10/06/08

EXCELLENT croissants!

by curiousg6

BEST croissants in NYC! the coffee is also very good. This place tends to get very busy during rush hours in the mornings, but that usually depends on who they have working that day. If you're lucky you'll get my favorite pair and you'll be in and out with your delicious treats! If you're not so lucky, you'll either be waiting in line for a bit or get some rude service. Regardless, the smell of the place is always pleasant!

• Pros: delicious food, good coffee, good music, sometimes exceptionally friendly
• Cons: staff is always varied, sometimes too slow or rude service, small space

08/21/08

best croissants!

by bandtlc

A taste of paris....my french friends come here for the best croissants in NYC. My personal favorite is the pear william cake.

This place gets trashed regularly on city search for their service, however, I've never had problems. Totally worth the trip downtown.

• Pros: delicious
• Cons: gets very busy

04/09/07

Are they rude on purpose?

by joanaaaa

These employees are so rude, so rude, I can't help thinking it's a marketing strategy -something such as "enjoy the true Paris environment: arrogance and good croissants". It can only be!!!...they are SO rude its surreal. The pastry is nice and I don't want to stop consuming...please give me some ideas to fight back. being equally rude? laughing on their faces? Today's eg (at the counter):

me- I would like to have 2 plain croissants, please

waitress -Do you want a plastic bag?

m-No, thanks, yes...sorry, no, I have one.

w-Yeah! Why don't you change your mind again?

m-I'm sorry, what did you say?

w-Why don't you change your mind again?

... I don't reply back, I pay.

m- Bye

w-...no answer

m-Bye...

w-...no answer

m-Excuse me, what is your name?

Waitress looks at me and walks away.

12/22/06

Rude employee!

by bargain_girl

On the plus side, desserts are great (esp. rasberry chocolate cake), place is quaint and cute, but the service is TERRIBLE!

I just called to find out the price for said rasberry cake to buy one for x-mas, and the guy who answered the phone ACTUALLY told me to call back later, he was busy...let's just say I won't be calling back nor will I be going back.

11/24/06

Great pastries,very nice stuff

by geo_smith

I stop by Ceci-Cela almost every day.Reading the other reviews I should admitt that there was a time that the staff at this charming French shop was extremly rude.Thanks God, somebody realized that the attitude of the people working there was not really helpfull......I love the new people working in Ceci-cela now.They are always smiling,and that makes the whole atmosphere much more pleasent...Now I not only enjoy the pastries but the service as well....However, there still be some of those folks who are always complaining about something and blame everthing on the service no matter where they go. Actually, all I that I noticed was an excellent service and food that everyone can enjoy.If you have a minute stop by Ceci-Cela you'll love it.....

11/21/06

Poor Customer Service!

by snappyjake

I cannot speak on the service of the wait staff, but I can say that the delivery service is terrible. In addition, the manager does not understand customer service. I would NEVER order from them again!

I called two weeks in advance and placed an order for a cake. The cake was for my husband's birthday and was to be delivered at 5pm. I was charged a significant delivery fee, so I expected the cake to be delivered on time. The cake was delivered 30 mins late. When the delivery woman got to my door, she was not apologetic. When I told her that the cake was suppose to come at 5pm, she simply shrugged her shoulders and acted as if that's not her problem. The uncertainty of whether the birthday cake was coming was very stressful and almost ruined the birthday celebrations. So I called the bakery to complain. The manager agreed to refund the delivery charge.

However, the next day, the manager called and was extremely hostile. He got the delivery girl's version and implied that I was lying. He treated me as if I was a criminal. What ever happened to the customer's always right? The manager concedes that she did not deliver the cake at 5pm, that she arrived only 10 minutes late. Last time I checked, 10 minutes is still late. Regardless, she did not deliver the cake to me until 5:30 pm. I am now sending him phone records and a letter from my doorman as proof that she was "extremely" late.

• Cons: Terrible Customer Service

10/27/06

A Little Slice of Heaven--Served By The Finest Staff

by amandapa

I am honestly quite disturbed by the previous posts concerning a rude waitstaff. As a frequent patron of ceci-cela I can not help but be both shocked and appalled by the reviews. My daily walk down Spring Street after a hard days at work is not complete without stopping in to Ceci-Cela to visit with a staff that is both accomodating and well mannered. I must, in order to be the most precise, point out two young ladies in particular whom even mother theresa herself would consider barista angels. They exemplify the best in customer service with care and concern to every detail of your order. They even take the time to ask me how my kids Bailey and Gretchen are doing. The place has character but what makes the bakery a worthwile visit is these two special ladies who strive to make your short visit the most pleasant as possible. It is unfair and absurd to see how some people whom may have, out of their own ignorance could come to such a conclusion about a staff so diligent in serving their patrons individual needs. In summation, the baked goods and coffee are great and the service is beyond outstanding.

10/24/06

Best place to sit and read a book

by wr0002

I happened upon this cafe one day while waiting to meet a friend. I went to the back of the cafe and ordered a coffee and a mixed fruit tart. The coffee was served in an oversized coffee mug, which I just adore. The whole experience was just so nice because I was able to finish reading my book while enjoying the delicious treat. The service that I experienced was a complete pleasure. Prompt and allowing me to read and relax rather then rushing me out. I was so happy that I've gone back repeatedly to grab a coffee on the go!

• Pros: Great place to hide and read a book!

04/22/06

Shockingly Rude

by jenmalloy

You'd think it would be difficult to not make eye contact in this very tiny space, but the waitstaff here are masters at it. While waiting to be seated, not one of 3 servers greeted us or asked us if we wanted to be seated, although they brushed past us at least 5 times. After asking the counterperson if there was a method to getting seated here, she said the back was full and that was the reason no one made eye contact or said hello. There are millions of places to spend money in NY, and NO ONE should spend any here. Ferrara is 2 blocks away and the pastries are better.

• Pros: lovely pastries
• Cons: incredibly rude staff, long waits, no service

12/27/05

Just Plain Rude!

by yvesmarie

Good pastries are never a substitution for being courteous to your customers.

On a recent visit after dinner to grab dessert with my wife and daughter, my wife was insulted by one of the waiters for asking if there were any additional napoleons in the kitchen. To both our surprise, this inquiry was interpreted as a personal offense by the waiter who told my wife to leave the store if she didnt want the pastries.

When another woman, standing in line behind my wife made a similar inquiry, he was equally rude and unpleasant to her.

The owner came out and defended the behavior of the waiter by saying that the fact that they have been in business for 13 years speaks for itself.

I wonder what would be possible for these guys if their service and sense of common decency were as great as their pastries are good.