If you want the SMALLEST portions that will cost you the most money then look no further-- Le Petit Cafe is the place for you! We went for Valentine's Day dinner. It was a three course meal with very little to choose. It was either the scallops or the short rib for an entree and my partner and I got one of each. Otherwise the starter was okay if you like oysters. I don't and I know many people who do not (but remember, no substitutions). The desert was delicious but also very small as it was one tiny piece of cheese cake to share. The meal also included champagne (which we would have never ordered otherwise but no substitutions). My boyfriend doesn't drink so I ended up drinking both glasses as I felt I must do as the check was $130 with the tip. I have had better meals at wedding receptions with larger portions. My short rib was mediocre and it came with a maybe two tablespoons of mashed potatoes. If you've had the short rib at Five West then this one will disappoint. This was the most pretentious meal I've ever had and over all felt like they are just trying too hard. The ambiance is very plain and we were seated in the second room alone while the other diners were in the first room so it very much felt like we were being separated from the rest. The only thing keeping this at two stars is that we had pretty good service. Very attentive. We actually went to a drive thru and got more food after we left and I was a little tipsy from downing two glasses of champagne so I needed that. For this price we could have gone to Nosh (an equally if not higher class restaurant now located in Winona-- wish it wasn't so far away) or many other Rochester restaurants and have been served better food with bigger portions, better ambiance and doesn't force a rigid menu. We will very likely not go back unless invited by someone who is willing to foot the bill while we pre-plan our second dinner at a drive thru after. (Also Id like to mention that they do not have any soda/pop, so don't ask.)
Paul Gunther
So amazing!! The chef is so great. Wish her nothing but the best.
Susan H.
Took mom here for lunch- had soup and sandwich. Great selection of teas. Limited lunch menu but it was very good! Great service, beautiful ambiance and value was good.
Philip Smith
Very nice restaurant. Fine food. Attentive staff. A place where you can feel good about leaving a nice tip.
Rajiv Pruthi
I had dinner there once with friends and ordered the risotto with chorizo. The chorizo was hard as jerky and risotto was ok. I thought that it was over priced. Likely will not go back. Glad to see that others had better experiences.
Suzy L.
Horribly rude!! I pulled into the small parking lot which is connected to another lot and asked the gal walking around the lot if I could park there. She responded with, are you eating at the petit cafe, I said no, and she waved her hand in the air and says OUT YOU GO... I will never step foot in that place. I was simply asking her a question about the lot... there is no reason to respond in such a rude manner. I can't imagine her service inside is any better.
Boyd V.
Given the great location and beautiful building, we were expecting more. The food was average for our $150 bill of 2. First course ok, second good, dessert sub par. Overall, I would give it a pass as the restaurant is still new. The wait staff had no idea what was on the menu. For a fine dining restaurant you would hope that they would be able to articulate and promote the chef's creativity and create a dining experience, not the case. When we asked our server what the dessert was he said "I have no idea"; not good. New restaurant 101 = Customer service: We absolutely support local business and are in need of great restaurants in Roch, but this was disappointing. We were the only patrons for most of our meal on a Saturday night. Coming from family run restaurant where I understand the impact of both positive and negative social media reviews, I would have to give this unsolicited advice... If I were a restaurant owner/chef I would be circling the tables trying to get to know my customers and promote my craft, especially if new and trying to create interest. Not the case. In fact,when we left we didn't even get a simple glance of gratitude as we walked right by the chef and owner sitting at the bar. So sad, I hope they can sort it out and weather the storm of a first year restaurant in Rochester Minnesota....
Dean R.
Not a good experience at all. I went there with my 15 year old daughter to try it out not knowing they only served a "course meal" at dinner. When we arrived the place was completely empty and they asked if we had a reservation. Haha. Once seated my daughter ordered a sparkling water and we looked over the menu. When he returned and we learned that the $35-60/per person course menu was the only option we informed him we weren't interested in that and that we wouldn't be staying. His response was, "Let me get you a bill for your sparkling water." I'll be honest and admit I couldn't help but laugh and proceed to tell him we wouldn't be paying for the water we hadn't even touched. As we walked past our server and the manager/owner at the bar on our way out I said "good luck!" and our server responded, "Drive fast. Take chances!" We ended up over at Cameo, which was bustling with people, and had a fantastic meal and experience, which included a very friendly server that we talked with at length. I will be very surprised if Le Petit is still around in a year.
joe m.
