French Roast Downtown

(212) 533-2233

78 W 11TH St (at Sixth Ave.)
New York, NY 10011 40.735 -73.9975

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Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Downtown

Hours:

Open 24 Hours a Day

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Certified Green Restaurant(R), Coffeehouses, Cafes

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Breakfast, Late Night Dining, Private Rooms

General Info:

Open 24 Hours

Cuisine:

French

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “was excited to try this place for dinner, as it had been highly rated, and because i knew i liked the ambience.”
  2. “Good consistent food a few notches above diner food with diner food prices, the ambience tends towards the dark even during the day.”
  3. “French Roast has a great atmosphere, nice decor.”
  4. “the atmosphere is always great, service is ok and food is always amazing.”
  5. “Nice spot for a romantic dessert”
  6. “loved this place because of its food and ambience.”
  7. “The server was friendly, the escargots were delicious, and the atmosphere was just what I was looking for.”
  8. “best ambience”
dessert
95.83000183105469% positive
  1. “absolutely *love* their warm chocolate cake and all their mocha varieties are great.”
  2. “highly recommend it to anyone who loves Europe and its style of coffee and dessert get-a-ways.”
  3. “Yummy dessert and delicious coffees”
  4. “Nice spot for a romantic dessert”
  5. “One of my favorite NYC dessert and coffee spots.”
  6. “For dessert I recommend the Brownie Coupe, it's delicious, and it's the biggest dessert they serve.”
  7. “My friends and I were in pursuit of a great postdinner fix-- dessert on Christmas Eve.”
  8. “also did enjoy the expensive but tasty chocolate cake with hazlenuts (indeed, I understand that many go to this restaurant solely for dessert.)”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “I'll just tell you this: The first time I ate here, my partner and I had just finished off a night of club-hopping and were looking for a "night cap" at 2:00 a.m. I had a glass of wine and escargots, and the entire experience was great.”
  2. “Civilized coffee and the best croque monsieur.”
  3. “It's generally not too crowded for brunch and they do have great coffee.”
  4. “The food however was very good, as was the coffee, and cappuccino.”
  5. “love good coffee and I got tired of the lines, plastic cups and burned brews.”
  6. “One of my favorite NYC dessert and coffee spots.”
  7. “highly recommend it to anyone who loves Europe and its style of coffee and dessert get-a-ways.”
food quality
79.86000061035156% positive
  1. “Amazing onion soup, delicious tomato and avocado salad (avo.”
  2. “The gratin, containing gruyere cheese, braised endive, and ham, was quite tasty I'll admit, and since every meal is served with a small basket of bread, filling enough.”
  3. “Though I am no fruit tart connosieur, this one was perfect- the portion was generous, the crust was neither dry nor too buttery and the fruits were bountiful and fresh.”
  4. “always a great experience and great food.”
  5. “The food here is good; not super great, but good, and I like the bistro feel to this.”
  6. “the atmosphere is always great, service is ok and food is always amazing.”
  7. “The sandwiches were very good, and the service prompt and courteous.”
  8. “loved this place because of its food and ambience.”
  9. “The Mango Chutney pork chop is delicious, as is the Escargot.”
  10. “Good food, questionable service”
  11. “As I hate restaurant do confusing pricing on their food.”
  12. “The server was friendly, the escargots were delicious, and the atmosphere was just what I was looking for.”
  13. “visited the downtown French Roast several weeks ago and was treated to a terrible experience of problem computer systems, cold and slow food, and food delivery out of order.”
  14. “If you're expecting good service along with your good food beware of this place.”
  15. “Good consistent food a few notches above diner food with diner food prices, the ambience tends towards the dark even during the day.”
  16. “loved the food full of flavor!”
  17. “My personal favorite touch was the fresh sourdough bread served with breakfast.”
  18. “also did enjoy the expensive but tasty chocolate cake with hazlenuts (indeed, I understand that many go to this restaurant solely for dessert.)”
  19. “Yummy dessert and delicious coffees”
  20. “we paid high prices for mediocre food (salad was not fresh, steak undercooked, questionable mussels) and unsatisfactory service.”
  21. “The food however was very good, as was the coffee, and cappuccino.”
  22. “For dessert I recommend the Brownie Coupe, it's delicious, and it's the biggest dessert they serve.”
  23. “The food is excellent.”
  24. “Otherwise the food is decent and the 24/7 is a plus.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “absolutely *love* their warm chocolate cake and all their mocha varieties are great.”
