Blank Street — Restaurant in New York

To the café management,

I’ve been a loyal customer of your café for the past two years, visiting regularly — at least four times a week — to order the same drink: a small iced coffee with 4 pumps of vanilla, just the way I like it, sweet.

Today, however, I had a very disappointing and frankly upsetting experience that I feel compelled to share — especially since I’ve seen this café lose its warm, competent atmosphere over time.

This morning, I was served by a new employee I had never seen before. She was rude, tactless, and dismissive. When I placed my usual order, she told me, without any courtesy, that “it’s against policy to put 4 pumps of vanilla.” I asked politely when this policy had changed — since I had just ordered the same drink yesterday, and have been ordering it the same way for years. She didn’t explain, didn’t apologize, and simply repeated that “it’s the policy,” with a condescending attitude.

What made it worse is that a long-time staff member, someone I’ve seen many times, came out and backed her up. Sadly, this particular employee has never been helpful or welcoming in the past either — and even seems to struggle with making coffee properly. I truly don’t understand why they are still representing your café.

So I’m asking: When exactly did this policy change? Was it this morning?

As a long-time, consistent customer, I’m truly disappointed. It’s sad to see how disrespectful and unprofessional staff can slowly drive loyal clients away. All this fuss over one extra pump of vanilla? Truly shameful.

My request to the management: Please reconsider the staff you hire. A business that tolerates rudeness and incompetence — especially towards regulars — will lose its reputation one...

Came here for a drink, the people were lovely, the young girl at the cashier and the barista were really helpful, I didn't get to ask their name, but the cashier was brown had lashes, and the barista was a short big eyed, unfortunately for them they had a terrible experience with some woman, I saw everything there was another girl in the back who came and helped them the woman was yelling insanely, I overheard her telling the girls im gonna get what I want simply because they were following protocols, I was sitting down when it was happening and the woman demanded to get her coffee with extra vanilla and the girls told her they couldnt do it due to policy and the woman got insanely mad, she was disrespectful since the beginning yelling at all 3 of them, they apologized and offered other substitutes for the woman but she was very disrespectful good job to these girls for maintaining calm, not everyone can do it! Would definitely...

My experiences at the Blank Street Coffee Cafe at 1225 Madison Avenue have always been wonderful. In fact, I would go so far as to say they are invariably a highlight of my workday. Stopping in for a coffee and a snack is a much appreciated oasis from the hussle and stress of every day life in NYC. Despite the good coffee and excellent snacks available at 1225 (and they are execellent!), it is the friendly, welcoming, helpful, and cheerful staff that make the experience at this location so above and beyond ordinary expectations. Staff members such as Destinee and Ana Laura always make you feel welcomed and appreciated it. All the staff there are simply outstanding. The people who comprise the staff make the experience great at a cafe and these are some wonderful, caring, and...