The problem with this place isn't the space itself (which is adorable and open and has a great little shop in the back to buy small gifts - a really god idea) or the food or drinks (both good). It's the service. It's terrible.
I've lived in Europe (on and off for 3 years) to know there are service differences between here and the States, so what I'm talking about in this review isn't the speed of service of the kindness of the staff. I'm talking about two times staff taking more money than I wanted to give them for tip and, today, giving me the wrong order and telling me to pay for it.
The first time I came in, I paid for a tea (2.40Euro) and tried to give a .30cent tip (the loose rule is to round up or give 10%) Although we had been speaking in German the entire time, the waiter declared, "I don't have any change" in English and took my entire 3Euro and wouldn't give me change. Of course the other people working there pretended they hadn't heard anything. I let it go and just wrote it off as one dishonest person.
Today I went back and after watching the waiter walk to the people *around* me for 20 minutes, I ordered at the counter. I ordered a croissant and jam and was told they were out, but did I want a scone instead. I took the offer of the scone - "Just a scone" I said, b/c I knew they had a scone breakfast that was more expensive that I didn't want. What'd I get? A scone breakfast.
I asked the waiter and he said, "no. this is just the scone with a little jam and butter." I thought the extra fruit and jam was his way of being nice b/c he had already screwed up my drink order as well.
I forgot that I'm living in Germany.
I go to pay and I am charged for the full scone breakfast - which I didn't want - and my original drink which I didn't want. When I tipped - I still was trying to be nice, they AGAIN took extra money, this time only 10 cents, but I clearly said what the tip was.
I will not be going back here, even though it really is a great little space. I just don't have enough money to overpay and enough patience to not to freak out like an American the next time it happens. read more