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La Galette Cafe
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: East Harlem
177 E 100 St
New York, NY 10029
(212) 410-6361
177 E 100 St
New York, NY 10029
(212) 410-6361
- Nearest Transit:
-
103rd St (6)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- None
13 reviews for La Galette Cafe
Okay, first, yes the service is SLOW. Do not go here if you want to get in and get out ASAP. If you're feeling patient though....
This is such a sweet gem in my 'hood and I pray it does not close as it is never as busy as it should be. The sandwiches are where it's at! I personally love Le Parisian and Chawarma. Everything is homemade, fresh and original. This is great for brunch/lunch, and, I haven't tried, but for breakfast they make all their own baked goods as well and they do look awesome.
My boyfriend and I tried here for dinner finally, and while the chef specialties we ordered were okay, the apps were SO good - Def. go for those any time of day. Ask for their "hot sauce" - Also homemade and amazing. I tried their orange crepe desert and it was also delicious and simple. Oh! And it's BYOB, no corking fee, so pair some wine up with a meal and you're set and won't break the bank!
An adorable Senegalese family owns and runs the place and they are the sweetest, nicest people. They commute from Queens so sometimes their hours are weird, and there's only a few of them so service/delivery can be slow, but it is so, so worth it.
If you're an inhabitant of the UES or E. Harlem, please go so this place doesn't close!
It used to be that when I'd plug my lab's address into SeamlessWeb, I'd get a list of options that looked like this:
Crappy Panini Place
Greasy Chinese Take-Out Joint
Greasy Chinese Take-Out Joint
Overpriced Sushi
Greasy Chinese Take-Out Joint
Crappy Panini Place
Overpriced Sushi
Jackson Hole
etc.
But today, today the world is new again! Nestled in amongst the offerings of the lunchtime wasteland that is the Upper-Upper East Side sat La Galette, Senegalese food. Now, I honestly had no idea what Senegalese food is, but I know that Senegal is probably the number one country in Africa I'd like to visit, because they speak French there, and I took French in high school. La Galette's menu, appropriately, is a mix of French classics (salad Nicoise, Croque Monsieur, etc) and more, um...African (???) dishes like meats and fish with exotic sauces*
I ordered the chicken curry, which at $13 seemed pretty pricey for lunch, but I truly couldn't bear the thought of another Green Jade Delight, and as it turned out, the 3-lb bag my nice delivery man handed me was easily two lunches worth of food. And it was delicious! Big fat chunks of chicken with big fat chunks of carrots and potatoes in a fresh savory curry and enough rice to feed a family of 6.
La Galette, welcome to the neighborhood!
*I realize I sound like an imbecile saying things like that, but sometimes you just have to be honest about your ignorant thoughts, in the hopes that someone will either a) show you the light or b) ease your worries by admitting that they, too, have no idea what they're talking about.
After having lunch at Joy Burger Bar around the corner, I came here to get takeout for dinner. The manager Nicou was extremely helpfull and VERY nice. I ended up with the "Thiebou Yapp" ($12.95), which is lamb with Senegalese vegetable fried rice (also available with chicken, which is what I should have gotten). The fried rice was no different than Chinese, except for some funky spices.
The problem was that I didn't realize that the lamb was just chopped up pieces on the bone! I had expected something like an Indian lamb curry. (Yes, yes I know. Indian curry can be on the bone as well, but usually only at the very cheapest of Indian buffets such as Curry in a Hurry here in NYC, and will more than likely be Goat or sheep vs. lamb.) Of course as any cook knows, there are major advantages to cooking meat on the bone, but in this case it just made eating a real pain.
Note: They offer a buffet lunch from 11am to 4pm for $9.99
Senegalese restaurant and cafe run by a sunny, friendly woman with a gorgeous smile. I had the thiebou yapp, which was basically fried rice and vegetables with chunks of lamb. Sounds plain but was absolutely delicious and made with obvious care. Their lunch specials are priced at $10 for a generous serving. Service can be a bit slow, but the cafe so cozy and inviting that I certainly didn't mind lingering for a while.
