For an ageing, slightly alternative, cold-in-winter town, this Cibo seems to have missed the target of providing a warm and inviting place to be. It has high ceilings, a wooden floor and bland décor that gives it a school hall vibe and in a hills winter it isn't the comfy cosy place it could be. (Partially this is a problem for the whole of this Woolies centre which has seen some recent changes that have now left it half-tenanted and it still seems to be mid-renovation, and not an inviting place at all, so it's done this Cibo no favours. Indeed, this Cibo has provided a centrality to this little centre, but there is still a lack of something that doesn't provide a feeling that this is where you want to go and sit and eat/drink.) The table configuration is odd with a long marble bench, side benches and high side benches and chairs, as well as extremely small round tables that barely seat two people, so I'm not sure where groups of three or more would sit; it's seating is more befitting a busy city café for individuals rushing to work rather than somewhere to meet up with friends to relax, sit comfortably and talk. Outdoor seating is uncomfortable metal chairs in an alcove that isn't warm, so again, cold in winter, however an iced coffee or gelati in summer would be nice there. Service is distracted young things that seem polite but uninterested and also unused to handling cash so use your card. The food appears to be centrally-produced Cibo fare along with soups, pasta and pizza, etc. I don't feel that I can comment on the food as I only coffee/cake and don't eat meals here, but I'm confused as to what is cooked here and what is centrally made, which makes me wary and I would rather be sure that food is cooked on the premises, perhaps it is, but it's not clear (and that's an overall Cibo issue, not just this Cibo). With so many nice cafes out there this Cibo needs to try a little harder in the provision of service and food. For example, today I was served quite slowly after waiting while staff talked to each other at the register and eventually they turned to me and said hello!! as if I'd just walked in. Hmm okay. Then I was handed my sandwich still in its plastic triangle container that I then had to fiddle with to open and put on the plate myself like I was eating airline food or something, all while sitting at a small round table on which I could barely fit my plate, coffee and book; I had to put most of my belongings, handbag, etc on the floor. Once I'd freed my sandwich I had nowhere to put the plastic triangle. Please, in this a café, is it too much to ask that food be served on a plate for patrons?! Coffee is the usual Cibo coffee, sharp in flavour but fine if you're milking it as a latte or capp, but it needs to be much hotter. Give this place a go and see what you think, but the atmosphere and service lets it down, it needs warmth and personality, and the windows closed in winter. read more
