Café Ficelle — Restaurant in Ventura

On June 15, at around 10 a.m. I went to the Ventura Cafe Ficelle to purchase a croissant--just a single croissant. I parked my car in one of the designated disability spaces and made the very painful (for me), slow and awkward 30-foot or so walk to the back door to purchase the croissant. I am not very familiar with the cafe, so I went to where the barista was making drinks and waited for her to notice me, so I could make my request. She ignored me. It was as though an old, disabled woman with a cane was invisible. The barista walked away. She came back. She never acknowledged that I was there. After a few rounds of the barista walking away, and ignoring me as I stood there, I asked the barista if I could order a croissant. She told me I had to go down to the long line by the baked goods and stand and wait my turn. I said I can't stand for any length of time without severe pain. Was there a chair or something I could use? She said no. I replied--becoming emotional because I was really hurting by this point--that it was really hard for me to stand and wasn't there ANYTHING she could do to let me just get a croissant. She rolled her eyes at me. She made a gesture to another customer, to indicate that I was being unreasonable. A woman came over--I later found out her name is Kim. She asked me what she could do to help me and I said I just wanted a croissant. She said I had to stand in line. I said I can't stand in lines. She got the croissant, and told me it would be paid for once the line had cleared (it was a large group making lots of decisions.) So she threw the croissant on the counter--ostensibly to wait to be rung up--and told me to wait my turn. At no time did Kim offer me any kind of accommodation, despite my mentioning numerous times that I was in pain. I said I was going to wait in a bar chair because it was high enough for me to wait comfortably. She said no, but I ignored her. The large group left. The croissant was left on the counter. I was sitting in my chair. After awhile Kim--who was hovering nearby--decided to ring up the lone croissant that was sitting near the empty two cash registers. I told Kim that I was very upset at how I was treated. Her response? Among the numerous gems: "Just because you're carrying a cane, it doesn't mean you're disabled." (Yeah, I carry an old beat up cane to walk very awkwardly for fun?) And "When you can act like an adult, we'll treat you like one." I left. I was extremely upset. Like, call an ADA lawyer upset, because discriminating in any way against someone with a disability is very very illegal. I called Cafe Ficelle, Ventura, and Kim answered the phone. She told me there were no other managers available. Kim said she had done "everything we could to accommodate you." I asked her specifically what she had done to "accommodate me." She said, we offered you that chair to sit in. I said she had not offered me the chair, I just took it because I needed desperately to sit down (as in I was afraid either my bone on bone right knee, or completely destroyed right foot or even my severely deteriorating back would fail). So I sat down. In fact, Kim wanted me to wait in the line. She continued to tell me that I was being rude to the employees (the ones who ignored me, but hey, why acknowledge a customer? Why would you not say, "Can I help you?" And then, "Oh I'm sorry, there's a line, and that's where you should order your croissant.") And when I explained that I was in pain and couldn't stand in a line, she could have said something like, "Let me get someone to help you. I'm sure there's something we can do for you," or words to that effect. But no. I got ignored, rolling eyes and gestures to other customers, and finally the rudest, most insensitive manager I've ever encountered. I will be filing an ADA complaint. I hope no one ever has to go through what...

Café Ficelle is a modern elegant French Cafe across from the Pacific View Mall on Mills. They seem to be family owned or at least give that impression between staff and management. They have absolutely gorgeous offerings of breads, pastries, macaroons and candies. In fact, they rival the breads and pastries we found in Paris when we were there last year. They serve breakfast and lunch as well. The atmosphere is laid back. The prices are on par with other similar places. The latte's are traditional and comforting, which is just as they should be, in my opinion. Ficelle also offers wine and beer. I really like that the bakery kitchen is open for viewing and the service is excellent.

I have been there a total of three times now and haven't been disappointed yet. I had their creme brulee and coffee on my first visit. The creme brulee was creamy but just a little too sweet for my taste. It would have been prefect for most people I just love the creamy over the sweet. The warm sugar crust was just right, though.

On my second visit, because they looked so amazing, I had a Kouign Amann (butter croissant dough rolled in sugar and baked) and coffee. It was a lot for me to eat but it was wonderful warmed up the next day. That visit I also took home several of their macaroons for my family. I'm a bit picky with macaroons, I like them with a slight snap on the first bite and distinct changes between flavors. In my humble opinion, Café Ficelle's macroons could have had a little less sugar and more flavor.

On my third visit, I had, you guessed it, a latte. But this time, I tried their French Onion Soup. It had a slight kick to it that I liked and the bread was a crisp, flavorful sourdough. It was a delightful combination. I'm not sure what I will have next time, all I know is that there will be...

I have highly been anticipating the opening of this place. Coming from Big City Orange County and Los Angeles I miss the depth and variety of Cafe and restaurants here in the Ventura area.

They've only been open the week so I expected they are learning and working through some kinks which is why I give them four stars. I anticipate it will work their way up to a five on my rating scale soon enough.

Coffee: Coffee is good. That part they seem to have down. Had a macchiato, cappuccino, and Cafe la reine all of which met standards that I expected. Bakery: The bakery items have a little bit of refining to do. Do not get there beignets. Beignets are best had fresh and warm however these ones are already cooked and sitting in the bakery rack. That is not the way they meant to be eaten and we're quite disappointing. Their almond croissant is nice and Flaky however it could use some marzipan and the chocolate croissant was amazing especially when warmed up. Food:The French toast is great however it is too sweet and they should really back off on the amount of sugar they put on it. The strawberries were sugar added, the toast was glazed, and sweet syrup put on. Waaayyyy to sweet.

. The breakfast crepe is good but the size of the crepe is quite large relative to the amount of Brie cheese that they give you. Add more brie or make the crepe smaller.

Again overall I think this is a great start and I have high expectations for this place and anticipate as they learn and take feedback from the customers they will move their way up to a five-star and one of my top places to go in the area. Look forward to seeing this...