Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Newton Centre — Restaurant in Newton

UPDATE: they rearranged the pickup and I've had some great food in the past year from them so I've got nothing but good things to say at this point, changing it to 5*

Tatte is a top-notch bakery with a huge selection of pastries. But holy smokes, they are always so busy. I always order pickup, and the place is jam-packed with folks trying to find a place to stand in the snaking line. They don't have a particularly good flow for pickup, either. Today, for example, I walked in and picked up my order (large bag and my drink) from the pickup table. It's my bad for not double checking the bag, but when I returned home it was missing the two pastries I ordered. Nobody picked up the phone at Tatte, so I drove back. There is another counter space where an employee said on a previous visit that they sometimes put bigger carry out orders. I checked there and found one of my pastries, was searching for the other, and was reprimanded by the cashier not to touch things in that space, which is apparently a staging area. Another employee asked what I needed, and got the final pastry that was missing. I suppose it had been forgotten. I'm genuinely not sure what I should have done to make that go more smoothly - like I said, there is no dedicated staff member to talk to about your pickup order. There are harried staff shuttling stuff to the pickup counter/shelf, and there are overwhelmed cashiers handling the sometimes-50-person line. It leads to a frustrating setup for customers and employees alike. The arrangement of the space really needs to be rethought, but like I said, the pastries are delicious. The food is so-so.

And this is not meant to be a critique of the staff. They're doing their best in a system that seems to have way too many moving parts, and have always been...

I recently visited Tatte Bakery and Cafe and was blown away by the deliciousness of the Tatte Signature latte with Honey, Halva and Cardamom. The flavors were perfectly balanced and the latte was expertly crafted.

The cafe itself is spacious and has a modern, inviting atmosphere. However, it can get quite packed at times, which means finding a seat can be a challenge. That being said, the café does offer both street parking and a parking lot, so finding a spot to park your car should not be an issue.

Overall, I highly recommend Tatte Bakery and Cafe for anyone looking for a delicious coffee or pastry in a welcoming environment. The latte I had was truly exceptional, and I can't wait to try some of their other menu items on my next visit. So, it's a great place to hang out with friends or to have a quick bite on the go.

As a final note, I want to remind readers to be kind and respectful to the workers at Tatte Bakery and Cafe. The staff members are doing their best to serve customers and keep the cafe running smoothly, even when it gets packed. It's important to remember that they are human beings with their own challenges and struggles, and they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

Additionally, I strongly encourage customers to tip generously. The staff members at Tatte work hard to provide excellent service, and they deserve to be fairly compensated for their efforts. Not only will a generous tip show your appreciation for their hard work, it will also help to support their livelihood and contribute to a positive work environment.

In short, Tatte Bakery and Cafe is a fantastic place to enjoy a delicious coffee or pastry, and I highly recommend it. Just remember to be kind to the staff and tip generously, and you'll have a great experience at this...

Drinks: The drinks can take about 5-7 minutes to make.

Matcha latte - It is milky and rich. I like that it is not obviously sweetened like Starbucks, but you can add your own sweeteners from their offerings.

Mocha - It is smooth, dark, and also not sweetened.

Tatte house latte - the honey halva latte, is their unique offering. They use a house-made halva syrup, which tasted semisweet and definitely nutty. It isn't something I would order on a regular basis because it doesn't suit my tastes, but it is different from the usual if you're looking to try something new.

While they don't provide the option explicitly, I was able to ask for half decaf when I went late in the afternoon.

Only 12 oz drinks fit into their mugs. You will get a paper cup instead of you order a 16 oz drink or order to go.

Food: I only tried a brownie once. It was decent, but I didn't think it was anything special. All of their brownies are flourless.

Atmosphere: This place can be rather noisy from people talking if it's very busy. You can still hear your own conversation. They also play music quietly.

There is plenty of seating and open space, but it does still get packed at peak times.

Service: Service has always been excellent each time I've been here. If you're dining in, they give you a number on a stand to take to your seat of choice and they will look for you when your...