Patisserie des Ambassades

Cafe des Ambassades has great coffee, the best pain au chocolat I've had state-side, a lovely open atmosphere with good music on the stereo... It is a real blessing of a neighborhood joint. They are open til the wee hours of the morning, and they are totally hospitable to you lingering over coffee while you get a little work or writing done. I've never had any of their mains-- just the lamb shwarma, which was well-seasoned, juicy, and delicious-- but I bet they're pretty good judging by the satisfaction I've seen on other diners' faces. I've never had anything but pleasant, leave-you-be-til-you-need-something cafe service here.

Yes they are slow, yes I have experienced many of the things people have mentioned however I lived in Paris for sometimes and I have to say they make some of the best croissants in NYC. Most New Yorkers don't appreciate being able to sit still and feel life, rushing is the name of the game, so much so that waiting is like loosing an arm and panic sets in if all things do not move to their rhythm . Even though I have had to wait on numerous times it didn't matter because there are so many places to choose from to eat so I always have the frame of mind to smell the roses when I order there, just to get my hands on those great croissant. Slow down, enjoy that time is relative to the perceiver and some people prefer to breath life rather than live it in a blur of speed.

So I just stopped in here today to order a sandwich to go. After waiting for over 30 minutes I was told it would be another 15 minutes or so. When I asked to just cancel my order they refused to refund my money even though they admitted they hadn't started making the food yet!! I was speechless.

This place is a quintessential W. African patisserie, which is very different from what most people expect in a French restaurant/bistro/patisserie. These places are common throughout big cities in Francophone W. Africa. As such, you should expect you'll be dealing with some very slow service, huge portions of W African stewed foods (lots of oil and grease) and a fair amount of jolly, loitering W. African dudes (mainly Senegalese). If you want to fill up on some Senegalese comfort food, go here. If you want a quick piece of Paris, don't. Oh, and to the poster who mentioned the chef "speaking something in Senegalese"--there is no language called Senegalese. There are many many languages spoken in Senegal, the most common of which (and what you likely heard) is Wolof. Please make an effort to understand the ethnic/regional backgrounds of the people who live around you!

I live right down the street so it's dissapointing how much of a let down this place is. My roommate and I agree, we're dunzo ordering their dinner. My last experience was the worst and final. I ordered the vegetarian curry and a side of plantains and I gave them almost 25 minutes before I went to pick it up, and they hadn't even started it. The dude that took the order then spat something out in Senegalese to the woman at the cash register who asked him about the order. They told me 5 minutes, then 15 min later, 2 more min... this whole time I'm cheery and patient just standing around. I finally get my order, and it wasn't served with rice so I asked about it, since the menu states it's served with basmati rice, and they were like OH well you should have said you wanted two sides then, because you only get one side, even though when I ordered, I clearly stated I wanted a SIDE of plantains, which speaking of, were dry, bland and barely paletable. As for the curry, which on the menu is described as coming with carrots and potatoes (neither actually present), was oily, overly salty and also barely appetizing. The man at the register made sure to tell me that for *next* time (hahah), I should specify TWO sides because that total would have been $16something as opposed to the $12something I paid. Too bad I put most of it in the garbage. Never again, only maybe for coffee or a baguette.

I was pretty glad that I found a french restaurant that I can order from in the neighborhood. I ordered the Norvegienne and an Eclair Au Chocolate . The Norvegienne was not wrapped in a pita bread as stated in the menu, its wrapped in a tortilla and the french fries in it are soggy and grease just poured out of it.The eclair tasted stale.

First I called at around 6PM to order delivery and they told me to call back at 6:30PM. It took me about 4 times of asking what he had said to finally hear 6:30PM. The man is impossible to understand. When I call back at 6:30PM they tell me to call back in ten minutes. I call back and am on the phone with the guy for way too long trying to give him all my info. Then, he hangs up without getting my address! I call back and it takes forever to get back to that guy and then it takes forever to give him my address. And I have to give him my phone number again. I then wait about 55 minutes for my order to arrive. Fries - soggy and greasy. Burger soggy and greasy (and hardly any meat on the thing and what meat there is is not tasty. My advice: do not even try. I was hoping, with all the service issues that the food would at least be decent. Well... can't even say that.