19grams Café — Restaurant in Berlin

I visited here on 3rd July, hoping to have a quiet meeting. When I arrived, the man behind the counter was warm and helpful - he pointed me to the designated laptop area and kindly gestured towards the free water while I waited. It was a nice welcome, and I appreciated it.

I settled in with my coffee, and everything was fine at first. But as the laptop area got busier, I started to feel uncomfortable - I don’t usually talk about this, but I experience claustrophobia in tight or crowded spaces. In that moment, I needed to step away. I moved outside with my laptop and joined my meeting from a quieter table.

Not long after, the same staff member came out, and in my view quite animated, and firmly told me that meetings weren’t allowed outside and that he had already shown me the laptop area. I was taken aback, as I was mid-call and didn’t get a chance to explain why I had moved. I asked if I could just wrap up the call quickly, but he said no and kept repeating the rule. I understand cafés have policies, and I respect that. Maybe I was taking down the look of his cafe? Maybe I was being loud? But in any case I did feel dismissed and embarrassed, especially as someone with an invisible condition that isn’t always easy to explain on the spot.

This isn’t meant as a complaint as such - the coffee was ok, and the space inside is lovely. And I can definitely see their side too. I just wish the situation had been handled with a touch more understanding. I would have liked to have been allowed to get the words out to tell about my condition. It left me feeling a bit small and honestly ruined my afternoon.

Still, I wish the team all the best. This just wasn’t the right space for me that day and I'll avoid in future. Two stars for the...

I was a regular at this place before Covid, back when it was Tres Cabezas. I visited three times again recently and I must say, the service quality has gone down tremendously.

First visit, the milk for the capuccino was barely frothed and was still lukewarm. I had to send it back and have it remade.

Second visit, I ordered the (expensive) coconut water and the unmotivated barista gives me a glass that was heating up on top of the coffee machine to pour it into. The glass was piping hot to the point where I almost couldn't touch it, and it was for a cold drink in the summer heat? After I told her that was unacceptable and asked for a cold glass, she began arguing with me until she relented and just ran the glass under cold water. It was still warm but I had no more energy to complain.

Third visit, same thing and same experience. Cold coconut water, piping hot glass. Same barista. This time after she began arguing with me, a colleague of hers pointed out where the cold glasses actually were and so did I, since they were in my field of vision. The internet also wasn't working, but nobody bothered to put up a sign saying so, so I had to find out the hard way. I promptly left.

Honestly, I'm not returning in the future. Most of the staff just aren't really fit for the job and if I ever want to splurge on third wave coffee again, I'm...

Matt suggested we try the Xingong bean, which was new to us. It is a double-fermented bean from China. A quick dive into the process proved to be interesting, as many health benefits are associated with fermentation and food.

The bean had an unusually small shape and a very special aroma. With a Brikka Moka espresso maker, we put the bean to the test.The taste of Xingang was very different.

Initially, it tasted so special that it redefined what coffee could taste like.

After a few sips, this coffee proved to be very tasty; they describe the flavor notes as black cherry, hazelnut, and mango. I was feeling hickory for some reason.

The coffee soon tasted delicious and left an excellent impression. I drank several cups in the evening and slept like a baby.

I highly recommend you pop by for a coffee or take some home for a special treat. If you are a coffee lover, I am sure you...