Kaffeology — Restaurant in Cranston

For full disclosure, I went here not expecting the best based on previous reviews, but wanted to see how they’d compare to Tatte, which seems to be the goal, but with a bar.

Overall I think they are doing too much without a clear understanding of how to operationalize everything to work seamlessly.

The set up is weird, with a “please wait to be seated” a few feet away from the register and bar area. We waited by the sign in the middle of the dining area with several employees around not greeting us for a few minutes, until one finally sat us at one of the many open tables. Wouldn’t it be better to order at the counter and take a number to the table?

Our drinks came in to go cups despite dining in, and our fellow diners at neighboring also having coffee drinks but served in mugs and glasses. When I asked, the server said it was because we ordered mediums. First red flag prior was that Americanos shouldn’t have size options. The medium resulted in it being really weak. Next, there should’ve been an assumption that we were dining in and therefore should have had our drinks in real tableware.

The food was ok - we got the steak and eggs. It seemed like the egg came out first and was sitting on the plate for a bit before the rest of it was ready. The menu overall boasts brunch all day - yet many of the items are unavailable after 4pm.

Another inconsistency was that our table had disposable napkins to wrap the silverware, while our neighboring table had fabric napkins.

After our meal, we’re left waiting for our check - not sure when we’ll get it, as I’m still waiting! Do I go pay at the register? Not sure!

Overall - good concept, would be great in this complex it executed correctly. Rooting for...

Update to the Owner: I now understand that outside seating is not first come, first served. That’s fine. But what’s not fine is the attitude and condescending tone your staff uses to communicate that. A polite, “We’re a full-service restaurant — if you head inside, we’ll be happy to get you seated,” would’ve been more than enough. Instead, I was met with unnecessary rudeness — again.

Frankly, your response to my original review was almost as condescending as the experience itself. “Thanks for your feedback!” lands with the same dismissive energy someone might use if I’d complained the temperature inside was a little too cold — not if I was describing two visits ruined by a complete lack of basic customer service. The server’s tone now makes more sense, because it mimics yours: detached and uninterested in real accountability.

This isn't just about policy — it’s about how you treat people. And based on both of my experiences, the answer is: poorly.

If I could give 0 stars, I absolutely would. My first visit was ruined by an incredibly rude interaction, and I ended up walking out. Against my better judgment, I decided to give it another try. Today is Sunday at 1:00 PM, and there were three empty tables outside. I went to sit down and was immediately hit with a snarky “Are you trying to seat yourself?” I responded, “Yes, it’s my first time here,” only to be met with a condescending, “Yeah, you have to go inside and ask to be seated.” That tone alone was enough—so I left. Again. That’s 0 for 2. This isn’t about someone having a bad day; it’s clearly how they operate....

We were excited to try this place since we live in the area, but not sure we’ll bother going back. We arrived and there was a sign saying “Please Wait to be Seated” so we stood there, waiting, for probably 5-10 minutes and nobody even acknowledged us even though there seemed to be plenty of staff around and we made eye contact with staff behind the counter a few times. It was not particularly busy and there were multiple open tables. Finally my husband approached the counter to ask if it was possible to dine-in and only then were we seated.

Like other reviewers have mentioned, service took forever. After sitting down we waited another 5-10 minutes for anyone to come over, to the point that I was about to get up and ask if we were supposed to order from the counter. Once our order was taken it took probably 20-30 minutes to get our food, which were literally just two sandwiches so unclear what could have taken so long. The waitress did come over a few times and say the food would be right out, and then the person who brought it was apologetic, so maybe there was something going on in the kitchen. The staff, once you got their attention, were all very nice.

The cafe looked generally unclean, with lots of trash and general bits on the floor, and tables seemed to sit uncleared longer than usual. The food (the BLAT and the chicken salad sandwiches) was fine, but not good enough to warrant a return given the wait time and general chaos of the place. It’s too bad because it’s cute and has so...