C’est la Vie
1553 Main St, Sarasota, FL, 34236
C’est la Vie Menu
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Address :
1553 Main St
Sarasota, FL, 34236 - Phone (941) 906-9575
- Website https://www.cestlaviesarasota.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
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M R.
I like their quiche and salad. Simple and good french restaurant.
(4)Mercedes L.
I am updating my positive review with one star because of the incredibly RUDE service I experienced today while visiting C'est la Vie by what I assume is possibly one of the owners or certainly a senior staff woman. I honestly cannot recall the last time I was treated so poorly as a customer. I was just trying to ask what the different types of macarons were on the plate in the case. I was mocked and completely offended and if I had not been with a friend who really likes this place, I absolutely would have told the lady how incredibly rude she was being and left. Places that treat customers this poorly for asking simple questions about what their options are for ordering do NOT get my business, no matter how good their product is. They were not busy and in my mind, there is no excuse for this behavior. I am very disappointed in this place. VERY disappointed. I am a local and will certainly be telling my friends to take their business elsewhere.
(1)Suzanne B.
This place is quintessential Sarasota, it's relaxed, honestly French (which fits Sarasota's Euro vibe), and hits the right spot when it comes to catching the perfect morning street vibe avec un croissant ou palmier et cafe au lait... which are fresh and worth the visit alone. Honestly their quiche could use some love, but it's still a fav.
(4)Sweetie Joanna A.
How could you miss the restaurant that got the customers in side since before 12pm on Tuesday which wouldn't be the good day for any restaurant? Yup, I didn't want to miss the adventure so I went to check in side. I was impressed with the smiles of all staff here and also the pastries plus cakes in the fridge. I decided to sit down and take a look at the menu which is quite big for me. They have a big variety of food and a few selections in every categories. I couldn't pick which one would be my lunch today REALLY! I knew since then I needed to safe room for dessert, haha... I didn't have the chance to disappointed with anything. The restaurant was full since around midday until 1pm when I left. ( please excuse me about staying there for too long.) I put half of my salad into the box to bring back home and safe room for the sweet treat. I had Neapolitan today and I LOVE it! The crusts were crispy, the cream my part was very rich. What I love the most was the richness didn't including the crazy sweet sugary taste. If you love sweet treats and don't want to feel guilty with them. I actually lied myself about not guilty but I couldn't help I needed to eat them. I bet you that you will love this restaurant just like me. ;)
(5)Selmy B.
Prepare to wait. The service can be temperamental depending who you get. Outdoor seating is lovely when dining with your dog; however, the seats can be tight quarters. Fun for getting to know the tourist. The desserts are tasty but pricey. The sandwiches are a bit more bread than meat - one slice of proscuitto does not make a sandwich that cost $10.00.
(3)Arabelle G.
Love this restaurant ! owned by a French couple !. The bakery is authentic . I lived in France for 23 Years. My favorite salad la nordique smoked salmon on baguette just delicious ! Everything is delicious just wish the crêpes would be cooked both sides . But still good ! Only real French bakery in the county! .
(5)Jillian P.
There is no better croissant than the one here. No better pastries. This place makes me smile from my belly.
(5)Erin P.
This is an adorable French cafe run by some very friendly French people. The food looked excellent, and my coffee and pastries were very good. They have a couple of gluten free pastries, macaron and merengue for the gluten challenged. Great outdoor seating area on a cute Main Street! Good luck with parking, but it's worth it.
(5)Mel F.
Délicieusement incroyable! Picked up a few pastries this morning and knew I had to show them some 5 Star Yelp love as soon as our plate was empty!
(5)Robert K.
Food was good but the service left much to be desired. We felt like we were forgotten and only got their attention when a member of our party got up and sought out a waiter. It just may have been an off day.
(3)Dawen H.
Super crowded but the food came pretty quickly. The Crepe was very nice and I loved it.
(4)Gregg L.
Worth the visit! My son lives here and had never eaten here. It was Memorial Day and a couple of his favorite places were closed and we noticed how busy they were during lunch. A great extensive menu of home cooked French food, complete with French waiters/waitresses! Our plan is to show our new discovery to the rest of the family soon.
(5)Karen R.
Service was less than stellar but the people were very friendly. They have a large menu with a lot of options. My friend and I both had salads, hers with tuna and mine with tomato, mozzarella and prosciutto. They were decent but nothing to get excited about. Overall not very memorable but I would like to try it out for breakfast one time.
(3)Sharon T.
I have loved this French Bakery and Restaurant for years. Good service,great food....my husband loves the prosciutto and mozzarella on the amazing french bread!
(5)C K.
I really liked my breakfast here. I ordered too much, of course, because I can't resist the pastry. The individual omelets are cute. Outdoor tables go fast.
(4)Mimi K.
After reading the other reviews, i am really confused because this was the worst experience ever. We walked in wanting something sweet and the place was pretty much empty and there was no fresh foods available. We ordered a cappucino and it tasted just like hot chocolate. We spent less than 15 minutes here and regretted the money we spent.
(1)Al G.
Salad nicoise is amazing. Great baguette
(4)Mimi D.
this place has my fave sandwich: the monte carlo!!!! & pastries & bread is always amazing too!
(4)Kristi P.
