CamaJe Bistro

I was busy extolling the virtues of Cafe Wha? to my son as we strolled along MacDougal Street and happened upon Camaje. The exterior is Village-unassuming with a pair of couches providing front-window seating, followed by a warm array of 2-and-4 person tables each fit with linen, covering and a tea-light candle. Camaje's Moulin-Rouge colored walls host the artwork of local artists and change seasonally.

We found the service quite efficient. Our waiter, Eddie, accorded us the respect to enjoy dinner at our pace rather than the all too usual 'stay as long as you like but hurry up' antics played by many servers in similar venues.

The food is magnificent. Fresh ingredients, prepared in chef Abigail Hitchcock's personally-inspired French Bistro with American-inventive style, creates a culinary experience worthy of accolades beyond my capabilities.

The Market Seafood Soup infused with saffron is by far the most flavorful soup I have ever encountered! Camaje's Navarin of Lamb was cooked perfectly and served refreshingly hot. My son loved his Caesar Salad, Roasted Hanger Steak with a side of smkoked Mac 'n Cheese. When I asked him how he liked the Creme Brulee with Lavender Craquline, all he did was smile in total satisfaction and offer two-thumbs up. My reaction to the Chocolate Fondue for two with Fresh Fruit proved identical - even though I was unable to eat the entire portion! Camaje also offers a variety of teas and seasonally-inspired appetizers I have enjoyed while passing time and conversation on the couches noted above.

My son and I have returned to Camaje - occasionally rather than regularly - over the past year and have yet to find fault with either the food or service. The atmosphere is always comfortable and welcoming. I'm sure if you try it, Camaje will become a delightful habit.

Pros: Food. Service. Ambiance.

Cons: I live too far away to treat myself to regular meals there.

Posted 11/16/08

I made a reservation for 6 people at 6:30 for a Saturday night. At 2:45 that Saturday they called to inform me that there is a private party at the restaurant from 6-8. Seriously? They didn't know before that? I have no idea bout the food, but any restaurant that is that unorganized is not one I will patronize. Ridiculous.

Cons: Really stupid staff

Posted 11/14/08

Was walking around the neighborhood around 8 on a Saturday night and stumbled upon Camaje, decided to give it a try. Everything was amazing. The food was delicious, we had crostinis, soup and sandwiches, an espresso...and a great bottle of wine. Total bill was $75 which was great. Finished our wine on their couches in front and just lingered for a while. Our server, Earnest, was helpful and incredibly friendly. The whole meal/experience was fantastic, definitely will go again. And again, and again...

Pros: Pumpkin soup!!

Cons: Nothing

Posted 10/18/08

I like Camaje for the food, atmosphere and overall open, Village atmosphere. I've been there several times with my friends and we always have a good time. The food is delicious and the service is terrific. Highly Recommended!

Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Posted 07/31/08

We made dinner reservations early in the week for 6 o'clock on Sat. night. They called on Saturday - a few hours before our reservation - and said that they made a mistake in the reservation book and they were canceling our reservation! Instead of apologizing profusely and offering another day/time with a free drink/appetizer to compensate for their mistake, the general attitude was basically, "yeah, we messed up, but too bad!!"

Posted 07/22/08

Three weeks ago, I held my best friend's bridal shower at Camaje, and had a wonderful experience. After spending weeks researching bistros and cafes in the W. Village, I was excited to work with Chef/Owner Abigail Hitchcock. She generously answered my many questions and was a pleasure to work with, engaging me in a planning process that had been intimidating and aggravating with others.

We were able to reserve the entire restaurant and the space proved ideal for a party of approximately 22 people - the front, floor-to-ceiling windows opened out, creating a warm, spacious, yet intimate feel. The food was delicious - the fruit salad was made from fresh, seasonal berries, the entree was rich without being overpowering, and the meyer lemon tart was incredible. In addition, the front house staff was friendly and charming, and overall, our experience was rewarding. I'd HIGHLY recommend Camaje to anyone interested in having a similar event and I look forward to returning on my own for a quiet dinner.

