Georgia's Cafe and Bakery

This is one of my favorite places to go in the neighborhood for a weekend breakfast or brunch. They have excellent coffee and pastries, and their brunch dishes are quite good as well (I usually get the bacon and swiss quiche). As other reviewers have said, the portions are a bit small, though I've never thought Georgia's was any more pricey than similar cafes, and the atmosphere is much more welcoming than any other place that I've found.

It is a shame that they've gone completely to full dining service if you're sitting in, because the place really has more of a coffeeshop feel than a restaurant feel and coffee and pastries really is their strength (they are a self-proclaimed "bake shop" after all!). While it seems that you are expected to get something more substantial than coffee and a croissant, the thing that I've always liked about Georgia's is that when your meal is done they don't push you out, so you can sip coffee and people watch or read after you've eaten.

Tip for those who want to eat in but don't want a full meal: there is a row of chairs along the north window where you can grab a coffee and pastry at the register (or even order a full meal) and just sit, but these are often full so come early.

The interior of the restaurant is very light and airy (again, more like a coffeeshop), with just enough bustling to keep things interesting without drowning out conversation (unlike the new Pain Quotidien a few blocks up Broadway, where you can't even hear yourself think). In the summer, they put tables out on the sidewalk and open the front windows out onto the street. Like many places on the UWS, you should like or at least tolerate kids if you come here during the day, because Georgia's is a huge mommy-and-kid hangout. But not overwhelmingly so--there are folks of all types who come.

I agree with everyone else who said that the service is lacking. I'm amazed that despite there being like three waiters for a room the size of a living room, it takes awhile to get their attention and get them to take your order or bring your check. You just have to be proactive--they do not do the whole "is everything alright here?" after you've gotten your food.

Well now, what a pleasant surprise. Despite reviews to the contrary, this place was pretty darn good. While the server had the same two words for us whenever we requested something, "No problem," it could have been worse.

I ordered the Free Range Roasted Chicken and it was delicious! It was all white meat and perfectly tender and moist. It came with a side of Grilled Endives and Pumpkin Mash. Really Really good.

Tip: The eggplant french fries could be skipped.

It's odd to me that this place is empty. It's very cute inside and has a lot of charm. Maybe it's the scaffolding around it? I also noticed their coffee prices are a bit high in my opinion, but...

Anyway, a friend and I met here for a quick coffee. We were directed to the narrow table along the window with no view and by the trash can because we weren't getting table service. Awk.ward.

I would give big points to the almond croissant, but the carrot pound cake was too dry.

Seems like they could do a little more to bring more people in.

Considering how many Crisco-laden over the top bakeries have infiltrated the UWS's kid-appeasing family population, its a wonder this nook survives. Although they do have the compulsory over-priced kid treats (decorated shortbread cookies in the form of butterflies and superheros), there are understated delights as well.

Try the butterflies, chocolate cake, sandwiches, breads. Anything but their extremely mediocre beverages.

If it's not sidewalk cafe weather, wait a few minutes (or lots of minutes) and a few of the very intimately spaced tables will become available. Alas, after overhearing numerous proximal conversations you'll leave with a much better understanding of the saga that is today's Upper West Side Jewish Orthodox Woman.

Note: Don't allow the horrid service to interrupt your fantasy of sitting by the Seine on a lovely spring day. The help may be surly and slow (make that "will be") but you only need to endure them once.

I bought bread and pastry from this place. There no price or name on pastries and bread. It was very inconvenient for me to ask what and how much they were. I got two loaves of bread (ciabatta and whole wheat bread), 2 scones, 1 brioche, 1Madeleine, and iced coffee for around 23 dollars. I had a coupon, so I actually got these for 13 dollars, which was a good deal. Bread are OK. I liked their scones. I did not like iced coffee at all from this place...

My raspberry and apricot macarons...aren't they lovely? Don't they make your mouth water and crave for the crunchy and chewy exterior? Can't you feel the burst of intense flavor awaiting you?

Well, looks can be deceiving, and in this case, they are indeed deceiving. As everything else in life, don't trust just the looks. Smell it, hold it, bite it, and taste it. What do we have then? Another failed attempt at macaron. This macaron is chewy for sure. You chew and chew and chew without getting to the reward - which flavors did I get again? (Check the colors - pink and yellow.) Right, raspberry and apricot they were supposed to be, but were not. If I close my eyes, all that was in my mouth was a pile of sugary chewed mass of a mess. Next, please!

Aw, it's too bad this place gets such a bad rap. I enjoyed my breakfast there. Ordered a greek yogurt and homemade granola, which came in a huge bowl filled to the brim. It was delicious, and service was quick. Our teas were kept hot. The outside seating is perfect for people watching, a relaxing morning with a newspaper or chatting it up with family and friends.

Their selection of macaroons and desserts in the case was too enticing...I took a picture then looked away.

Went to visit based on a friend's recommendation. I first noticed the "B" rating in the window, followed by peeling paint on the walls. I guess that should've been the first sign that this place wasn't going to be great. When we sat down, we were greeted by a dirty table cloth - another strike.

We had the roasted asparagus, mushroom risotto, and a Greek salad. The roasted asparagus was overpriced and overcooked - I think we got about 6 spears for $9. The worst part of the meal was the mushroom risotto. It was - in a word - bland. It tased like soggy cereal and was totally underseasoned. The Greek salad was decent - how bad could a Greek salad be? - if not overdressed and oily.

After we finished eating, we waited for about 20 minutes for a waiter to clear our plates. It's not that the restaurant was busy - on the contrary - it was totally empty. It was just that the waiters were too busy sending text messages on their Blackberries to be bothered to do their jobs. Hot mess.

I'm sure the pastries are decent and the coffee is fine. I wish I would've come for a snack and not dinner!

3 words: Lemon Ginger Juice.

Wow- this was amazing. I couldn't believe how tangy, tarty, gingery this juice concoction was. I fell in love. Literally.

I had the eggs florentine with my amazing juice. The florentine was great, and on a brioche bun instead of english muffins. I was excited about that added addition.

The eggs were cooked well and the potatoes were pretty good too. I was happy with my meal. I'll be back for the lemon ginger juice- without fail...its my new obsession!

I tried out Georgia's Bake Shop almost a year ago, hoping to find a nice alternative to Starbucks where I could get a cup of coffee and read. However, if you are not ordering a meal, you cannot sit at a table - even if the place is ENTIRELY empty - Your only option if you don't want table service is one of three seats along the window. At the time, I found it incredibly uncomfortable, the service not very nice, and therefore never went back (even though I live right next to the place!).

This morning however, I wanted to just get a cup of coffee to go and decided that I would give them another shot - after all, I would not be staying and therefore would not be shunned off to the corner seat. What a mistake that I won't be making again. I got a small cup of coffee that was not only too expensive at $2.30 (more than anywhere else around here including Starbucks), but the cup was tiny (again, smaller than a typical small from elsewhere around here). Although the coffee itself isn't bad, it's not stellar either....not sure why they think they can charge so much? Plus, the service was again not so friendly. As I mentioned, the coffee was $2.30 and I took no more than 30 seconds fishing around my purse for exact change, but the man acted as if I was being wildly inconvenient... dude, there wasn't even a line.... what's with the rush?!? Although the pastries look yummy, I will not be going back to try them.