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The cafe is a wonderful find; it's tucked away by Central Park, easy to miss. The Swedish pancakes were excellent, five thin crepes with jam. The baked eggs were a work of art. The portions of everything are indeed small, but make up for it in taste. I will definitely go back, would like to try the lunch menu.

I had heard a lot about this place and was eager to try it since I like Scandinavian food. Unfortunately it was quite underwhelming. I found the portions small and not a good value for the price. The salmon sandwich was open faced and though the salmon was good the menu should have mentioned that and that it involved only one piece of bread. The herring plate was also small in amount and though there were pieces of cheese and herring there was no bread or crackers to accompany them. When I asked for some I was given some rather stale crisps. Water glasses were not refilled. The server never asked if we wanted anything else. We had to request that. The women's bathroom was dirty and had no toilet paper, though there were two empty rolls on the floor. Not a place to return to.

There aren't many places to eat Swedish food, so I return to AQ in spite of the laughable service. This visit it took 3 tries and 20 minutes to get the rye bread that normally comes with the meatball meal. First they brought a roll, then French bread. At last I received a single very small slice of rye. Last time my waitperson was involved in training new staff (ha!) and after about 15 minutes with only a glass of water, I finally had to get up from the table and approach them to get their attention. The staff who bus tables do a great job. Wish there was a way to tip them.

My wife and sone were charged 14.95 because they ordered berries on their swedish pancakes. I was charged 12.95 and my main dish was listed as 9.95. Their dish was also 9.95, even with the 2 dollar extra charge listed on the menu. Nowhere does it say brunch is 14.95 if you get berries. In any case the dishes all cost the same. The waitress agreed,but said I need to speak to the manager. After much discussion, she agreed to drop one two dollar charge but not the other. She could see no problem with the menu. I have never written a review, but I would never go back, and recommend you avoid this place unless you don't mind being cheated.

I really don't know what to say but let's start with the good - the place has a nice atmosphere and the food is very good. Good size portions and very tasty - once you get it... But the service at this place is absolutely horrendous, even when they're not busy. We had little kids with us but there was a place of to the side opening up. We were told to stand beside the table while they were cleaning up - it took them 15 minutes with reminders from us! Then no high chairs, no menues, no water, no one to take or order... We asked if we could get the pasta dry for the kids, they had to ask the kitchen who said no! Ended up being drenched in so much butter we had to pour it off the plate. Had to ask for everything, our drinks, bread, the check (which we asked to split 50/50, bad mistake!). We also stopped by the take-out to bring home some pastries (great!) and they were rude and got annoyed when asked for a bag. By the end, we left and realized that we never got the cookie that supposedly came with the kids meal. So bottom line, they need new staff! Otherwise, just get the food at the take-out counter.

I want to LOVE going to AQ Kafe -- I live nearby, I like the menu and the atmosphere, it's never too crowded, and it's great to have a place I can meet people or bring a book. But the table service is lousy -- the servers are so distracted and inattentive it ends up distracting ME from my book or my conversation. On one of my first trips there, the waiter brought me regular Swedish meatballs instead of the vegetarian ones I'd ordered (they've since taken the veggie ones off the menu, which also sucks). Fortunately I figured it out before I ate them. I don't remember much of an apology, but I do remember the long wait for my actual meal. Another time, my friend kept ordering pastries and the server kept coming back to tell her they were out of that item -- but the server never figured out that it was HIS job to find out exactly what they DID have left. (Finally, he suggested that she "go look at the counter up front.") They're bad about refilling water; they don't know enough to check on you (and bring a menu when they ask if you'd like anything else); and you never know whether the server is going to bring your check, or wait till you ask for it, or just forget about you entirely. And then today: I walked in and a server told me to sit wherever I liked. So I sat down and waited... and waited... and not a single server noticed me. The one who told me to sit down had forgotten about me instantly. When I saw her seat someone else and bring them a menu -- but still not even a glance at me -- I got up and left. Nobody noticed, except perhaps the other people seated around me! I think that was the last strike. AQ Kafe, PLEASE find someone to train your waitstaff. Until then I'll find someplace else to go.

The pastries are very good but the sandwiches and salads are not so good.