01/10/09

Lunch Is Served

by Wtchlistnlrn

I have never gone wrong having lunch here. Never. Though it's a small place, it's big on variety. Don't like what you see one day, the next they have a different item of lunch options and it's great to check back. I'm especially happy with their pasta dishes. Always great combos!

• Pros: Fast Service, Great and Diverse Lunch Items
• Cons: Small, Crammed Space. Take Out is Better.

01/10/09

Great Morning Coffee Stop

by MQtathamar

I try to come here at least twice a week. Usually I get a Latte or just a Cafe Americana, but the coffee is always good, fresh and really full bodied and pretty strong. Definitely a treat on your way to work. The staff is friendly, they get to know you if you go in a lot, and are pretty good at anticipating your needs.

12/21/08

Like Traveling to France Without Leaving Manhattan

by JassJamon

Antique cafe has atmosphere. You get a little European flavor when you set foot in here. Not a Vegas version of France, but a real slice of the old world. Then there's the food. Lunch menu that constantly changes and evolves, and a nice dinner and brunch menu too. There is no sense of stagnation about this restaurant. While it remains somewhere out of a specific time or place, in limbo, there's a sense of evolution. The choices are constantly being tweaked and/or improved upon, experimented with. Sometimes it works, sometimes you have to complain, but it's nice to know they're listening and considering new, different ideas.

The real treat is to come early for Saturday brunch with a good book. If you're a people watcher its interesting to see the fashionable Chelsea types strut through here. Play it cool, and you might even recognize a musician or actor. Hmmmm, or was that just my 3rd espresso clouding my judgment? Better order another chocolate croissant while I'm indulging.

12/13/08

Timelessness

by Trotter7

The name says it all. Small, intimate dining, French and American style cuisine, old world charm. Not hyper trendy, not a flash in the pan destination, and not uber-pretentious (thank god). Coming here is like having the family and friends up to the house in the country, without leaving the island. Granted, there's a here and there element of the nuttiness that makes the NYC experience what it is. Still, this place will seduce you with unwavering charm and you won't mind ordering dessert. Really, why should you, when the selections are so consistently delicious? Finally, don't even think about skipping the coffee drinks. New York City still has pockets of charm, this cafe is one of them.

• Pros: Desserts, Jazz, Coffee, Lunch Specials
• Cons: Small Space

11/08/08

Burgers Never Miss

by Atomsmasher79

I'm an all American food lover, burger and fries guy. There are plenty of mediocre burgers and soggy fries at the endless dives in this town. Antique cafe isn't one of them. Now, granted, the menu could have more items, I wish they'd expand a little, but I always love their burgers. The fries are always great, and the better part of this restaurant is the fact it's not a slick, boring, generic, cold "futuristic" looking place. So many seem to be popping up in the town like a cancer, I love Antique cafe because it has charm, it's small, and not overpriced. Definitely a cut above a lot of other places in the neighborhood. At least this place has a little class, with it's jazz, always fresh flowers, and pretty friendly staff. Stay Antique Cafe, become the institution in this town you deserve to be.

• Pros: Friendly, family feeling. Good food. Romantic.
• Cons: Too small. Can't bring a large group here.

10/27/08

Good Saturday Brunch

by whitael

My wife and I frequent New York and love the Antique Cafe. We were planning a trip down from Maine last month, and went online to see if it was still around. I have to admit I was a little worried by seeing some of the bad reviews that it had gone downhill, as so many good places do. Still, we decided to give it a chance.

We arrived Saturday morning for brunch, before noon, got seated promptly, and had a very polite waiter take our order. He was respectful of us both. We never felt as if they were rushing or ignoring us. Perhaps every place goes through difficult times, but we didn't see any evidence of it during our visit. We sat for an hour, had pancakes, she had eggs benedict with salmon (her's was better than my pancakes, I admit) , delicious coffee drinks, and pleasant jazz in the background.

Frankly I don't know who's complaining about service, because I paid attention to the staff to see if they were insufferable or rude, and it simply didn't happen. Perhaps they had a bad apple for while there? Anyway, believe me, it's a lovely place for brunch, my wife and I will continue to dine there during our New York visits.

• Pros: Great space, location, ambiance
• Cons: Menu selection good but a little small, uneven.

07/09/08

Can't be Bothered

by baublebabenyc

I have been coming to Antique Cafe for years and I cannot for the life of me figure out why I, or anyone else for that matter, continues to frequent this place. Every single time, without fail, no matter who takes care of you, I get the sense that they just cannot be bothered. As another reviewer (one of the REAL reviewers) pointed out, it's as if they're doing me a favor by letting me overpay for food and/or coffee. I'll admit the food is "okay" but it's not great, and in fact after lunch there today, I got incredibly sick. I guess these guys still think that they're the only choice in the neighborhood and they can get away with treating everyone horribly, but that is no longer the case. There are lots of great places opening up in the area, and you can get way better cupcakes AND delightful service at Blue Dog around the corner, so please, avoid Antique Cafe at all costs. Maybe someone who understands what "service industry" means will come in and turn this prime location into something worth going to.

• Pros: location
• Cons: consistently horrible attitudes and terrible service

06/13/08

In the heart of Chelsea

by mileyJay

I like this cafe very much, the owner with his staff have done a great pice of work to improve the look, especially of the outside patio.

I wish Antique Cafe and its customers great 2008 summer season

02/22/08

I chose Antique Cafe based on reviews

by eloiswilcox

I chose Antique Cafe based on reviews and ratings I had seen right here on City Search (and a couple of confirmations by New Yorkers who had dined there themselves.) My colleagues and I were extremely impressed, even beyond what I had expected;Not only was the food fantastic, the entrees were huge! None of us was able to finish ours. One colleauge and I had the fried calamari platter; the other chose the broiled platter. I don't think I have ever seen such big scallops in my life! Everything was prime. The sides were delicious as well - some of the best rice I have ever had. None of us had room for dessert, but they looked delicious. We would all definitely visit again. It was everything we hoped for, and then some.

02/05/08

Make a perfect dinner for a special date.

by elijahgrossny

The food is delightful and will leave room for dessert (check the coconut frosting cake), which is equally delicious. Service can be a tad on the slow side if the place is busy but it's generally worth the wait.

good wine and music; make a perfect dinner for a special date.