Cafe Selmarie: User Reviews

Small portions, large prices
By pmalek from Wicker Park, August 21, 2009

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The pastries & desserts are fantastic. However the rest of the food is portions too small & prices too large. Paying $8.00 for a cup of baby spinach leaves with a few strawberries & walnuts all without dressing is ridiculous. Their idea of a chicken pot pie is chicken soup baked in a ramiken with a puff pastry plopped on top. Tables are not large enough & not sturdy. Chairs are uncomfortable. The tables are set so close together that you bump into the person next to you & you can share in the other tables' conversations. Would never go again for their food just for their pastries & desserts.

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Great neighborhood cafe!
By Liz from Ravenswood Manor, October 30, 2008

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I've been here three times - - a brunch, a lunch and a dinner and all were good. I highly recommend the Chilaquiles on the brunch menu! FANTASTIC! The prices are fair and they use high quality ingredients so the items do not seem contrived. I am very glad this place is walking distance to my house!

PS: order some sugar cookies to much on while you wait for a table! Delish!

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Don't bother with this place!
By Michael C. from Andersonville, July 9, 2008

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The pastries may be delish, but I wouldn't know because the service was so horrible this past weekend that we were too exhausted to try them. The brunch menu is extremely limited so there's little to choose from. Our server put in our order incorrectly, so one of our two entrees was completely wrong. He didn't do much to expedite the reorder either as we waited just as long for it to come out. I waited another 10 minutes for hot sauce and the sausage I originally ordered, and he delivered it with a cutesy little "sorry." Overall, decent food but nothing special and extremely poor service. Mistakes happen to be sure, but there is then an opportunity to correct them and still win over the customer so they have a pleasant experience. I won't be back.

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The best French Patisserie you'll find in these parts...
By Data77777 from Bridgeport, November 30, 2007

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Didn't think I could find some place like this outside of Montreal or France itself...the dinner portions were quite big and looked delicious, but skip the dinner altogether and take in the amazing assortment of cakes, pies, and pastries this place has to offer. The Black Forest Torte was heavenly, and the cherry struesel pie and strawberry roulade look too good to pass up. A chocolate lover would welcome the vast selection of rich chocolatey pastries on display too...a veritable feast for the eyes. Enjoy your dessert over a cup of coffee or pot of Mighty Leaf gourmet tea....a very unpretentious, downright friendly, and romantic place!

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Great pastry, but . . .
By RICHARD from LINCOLN SQUARE, November 16, 2007

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I really want to like Selmarie as dinner or brunch destination, but each time I give it a chance I am disappointed. I took my sister there for brunch on a Friday morning, we were seated promptly, but we must have been there 15 minutes and no one came by to at least take our coffee order. The place was pretty full, but someone should have at least asked us if we wanted coffee. Looking over the menu - nothing to get excited about. At that price point there should have been something with goat cheese or some other ubiquitous ingredient. Instead the food was pretty under-whelming. Pretty much the same exerience when having dinner. I do remember the messed up lighting - either it was too bright or too dark.

Stick to the front counter, order a pastry and coffee - sit by the fountain and enjoy.

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In response to the review...
By Gatsby from Chicago, IL, August 5, 2007

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In response to the review that stated children are unwelcome at the restaurant, I'd just like to say that I have eaten here on a number of occasions, and I have been seated near families with small, well-behaved children and even babies. I have never witnessed the staff treat a family with children or babies any differently than any other customer. This place is wonderful, period.

This place is wonderful. We...
By lisa from Chicago, IL, July 29, 2007

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This place is wonderful. We ate here on Saturday night before a show at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which is only 2 blocks away. The food was wonderful, especially the desserts! The wine list is right on. The prices are more than reasonable too. We sat outside and enjoyed the musicians playing next door in the little square. Great food, prices, and service - what more can you ask for?

Do not take children to...
By M. Di Lorenzo from Chicago, IL, May 10, 2007

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Do not take children to this cafe as they are unwelcome. I was asked to leave when my 10 week old son started crying and did not stop within a few minutes. I was treated rudely and as if I was ignoring his cries and the impact this might have on other patrons. All parents know the stress of trying to console an infant in public and most people are compassionate. Not so at Cafe Selmarie. The staff made made me feel terrible. Please note that this happehed on a weekday, after the lunch rush.

Had a great dinner last...
By Alex from Chicago, IL, February 6, 2007

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Had a great dinner last Saturday, everything on the menu looked good it was hard to choose! I finally decided to be adventurous and try the African Lamb Stew. It was seasoned perfectly and the best dish to have on a cold night. My friend tried a fish special that she said was almost too pretty to eat (but of course we did) and it was great! We always save room for dessert when we go there and are never disapointed.Our server was really nice and recommended some nice wines to compliment our meal. Very enjoyable night.

I am normally a refined...
By Sarah from Chicago, IL, January 18, 2007

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I am normally a refined diner, but with the delish flavors and prices at Selmarie I found myself transformed into a ravenous soup slurper, who would indeed like to try a piece of cake. My server was a total hottie to boot.
Great place for friends or parents or an intimate encounter. Kudos!