overall
50.0% positive
  1. “not good experience at this store”
  2. “If you're expecting good service along with your good food beware of this place.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Said croque was dry and somewhat over done, and I would not have come back but that I noted they had affordable gratins for dinner.”
service
64.00000095367432% positive
  1. “Good food, questionable service”
  2. “Both of them were amazing, but hands down, all three of us agreed the fruit tart (recommended by the server) was absolutely superb.”
  3. “Don't get me wrong- the servers are generally friendly and fairly polite for the most part.”
  4. “While the sever was attentive, he was a freaking snob, and he did not have a personality what so ever.”
  5. “It is shocking to me that a server could be so rude and snotty.”
  6. “The sandwiches were very good, and the service prompt and courteous.”
  7. “Our waiter was rude and tried to hurry us out though we were still finishing our brunch (and had been there for less than an hour) and there were many open tables.”
  8. “The bartenders are great and all of the wait staff that I've seen are added bonuses.”
  9. “We often go to French Roast on W. 11th for brunch and love it BUT this last time we had terrible service.”
  10. “Overall, we had excellent service from start to finish including quick service (--with only one exception, we had to grab the server's attention for change at the end.)”
  11. “The waitstaff is friendly, can be crowded on weekends.”
  12. “Quite slow service and can be patronising.”
  13. “The service is only okay, and the servers can be slow.”
  14. “The prices are reasonable, and the service is helpful but not exceptionally friendly.”
  15. “Excellent customer service and the yummiest fruit tart ever!”
  16. “the atmosphere is always great, service is ok and food is always amazing.”
  17. “If you're expecting good service along with your good food beware of this place.”
  18. “out of season but was delish), great service, our server was very attentive asking if we needed anything even though we were the only couple seated outside, and simply a great afternoon spot!”
  19. “There is one snippy waiter (which may be who the other reviewer referrs to) but all the other waiters/waitresses are attentive.”
  20. “was not able to enjoy myself because of the horrible service.”
  21. “went the last time today because I am sick of bad service - it hasn't changed in 8 years!”
  22. “The server was friendly, the escargots were delicious, and the atmosphere was just what I was looking for.”
  23. “we paid high prices for mediocre food (salad was not fresh, steak undercooked, questionable mussels) and unsatisfactory service.”
  24. “the waiters are friendly, and willing to assist in anyway that they can.”
  25. “The Eggs Benedict were horrifc and the service is ALWAYS bad.”
value
52.3799991607666% positive
  1. “Though I am no fruit tart connosieur, this one was perfect- the portion was generous, the crust was neither dry nor too buttery and the fruits were bountiful and fresh.”
  2. “also did enjoy the expensive but tasty chocolate cake with hazlenuts (indeed, I understand that many go to this restaurant solely for dessert.)”
  3. “we paid high prices for mediocre food (salad was not fresh, steak undercooked, questionable mussels) and unsatisfactory service.”
  4. “Good consistent food a few notches above diner food with diner food prices, the ambience tends towards the dark even during the day.”
  5. “As I hate restaurant do confusing pricing on their food.”
  6. “The prices are reasonable, and the service is helpful but not exceptionally friendly.”
  7. “Said croque was dry and somewhat over done, and I would not have come back but that I noted they had affordable gratins for dinner.”
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. “Quite slow service and can be patronising.”
  2. “Overall, we had excellent service from start to finish including quick service (--with only one exception, we had to grab the server's attention for change at the end.)”
  3. “The service is only okay, and the servers can be slow.”
  4. “visited the downtown French Roast several weeks ago and was treated to a terrible experience of problem computer systems, cold and slow food, and food delivery out of order.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/16/10

Consistently The Worst Service.

by Luis Lujan at Citysearch

After years of giving this place yet another chance I have always been amazed by how CLUELESS the SERVICE is here. Why is this place still open? Maybe they take the French thing too seriously and just ignore you. The menu of FOOD THAT NEVER COMES is average at best. Seating is intimate, shoulder to shoulder, uncomfortably communal with strangers. Save your sanity and money for an actual trip to France. This place is graced only with location.

