Gingerbread Caffe

With Starbucks and NOLA Beans less than 1,000 feet away, I wasn’t sure how much Harrison Avenue needed another coffee shop. However, they did build it on the west side of Canal Blvd, so there’s no need to cross the boulevard to get your caffeine fix.
On our first visit to G.C., I got the breakfast panini and my wife got the mini cannoli. My panini came with a side of fresh fruit and it was apparent that it was very fresh. The eggs on my panini were fluffy and delicious and the bread was grilled just right. Unfortunately the mini cannoli was not big enough to allow me a sample so I could Unilocal about it.
On our second trip to G.C. we went for beverages only. My wife got the «Mama’s mint tea» and even though I’m not a huge «mint lover», it was very refreshing; especially during the NOLA summer.
I got a cold brewed ice coffee and it was delicious. Not bitter at all, especially with the whole milk and sugar I added. LOL Huge bonus points for offering free refills on the iced coffees, as my happiness was definitely reflected in their tip jar.
The building itself is truly cool in every way. There’s a wraparound southern style porch and the inside is Victorian. It makes you just want to sit there all day with a good book, or your laptop or just with friends. There is adequate parking outside and even a wheelchair lift since a ramp did not fit into their plans.
The owner identified herself and told us a little bit about herself and her concept. You can imagine my disappointment today when I pulled in for an iced coffee and read the sign in the door which stated «WE ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE & THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT».
I hope this is a short term closure as I was just beginning to really like this place.

Great brunch place. I usually get The Randy, which is a pesto chicken panini. Solid breakfast as well.

I was so excited to see this building going up, it’s just beautiful. It’s a shame that it’s only just a pretty piece of architecture now. Co workers and I went for lunch the first time around and all ordered something different (not much to choose from) so we could share and all try things. The only good thing I can say about the food was that the tiny side of potatoes tasted pretty good. I like to give things a second try … Went again for breakfast last week. The toast that they say they personally make was as hard as a rock… I actually hit it on the table lol. Grits weren’t half bad but the sausage was disgusting, it looked and tasted like ground meat smashed with pepper. I was so looking forward to a greatly located lunch spot. :(very disappointed

This place was just meh for me. I went on a Sunday morning to meet some friends for brunch and it looked like the church crowd was in full effect. You order at the counter and get a number and they bring your food out to you. We sat outside since it was pretty crowded inside. Me and one of my friends ordered the crab cakes and they were very good. The coffee had a funny taste and they do not serve alcohol. My biggest complaint though is that everything took forever — to get our food, to get drink refills, etc etc. Service was definitely lacking. This place isn’t in my ‘hood so I don’t think I’ll be going back unless my friends who live nearby choose it again.
The pastries in the front looked amazing, but I did not partake.

Cute cute building, pleasant staff, pastries looked good (I stopped in for breakfast). Breakfast menu is very limited, no turkey at all (bacon and sausage only). I got the garden frittata, which is an open faced omelet but the eggs are very fluffy. A little better than I expected but a little too heavy for my breakfast liking. $ 11 for this and a small frozen coffee. Glad I finally tried it but won’t be returning any time soon. Definitely Disappointed.

It turns out that for this place the third time was indeed the charm. The first time I tried to come they were closed already (after 3pm), the second time they were having a staff meeting and had just changed their hours, and the third time was today. I am guessing… but I would say that it is taking them a while to figure out what days/​hours will work best for them in their Lakeview neighborhood.
Today I had a latte and an almond biscotti. The coffee was actually really good, and I liked the biscotti too. They had what appears to be some amazing looking desserts… specifically I want to eat a piece of that strawberry tiramisu. I will have to wait for another day.
My only complaint is that it was 11:00 AM and there were several things that appealed to me as dessert, but not really breakfast.
The inside of this place is Victorian style cute… it fits with the Victorian style house theme. There is a good amount of seating with both small and large tables. They also have 2 coffee bars (counters with sugar/​milk/​etc.) which means that it should be quick to get your coffee together during a morning rush. The staff was also very friendly.
If I could give a suggestion to this place it would be… create a more cohesive identity. When I think of Victorian I think of tea and pastries. Clearly, based on the reviews, the pastries are the highlight. There should be more pastries. How about some tea cakes/​scones?

