Chez Mamou French Bakery & Cafe
| Address: | 217 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA |
| Phone: | +1 505-216-1845 |
| Site: | chezmamou.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
AN
Anupam Sharma
As lovers of fine coffee and pastries, my family and I were looking forward to an evening of lite french fare. What we had hoped would be a sweet experience turned out to be an extremely bitter evening. Upon entering, we were curtly greeted by an uppity french lady. She asked us if we had a reservation when the restaurant was sparcely attended. When we said we did not, she gave us an exasperated look and went to go check if she could seat us. Reluctantly letting us take a seat, a waiter came by who just dropped three dinner menus, even though we had said that we were just here for coffee and pastries. When we went up to look at the pastries, there were no labels, and the waiter wasnt bothered to assist us. After the food was served, we were completely ignored and abandoned. This especially struck us when we noticed the staff being incredibly kind and attentive to other patrons, who were travellers just like us. As a matter of fact, no one even came to retrieve the bill. The one person we asked to take the bill said that he had no way of doing so and would inform his superior. However, after two further requests, no one came to take the bill. So I went up to the register and asked the superior if we could pay, but he shirked off the responsibilty, saying that someone else would take it (they never did). We were on vacation and did not have time to sit there all day and pay the bill. Finally, in todays age of plastic cards, we managed to pull out enough cash to clear the bill and left. Food is not simply an experience for the taste buds, it is greatly affected by the people you are around when you eat it. Unfortunately, the attitudes of the owner and the staff at this establishment completely ruined our food and our evening.
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Rachael Apodaca
My fiancée, our son, and I went to Chez Mamou for a Mothers day treat. He ordered a Monte Cristo, and I ordered the Boeuf Bourignon. While the Bourignon was delicious, the Monte Cristo was WAY too sweet, and soggy. Also, whoever plates the food feels that cold, already dressed salads belong on hot plates. Salads should neither be dressed nor on a hot plate when served to a guest. The worst part, however was the service that we recieved while we were there. When we first arrived, our waitress (the loud one with the dyed black hair) sat us at a dirty table, and said she was going to send a busser over to clean it. She did not, and I had to ask another waitress to clean it off. Then, it was one negligent move after another. She would ask us if we needed anything, and then I would see her completely ignore the request to go talk and laugh with to another table. When I asked for more water, she did just that and I had to ask the waiter that was cleaning up dirty tables. I ordered a Café au Lait (breve) and when I asked the server for more cream, she brought me COLD cream (for anyone who doesnt know what this coffee drink is- half coffee and half steamed cream). Come on, use some common sense. The poor brown haired waitress who we had to bother for most of our things will be the only server that we use, should we return.
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Ross Patrick
Great food, but a comedy of errors. We sat near the pastry counter for a late breakfast. The waiter was quick, and friendly; however, it was then the mistakes began. First they were out of vanilla syrup for a latte, then out of hazelnut. The caramel latte that was brought out was practically pure syrup. We had them remake it and it seemed even sweeter (the black coffee was delicious.) I also overheard the worker discussing that they were out of white wine. Syrup and wine are staples, and do not perish quickly. One worker was eating behind the main counter, and was later seen walking into the kitchen digging for gold inside of the back of her pants. At one point, the owner or manager, while making eye contact with me, blew something (hair, dirt, Im not sure) off of the top of some macaroons before placing them into the counter. While I know that people eat in the kitchen and may not have the best hygiene, it belongs behind closed doors and not in the dining arena. The number of visible hygeine errors, make me question the number of hidden obes. Despite the delicious food, I will likely choose elsewhere to dine.
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Bobbi Such
Our nine year old really wanted to treat the family to hot chocolate and desserts while we were visiting Santa Fe. So she found this cute little bakery and she started showing us around the glass display so we could pick our treat. The waitress asks if we have a reservation and we dont, because the place was empty except for one obvious regular sitting alone, she became very annoyed and said shed have to ask if we could be seated ???? Note, we told her we were just there for coffee and dessert and the place was empty...it was obvious that we were an inconvenience to her. She finally seats us and continues to look annoyed... Her behavior alone was enough to never return here. The food was okay, the sponge cake was a little rich but the apple dessert was very good. If the service had been better, Id have given more stars.
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Kelly Engstrom
Just left this restaurant and had such an extremely negative experience felt compelled to write a review within minutes of leaving. Ordered desserts at the counter and initially said they were to go. Very pleasant waiter told us it was fine to sit. Sat down, and VERY rude presumably French owner came over to lecture us about how we shouldve not said it was to go and that this "isnt a cafeteria." We are not high school loitering troublemakers which she made us feel like - and additionally it was mid-afternoon and the restaurant was deserted. Truly - this was an astoundingly rude lady who kept the lecture going for at least 3 minutes. Visit at your own risk. But whatever you do - make sure you do not change your mind on the to-go order. To the rude French owner, this is an unpardonable sin.
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pbarangu
This is without a doubt one of the top 3 restaurants I have ever visited anywhere in the world. The French pastry chef, Paul, is a true master. The fruit tart we had was insane, definitely an epiphany of culinary delight. My fiance and me visited here back in early September and it was INCREDIBLE. All the pastries are absolutely fantastic, and we stocked up on plenty for our trip home. The breakfast and lunch items we shared off the menu were divine. If you go here and dont like the food, the service, or the ambiance, check your pulse. I would seriously drive here from our home in Denver and the trip would be completely worth it. The owner was incredibly friendly and passionate about her work. If you go to Santa Fe and dont stop here, you truly missed out. HIGHLY recommended.
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Mike McMaster
Havent tried breakfast but was impressed with their sign - "Brunch until 5pm". I had dinner on my own a couple of night ago. Then when I described it to business acquaintances I was meeting with, they cancelled what they had planned for the night and booked at Chez Mamou. The food was excellent but the service was a disaster. We got a new waitress who new nothing, I mean nothing, and she was inappropriate to boot. We had a good time anyway and will return. However I hope management reads this does better staff selection and training in future. The young bus boy filled in quite well and we enjoyed ourselves due to the good french cooking.