I think I could just eat their bread and be happy.... Seriously it's that good. In turn it makes the sandwiches shine. I have also had a filled Crepe. Not the best I've ever had, but certainly not bad. I read some review online that they were snotty there. I did not feel this way at all. Prompt service, good food, cute place... Did I mention the bread yet???
(4)Shelly J.
The worst French Cafe in the world, bad food, cheap ham, waiters with bad atitudes. If you want to be treated like a tourist in Paris and not have to travel , this place is perfect.
(1)Mopsie B.
We are so glad to have found C'est La Vie-- as two fairly ardent Francophiles, we like to think we can discern authentic French from non-authentic. While I fancy myself a pretty good judge of a croissant, my husband lived in France twice and speaks the language fluently, so when he proclaimed it authentic (both by the look on his face and his declaration that he felt as though he was in Paris), I knew we had a winner in this humble cafe...I got the buckwheat crepes with leeks and tomatoes ( best crepes I've had in the U.S.) and he got the Croque Monsieur. Each came with a little salad and baskets of delicious bread. We also got a couple glasses of the house Sauvignon Blanc which was excellent (although I was disappointed that the Sancerre is not available by the glass). For dessert, we could not help ourselves and each got a pastry- he, an apple tart and I, a pear phyllo-like pastry. Frankly, we could have stayed there all afternoon. The food was fresh, nicely prepared and authentic in its simplicity. We also very much enjoyed chatting with our server, Fabienne, both in French and in English, and bought more pastries to go. We hope to return before our vacation in Sarasota is finished and will certainly return on future visits. Extra kudos for supporting the Sarasota Humane Society with the proceeds from their cute market tote bags!
(5)Jim V.
I must have had a mental lapse. I went to this poor excuse for a french cafe/bakery last weekend; after I had convinced myself, never again! But there I was being abused by the servers when I asked where to sit, again when I asked for coffee, more coffee? forget it! and the breakfast was a greasy omelet, tasteless soft, mushy home fries not hot and oh did I mention the rude wait staff? At least now there is an excellent alternative to this dump; Ooh La La in Gulf Gate is almost 6 months old and it is better than ever! The owner could not be nicer and her pastries and French Brread is so much better than C'est la Vie. The owner said by December they will have expanded to accomodate a cafe menu as well. This is true French Pastry and light dishes at it BEST!!!!
(1)Liz L.
Oh man. I loved this place. Their Crepes are so delicious and perfect. I haven't been able to find anything that compares up here in Boston. The whole atmosphere makes you think you're in France. The employees are French. The tables aren't really sturdy, the service is alright, the bread is a bit too hard for me (which is strange because another Yelper said the opposite... maybe they changed it). I don't drink coffee that often but the coffee is apparently good according to friends. It's very strong in my opinion.
(4)Hal H.
Food is hit-or-miss. The sandwiches on baguettes are very good. Some of the omelettes are good; others not so. Servers can be downright rude -- a French thing, I guess. But their baguettes and breads are very good.
(4)John S.
Incredible breakfast crepes. The pastries are unmatched. I had a bacon, cheese, and mushroom crepe on wheat and I loved it. I will certainly come back. My wife had a bread pudding pastry and also loved it. The potatoes that come with it were a bit average, but the crepe easily made up for it. The coffee was also very good. I had black coffee and my wife had a mocha. My black coffee was good but her mocha tasted a little too much like hot chocolate and not enough like coffee with chocolate. Great service and wasn't too busy on a Saturday morning.
(5)Mikee N.
Well, I've never been overly impressed. The pastries are excellent, the food is average. Thought lunch was very pricey - frozen cubed potatoes with breakfast. How hard is it to make real hash browns? Perfect for coffee and a nice pastry; you might have a different opinion. I want to emphasis that the pastries are the winners here.
(2)Margarett R.
I used to love this place and was a patron for YEARS (since 1997). Recently though they instituted this new ridiculous policy of not accepting credit cards for purchases under $5, which I found out as I was paying for a coffee and croissant I had already eaten. Why should I have to pay a $3 ATM withdrawl fee for a $4 breakfast tab??? I had always liked that I could stop in and get a cravat (which is delicious) for $2.40. I rarely carry cash and even if I buy two I would still be under their limit. Get with the times C'est la Vie! Customers pay with credit and debit cards. The owners are always stressed and I can't think of one time in the last 10 years that they have smiled and said "Welcome Back" or recognized that I am a very loyal repeat customer. You should learn who your clients are and treat them accordingly not act as if you are doing us a favor by letting us buy your food. There are many other places I can get pastries from. In fact there is one directly across the street from you that always takes my credit card with no complaints or hassles.
(1)Gary H.
You're paying for the atmosphere here, the food was so so. The pros are it's a great place to be on a nice day, outside right on Main Street. I was in a party of two, we both ordered bacon, onion and mushroom crepes. The sauce and flavor inside was really good but one crepe was packed full of said ingredients while the other was flat with very little filling. Other cons included a 45 minute wait for lunch, also they got my order by bringing the wrong side. The salad list was impressive and they all looked good. If I go back I think I may have to try one.
(3)Eric S.
The servers' rudeness here is a French cliche - I love it. Here's my advice: First, get an apricot croissant. It weighs about a pound, and its worth its weight in Francs. Next: La Nordique, which is a salad with salmon on toast, tuna salad, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon, etc. The presentation is stunning in a way that will make everyone who got a sandwich jealous. Finally, Le Mans sandwich, which is is nothing but a baguette, pate, and cornichons. Its so simple, and their version of it will make you hate all others.
