No. 27 Cafe — Restaurant in Clarks Green

Well I have been to this place multiple times the first time was a few days after they opened and they were out of all food items … the second time we went back we got soup and sandwiches it was okay but service took a while, grace given because it was still new and it takes a little to work out some kinks, 3rd time we returned we ordered the pizza bagel one plain and one spicy and 2 açaí bowls and drinks. My bowl had coconut flakes in it, which cross contaminated into my daughters stuff and my children have peanut, tree nut, sesame, and coconut allergies. We were also given silverware wrapped in stained napkins. I didn’t say anything or ask for new items or a refund we had dealt with this for years and are understanding it’s hard to control. We returned today because we were early for a nearby PT appointment and I do love supporting local businesses as much as possible, we ordered 3 bagel pizzas, and one acai bowl and my children also brought in a drink and after we ordered the girl at the counter informed us we weren’t allowed to bring in outside drinks but she would allow us to have it this time but after today not to bring anything in I explained it was because of cross-contamination last time but I was fine with that and I only wanted my kids to have a drink she found it hard to believe that happened. And then, as we were getting seated at the table and waiting for food, the owner came over flipping out making a scene telling us that we weren’t allowed to have drinks from outside stores in there I said yes the girl at the front explained that to us told us and that it was fine for now, but next time not to bring anything in. She was going on and saying how she couldn’t believe she even had to tell me this, but meanwhile, at two other tables, an older woman, and a younger girl doing schoolwork sat there with outside drinks, but also had her food. I could understand if I didn’t order or just ordered a cookie and was sitting there but we ALL placed orders and I had been to her cafe multiple times. While we were eating she placed a condescending sign up no outside food or drinks allowed and underneath, I’m not sure why I even need to State this..Then a tall middle age man approached my children who where waiting by the door for me and told them they need to leave now, they said we are waiting for my mom to clean up and we are leaving and he said good. Maybe I am crazy but if it was me I would be happy to have return customers buying food and supporting my business regardless if they had a drink brought in or not. If I heard about a prior issue I wouldn’t handle it like this. Hopefully the attitude here chances. I definitely wouldn’t suggest bringing kids in if you think you can give them your snacks or a drink. It is NOT kid friendly nor are they considerate of allergies.

In response to your reply, you absolutely did come over flipping out we literally hadn’t even sat down yet it had NOTHING to do with them taking pictures at that point because we were in the middle of pulling out the chairs and they were not on their phones. On the way out they absolutely did take a picture of the RUDE sign you posted while we were sitting there supporting your business and your poor behavior. You posted that sign with that comment while we were right there to be a jerk! Your response shows your ignorance, lack of accountability and your passive aggressive behavior of posting the sign and sending your husband over to bully a child that isn’t even a teenager to tell them to leave shows really poor leadership and terrible judgment. FYI maybe next time offer or suggest a safe, comparable option instead of being a raging lunatic and lose business for yourself and staff. I would also suggest you not sending your husband over to advise tweens. Their reaction, taking a picture of your sign was caused by you. Also incase you are unaware multiple other establishments are fine with outside drinks being brought in...

The owner has really made this place awesome. I never imagined that this cold, fugly, Soviet style architectural monstrosity of an old CVS building could look so nice. The hours are great. I’m not huge into cafe food in general but they do have really tasty desserts and tarts and such. I usually get a lox platter which is good. Prices are on the higher side. I don’t drink coffee so I can’t comment on how it is.

I have a couple minor complaints: the first is that one time while eating a lox platter, I bit into something hard and it was a sharp shard of plastic (or possibly glass) in the cream cheese. That was very unsettling. The guy who works here who looks like Mac from It’s Always Sunny took the shard and apologized and refunded my money. I’ve eaten here many times with no issue so I’m not TOO concerned but still, it did make me wonder how that happened.

The second is that there is a tip screen when paying. There is your typical 20% option but there are 3 other options, one for 25 and one for 30%. Unlike a restaurant where you are seated, someone takes your order, comes to fill your drink, returns a few times to see if you need anything… here you must go to the register to order, they do bring the food out most times but then that’s it, they don’t come back, and then you’re kind of expected to bus your own plate. So if only half of the typical service is happening… what exactly would the 30% tip be for? If I order a lox bagel platter, it comes out to $18 with taxes… $18. If I choose a 30% tip, I’m now at $23.40 but that’s a LOT of money.

Final thing is that there is music playing and it is usually pretty good. However, the kitchen is also playing music and it is loud and you can hear bass and such through the wall. It’s extremely distracting and it really takes away from the ambiance. Even today I’m sitting all the way on the opposite wall to it, about 50ft and I can still hear it.

In summary, I’m so glad this place is here, it was needed. The staff is very nice and friendly. I come here often and enjoy it. Would love to see prices come down 10 to 15% and the music situation be ameliorated but these are...

Every time I enter this place a large black coffee is a different price. first time it was $5.30 ,a little pricey.next time I went it was $4.24, more reasonable.today large black coffee cost $6.10.how it even comes out to $6.10 is baffling needless to say I left without purchasing a coffee for that price I can get three extra large coffees at Turkey Hill which their coffee is better than this place thanks for making your prices for the 1% .it makes my decision easier as to where to purchase my coffee.

In response to the mumbojumbo the owner gave me, which did not respond in any way to my complaint, I ordered a cup off coffee, so when you say you purchase your products from all over the world do you mean you get your cups from China? Your water from Fuji? I know your coffee beans are from Scranton(top dollar I am sure)..As far as tipping I go above and beyond,but if you are adding a tip automatically on a cash transaction with out notifying the customer we have a problem..cause in your response you did not explain how it came out to $6.10..If my bill was $5.30 like last time I would have put a dollar in tip jar..This time $6.10 and dollar in tip jar I am paying $7.10 for a cup off BLACK MEDIOCRE COFFEE AT BEST...I guess that's for the cup...