Cafe 104 — Restaurant in Duluth

On a delightful weekday afternoon, I excitedly headed to the restaurant, eager to treat myself to their renowned strawberry soufflé pancakes and indulge in a pot of comforting earl grey tea. My enthusiasm, however, was met with some frustration when I arrived at the counter, only to find three staff members seemingly oblivious to my presence.

After a moment of awkward silence, the cashier finally acknowledged me and informed me about the estimated 30-minute wait for the pancakes. Trying to keep my spirits up, I decided to make the best of it and take in the cozy ambiance of the restaurant. Despite its smaller size, the place was well-organized and clean, creating a comforting atmosphere for studying or work.

As I patiently waited for my order, I couldn't help but notice a lack of attentiveness from the staff. It seemed like they were preoccupied with other things and barely acknowledged my presence. This only added to my frustration, as I eagerly awaited my much-anticipated meal.

When the long-awaited soufflé pancakes finally arrived, I was momentarily appeased by their flawless appearance – fluffy, soft, and moist, just as I had hoped. However, my excitement quickly faded when I realized that the "strawberry" part of the pancakes was quite misleading. Only one solitary strawberry adorned the plate, and the rest was just cream topping, with barely a hint of strawberry flavor. The disappointment was palpable.

To make matters worse, my experience with the earl grey tea became an exercise in patience and frustration. The poorly designed tea pot lacked a proper spout, causing tea to spill all over the table every time I attempted to pour it. As if that wasn't enough, the tea infuser at the bottom of the pot didn't work properly, causing even more spills as I tried to pour it.

Feeling exasperated, I rushed to the front to seek some assistance. But even then, I faced indifference from the staff. One of the workers, who had just helped another customer, looked me in the eye and simply turned away, completely ignoring my presence.

At that point, I realized that I had to take matters into my own hands. I requested a rag to clean up the spilled tea, but even then, the communication seemed to fall on deaf ears. The young lady misunderstood my request and brought me something entirely different, leaving me no choice but to clean up the mess myself using napkins from the front.

Despite the restaurant's enchanting ambiance and thoughtfully crafted menu, the lack of attentiveness and quality customer service left a lasting impression of frustration on my experience. While I may be tempted to return to try other items on the menu, I can't help but wonder if bringing friends who look like the staff may be the only way to ensure a more respectful and attentive treatment...

My wife and I stumbled upon Cafe104 in Duluth on a dreary Thanksgiving holiday, seeking refuge from the pouring rain. The charming ambiance and inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee immediately embraced us as we stepped inside.

The staff's warm welcome and attentiveness added to the overall positive experience. Despite the holiday rush, they managed to create an atmosphere that felt like a home away from home. We appreciated the cozy seating arrangements that allowed us to enjoy a private conversation amidst the gentle hum of chatter around us.

For drinks, my wife opted for the Cafe Violet, a delightful concoction that exceeded all expectations. The vibrant blend of flavors in this beverage was nothing short of magical—each sip a symphony of floral notes and velvety undertones. It easily earned a solid 5 out of 5 stars in her books, and she couldn't stop raving about it throughout our visit.

I, on the other hand, chose the Pistachio Espinaeer, a unique twist on a classic espresso. The nutty richness of the pistachio paired well with the robust espresso, creating a satisfying blend. While I thoroughly enjoyed the drink, I couldn't help but feel that it fell just shy of perfection, earning a respectable 4 out of 5 stars in my rating.

The menu boasted a diverse selection of pastries and light bites, making it a challenge to resist the temptation to indulge further. We settled on a few pastries to complement our drinks, and each bite was a testament to the cafe's commitment to quality.

In summary, Cafe104 provided a delightful respite on a rainy Thanksgiving day. The Cafe Violet was an absolute triumph, and the Pistachio Espinaeer held its own, showcasing the cafe's dedication to crafting unique and flavorful beverages. The attentive service and cozy ambiance only added to the overall positive experience. We'll definitely be returning to explore more of what this charming cafe...

let me preface this by saying this place already has a noticeable amount of bad reviews regarding their service. i have heard people firsthand have a bad experience as well and i still decided to give them a shot. we came in for dessert but i had a meeting call to join first. i asked if i could get the wifi password and they were adamant and not kind saying it is only on a receipt after purchasing something. i promised that i would shortly and i was just late for joining a meeting…i don’t understand what the issue with giving out wifi is if you value your customers, especially when i promised to buy something. i ended up having to use my spotty hotspot. there is a reason cafes with loyal customers last. they then approached us and said we have to leave if we are not buying anything… while i was visibly in the middle of a call… and promised them again i would get something after. we ended up buying a mid coffee- side note, they seemed confused at the words “iced coffee” for some reason. furthermore, there were at least four rude people at the front standing there and no toilet paper in the bathroom… so interesting priorities for sure. with so many other cafes in the area, you would think they would care about customer loyalty and try to step up in terms of customer service. their menu is nothing special anyways (def overpriced) and they don’t even wipe down tables between customers. not coming back and you’re losing business from...