Butler S. Williamsburg — Restaurant in New York

This is my first ever review (I don’t Yelp or do Trip Advisor or even Google reviews!), but I do feel compelled to chime in and say my peace. Fwiw, I am neither friend nor family, although I will also say that these guys make every customer feel like you are both friend AND family! I know, that is a cringe-worthy statement, but it’s legit!

More specifically, it is obvious to me as a repeat customer (and neighborhood local) that someone at the top has not only designed a sincere yet strategic customer service approach, but has also hired an excellent team to execute on that premise. From managers to bakers to bussers, this place exudes warmth and genuine pride in craft and job performance. How often can you say that about a restaurant/cafe? Seriously, this is why I am writing a review right now for the first time rather than doing more important things with my time!

That said, service only goes so far in this business without the other product: food! I will admit that the Australian angle can be ever so slightly disorienting even for a savvy eater (who is an admitted Aussie noob), but it is a welcomed addition to the global palate and one that is finally getting its due in NYC.

As a bakery, the pastries and breads are dial’d in at a high level. Sausage rolls, French Toast thingamajigs, chocolate croissants, etc are all home runs. And not for nothing, but the appearance and presentation adds to the enjoyment since we all eat with our eyes before our mouths. The salads, sammies and specials are also excellent. I appreciate the balanced menu with healthy choices and some less than healthy choices!

Also, while there is avocado toast and some items with quinoa or cauliflower or whatever else is trendy and ubiquitous these days, the Butler team puts its own spin on it and does it exceedingly well without gilding the lily. So much so that when they change their menu, which is always risky when it comes to potentially alienating your regulars, they crush it with seasonal updates and exciting new fare. To each their own, but I really appreciate that they keep their thinking caps on and channel their creativity into new items.

As a result of all of the above, I feel confident in trying new stuff. Not only new items, but also things I wouldn’t normally order. This is because I now completely trust the chef’s vision and the kitchen’s execution.

So that’s why I’m a regular. And that’s why I am spewing praise that probably comes off as someone who was hired to write this! But, again, I’m just a local food-loving dude who places a super-high premium on great food and an even higher premium on consistently great service! It is not easy to pull off both and make it seem effortless, but Butler seems to have no problem doing it. So grateful and appreciative to have this place in my back yard.

Keep...

I am vegan and they're very few vegan choices but they are excellent!!!!!!!!! I love the vegan peanut butter ball that has dates in it and crispy cereal. I love the texture, the taste and the crunch !!!!!

I asked if they could veganize the avocado toast and the answer is yes! It was just so delicious and again there's a crunch! I'm all about delicious tastes textures and crunch! The bread they use and the seasoning, everything was just delicious! If you're in a rush go for the peanut ball!

The coffee is also great and they have wonderful vegan non dairy milk options.

The bathroom is clean and they have free Wi-Fi and it's a very relaxing chill place to decompress for a little bit. I also am a plant fanatic I love plants I have way too many they keep reproducing I'm overwhelmed but I love to walk in and see all the plants suspended above I think that's a beautiful touch along with the posters and the large windows. It's just a really nice place to chill out or be cheered up with a nice crowd of people and music.

I'm giving the place five stars because number one I had left my wallet there and when I realized it and rushed back there it was safe and sound so thank you for honest staff with integrity.

Also, I'm a victim of violence, lies and 0 decency at a doctors office in SoHo - shocking horrific violence after a cyst removed by my MD on my elbow, I was holding bags, my arm numb I was a human pin yada and the people that should've prevented this, stopped the abuse, spoke up and told the truth, apologize etc. didn't and fyi her boss MD never interviewed her for the job, had no guidelines, didn't check her references and they're both such liars--- I'm so traumatized so I don't want to be anywhere where people are unethical but only in New York does a bake shop coffee in Brooklyn place that has more integrity than a medical office in SoHo!

I'm vegan so the downside is there are very few vegan choices and it any moment you might smell something cooking that as a vegan is in offense to one sensibility and at that point I would definitely leave... hey said they're working on a ventilation system because for me I can't bear to smell a pig being cooked .

They get five stars for excellent food presentation beautiful safe place the vegan options they do offer are excellent the bathroom is clean...

Really, really bummed. I live near this cafe and I was a regular customer... until an awful experience with the cafe owner this afternoon. First, he was rude to me at the counter when I bought a muffin, and politely inquired about it before sitting down. "Um, don't you want it heated up?" Silly me -- I know little about muffin preparation, and didn't realize it was to be re-baked before consumption. "Oh, sorry, yep, no worries!" Later, I was working on my laptop (I work remotely) and planned to take a call outside, on one of the patio tables. The nearby train was too loud, but so was the thumping music inside. I felt bad about it, but I knew I really had no other choice than to ask the guy if he could briefly turn down the music. So I did: "Hi, do you mind turning down the music a little for 5-10 minutes? Sorry, I have a last-minute call to take." The guy gives me a DEATH glare and says, "Can't you take it outside?" I told him I tried, but the J/M was too loud passing by, and I couldn't hear anything. Plus, I needed my laptop in front of me. And then he says, verbatim: "I'm the owner of this cafe. This is NOT an office space. Just so you know." I apologized again, and then (embarrassed as all get out) quickly told him that it wasn't necessary to turn it down (I'm feeble during impromptu confrontation). He gives me another condescending expression and says, "Yeah, no, it's fine, but again, I'm the owner of this cafe, and this place is not an office space." Uh... okay? Not sure the relevancy of his ownership with respect to my situation -- obviously, he's got some serious insecurities to work out. And, hey, dude -- it's 2 PM on a Wednesday. Everyone is working on their laptops. A final note: There's a sign next to the counter that says the cafe prides itself on providing 5-star service, and if it's anything less, customers are encouraged to take it up with the staff so they can make it right. This was clearly not an option for me. If you're looking for good customer service + a considerate volume of music, stay far away...