(4)Dawnyel G.
This place is horrible. Cheap, flavorless food, poorly executed and service to match.
(1)Katherine H.
Best French Bakery in all of Tampa Bay. The staff is very kind and accommodating. I have been getting their individual pastries for 10 years now at least, my favorites are the chocolate croissants, flan, Napoleon, and coffee eclairs. I was entertaining recently and ordered a strawberry shortcake for 8. It was to die for, and I will certainly be ordering more cakes and desserts for future parties.
(5)Justin S.
Another day, another French place for breakfast. C'est La Vie is a great little place to have a quick, very authentic French breakfast. The menu is great and presents a nice variety of simple things like croissants and pastries, through to crêpes, salads and sandwiches. I wasn't feeling terribly hungry when we went here, so I just had the almond croissant, but it was excellent and I could tell it was very fresh. My friend had the crêpe complete (egg and ham) and it looked great. The service here is really nice and they serve a basket of fresh bread when you're seated so you can taste their great stuff. Their baguette is really good and I might go in the future just for that. It's a nice setting and we enjoyed the attentive service and the outdoor seating. Overall, very authentic and a nice stop in Sarasota.
(4)Pamela M.
Great lunch spot downtown! Deep fried bacon, fresh bread....authentic European cafe atmosphere....it doesn't get much better!
(5)Mike E.
I thought this place was great. I recommend C'est la Vie for breakfast, coffee, and recommended pastries. Ask the server what the must try pastries are, and learn what you've been missing!
(4)Sara S.
Sad to drop a star for this place. Returned after a long break from here and ordered the Nice again. They changed the basil oil or something BC it was not as good as I remember. Service is getting worse too, at least they are busy, good for them. I'll be back, just not their biggest fan.
(3)Princess D.
This is a wonderful bakery. It was my mom's birthday and we were going to spend it in Sarasota with my uncle. I wanted to preorder a cake so I asked my uncle for his feedback on where to pick one up. He recommended C'est la Vie since he had eaten there a number of times and said they had the best croissants and sandwiches. I called them from Chicago and they couldn't have been more cordial. They took their time to explain all of my options. They didn't offer the traditional birthday cake that you can pick up at a grocery store or bakery. However, after telling them that I wanted a chocolate cake, they suggested the chocolate mousse cake. I didn't know what to expect, but I sure was pleasantly surprised. Not only was it a beautiful cake, it was one of the most delicious ones I've ever had, and quite honestly I'm not a big cake person. The chocolate mousse was so creamy and chocolaty. It was fabulous. My mom and everyone else loved it. I can't wait to visit again so I can stop back at this wonderful bakery.
(4)Paige T.
We've enjoyed this place for years. Good food. Good coffee. Cute. Intermittent service...but we've always survived it. ;-)
(4)Dr Kathleen H.
if you want real bread in Sarasota for your sandwich try this place...baguettes are made daily so are the croissants which are buttery and flaky. Try the 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 salad but ask them to hold the corn on the salad...the dressing is home made and wonderful.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Great French food! Closed Sunday's!
(4)Evan F.
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(2)Jim M.
Wonderful, very authentic French patisserie. My daughters love to stop here on the way to school in the morning for a croissant or pastries. They say it reminds me of Paris - I have to agree. True to Parisian style, this is not fast food or service. If you have the time, enjoy breakfast outside and watch the pigeons and the passer-byes as you delight in the excellent crepes and a wonderful blend of coffee. One of the regular servers must also be the owner - he is always there and obviously speaks French as his first language.
(4)Lauren B.
Yummmmmazing!!! I ordered the Savoyarde Crepe (#16) which has potatoes, raclette cheese, and prosciutto with a side salad. First, it was so hard deciding between everything but I am so happy with what I ordered. It was amazing. The cheese was so good and the inside of the crepe was creamy. At one point I said to my friend, "this is so good I want to cry." And I meant it. It's a quaint little place with authentic French food. It's one of those places where you will crave a dish from there from time to time and nothing will satisfy it until you drive down to get the real deal. Wonderful, you can't go wrong!
(4)Leah K.
Oh my! I ordered a buche de noel for Christmas. I'm not from the area, so I just googled a good french bakery. I was sooooo pleasantly surprised. The aroma coming from this place a few blocks down was delightful!! I so wish we were eating here. Next time for sure :) We brought the buche de noel and we couldn't wait to dig in. It was the best dessert hands down. We still talk about it!!! Next year, go and get one.
(5)Steve N.
I went to this place for a quick lunch. I got a sandwich with Brie, butter, and prosciutto. The sandwich was good, but I had to take off a star or two for the service. It looked like a nice place to sit outside and have coffee, but ordering to go proved to be a little disorganized and not very quick.
(3)Nicole M.
I had thought a certain cheese wonton was the ultimate in cheese decadence until now, but C'est La Vie's Amandine salad has topped it. The almond crusted fried goat cheese on this salad is the bomb! The rest of it was made from prime ingredients, too. It was extremely busy when we there, people competing for vacant outdoor tables, but despite that,I found the service to be quite good. And we bought some croissants to take home, had one for brunch this morning, fluffy, buttery and crisp.