Pros: food, ambience, service

Posted 05/29/08

I have been here quite a few times and have never had a bad experience. The food is consistently very good and I have found the wait staff quite helpful. I notice that the menu seems to change quite often, probably seasonally, so don't fall in love with any of the dishes.I once had an awesome Lamb Tagine there but it hasn't graced the menu since.The smoked mac & cheese is a mainstay and there's a very good reason for that-it's really good. It is a quiet little place with no attitude or pretentiousness. It's a great Sunday afternoon spot to dine al fresco in the nicer weather. I highly recommend giving it a try.

Pros: Quiet, cozy, nice place to relax

Cons: None

Posted 05/04/08

We went to Camaje after spotting it on Citysearch and had a wonderful experience. We really liked the cozy atmosphere and I spoke with a very nice woman whom I believe was the owner/chef. Oh yeah, the food was great too. Definitely recommended!

Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Posted 04/28/08

I recently attended one of the dark dining events at Camaje. Dark dining is an event where you are blindfolded and served four courses with wine pairings, and listen to some sort of theatrical performance in between courses. At $120/person, I had pretty high expectations.

As the diners don't get to choose what they eat, they must let Camaje know in advance if they have any dietary restrictions. Despite the fact that I emailed the owner/chef more than a week in advance with specific dislikes of each of the people dining, the restaurant managed to mess up my friend's meal. He was incorrectly pegged as a vegetarian and missed out on having meat in the first two out of three courses that he received. When I brought this to the waiter's attention and asked for it to be rectified, he only assured me that from that point on, my friend would receive meat. As for the meat from the earlier courses, tough cookies.

Furthermore, the portions were tiny. The first three courses were like having three appetizers, and we were not alone in this sentiment. The people at the table next to ours felt the same, and we even discussed going to get dinner together after dark dining was over. The waiting between courses was infinite, and by the time we realized it was dessert time, we were itching to leave and rip our blindfolds off.

To add insult to injury, when I emailed the owner to let her know about the mess-up, in addition to having a glass with a chipped rim, she dismissed it all, saying that she apologized, but that it wasn't a common occurrence. That is all well and good, but IT HAPPENED TO ME AND I DON'T CARE IF IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I felt that some free drinks or something were definitely in order. While the food wasn't terrible and there were some interesting aspects to dark dining, I was unimpressed. I'd rather spend $120/person on something other than 3 veggie appetizers and a mediocre dessert at a restaurant with no concept of customer service.

Pros: Nice area

Cons: Overpriced, small portions, bad service, bad management, delayed seating

Posted 04/26/08

Stumbled upon Camaje by chance, strolling through the Village with friends. The people there are very friendly and the food is delicious. I like the quaint ambiance.....makes me feel like I'm at home hanging with friends & family

Pros: Cuisine, Ambiance, Service

Posted 02/13/08

This party was for a dear friend's engagement and we were 12 or so NYC thirtyso's. We arrived en masse to a cozy (couches in the front) Village bistro with candle-lit art on the walls. The waiters were super friendly and the wine-oh the wine!-was flowing from an impressive list -I am an amateur wine enthusiast and I enjoyed the variety for such a small place. The friends we were celebrating had had many great times there and so did we. The food was elegant but not pretentious and the space was perfect for conversation and a truly perfect engagement shindig.

Pros: great wine list

Cons: smallish

Posted 05/15/07

great place but overpriced i thought... you gotta try the chocolate brioche french toast thats served during brunch

Posted 01/05/07

Overpriced and overhyped by citysearch members. First off, it's the size of my living room. Literally. Picture the eating area in small neighborhood chinese takeout joints. Booked a bday party for 7 and I asked "How is the setup? Will there be enough room for all of us?" I was promised 4 tables bunched together. We arrived and the waiter (very nice guy though) asked for my party to surrender one of the tables. Mind you, we were already cramped to the corner to the point where everyone had to get up in order for one person to get out.

Service was not bad, friendly staff. Well, more like friendly 2 guys who were the only ones working. Food came and I wondered where the rest of it was. Average of 25 a plate. R-ack (lol citysearch flagged that as an inapropiate word) of lamb had 3 "ribs". 3!!. Fish came, size of my video Ipod. Steak came, oh boy, it was thin and the size of a meat patty.

Good thing it was dark to cover the disgusting peeling floor and aging decor. Definitely one of those places that jack up the price to give itself esteem. Avoid at all cost but pass by it to get a good laugh at the size of the room.

