Select Cafe

11/02/08

Select a Different Cafe!

by Morgaine713 at Citysearch

The cafe's owners are attempting to recreate the experience of dining in a French Cafe, unfortunately they failed to achieve the ambience or quality of food one expects to find in a French Cafe. The restaurant's decor was uninspired and its garish yellow walls showed signs of wear and perhaps more disappointing, sticky remains of past meals near the tables.

The waitress lacked any warmth and seated us without a smile. Several of the tables were filled with the dirty dishes of previous diners and remained dirty throughout our time there although the waitress was sitting down the majority of the time.

We ordered pricey coffees ($3.50 a piece) and two orders of Eggs Benedict for $8.50 each. After about 40 minutes we heard the waitress tell the chef she needed two orders of Eggs Benedict. We chose to have faith that it wasn't our order that she was JUST placing, unfortunately our faith was misplaced. 20 minutes later, after one full hour, the waitress brings to our table a well-done fried egg and slice of deli ham sandwiched between two English muffins. The egg was overcooked and brown with hard yolks.

My husband said to the waitress that we had waited an hour for our food and what we received wasn't Eggs Benedict. She asked what he meant and he explained that Eggs Benedict was poached eggs on English muffins with Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce. She replied, "Well, this is the chef's interpretation of the dish." We were astounded by this response. My husband replied, "Well I don't want the chef's interpretation of the dish." To which she replied in a nasty tone, "Well try it you might like it." We were furious at this point and paid for the coffee only and left. Essentially what we received was their ham and egg sandwich on English muffin, which was $4.00 less on the menu!

Needless to say, we will never return to The Select Cafe. Their rude staff, grimy decor, and unappetizing food all combined to create an awful experience.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Poor food, service and ambience.

02/12/08

European Ambiance, Great Food, Casual, Romantic Atmosphere

by IthacaNancy at Citysearch

I felt like I was back in Europe, having stumbled onto am intimate cafe, where the food is taken seriously by the staff, but the atmosphere is welcoming and open. After two very good lunches at a fairly reasonable price, I decided to try dinner. I was floored when I received the bill for dinner - only $15. I tried the omelette with pesto for one lunch, and the field green salad with a very generous serving of goat cheese for my other lunch. I declined the bread, but it looked great. At dinner I had chicken breast with artichokes and swiss cheese. I skipped the side of rice. Servings were generous and the taste was very satisfying.

I wish they took credit cards, as I'm building up dividend miles for another trip abroad. But until I can go, this is a good choice for recreating the memories of past trips.

• Pros: Everything!
• Cons: Don't take credit cards

12/06/02

Excellent local cafe!

by mrutherford at Citysearch

This is a great find in Belmont! The food and atmosphere are excellent. It's small, and be prepared to wait for the food - it is all cooked to order in the open kitchen. Dinner every night is two entrees that are posted on a white board in the window.

• Pros: Romantic, Good food, Intimate Atmosphere
• Cons: Small, Can be slow