Corinne K.
Yelp
Food - 4 stars
My most favorite part of this experience was the "waiting pastries", I had the most incredible cardamom orange croissant while waiting to be seated for brunch. It was fresh and flakey, beautifully spiced, and had just enough crunchy sugar on top. I haven't had anything like it, I think about that croissant a lot. The tea cake slice was good, very strong tea flavor, but it was really overshadowed by its counterpart. The hot drinks were good, very filling. Breakfast was lovely, I really appreciate the portion sizes and the greens available in place of what are usually some version of the poor, overplayed breakfast potato. The cocktails were tasty, and even a bit rustic with some whole spices at the bottom of my seasonal mimosa. This place knows good bread, it's the sort of restaurant that serves high caliber super hard and crusty seeded sourdoughs with big holey crumb structures. 10/10 on food!
Service - The service here was good, this place was very busy when we went for the weekend brunch rush and our waiter handled it very well. She was quick and on top of it, the service wasn't overly coddling. The café was hopping, everyone behind the counter was busy and it took our drinks a while to come out, but not because anyone was leaning on the counter.
Ambiance - Very cool, very fresh, this is a large space that was something else back in the day and in this day it's a very trendy café and brunch spot for people who love rose flavored drinks and arugula.(Me!) Hardwood floors, high ceilings, ancient windows, cool old antiquey stuff like that.
Logistics - This is a very popular place, and rightfully so. So popular it might be worth making reservations for sit-down dining (I don't know if they take them), but if you're just there for the café you don't really have to plan ahead or wait too long. The first time I went I made the (fortunate) mistake of walking in, waiting a long time, and filling up on a latte and pastry, and then picking through a delicious breakfast I didn't have much of an appetite for anymore. SO, be warned of the folly of great/popular eateries, this is one of them. And good for them :)
Definitely worth a 2nd, 3rd, and 10th try