This was our second time visiting Le Petit. The first time was excellent and the second time did not disappoint. The food was exquisite service attentive and relaxed. We started with parsnip roulade with sweet potato dauphinois both delicious. I had the quail with colcannon tasty! My wife had the scallops and linguine outstanding. Desserts matched the rest of the meal just perfect. We finished off with petit fours and cappuccino. This restaurant is a cut above the rest and well worth making a special trip. There is plenty of parking right outside the back.
Scott Roser
This is the kind of restaurant I have been waiting for in Rochester! I am a vegetable farmer who likes to cook, so if I am going to go out to eat, I have high expectations for fresh, local, and creative dishes. This place more than met all my expectations for a fine dining experience. I was glad to see that they offer local beer and hard cider on the menu, but I would also like to see them offer a Minnesota wine as well.
One of the very best meals ever! The tastes were truly unique and so satisfying. I return to Rochester once a year and I hope Le Petit Café is there for years to come so I can keep coming back. The food, relaxing ambiance and knowledgeable servers make it all together a memorable dining experience.
Yvonne Hubmayr
At lunch today I had the most succulent, delicious chicken ever! Outstanding salad and coffee too. Yum!
Arthur H
Still a work on progress. Went when just opened and the food was excellent, but service was a struggle. One entree came 20 minutes before the others, wine bottle not uncorked at the table, exhaust fan not up to the challenge. Anyway, we went back with another couple recently.
Serena D.
Our group had Sunday tea here. Great ambiance, quality tea selection, and tasteful finger foods.
Raj P.
Very interesting restaurant. The single whiskey barely wet my tongue. They ran out of trout early in the evening. We asked for a substitute for the quail on mushrooms, they were quite rigid about not substituting with anything else. I ordered the risotto chorizo: risotto was good, the chorizo was as tough as jerky. The chef simply said I will take that in consideration, when we have feedback. I will not return.
If you want the SMALLEST portions that will cost you the most money then look no further-- Le Petit Cafe is the place for you! We went for Valentine's Day dinner. It was a three course meal with very little to choose. It was either the scallops or the short rib for an entree and my partner and I got one of each. Otherwise the starter was okay if you like oysters. I don't and I know many people who do not (but remember, no substitutions). The desert was delicious but also very small as it was one tiny piece of cheese cake to share. The meal also included champagne (which we would have never ordered otherwise but no substitutions). My boyfriend doesn't drink so I ended up drinking both glasses as I felt I must do as the check was $130 with the tip. I have had better meals at wedding receptions with larger portions. My short rib was mediocre and it came with a maybe two tablespoons of mashed potatoes. If you've had the short rib at Five West then this one will disappoint. This was the most pretentious meal I've ever had and over all felt like they are just trying too hard. The ambiance is very plain and we were seated in the second room alone while the other diners were in the first room so it very much felt like we were being separated from the rest. The only thing keeping this at two stars is that we had pretty good service. Very attentive. We actually went to a drive thru and got more food after we left and I was a little tipsy from downing two glasses of champagne so I needed that. For this price we could have gone to Nosh (an equally if not higher class restaurant now located in Winona-- wish it wasn't so far away) or many other Rochester restaurants and have been served better food with bigger portions, better ambiance and doesn't force a rigid menu. We will very likely not go back unless invited by someone who is willing to foot the bill while we pre-plan our second dinner at a drive thru after. (Also Id like to mention that they do not have any soda/pop, so don't ask.)
So amazing!! The chef is so great. Wish her nothing but the best.
Took mom here for lunch- had soup and sandwich. Great selection of teas. Limited lunch menu but it was very good! Great service, beautiful ambiance and value was good.
Very nice restaurant. Fine food. Attentive staff. A place where you can feel good about leaving a nice tip.
