12/17/08

THE 'Go-To' Restaurant in Lincoln Square

by adhoc

This place remains the most consistent & reasonable restaurant in the neighborhood. Whether you prefer simple foods or more complex tastes, Cafe Salmare sets the standard for consistency. Their baked goods are excellent & are beloved by my family. You won't be disappointed!

• Pros: Excellent Food, service & ambience
• Cons: none

03/12/08

Not so great as it started

by merrymaiden

I have lived in the Lincoln Square neighborhood all my life and remember when Cafe Selmarie was just a small store. However, over the last couple of years their service has declined: pastries are stale and their menu doesn't have much taste or variety. Also the number of screaming kids that are left unattended by their yuppie parents is appalling. It does ruin the dining atmosphere. The service there seems to cater to the yuppie clientele and ignore the average joe for service. It's sad to see Lincoln Square ruined by the customers and snobby service.

• Cons: Ambience, Service

07/17/05

I kept giving it a try, but no luck

by andros69

I've gone to this place a few times, because of some reviews and recommendations. I'm very picky about pastries and this place always let me down. From their various buns, croissants, muffins, cakes... they were all rather tasteless. The texture was mostly ok, but the taste was completely lacking. Coffee is ok, and their hot breakfast food was pretty good, but their pastries, forget it. I was really shocked and disappointment, because that's where their reputation is and have a very nice looking display. Like I've said, I've gone a few times and kept trying various pastries but every time they disappointed me. I'm done with this place. There are much better places in the area for dessert.

• Pros: good looks, hot food
• Cons: pastries, cakes

06/15/05

Classy, Exceptional Place

by violetjvg

After leaving Ravenswood, I still come back here for the unusual, intricate, and flavorful offerings. I always know I will trying at least one thing I've never eaten or even heard of before, but I can't remember a dish I didn't like. I love their pureed soups. Their entrees are always a delicious escape from the ordinary. Sometimes I'll just order a soup and an appetizer to save room for their marvelous desserts. (I recommend the raspberry tarts, even the lemon bars!) People shouldn't bring small children here, and that's no fault: not every restaurant should be teaming with misbehaved children. The sophisticated atmosphere is part of its charm, including the always-changing wall art (it doubles as a gallery for local artists.) The menu is rather small, but they always have interesting specials.

• Pros: classy food, great desserts, specials
• Cons: sometimes crowded

03/14/05

Charming in the off-hours

by bierherr

Since Cafe Selmarie is small and popular with the locals, it is not a great place to be at seven on a Friday or noon on a Sunday. The crowds, noise, and wait can be grating. To better enjoy the cafe, come at two on a Tuesday, or seven on a Thurday. The food is the same, and the atmosphere is what it should be: a peaceful neighborhood cafe with tasty pastries.

• Pros: Pastries, Patio, Local
• Cons: Crowds, Kids

12/14/04

Worse every time

by ex-mouseketeer

I've been going here since 1988 when it was a tiny 1 room place. As they expanded, the food has gotten worse. Half the bakery items I get are stale or taste horrid. I am shocked how many screaming kids are here. The coffee is good (Inteligentsia) but don't make a trip here for pastries. It's gone downhill since they started catering to yuppies who've ruined Lincoln Square.

• Pros: Location

08/16/04

Beware of children...

by kleec

People say don't bring kids here but they're bringing them in droves. This is the spot for the professional mother's society is seems. If you don't want to be around kids or want to escape from kids youve left at home think twice before coming here. This is also due to the fact that because of the room architecture noises are louder. And tables are very close together. Many times someone's backside is on my table because of the goings on at the next table. The food's good and the desserts are good but there's a lot of extraneous stuff to contend with. And they've raised their prices...and lowered the amount of food on your plate for it. You may just want to check out Lutzs.

• Pros: good food, desserts
• Cons: , not a lot of room

08/03/04

Refined coffeehouse fare in a laid-back setting.

by Contributor

The Scene
Cafe Selmarie sits by a quiet brick courtyard in the heart of Lincoln Square. Bring a book or a friend, stroll past the tempting dessert counter and settle in at a table in the sunny back room, where local artists' work adorns the bright yellow and blue walls. Service is neighborhood-friendly and unpretentious. There are refills aplenty.

The Food
Sunday brunch gets packed with locals who line up for omelets, multi-grain pancakes and fancier fare like creamy, rich mushroom-cornbread pudding. There are a dozen coffee drinks (the house blend is excellent) and teas by the pot. In the evening, Selmarie offers a quiche, pizza, and meat or seafood dish du jour. Tasty, simple dinner favorites include a petite-but-hearty chicken pot pie and penne pasta with light, fresh tomato basil sauce. Don't miss the pastries and desserts at the front counter (all sweets are made in-house), from sinful raspberry chocolate tarts to rich banana and whipped cream eclairs.

05/20/04

not worth the fuss

by lucybelle

I have to agree with the earlier reviewer who said not to bring kids here. To look at it, you would think that this is the perfect spot for a nice mommy lunch--they have a really nice patio, it is pretty laid-back, but the prices are high and there isn't a whole lot of choice.

I think the cakes are great, but the food is nothing special.......

• Pros: good cake, nice outdoor area
• Cons: , not kid -friendly

03/31/03

My 2 cents

by kassa313

By far one of the best bakeries in the city! All of their confections are outstanding and worth the wait that must usually be endured on weekends. The excellent staff made my wedding cake and I couldn't have been happier with their graciousness and helpfulness. Our guests loved the unique choice of flavors and the beautiful workmanship.

• Pros: Desserts, Friendly/Prompt
• Cons: Can be crowded, No so good parking