HEADREST COFFEE — Restaurant in New York

The food is no doubt good, the physical space is cute. However, the cashiers have a very off putting vibe. I ordered two bagels and only one came out first. Not a problem. Naturally, I asked about the other one, out of curiosity. Their response immediately had a defensive tone with: “it’s coming out, these things take time you know.” As if I was hounding them to speed it up which…was not the case at all. Like no one was rushing you. Nothing to lose sleep over but there have been small instances where their attitude comes off snippy and defensive over very dumb things. The atmosphere did not feel inviting and the vibe and tone of the workers makes me to feel like I’m a bad customer. I understand the woes of service industry over obnoxious and overly demanding customers, but losing your patience over basic inquiries makes me want to pull out my phone to type a bad review. I wonder if others agree with me on this as well. Not be completely accusatory but being a POC, I question if I am treated the same as white customers. I also was told that I couldn’t dine in the establishment with my Vietnamese iced coffee that I got at Lucy’s Vietnamese next door, even though I had ordered two of Headrest bagels to dine in. Instead I ate outside on their outdoor chairs and no worker said a word. Seriously, what difference did that make? If it’s a trash issue, just tell me I cant throw away my coffee at Headrest. It’s not like Im bringing Lucy’s bowl of pho to eat at their cafe. I’m met with arbitrary rules and a defensive tone about my presence there and it’s about time someone said...

This place is never seeing another dime from me and it shouldn’t from you either. Strike 1, it reeks of gentrification from the moment you step in. A sentiment reflected by their ridiculous prices. But fine! I could move past it Strike 2, apparently you can’t have a whole milk matcha latte? I ordered a strawberry matcha w whole milk which the barista had no issue with so clearly it can be made, until some man tells her it has to be made with oat milk. So coffee shops are dictating milk choice now?! Which MIGHT have been fine if I wasn’t then charged an extra dollar for the oat milk I didn’t even want! This man is Dimitri. Strike 3. And this is the final blow that upset me enough to write this review, the AWFUL demeanor and rudeness of Dimitri who is supposedly the business owner. The kind barista had me taste my drink to make sure it was sweet enough and told me I could have more syrup if I needed. It wasn’t sweet enough so I asked for more, only to hear Dimitri muttering “I could just give you the whole bottle” being completely SMUG and catty. That is such strange behavior!!! And awful hospitality and service, to make snobby comments about how someone wants to enjoy their drink, RIGHT next to them….There was no sort of humor it was just nasty and rude. Bonus* the matcha didn’t even taste good, tasted like cheap quality and water. Dimitri if you’re reading this and recognize the interaction I hope you’re having the day you deserve, learn how to talk to people before that nasty attitude comes back...

I live SO CLOSE to Headrest and have tried so many times to love this place. The drinks are great. Have tried cold brew, iced and hot lattes, cortados, drip and some of their specialty drinks. Everything has tasted incredible. I have never had food from here, but the menu looks wonderful. The only thing preventing me from being more regular is the staff. There is one man who works here (and has since it was Post Factum) who is definitely knowledgeable, but has always had such a dry and off-putting demeaner. I believe he is trying to be funny, but I always leave feeling crummy about how I ordered. He has given me a hard time for having an old punch card, a hard time for trying to order milk they don't stock, a hard time for ordering a large latte which has a quad-shot. I really just want to get my delicious drink and dip! I don't want critical commentary. I have been served by a young woman on the weekend and she was so lovely. I know it is just this one man who strikes fear into my heart the...