What is it?

Cafe Lalo, a well known spot to many on the Upper West Side, was made even more popular because it was the meeting place for Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the movie "You've Got Mail". Like many cafe's in NYC, Cafe Lalo has a large selection of pastries, cakes, pies, dessert, etc. Of course, who can forget the after dinner drink and the steaming hot cup of coffee, each of which can be selected from a very diverse menu.

Decor/Ambiance

Outside

As one is walking down the block towards Cafe Lalo, one can't help but notice that it is very brightly lit (in the evening). This fact is exemplified by the relative darkness of the houses which occupy the same block. There are a few trees on the sidewalk immediately outside which are strung up with white Christmas lighting. This gives one the overall feel of a Parisian cafe.

Inside

The layout of the cafe is consistent with the French feel of the external structure. The tables are situated very close together to the point where you wonder if you can start a controversial conversation without getting dirty looks from your neighbor. Something striking and a bit paradoxical is the fact that the room is very brightly lit. If you saw the movie "You've Got Mail", it gave the impression that the cafe was this very romantic place that was dimly lit and quiet. Let me assure you, the real thing is quite the opposite. Due to it's popularity, the establishment is constantly packed with conversations abound. It's a nice place to go on a date if both parties are familiar with the movie "You've Got Mail", but the overall ambiance is not one that is romantic. It is more of a place to bring friends and be loud.

Food

The menu is just chock full of things to choose from. This place is surely not a place for the indecisive! Rest assured though, that you can always come back tomorrow and try something else. I'll begin by making some generalizations and key things that seem consistent. The desserts in general are very "light". It can be contrasted to Italian desserts which are generally very rich and creamy. It's as if they used 2% milk versus whole milk. The fresh fruit is quite refreshing though. In stride with the desserts, the coffee is very weak. I would recommend going with a cappuccino or espresso to go with your dessert if you are a coffee drinker.

Their pies are pretty good. I'm partial to the Key Lime and White Chocolate Mousse pies. The Key Lime pie starts off a bit bitter, but gets better (worthwhile) as you continue eating it. Just remember that your tastebuds for bitter taste are towards the back and sides of your tongue, allowing you to compensate as needed.

For their cakes, my personal favorite is the Chocolate Mousse Cake. More than just the flavor of it, the blend of equal parts cake to mousse allow you to enjoy the dessert better because of the texture of it in the mouth. I was not pleased with the Bailey's Irish Creme Mousse cake. The cake batter seemed to be right out of a cake mix, very gritty and rough. Hmm, the Chocolate Almond Torte or the Flourless Chocolate Dream would probably be good choices for those who don't like the traditional pound cake texture.

The tarts are pretty standard. I've only tried it once, but the time I did I thought that the custard was a bit more bland than I was accustomed to. It would be best if you chose a tart that was topped with a sweet fruit.

The menu also has a section entitled "Lalo Suggestions". The Chocolate Indulgence is quite good as the berries nicely contrast the Belgium Chocolate Cake. The Triple Fruit Look is also good, but is more for those who enjoy a "tart" kick.

Their in house menu can actually be found on the web. It would save you much time and headache to do some research before going.

Service

The service is dependent upon when you go and what the mood of the service people are. On some occasions, you get very fast and courteous service. More often than not however, the waiters/waitresses and rude and are rushing you out the door in a hurry.

Final Words

Cafe Lalo is not any different than many of the cafes that can be found in the city. If you live uptown, it is one of the best places for desserts. However, if you are in the downtown/midtown area, you'd be happier going to any of the many cafes in Little Italy.

If you've never been there, it's a nice place to try out for the first time, just for sheer curiosity. However, be warned, it's not a date place and the food is slightly better than average.





Recommended: Yes

Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations found in body of review.
Best Suited For: Friends