C'EST LA VIE BAKERY & CAFE — Restaurant in Johns Creek

BEWARE OF POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

I’d like to preface this review by stating that I’ve only had good interactions with the staff at C’est La Vie — until my most recent visit. I’ve frequented this cafe several times over the past year, mainly for the ambiance as there is plentiful seating/outlets to get work done.

I went during an idle time (2-3 customers already seated with their orders) and ordered my usual drink. After waiting 20 minutes for my drink, I approached the worker who took my order (Ellika) and her immediate response was — “No, you didn’t wait that long” — in a VERY defensive manner. I was taken aback by her argumentative tone but calmly showed her the timestamp on my Apple Pay transaction. Thereafter, her response was a dismissive, “I was busy cutting the pineapples for your drink,” which I believe was dishonest as well.

Not wishing to escalate matters with her, I asked to speak with a supervisor. Ellika tried to avert the situation by curtly telling me she would give me my drink, but I was already very disturbed at this this point and insisted on talking with the manager. I spoke with the owner, who was very apologetic. I relayed my disappointment in the customer service as someone who has enjoyed frequenting this establishment and did nothing to instigate this sort of reaction. I simply asked for a refund so that I may leave, declining the free drink offered. Upon asking for the worker’s name (Ellika) so that I could leave this review, the owner was understandably reluctant as a small business owner but later gave me the info.

Overhearing my request for her name, Ellika escalated the issue and quickly began the personal attacks — one of her most memorable comments being, “You have issues,” and condescendingly referring to me as “girl.” Meanwhile, the owner just stood by, unsure of what to do next I suppose. I asked the owner to review the surveillance footage of the entire encounter and left the store, unable to maintain my composure any longer.

Suffice to say, I will no longer be returning to this cafe. This was hands down the worst customer service experience I’ve encountered EVER. Judging by the other reviews, this unfortunately seems to be a recurring issue along with the subpar baked goods. Please save yourself the trouble and consider visiting Alchemist or Starbucks instead, which are both located nearby and have...

Not the first time I’m seeing a bakery serve tiny portions for such whopping prices but this place is certainly not worth that money. The staffs are there just to say yes or no and nothing more. Probably a new employee but that doesn’t mean you don’t even know where do you keep your salt and pepper in your cafe.

Food: We ordered few pastries including a chocolate mousse cake, avocado toast (requested for no eggs, no meat) which usually comes with fried eggs topping and a puff pastry. Except for the avocado toast the pastries were very cold, probably kept there since yesterday. Not just cold it was hard as well. The avocado toast comes with a streak of curry (has meat/ eggs) and fried eggs which we declined at the time of order but without these it was absolutely bland to the core. I understand if it’s meant to be eaten with eggs and curry it would have tasted different but atleast expected some creativity there from the chef inside; a simple “No it won’t taste good” would have been appreciated. The prices are too much for this little quantity and most importantly the taste isn’t so great either. Most part of mousse and the puff pastry felt bland to me. Certainly disappointed.

Service and Ambience: The interiors are very nice and well lit for a cafe. The tables could have been cleaned better and no kids high chair here. They do have outdoor seating with 3-4 tables. It’s quiet and comfortable on the inside. The service is not that great in my opinion. Had some one at the counter who was probably new and not so well versed with the cafe and the items and in locating few things (salt pepper shaker) we asked for. She was clueless about the menu as she initially said the curry in avocado toast doesn’t have any meat/ eggs. When the order arrived there was no curry and thank god we mentioned it upfront. That’s where the service comes into picture. If not aware of something I would at least encourage to check with the kitchen. There’s just one person to take care of all these things. So certainly needs a lot more staffing.

BOTTOMLINE: A very sophisticated place to sit and work but certainly not the best of cakes/ pastries in the town with a sub par service, I would pass on this one if I was you. Should be a...

I feel bad giving independent coffee shops bad reviews but I just want to say this was my last visit and a waste of money—my spouse and I used to come here frequently; though it’s a 30 minute drive we like the area and used to like writing at this coffee shop. So we drove 30 minutes today—and the elevator music playing over the speakers was so incredibly loud that we were unable to focus because there is no other noise because the cafe is empty.

I asked very politely for the music to be turned down only to be made to feel like a massive inconvenience. The owner clearly has the music she enjoys on and that’s great for her, but she was very obviously annoyed about customers asking for it to be turned down.. the girl at the counter genuinely seemed nervous about asking her boss, so I’m guessing it’s not the healthiest place to work.

I felt so awkward about the exchange we just had to leave—so now my day of writing is wasted. The elevator music could be heard through noise canceling headphones.

As mentioned, this time we will ever visit :) and if you are studying or writing I would suggest trying somewhere that either has other white noise (like customers or the sound of AC going) that helps block out the elevator music or just a shop that doesn’t play loud elevator music!

^I want to note—we would come in multiple times a week for a few months. The entire reason we stopped going was because of this awful, doctor’s office sounding music. We decided to give it another shot and I so wish we hadn’t. I would have no issues if when I politely asked I wasn’t made to feel like a freak by the business owner. They ‘kind of’ turned it down, but I felt so uncomfortable over the interaction it wasn’t a productive space to be, so we had to leave without having worked on a single thing, which was the whole point we visited today.

I would not recommend coming here unless you want to feel like an inconvenience to the owner and or listen to pan flute music in an empty cafe at...