Pros: Nothing

Cons: EVERYTHING

Posted 11/05/06

I went to Camaje recently to celebrate my birthday and found it to be wonderful in every way. The service was lovely, never rushing me or anyone in my party, but still being attentive. The food was some of the best I've had in the city. I'm a big fan of Hanger steak and Camaje's was truly wonderful. I also tried the crabcake and souflee, both of which receive a strong A+ in my book. The rest of my party all raved about their food as well. And to top off the night, the waitstaff put a candle in my souflee before bringing it out to me, a lovely, understated way to wish me a happy birthday (and certainly nicer than the waitstaff becoming an amatuer choir). I would suggest this restaurant to anyone, they make you feel like you're home with friends and the quality of the food is terriffic. Earnest was very nice.

Posted 10/01/06

Shabby rather then cozy. The food was barely ok. Salad was way overdressed. Halibut was dry and rubbery with an overwhelming sauce. Hanger steak was dry and drowning in
sauce. Creme brulee was a failure. The dessert crepe, banana and chocolate was great. I would only go back for crepes. The waiter, Earnest, was very nice.

Posted 03/20/06

Camaje is close by to my apartment, and in spite of its rough edges, one of my favorite places to go. The food is reasonably priced, and almost always good. The atmosphere and clientele often evoke the feeling of being at a friend's dinner party, where people linger over wine, and chat over small plates of food. The downside, is that the service is terribly slow, and you can expect to wait a long time for your order to be taken, your food to arrive, and your bill to come. I only go when I have a few hours to kill.

Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Friendly service

Cons: SLOW service

Posted 01/22/06

I went here not sure what to expect because of mixed reviews. The food was very good, the service was kind but a little slow. To accomodate my table forgetting a glass of wine I ordered, they gave it to me for free along with a free one for my fiancee. I would definitely recommend this place, it can be a little pricey, but not bad for NYC and the food and atmoshpere is worth it.

Posted 08/12/05

I love the food here. They never rush you. The prices are great, too. My wife took a cooking class with the chef and said it was amazing!

Pros: delish food, less $$ than expected

Cons: in the W Village

Posted 05/18/05

Great food and service. Reasonable prices a GREAT VALUE OVERALL.
I would recomend their FANTASTIC onion soup.
Luis Massieu

Pros: FOOD, PRICE, SERVICE

Posted 05/17/05

Food was so good! The salmon was a bit salty, but overall excellent food. Ambience is definitely a cozy, laid back atmosphere (not romantic), fantastic choice for a lazy Sunday meal. Scallops were incredible (I generally do not eat scallops), pumpkin soup delicious, onion soup yummy, banana/chocolate crepes had too much chocolate but everything was good. Service was slow and nice but they can be nicer. I would come back again. Prix fixe is a good buy.

Pros: Prix Fixe, food

Cons: Slow Service

Posted 04/30/05

Saw the mixed reviews and still decided to try CamaJe out. No regrets. Friendly service, romantic ambience and excellent food(roasted hangar steak, crispy duck, salad with goat cheese, fantastic desserts). Will definitely come back!

Posted 02/23/05

a nice cozy place with friendly service (even though not the most professional one). went there on a Tuesday night. Were seated immediately. The soups (seafood and vegeterian) were excellent. Salad was really good. and the Panini sandwich was ok. good selection of wines. around $50 not including tip for 2 soups one salad and one sandwich and 2 glasses of wine.

Pros: food

Posted 02/08/05

We had dinner at Camaje last night and it was wonderful! Our reservation was for 7:30 and by 8 it was packed. Service was attentive and friendly, we didn't have to wait for anything! The prixe fix was a great deal..any three courses for 25 bucks and the food was outstanding. Portions were perfectly sized and we left feeling full but not stuffed. The menu had so many choices it took us 20 minutes to decide because everything sounded tempting. The wine list was excellent for such a small place and the bottle prices were exceptionally reasonable. Desserts were delicious..chocolate souffle was one of the best I've had. We had dessert on a comfy couch and watched the people walking by. It was so nice to chat with the owner/chef on our way out. We complimented her style and will definitely be back again for dinner and a cooking class!

