Books & Books — Restaurant in Coral Gables

This review is for the cafe on 30 Dec 2023. Particularly the service and most specifically my server. Being a resident of Coral Gables for over a decade, Books & Books has always been my go to place for an unpretentious, relaxed day to enjoy some good food, coffee or tea, yummy dessert whilst immersing oneself in a good book find. My server Morgan was sub-par at best. I arrived at the outdoor seating area and waited about 25 minutes to be served water. However, the 2 other tables who arrived after me were served water with a cordial greeting from Morgan as well as her taking their orders immediately. When I was eventually served water by her she was not kind. Additionally, she didn't ask if I wanted to order something else right away. Eventually she came back, asked me what I wanted, etc. But again, she was not hospitable as she was with the other tables she was serving. Again, a long wait for my food. Other tables who again arrived after I placed my order, received their food/drinks. When my food did come, Morgan did not bring my chai tea I ordered along with my food. So I waited to eat. About 15 more minutes into waiting, I asked her about my chai tea. She said she'd go get it. When she gave to me, it wasn't hot nor warm but at this point, I asked her for a spoon and some sugar. She seemed a bit irritated that I asked for this but obliged in getting the spoon for me. She continued to cater to the other tables without asking me if I needed anything else. So instead of feeling the odd one out, I went inside at the dessert and coffee/tea counter and the nice gentleman working in that section asked me if I needed to pay my bill. I told him no but rather I needed some olive oil for my salad and sugar for my chai tea. He gladly gave me the olive oil and pointed me in the direction of the sugar as I did not initially see it. I went back to my table to add the olive oil to my salad. I tasted it and realized I needed salt and pepper. I was about to get up to go back inside and that's when Morgan came to me and asked me if I needed anything very matter of factly. I told her yes please, some salt and pepper. She went inside and came back to give it to me but with an attitude. When I was done eating she came to me and asked if I needed anything else. I told her yes, the pecan pie I ordered with my other food and I asked her if it could be warmed up. She brought the pecan pie. When I finished she asked if I needed anything else and I told her the check please. I paid with a tip, told her happy new year, got up and proceeded inside the bookstore to purchase a book. Suffice to say I did not feel welcomed by Morgan as her poor treatment was evident, considering she didn't behave the way she did with the other tables. I saw her introducing herself very warmly to the other tables with families with little children, in groups of 3 or 4, single men, single women except for me. Please note, I was the only black woman there for about 90% of my time outside at the cafe. Books & Books used to be my peaceful tranquil place in my neighborhood, but if today is any indication of how things are now for black people who patronize there, I'm unsure I'll return. It's sad because I don't only go there to eat or check out new books but also for the other events they have in which I participate in on occasion such as the book readings, live music, spoke word open mic...

Now the book store itself is a beautiful establishment, this has nothing to do with that and everything to do with the rude staff there.

We went for a book signing and upon checking in, the 2 young women at the front desk literally snapped their fingers at us like we were children instead of a proper greeting. We didn’t know the dynamic of how we were supposed to check in for the event, and they acted as if we were sincerely inconveniencing them to do their literal job. And it’s not like there was a huge rush of people at the moment that had them flustered - that I could understand. But we’re standing there just helping our friend get situated with her baby and they could not have been more tone deaf and the antithesis of customer service.

We brushed that encounter off and headed to the line to wait for our turn where there was a young man who was getting everyone’s sign off request on a post it to expedite the signing for the author (appreciate the efficiency) except again he could not have been more rude and impatient.

Again, there was no huge rush of people behind us. One of my friends took maybe 30 seconds to try to decide what she wanted written before I stepped in and just gave him my sign off because he was literally tapping his foot, so impatient already.

When he went to take down my other friends request, she was getting it dedicated to her baby (who was literally with us right there) and straight up told her he wasn’t going to write what she wanted lol.. we were like ok. As soon as he was done with her, he didn’t even bother to turn back to get my first friends sign off, so we politely tried to call him back and he audibly sighed and said “oh my gosh”…

And at that point I had had it, I told him he was being insanely rude and he needed to relax.

So sure go to this book store for the aesthetics and vast selection, the historical significance and the prime location, but keep your contact with the younger staff minimal because it’s as if these kids are being tortured by their parents to be there as a volunteer and not a paid employee. Lord knows there are worse places to work retail In Miami and they were really acting like it was the biggest inconvenience of their lives. Such gross...

In the course of my employment at the cafe, I observed several worrisome health and safety violations due to the absence of regular OSHA inspections. These violations include the unsanitary practice of using the same rag for cleaning both countertops and silverware, the absence of proper date labeling for bakery items which are displayed for extended periods, and the inadequate hygiene measures taken by chefs who do not use gloves and wear rings while handling food.

Moreover, the establishment lacks appropriate financial safeguards, as it accepts cash payments without a proper cash register system. In the event of misplaced cash, employees are held financially responsible, which raises concerns regarding the legality of this practice.

Regrettably, my employment was terminated under circumstances that appear to violate labor laws. I was let go when I had a family emergency, specifically, the passing of my father, and the subsequent need to manage his funeral services. This termination, in my view, is indicative of the company's lack of consideration for its employees.

Furthermore, the company's promotional claims of community involvement are juxtaposed against their hiring practices, which seemingly prioritize hiring young and inexperienced workers who may be more susceptible to exploitation.

The company's handling of my W-2 employment forms was highly irresponsible, as they lost this sensitive information not once, but twice. This negligence further highlights the company's lack of attention to essential administrative matters.

This company employment also lacks essential benefits, the convenience of direct deposit, breaks during an 8hr shift and the legal protections typically afforded to workers in case of...