Dark Habit — Restaurant in London

Great coffee and a warm welcome...unfortunately, things get cold when I ask for my flat white to be 'extra hot'. "I can make it a little bit hotter for you, sir", they reply politely. I'm then given a drink that is not hot enough by my preferences. "Thanks, but is it okay if you make this hotter for me please?" They refuse. They explain that any more heat will burn the sugars in the milk and disaffect the overall taste. They are not wrong. However, having drunk speciality coffee for years, I enjoy this taste! Yes I do. I also enjoy the tip of my tongue being burnt as I take my first sip. I enjoy not being able to drink it too fast because it’s too hot. The whole thing is part of my much loved speciality coffee experience!

It seems that out of principles that are no doubt based on their own knowledge and experience of good coffee, they will only serve me the coffee that they would wish to drink, rather than the coffee I wish to drink. I'm left feeling sad that I haven't got what I paid for, and shamed that I asked for it in the first place.

The next customer behind me asks for a mocha..."You can have a hot chocolate or a coffee, sir, but mocha is not on the menu...". I took one look at this customer's bemused face and felt a little less lonely...

I’ve given this place a few tries, hoping it would be better the next time. Each time the staff have been incredibly rude and patronising to customers. Today the person in front asked for a vanilla latte. The sever smirked at her and belittled her in front of a long queue and preceded to lecture her on syrup in coffee. She laughed along but you could tell this was an awkward, nervous laugh and that she was actually upset. After she left, the baristas kept laughing about it and slagging off this customer. I could hear all of this and it was deeply unprofessional. There’s nothing wrong in simply saying “ah I’m sorry, we don’t do syrup”. There’s no need to lecture and belittle someone.

Another time I went there someone ordered a mocha. The same thing happened.

There is a horrible atmosphere there, so incredibly unwelcoming, patronising and arrogant staff and tbh not even good coffee.

By the looks of it, many people feel the same way but nothing has changed.

I won’t be coming again and I wouldn’t bother going. There’s a very high chance they will...

Coffee is definitely lovely, but it is clear that children are not welcome at this establishment!!

I witnessed three pleasant ladies with three children aged about 3-4... children were very well behaved and not at all boisterous - the tall man (staff/owner) went over past their table and spoke directly to the children (not the ladies)... the look of surprise was on the womens faces and suddenly the little boy began to cry. I found out that the tall man had told the children to be quiet and that it wasn't a playground!!!

Fact is there were adults in the shop talking exceptionally loud, but they were not asked to be quiet.

It was not busy in the shop - sushi staff stood and stared at them. I felt so embarrassed for the three ladies. They were too shocked to argue their case.. I was appalled by the poor treatment the ladies and children were given.

I shall vote with my feet and certainly won't be going back!! Why don't they just be honest and put up a sign 'CHILDREN...