Pros: prixe fix, romantic atmosphere, great food

Cons: , no mixed drinks

Posted 05/14/04

Too many other fun, small places in the Village. Food was decent, but not great. Service was awful - mostly because staff were overwhelmed on a Saturday night. Most laughable moment of night was when waiter offered me a free drink to make up for th 50 minute appetizer wait. When I motioned the whole table would partake in the round, he sheepishly replied that he couldn't get a free drink for everyone - just me.

The place just isn't ready for prime time.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: , Food, Attitude

Posted 04/17/04

I found Camaje to be very accomodating and the staff very friendly. The atmosphere is rather cozy and although the place was busy, our service was rather quick. The food wasn't the best I've had, but very tasty nonetheless.

Pros: ambiance, service

Posted 03/14/04

My wife & I went for Brunch and were both very happy with our meals. The food was tasty. The service was very good and the ambiance was very cozy. We recommend it!

Posted 03/10/04

A few co-workers and I went to Camaje on a Tuesday night based on the 9.4 rating on CitySearch. The restaurant was empty, except for a handful of people there for a cooking class...we remained the only people there eating our mediocre food amidst the sound of whisks against the side of bowls coming from the class. Did I mention, the class was being held right in the main dining area as we ate? Hanger steak was rubbery, ribs were cold, potatoes undercooked, and the desserts below average. The icing on the cake was the 18% gratuity that was automatically added to our bill, though we were a party of 4, and not 6 as the menu states. Plenty of other French bistros in Manhattan...don't waste your time here.

Pros: Nice ambience

Posted 02/10/04

I chose CamaJe to go to for Valentine's Day after reading mixed reviews and I called 3 weeks before Valentine's Day to make reservations. I receive a call less than a week before Valentine's Day saying they have to change my seating time and that there is now a $60 pre-fix dinner which they told me they weren't going to do 3 weeks ago. VERY LOUSY management and would never consider going there again.

Posted 02/08/04

My friends and I were very disappointed by our dining experience at this restaurant. The food was fine (nothing special), but our waitress was terriblequite possibly the worst Ive ever had. She seemed distracted and bothered to serve us the entire time.

We were excited to try this restaurant, but we left wishing we hadnt. If this restaurant hopes for any return business, I would suggest finding a new waitress. Were sure not going back.

Posted 12/10/03

My fear is that more people will discover this delicious, tiny restaurant. I promise that if you've had or read a negative FOOD experience at CamaJe, it was a once-in-a-million chance! We randomly tried this West Village spot because were impressed with the varied menu and great prices... We've returned 4 times -- different seasons, #s in our party, mealtimes, etc., with wonderful results.

The food is what brings us back -- seasonal salads to sausages to pastas, sandwiches, and lots of a la carte goodies. Desserts are fabulous! And VERY affordable.

Yes, service can definitely be slow... But speeding through a meal is not the reason to go to CamaJe. Go to enjoy a relaxed, warm, pseudo-funky atmosphere (you can even eat at the couch -- so comfy), creative and delilcious comfort-y food, and super desserts. Good for larger parties or intimate nights... It's our favorite West Village restaurant.

Pros: Delicious Food, Warm Atmosphere, Good Prices

Cons: SLOW Service, Can be Noisy

Posted 11/13/03

Service is slow here, only one girl to serve the little restaurant. The food was good, I had the duck special with mashed potatoes and it was tasty and not over cooked. Duck pate, seered tuna and rabbit were good as well, somethings I would order again. Crab cakes weren't as good tho I wouldnt recommend it.

Posted 05/01/03

This place is perfect for an afternoon glass of wine and a light meal. The food is dainty but has a lot of taste.

Posted 04/28/03

This restaurant has become my favorite neighborhood spot. The food is tremendous, the prices are VERY reasonable and the space has tons of character.

Posted 04/09/03

I haven't found anything on the menu I don't like. I have been to Camaje several times and it is my favorite place to have a meal. The atmosphere is low key and comfortable with great mood lighting. The food is fabulous. You should definitely have the crepes which make me smile just thinking of them. The service is friendly and helpful. As someone who's had brunch, lunch and dinner there, I would suggest Camaje for a good, unassuming meal.

