06/04/07

Gruff service, stale bread

by gm22233

I wanted to pickup a quick sandwich and regretted going here. The lady at the counter was gruff and never anything such as "thank you" or "you're welcome." My sandwich bread was stale and even though it was put in a panini press, I couldn't tell that it was when I ate it. I tossed half my expensive sandwich in the trash.

• Pros: None! there are other quick eateries near Rittenhouse.
• Cons: Food is not fresh

Fast, friendly and undoubtedly French, this warm little spot serves a mean (but nice) soup, salad and sandwich.

by Contributor

The Scene
Gold and green Provencal pottery painted with olives, tall tables with stools and barisiti with accents--these are the essential ingredients of this narrow cafe. Though La Cigale does a good noisette and croissant business each morning, it gets most crowded with business people during the lunch hour.

The Food
Croissants, chocolatines (that's chocolate croissants to non-Francophones), chocolats chauds and espresso make for an impeccably delicate but quick breakfast. Hearty soups change daily: beefy lentil vegetable on chilly days, lighter tomato varieties in warmer weather. Sandwiches named after French places and ingredients range from simple fresh mozzarella with sliced tomatoes and pesto on baguette to grilled numbers with prosciutto or brie or portabellos. The list of generous salads combine American favorites like the Caesar with grilled chicken and a version of the classic Nicoise (pronounce both s sounds, please) with chunks of tuna, radish, egg and onion.