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/11/09

The Boycott may as well start here

by ArtistAgainstApartheid at Citysearch

This is an Israeli-owned business. Israel is practicing apartheid against its indigenous Palestinian population. Boycott and divestment succeeded in bringing genuine democracy to South Africa and it will work in the Holy Land. Boycott French Roast and the other Tour de France restaurants.

1 Star Rating: Poor

09/10/09

not good experience at this store

by garrettmarvel at Citysearch

i visited the downtown French Roast several weeks ago and was treated to a terrible experience of problem computer systems, cold and slow food, and food delivery out of order. mussels never came, entrees first, mussels last, mussels sauce was watered down and flavorless (mucho salt and butter manually added in order to consume), and duck breast special overcooked. sadly it was a poor performance all around - and i am/was a HUGE fan of the UWS store on 86thish St. LASTLY, I emailed the restaurant 3 different ways to tell them of my dissatisfaction to give them an opportunity to make things right and I never received a response. so here is this true story, and hopefully they can get things fixed so i and others can patronize them again with confidence in their food and service.

  • Pros: food can be excellent
  • Cons: unreliable, incosistent, and unresponsive management
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/27/08

best ambience

by anynomous1982 at Citysearch

always a great experience and great food. this is my go -o restaurant for lunches, dinners, and late nights! the atmosphere is always great, service is ok and food is always amazing. cheers!

  • Pros: always polite and quick seating
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/26/08

no hearted brunch I ever had in my life French Roast

by chloehou at Citysearch

I am a HK actress having a holiday in NYC.

As one the world leading city on earth I expect a lot of great magical moment in NY.

However I had a terrible experience today as me and my boyfriend finished church in the West Village area, we hop into French Roast on 11th Street and Sixth Avenue.

We ordered 2 sets of the brunch specials and saw 3 choices of dessert that LOOKS like they come with the

special. now let me ask you this question: what is a menu for? it's to tell you what kind of food they offer and also the price that come with it right?

there's $ after the dish

but no $ after the dessert

so that's where the confusion comes in!

a lot of people would think the dessert is included with the special.

but lot's of people would only find out when they have the check.

As I hate restaurant do confusing pricing on their food. I couldn't help but ask for an explanation from the manager and GOT A REALLY RUDE REPLY.

"oh" yeah but we have to charge it.

come on' "OH"????? she can do better than this right?

we left the restaurant with great disappointment and will never visit the place again

business shall be done in a sincere and honest way.

not confusing people.

  • Pros: great coffee
  • Cons: bitchy manager

Green Restaurant All Certified Green Restaurants® meet the minimum certification criteria of the science-based standards of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non profit dedicated to Greening Restaurants since 1990. Certified Green Restaurants® implement transparent and verified environmental steps in seven environmental categories: Energy, Water, Chemicals, Food, Packaging, Waste, and Building. Learn more about the GRA's standards and how to Dine Green.

The Details on French Roast Downtown

Place Categories:

  • good consistent food
  • bad service
  • snotty server
  • good questionable service
  • favorite nyc dessert
  • mediocre food
  • willing waiter
  • warm chocolate cake
  • delicious good coffee
  • recommend restaurant
  • loved place
  • terrible experience
  • affordable endive gratin
  • nice afternoon spot
  • liked ambience
  • always great atmosphere
  • great entire experience
  • not fresh questionable mussels
  • great bartenders
  • attentive other waiterswaitresses
  • nice decor
  • delicious mango chutney pork chop
  • charming cafe bistro
  • amazing onion soup
  • delish season