(5)Jenny T.
Quality, value, outdoor seating. A real treat. This place is remarkable because you can visibly see that everyone working there is connected to the business.
(4)Susan D.
We happened upon this place walking down Main St one afternoon, after a heavy downpour. The waitress offered to wipe the table and chairs off for us, as the sun was breaking through. I had the spinach goat cheese quiche with a side salad, both of which were superb. In fact, the quiche was crustless, which was a really nice way to have it. The warm, fresh french bread with butter was a great way to start the meal. We had a blueberry fruit tart for desert - it was so fresh, light and just sweet enough. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable outdoor afternoon lunch. We will make it a point to visit in the future.
(5)Didiceleste M.
It was very nice to find some pastry from my own country: France. I miss our good food so much that I was very happy to eat one of the real french pastries. Same taste than in France, of course because the owners are french. Thank you so much for this, I travelled back in France for half an hour. :)
(5)Alexandra S.
Great place for brunch or lunch in downtown Sarasota. They have both inside and outdoor seating although on a nice day, the outdoor tables do get full. The ambiance is definitely quintessential french. The owners are french as are some of the waiters. I personally didn't find anyone rude when I've been there so I guess that just depends on one's experience. The Food is really great - nice generous portions for a great value. I highly recommend the Nordique salad (smoked salmon on toast, tuna fish, and a nice salad). I've also had the Assiette Gourmande (cheese and charcuterie). Yummy! They also give you a basket with some french bread to go with your meal. For desert there is a great choice of pastries. Last time I had the flan which was fabulous but I've also had croissant aux amandes (mmm).
(4)Linda Ann R.
Patisserie to rival those of Paris! One must enjoy the heat however as this restaurant is warm to humid to uncomfortably hot! The food is reliably fresh, delicious, well-prepared and presented! It's delightful to sit on the outdoor terrace and sip the best coffee outside of my favorite chain!
(4)Sonya L.
I have been visiting Sarasota for several years now and have been wanting to go here since the first time I saw the cute exterior. My first visit was all that I hoped it would be. The outdoor seating was perfect under the trees in the shade. It was a little confusing on how to get seated as I didn't see a host or signs on whether we should grab a table or wait in line. The good news is we just grabbed an outdoor table right when we arrived. I would suggest trying the crepes your first time as they are top quality. I got the one with spinach goat cheese and a cream sauce. Very rich and creamy! You can choose between buckwheat or white flour. I got the side salad. The dressing was good but the ingredients were just lettuce tomato and corn. So nothing exciting. Next time I would try the potatoes. I look forward to another visit.
(4)M R.
I like their quiche and salad. Simple and good french restaurant.
(4)P.J. D.
There's just not a lot to say here that hasn't already been said. If you hate French people and how they treat customers, well, don't be surprised. If, like me, you've been to Paris and found people there to not be all that bad, then by all means, head over to C'est La Vie. The food is fairly classic french, rich and buttery and just really good. I've gotten potatoes on the side several times at lunch, but after seeing the side salad would highly recommend you go that route; it's not that the potatoes are bad, they're perfectly good, crisp little fried potatoes. It's just the salad would seem to go so much better with the rich, buttery main. I must say, what really sells the place to me is the decor. If you come in from off the street (which is also a perfectly great place to be) you'll find a wonderfully charming yellow interior that positively screams bucolic French bakery. The quiches I've had were a little overly moist in the middle, but otherwise excellent. We had a pistachio pastry that was also great. If you dig simple French, by all means go! 3/29/13 update: My absolute favorite dessert on Earth is the Mille-feuille, which I can't for the life of me say correctly, so I just call it the "Napoleon." C'est La Vie has the BEST mille-feuille in town, HANDS DOWN. (Pastry Art, I'm looking at you and your soggy mille-feuilles.) I'm giving them an extra star for having seriously such awesome mille-feuilles, so the original 4 star rating stands but for this one pastry that I have not found an equal of here in Sarasota.
(5)Coty S.
We have been looking for a good French bakery in the area. Our friends and family keep telling us this is the go to place for baguettes. We tried it before and were not happy with the quality of the bread from here, it was very bland and had a rubbery texture. After a few years of people telling us to give another try, we did yesterday, and were still very unimpressed. . The pastries were also bland and too hard too brittle. This place is not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. Just because the staff speaks French does not make the food tasty.
(2)Cheri P.
