I have been visiting Cardiff and it's Bay area surroundings on and off for a few years (looking in on a sick relative) and as with anything in life, if you enjoy your dose of coffee, you want to find somewhere local where you can call your second home. Like 'Cheers,' a friendly smile, a warm bit of informal chit chat and just some brilliant atmosphere to make your day.
Coffee Mania should and could be just that right place.........but it is not.
It has first and foremost the right location. When it is Winter or Summer if there is any sun in the sky at all, the place bathes in it, which means you also, as they have tables and chairs strategically placed outside to take full advantage.
It has all the food and beverages that you would ever want. No worries there.
BUT.......the staff are all terrible and I mean 'orrible. You almost feel as though they did you a great service in getting out of bed that morning to make the coffee. Service is done with such an element of dissociation. No friendliness or polite banter. You are a number and a person who fills a space. I am sure a programmed android could take the order with more style and grace. I have been so disappointed every time I have frequented the place for a coffee, that I keep saying to myself, never again. It is like they feel there are plenty of takers out there so why bother even trying to be nice, they will still pour in - and they probably will, because most people don't complain, but they may go away and think about it and like me, feel let down and as I heard today from one other patron who witnessed a curt attitude, 'well that left a sour taste in my mouth.'
Coffee Mania have a website and I notice that there is mention of fresh coffee and food, but no mention of friendly service which you will always find on any establishment's wall or website who has the business acumen and foresight to have such an advertising tool. Maybe this is because Coffee Mania realise their shortcomings. I have no idea. I also notice they have an area for people to apply for a job. Maybe instead of asking folks to send in their resumes they should ask them if they meet a certain personality criteria, that may just serve their purposes better, methinks. read more