PHiL cafe — Restaurant in New York

I’ll start by saying that the oat chai lattes (regular and dirty) are delicious.

I’ve patronized the cafe three times over the last three weeks and unfortunately my third visit wasn’t very pleasant from a customer service perspective. My visit today was the first time I was not the only customer waiting at the front to order. By the time I was next in line to order, the cashier began making drinks for the two patrons ahead of me. I patiently waited for her to finish and take my order. While waiting, two customers walked in and the cashier kept looking up at them from making the drinks. As I continued to wait right in front of the register, I could sense that something weird was about to happen. As I stood there, the cashier asked the patrons behind me how she could help them. I immediately waved my hand and explained that I hadn’t ordered yet. As a black woman, this is not the first time this has happened to me. While I don’t think this was a race issue, it’s an uncomfortable and triggering experience nonetheless. Fast forward, I eventually got my order only for it to be incorrect and not what I paid for. I walked two blocks before realizing and turning back to have the order corrected. When I explained that the order was made with regular milk instead of the oat milk I ordered and paid for, I was told “that there was a miscommunication.” I explained that it couldn’t have been a miscommunication because I was charged for oat milk and I have the receipt to prove it. I’m going to give a little grace and assume that the cafe is still working out some kinks on service.

The chai is the best I’ve had in the neighborhood so I’ll likely be back, but I’ll give them some time to get accustomed to...

This review is about sustainability only!

I am so relieved that your lovely coffee shop offers reusable mugs and dishware to patrons. But it seems like this option is not being communicated very clearly to those who are enjoying their beverages in house.

Many of us who were staying there—to work, read, or meet with friends—were indeed drinking from reusable mugs. But I would say about half of the clientele there was drinking out of throwaway plastic cups, headed for the landfill, incinerator, or our oceans.

By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. As a waterfront city, I would love to see more local cafés, restaurants, and businesses honoring the land on which we live, and the waters that we border, to help work toward a healthier environment for all.

Perhaps your barista could more explicitly ask patrons if they will be enjoying their drink to stay, and you could also put a sign by the bar, encouraging people to order their drink for here, in a mug. You could also feature customers on social with the reusable mugs, to make sure that people know about them.

Again, I really love this space, and the coffee was delicious, and I so appreciate that I was able to take advantage of your reusable mugs. I just wish that more people knew to ask for the same!

Thank you for considering how to help mitigate the plastic...

Order from this place if you want to break your jaw and vomit at the same time! I ordered a delivery: 2 croissants, 2 croffles, 2 swiss rolls, garlic brioche and a smoothie. Smoothie had more ice(water) than blueberries and bananas together. Barely tastes like it supposed to. Chocolate swiss roll tastes like cotton disk with cocoa powder. I left the instruction for a second roll but they decided for me which roll I need! THE AUDACITY! On top of that they also decided that I need 4 croffles instead of 2 croissants and 2 croffles that I ordered. No calls, no questions: “Here, shovel it! We don’t care!” And I can’t start on these fcn croffles!! What? If it’s a delivery you’re gonna put in it the food that has been at your place for weeks and nobody’s gonna notice???? I could barely bite one of these nasty croffles, my jaw hurts SO MUCH, my teeth are bleeding, and the whole mouth is scratched! I had to put an effort to break them even with my HANDS!!! What is this attitude to a customer???? Thank you VERY MUCH for my spoiled breakfast! Btw Garlic bread that has SWEET cream-cheese and sugar in itself with SALT and GARLIC tastes disgusting too but relatively edible. Is it some kind of food for pregnant women?? Then point ot out in the description!! One of the worst deliveries...