Have you seen that movie with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Not the one where they meet on top of the Empire State Building...but the one where they email each other a lot and both own book stores? "You've Got Mail!"
I love this movie for many reasons, but in particular because it was filmed in my neighborhood of the Upper West Side! I remember watching it the first few days of my first week in New York and recognizing the area, the park and the various blocks of the 70's and 80's on the Upper West.
The most climatic point of the movie is when the two main characters are about to meet face to face and they choose to meet at Cafe Lalo on 83rd and Amsterdam...
The cafe is extremely European in both decor and menu. The outside of the cafe has a tree covered in little fairy lights, drooping over a couple of benches. The front of the cafe is made up of large, French windows and the paintings on the brick walls are of Parisian style.
The music playing in the background consists of only instrumental versions of well-known, classic melodies. All the waitresses are dressed in lilac leggings and a stylish t-shirt with the Cafe Lalo logo and various paintings. I have yet to be served by an American waitress, so the fact that the staff are from all over Europe really add to atmosphere.
The first thing you will notice about Lalo's is the huge display of desserts. Cafe Lalo holds over 100 different cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, biscotti and other guilty pleasures. I recommend trying their varieties of cheesecake - they are all amazing!
But it is not all unhealthy, calorie ridden desserts that they offer. Lalo's serve all organic products and the only produce you will find on the menu in the meat/fish region is smoked salmon. They provide a huge menu of eggs, sandwiches, salads, soups and quiches. There is also a large selection of hot and cold drinks and every syrup and flavors imaginable! Cafe Lalo is famous for its brunches. They serve Brunch everyday until 4pm, although a lot of the menu used for Brunch are still available after 4pm - such as their delicious Belgium Waffle with Cinnamon Whip and Strawberries!
The Brunch Menu is alive with culture as each Brunch is dedicated to a country, such as France, Italy, Morocco, England, Bulgarian and there is even the option of the New Yorker or Jewish Brunch! I think it is such a wonderful and original idea - giving their customers the epitome of choice!
Sounds great, right? Relaxing, worldly, cozy, calm... Well that it is during the day but Lalo's becomes a lively bar scene at night! With the cafe not closing until 4am on most nights and a full bar to offer - there is a buzzing scene of movie and theater goers in the evenings. The lights go down, the music turns up and the cocktails are passed around!
Oh and that reminds me - notice what your food and drink is served IN. I really wish Cafe Lalo would open a store so I could buy all their cutlery. The cups that hold the coffee and tea are huge, and very Central Perk-esque from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the colors are bright and vibrant, and the glasses for the wine and cocktails are so tall and elegant, with an element of funkiness!
Tips - they only take credit cards if you spent $25 or over and I would stay clear of their Mediterranean Salad with bell peppers if you have a slightly sensitive stomach! ( I am not the only person to advise this, I assure you).
All this and more is why I have been a loyal customer for 5 years and counting!
