Le Petit Cafe & Bakery — Restaurant in Ventura

CHECK your bank activity !! I wasn’t going to leave a review about my experience on Jan 11th, but when I checked my account today I saw I was over charged twice ! It is very distasteful when establishments are stealing from their customers, I’m beyond disappointed and decided to let the other paying customers know to be careful. On Jan 11th my friend and I decided to grab a bite before our appointment and we heard great things about the bakery at this restaurant. We went in and chose seating and had a great waiter. He was very kind and very helpful with my selections. He showed patience and has knowledge of the menu which helped me so much as it was my first time in there and with their menu. Our meals arrived and I would say that I recommend the Duck legs with the curry mango sauce, I enjoyed that very much. During the meal with my friend, I was mid conversation before being startled by a loud clanking. It was in a way of a mini chime, 4 hits to be exact. Realizing what it was, it was a gentleman passing right behind me leading a group of customers to a table. He decided to tap the railings right beside my seat with what ever ring or item he was using. I couldn’t imagine why would anyone not be cautious to their surroundings and respectful to their seated guests. It ruined my taste of continuing my meal. Curious as to whom that was we asked our waiter and told him what happened. He so kindly apologized and said that was the owner and chef himself. We couldn’t believe it. The waiter explained that the tap of the rail is to let the servers know he is passing down to the area to seat guests. We told him that we would understand if it was one tap I guess, but it was several abrupt loud dings of that sound, and right where I am seated. He apologized on behalf of the owner and said that he would let him know. I did not want it made into a huge deal as I understand that seems to be a way they communicate but that he should be more mindful of his actions especially as the owner. We assume the waiter told the owner because whenever he passed with another group, he tapped the opposite side rail and just once instead of the previous chime. That was a nice change, but then we also thought, that if he knew why wouldn’t he as the manager come to apologize or say a word for himself? We packed our things to go and didn’t hear a peep from him. I decided not to leave the review because I assumed maybe there’s a language barrier or just a lack of care in his customer service. I decided to leave the review because as I am checking my back account today on the 14th, I see that they over charged me on my bill. I left a 5$ tip on my card cause my friend left the majority in cash on their end. The charge on my card shows they upped it to a 10$ tip instead of the 5$. Then I also see another charge saying a transaction for Monday the 13th at 10$. I was no where near the establishment to have made another purchase. The audacity of one or many bad apples in that company to be falsely charging our cards, stealing my hard earned money! It is ridiculous and I’m reporting it to my bank, I will NEVER spend another dime at this location, and although the food was decent I would NOT recommend it because this is a business lacking a core value of HONESTY.

Edit to add: I know there’s the possibility of hold charges sometimes when using your card. I’ve called the bank. My friend doesn’t have a hold charge and this second charge has a transaction date of the 13th, not a hold from the 11th.

Edit to add: Removed the photos as I received my money back through my bank. Stars for the kind waiters and decent meal. Thanks...

My mother and I absolutely LOVED this gem of a dining experience!! We arrived right when they opened, so it was lovely to relish the peaceful atmosphere. The aesthetic is so cute, and with the low volume, the French music transported us to a café in Paris. The friendly staff are wonderful. Service was impeccable!! Merci Megan!

The coffee!! Goodness I never like restaurant coffee—it was delicious!! I ordered a vanilla and hazelnut latte with oat milk. My mother got the same with regular milk. For brunch we ordered the Crepes, French toast, and a side of scrambled eggs to share. Loved that the plates included a slice of orange. Then our own sides of bacon. Both entrees came with a cup of seasonal fruit and whipped cream. The fruit was so fresh! I’ve never had kiwi that tasted so sweet; I still want more! The crepes were good, but I think they would have been better with lingonberry sauce than maple syrup. Would still get it again tho. The French Toast—myyyy—gooooodddddneeesss it is superb!! They make their French Toast using croissants. It taste like a mixture of churros and funnel cake—get it, I promise you it’s worth it. The eggs were so fluffy, the bacon—let me tell you. There are so many places that over cook bacon to where it’s too hard. Their bacon had just the right balance of crisp and chewy.

I enjoyed looking at the wall in the hallway to the restroom. They have showcased some of the history of Le Petit Cafe, and it leads to the bakery. Which I’m sad to say, after walking on the harbor, we were still too full to go back for pastries 😆 so we’ll have to stop by again soon!

I wish I knew about this place sooner. There’s so much more on their menu that looks divine. Such as their quiche and madame croque. Cannot say enough how much I love and recommend Le Petit Cafe & Bakery.

Merci beaucoup for a...

Attempted to go to Le Petit for breakfast last Saturday, after picking up some coffee at Beacon. Was looking forward to a nice meal with my wife on the patio overlooking the harbor.

Unfortunately, after we were seated and had perused the menu for a few minutes, the waitress came back to the table and said that "he" (I assume the manager or owner) had said something to her about our coffee that we brought in with us, so maybe we could just "slam them really quick or something." Uh, no thanks.

I asked if "he" could come to our table, so I could tell him how and why his business had just lost ours. She refused to go get him, or even point me in his direction. So we left, and now "he" (and you!) gets to read about it online.

We weren't there for coffee anyway, and I certainly wasn't going to pay whatever they charge (edit: $3.25!) for a mug of whatever lousy coffee they serve that's been sitting on a warmer getting even lousier for who knows how long. I go to an actual coffee shop for coffee; I was planning on paying Le Petit too much for some breakfast food. Having now read some other reviews, looks like we dodged a bullet there anyway.

And of course I know that it's any restaurant owner's right to refuse service, or to set whatever policies they want. But as far as I'm concerned, there were two appropriate times to tell us: either when we walked in the door and before we were seated, or at the end of the meal as a "just so you know our usual policy for next time" type of thing.

It's not like they were busy at the time (I think there was one other table sat, around 9:45am on a Saturday) but I guess they must be doing well enough to turn away selling two meals over not selling two cups of coffee....