City Perks Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Saskatoon

City Perks is a local community coffee shop with a great selection of drinks and baking. It also has a nice outdoor patio to sit and enjoy your visit and the weather. I have been here afew times now and am always glad I was with someone who knows me well cause I found it difficult to read the chalkboard menu here and I am not a frequent visitor here so I didn’t know the menu. Do to this and having visual difficulties I would not come here other than with someone who knows me well. It also is not the most friendly place for people with disabilities even though there is a ramp for wheelchairs or strollers but is not a lot of space around the front where you order. The staff member at the front around the till was friendly and helpful though. The desert and baking we had was also very good. I have had the strawberry chocolate brownie that was very good. The strawberry was the icing on top of the chocolate brownie you see in my photo and it was pretty sweet but enjoyed it. I also have had the Arnold Palmer lemonade to drink,it wasn’t my favourite lemonade but didn’t taste bad and was glad I tried it. I have also tried the hot chocolate and it is definitely not hot. It was pretty much room temperature and couldn’t taste the chocolateI. The size of my hot chocolate came in a very small mug that didn’t have a handle on it and couldn’t hold it very long at the beginning. I have also had the apple cinnamon crusaunt that was very good and sweet as well as the chocolate fudge brownie. This last time I was here we both said we probably wouldn’t come back here again for some time. The portion of baking and drinks for the price. It was very expensive compared to some where else we went recently that we got twice as much or more for significantly less. I would also hope it would be easier to figure out what to order and get.this place felt like it has really gone downhill hill in...

Before explaining why I gave only one star, I want to be clear that the food was actually quite good. Where City Perk went off the rails was in the service department.

After ordering our coffee and brunch at the counter, we were offered the opportunity to tip. The options were 15, 20 and 25 percent. We just selected 15% since it was a quick meal and beverage, not a fine dining experience.

Not being from Saskatoon, we didn’t know this cafe nor their protocols. As it turned out, we shouldn’t have tipped at all. Let me describe: 1) we ordered at a counter; 2) we had to go back to the counter to get some salt and pepper; 3) we had to return to the counter again for a coffee refill (which was full price!); 4) we were not asked if everything was okay; 5) we cleared and bussed our own table (we saw that’s what all the other patrons were doing so did the same).

I always thought a tip is meant for rewarding good service. And I really hate that feeling of being pressured when paying with a credit card, being offered such high tipping options. Since when is 25% appropriate for counter service?

It’s our own fault really. Next time, the tip will come after the meal, not before, and only...

Amazingly how 90% (?)of seat can have the sunlight reached! It was VERY WARM inside especially I had taken quite some distance of walk to the cafe. We ordered vanilla latte (x2), a tea latte and turkey apple Brie panini (x2). It was a nice lunch and cozy atmosphere inside. There was a coat rack so you can easily hang those warm outer clothes on it after you get in. The cashier and staff are friendly. They give you a number so you don’t need to stand there and wait if you eat in. Just put the number in your table and the staff will come to you when the good or drinks are done. The tea latte is nice. Usually it comes in a cup but here the latte comes in glasses. The sandwich has the outer layer crispy and they come with a toothpick to keep them together. Yes I handle with care when I remove that toothpick /stick and get them on my hand to eat. I wrap it with the napkin just make sure they don’t fall apart. Overall the food and drinks, atmosphere and everything is great. Just the indoor temperature can be less so wouldn’t be...