I've been going to Macrina for awhile now and I think it's a really great place, especially for the weekend brunch. The place is small and always busy, but worth the wait. There is only one cook too who has a really hard job, but she never seems to loose her cool. If you want a free show with your breakfast, sit at the counter... you might learn a thing or two.

I think the waffles are amazing. They are the thin, "old school" kinda that is super hard to find anymore... crispy and delicious. The toppings also change every week on the waffle and the brioche french toast. There are also different specials every weekend, in addition to the stand-by favorites. The food seems really fresh and they seem to use seasonal fruit and vegetables... which is always a good thing. The service is good and quick (once you're at a table) and they are really good at making suggestions, but here's some before you go...

Top items:
1. Fried egg sandwich
2. Waffle
3. Hazelnut pinwheel
4. Vanilla sugar latte'
5. French Toast
6. brunch specials (usually interesting)
7. Tuxedo cake
8. Semolina Rosemary Bread
9. Seeded Bagette
10. Morning Glory Muffin

Simply put - I won't eat anywhere where the smell and sight of a puking sewer system can be whiffed from the side door as you're walking by, and the panicked employees slam the door in your face while they frantically chatter on how to keep the health inspectors from showing up. And people eat this bread? A year ago, and I still envision brown poo-sludge whenever I see sleeves of their bread on the shelves. Eat there? That's a laugh.

Haven't had a sit-down meal but their pastries and cakes are freakin' great. Plus, really nice, and friendly staff who were so helpful and patient in answering all my silly newbie questions.

I don't know about its cafe pastries, but Macrina has an outstanding sunday brunch and they make amazing custom-order specialty cakes. My only complaint has been the wait to be seated for brunch (worth it even still when you have time, it really is that good), and it would be really nice if they had something similar to their brunch on weekdays.

I don't get it. Maybe I just hit them at a bad time. My pastry chef friend insisted we go here as she'd read some national review on them. I've been there four times. 1. I had a waffle, which was good but I've had better for cheaper. 2. I had a scone, which was awesome and the only thing I'm totally sold on. Then twice I've gotten cupcakes. While obviously crafted with love, they were dry. And their goodie case tends to house multiple flies which kind of grosses me out.