Edgar's Cafe — Restaurant in New York

Apparently the owner or manager may be of some relation to Edgar based on his people skills. Was waiting for my company to arrive and pulled out my tablet to review some work. Was told that I had to put it away and there is no WiFi. I told the waitress it's not a problem and that I didn't need any. A man, apparently the owner, came out and started to speak in a loud, angry voice, pointing at signs that are outside of the restaurant that say no laptops, no online meetings, and caused a commotion that attracted the attention of all people there. He said "no electronic devices at all." I told him that I didn't know and never encountered such an issue before. The owner responded angrily that I didn't have to eat there. So I told the owner that I wouldn't and I'm leaving. The other diners were shocked and even apologized to me and said that the guy is crazy.

I can certainly appreciate venues having problems with difficult, rude people parking themselves in restaurants for a cup of coffee and sitting there for hours having online meetings, pretending it is their office. I told them when I arrived that I was waiting for someone who would arrive 5 minutes later and had no such intention. Being polite and courteous to inform someone isn't too difficult. I can appreciate the staff's frustration too. But there was no need to let the entire venue know their rule and take it out on a patron.

Unrelated and also quite terrible, which almost made me leave before this happened. I sat in the small outdoor area was because there was no air conditioning inside, which made sitting there impossibly uncomfortable. And to add to the bizzare nature, the table they set up was next to the open storage area underneath the restaurant, which was directly to the right of the side door they created to make more space. It's a dangerous fall waiting to happen. I've been there before several times but this will be the last. A great case study and example of how not to run...

When I woke up today, I had a thought to look up and see if there were any Edgar Allen Poe themed coffee shops in the city. I was super excited when I found one! When I got there, I noticed an old man in the corner staring at me as I came in and asked to sit outside. At this point, I didn’t realize he was the owner. The two waitresses were very nice, I might add, but I wonder how terrible of a work experience they must have if this jerk is their boss.

I first sat outside and I was taking some pictures of the place. I worked outside for about an hour and ordered an espresso and an appetizer. It was getting cold and I was planning on studying for a few hours, so I asked to move inside. There were more tables open than not, and I wasn’t instructed to sit at a certain table, so I just picked one. At this time, I noticed the man was the owner because he said something to the waitress who then asked me to move. I did so no problem even thought I didn’t really understand why since it was a small place with multiple open tables but I’m not going to question someone doing a job that I don’t do. I asked where the bathroom was, and the man was sitting in a chair blocking the hallway to it, and he was so rude about having to get up and move. (Idk, maybe don’t put a chair there?) When I came back from the bathroom, I ordered another espresso. The whole time this guy was just creepily staring at me with disgust. I got up to ask for a napkin, and he motioned at me while saying something to a waitress and they both looked in my direction and started laughing and she was like “stop being mean.” At this point, I just yelled CHECK PLEASE.

While I enjoyed the theme, when you own an outdated coffee shop in NYC with subpar food and espresso, you should probably treat your guests with respect because guess what THEY HAVE OPTIONS...

Want to fear for your physical safety under intimidation from the owner? This place is for you!

Dear owner: seek help, before your aggression manifests in a physical altercation that lands you in jail for assault.

Came here around 8:30 on a Monday night for an informal business meeting, I arrived first and as it wasn't clear if there was table service or not I went up to the counter and ordered a coffee and found my way to a table to wait for the other person.

A few minutes go buy and I see the coffee sitting on the counter, I go back up to pay and out of the shadows comes a man aggressively moving towards me and yelling:

Owner: What do you want!?

Me: I, uh, ordered coffee?

Owner: What do you want?!

Me: That? right there? (gesturing at the coffee), I ordered it and I need to get it and pay?

At this point, I surmised this man was the owner. Although I was still baffled as to why he appeared to be picking a fight with me (I'm a quiet, inoffensive, mild-mannered guy).

Owner: No laptops outside!

Now, I didn't have a laptop out. I supposed we might want to reference something on a screen, but he continued:

Owner: Get out!

Me: Are laptops allowed inside?

Owner: Get out!! (gestures in my face to leave)

Me: Ok, can I pay for my coffee?

Owner: Get out!!! (waves away the poor lady working there who was trying to give me my coffee)

Me: Ok, fine.

I left and went to Starbucks. I can't recall a time where I've felt as physically threatened to the same degree and I've walked down my fair share of...