CAMAJE Cooking Classes

very nice, cozy, little place ! Try their crapes, they are the best! Highly recommended ! more

A friend of mine and I signed up for weeknight dinners class and we loved every minute of it! Chef Abby was really great, friendly and most of all knowledgeable. We got an in-depth lesson on the best pots and pans to use in order to make food taste amazing. After we followed recipe instructions with the guidance of Abby's staff and herself we were then led into the kitchen to assist with cooking the meals. After a long day at work on a rainy night, food never tasted so good! We came away from this class inspired and with a bunch of new recipes that we've never attempted cooking before. I can't wait to get a new pan, plus all the ingredients to cook lentil stew again! more

Bought this as a gift to my partner. After coming from an ICE - Institute of Culinary Education class, this experience was subpar. The website advertises ""learning"" how to cook and ""hands-on"" experience, but this was not the actually the case at all. First off, the store owner/chef shows up 10-15 minutes late. The class was supposed to start at 10am, and at 10 the restaurant was completely closed and doors locked. As we were walking away to forget about the whole thing and try and get our money back, the owner shows up and asks us if we were there for the class. First hour was spent explaining the ingredients as well as small talk. We did not start doing anything until around 11:30ish. Our group was 5 in total (one person was there just because she wanted to use a gift certificate before it expired). Bottom line, the only thing you will do in this class is chop ingredients. The owner/chef does everything in the very tiny kitchen in the back herself. You DO NOT cook. You DO NOT have your own space of any kind. You stand there while she adds the ingredients and does not really explain the portions used or what she is doing. This was very surprising because during the hour lecture beforehand, she stressed that the success of the dish we were making depended heavily on measuring the right amounts of sauces/spices to add into the mixture. While we stood there and watched her cook the food, she added everything by ""eye-balling."" Save your money, pay a bit more and find a better cooking class experience like ICE or I'm sure others in the city where you can cook yourself and actually learn to do it in your own home. more

Bought this as a gift to my partner. After coming from an ICE - Institute of Culinary Education class, this experience was subpar. The website advertises "learning" how to cook and "hands-on" experience, but this was not the actually the case at all. First off, the store owner/chef shows up 10-15 minutes late. The class was supposed to start at 10am, and at 10 the restaurant was completely closed and doors locked. As we were walking away to forget about the whole thing and try and get our money back, the owner shows up and asks us if we were there for the class. First hour was spent explaining the ingredients as well as small talk. We did not start doing anything until around 11:30ish. Our group was 5 in total (one person was there just because she wanted to use a gift certificate before it expired). Bottom line, the only thing you will do in this class is chop ingredients. The owner/chef does everything in the very tiny kitchen in the back herself. You DO NOT cook. You DO NOT have your own space of any kind. You stand there while she adds the ingredients and does not really explain the portions used or what she is doing. This was very surprising because during the hour lecture beforehand, she stressed that the success of the dish we were making depended heavily on measuring the right amounts of sauces/spices to add into the mixture. While we stood there and watched her cook the food, she added everything by "eye-balling." Save your money, pay a bit more and find a better cooking class experience like ICE or I'm sure others in the city where you can cook yourself and actually learn to do it in your own home. more

I really like Camaje for the food, casual atmosphere and friendly service. I'd definitely go back again more

I planned a private party with the restaurant for 11 people. Having never visited the restaurant before, I was a bit nervous given some of the negative reviews. I'm happy to say that there was absolutely NO NEED to worry. Abby and her staff took great care of my friends and I. She started the class off with a basic run through of the menu recipes along with some basic cooking tips. Then we broke off into groups to begin prepping the meals. While you do only get to make one part of the meal you are completely free to roam around and see what each group is doing. To be honest the person who complained about only getting to make part of the night's meal is unrealistic. There's no way you'd ever eat your dinner if you had to prep and cook each course of your meal. Your group is left to its own devices for the majority of the time...however if you have a question or just want to know some other random cooking tip Abby and the other chef (John) were always on hand and nearby to lend their help and advice. I had a wonderful time, as did my party compatriots. I did extensive research on hosting a private cooking class in the city and this one is by far the most reasonably price. Tax, tip, food, some wine, clean up, and space are ALL included. I couldn't find that anywhere else in the city. And if I had wanted to decorate the area I would have been able to..something else that I was told wouldn't be allowed at other classes. Abby and her staff were wonderful. I'm so happy with how the event went that I'm thinking of planning my aunt's birthday party here. I really had a wonderful time and if you book your party there I think you will too. Pros: had restaurant to ourselves & price was inclusive more