I was really surprised to see this restaurant rated so highly. I think people sometimes get so caught up in the hype of a restaurant or the fact that it is "different" (I mean how many Senegalese places have you been to lately) and overlook what they actually experienced. But to each his own, let me give you my take on La Galette:
I think if I had ever been to another Senegalese restaurant, I would have given this 2-star (Meh, had better) as I would think the service and quality could improve. This is not to say the food was bad, it was just a little over-hyped for me and just OK. The service is realllly slow --- it took us over 3 hours to get through our meal. It is possible that there were only two employees for the about 12-table restaurant as one may have beens serving and cooking the food as well (only 4 tables were filled). They were really nice and helpful with making selections. Thankfully, it was BYOB so we kept busy with our wine. I would have thought this was because of the size of our group (9), but a couple next to us was there just as long if not longer than us. I will try to break it down by food as we had a large group that shared a bunch of different dishes:
Apps
- Pastel Pronvicial: These were basically brie/spinach empanadas which tasted good. What doesn't taste good that fried? I would recommend these. They had a little kick to them which I liked.
- Nems (Senegalese Rolls): These were the equivalent of a spring roll with shredded meat in it. I thought these were pretty decent as well.
- Beets and Goat cheese: This came out much different than described on the menu. It had corn and I didn't notice much goat cheese at all in it. It was like a beet and corn salad. It tasted fine, nothing special.
Salads
- We ordered two off the menu and I don't recall which they were but they were both pretty solid. One had grilled chicken in it, the other corn/cucumber, but I don't recall much else.
Entrees (I find it funny now looking at the menu, I cannot identify some of the dishes we had. It seems like they did not go straight off the menu and altered many of the dishes. I will try to describe each meal in turn)
- Lamb Shanks: This was a favorite of some in my group, but I was not so impressed. The lamb was OK at best. It was pretty fatty and greasy.
- Lamb w/ Potatoes and Carrots in peanutty sauce: This was perhaps my favorite dish as the sauce was superb!
- Shrimp in some spiced sauce: this was ok, the shrimp were pretty decent sized but there were just not enough.
- Fish (I don't know why the menu says whole because it seemed to be large chunks of fish) in spices: this was not good at all. The fish was really dry.
- Lamb or beef? in rice: I really liked the rice, I think it was similar to a fried rice mixed w/ peas and other veggies. The meat was once again fatty and greasy.
Side-dish
- Couscous: I am a big fan of couscous in general and thought this was good. I wish I would have seen it at the other end of the table earlier before I was so full.
Dessert
- Tiakri: I did not have any, but everyone at the table seemed to really enjoy this unique treat.
Overall, this place is definitely good bang for your buck as there was a ton of food left over and everyone was sufficiently full. I would like to try another Senegalese place to really compare the two, but if you looking for something different it is worth a shot. It kind of reminded me of Indian food with the spices and mushy platters.
Helloooo, Senegal!
Thanks to La Galette, I now know where Senegal is on the map.
That may seem sad, but if I were to show you a map of Africa, would you REALLY be able to point it out? Come on...let's be real. Most of you probably didn't even know that Senegal was IN Africa. So this review is now funny, useful, cool AND educational!
But I digress. Back to the food:
Standouts:
- Salade Dakaroise
- Croque Madame
- Maffe (lamb special w/ peanut sauce)
- Shrimp Curry
- DB Narr (Lam shoulder)
- Plantains!!! Ooohh...so good!
Average:
- Le Galette Salad (not as good as Dakaroise)
- Yassa Aux Citrons (grilled chicken - a lil salty for me)
- Nems: fried appetizer w/ Nuoc Mam (viet fish sauce)
- Fataya: fried patties
Service: nice and friendly, but incredibly sloooow.
If you value your time, order delivery.
If you're here on a first date, be prepared for awkward silences...and lots of ice breakers. (We waited 30 minutes for a salad.)
But if you have time for a leisurely dinner, then I'd definitely come here and enjoy the hearty food.
If this review wasn't as entertaining as my others, you can blame La Galette for putting me into a food coma and turning my normally witty brain into mush...plantain mush.
yumm...plantains...