Among the hustle and bustle of Saturday morning foot traffic, around the corner from the farmer's market, sits C'est la Vie! a popular French bistro in downtown Sarasota. In an area where there are plenty of other options, people are drawn to this unassuming establishment with a surprisingly large dining room and an outdoor patio seating area. Inside, patrons line up to shop the display case full of fresh pastries and breads available for carry-out. They seem to have tried to fit as many tables and chairs into the space as they can, and while the quarters are a little close it doesn't feel cramped. On this cloudless, cool morning, a table on the patio opened up, and so our visit began. The drink order was taken almost immediately, and within a few short minutes a café au lait was delivered to the table, with a glass of ice water. Café au lait may not sound noteworthy, but it was made with high quality coffee cut just right with milk, it was exactly what this meal called for. The only glitch during our meal was that our drinks were never refilled. The drinks were quickly followed by four, thick slices of a baguette, with a side of butter, and the pastries that were ordered. The apricot croissant that arrived was flaky on the outside, accented with apricot slices baked inside, and dusted with powdered sugar. A beignet followed, but it was different than what I am used to. My only experience to date with beignets is from Café du Monde in New Orleans, and this was nothing like that. This was more of a yeast donut, sweet and airy, with a very light sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar on top. To clarify, while not what I'm used to, this was delicious! Other types of toppings were offered, apricot, raspberry, or whipped cream, and while all sounded heavenly, plain is the true test and did it ever excel. You can hardly go to a French bistro without indulging in crepes, and I opted for Crepe Paysanne. Made with buckwheat flour, which I was told is the traditional method, and filled with cheese, bacon, potatoes, and eggs this dish was surprisingly light and satisfying. It was served with a salad made primarily of romaine lettuce, with tomato, red onions, corn, and a side of dressing that I can only describe as a creamy vinaigrette. It made for a wonderful accompaniment to the richness of the crepe and its filling. The last part of the meal was a Croq' Monsieur with a side of potatoes. I actually meant to order the Croq' Madame, one of my favorite sandwiches, but had a brain lapse. Even with this minor oversight, I thoroughly enjoyed the toasted ham and cheese sandwich, topped with loads of béchamel sauce. The side dish was some of the best home style fried potatoes I have ever had, crispy and lightly salted. The combination of the two made for a savory plate that was easy to enjoy. At no point do you ever forget you are in a French bistro, but there are times as you hear the various languages of European tourists that you forget you're in Sarasota. Overall, I only thought the bathroom could have used some work. Other than that, the staff is friendly, courteous and helpful with suggestions when asked. Based on the small sample of the diverse menu, I can only assume there's something for everyone here. I can say, with all certainty, I'm looking forward to returning, perhaps for lunch to sample their wine and beer selection.
(4)Daniel D.
Amazing bread, parties and coffee. Very good food. Consistently bad service. Kind of dirty. I keep going back and enduring the bad service and overlooking the other faults because the food is exceptional.
(3)Matthew T.
This is one of those sarasota restaurant I avoided for years. When I first moved here, I went in once and got a baguette and was not happy. Plus it had that whole sarasota snooty thing going for it so I had to pull the old knee jerk out and not like it. Not fair I know, but that is the way it is sometimes. Since getting a job near downtown I've been here for lunch a few times with coworkers. I'm still not crazy about the baguettes, which seem too airy to my taste, but I've had some decent food here. But here is the problem. There is no consistency. I'll order a crepe one time and it will be perfect. The next (such as today's), will be poorly cooked and with no flavor, even though it is the exact same crepe I ordered the week before. I guess when the B-Team is on the field it just goes down hill. I would give this place probably 3 stars if it wasn't for this problem. Plus service is hit or miss. If a waiter recognizes and has adopted you as a regular, you do pretty well. Otherwise you can end up blowing in the wind. The strange thing is the staff often seems to be running around crazy, even though the same people have been working here for years, so I have a hard time understanding why they still run around like it is the first day of being a waiter. Maybe they are running around because the B-Team is in the kitchen that day. I'll probably continue to come here for lunch as my co-workers like it, but I just hope "my" waiter sees me and if I can just get them not to turn the egg in my complete crepe to a hockey puck I'll be happy.
(2)Ed M.
C'est la Vie! still makes the best croissant and fruit tartes in the Sarasota area. I always buy a lot of croissants and desserts. Their business is as good as ever, and most important, the food is as good as ever!
(5)Zach P.
First time to eat here and we will come back. The food was good, the service wasn't as bad as people say it was. If you go eat at a French restaurant you go for the food and nothing else. Being French myself and knowing what to look for, I recommend going for the most simple things. I had the Le Mans baguette sandwich which is pâte and French pickles - it was awesome. Granted the baguette wasn't the freshest I've had but nonetheless it was good and my wife enjoyed it as well. She had the Monte Carlo with a side salad and she enjoyed it as well. We then waited a little while to order our desert. Keep in mind that in France when you go eat out you literally take your time, talk, enjoy company etc... They don't rush like at American restaurants so if they don't tend to you immediately don't take it the wrong way. The crepes were good, my wife had the Nutella one and I went to the simple French crepes butter and sugar which were on point, but I would have preferred a little more butter, but that's just me. My wife also ordered a couple of pastries to go and they were just as good. Overall a good experience, just don't get offended and enjoy the food. We will be back.
(4)Alberto Z.
Wow, we were here this morning and I realized as I uploaded the pictures of some delicious looking (and tasting!) pastries that I d never reviewed C'est La Vie before. Without a doubt the pastries and bakery items are AMAZING!! We've tried just about every pastry they have and they are all superb. Some are so beautiful that you almost don't want to eat it, almost. The food here is also good, not amazing like the bakery items, but good enough for an occasional visit. I highly recommend the Croque Monsieur or Madam. I thoroughly enjoy the omelets as well, but admit they are a little under seasoned. For me this is a plus as I rather not eat 3,000 milligrams of sodium in one sitting, which is what happens when you eat out. In regards to the service, if it's busy you may not get the best service. The food though I think is worth the wait. Also we have taken to sitting with Jessica, the tall young blond. She is very sweet and attentive, and has a great demeanor even when the restaurant is packed with people. I REALLY recommend you come here, at the very least to get a baguette or croissant to go. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I do.
