Gather Cafe — Restaurant in Chesapeake

Usually I’m a not a big review guy but I felt like I had to let everybody, more specifically those who come here looking for a good coffee shop, know about my experience and I’d like to focus more on the “coffee shop” side of this establishment. I was traveling and I found this place and being a coffee enthusiast I felt delighted to find a coffee shop that serves specialty coffee, but my delight went away not long after. I approached the person at the counter and asked him if they had a flat white, since most of the coffee shops don’t have the drink in their menu but 90% of the baristas know how to make it. The person didn’t know what it was then another person who I assumed was the barista approached and he said he KNEW what it was. With a flat white I decided to have some fresh pour over as well and the person at the counter helped me with selecting the roast as they offered multiple options. Then I proceeded to the wait area and watched the whole process of making the drinks. As I found in some of the reviews, the barista does leave the espresso sitting after extraction, which I wouldn’t say had much difference in the taste for me but definitely having freshly steamed milk poured over freshly extracted double shot is different. But to my shock when the barista started to steam the milk he held it for too long, and after finishing he just dumped all of the hard-foamed milk on top of the espresso. What? But you said you knew what flat white was… So I ended up with something in between a latte type of drink because of a coffee-to-milk ratio and a cappuccino type of drink because of the hard-foamed milk. And about the pour over, the overall process of making it was good but to my disappointment the coffee they used was pre-grinded and stored poorly because it didn’t have that fresh taste that I was looking for. I really hoped that they would freshly grind properly stored beans for that fresh taste. In conclusion, I really hope this establishment will work on the “coffee shop” side of it and the baristas would be more educated on certain coffee practices. Nevertheless, the coffee they used for espresso tasted very good, but because the ratio was off I tasted more milk in my “flat white”. So if someone is coming here looking for a good quality coffee, like I did, you would definitely find it but make sure you communicate with the barista and let them know how you want your drink specifically, and if needed give them instructions.

UPDATE:

Just like I expected after reading responses from you to other low reviews, I received a similar type of response, which lacks a sense of humble and sincere willingness to learn and improve, instead i see a mixture of arrogant stubbornness and compound ignorance reflecting in your words. You can claim whatever you want, at this point it’s your word against mine, but these reviews are here for a reason, to let the customers express their opinions on the service and the product you provide and I hope mine will be helpful to other new coffee enthusiasts to decide whether they should stop by your establishment. As for the flat white, it’s actually funny, because I don’t think you were there to see the process, but if you’re sincere enough go back and watch the tape from your cameras and see how your barista actually handles the drink and you will know exactly what I’m talking about, and I don’t care what you say but the drink I got was NOT flat white, period. I can humbly say this after having tried flat whites in many good coffee shops around the US and the world, literally. Again, as I said in the beginning I’m not a review guy, and more so I’m not a hater who randomly gives negative reviews to good establishment, but your response disappointed me just...

I first discovered this coffeeshop on Instagram, and the décor and atmosphere caught my eye and immediately drew me in! White and black tiles, wooden tables, and a modern, minimalistic vibe... YES! I had to know where this aesthetically pleasing coffeeshop was, and I was surprised it was located in Chesapeake of all places. They officially opened their doors as of September 1, 2017 so they're the freshest, newest coffeeshop in town.

I visited them on their opening day and was warmly greeted by a welcoming staff. Their menu features the espresso essentials as well as smoothies, breakfast items, pastries, soups, sandwiches, and salads. A good point to add: they will gladly make a custom drink for you if it's not on the menu! The price range is also very reasonable. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich with a fruit cup and a caramel macchiato in a mug (but sadly only drip coffee is served in them) sad face, so my drink came in a to-go cup. Speaking of to-go cups, they also have mobile/online ordering, so you can order food and drinks for pick up through ChowNow!

The caramel macchiato was served in a 12 oz cup, extra hot, and it's sweetness wasn't over the top like how other places make it. The chicken salad sandwich, which is composed of chunky white chicken, celery, cranberries, marinated artichoke hearts, and pecans was OH SO GOOD! Everything in the chicken salad went so well together, and the chicken was extra chunky. It was love at first bite! The fruit cup on the side contained sweet watermelon, strawberries, and honeydew. I think I made some pretty solid choices on my first of many visits.

I think this coffeeshop will do very well, considering there's none like it in the area and within its proximity. Plenty of free parking, free wifi, comfy seating and lots of table space, a healthy menu, and superb drinks--what more could you ask for?? The customer service, last but not least, makes this place stellar.

We've finally got a waterhole in this coffeeshop desert...

I went in for a late lunch and a drink. I wanted something refreshing to drink with caffeine/energy. I asked for the Mango peach fizzie which I have had before and it was very delicious. She tells me they are out of all fizzie flavors except the rosemary one, which I told her there is no caffeine in that one, she had no clue. I was bummed. So I asked if they had any type of refreshing drinks with caffeine and they were able to make the Watermelon Mint refresher. Then I asked for the Avocado boats with chicken salad, she said they were out of whole avocados! I opted for the Avocado toast with tomato and Swiss. Asked for very very little salt. I sat here and waited and waited and it took forever for the Avocado toast to come out. By that point I had already finished my drink! I took one bite and it was loaded with salt, which I specifically asked them not to do. If they had any care in the world, they would have read and listened to my request. I have to be on a low sodium diet, only allowed 1500mg a day. I cannot eat a lot of salt due to health reasons. I was so disappointed! I ended up chalking it up and eating it, because it was late, I was hungry and I was not going to wait another 15-20 minutes for a new one. Now that I have ruined my diet for the day, I now have to rethink dinner and what I can or cannot have. At this point, I think this place is a loss cause, especially when they can't even keep up with demand and keep...