I really don't like to leave negative reviews. In fact, this will be a first. And I must add, I like the idea of offloading on staff members in any establishment about as much as pumicing a stubborn wart. But here I had a genuinely negative experience, and I think pointing it out could be useful. The juice itself was good. Really rather tasty in fairness. Sadly, by the time it had been prepared, I didn't really want it anymore. And paying €4 for the cup of exotic fruitiness that lay before me (it should be noted that in other parts of Spain €4 gets you a 2-bed ground level timeshare with use of a community pool) after such a negative encounter came with more than just a drop of resentment. Things were all going fine to begin with. Why wouldn't they? After all, I was ordering a mid-sized refreshment from a shopping centre juice bar where the average wait time is about 2.7 minutes. Difficult to envisage how any problems could arise in this short space of time. The lady at the counter seemed welcoming on first encounter and she was certainly very keen to take my order. Examining the menu, I noticed that the majority of beverages on offer adopted the names of Brazilian cities, no doubt to reflect the exotic provenance of the fruit they were composed of. Having already placed my order, and noticing that 'Curitiba' was on offer, I sought to take a picture of the city's name, with the aim of sending it to a friend who had spent some time in the Paraná capital... unexpectedly, the very same server who had greeted me with an eerily keen grin just a moment earlier swiped the menu from my hand and told me "no!" in a tone dismissive enough to make Simon Cowell appear sympathetic. A bit puzzled, I tried to explain my motives. I reasoned that I was merely taking the photo for a friend living abroad (though, as to why taking a picture of a juice bar menu could cause offence I'm still very much unsure). But the irascible juice maiden remained categorical and curiously scornful, coupling her unfriendly tone to a damning glare that made me feel like a neighbourhood thug. It was all a bit unpleasant, but mostly perplexing. It wasn't as though I was furtively pocketing passion fruits. Just taking a harmless picture. One thing was clear though, juice menu photos would not be taken that day. Having pleaded unsuccessfully a couple of times, I ultimately capitulated and conceded defeat. A few minutes of awkward silence ensued, culminating in me receiving a cool cup of sweet Curitiban mango nectar. I was a bit put off by the end to be perfectly honest. Each gulp was a reluctant swallowing of pride... sweet and tasty mango-flavoured pride mind you. But I felt a little humiliated. Not the feeling one expects from a colourful little juice stand. If I could say just one thing about the place, I suppose I'd say, "come for the juice and the juice alone". I'd probably leave it there. The juice IS good after all. Just don't come to engage. That part is less than good. In fact, it leaves a bitter aftertaste. I'm guessing it's unlikely anyone will read this review. I imagine that a shopping centre juice bar falls well within the category of "impulse buy". But for anyone who does take a gander, just know that the server here, despite appearances, really isn't the friendliest of blends. More judge, juicer and executioner than congenial local papaya-purveyor. Slurp with caution. read more
