12/23/08

Relaxing

by sammybern

This place has good food and a relaxing atmosphere. Service is on the slow side but if you know that going in, you won't be disappointed. Just don't go in expecting a fast meal. Otherwise, sit down and enjoy the tasty dishes (mussels, steak tartare).

• Pros: good food
• Cons: slow service

06/21/08

Good neighborhood place

by melisso

I work around Prince Street and have been going to Jacques for about 6 months. It has been becoming one of my favorite places to eat in the neighborhood. It appears to me they have been making some changes for the better to both the food and service. I think the food is pretty good bistro fare and I like that the wait staff remembers me and my friends when we come to the restaurant.

• Pros: management trying to make improvement with food and service
• Cons: sometimes service slow

04/09/08

You're kidding me right???? Where's the apology

by UKMB

My boyfriend and I stopped in when we realized how hungry we were and Cafe Habana had longer of a wait then we anticpated. We were pretty hopeful in the beginning, thought it was a romantic place until we began the ritual of dining out. Coffee was warm if at best and I believe it wasn't decaf as I was up all night. We ordered a starter that came out 25 minutes after ordering and as we waited for the entrees we realized it had been over an hour since we placed the order. The wait staff was no where to be found when needed, it was like they were doing double time behind the bar and taking orders pretending that food would be made. By this time it was 945pm and no sign of food since arriving at 830pm. We asked for the check for what we actually received and no apology was made. We waited another 10 minutes to break the $20 bill for $14 something and gave up and left what change we had, $12... they deserved it... poor service, and from what little food I tried, not so good. Stay away.

• Pros: open tables - I know why now
• Cons: everything else

05/07/07

Awful customer service

by felicia4

The food at Jacques was okay, definitely not as good as Cafe Chambon or Flea Market Cafe (in the East Village), but the service was deplorable!!! Our waiter was rude and definitely didn't believe in trying to appease his customers. I had a gift certificate that stated you must spend at least $35 on food to use this, and I spent $41 on food and he would not let me use it!! He said that the manager had been losing money on these certificates and now the policy was that you have to spend $50. I'm sorry, but that is not what the certificate stated. Our waiter was not helpful and didn't even offer to subtract the glass of wine that I had as a good gesture. He basically said there was nothing he could do, but only decided to tell us that when we were ready to leave. He was beyond rude and I will never go back there and am adivsing no one else to go there either, as they do not adhere to their own policies!

• Pros: nice outdoor seating area
• Cons: rude service

03/30/07

My favorite place to chill!

by jfreshnyc

I am an event planner for upscale wine & food events (and very picky) so I know a good place when I find it! I go to Jacques to chill out and have a glass of wine & a few light bites after work, or meet with friends for dinner or brunch. I have been visiting regularly at least once or twice a week since I found this bistro a few months ago. I love the staff (Bruno, Zack & Houcine are favorites of mine), the Moroccan chicken cigars, RISOTTO (ask and they can customize it: adding bleu cheese & spinach is my favorite), the spinach in general, moules frites, and the waffles (with extra whipped cream) for brunch. The vibe is very chill which is another thing I really like about Jacques. You don't feel rushed - I have spent at least 3-4 hours there having Mimosas with friends on a Sunday afternoon. I really like the lounge space downstairs also - although it is cozy (small), the design is great and drinks are amazing (created by a Moroccan bartender friend of mine from the Odeon). Its nice to have an early dinner there and head downstairs - it gets totally packed by 1am. I would love to hold an event there sometime ...

I have been there on a warm day when they open the doors and bring the small tables outside by the sidewalk ... this is great since I like to have a smoke after a meal (and some of my friends smoke too). The staff doesn't mind as long as we're not bothering anyone else...

Overall, I would highly recommend Jacques to anyone looking for good French/Moroccan food and a great downtown vibe altogether. I'm not saying it's Daniel, but it everyone has their favorite go-to spot, and this in mine! Bon Appetit!

• Pros: great atmosphere, great food, great service - sidewalk seating in warmer weather
• Cons: only 8 seats at bar (fun to sit at after work by yourself)

03/25/07

Great Spot

by carterog

REally enjoyed the evening. service was attentive with great menu suggestions. The fish was absolutely terrific. Wonderful complete fixe deal at $21 for delicious carrot soup, wild salmon, and creme brulet.

Only the creme brulet was wanting.

Really enjoyed the evening there.

• Pros: great food, romantic atmosphere
• Cons: desserts ok

Editorial Review

by Contributor

In a warm setting, this French spot serves traditional dishes for two or a few at brunch, lunch and dinner.

03/17/07

Great eat in SoHo

by jaywhite

I have been on the move all day and a friend recommend that I go to this french spot for a late brunch. My overall experience was great. My friend and I left satisfied. The service was good, we were seated where we wanted (even though I was with a woman who wanted to move to a different table like 5 times) They worked like a team. I recommend the Roasted Chicken it was juicy and tastefull. I think this is the place to be if you ever in SoHo looking for good service great food and good tunes.

• Pros: A large staff, a lounge down stairs
• Cons: only 1 bathroom on each floor

03/10/07

Awkward

by shrinkingmusic

It was noon on a Saturday, a time when it's often hard to get into the good places for brunch. When we arrived, there were NO patrons. There were about 5 staff standing around. Throughout most of our meal, they stood about 10 feet away and watched us awkwardly.

My friend had the omelette, which was not true omelette style, but just a scrambled egg folded over the included items, which made me think it was pre-made and then heated up, instead of "made to order." I had the waffle, which was rubbery and nearly impossible to cut with my fork. They were small portions for the price, and they never offered to refill my coffee during the entire time we were there.

At the end of the meal, the waitress came over and said, "You didn't like the food?" I can understand this question if we had left a full plate, but we had both eaten everything of the little bit of food we were given. It made me wonder if she often hears that complaint and has just come to expect it.

Not a horrible experience, but you could definitely do MUCH better. The staring, the food... it's no wonder the place was empty.

• Pros: ambiance, location, quick seating
• Cons: food, service, price, awkward staring

03/04/07

i liked the walls a little, that's about it

by ilikefoods

this is in response to the previous post. do you work for the restaurant? your english is just as bad as that of the staff. makes me wonder if you might actually be a part of the staff.

anyway, i went to brunch with that person and can verify everything that was said. the food was awful. the staff was completely cluless. when we came in, there were 2 other tables occupied, with a staff of at least 6 standing around. we figured we would have good service because not many people were there yet. we were wrong. it took a while for them to understand what we were asking for. i've lived in new york for 24 years and use citysearch all the time, but have never signed up until now. i just had to give my 2 cents about my experience here.

it was not good. i wanted to get out as fast as possible. brown bananas? how could the chef/waiter miss that? it was really quite disgusting. $11 for 4 little slices of gross cheese just didn't seem worth it to me. i had a strawberry, and that was actually good. so get some strawberries if you go here.

i'm not saying every single piece of food they have is bad... maybe the dinner is a lot better? i don't know. but from what i experienced, i really wouldn't even give it a try for dinner. so if you're hungry for brunch... go down the street and get a bagel. you'll be much more satisfied.

• Pros: more staff than patrons
• Cons: the food