere, you would expect to receive a delicious, fancier dish. We received subpar dishes that i could've made better at home. Appetizers-French Onion Soup & Roasted Cauliflower. They were decent and flavorful. Entrées-Beef Stroganoff & Chicken Pot Pie. The Beef was very heavy but decent flavors. The Chicken Pot Pie was very disappointing with a bought or premade cracker like top. Dessert- Chocolate Decadence. Flavorful although some pecans were burnt. We came because there was no wait. Definitely dissatisfied. The flavors were there, just disappointed in the overall experience.

The four different entrees that my group ordered were overpriced for the average quality of the food. Nothing was outstanding. The interior temperature of the dining area was chilly. It was a cold day outside, and the inside temperature was insufficient. Don't try to save money with low temperature setting. The server was pleasant.

We had a wonderful meal anchored by fabulous, personal service by Tia. My sister and I went out early to get a birthday dinner on a super-crowded Saturday. We split the Brie appetizer- bacon jam - because it makes everything - even Brie - better. She had the coquilles and I'm serious, if I turned my back she might have licked the plate. My coq au vin was delightful. And the end of the meal is where service can be challenging, they were prompt and the to go back saying thank you in multiple languages is just a nice touch. We will put this new-to-us spot in regular rotation. PS - nice wine list, reasonable choices.

We love C'est La Vie! Amazing cocktails (so many delicious options to choose from) and absolutely delicious food. We tried the loaded tots, sweet corn bechamel brick oven pizza, and the crab cake. Service is outstanding and the vibe is just excellent. Highly recommend!

Food, Service and Ambiance was AMAZING. Stopped in without a reservation before going to the Fulton Theater. Was able to get a spot at the bar and so glad we did! CHARMING PLACE! Decked out for the holidays! Felt like a Hallmark movie. We ordered a few different personal specialty pizzas. So delicious! Would highly recommend!

This restaurant is one of our favorites in Lancaster. Every time we go we have a great experience. The last time we tried a few new (to us) cocktails that were both delicious. I hate to say it, but I was a little disappointed by the mac & cheese. The stewed tomatoes were amazing, but without them, the pasta was lacking cheese and flavor. The short rib sandwich was incredible, and their pizzas are always to die for. It's a great vibe for a nice evening out. In the summer they also allow seating at their tables in the alley by Central market, which is an incredible view!

We had a wonderful first experience here on a Friday night with 6:45 reservation for four. We were seated promptly indoors. It was fairly mild that night and they did have plenty of outdoor seating with heat lamps. Our server was friendly and prompt with everything. We shared several plates including the smoked fish charcuterie which was outstanding & their silver turtle platters are so cute. We then shared crab gaspacho soup, tuna poke bowl and two brick oven pizzas, one regular crust, one cauliflower crust. So they do have some GF & vegetarian/vegan options on the menu. The ambiance indoors is nice with artwork and exposed brick. Cocktails, beer & sparkling options were all pleasing. We would definitely dine again.

Always good food and great cocktails. Service is good and it's a charming environment.

I want to love this place! I've been here numerous times and I have walked away from each experience wanting more. The atmosphere is wonderful, the staff and service are always on point, but the food is lacking. Last night our party of five ordered the Pan Seared Salmon, the Charcuterie Board, Roasted Cauliflower, C'est La Vie Salad, a Margherita Pizza, and the Tellstar Tuna Poke. Sadly, we were all underwhelmed. Everything just kinda fell flat, which is similar to my previous experiences. There's no signature to the C'est La Vie Salad. The mozzarella and pepperoni tasted as if it was purchased from the local grocery store. The charcuterie board consisted of three different meats, two cheeses, crackers, dried apricots and a bowl of jam. I think there were two crackers? I would have a mustard, olives, bread, etc. In my opinion, you are paying for ambiance.

This bistro is located near the central market in Lancaster. It's a French themed restaurant and appears to have been renovated somewhat recently. It has a nice style, and it's fairly large. They have both upstairs and downstairs seating, and we sat upstairs in the dining area. The food is a nice combination of more American style dishes as well as some traditional French bistro fair. We got a selection of salads, a wrap, some appetizers, and a few sandwiches. Everything was prepared very nicely, and the service was good. They also have a full bar and a variety of beer, wine, and signature cocktails. We didn't go for dinner, but I suspect the food and service are similar as everything seems to be running very smoothly, and there were no hiccups. Definitely worth a visit!

First time at C'est La Vie and it was a nice experience. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant. Swanky Casual if you will. Service was pleasant, but a little slow and aloof for my liking. Especially considering we were seated at the bar. We started off with a tap beer and the Belvedere (House Espresso Martini) which was delicious. For apps we got the deviled eggs with crab and a Caesar salad. The deviled eggs were very good and Caesar was the best I've had in a while. For dinner we split the roast beef. I will admit, this was a little lack luster. It really was more of a beef stew than a roast beef. Also, weird complaint here, but it came out too hot. Sizzling on a cast iron pan it took at least 20 minutes to be edible and at that point it was over cooked. Just not a presentation we expected. We ended with delicious crepe brûlée and chocolate rocher, which were delightful. Overall we definitely itself would go back. Just wouldn't order the roast beef again and would expect it to be a slower paced evening.

C'est La Vie BistroThe Service: This was by far one of the best restaurant experiences that I have had in years. My friend and I went to see a show and afterwards, we needed a bite to eat to end the night. Low and behold, we stumbled crossed C'est La Vie Bistro. Walking in, the ambiance was amazing. It looked ascetically pleasing. We were seated, and then our server, Michael (but with a K), made our night absolutely perfect. In light of covid, I recognize that the food service industry is taking a huge hit right now and servers are overworked. However, Michael was a breath of fresh air. He was so attentive, personable and we could tell that he LOVED his job. My friend and I loved how he took time to share the menu with us, gave his suggestions and acted out what the entree or dessert was. It was a beautiful and magical experience to have Michael as our server. Food: I had the crab tomato bisque as a starter and the flavor in that touched every happy pallet in my mouth. It was so rich and creamy, and I did not want it to end. As my meal, I got the seared salmon with mash potatoes and Brussels sprouts. This whole entree was made to perfection. The dessert, chocolate decadence was OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS. Since it was our first time at this place and the way that Michael hyped up this dessert, he wanted us to try it so bad that he gave it to us on the house. It truly did not disappoint. My friend and I always like to give flowers while people are living. So before we ended our night, we made sure to have Michael to bring one of the managers over with him and we complimented his service and how it needs to be recognized. Michael, if you are reading this, "keep being a radiant light" - - Lancaster community, stop by there if you want an

1/2 of the appetizers were not available. Took forever to get the food which arrived cold! Expensive for what you receive. Try harder if you want to keep your customers!

First let me say, someone made good on our issue on our way out. Was not the manager who did all he could to avoid our table. Came in on a friday at lunch and staff was aplenty. We ordered 5 Caesar salads, 1 sandwich and 1 pizza. Passing the open kitchen to use the bathroom i could see 4 in there cooking away. At 30 minutes, the waiter apologized and was unsure what was taking so long. At 45 minutes my son had to use the bathroom and our pizza and sandwich were on the ledge. At 50 mins he offered drinks, we all had water, and i asked for a manager that never came. At 1 hour, dishes started to trickle over and no manager ever came. We asked for a check right away, he offered free deserts and we just asked to pay and leave. As check finally came over, we were told the "manager" took a sum off of it but never came. Don't think they deserve another chance. Left the poor waiter to hang in the weeds due to who knows what. Never got a reason why