Lutz Continental Cafe and Pastry Shop

Growing up, we always had Lutz pastries and cakes for special occasions, so, when it was time for my wedding, I talked my wife into getting a cake from Lutz. She was most pleased with their offer of a free top tier on the first wedding anniversary. W ... more

Growing up, we always had Lutz pastries and cakes for special occasions, so, when it was time for my wedding, I talked my wife into getting a cake from Lutz. She was most pleased with their offer of a free top tier on the first wedding anniversary. Well, as usual, they made a spectacular cake for our wedding, but the problem arose when our first anniversary came about. I called a week in advance for them to have the top tier ready, asking for a specific time for pickup. I figure this is more then enough time to prepare a cake. Come pickup time, my wife shows up, and they at first tell her the order was never put in. Then, after some back and forth with the rude cashier, they say it will be ready in about an hour. My wife, already upset, goes to wait in the car for the cake to be ready. After an hour and fifteen minutes, she goes inside and they are just finishing up the cake. They show it to her and she tells them that it looks nothing like our wedding cake. Well, they proceed to tell her that it is what was ordered for our wedding. Odd that they know what our wedding cake looked like and we did not! (Looking at our order slip afterwards showed that it was nothing like what was written down) Furthermore, when she proceeded to protest, the cashier told her that it's not about the look of the cake for the anniversary, but the taste. I tried to go along with this, easing my wife, as she was very upset by the treatment she received at Lutz. Well, when we finally sat down for a wonderful anniversary dinner, followed by a cake somewhat similar to our wedding cake, we were even more let down. The cake had the wrong filling!! To think, that their own argument about the taste being what mattered would backfire in their face! Suffice to say, I wrote two angry letters to Lutz, neither time getting a response. I guess they don't care about loosing a customer of the past 27 years. It's off to find another bakery that deserves my business... I'm sorry to say, their customer service and overall attitude let me down... less

Go there with the idea that you're going to splurge. I recommend skipping the entree and binging on pastry and the unique ice cream drinks or Viennese coffee. The menu is stodgy -- open-faced sandwiches with Westphalian ham or liver paté, vea ... more

Go there with the idea that you're going to splurge. I recommend skipping the entree and binging on pastry and the unique ice cream drinks or Viennese coffee. The menu is stodgy -- open-faced sandwiches with Westphalian ham or liver paté, veal Stroganoff in a pastry shell, seafood crepes -- and so is the atmosphere, but the old-world experience is worth every pfennig. less

I have traveled extensively throughout Europe, and by far Lutz Continental Cafe and Pastry Shop is the closest I have ever experienced in 'authentic' European quality and atmosphere in the States. Their outdoor garden with the beautiful flowers ... more

I have traveled extensively throughout Europe, and by far Lutz Continental Cafe and Pastry Shop is the closest I have ever experienced in 'authentic' European quality and atmosphere in the States. Their outdoor garden with the beautiful flowers is absolutely magnificent. less