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On most nights, this airy, comfortable Harlem café positively hums with a capacity crowd and good vibrations. Les Ambassades’ mood is warm and welcoming, its menu global. The versatile, largely Senegalese kitchen crew slings recipes from France, North and West Africa, Vietnam, the Caribbean, and Italy, not to mention all-American omelettes, salads, and meat dishes. Nevertheless, many daytime patrons settle in with the paper, a cappuccino, and a good-looking, reasonably well-made croissant or tart. Others take advantage of inexpensive, hearty lunch and dinner entrées, such as nicely braised double portion of lamb shank for half the downtown tab. The menu’s sheer breadth can make it tricky for the kitchen to perfect time preparation, so your entire meal may arrive at once. But no one seems to mind at this relaxed little spot in increasingly international Harlem. — Karen Tina Harrison

There’s no liquor license, so BYOB; the house-puréed ginger juice is even more beguiling with rum. Various prix fixe lunch specials are on the boards weekdays.

Prix Fixe Brunch
Les Ambassades offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch all afternoon. Choices are various omelettes, eggs and waffles, or just waffles.

Croissaint, $1.50; croque madame, $7; merguez sandwich, $6.50; lamb shank, $12.50.

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