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  Settepani Bakery

Harlem, NYC, NY, USA

 Classification

Café

 What they do

fine food, Italian breads, pastries and coffee

 Last
 impression

February 2005

 Rating

recommended place

 Address

196 Lenox Ave./120th St.

New York City, NY 10026

 Phone

+1-917-492-4806

 Internet

www.settepani.com
 

Settepani Bakery, Harlem, New York City, NYSettepani Bakery, Harlem, New York City, NY

Guest Comment

by Mike Seltzer, NYC
(July 6, 2007):

Yet another Harlem establishment w/prices WAY ahead of the neighborhood.  Why does every new business in the 'new' Harlem charge prices only seen in London or the Hamptons? 

The people living in this area are not all rich and the neighborhood has a long way to go before it's the upper east side.  Averaging $10 for a deli-style panini or a tomato, mozzarella and basil appetizer is absurd in Harlem or many areas of NYC for that matter. 

The food was fine, not amazing, service yes slow and inattentive, and they tried to charge us $2 for a refill of regular coffee after the non-english speaking Russian waitress said there was no charge ...  "I'll refund your money this time" the manager says ...  Well, that's friggin' great 'cause there will be no next time.

LOWER YOUR FOOD PRICES and learn what CUSTOMER SERVICE is and Harlem will be more than hot, it will be SMOKIN'!!!

 
 

 Comments

Place:

I lived just around the corner for some time and it was my breakfast place each day.  Inside I liked the comfortable armchairs.  Sitting outside in the sun reading a book or watching people while having a coffee was just wonderful.

They must have invested a little fortune in that clean and friendly looking place with plenty of room to sit down, stare at the chocolate cakes and drool.

Once there were three other Settepanis in New York that I haven't visited:  Irvington (NY 10533), Dobbs Ferry (NY 10522) and  Brooklyn (NY 11211).  Today (July 2007) only the Harlem and Brooklyn places are mentioned on settepani.com.

Food:

The pastries I had for breakfast were all very, very good.  Never had an Almond Croissant before – and I have no idea how such a thing could be done better.

Chocolate Cake at Settepani Bakery, Harlem, New York City, NYOf course I tried some of the chocolate stuff – and all of that was more than convincing.  Not to forget that prices here are much better than somewhere south in midtown or downtown Manhattan.

I didn't try the Italian bread but just by looking at it I assume that it's probably worth a try.

Service:

I heard that from other people too:  Not very friendly at first.  That was exactly my impression when I had my initial contact.  It got better though and there were also waiters and waitresses who were really friendly right from the start.

Nevertheless the owner should invest some money in training:  The place is just too good to take a bad impression with you because some staff is – hmm, not interested.

Overall:

If you like quality coffee, pastries and chocolate stuff for a reasonable price in Manhattan you should check it out.  Harlem is quite interesting anyhow ...