Cafe Imperial was recommended to us as a fancy, high-end spot for desserts. We happened to be in…read morethe neighborhood and decided to stop by.
The space itself is grand and beautiful, but the experience went downhill immediately. The hostess seemed to wield all the power in the room--no smile, barely any eye contact, just a curt and judgmental "no reservation." The restaurant was far from full. She then added, "I only have a side table for you," as if that were some sort of compromise. We accepted.
At first glance, the waiters looked well presented, but with a bit more observation, the illusion faded. Some had sagging pants, untucked shirts, and most concerning, repeatedly inappropriate hand placement while on the floor. It happened more than once, which was uncomfortable and distracting (see photo).
Overall, the place feels very pretentious without delivering on substance. The food wasn't anything special, and the desserts were average at best and certainly not worth the hype or the attitude. I wouldn't recommend Cafe Imperial to friends, especially if you're expecting a warm welcome or standout desserts.