The French Café Hamlin - Winter Garden

All the elements are present, but the final touch is missing. The French Pan Bagnat is a classic sandwich from the south of France, and it requires essential ingredients that should never be omitted. At this restaurant, they were lacking key components like anchovies, black olives, and fresh garlic spread on round bread drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Although the bread itself was quite good, none of these crucial ingredients were in the dish. The salads, while generous in size, were a bit overly drenched in vinaigrette. Ultimately, it had the potential to be really excellent, as everything needed was there, but the chef's magic touch was sadly absent.

The food was delicious, the espresso coffee was great, and the service was excellent! Rating: 5/5 for the food.

Firstly, the lunch prices seemed quite reasonable compared to other options in the area. My friend ordered the Atlantic Crepe and absolutely loved it, so I plan to try a crepe on my next visit. I opted for the Parisian sandwich, which featured ham and cheese, and it was quite good on crusty bread. It came with a side, and I chose the salad. When I asked about dressings, I was told rather bluntly that they only had vinaigrette. So, vinaigrette it was—apparently, there’s just one option for dressing. When I placed my order at the counter, they requested a tip, but the situation was a bit odd since patrons were expected to dispose of their own trash and return their own dishes. Unfortunately, it seemed like patrons were also responsible for cleaning their tables, as no one was tidying up the dining area. One of the three staff members who were preoccupied with their phones could have stepped out to make the space more inviting and justify the tip I just gave. In summary, while the food was fantastic, the service and cleanliness definitely need some work.

My wife and I visit this restaurant almost every week, and the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff keep us coming back. As someone who works in the restaurant industry, I appreciate everything I've tried here—it has never disappointed me. The service is usually prompt, though it can be a bit slower on busy days, which is typical for any restaurant. If you place an online order for pickup, it's almost always ready well before the expected 30-minute wait. Thank you for the consistently excellent service!

This restaurant is a true gem for breakfast! There are so many options to choose from, and everything is fantastic. You absolutely have to try the crepes and the almond croissant—both are out of this world!