Nova Coffee — Restaurant in Portland

After drinking a coffee and working on my laptop for a bit, I wanted to buy a muffin, so I asked the barista if the one I wanted had any nuts because I have an allergy. She didn't know off the top of her head, so she looked at the label and said "look, it says it's vegan" to which I replied, "oh but I asked if it had nuts, do you have the ingredients?". She glared at me and very exasperatedly said (almost shouted) "I don't know, we don't make them here dude", waving her arms around like she was angry with me. I felt incredibly uncomfortable and immediately left. I've never experienced someone so frustrated over a simple question, especially related to a safety concern. I've also never experienced a restaurant that doesn't know if a major allergen is in the food that they serve.

The music was also incredibly loud for a cafe, although that was not my first concern after the way I was treated.

I went on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from about 12:30...

They will not be getting my business anymore. I used to enjoy coming early to my daughter’s acting class across the street at The Oregon Children’s Theater they advertise they close at 3pm on Saturdays. I came in about 2:35/40 and they already had a closed sign and the person working there (Sat 3/2/24) was rushing to close up and was rude as I am sure she wanted to get out of there at 3 as that’s what she told other customers who were coming in after me. They shouldn’t advertise they close at 3 if they are shutting things down at 2:30. I wouldn’t have even bothered spending my money there and just proceed to the other coffee shops around this area. RUDE, RUDE, RUDE . Didn’t even care to say thank you, etc. Some people who work in customer service, should consider a different career that doesn’t interact with the public. Not a good look for your business. It’s not a customer’s fault that you want to leave right at your...

I needed a place to stop and eat while taking a phone call; felt so lucky to find this place. The person serving me was incredibly accommodating both to my indecisive hesitancy around what to order as well as me being slightly distracted trying to prepare for call. I can’t speak about the food variety because I didn’t buy much, but got a cup of tomato soup for $4 and free bread on the side. Bread was toasted in a way I loved. I also noticed free drinks are possible—someone can pay something like a latte forward, and someone else can request that.

Really love the atmosphere. Enjoyed hearing UMI over the speakers at one point while waiting for my order inside. Felt COVID-safe in the way there were also three tables outside, spaced out in a way that felt ~6 feet apart, partially covered—I could be dry outside and enjoying food while rain...