I had dinner there once with friends and ordered the risotto with chorizo. The chorizo was hard as jerky and risotto was ok. I thought that it was over priced. Likely will not go back. Glad to see that others had better experiences.
Horribly rude!! I pulled into the small parking lot which is connected to another lot and asked the gal walking around the lot if I could park there. She responded with, are you eating at the petit cafe, I said no, and she waved her hand in the air and says OUT YOU GO... I will never step foot in that place. I was simply asking her a question about the lot... there is no reason to respond in such a rude manner. I can't imagine her service inside is any better.
Given the great location and beautiful building, we were expecting more. The food was average for our $150 bill of 2. First course ok, second good, dessert sub par. Overall, I would give it a pass as the restaurant is still new. The wait staff had no idea what was on the menu. For a fine dining restaurant you would hope that they would be able to articulate and promote the chef's creativity and create a dining experience, not the case. When we asked our server what the dessert was he said "I have no idea"; not good. New restaurant 101 = Customer service: We absolutely support local business and are in need of great restaurants in Roch, but this was disappointing. We were the only patrons for most of our meal on a Saturday night. Coming from family run restaurant where I understand the impact of both positive and negative social media reviews, I would have to give this unsolicited advice... If I were a restaurant owner/chef I would be circling the tables trying to get to know my customers and promote my craft, especially if new and trying to create interest. Not the case. In fact,when we left we didn't even get a simple glance of gratitude as we walked right by the chef and owner sitting at the bar. So sad, I hope they can sort it out and weather the storm of a first year restaurant in Rochester Minnesota....
Not a good experience at all. I went there with my 15 year old daughter to try it out not knowing they only served a "course meal" at dinner. When we arrived the place was completely empty and they asked if we had a reservation. Haha. Once seated my daughter ordered a sparkling water and we looked over the menu. When he returned and we learned that the $35-60/per person course menu was the only option we informed him we weren't interested in that and that we wouldn't be staying. His response was, "Let me get you a bill for your sparkling water." I'll be honest and admit I couldn't help but laugh and proceed to tell him we wouldn't be paying for the water we hadn't even touched. As we walked past our server and the manager/owner at the bar on our way out I said "good luck!" and our server responded, "Drive fast. Take chances!" We ended up over at Cameo, which was bustling with people, and had a fantastic meal and experience, which included a very friendly server that we talked with at length. I will be very surprised if Le Petit is still around in a year.
This was our second time visiting Le Petit. The first time was excellent and the second time did not disappoint. The food was exquisite service attentive and relaxed. We started with parsnip roulade with sweet potato dauphinois both delicious. I had the quail with colcannon tasty! My wife had the scallops and linguine outstanding. Desserts matched the rest of the meal just perfect. We finished off with petit fours and cappuccino. This restaurant is a cut above the rest and well worth making a special trip. There is plenty of parking right outside the back.
This is the kind of restaurant I have been waiting for in Rochester! I am a vegetable farmer who likes to cook, so if I am going to go out to eat, I have high expectations for fresh, local, and creative dishes. This place more than met all my expectations for a fine dining experience. I was glad to see that they offer local beer and hard cider on the menu, but I would also like to see them offer a Minnesota wine as well.
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the very best meals ever! The tastes were truly unique and so satisfying. I return to Rochester once a year and I hope Le Petit Café is there for years to come so I can keep coming back. The food, relaxing ambiance and knowledgeable servers make it all together a memorable dining experience.
At lunch today I had the most succulent, delicious chicken ever! Outstanding salad and coffee too. Yum!
Still a work on progress. Went when just opened and the food was excellent, but service was a struggle. One entree came 20 minutes before the others, wine bottle not uncorked at the table, exhaust fan not up to the challenge. Anyway, we went back with another couple recently.
Our group had Sunday tea here. Great ambiance, quality tea selection, and tasteful finger foods.
Very interesting restaurant. The single whiskey barely wet my tongue. They ran out of trout early in the evening. We asked for a substitute for the quail on mushrooms, they were quite rigid about not substituting with anything else. I ordered the risotto chorizo: risotto was good, the chorizo was as tough as jerky. The chef simply said I will take that in consideration, when we have feedback. I will not return.