Caffe Falai

Doesn't Recommend

ucsbcub

Joined 6 years ago

Aweful Service. I think the food was real good for the price, but honestly I think the service was just plain AWFUL. The manager/host seemed more worried about what he looks like (constantly looking at himself in the mirror) then servicing his clients. Food took forever to make, after 25 minutes of not being attended to, I had to ask for both a menu and a glass of water. Waiters were rude and unhelpful, and while in the end the food was nice, I still don?t believe the place is worth having to put up with being treated awful.

Recommends

rossignolbleu

Joined 6 years ago

Good coffee/Great customer service. Food is delicious, the coffee is nice and strong. I found the atmosphere relaxing - unlike what the previous posters had to say, the waitstaff was the opposite of snooty. I got the tall curly-haired guy with the ponytail. He was very friendly, on top of things, and professional. All in all, a nice place to stop and have a short (or long) break.

Recommends

Justin Hartung

Joined 9 years ago

At his casual Soho cafe, restaurateur Iacopo Falai proves that inexpensive Italian can go way beyond red sauce.. The Scene
One couldn't be blamed for calling the decor at Iacopo Falai's three eponymous Manhattan ventures washroom chic. Everything at this cafe gleams white--the tiles covering the walls, the sparkling chandeliers hanging above the bar seating, even the mirror frames. In fact, pretty much the only color deviations come courtesy of shiny silver water pitchers and the multihued shopping bags of Soho day-trippers resting their Prada-clad feet.

The Food
If the space is monochromatic, the light, fresh and frequently changing Italian menu presents a kaleidoscope of flavors. Seared tuna medallions in a salad balance the fish's subtle flavor with a kicky spice rub, while tender beets freshen up fried mozzarella slabs. Smoky pancetta anchors two dishes: a pasta dish made with ribbons of soft, house-made buckwheat parpadelle, sun-dried cherry tomatoes and broccoli rabe, and a moist branzino filet reposing in a basil-flecked sauce. Bombolones, golf ball-shaped pastries filled with jelly, are Gucci belt-loosening good.

Recommends

stephaniemeyerson

Joined 6 years ago

Fantastic food. I have now eaten at all of the Falai restaurants and the new Caffe is just as great! The same amazing food and the prices are extremely reasonable. It's an great addition to the neighborhood, I highly recommend it!

Recommends

fosterc

Joined 6 years ago

Best baked eggs. I went here a few times since it's new and close and I liked it. Although I agree with the other reviews that the waitstaff wasn't very good, although never rude to me, I tell there was a haughty air to the servers. The design of the place is great, I love the chandelier and the all white, and my food has always been good.

I ordered the eggplant, which was just an eggplant with tomato sauce, the baked aggs with mushrooms, which was a bit strange but still good, and the mozarella/tomato panini, which my waiter messed up both times and gave me something else.

Order the cappuchino, because not only is it good, it has NYC initialed into the foam with esspresso!

Go for the food and atmosphere, not the service.

Recommends

treigart

Joined 7 years ago

Great Coffee and Pastries. This place will undoubtedly satisfy your craving for genuine Italian pastries and strong coffee. After some initial growing pains, the service has improved greatly.

Recommends

penelopeny

Joined 6 years ago

Great Neighbourhood Hangout. Living in the neighbourhood has made me lazy to leave and Caffe Falai has given me more reason to stay put. Beautiful design, great and friendly service, delicious food. I'm slowly, actually quickly, working my way through the pastry section, their coffee is excellent and all the food has been great so far. Definately go there!

Recommends

leilacruz

Joined 6 years ago

Walked out with a headache. I walked in for a cafe early avo this opening weekend. Big mistake -would never do it again! Waitstaff extremely rude! But the music was shoking enough, was like 5 shots of espresso at once, that I just skipped the cafe... ciao!

Doesn't Recommend

krsntknght

Joined 6 years ago

Okay food, but rude staff and VERY LOUD MUSIC!. I tried out the new place on the block, and found that the food was pretty good, but the waitstaff wasn't knowledgeable and definitely not accommodating when we asked that the VERY loud music be turned down. Not only was it too loud, it didn't fit the atmosphere. We could barely hear each other over dinner. Don't think this place will have a long life with service like this. Shame.