Plowshares Coffee Bloomingdale — Restaurant in New York

I recently ordered two 12 oz. bags of coffee from Plowshares online—$20 each—and received them within 2–3 days. The coffee was excellent: fresh, flavorful, and worth the price. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to visit their storefront on 105th and Broadway to purchase more in person.

When I arrived, I began to enter the store with my scooter (which I always walk in with, respectfully, and never ride indoors). The door was halfway open when the man behind the counter abruptly shouted, “You can’t come in here!” Confused, I asked, “Really?” and he replied in a sharp tone, “You can’t bring a scooter in here. The store is very small.”

What bothered me wasn’t the policy—I understand small spaces have limits—but rather the rude and dismissive way it was delivered. There was no polite request or explanation, just hostility and what felt like a condescending attitude. I hadn’t even noticed a sign about scooters on the door, and I would have gladly complied had I been asked kindly.

I left without saying more, feeling disappointed. I had planned to buy another $40 worth of coffee and was even considering a monthly subscription. Instead, I called Plowshares and left a voicemail explaining the experience and asking for a call back. As of now, I haven’t heard anything.

It’s unfortunate. A great product should be matched by respectful customer service. I sincerely hope Plowshares addresses this and ensures that customers—especially loyal ones—are treated with...

First and foremost, the hot cocoa was weak, watered down, and downright disappointing. Swiss Miss would have been a better option. But that was just the insult on top of the injury.

From the moment we walked in, the attitude was immediate. Never having been there before, we asked, "Do you have hot chocolate?" Cue the eye roll and side-eye: "It's on the menu." Okay... then we asked about sizes. Another dismissive response: "12 oz and 8 oz." When we inquired about the price difference, yet again, "It's on the board." Seriously? Would it have killed him to just answer like a decent human being? Please see the menu below. Can you decipher the hidden message here? Did I miss something? HOT CHOCOLATE $4.50 (PERIOD).

I ordered the large, especially since both sizes appeared to be the same price—there was only one price listed on "the menu." Instead of a simple transaction, I got a condescending wave and shoo of the hand, as if I were a child being told to get out of the kitchen. "Ok, you paid. You can come back over here now and watch and wait while I make it."

The whole experience was unpleasant—rude, condescending service for overpriced, lackluster hot chocolate. Definitely not worth the money or...

The coffee was good, and the cookie was excellent. I also appreciate that they offer gluten-free alternatives, which is a great option for many customers. However, the biggest issue was the staff.

The service lacked both professionalism and courtesy. When placing an order, I felt like I was being stared at rather than welcomed. At one point, the cashier even shouted at some customers who were about to leave without clearing their table, saying, “Excuse me! We have designated areas for you to drop off your dishes,” before laughing with her colleague. This made both the customers and myself feel uncomfortable.

Additionally, the staff spoke so loudly among themselves that they were even louder than the customers. This kind of behavior does not create a welcoming or professional atmosphere. It’s a shame because the food and drinks were enjoyable, but the overall experience was negatively impacted by...