Soooo disappointing. We are here about 18 mos. ago and loved it. Went back 2 weeks ago and it was really bad. There was trash and empty boxes piled outside the kitchen door, which is very close to the main door. We were seated at a table in a bare, chilly room with a table that was plywood and rocked, no tablecloth or placemat. The apparent owner walked by and asked my husband if I was behaving myself. Really?! That's what you say about a mature woman in 2021 about to spend money in your establishment? We love onion soup, but after a few sips of this one, there was no point to wasting calories on a tasteless soup. Where was the rich beef broth and carmelized onions? Nowhere. The bread was pretty good but it was cut poorly and smashed. I got steak au poivre, which had so many whole peppercorns on it that I choked. Beef was not a restaurant quality cut and not tender enough, though cooked to order. This was accompanied by some green beans with no seasoning or flavor. My husband had the duck. He tried to likeit but the sauce was very watery and the portion and the accompaniments were so small that he left hungry and had to have something to eat when we got home. The only saving grace for the entire evening was our waiter, Justin, who was understanding and makes great dessert martinis. It will be a long time before we try this place again.
John K.
***** LAST TO REVIEW ***** It's like when your favorite aunt and uncle move away. But you still drive by their house, and the memories come back. Just had lunch at the last sitting for this iconic landmark restaurant. Owner Victor Ledezma is heading to other opportunities in Baltimore, and The Preserve on Main Street will be performing a six-month rehab before reopening. The occasion was the 70th reunion lunch for the Class of 1951 from the Naval Academy. No, I'm not that old, but my father-in-law is. Cafe Bretton lived up to its reputation for the swan song meal. Appetizer was choice of cream of crab soup or house salad. I need the recipe for the vinaigrette which was perfect. Father-in-law ate the last drop of his soup. Wide choice of entrees. Everyone approved of their selections. Beautiful but light cakes for dessert with coffee. And afterwards, Victor personally made sure the ninety-year olds all made it onto their bus, even after a complimentary glass of champagne. I hope The Preserve can make this a destination restaurant with a unique cuisine that it's been in the past. Please keep the cloth napkins and the escargot!
Cecilia Freeman
Beautiful atmosphere but pricey. Great service. Sorry to see it close
Diana Wright
Cafe Bretton is what it is because of Victor Ledezma. It's unique cuisine was created by him and reflects his artistry as a chef. When it closes, this area will lose the best local chef... and whatever moves 5on will be a poor substitute!
janicepk
We had a lovely dinner here recently. The crab soup was delicious. Our entrees were extremely generous portions of steak and a French stew.
Glenn mcclure
My wife and I used to come here for our anniversary every year, prior to the pandemic. It was always great. Since we hadn't been there in about 2 years, my wife decided to take me here for my birthday. What a colossal disappointment! The waitress wasn't attentive, she forgot about us several times, our drinks sat empty the whole visit. I ordered the "Ribeye", and it was the worst cut of beef I have ever eaten. I order it cooked medium. The 1st steak came out well done, they replaced it. The 2nd one was cooked correctly, but again it was a horrible cut of meat. Ribeye shouldn't have fat that you can cut through with a steak knife. There wasn't a part of the steak that I could cut. My son ordered the Salmon pasta, it tasted horrible as well. This pains me to write, as this was a favorite special occasion spot. I am also not the type of person to send back food, or easily complain. It was pretty bad. I read in another recent review, that they sold the property, so maybe that explains the lack of care. That being said, you should take care of the community, that took care of your business for so many years. I will not be returning unless this is resolved. I would hope if they are closing that they would go out on a good note, but it appears that isn't the case.
Tracy Colleran
We are saddened to hear the restaurant / property was sold and will be closing. I feel sad for the very dedicated staff that have been there a long time
michael cullen
Wonderful food. Owner is a great raconteur and loves to visit with customers.
Haley S.
This little French cafe blew my hair back. It is completely old school, and the entire experience felt high class and elegant. From being escorted by the Maître d to our table, who pulled the ladies' chairs out and placed a napkin on their lap, to being given attention throughout the entire 2 and a half hour course of the meal, to having the man who creates the weekly menu come by on multiple occasions to make recommendations, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. My lamb lollipops were superb. I asked the waiter to bring us his favorite dessert, and he did not disappoint. We were given a slice of rich, airy banana pecan cake that was to die for. The portions are perfect. The price is huge because the quality is top notch. Dress nicely, as you want to show this restaurant the respect it deserves.
Dave Grabau
Great food, awesome service. Very easy to get to and park. Good wine too!
A beautiful interior full of gorgeous art, this cafe is full of elegant ambiance. I highly recommend it for a date night.
Anna M.
