Archive Coffee — Restaurant in Scotland

The food is great. The cakes are impressive, and the environment pleasant. My issue was with the service, it was a bit slow the first time but they were busy. So no issues there.

The second time the guy serving us seemed to take some kind of dislike to either me or my family. We never spoke to trigger this...

We had queued for some time awaiting a table. He'd seen us... a family of 4 (Scots) with small kids. Seen us several times, waiting going on 15 minutes. A local lass came in laterly and we were chatting happily. A table came free and he tried determinedly to give the table to her, just not looking at us. I'm virtually native, I've visited a lot. The lass eventually got embarrassed and categorically told him we were first. As Orcadians will... We were unhappily escorted to the table. Another came free and the lass was seated. Fine. We were left sitting for ages with two hungry young kids. Then he comes back to take the order, but not us... he diverts to the lass he tried to give the table to first. Takes her order, leaves us another 5 minutes before coming back to talk to us.

Eventually, his senior very pointedly gesticulated to come to us. I still think it's the only reason he did.

The order was taken. The food was great. We wanted to order a desert... we waited, and waited. The guy avoided all eye contact. Walked past his eyes on the floor. After at least 10 minutes I told my wife if we didn't have service by the time I returned from the loos with one of my kids, we were leaving and I'd be complaining. On my return, the order had been taken.

It was very notable that the older front of house guy, was quite good and knew his trade. Subtle, and effective, but sufficiently overworked he was trying to let his juniors catch eye contacts. The lass was very good, kept her eyes up looking for customers trying to catch her eye. Kept busy, travelling the floor. There was a dark haired lad, clean shaven who was eagerly efficient and clearly learning the trade. Then there was the one we got....

A good venue let down by a single member of staff, is the conclusion I have drawn. Disappointing for Orkney, in 30 years of visiting regularly I've never had an issue like that. It felt like some kind of prejudice.

The lass who served us the previous time,...

We ate here twice when we were in Orkney. Our friends had eaten there before. We queued for over 30 minutes on 3rd Sept, it was worth it. Food and service was great, the staff were pushed but very friendly. Our second experience on 6th Sept was awful. Whilst the food was lovely I’m still waiting for the Mocha I ordered. Despite it being confirmed, asking for it at the counter twice. At the third attempt I complained. I’d finished my meal, but hadn’t had anything to drink. The manager said mine was next on his list!!! Told him to cancel. We’d been there for an hour. I know everywhere shops , restaurants are struggling for staff. A smile costs nothing. Our server was “dour” a Scottish phrase, ( you .will know who that was) got the order wrong , was nonchalant and didn’t apologise and frankly didn’t care. As a manager I thought you may have come and apologised to the table. We spent a fair bit of money, which I didn’t grudge as the food was of a lovely standard. However the customer service was awful on our second visit. We came back because your food was super but it was ruined by a server who didn’t give a toss. I did make you aware I would post on Tripadvisor so this won’t...

Nice cafe well positioned but ! Prices are a little high, we paid over £40 for a hot dog, cheese and ham on toast, a milkshake and a smoothie - seems a little high to me. We visited at lunchtime and found that finding a table was not easy, lots of 4 person tables with just one or two people on and very few 2 person tables. We found a table with one person sitting on it and asked if she minded us sharing the table, she was happy with it. Then the waiter arrived, looked confused and said 'are you all together' we replied we weren't but asked the lady if she minded us sitting there and she was okay with that, we said to the waiter was that ok, his reply ' no, this is one table so I wouldn't know what she'd ordered and what you have so I'd have to charge all to one person' !!! Really, is it so hard to split a bill, the lady know what she'd had and could have gone to the till and paid her part and then we could have followed later and paid the remainder. No, it seems they aren't capable of doing that, the bill has to all be paid at once - gosh I wonder how they cope with tables who want to split the bill! Food was okay but not really...