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why you should go to café lalo, right now

Friday, March 28, 2014


If you called me right now and were like, Heather. I only have one hour left to spend in the city. Tell me where to go. I would throw you into a cab and have you hauled off to Café Lalo

Upon arriving, I would make sure that we sat in the corner, by the window. (Did you think I wasn't going to join you? Think again!) Because if we sat in the corner, then we would have a view of the whole café and would still be able to see the twinkly lights that are always on the trees outside (twinkly lights are pretty up there in my book, so these details are all very important).

After a few minutes, you would realize how overwhelming the menu is and you might start to panic. At this point, we would order two glasses of champagne to calm your nerves. This should help you see more clearly and realize that, yes, of course the Goat Cheese and Spinach Scramble with Rosemary Bread is the best choice. I would then demand that I get to eat half.

While we enjoy the tulips on our table, the music, and all the amazing aromas floating out of the kitchen, we will start to wonder if we are suddenly living in the middle of a romantic comedy. You will slyly look around the café to see if Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are sitting at any of the tables nearby. Disappointed that they are not, we will request a dessert menu and another round of champagne. While you scour the 50,000 flavors of pie on the menu, I will gaze longingly at the blueberry cheesecake in the display case. Declaring it Love At First Sight, I will refuse to even look at the menu.

Too distracted by the Best Dessert of Our Lives (and the food comas that we are slowly slipping into), it wouldn't be until the last bite that we will both remember that you were only supposed to be in New York for one hour. By this point, three hours have gone by and you will have missed your flight. C'est la vie! we would say, and two more glasses of champagne would be ordered.



This is pretty much a play-by-play of brunch this morning with my mom, give or take a few minor details. We weren't in any hurry (no flights were missed) and we were much more concerned about cheesecake than we were with Ryan Gosling. Also, she didn't panic about the menu because when we get together, it goes without saying that everything we order is going to be shared. You all know how I feel about trying little bites of everything

The moral of this story is: if you're visiting New York, this is the *one* place I insist that you go. It's impossible not to love. (And when you go, I hope you'll tell me all about it!)

Café Lalo
201 West 83rd Street
New York, NY 10024

15 comments:

  1. Ahh you're making me miss the city so much. I love Cafe Lalo, I had no idea they served food though! That sounds ridiculous but I've only ever been there for dessert. No shame there but it's actually crazy they have a legit menu I somehow missed! haha how funny, what can I say I like cake. :) I really want to go back now though, that goat cheese spinach scramble dish sounds amazing.

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    1. Don't worry. If anyone understands how distracting cake is, it's me. Besides, the first thing you see when you walk in their door is the dessert display. One glance in and eggs start to sound *pretty* stupid.

      I hope you'll be able to come back and visit!

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  2. that would have been EPIC if your mom had missed her flight and ordered another round of champagne. even so, this place is epic enough! you're making me miss the upper west side now... have you been to alice's tea cup yet?? my mom and i always went there when she was in town.

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    1. haven't been to alice's tea cup! i just looked up their menu though and ooooh la la. we might have to make our way over there today. thanks for the tip!

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  3. Best Dessert of Our Lives is definitely a big seller! I've never even heard of this place... but next time I'm in NYC I'll make sure to stop by.

    belle + compass

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  4. I am OBSESSED with cute little cafes! I'll possibly be in NY in July, and I will totally check this place out! :)

    - www.meyouandhayleylarue.com

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  5. Okay. I kinda' love posts like these because, as much as I love my old standbys, I also like trying new things and places. I'll definitely keep this in mind as place to dine in. 'Best Dessert of Our Lives' is a big draw!

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    1. I promise you will be in dessert heaven. It's definitely worth a visit!

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  6. Ooooh! I have not been here but it sounds amazing. "Living in a romantic comedy" sounds like a great way to spend the afternoon. Adding it to my list now!

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  7. Oh snap! Then I must go to this place! The sad thing about living in Brooklyn is that I become pretty anti-Manhattan on the weekends. lol! But maybe I'll make the exception, your review of this place is too good to not go!!

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    1. Haha, I definitely understand. If you can ever escape for breakfast on a weekday, you'll miss the crowd and it will all be worth it! I learned the hard way that getting a table during the weekend can be a bit of a challenge, but even still, if you're willing to wait, you won't be sorry. :)

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  8. This place looks amazing !!! I really like all the pictures you have here and you have written such a great review ! I am going to New York on Thursday for four days and have been left in charge of organising where we are going to go for dinner !! Do you think I would need to book a reservation for this place? Also please let me know any others you recommend ! =]

    Thanks !

    Victoria @ Alf & Emilio
    http://alfandemilio.co.uk

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    1. Hi Victoria! Will you be in the city with girlfriends? If so, I *demand* that you go to ABC Kitchen. I don't even have words for how magical it is. Just trust me on this one. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend Eataly (try to get there early), Shake Shack (duh), Empire Diner, The Smith, Red Farm, The Fat Radish, Dinosaur BBQ (you will be dreaming about their pulled pork for the rest of your life, mark my words), The Meatball Shop, and for the best soup + salad ever, Hale and Hearty.

      Hope this helps! I would love to know where you end up going. x

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  9. It looks like a neat place! :)

    www.ensembledeux.blogspot.com

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  10. Um, your blog is ADORABLE. I loved this post. Like a little story, all neatly wrapped up and cutely told with gorgeous photos to boot! I lust after NYC life on a daily basis and I'm so eager to read more about your experiences there!! <33

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