(5)Mark H.
I stopped in here after reading a mention in the NY Times. My 'Nice' sandwich, with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, and mozzarella was fine, nothing great. The bread seems a little off, though it was pressed, panino-style, so somehow it wasn't as bad. The side salad was uninteresting, spinach mixed with romaine, iceberg, and seemingly-canned corn. I was initially charmed by hearing lots of French from the waitstaff and some more French being spoken by customers, but the charm ended there. I wouldn't say they were rude, but my servers weren't polite or friendly. Oh well, c'est la vie. I would say that a morning pastry and a coffee is what to get here - and make it to go.
(2)Xavier G.
We received the worst service in this restaurant. They have no manners and no sense of what hospitality is. The people who work there aren't familiar with their menu and when you ask them a question they just reply I don't know. It's cramped in there and they take way to long to get to you. Won't be going back and I suggest people not waste their time going there.
(1)Anthony S.
I just love this place, been coming here for countless years and I always come back. Very relaxing and cozy atmosphere and quality french breakfast/brunch food. One of my all time favorite places to go when I'm back home in Sarasota.
(5)Idee F.
If you've never had Salad Nicoise, this place might be a revelation, but in truth, it's nothing special. Amusing Frenchified decor, nice outside tables, and cheerful, if rushed, service. But the bread is too soft for real bread aficionados, the butter isn't Euro-style cultured butter, and the sandwiches are just okay. The pastries looked good, as did the coffee. You could do worse, but you could do better, too.
(3)Peter M.
Once more, a total disappointment and they don't care to make the effort to correct the problem. The hostess was too busy eating to seat us, she finally did while chewing her food, the waiter was abrupt and visibly too busy to show interest, the "Salade Nicoise" was anemic and tasteless, a side croissant was flat and greasy, and the bill was way to high for the lousy food we were offered. Never again. They are way too arrogant and they don't care.
(1)Julie B.
A sweet little French bakery owned by a couple from France. The coffee was delishish and my pastry as well. Combined with the outside dining and my waitress with a French accent I almost forgot I was in FL and not Paris.
(4)Roman F.
I have eaten here a couple of times. Food is mediocre at best. Service . . . Lousy. I must tell you a story. I was sitting outside one afternoon eating with a friend. A man and woman stopped by. The woman, who I believe was the man's wife, went inside to purchase some items. The man sat down in a chair outside which was far enough from a table to rest. A waitress with a French accent quickly came over and asked if what he would like to order. He politely explained he was just waiting on his wife while she was inside. She BARKED at him, telling him he could not be there if he was not going to eat. The restaurant was not crowded at all! The man was elderly, polite and was obviously just needing a rest. His wife was there spending money. This woman, the server, who I believe is the owner, is rude. I will never frequent this restaurant again because of this. In an economic climate such as the one we live on now, businesses need to earn patronage!
(1)Zac C.
This small breakfast/lunch place in Sarasota has very good food and very questionable service. It is moderately priced, and their crepes and breakfast croissant sandwiches are filling and delicious. The seating situation outside is first come/first serve, so it isn't for the light of heart. Also, sometimes the service can be spot on and other times you simply get lost, so that is holding me back from giving it a solid 5 star rating. I've had several different things here and have always been pleased, and their coffee is tasty as well. Always enjoy coming here on Saturday mornings (it is closed Sunday, don't make that mistake).
(4)Matt B.
The food was ok but the waitstaff was really rude and they really sucked. It was super crowded everybody was stuckup especially the guy in his 20's. It must b a french thing. The omlete was pretty good and the deserts where awsome. But ill never ever go back,due to the rude staff.They couldnt get you out of there fast enough.There is nothing like being rushed out after an ok meal.
(2)Shawn W.
For my last few months in Sarasota, I lived downtown. The best part of that location was being able to walk down to C'est la Vie in the mornings. Whether eating there or just picking up some bakery items, I highly recommend this place. The chocolate croissants, fruit tarts, and coffee are amazing for morning sustenance, as the salmon sandwiches are for lunch. The decor is wonderful, with a rustic feel on the inside, and seating outside is great in the morning - especially with the great location on Main St. The prices aren't bad either, you can get plenty to eat for breakfast for less than $10, and lunch probably won't set you back any more than $15. Definitely worth the price.
(4)John C.
Love visiting here for breakfast. The omelettes are beyond words. Sandwiches are wonderful, and sitting outside on a beautiful day is perfect. I took one star away for two reasons. The inside seating tends to be rather cramped, in the summertime, you should expect it to be quite warm inside, and the staff's attitude could use a freshening, but none of this will keep me away.
(4)Megan Z.
C'est La Vie hands down has the best french pastries in town, I could live off their buttery, flaky croissants and napoleons. It's perfect for outdoor, brunch dining with authentic french classics like their buckwheat crepes and baguettes. I love that its family owned and operated, and that they take so much pride in their place.
(5)Daniel S.
C'est la Vie may have French waiters, but it doesn't do even simple French food well. The baguettes are soft, pale, puffy, and nearly crustless -- like tubes of solid "mie." The salads are large, but simple and uninspired. I had a toasted sandwich that was lukewarm, with limp, oily potatoes that had been made hours before. Not impressed.
(2)Jon s s.
