Elysee Cafe & Bakery

07/30/08

Slow service, overpriced food

by spunkie788 at Citysearch

The food is overpriced for what it is. I ordered a chicken salad with some type of pesto dressing which was very disappointing. The chicken was super dry and the sauce was just like thick, green mayonaise. The service is slow as well and I feel like the management is really unprofessional. I've been in there a few times when the manager or owner was scolding an employee. Considering it's in a college town (Westwood) the prices aren't very student-friendly. And especially since there are better, cheaper restaurants to eat in Westwood, I wouldn't recommend this place.

06/20/08

Not dependable

by tlorenz at Citysearch

When I first stumbled upon Elysee on my return from studying abroad in France, I was overjoyed to find a cafe in Westwood that seemed to be truly european-esque. My first experience was great- right by a sunny window, with a plate full of yummy eggs benedict, fresh orange juice, and a flaky croissant. However, as I've returned in the next year, I've been very dissapointed- oftentimes the servers are indifferent and somewhat messy, the pastries stale, and the whole place just seemed dirty. As for studying, if you get a window seat it's alright, but anywhere else in the cafe is horribly lit. I also know at one time, Elysee had a

"C" rating-- though this place isn't the worst in town, I'd much rather walk a few blocks to Le Pain Quotidien or Novel Cafe.

• Pros: Breakfast combo is satisfying
• Cons: Bad lighting, sometimes stale pastries

From blissful breakfasts to divine desserts, this pleasant Westwood spot has the goods to please any Francophile foodie.

by Sanne Stienstra at Citysearch

In Short
This cozy French bakery and café has been feeding hungry Bruins unique breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert creations made from scratch for close to 30 years. The elysian fields of Westwood Village mimic the intimate French atmosphere of Les Deux Magots in Paris--crumbly croissants, delicate fruit tarts, carefully crafted salads and bottles of Perrier included. The big windows and drool-worthy cases of cakes and cookies are ideal for getting comfortable with a book alone or sharing a cappuccino for two.

04/12/08

Terrible terrible service. Rip off

by xxxFrancescaxxx at Citysearch

We ordered our sandwhiches, paid for it and sat down. The server brought our coffee, didn't ask if we wanted cream or sugar and never brought it. We waited for our food. No coffee refill. 10 minutes later, I went to the counter and inquired. One worker to another: "Did you put in my order?" No apology, no nothing.

Waited another 10 minutes. Nothing. No coffee refill and no food.

Demanded my money back. Food, coffee and tip came to $26. She would only give me $20 "because you had the coffee."

Terrible service.

• Cons: terrible service. terrible attitude. would not refund my money.

09/13/07

A little piece of Europe in Los Angeles!

by mariasolis1 at Citysearch

Food, drinks, coffee and pastries are excellent. However it is not perfect. Yes, the service is slow especially when you have the waitres/waitresses chatting it up. However this place is meant to be sacored not gulped so enjoy the feel of the place, eat your breakfast and slow down. My best tip for all of y'all is if you are going to eat breakfast here come early. The college kids are still asleep while you are enjoying the silence (and the easy to find parking if you come early enough).

05/05/07

European Style , Feel and Taste

by tamale624 at Citysearch

The finest classic croissant: crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. They are here at Elysee.

Big windows look out onto Gayley Avenue's pedestrian and automobile traffic. The coffee is excellent. I have come here for their fancy pastries and light linch too. They have a good omelette breakfast and everything tastes fresh-baked. Only problem is that you usually have to park a block away and/or cross afew streets. It is a great cafe near some great shops. It makes a nice shopping break and treat. Thay have been in Westwood for at least 20 years or more. This is long survival for a Westwood Village eatery.

• Pros: food, atmosphere
• Cons: parking

02/27/07

cute french bakery

by juju13es at Citysearch

This bakery has the best pastries in Westwood village, though it can get kind of pricey. Their fruit tarts and coffee cakes are my favorites. I love just sitting by the window of the store and people-watch while reading a good book. They play french music in the background to really set the mood. Their teas are great too!

• Pros: pastries, breakfast foods
• Cons: parking

10/18/06

not bad

by ndiz at Citysearch

Nice French place. the pastries are the best part, they have a lot of them and they are very pretty. The food is average.

07/17/06

Good pastries, but long wait

by cutiekatie at Citysearch

I went here to pick up some cannoli's for a valentine's day dinner I was making. They were absolutely fantastic. Everything in the case looked absolutely delicious as well. But it did take quite some time to order them- there were only a few people in line but it took the people forever to take the orders. They seemed really overwhelmed. Good pastries though!

• Pros: Good pastries, look
• Cons: Slow service

10/22/05

Total disappointment

by jennysurber at Citysearch

The service was AWFUL. These poor folks were hapless. They were completely unprepared and had no system to accurately take and fill orders. The line was out the door the whole time we were there and they all seemed stressed out. Hello!! Is this the first Saturday morning you've ever been busy??!!! We waited over 40 minutes for our stupid eggs and they completely sucked. The waitress kept looking at the plates coming out of the kitchen and asking us, "Is this yours?" I don't know, honey. Why don't you look at the little number I have here on my table. My wife asked for cheddar cheese on her omelette. When it came out three pieces of nasty American cheese were draped over her plate. My benedict was subpar. We were pissed. Don't EVER go to this place. We never will again.

• Pros: Appearance
• Cons: Everything else