I chose Café Bretton for my partner and I to enjoy a nice date after a long hard week. Neither of us had ever been here but the reviews seemed good and the photos made the place look beautiful. We were sat in what felt like the "ugly" side of the restaurant. The older man with what seemed like a forced accent with a mask below his nose grabbed our napkins and placed them on our laps (we are two women btw) to say this was off putting is an understatement. We're not living in the 50s sir. We are still in the middle of a pandemic and I'd prefer your hands not to be on our napkins. I ordered a Bay Breeze cocktail, it was okay. My partner a Pomegranate Margarita, tasted like fruit juice. But all and all the drinks were okay especially since our wonderful waiter Justin took care of them for us. After our drinks we ordered the grilled stuffed calamari. It was a mess and inconsistent. Rolling all over the plate, absolutely no seasoning and so chewy. Thank God it was only $12. Last but LEAST, dinner. Uhh... I had the Linguine Bretton (please see the photo of the "soup" I was serve w/ scallops that were smaller than a dime) again, no flavor, too much garlic and the pasta was swimming so it could not absorb any of the "sauce". Definitely not a $29 plate. As for my partner she ordered the Ribeye with ROASTED potatoes (she received what tasted like boxed mashed) and roasted veggies which seemed like microwaved raw vegetables (carrots and green beans) with a Chimichurri sauce that is still stuck on us this morning... again, not worth $29. Now the grande finale, an older man came in to pick up food with no mask, walking all through the restaurant and standing extremely close to us (see photo). Given that the geriatric clientele was seated back to back with us hardly practicing a 6 foot social distance let alone a 6 inch. I had to move up in my booth just so my head wasn't touching the people sitting behind me. Social distancing did not exist here and we couldn't wait to get out! We had 7 people less then 3 feet away from us. We liked our server but service took forever given that we were the first people in the restaurant. We should not have been here for over 2 hours. I'm giving it 2 stars, one for Justin and one for our free drinks. I am a 30 year Severna park native and have always wanted to come to Café Bretton given that it's been here as long as I can remember. I am so dissatisfied and will never return. And being Italian myself, why would you EVER mix French and Italian cuisine? Epic fail!
Riley O.
Many restaurants are struggling due to COVID and this may be the case with Cafe Breton. Nevertheless, our recent dinner there was exceptionally poor. Steak was tough and tasteless and an all around bad cut of meat. Green beans were not fresh but frozen. Mash potatoes were not made from fresh potatoes. Restaurant smells bad, too. With the low level food we were served I don't think this restaurant is going to make it. That's sad because it has a lot of charm.
Robert Kern
Always a good meal and especially true on Valentine's Day.Food,drinks and service were terrific.Victir is a wonderful host and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Soooo disappointing. We are here about 18 mos. ago and loved it. Went back 2 weeks ago and it was really bad. There was trash and empty boxes piled outside the kitchen door, which is very close to the main door. We were seated at a table in a bare, chilly room with a table that was plywood and rocked, no tablecloth or placemat. The apparent owner walked by and asked my husband if I was behaving myself. Really?! That's what you say about a mature woman in 2021 about to spend money in your establishment? We love onion soup, but after a few sips of this one, there was no point to wasting calories on a tasteless soup. Where was the rich beef broth and carmelized onions? Nowhere. The bread was pretty good but it was cut poorly and smashed. I got steak au poivre, which had so many whole peppercorns on it that I choked. Beef was not a restaurant quality cut and not tender enough, though cooked to order. This was accompanied by some green beans with no seasoning or flavor. My husband had the duck. He tried to likeit but the sauce was very watery and the portion and the accompaniments were so small that he left hungry and had to have something to eat when we got home. The only saving grace for the entire evening was our waiter, Justin, who was understanding and makes great dessert martinis. It will be a long time before we try this place again.
***** LAST TO REVIEW ***** It's like when your favorite aunt and uncle move away. But you still drive by their house, and the memories come back. Just had lunch at the last sitting for this iconic landmark restaurant. Owner Victor Ledezma is heading to other opportunities in Baltimore, and The Preserve on Main Street will be performing a six-month rehab before reopening. The occasion was the 70th reunion lunch for the Class of 1951 from the Naval Academy. No, I'm not that old, but my father-in-law is. Cafe Bretton lived up to its reputation for the swan song meal. Appetizer was choice of cream of crab soup or house salad. I need the recipe for the vinaigrette which was perfect. Father-in-law ate the last drop of his soup. Wide choice of entrees. Everyone approved of their selections. Beautiful but light cakes for dessert with coffee. And afterwards, Victor personally made sure the ninety-year olds all made it onto their bus, even after a complimentary glass of champagne. I hope The Preserve can make this a destination restaurant with a unique cuisine that it's been in the past. Please keep the cloth napkins and the escargot!
Beautiful atmosphere but pricey. Great service. Sorry to see it close
Cafe Bretton is what it is because of Victor Ledezma. It's unique cuisine was created by him and reflects his artistry as a chef. When it closes, this area will lose the best local chef... and whatever moves 5on will be a poor substitute!