This is one of those special and charming places that only the locals know about. It's a real french bakery & cafe. The food is excellent quality, along with huge portions. The fresh bread basket is superb and the bread, croissants and pastries are baked fresh every morning. This is why there is a line to get in most of the time, so you may be waiting 15 minutes or more for a table, which is well worth the wait. Everything you see coming out of the kitchen looks extraordinary and you'll have a tough time deciding which dish to order. I took one star off for the service, which can be spotty or downright absent, but who cares when the food is this good.
(4)Shelley B.
Authentic french food, cafe seating, extravagant pastries and homebaked bagettes. Great place to grab lunch with friends and have a delicious and healthy meal.
(4)Shawn W.
For my last few months in Sarasota, I lived downtown. The best part of that location was being able to walk down to C'est la Vie in the mornings. Whether eating there or just picking up some bakery items, I highly recommend this place. The chocolate croissants, fruit tarts, and coffee are amazing for morning sustenance, as the salmon sandwiches are for lunch. The decor is wonderful, with a rustic feel on the inside, and seating outside is great in the morning - especially with the great location on Main St. The prices aren't bad either, you can get plenty to eat for breakfast for less than $10, and lunch probably won't set you back any more than $15. Definitely worth the price.
(4)Mopsie B.
We are so glad to have found C'est La Vie-- as two fairly ardent Francophiles, we like to think we can discern authentic French from non-authentic. While I fancy myself a pretty good judge of a croissant, my husband lived in France twice and speaks the language fluently, so when he proclaimed it authentic (both by the look on his face and his declaration that he felt as though he was in Paris), I knew we had a winner in this humble cafe...I got the buckwheat crepes with leeks and tomatoes ( best crepes I've had in the U.S.) and he got the Croque Monsieur. Each came with a little salad and baskets of delicious bread. We also got a couple glasses of the house Sauvignon Blanc which was excellent (although I was disappointed that the Sancerre is not available by the glass). For dessert, we could not help ourselves and each got a pastry- he, an apple tart and I, a pear phyllo-like pastry. Frankly, we could have stayed there all afternoon. The food was fresh, nicely prepared and authentic in its simplicity. We also very much enjoyed chatting with our server, Fabienne, both in French and in English, and bought more pastries to go. We hope to return before our vacation in Sarasota is finished and will certainly return on future visits. Extra kudos for supporting the Sarasota Humane Society with the proceeds from their cute market tote bags!
(5)Al G.
Salad nicoise is amazing. Great baguette
(4)Mimi D.
this place has my fave sandwich: the monte carlo!!!! & pastries & bread is always amazing too!
(4)John C.
Love visiting here for breakfast. The omelettes are beyond words. Sandwiches are wonderful, and sitting outside on a beautiful day is perfect. I took one star away for two reasons. The inside seating tends to be rather cramped, in the summertime, you should expect it to be quite warm inside, and the staff's attitude could use a freshening, but none of this will keep me away.
(4)Nicole M.
I had thought a certain cheese wonton was the ultimate in cheese decadence until now, but C'est La Vie's Amandine salad has topped it. The almond crusted fried goat cheese on this salad is the bomb! The rest of it was made from prime ingredients, too. It was extremely busy when we there, people competing for vacant outdoor tables, but despite that,I found the service to be quite good. And we bought some croissants to take home, had one for brunch this morning, fluffy, buttery and crisp.
(5)Jenny T.
Quality, value, outdoor seating. A real treat. This place is remarkable because you can visibly see that everyone working there is connected to the business.
(4)Susan D.
We happened upon this place walking down Main St one afternoon, after a heavy downpour. The waitress offered to wipe the table and chairs off for us, as the sun was breaking through. I had the spinach goat cheese quiche with a side salad, both of which were superb. In fact, the quiche was crustless, which was a really nice way to have it. The warm, fresh french bread with butter was a great way to start the meal. We had a blueberry fruit tart for desert - it was so fresh, light and just sweet enough. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable outdoor afternoon lunch. We will make it a point to visit in the future.
(5)Linda Ann R.
Patisserie to rival those of Paris! One must enjoy the heat however as this restaurant is warm to humid to uncomfortably hot! The food is reliably fresh, delicious, well-prepared and presented! It's delightful to sit on the outdoor terrace and sip the best coffee outside of my favorite chain!
(4)Sonya L.
I have been visiting Sarasota for several years now and have been wanting to go here since the first time I saw the cute exterior. My first visit was all that I hoped it would be. The outdoor seating was perfect under the trees in the shade. It was a little confusing on how to get seated as I didn't see a host or signs on whether we should grab a table or wait in line. The good news is we just grabbed an outdoor table right when we arrived. I would suggest trying the crepes your first time as they are top quality. I got the one with spinach goat cheese and a cream sauce. Very rich and creamy! You can choose between buckwheat or white flour. I got the side salad. The dressing was good but the ingredients were just lettuce tomato and corn. So nothing exciting. Next time I would try the potatoes. I look forward to another visit.
(4)Gregg L.
Worth the visit! My son lives here and had never eaten here. It was Memorial Day and a couple of his favorite places were closed and we noticed how busy they were during lunch. A great extensive menu of home cooked French food, complete with French waiters/waitresses! Our plan is to show our new discovery to the rest of the family soon.
(5)Karen R.
