Islands Café — Restaurant in White Rock

RATING: 0 This USED to be my "go to" coffee shop but NO MORE. Here's why... I was sitting at a table by myself, working on my laptop. After about 1.5 hours an employee came and sprayed bleach at my table while I was sitting there - just under the ceiling fan. I had no warning. I immediately felt sick and asked her to stop.  She told me to get used to it bc I would have to deal with it wherever I go now.  She kept spraying.  I went into a full asthma attack and ended up in Emergency twice. They also told me to put on a mask or get out bc I was alarming other customers. I asked to speak to the owner.  The girl gave me a card and when I called the number, it was to the cafe I was sitting in.  The girls started laughing. I asked if they thought this was funny and she told me that they weren't laughing at me - they were just laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation.  I emailed the owner but I have heard nothing back.

I understand sanitation procedures have increased, but spraying bleach right in front of someone is unacceptable.  It is chemical assault which has led to chemical injury.  I am still very I'll at this time, and have been left with a vocal cord injury to the point of not being able to use my voice. I am seeking legal action at this time. At no time did any of the staff show any regard for what I was going through. In fact, when I left, the short blond-haired girl told me to never come back.

On another note, when my bagel was served, it was not split on the line. Rather, it was cut to the point where the bottom half, of part the bagel, was just dried out crust.

Further to this, a woman came in and sat at the table behind me. That left us about 2 feet apart - max. I had to ask the staff to socially distance her.

They have to spray bleach, she said, or the cafe would be shut down. She wasn't at all concerned that their social distancing requirement was not being monitored.

I'm appalled at the behaviour of the staff and the unwillingness of the owner to contact me. I felt targeted, disrespected, and bullied. I will add in discrimination as well as she did not spray any other table with people...

I keep trying Islands and their different locations because I really WANT to like it, but I always find I’m disappointed. Especially with the drinks.

I actually really like their food here, of what I’ve tried. I’ve gotten the Mana bagel before and it was actually REALLY good. I was surprised how good it was given how simple it’s ingredients are. I also really like their poke. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about it as it’s not like “sushi poke” you see at a lot of other restaurants, but it’s supposed to be like traditional Hawaiian poke which I personally like a lot more.

Back to drinks… I tried a smoothie one time, I forget which, but it was just okay. Nothing better than I could’ve made at home for half the price. $10 for a smoothie is pretty steep, although I do understand they use fresh fruit.

Their matcha tastes… really bad. It tastes fake. Like very low quality. It tastes like it has a lot of fillers rather than just being a pure ceremonial matcha. And the fact that they advertise it as “organic matcha tea” makes you think it’s going to be really good and authentic but it’s just not. The colour is also a lot paler and yellow-green rather than the bright vibrant green you see in high quality matcha.

I’ve also tried their iced chai recently and it tastes good but not great. It’s super heavy on the cinnamon flavour. Chai is supposed to be a mixture of many different spices but it literally tastes like straight cinnamon.

Btw I find $1 extra for non-dairy milk super steep. Even a giant like Starbucks who gouges every cent doesn’t charge quite that much. I could understand $0.50 or $0.75 but a whole dollar is a lot for the tiny bit of milk you end up pouring in most drinks.

Staff are not friendly at all… no hello when you enter, no goodbye when you leave, even when they’re not busy. They don’t smile or tell you to have a good day when you grab your order, they’re not personable or chatty at all. And this isn’t just on one occasion, this is every time...

Well where do I begin? This was my experience and I feel that it was time to be said, Maybe the right ears will take some advice from a paying consumer..? Every thing is about the experience. Why should I pay to eat out, if I don't have the experience? My journey starts.. On my way in, super excited for Aloha and the taste of some Island flavors and atmosphere.. My barcode app ready to scan my points to one day earn enough for their promised trip to Hawaii.. But then I order... and they Mess up not only once, but twice.. repeating my coffees and my food multiple times.... then they mess a third! I even had to go back in and have them remake my food as it was the wrong bread.. and no apology... :( She takes my food, throws it out and is CLEARLY annoyed. Why? Now.. now I don't judge but I tell ya, what a bunch of distracted young ladies all whom look like they woke disheveled from a 80's rock concert, still wearing the band shirt they slept in. Literally all wearing band shirts... Where is the MAHALO in that?? Like BARF. What happened to a uniform? Not any thing strict just something UNI-FORM? As I wait for my remake, of course I'm watching, its an open prep area... and the girl who is questioning her breakfast skills on a English muffin asks the other girl "is this OKAY?" and its clearly burnt... shrugs and says "YAA who cares" WHAT AM I SEEING?! and away it gets wrapped for the poor soul who paid well over the cost of the ever loved McMuffin... Each and every time it has been a sadder and sadder experience. This place has sooo much potential, and I would frequent much more if they were closer to home.. However I might as well head through Starbucks and at least get a hello when I'm served. Sorry not Sorry and I'm not sure Ill head out again... 🌴 The response from the owner is clear.. They don't...