They should focus on providing higher quality offerings.
Their bread is rustic, with a thick & chewy crust, and the pastries are often dry and dense. They are associated with a brand that represents the utmost quality, so they’ve set expectations very high for themselves, with price points to match.
I visited their Campbell location after it opened, and they offered dine-in versions of their prepared dishes. I had a fantastic Chia pudding that I still think about years later. The pudding was soft and the fruit was freshly cut, with a nice texture from their custom-made granola.
I went to the new Los Gatos location the week that it opened, and I was underwhelmed by the same dish. It was in a to-go container and must have been sitting in the display case for some time. The Chia pudding was bland with a cement-like texture. The fruit was mealy and the the flavor lacked balance — it was too tart. It was not cheap, so I was pretty disappointed.
My Dad — who is from out-of-town and isn’t familiar with their reputation — commented on how his Almond Croissant was almost inedible. It seemed like it was day-old.
I really hope they improve! I am willing to pay for products that match the standard set by “Manresa”. Unfortunately, that has not been my experience at either of their Los Gatos locations. Now, the stakes are higher since they have a bigger space…and presumably a larger lease to go with it.
The tea and coffee is excellent, but there are plenty of other...
Read moreMy recent visit to the café was a mix of positives and negatives. The café itself was visually appealing, with high ceilings and a bright interior, creating a welcoming atmosphere. I appreciated the variety of pastries and baked goods available, offering something for every palate.
However, there were some drawbacks to note. The café had limited seating, which made it difficult to find a spot during peak hours. Additionally, the patio lacked heating, which could be uncomfortable during colder weather.
One significant issue was the state of the bathroom, which seemed to be neglected and in need of attention. This was disappointing and detracted from the overall experience.
Lastly, while the quality of the food and beverages was good, I found the prices to be on the higher side. This made the overall value proposition less favorable.
In summary, while the café has its charms, such as its pleasant ambiance and tasty offerings, there are areas that could use improvement, such as seating availability, patio comfort, cleanliness, and pricing. If you're looking for a nice spot to grab a bite and don't mind paying a bit more, it might be worth a visit. However, if these factors are important to you, you may want to explore other options...
Read moreI admire business owners who think outside the box and come up with a fresh idea of introducing the consumer to new ideas in retail or food industry. However, when you come short of proving the very basic things one expects to see in a restaurant, that’s when I say the owner needs to think twice about their concept. For one, their breakfast menu is very limited as to options and the choice of bread which is surprising for a business who specializes in bakery. The second problem was not providing their customers any type of plate (either disposable or non disposable), so the customer has to use a napkin to eat their food. There were other things that this restaurant does not provide to their customers which were unexpected. The very reason for my contributions is not only to promote businesses but to provide constructive feedback in hopes of improving...
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