Pros: Inexpensive, Casual atmosphere

Posted 03/22/03

ZWhat a pleasant surprise. I gave it a shot after not being able to get valentine reservations, only to find out why its given a 23 food rating in zagats...awesome and creative spin on french. I'll definitely be back to try the 25 prix fixe dinner.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere

Cons: Service

Posted 03/18/03

The food ranges from very good to ok. There is a general lack of attention to detail. (Hanger steak comes without shallots, duck is very greasy)
Stay away from sides and appetizers. The entrees are generally pretty good, and are a value. As warned by others on citysearch, there were some shady antics when the bill arrived. We were charged for an extra dinner, and there seemed to be about 40 dollars we could not account for.
Overall, eh.

Posted 12/30/02

There was a large birthday party going on so that's why the service might have been "distracted", but the table next to us went on fire and my friend put it out - waitresses didn't even know (figure we would get at least a thanks). They dropped a fork on her shoulder - wouldn't admit it. Took 1/2 an hour to get the check - they were fighting over the tip from the bday party. We had to go over and ask. Wine was nice - but the hanger steak was chewy. Wouldn't go back - wasn't worth the money.

Pros: nice decor, good wine list

Cons: oblivious waitresses, overcooked food, slow service

Posted 12/15/02

we ordered the filet mignon and a bottle of cab. We received a delicious, extremely tender steak, with tastey squash and 'pommes anna', and an excellent wine to wash it all down. This place is a great little(literally) package - food, service, & setting. They made the most of a tiny space. I'm definitely looking forward to returning, exploring more of their menu. Merci CamaJe!

Pros: quality ingredients, small space well-used, well-priced

Posted 11/20/02

Even though we live in Greenwich with all the hundreds of restaurants to try, we keep coming back to Camaje, and bring out-of-towners there. The place is just perfect for any occasion, and never too crowded. The food is great. I particularly like the side dishes -- the eggplant dip, for example -- and the appetizers. The soups are just delicious, and the menu is always evolving to reflect each season. The staff is also very friendly and laid back.

Pros: Great atmosphere, yummy food

Cons: Hefty service charge

Posted 11/18/02

When we got our check, it seemed high. I audited it and discovered that service charges had been included. The waiter then explained that a service charge of 17% had been added to the AFTERTAX amount (or 20% of the pretax amount). She then said this was "standard". We were not amused, especially since we were only a party of four and hadnt been warned in advance. She then explained that it was Halloween night, that there were a lot of freaks around, that she was the only waiter and that this was a way of protecting herself. Huh? First of all, we didnt look crazy. We were dressed professionally in fact. Second, the fact that she was the only waiter was not our fault. We endured slow service due to the short staffing and then were asked to pay for it through a hefty service charge. Nice Halloween trick!

Pros: Great food, Good location, Nice ambiance

Cons: Slow service, Forced tips

Posted 10/31/02

Mixed emotions about this place. Good food, but bad service. Avoid appetizers/sides/souffle as they are way overpriced. $6.50 for a 3 oz. serving of "grocery store" Kielbasa? PLEASE! Entres delicious and well priced. $8 for a 3 oz. chocolate souffle! Every other souffle I've had was larger and cost less, even at "expensive" restaurants. $7.50 for a 4 oz. glass of Chilean wine? A bit much. At the end of the night, my mother-in-law asked for a copy of the receipt for business expensing. The waitress copped an attitude and said "Well, we don't give itemized reciepts. All businesses will accpet that (the stub of a diner-type order ticket with nothing more than the total price for all three of us)" Excuse me, but I think I know what my business will accept. How hard is it to give us a proper receipt? What happened to servicing the customer????

Pros: ambiance, location

Cons: overpriced souffle, snotty attitude

Posted 10/30/02

Make reservations - the place is small, and cozy, but that also means there aren't enough tables to make it a good bet thatyou can walk in and be seated! Still, it's worth it, as the meals and the waitstaff are simply wonderful. The food is precisely what it promises to be, while the price is right. Definite recomendation for a cozy, non-glitzy night in the Village.

Posted 10/27/02

great place to have very good food and wine
with a zero stress athmosphere..

you can hang out ojn the couches...should be more camaje's

Pros: Food, Ambience, vibe

Cons: getting too popular, there is only one

Posted 07/30/02

I could not have been happier with the decision to host a birthday dinner at Camaje. The staff is wonderful, accomodating and laid back.

The ambiance is so charming, the food was excellent and we had the best chocolate birthday cake which was prepared for us.

They really make you feel like each plate was made specifically for you.

Posted 07/22/02