I planned a private party with the restaurant for 11 people. Having never visited the restaurant before, I was a bit nervous given some of the negative reviews. I'm happy to say that there was absolutely NO NEED to worry. Abby and her staff took great care of my friends and I. She started the class off with a basic run through of the menu recipes along with some basic cooking tips. Then we broke off into groups to begin prepping the meals. While you do only get to make one part of the meal you are completely free to roam around and see what each group is doing. To be honest the person who complained about only getting to make part of the night's meal is unrealistic. There's no way you'd ever eat your dinner if you had to prep and cook each course of your meal. Your group is left to its own devices for the majority of the time...however if you have a question or just want to know some other random cooking tip Abby and the other chef (John) were always on hand and nearby to lend their help and advice. I had a wonderful time, as did my party compatriots. I did extensive research on hosting a private cooking class in the city and this one is by far the most reasonably price. Tax, tip, food, some wine, clean up, and space are ALL included. I couldn't find that anywhere else in the city. And if I had wanted to decorate the area I would have been able to..something else that I was told wouldn't be allowed at other classes. Abby and her staff were wonderful. I'm so happy with how the event went that I'm thinking of planning my aunt's birthday party here. I really had a wonderful time and if you book your party there I think you will too. Pros: had restaurant to ourselves & price was inclusive Cons: NONE more

Cooking classes at Camaje are great fun and I have learned a ton in a very short time. Especially beginner classes are awesome as you learn from scratch how to impress with a delicious menu at home. Also enjoyed the theme classes very much such as brunch and specific cuisine topics. Check it out! Pros: Awesome teacher, great hands-on experience! Cons: need to book in advance, classes fill up quickly more

Cooking classes at Camaje are great fun and I have learned a ton in a very short time. Especially beginner classes are awesome as you learn from scratch how to impress with a delicious menu at home. Also enjoyed the theme classes very much such as brunch and specific cuisine topics. Check it out! Pros: Awesome teacher, great hands-on experience! Cons: need to book in advance, classes fill up quickly more

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. Pros: Food. Service. Ambiance. Cons: I live too far away to treat myself to regular meals there. more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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!!"" more

BAD! No A/C, cramped hot small space, and limited teaching or learning involved. Recipes were just read out loud then divided up - so each person only learns how to make one thing with little instruction. We did not get the Abby or Chris as an instructor that everyone raved about below - although the kitchen staff in the back were nice. Set up was cramped and missing measuring cups, spoons, mixing bowls, etc. The class advertised it was from 6:30pm to 10pm, but really the instruction ended much, much earlier with most of the time for us to eat the food we made - even then we left at 9pm. At the end, we asked if we could take home the left over food we made and were met with blank stares and ""we just don't do that"". Apparently the staff eats and packs away the food we just made and paid for for themselves instead. Very strange and not worth the money! Pros: nice kitchen staff Cons: hot small space, poor set up, limited instruction more

BAD! No A/C, cramped hot small space, and limited teaching or learning involved. Recipes were just read out loud then divided up - so each person only learns how to make one thing with little instruction. We did not get the Abby or Chris as an instructor that everyone raved about below - although the kitchen staff in the back were nice. Set up was cramped and missing measuring cups, spoons, mixing bowls, etc. The class advertised it was from 6:30pm to 10pm, but really the instruction ended much, much earlier with most of the time for us to eat the food we made - even then we left at 9pm. At the end, we asked if we could take home the left over food we made and were met with blank stares and "we just don't do that". Apparently the staff eats and packs away the food we just made and paid for for themselves instead. Very strange and not worth the money! Pros: nice kitchen staff Cons: hot small space, poor set up, limited instruction more

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. Pros: food, ambience, service more

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 more

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 more

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. Pros: Nice area Cons: Overpriced, small portions, bad service, bad management, delayed seating more