Awesome, family-run Senegalese/African restaurant. The stretch of Lexington Avenue around 100th/101st street has a few restaurants that seem interesting, such as Joy Burger Bar and Itzocan Bistro. Half-way down 100th street is the cozy, immaculate La Galette Cafe. I went there on a Saturday night, when they had live jazz playing (alternating with Bon Jovi and Guns and Roses during the breaks). The owner or manager was waiting tables, and he was super friendly. For appetizers, we ordered (1) marinated beets with tarragon, olive oil, pepper, goat cheese, and (2) a salad with romaine lettuce sweet corn, eggs, beets, potatoes, red onion, with mustard vinaigrette. Next, we had (1) grilled lamb shoulders marinated with mustard, onion, pepper, and olive oil, and (2) a spiced fish served over broken rice stewed in tomato sauce with carrots and eggplant. For dessert, there was a coconut sorbet served in a coconut shell. The owner/manager also gave us a ginger & pineapple and hibiscus drinks. The food was delicious, and the portions were large. Because of its location, the restaurant doesn't seem to be as busy as it should be (given the great food and service), but the upside is that the atmosphere is tranquil and you get a lot of attention. I've noticed that some reviewers have complained about the slow service. There is a leisurely pace to the restaurant--for example, the waiter asked us whether we wanted to wait longer between the appetizer and main course in order to digest our food. But the pace isn't due to the inattentiveness of the manager, and I think that if a customer wanted things to move faster, the restaurant would be more than happy to accommodate. The prices are also amazing--around $30/person for a three-course meal.
One more note: the place is BYOB.
You might miss this place if you are walking up to Lex and 100th for the booming restaurant scene happening up there. It's actually on 100th and not on Lex like the others and it's easily one of the best there.
The food is presented like art and the service is very pleasant. It is a bit slow but that's because the restaurant is still building it's clientele and the food is prepared as you order...at least that's my theory.
Don't miss this place.
Walked by a few weeks ago and have been trying to swing by and eat here for a while. So glad we did finally, it was an amazing brunch!
Service is mellow not quick or slow but kind of in between and always with a smile. It seems like it could be a family run operation which is the kind of new york experience I always feel makes nyc dining more fun.
Definitely try the croque madame or monsieur. Coffee is nice and smooth, and there are some fun looking juices and such that I have not seen on any other menu.
Looking over the non-brunch portion of the menu there were quite a few entree's and special Senegalese menu items that piqued our interest. We can't wait to go back for lunch and/or dinner!
I'm rooting for them but both times I've been in there was an unduly long wait for the food, as if staff is confused.
Welcome to the world of simple, yet fantastic Sengalese food.
La Galette Cafe is an upcoming restaurant in the fast growing area of Lower Harlem. This small but elegant eatery is a wonderful place to have a coffee, snack or meal. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, they will appease you appetite at anytime.
The owners are Sengalese, and have structured the menu to portray French influence of their culture.
Today I had a absolutely superb Croque Madame. The melted gruyere is the essence of this sandwich, and brings together the rest of the ingredients. It is rich and creamy with a bit of saltiness. This a perfect complement to both the ham and fried egg. My first bite of this sandwich was incredible and I knew immediately I was in for a scrumptious meal. Secondly, the sandwich came with just the right sized serving of fries. Most places will just mindlessly pile fries on your plate but here at La Galette, the fries are just an accompaniment seasoned with the most delectable French herbs. I asked for the identity of these herbs but the chef politely refused to relinquish his secret.
Politeness is another trait which you will find in just the right portion here. The staff and clientele are warm and friendly, while never being overbearing or intrusive. And if you think that's all well the free wifi and plentiful pastries put this place over the top.
Everyone should definitely take a walk on over and enjoy the pleasures that Sengalese culture has to offer.
i have lived in east harlem-el barrio for over 5 years, long enough to have seen all the new spots sprouting around, and this place is the best by far!
of course there others worth mentioning, but as a vegetarian, this is the best option around. the eggplant with couscous, the salads and the veggie sandwich are all delicious. i am yet to try the brunch, but i see that the menu is pretty tempting, so that's next on my list!
note that i've gone to this restaurant with meat eaters, and they too, have had a great experience.
the atmosphere is very pleasant (though i think the tv is totally out of place), and the staff are very friendly. unfortunately, this is not on a main ave, which means that you have to look for it to find it, and that they are not getting the numbers they deserve.
this place is awesome. the food is amazing! so far i havent had a dish that didn't disappoint. i recommend the skirt steak and the fataya- the couscous was really good too, and so was this curry thing (forgot the name) . anyway- check it out- cant get better than this!!
