Williamsburgh Cafe (Reported Closed)

Doesn't Recommend

BrooklynNY

Joined 4 years ago

Inconsistent Performance. I have been a long-time patron of the Williamsburg Cafe and have seen it through several recent incarnations. I LOVED the chef they brought in last year and was devastated to see him quickly dismissed. They attempted to continue his delicious and inventive menu, but it was performed at a level that was sub-par.

Most recently, I took my family for a celebratory brunch and was overwhelmingly disappointed. The menu has been reduced to just a boring selections. But they can't even pull that off. My burger tasted like it has been COOKED IN AN ASHTRAY, my son's PANCAKE WAS RAW on the inside and the management seemed incapable of understanding my disappointment. My friend overheard the manager defending that disgusting burger to the owners.

I am sad to say that I will not be going back to Williamsburg Cafe again.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. At the New Williamsburgh Cafe, guests receive complimentary mimosa or sangria with the purchase of a brunch entree.

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AlbertoConnell

Joined 5 years ago

Good For LUNCH.... N.W. Cafe is kinda pricey, but at least you get what you pay for. Their menu items look basic, but they're made in inventive ways with quality ingredients, the ambiance is very nice, service is quick and attentive, and they have a great wine list. Not as many wines by the glass as I'd like for a happy hour spot, but bar service is always good. I particularly like the outdoor area which is a nice spot to drink a cool glass of wine on a nice NY day. My favorite dish is the chicken panini - Yum!

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Amanda236

Joined 5 years ago

Pretty Good Brunch Spot. We've visited for brunch a few times. The free mimosas and bloody marys are a nice surprise. I thought the food was pretty good, portions are a nice size, and prices are fine. The decor and ambience is a little bizarre, but I don't have any complaints about the service or the food. Try it if you're in Williamsburg.

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jswnyc

Joined 5 years ago

Jewel in Williamsburg. what's with the bad reviews, i am a regular at williamsburgh cafe. i just came back from europe and went to williamsburgh cafe for brunch. i love this place becasue i could see the history behind williamsburg. i noticed the food and serice was little different so i asked the waiter and he told me it's under new management and new chef. I thoguht the service got better and food was much much better than 3 month ago which was last time i was there. Funny thing was the waiter introduce me the new owners and they seems very businesses minded and had passion to change alot of things within the restaurant, can't wait for another brunch at this cafe.

Doesn't Recommend

donmen

Joined 5 years ago

BEWARE: Under new management. Recently, a family member had booked The Williamsburg Cafe for a rehersal dinner. Days before the event, they were informed that the restaurant had changed owners, but were assured that everything would be fine. After waiting over 2 hours to eat, and countless conversations with the management, the Chef walked into the party and announced that he could not accomodate us, and theat everyone should go home. He proceeded to let everyone know that he wanted an extra $500 for the evening work, and that the owners would not give it to him. The Chef was rude, arrogant and unprofessional. The wait staff was horrendous. The owners and management could barely speak English, and did nothing to rectify this ruined evening.

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jodi77

Joined 5 years ago

Good Find in Williamsburg. Last weekend I was invited to a baby shower for a friend of mine at the williamsburg cafe. I was surprized to find out that a place like this existed in williamsburg. It had an antique decor and was very spacious.

I have been in the area visting other restaurants and bars, but they were mostly loud and crowded. We

had a four course dinner, soup, appetizer, excellent ribeye steak and dessert. The food was fabulous and the waitstaff really went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. I definately would go back for dinner and recommend this restaurant to anyone.

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winnnners

Joined 5 years ago

Family party destination!. The first time I went to the Williamsburg Cafe was my sister's wedding rehearsal a couple weeks ago and it was great! It was a big party- there was over 30 of us and, as far as I know, everybody had a great time. The food was very good, my girlfriend an I had some caesar salads, delicious calamari and crab cakes. The main course was a feast! I had a huuge rib eye and my girlfiend had a salmon with that creamy sauce on top. The portions were really large so we had to wait some time untill we could even start thinking about desserts.

The place is huge and cosy- we had our separate room but most of the guys was hanging out at their bar after dinner.

It's a really great place for parties like my sister's!

A week later I came back for brunch and left very happy also. We got free drinks and muffins with our brunch which was very nice.

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kickmeplease1

Joined 5 years ago

Surprised by bad reviews.... I just had dinner there last night and it was pretty great from the very beginning. We got some warm bread with that delicious dip to start and we ordered tuna tartare which was fresh and big enough for the four of us to share. Me and my wife both ordered their sesame crusted sushi grade tuna, it was really great and huge- we both had to ask for boxes to take the rest with us. my friend ordered a rib eye steak (again- huge dish) and his girlfriend had duck breast.

everything was fresh and tasty, service was friendly and helpful, decor is really original and interesting.

the only flaw was that we had to wait a litlle long for our entrees but it was all worth it. we'll sure be back.

Doesn't Recommend

amoeba7

Joined 6 years ago

A Total Goat Rodeo. The complete breakdown of service at the Williamsburgh Cafe was more of a goat-rodeo than a brunch service. It was basically like the Kinko's of the restaurant industry.

There were about 10-15 people milling around in the front room waiting for someone, anyone, to come and take our names. Eventually someone with a dirty t-shirt and a towel hanging out of his pants held up menus and yelled, "Does anybody want a seat?"

The decor looked like someone's mom from Syosset dreamed up what a "fun" "Brooklyn" restaurant should look like. Lots of junk hanging from the ceiling, plastic hanging plants and the vinyl seat cushions made us feel like we were in a "fancy place" in a suburb of Milwaukee.

One of the waitstaff was wearing a "Punisher" T-shirt with a skull.

They ran out of glassware. My iced tea came in a plastic cup.

Two couples walked out, sick of waiting for more than an hour.

A waiter was wandering around the restaurant with two plates, asking every table if that's what they'd ordered.

We were at the restaurant for 1 hour, 10 minutes before our food came. We had a steak sandwich and the crab-cake benedict. Both were bland, slightly cold and plated badly.

I was given two strawberries on my plate. One was spoiled.

A woman behind me had a problem with her order. When she asked to order something else off the menu, she was told the restaurant had "RUN OUT OF FOOD."

Clearly, the place is badly understaffed. Our waitperson was very nice, and apologetic -- it wasn't her fault, but the Williamsburgh Cafe is suffering under lazy management who thinks that a bunch of baskets and old-timey doohickeys on the wall is the magic recipe for good times. The waitstaff was clearly overburdened and unhappy. I hope this place closes soon so that the staff can find better jobs.