Friendly and Warm, Rue Lafayette is a Treat for Families

JenniferLin

Located across from Lafayette Park, a quirky, welcoming but sometimes disorganized cafe, Rue Lafayette, entices visitors with coffee, rich pastries, tasty egg dishes, a little Edith Piaf music, and plenty of French-inspired twists. Rue Lafayette embodies a comforting place to eat, drink, relax and share some slower paced moments of life.

On a recent Sunday morning, my family and I visited the cafe, and found easy street parking nearby. When ordering at the front counter, we found a coffee drink menu above the cash register and a nearby tabletop chalkboard that featured one or two egg dish specials of the day. In talking with the staff, we found that several food choices were not posted on these menus, so be sure to ask the staff for additional options.

We found a table outside on the patio and waited just a few minutes for our drinks and food (our order was eventually brought to our table twice, an apparent mix-up in the kitchen). There are also about eight tables located inside Rue Lafayette, but we enjoyed the people- and dog-watching outside. The café au lait ($2.25) had a tasty foam and somewhat light coffee brew. For a bolder taste, try the latte ($3) with its rich flavor and delicious acidic balance. The chocolate croissants ($2.25) flown in from Paris were flaky and warm with slightly bittersweet chocolate. The savory spinach croissant was a little lacking in seasoning, but the decadent butter content made up for it. We tried the vegetable frittata ($9.95) which was filled with fresh mushrooms, zucchini, goat cheese, onions and sweet peppers. This dish was hearty and straightforwardly delectable though not necessarily the most appealing texture for some young children. The ham and swiss cheese quiche ($7.95) had a soulful, buttery crust and a well-executed filling. Overall, the food at Rue Lafayette is uncomplicated and loving -- something your imaginary French Grandma might make for your late lunch or a snack after school.

RF_sailboat The wonderful pastries, desserts, friendly staff and patio seating make Rue Lafayette friendly for families with young children. But the limited food and noncoffee drink menu, the focus on egg dishes, the marginally clean restroom, the unclear menu choices, and relatively expensive prices, make the cafe a destination for special treats rather than regular dining. Admittedly, these concerns give Rue Lafayette a great deal of character and authenticity, something you definitely won't find at a chain cafe in your local strip mall.

Rue Lafayette also hosts intimate concerts throughout the year. Two excellent date night possibilities include hearing vintage swing band Wack-A-Doo on June 10 and the inspiring singer/songwriter Kevin Renick on July 30.

Be sure to ask about sailboat rentals. Kids can rent a small boat to float along the two ponds in Lafayette Park. A kite string helps steer the boat and prevent "float-aways."

Rue Lafayette is located at 2026 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis Mo., 63104. It's open Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cafe offers a 5 percent discount for customers that pay with cash.

Jennifer Lin is a nonprofit arts consultant specializing in marketing, public relations, and social media and also writes for CultureMama. She has worked for performing and visual arts organizations including the Sacramento Opera, the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

4 Comments

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joe makes this comment

Friendly and Warm, Rue Lafayette is a Treat for Families

6 July 2011

I completely agree with your assessment. Including that it's expensive. And in addition to the cleanliness issues you point out, there are dogs allowed all over the restaurant. I've even seen the owners dog posing for photo's with it's paws on the espresso machine, counter tops and tables. Not something that I would think would pass muster with the health dept. In addition, even though the owner will tell you that the croissants are flown in twice a week from France, she actually orders them frozen from Euro Gourmet in St Peters. I'll save my hard earned money for folks with integrity.
Shannon makes this comment

Friendly and Warm, Rue Lafayette is a Treat for Families

5 June 2011

Yes, Rue Lafayette is a gem! It's the closest thing to a vacation in St. Louis. The owner is foreign and the employees very diverse, musicians, artist. The food and coffee outstanding and prices, very reasonable for such a hot spot! Sane or less than starbucks on coffee and you are comparing a chain to a unique spot. Food also same price as any comparable restaurant and always great. So fun, I always meet new people when I go. No, it's not a quick assembly line and THAT is why I go, otherwise I'd go to a drive-through haha! By far the best cafe in town :)
Ethan makes this comment

Friendly and Warm, Rue Lafayette is a Treat for Families

5 June 2011

I'm here reading this with my friens, I have to put in my thoughts as well. Firstly, Rue's bathroom is fabulous, stylish and impecable so maybe you went on an out of the ordinary busy weekend. Their prices are LOW! The coffee place in the neighborhood, Park Ave has much higher prices and nothing in comparison, no view not the ambiance Rue has. Their smoothies are over $6 after tax! Rue uses all top of the line products for less money so check your prices! Re. food choice: Did you see how small it is? They should be serving only muffins and coffee for being so small but instead, they offer a lot! Egg dishes, french toast, savory croissants etc. all for breakfast and I go there for lunch and they have chicken pot pie, sandwiches, salads, soups in the winter. Teas, smoothies, Italian sodas, reg. sodas, wine, beer, Juices, not more than that out there is there? Liked your review but it was misleading in many ways. Ejoyed your site though.
Sarah makes this comment

Friendly and Warm, Rue Lafayette is a Treat for Families

5 June 2011

I mostly agree with you re. Rue Lafayette except for the expensive part. It is VERY reasonable. You can get a giant delicious Frittata or Omelet with all fresh veggies & meats for 8.95 and a big delicious sandwich with a side for under $9! If you eat at a chain like Bread Co. a not so great smaller sandwich plus chips and an apple come up to nearly $12. Everything is delecious, again NOT A CHAIN so they don't have a printed menu because things change up, things run out. I've been there when the chef brought fresh Shrimp and he whipped up Ceviche and they wrote it on the menu! It was great. I have lived in Europe so I understand how small restaurants are, not a "spread-sheet, regimented" style of menu. Always VERY CLEAN and the most helpful fiendly staff I've ever encountered. The flaws you pointed out are the highlights that make this NOT suburban, mid-west ;)