I attempted my first visit last Monday, only to find out that they are not yet open on Mondays yet. As I turned to leave, the pastry chef came out and apologized for not being open and stated they will eventually be open Mondays and offered water. She was very nice and extra excited to speak to me.
I made it in for breakfast this morning and had the Cassara. Essentially eggs (I ordered them scrambled), bacon, potatoes (looked like croutons, but good) and toast. The staff was very nice and super excited to help. I got the Tiramisu to go and have had one bite and I am in love.
The outside of the building is super cute, like a gingerbread house, and the inside was wonderful, comfortable, and very relaxing. It is a good place to sit and read while dining. Very friendly. I am glad that I came back and look forward to coming again. Everyone should be patient as they work out some kinks in the menu. This place will soon be quite busy I think.
The one bad thing about the Gingerbread Caffe is that there is no handicapped access at all. If you are in a wheelchair, do not come, you will not be able to eat here.

Visited two times did not like my panini the first time, tried it this morning again, ordered a different dish. Horrible. I mean paid $ 10 and still can’t justify swallowing. The pastries look delightful, however their food is hard to stomach. In addition they have no way to bring a stroller up. Skip this.

Super super cute cottage in the Lakeview area — open for breakfast and lunch — but of course we went for the desert!!! We tried 2 — Tiramisu & STRAWBERRY TIRAMISU! they were both delectable! I also had a very nice latte that of course complimented the desert.
Staff is very helpful! — I was going to get a to-​go box and a staff member overheard me & offered to bring one back to me. Then I went to bring my stuff in cuz we were sitting outside & 2 staff offered to get my plates!!! LOVE THEM!
Like I said we were sitting outside — they had tables all around the balcony so that was sweet!
Can’t wait to go back to get some breakfast & later lunch! offerings looked great!!!

first off the place has hardly been open a week, therefore give em a little chance to work the kinks out (talkin to you tracy n!) the place is a very nice addition to our lakeview area. the service is very good, pastries and baked goods are outstanding. they have a very real, talented, bona fide pastry chef! how refreshing to have a place that is actually putting forth an effort to serve more than typical sysco fare!
the only food item we tried was the breakfast sandwich on brioche and it was pretty good. the cookies, gingerbread bundt, muffins, and cheesecake were outstanding!

Disappointing!!!
After watching this restaurant during construction with a big sign that read sworn to secrecy; my wife and I were happy to see a breakfast place opening in Lakeview.
We decided to have breakfast on Sunday morning. To our surprise, they stop serving breakfast at 10:30am (even McDonalds serves breakfast until 11:30 on Sunday). We decided to stay and have lunch at 11 am on a Sunday morning. I can sum up our visit in one word DISAPPOINTING! My wife ordered the muffalatta panini and I had the sirloin burger. My wife’s panini had fallen apart and she had to reassemble to be able to eat it as a sandwich. It was on the menu as served on ciabatta bread; but was served on a long narrow bread instead. My hamburgers was a house made patty also served on a long narrow slice of bread like a panini with cheese and no lettuce or condiments. The only thing they had available to put on the burger was hot sauce. Both of the sandwiches left unappetizing puddles of grease on the plates as reminders of our poor choice to stay for lunch. Considering the price of approximately $ 10 per sandwich, it was surprising that the plates were less than half full with no sides included. We decided to pucrhase a side and selected the Italian potatoes. They appeared to be frozen home style with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. All I can say is the food was sub par and overpriced. As self proclaimed New Orleans foodies this is a restaurant we can not recommend.