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Okay, so this place intrigues me. Whenever I've had breakfast delivered from here, the food is always very good. The ice coffee in the past has been made with coffee ice cubes, for example. Fresh, good food is how I would describe my experience here. But I have to tell you that I have reservations about this place as well, just very random things - (1) whenever the delivery guy comes, he has absolutely no change whatsoever - I suspected that this was just a delivery guy "strategy" to get a bigger tip, but I've learned that the restaurant does not send them out with any money at all to break a bill... I don't get it, it's annoying.... (2) when I stopped by this place one Saturday or Sunday for brunch, the place was nearly empty - my friend and I asked for a table that we liked but had 4 chairs - we were told no because we were only two people. We looked at each other and left to go across the street to another brunch spot (diagonally across) which was packed. I forget the name of this other brunch spot at the moment - the food is very good there, and it's always packed. The point is that the food is good at Rafella's as well - albeit the breakfast selection is far more limited. Rafella's, and it's just my opinion, is missing something in its management or perhaps customer service. This place definitely has consistently good food based upon my experience. Also, it has delivery. (The place that I also like diagonally across does not deliver). Further, the restaurant itself has a nice ambience. For ordering breakfast for delivery, I can recommend it, for eat in, I can also recommend it (though check the place on the corner opposite as well).

I've never had dinner or lunch here but yesterday I went for brunch. The place and staff are nice enough but the breakfast food was not good. I was actually pretty shocked. My french toast had a crust of grease around it and when I put it in my mouth it tasted like they cooked it in the grease from a steak or hamburger. Same with the eggs. I ordered a double order of regular bacon (they don't have turkey bacon) The order came with the bacon in one large clump stuck together in a ball the size of my fist.

I'm a faithful customer to this wonderful establishment for as long as it remains open. This is one of the most romantic dining spots in the city. You'll especially enjoy Rafaella if you've lived or traveled abroad and enjoyed those dining experiences. This is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of NYC for a little while. The food is truly amazing, especially the Crepe Rafaella and Fettuccine Rafaella. The Goat Cheese Crepe is also quite luscious. They often have a nice prix fixe and are accommodating to changes you need to your meal. And I, for one, must always fight to stop myself from drooling on their dessert display window :-) And the prices are quite reasonable, ESPECIALLY for being in the Chelsea area! You can eat light for under $10 or have a nice, filling meal for $15-$20. The staff are kind, attentive...when they get back to your table, that is. This is true non-American dining. If you get their attention and call them over, they drop everything to assist you. But this is a place for those who enjoy a laid back, dining at leisure without pressure experience. The decor is SO nice, with real wooden chairs with nice cushions. Or you an opt for a more standard dining chair. I just love this place! It's the place where my partner and I spent our first Valentine's Day together. And we'll always go back :-)

My friend and I went to this place today. We order our food, one of the waitresses gave us snobby looks and then we waited almost an HOUR for our food to be given to us. People that arrived after us got their food before we did. The one waitress told us it was because we ordered pizza. So my suggestion is if you want your food within a hour DON'T order pizza. They pizza was good but NOT worth the wait!

We happened to be in the area and hungry with no planned place to eat. Seeing the restaurant with just a few people inside we had some concerns but upon entering we were pleasantly welcomed and offered our choice of table. Our party of three ordered two salads and a grilled vegetable panini. All three were great. A warm environment, great food, good service at a reasonable price...what more could you want?! Forget the previous negative, fussy review and go!

Above average crepes, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Good neighborhood joint. Will come back again.

I have walked past this restaurant many times, but finally stepped in for a late brunch today. They frowned a bit upon hearing I was a party of one, but gave me a table in five minutes. I asked for steak&eggs medium rare, but with just salad, no home fries, and also half an order of pancakes on the side. When the food came, after quite a wait, the steak was the most sorry example I've seen in any New York diner. 1/4 inch thick, and about 5x8 inches. It was also cooked uniformly gray all through. The pancakes looked great though, with blueberries and strawberries, and fresh fruit on the side. The banana slices however had brown mushy spots that I had to cut away myself. I was too hungry to cause a ruccus, and didn't want to wait even longer, so I started eating. The waitress never once checked back how things were, except once to take the ketchup bottle to another table. When the check came, I was rung up for two complete brunches, and I noticed she hadn't even written any of my special orders for the steak and eggs, so no wonder it wasnt what I had ordered. Her only note said "medium", even though I asked for medium-rare. She said they didn't offer half order pancakes, just full order. She had no answer as to why she hadn't told me that when I ordered, as opposed to just put it on the check. I was amazed, so I called the manager over. He began offering money off the check, but I insisted instead that he hear me out. He did, saying "sorry" and "it's been busy" at every chance. I paid and left, vowing to put some reviews in online. Ergo, this posting. I really wanted to like Raffaela's, it looks so cosy and has a good mix of customers -locals, old and young- but I can't bear a waitstaff that so completely botches things. Pancakes were great though. And they did refill the hot water for my tea when I asked.