It was just before a string of noon meetings when I slipped into Chez les Frenchies Café, a small corner on First Avenue that feels far removed from the rush outside. The kind of place that seems to know its role in the day—not a spectacle, not a scene, but a pause.
The space itself carries a quiet ease. Light pours in through the windows, softening the café’s warm wood and neat arrangement of tables. There’s a balance here—nothing overdesigned, nothing trying too hard—just a simple French elegance that makes you want to linger a little longer than planned.
I ordered an iced latte, smooth and balanced with no sharp edges, just the kind of coffee you’d hope for in a setting like this. To pair, a dark chocolate pastry—its name escapes me, but its taste does not. Rich, glossy, and perfectly tempered, it was crafted with the kind of precision that makes even a small bite feel indulgent.
What stood out most, though, was the atmosphere. It’s a café that invites both conversation and solitude. You could as easily meet a friend here for a gentle catch-up as you could sit alone with a laptop, letting time unfold between sips. There’s no rush, only rhythm.
Chez les Frenchies Café isn’t a place that needs to announce itself loudly. Instead, it offers the comfort of being exactly what you want it to be: a neighborhood stop, a mid-day retreat, a quiet corner of Paris tucked...
Read moreMy experience here was disappointing on multiple levels. Firstly, the coffee served was by far the worst I have ever tasted. The lack of quality and flavor was evident from the first sip, leaving me utterly unsatisfied.
To make matters worse, the owner's family member approached me and requested that I lower the volume of my phone while watching a video. Meanwhile, the people sitting right next to me were being obnoxiously loud, disturbing the peaceful atmosphere which I would never complain about it. It was incredibly frustrating to be singled out for a minor issue while the staff failed to address the real source of disturbance.
The overall lack of customer service and poor coffee quality makes it difficult for me to recommend this place. With plenty of other coffee shops in the area that offer both better tasting coffee and a more considerate approach to customer satisfaction, I advise seeking...
Read moreThis is a nice little neighborhood establishment with good coffee and pastries. Service from the younger woman and young man is wonderful and always pleasant. Unfortunately, the older woman that serves and claims to know the owner well is not very pleasant to deal with and actually quite rude almost always. She almost makes you feel like you are bothering her because she’s constantly texting on her phone. A smile or a pleasant interaction goes a long way. My family and I, which includes my mother, father, brother, husband, all of which live in the neighborhood, truly avoid going in there when she is serving. We would rather just walk to Slate than have to share the same space with this unpleasant lady. I hope the owner is aware because she/he have done a wonderful job with this little...
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