Review Title: Potboiler Salt Lake: A 2.5 Year Love Story Ends in a Nearly 2-Hour Breakfast Tragedy
Been visiting Potboiler Salt Lake for the good part of 2-2.5 years now, back when it felt like a little slice of cafe heaven. Oh, how the mighty have... well, significantly degraded. Our visit this morning wasn't just a letdown; it was an epic test of patience and digestive fortitude. We ordered a simple breakfast platter, some toast, and two coffees. How long did this culinary journey take, you ask? A cool 1 hour and 45 minutes. Yes, you read that right. I'm fairly certain tectonic plates shifted faster than our food arrived. We hit a point where we were contemplating if we needed to file a missing persons report for our hash browns. When the food finally graced our table, it was... an experience. The sourdough had clearly spent time in a desert climate before arriving – it was toasted to a state of arid perfection, drier than my sense of humour . The hash browns were so oily, I think they've achieved sentience and might be plotting a greasy rebellion. The grilled chicken? Let's just say it was performing its civic duty as a moisture-free protein source. And the scrambled eggs were less "scrambled" and more "briefly introduced to each other." The service? Pathetic. One poor soul was running the entire floor – taking orders, making drinks, serving, probably doing the dishes with their feet. It was less a service model and more a one-person circus. Unfair to them, and utterly painful for us. The second dish arrived so late into this saga that we just stared at it, broken. We couldn't eat it. The energy required to get it to our table had drained us completely. Had to pack it up, a sad little takeaway container of defeat. For the price they charge, the coffee is... okay. It's decent fuel after you've waited nearly two hours for sustenance. But frankly, for that amount, I expect the coffee to personally apologize for the delay. Also, a minor plea: can we please have an option for a smaller coffee? Sometimes I just want a quick caffeine hit, not a beverage commitment that requires a co-signer. Honestly, it's heartbreaking. This used to be one of the best cafes in Salt Lake. Seeing it degrade to this level – with shockingly slow service, truly below-average food quality, and staffing levels that are a joke – is genuinely sad. Save your time, your money, and...
Read morePotboiler stands out with its impressive interior and a vibrant coffee culture. The attentive staff and swift service added to the positive experience. I appreciated the thoughtful touch of serving drinking water in glasses, enhancing the overall service.
The coffee selection at Potboiler is extensive, showcasing a commitment to quality. Both the cappuccino and latte, crafted from specialty beans, featured excellent latte art, highlighting their dedication to the coffee craft.
While the croissants had a couple of varieties, their taste was commendable. Introducing more varieties in croissants would further enrich the menu and cater to diverse preferences.
The food items, though a bit on the pricier side, were delicious, offering a satisfying culinary experience. However, the use of jaggery instead of sugar with coffee was unconventional and might not suit everyone's taste.
Potboiler's own roasted coffee beans were available for purchase, but the prices were a tad high. Despite the cost, the option to buy their specialty beans for home use adds value for coffee enthusiasts.
In conclusion, Potboiler at Salt Lake impresses with its interior, strong coffee culture, and attentive service. The introduction of more croissant varieties and a reconsideration of certain pricing points could further elevate this cafe's standing among coffee...
Read morePeople who take orders have no idea about food. You place an order and explain then someone else comes and makes you repeat the order and then you are served something else. The people who take the orders do not know a thing and have to go back and ask if you have a question. Now I know why Potboiler at Hindustan Park closed down. In fact, once 5 of us had gone there ( 2 were kids) and the bill was Rs 4,500. 3 people can get lunch at Westin for that amount :) 8th Day Cafe and Bakery is a much much better cafe, if in Salt Lake visit it instead.
PS: I had a good laugh in seeing the response by the owner: P Apparently, my review had no truth in it. You know guys, I had ordered an iced pour-over and I was served a hot one! The person serving me gave me a fake smile and said he wanted me to taste a hot pour over. I thought maybe they had run out of ice and so I said nothing. So, here is a cafe, where you may order an espresso and be served green tea. I want to tell the owner that as cafe you have a responsibility to serve good coffee to your customers. Sentimental replies will take you only that far. Kolkata people are increasingly becoming conscious of the coffee they drink, you can fool them once, twice, but not...
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