Playground — Restaurant in New York

This is the first Google review I have ever written; I have been coming to Playground for two years. I love it here: the coffee is great, it’s one of the very few family-owned coffee shops in the neighborhood, and it offers a quiet place to work productively during the week.

Today will be my last visit to Playground, on account of how nasty and aggressive the barista was. This morning, as I approached the counter, ready to pay for my coffee, I asked the Barista: “What’s your favorite pastry here? Is there anything in particular you would recommend?” I asked because I have never had a pastry at Playground, and I wanted to get something to go with my coffee.

When I asked, the barista looked up at me with a scowl. As if I had asked for her social security number, or said something deeply profane, she said, sharply: ”It’s subjective. I can’t say. Just get whatever you think looks good.”

What is shocking to me, and so strange about this interaction, is that OBVIOUSLY my question is subjective: In fact, that’s precisely why I asked the person who works behind the counter! My thinking (crazy as it might seem) is that the barista who works here every day might be willing to recommend something to eat. Clearly, this was far too much to ask.The intensity and aggression with which she recoiled, and the dismissive, blasé answer she gave me was unexpected and disappointing. If this is how repeat customers are treated, I can only imagine how first-time visitors are dealt with.

There are plenty of $7 lattes at other coffee shops in the neighborhood, and I'd encourage you to go get one of those instead of coming...

I gave this place a few tries as I wanted to support a local business seems to promote community building, and it’s right by my apartment. However, every time this place kept proving itself to be an unpleasant experience. Probably the unfriendliest staff I’ve ever encountered. I went back a few times to try to see if maybe it was one barista, but I think it must be a pre-req to hate people to work there?? Every time, the minute they saw a customer walk in there was an eye roll. I’ve heard the owner kind of sets the standard from others. I’ve talked to other past customers about this and they agreed that was one of the major reasons they stopped going. That and the coffee was mid. Truly couldn’t even finish my Americano as it tasted burnt. Go to Little Roy’s, Padmore’s, Stonefruit, Cafe Phil— literally anywhere else. You’ll find better coffee and service.

The only reason people go here is for the ambience. I have to say, it is gorgeous when you go to the back to work. If I could just go sit and not have to drink their coffee or speak to their employees, I would give this place 4 stars.

I hate to write a review like this, but please get...

Will never go again. The person working today, whether staff or owner, was extremely unfriendly and rude. They failed to inform us of the no laptop policy on weekends before we made our purchase, despite us indicating that we planned to stay for a while. It was only after receiving our coffee and opening our laptops that they informed us of this policy. When I mentioned they should have informed us beforehand, since this isn't a common assumption for most people, they responded in a confrontational manner, asserting their right to run their business as they see fit.

I was particularly taken aback when they mentioned, "I am from New York and 'we' don’t talk like this in NYC." during our exchange. I did not understand why being from NYC should be referenced in an exchange like that. As a Middle Eastern woman who has lived in NYC for many years (though not born and raised here, as my accent might reveal), I found this behavior contradictory to the community-oriented image this place purports to uphold. In my ten years in Brooklyn, I have never encountered...