Service was less than stellar but the people were very friendly. They have a large menu with a lot of options. My friend and I both had salads, hers with tuna and mine with tomato, mozzarella and prosciutto. They were decent but nothing to get excited about. Overall not very memorable but I would like to try it out for breakfast one time.
(3)Sharon T.
I have loved this French Bakery and Restaurant for years. Good service,great food....my husband loves the prosciutto and mozzarella on the amazing french bread!
(5)C K.
I really liked my breakfast here. I ordered too much, of course, because I can't resist the pastry. The individual omelets are cute. Outdoor tables go fast.
(4)Mimi K.
After reading the other reviews, i am really confused because this was the worst experience ever. We walked in wanting something sweet and the place was pretty much empty and there was no fresh foods available. We ordered a cappucino and it tasted just like hot chocolate. We spent less than 15 minutes here and regretted the money we spent.
(1)Kristi P.
I think I could just eat their bread and be happy.... Seriously it's that good. In turn it makes the sandwiches shine. I have also had a filled Crepe. Not the best I've ever had, but certainly not bad. I read some review online that they were snotty there. I did not feel this way at all. Prompt service, good food, cute place... Did I mention the bread yet???
(4)Roman F.
I have eaten here a couple of times. Food is mediocre at best. Service . . . Lousy. I must tell you a story. I was sitting outside one afternoon eating with a friend. A man and woman stopped by. The woman, who I believe was the man's wife, went inside to purchase some items. The man sat down in a chair outside which was far enough from a table to rest. A waitress with a French accent quickly came over and asked if what he would like to order. He politely explained he was just waiting on his wife while she was inside. She BARKED at him, telling him he could not be there if he was not going to eat. The restaurant was not crowded at all! The man was elderly, polite and was obviously just needing a rest. His wife was there spending money. This woman, the server, who I believe is the owner, is rude. I will never frequent this restaurant again because of this. In an economic climate such as the one we live on now, businesses need to earn patronage!
(1)Paige T.
We've enjoyed this place for years. Good food. Good coffee. Cute. Intermittent service...but we've always survived it. ;-)
(4)Dr Kathleen H.
if you want real bread in Sarasota for your sandwich try this place...baguettes are made daily so are the croissants which are buttery and flaky. Try the 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 salad but ask them to hold the corn on the salad...the dressing is home made and wonderful.
(5)Peter M.
Once more, a total disappointment and they don't care to make the effort to correct the problem. The hostess was too busy eating to seat us, she finally did while chewing her food, the waiter was abrupt and visibly too busy to show interest, the "Salade Nicoise" was anemic and tasteless, a side croissant was flat and greasy, and the bill was way to high for the lousy food we were offered. Never again. They are way too arrogant and they don't care.
(1)Evan F.
#NAME?
(2)Julie B.
A sweet little French bakery owned by a couple from France. The coffee was delishish and my pastry as well. Combined with the outside dining and my waitress with a French accent I almost forgot I was in FL and not Paris.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Great French food! Closed Sunday's!
(4)Zac C.
This small breakfast/lunch place in Sarasota has very good food and very questionable service. It is moderately priced, and their crepes and breakfast croissant sandwiches are filling and delicious. The seating situation outside is first come/first serve, so it isn't for the light of heart. Also, sometimes the service can be spot on and other times you simply get lost, so that is holding me back from giving it a solid 5 star rating. I've had several different things here and have always been pleased, and their coffee is tasty as well. Always enjoy coming here on Saturday mornings (it is closed Sunday, don't make that mistake).
(4)Shelly J.
The worst French Cafe in the world, bad food, cheap ham, waiters with bad atitudes. If you want to be treated like a tourist in Paris and not have to travel , this place is perfect.
(1)Matt B.
The food was ok but the waitstaff was really rude and they really sucked. It was super crowded everybody was stuckup especially the guy in his 20's. It must b a french thing. The omlete was pretty good and the deserts where awsome. But ill never ever go back,due to the rude staff.They couldnt get you out of there fast enough.There is nothing like being rushed out after an ok meal.
(2)Robert K.
Food was good but the service left much to be desired. We felt like we were forgotten and only got their attention when a member of our party got up and sought out a waiter. It just may have been an off day.
(3)Dawen H.
Super crowded but the food came pretty quickly. The Crepe was very nice and I loved it.
(4)Jim V.
I must have had a mental lapse. I went to this poor excuse for a french cafe/bakery last weekend; after I had convinced myself, never again! But there I was being abused by the servers when I asked where to sit, again when I asked for coffee, more coffee? forget it! and the breakfast was a greasy omelet, tasteless soft, mushy home fries not hot and oh did I mention the rude wait staff? At least now there is an excellent alternative to this dump; Ooh La La in Gulf Gate is almost 6 months old and it is better than ever! The owner could not be nicer and her pastries and French Brread is so much better than C'est la Vie. The owner said by December they will have expanded to accomodate a cafe menu as well. This is true French Pastry and light dishes at it BEST!!!!
(1)Liz L.
Oh man. I loved this place. Their Crepes are so delicious and perfect. I haven't been able to find anything that compares up here in Boston. The whole atmosphere makes you think you're in France. The employees are French. The tables aren't really sturdy, the service is alright, the bread is a bit too hard for me (which is strange because another Yelper said the opposite... maybe they changed it). I don't drink coffee that often but the coffee is apparently good according to friends. It's very strong in my opinion.
(4)