We had a lovely dinner here recently. The crab soup was delicious. Our entrees were extremely generous portions of steak and a French stew.
My wife and I used to come here for our anniversary every year, prior to the pandemic. It was always great. Since we hadn't been there in about 2 years, my wife decided to take me here for my birthday. What a colossal disappointment! The waitress wasn't attentive, she forgot about us several times, our drinks sat empty the whole visit. I ordered the "Ribeye", and it was the worst cut of beef I have ever eaten. I order it cooked medium. The 1st steak came out well done, they replaced it. The 2nd one was cooked correctly, but again it was a horrible cut of meat. Ribeye shouldn't have fat that you can cut through with a steak knife. There wasn't a part of the steak that I could cut. My son ordered the Salmon pasta, it tasted horrible as well. This pains me to write, as this was a favorite special occasion spot. I am also not the type of person to send back food, or easily complain. It was pretty bad. I read in another recent review, that they sold the property, so maybe that explains the lack of care. That being said, you should take care of the community, that took care of your business for so many years. I will not be returning unless this is resolved. I would hope if they are closing that they would go out on a good note, but it appears that isn't the case.
We are saddened to hear the restaurant / property was sold and will be closing. I feel sad for the very dedicated staff that have been there a long time
Wonderful food. Owner is a great raconteur and loves to visit with customers.
This little French cafe blew my hair back. It is completely old school, and the entire experience felt high class and elegant. From being escorted by the Maître d to our table, who pulled the ladies' chairs out and placed a napkin on their lap, to being given attention throughout the entire 2 and a half hour course of the meal, to having the man who creates the weekly menu come by on multiple occasions to make recommendations, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. My lamb lollipops were superb. I asked the waiter to bring us his favorite dessert, and he did not disappoint. We were given a slice of rich, airy banana pecan cake that was to die for. The portions are perfect. The price is huge because the quality is top notch. Dress nicely, as you want to show this restaurant the respect it deserves.
Great food, awesome service. Very easy to get to and park. Good wine too!
Restaurantji Recommends
A beautiful interior full of gorgeous art, this cafe is full of elegant ambiance. I highly recommend it for a date night.
I chose Café Bretton for my partner and I to enjoy a nice date after a long hard week. Neither of us had ever been here but the reviews seemed good and the photos made the place look beautiful. We were sat in what felt like the "ugly" side of the restaurant. The older man with what seemed like a forced accent with a mask below his nose grabbed our napkins and placed them on our laps (we are two women btw) to say this was off putting is an understatement. We're not living in the 50s sir. We are still in the middle of a pandemic and I'd prefer your hands not to be on our napkins. I ordered a Bay Breeze cocktail, it was okay. My partner a Pomegranate Margarita, tasted like fruit juice. But all and all the drinks were okay especially since our wonderful waiter Justin took care of them for us. After our drinks we ordered the grilled stuffed calamari. It was a mess and inconsistent. Rolling all over the plate, absolutely no seasoning and so chewy. Thank God it was only $12. Last but LEAST, dinner. Uhh... I had the Linguine Bretton (please see the photo of the "soup" I was serve w/ scallops that were smaller than a dime) again, no flavor, too much garlic and the pasta was swimming so it could not absorb any of the "sauce". Definitely not a $29 plate. As for my partner she ordered the Ribeye with ROASTED potatoes (she received what tasted like boxed mashed) and roasted veggies which seemed like microwaved raw vegetables (carrots and green beans) with a Chimichurri sauce that is still stuck on us this morning... again, not worth $29. Now the grande finale, an older man came in to pick up food with no mask, walking all through the restaurant and standing extremely close to us (see photo). Given that the geriatric clientele was seated back to back with us hardly practicing a 6 foot social distance let alone a 6 inch. I had to move up in my booth just so my head wasn't touching the people sitting behind me. Social distancing did not exist here and we couldn't wait to get out! We had 7 people less then 3 feet away from us. We liked our server but service took forever given that we were the first people in the restaurant. We should not have been here for over 2 hours. I'm giving it 2 stars, one for Justin and one for our free drinks. I am a 30 year Severna park native and have always wanted to come to Café Bretton given that it's been here as long as I can remember. I am so dissatisfied and will never return. And being Italian myself, why would you EVER mix French and Italian cuisine? Epic fail!
Many restaurants are struggling due to COVID and this may be the case with Cafe Breton. Nevertheless, our recent dinner there was exceptionally poor. Steak was tough and tasteless and an all around bad cut of meat. Green beans were not fresh but frozen. Mash potatoes were not made from fresh potatoes. Restaurant smells bad, too. With the low level food we were served I don't think this restaurant is going to make it. That's sad because it has a lot of charm.
Always a good meal and especially true on Valentine's Day.Food,drinks and service were terrific.Victir is a wonderful host and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Well done. Priced right. Good quality