Java & Clay Cafe — Restaurant in Gig Harbor

Had a shockingly awful experience. This was my first time here, so I entered the painting area. Nobody attended me (until a nice employee later checked on me and my sister and politely and consistently communicated with us) beyond the initial greetings.

I picked a ceramic and my paints and sat down, excited to begin. Immediately, a woman who we were later told was the owner, rushed towards me and hovered in over my left shoulder. She chastised me, and told me in an extremely condescending manner that the paint was very, very, expensive, and that I should have used less, and this point was reiterated numerous times.

As a paying customer I do not understand why my honest mistake was egregious enough to warrant an emotional lashing, since I imagine their prices should be enough cover the cost of supplies. Furthermore, I am extremely displeased with the way I was spoken to. It was incredibly rude and unnecessary, and she was speaking to me with such an utter lack of respect, as if I was a child.

As a visible minority, I have been treated like this before, for seemingly “no” reason. I am not stating that as an assertion, but simply for context, since I do not know her and I do not know what is in her heart. Still, she should not have left room for such speculation in the first place. The way you conduct yourself around others matters, as a business owner and a human being.

Additionally, there are some hygiene concerns. They keep plants in a back room, which I have no problem with, but upon entry I was greeted by the rank stench of moisture. In the painting area where the food and drinks are consumed, we noticed a large insect. This hardly seems sanitary.

In addition, their prices are ridiculously high. Please remember that...

In just the last 6 months, I have been here 4 times. It's an amazing experience, the staff are absolutely wonderful and the food and drinks are delicious! The variety of ceramics to choose from is impressive, I feel like I could go 100 times and always see new pieces. The glaze options are outstanding! Different colors, shades, textures, etc. When you get there you first walk into the Cafe, then through a doorway/arch you will find the pottery studio. It's an easy check in at the desk, grab your pieces, and once you've sat down a staff member meets you at your table to give you a run down on the glazing/firing process, and is available to answer any questions you may have. The tables are all set with basic colors, many paint brushes, water dishes, paint dishes, ans sponges, so unless you need specific glazes, you can get comfy at the table and not have to wander around. You also have the option of taking your project home if you do not finish it (they will give you safe packaging for transport), and then bring it back on another day to finish glazing with no extra studio fee's! Once you've finished, you leave your project behind, and they finish it off with a top coat and firing! It'll be ready for pick up the following week. This place is honestly a hidden gem. It can be a little "spendy" depending on what ceramic piece you choose, but if you think about the experience, the supplies that go into it, and the work the staff puts in, it's truly worth it.

I hope this place stays open forever, because it will always be one of my...

It was pretty quiet when we were there. The price seems a little spendy unless you consider the cost of buying the piece ready made by a machine, to a piece that no one else has, in the colors you would've wished they had at the mall AND doing something fun, especially with a buddy.

They're very patient and helpful. All of the colors and textures we could think of were available. All of the supplies are at the table for you. They give you basic instructions, and leave you to your project without hovering. They're ready to help anytime you ask.

We didn't finish our projects, but you can go back as many times as you want or need to finish a project for free. They wrap it for you so you can take it home safely.

We haven't finished ours yet, so I can't review the rest of the process, but I've seen MANY projects done there at all skill levels and they always look amazing.

Both the painting room, the coffee shop and the exterior are SUPER clean. The light and furniture are inviting and make you want to hang out and people watch.

There's outside seating with great views of the marina and the park.

There's even a post to tie your dog to with a bowl of water, if you want...