Calistoga Roastery — Restaurant in Calistoga

One star given to thank the kitchen and back of house staff. If I could give a zero rating I would, for the front of house white guy with the Aussie accent taking our orders.

My parents and I stopped in yesterday for breakfast and he joked with us in a teasing way. We thought he was jovial, so we went back today. Then the offensive exchange went like this: Him: how many coffees? My dad: two. Him: TWO? (holding up two fingers exaggeratedly) Us: yes. Him: (speaking slowly and exaggeratedly) you know, in America, you can't say "two" like this (he held up two fingers)... Because it means ** you (then he put down one finger so he was giving us the middle finger)

I replied: um... we're all Americans. And that's not a thing.

He proceeded to continue teasing my mom: Mom: what kind of bagels do you have? Him: uhhh...THESE ones (pointed exaggeratedly at the list of flavors) Mom: oh, what flavor do you recommend? Him: one of THESE. (gestures again with a exaggerated grin)

Both my parents speak with an accent, but they are Taiwanese-Americans who have been US citizens for 35+ years and have PhDs. My parents were bewildered by the exchange, and they just shrugged it off as lost in translation from the Aussie accent. But I found the exchange deeply uncomfortable and his manner more than condescending. I'm sharing this story for would-be patrons to draw your own...

Went in here for the first time this morning during a 4 day stay in Calistoga. The town is amazing. We had seen this coffee shop upon our arrival, and were excited to drop in and experience the "coffee that Napa Valley wakes up to". Unfortunately the service is well below expectation. When you enter a coffee bar, there is an expectation of smiles & feeling welcome. Not here. The people are apathetic, obviously desensitized to a tourist crowd, lacking courtesy and gratitude for your business. The Americanos were reasonable, the BLT sandwich was flavorful and filling, and an almond croissant quite good, but the service ruined it for us. When we returned our glassware to the counter I asked if this was the proper place to put them, I received a curt "yeah". No "thank you", no "have a nice day". Zero gratitude. Will not go again, and unfortunately, would not recommend. There are many other coffee shops that offer a better...

Centrally located on Calistoga's main street, the Roastery has become my go-to "morning hangout place." Not only does the establishment offer prepared coffee & tea drinks, there are also in-house, baked-daily pastries as well as a café menu for lunch or brunch fare such as soups, meal-salads and wraps.

High-speed WiFi is available (two separate router-signals!), and for "old-school" readers, be sure to look through the used-newspapers nook to save some money! Children are welcome here -- there's a small playspace -- but be forewarned: "unattended children will be given espresso and a free kitten."

Mornings can get busy and tables fill up, especially on weekends, but Calistoga Roastery is well worth visiting. Highly recommended.

(17 Sep '17 addendum): I also firmly believe that The Roastery has the best public-access restroom...