We recently moved to the area and have been looking for a good coffee/pastry place. This is well within a reasonable walking distance and, from the looks of things, exactly what we're after.
The day being fairly early, there were maybe two to three people in there and two employees behind the counter - so one would at not terribly busy. We began the ordering process and some things stuck out:
My wife order a pastry and some type of iced coffee, tow which the employee remarked "oh I can get that for you." As if to imply that this was not a typical request (despite the beverage selected being on the menu and no self-serve area evident). Just a strange remark.
Similarly as I ordered, much the same like "do you want us to do that or do you want to?" Again, I'm not sure what the intent here is if the business doesn't appear to have a self-serve area. I noted the costs and type of items ordered before paying and tipping. They even took my name down, which I assume they would use when it came time to pick up the order from the counter.
They were quick about getting the coffees and the first pastry out, but then nothing. No call of my name, my wife had to tell me stuff was ready as she had glanced at the counter. Strange that, even though my name was typed into the computer and they made sure to ask how it was spelled, they never called it out. Again, I'm going to stress that there were three customers in the building. As I'm picking up my coffee they ask me if I want cream in it, despite already telling them so during the ordering process. So they had completed the order and pushed it to the end of the counter, but hadn't actually READ the order or actually thought about what had been requested. Again, quite strange. I would expect some faltering during busier times, but not when the employees are literally standing around with nothing to do.
So I wait some more thinking they're going to be warming up the cinnamon roll/bun I ordered. The. Two more customers file in and place their orders. Still nothing. I sip on the drip coffee and am struck by how unremarkable and bland it is, it didn't even taste like it had half and half in it, despite watching them pour it in. A few more minutes go by and I walk up and ask about the cinnamon roll/bun I ordered.
I get this response from them:
"Well which one did you want?"
"Whichever one was the cinnamon roll for $7.00"
"Well we have two different kinds. Do you want the brioche or the other one?"
"I'd like which ever one you rang up on the order. The $7.00 one."
The other employee says something to the effect of "he probably ones the traditional one. Do you want that warmed up?"
I shrugged and said yes, then just walked away thinking - why are you asking me now after I've ordered what kind of cinnamon roll I want and anything else surrounding that, when you know that you have different kinds? Why am I having to ask to get my order if you took the order and then did nothing to complete it? Why would just stand around and not complete the order? Why no apology? So confused by this interaction. (We had dinner at Pomo the previous night and the waiter apologized that the appetizer was taking longer than expected. These are simple courtesies.)
So again, they just push the order the end of the counter and don't say my name - which was, I think the point, otherwise why bother? I walk up and this doesn't look like the "traditional" cinnamon bun that someone would think of and no question or other response of apology for forgetting the order (quite literally 5-10 minutes had passed between initial interaction and asking where the food was).
I grabbed a fork, sat down, and considered heavily to just throw it out since I had no idea what I was looking at. Took one bite and all I tasted was yeast. No actual cinnamon flavor and the frosting or whatever was on top equally had no flavor. My wife had already finished her chili pastry and was 3/4 of the way through her coffee before I even took a bite.
I took one more bite and just couldn't stand how awful it was. My wife took a bite too and remarked about the same lack of flavor and strange topping.
We got up and I threw the whole thing out. No sense in asking for a refund or speaking with either employee regarding service or food. I certainly won't be returning and will opt to drive to JL Patisserie than have to go through the incompetence at A Flour Shop. read more