Cafe Lalo

I came because the food is pretty great, but the service was poor tonight! Maybe 1/3 of the tables are full, but my server is too busy on her phone to come ask for my order. The same thing happened when I was ready to order dessert.

It was the place i went for a first date- worst idea ever. It was after 7-8pm, and the place was crowded. I could see what my neighbors eat, i can hear all other conversations. The espresso was tasty and the cake as well, however, its not the best place for a date, relaxing time. The line was huge, and we literally stayed for half of hour to get all set. I'd go there again to rebuild a new opinion.

My favorite place to eat in the city! They have the best cakes (Mississippi Mud Pie Cake K!) and have a great non meat menu (coming from someone who loves steak and chicken). It's very crowded in the evenings, especially after the movie theater lets people out around the corner, and they play top 40's or electronic music which does not fit the vibe of the restaurant but it's still a great place to grab something to eat and people watch. I suggest going during the day for breakfast or lunch on a warm sunny when it is more laid back and less crowded.

The first time I went to Cafe Lalo, I had a decent time. The cake we ordered (some chocolate cake) was terribly dry and definitely old - definitely not worth the $8-$10. Wasn't even worth .99cents. However, the frozen ice cappuccino I had was really good. That's why we decided to go back a few days ago - we wanted to give this place another try, and have one of their delicious ice cappuccinos. WHAT A MISTAKE. If ever there was a definition of a tourist trap, Cafe Lalo is it. I gave them 2 tries, and will never go back. We ordered the frozen ice cappuccino again, and we got a chocolate milkshake with chocolate syrup on the bottom of the cup -?? Huh? When I asked the waitress if they usually put ice cream in their cappuccinos, she looked like she had no idea, but said "YES" anyways. I told her that I think they got our order wrong, because this was a milk shake, but instead of being understanding or saying sorry, she gave me a rude look and said "So you don't want it anymore?" In addition to the rude waitress (maybe she didn't mean to be rude, but her english was lacking, and it seemed like it was her 1st day on the job, and it was quite hectic), the service was EXTREMELY slow. 5 minutes to get seated with tons of empty tables, 10 minutes to get our menus, 5-10 minutes to pay (while standing in front of the cash register with no one there). This cafe is slammed with tables - so many tables it's hard to walk anywhere! You have to lift up chairs and move tables, just to get to the table you're assigned to. And the whole time we were there, with maybe 30+ guests, there were only 2 waitresses. It was hot, crowded, slow and overpriced. It looks like a nice place to go from the outside, but it's definitely not a place to sit and relax. It's frantic, with loud music, bad service (NO AC!!!!), and bad food. I'd suggest going somewhere else.

I don't know why people give Cafe Lalo low ratings. Their food is really good and their staff is really nice. The cafe is very beautiful.

I live close to Lalo, so I have given it a few chances. Inevitably, the cakes and tarts are just okay. The mousse I had tonight, for example, tasted like JELL-O brand pudding. The place is just phoning it in for the tourists who are drawn in by the movie connection. Of course, the price for mediocre cake is $7.50 per slice. Crazy. Also, it always takes at least 5 minutes for the person to give you a slice of cake at the counter, and service is rarely friendly. The place is also packed and too brightly lit.

We like to go to Cafe Lalo with a group of friends because it gives off a bustling, happy and festive vibe. However, the music is loud and the place is always overcrowded and service can be slow, so if you need some peace and quiet, this will not do for you. Food is forgettable but you can find a good variety (especially desserts) on a late night here, every night.