Seven Stars Bakery - Hope Street — Restaurant in Providence

My husband and I decided to try a new place for coffee and pastries this morning. We chose the Hope St. location of Seven Stars Bakery. The pastries were great (even though my tart was thrown into the bag upside down). The coffee, however... that was another story.

We did our go-to order for any coffee shop- iced Americano for me, coffee and an espresso shot on the side for my husband. His espresso was luke-warm... it had obviously been sitting around for quite awhile. My Americano was weak (which tends to happen on occasion regardless of where I go, so I could’ve overlooked that if it’d been the only issue.

The strangest, and most disconcerting thing was the espresso. My husband’s first shot was barely room temperature, with absolutely no crema. He asked for another shot, gave the one he had back, and it was like they had just taken the same shot and thrown it in the microwave 😬

As a barista myself I realize that I sometimes set my standards a bit high, but even giving them some leeway, the espresso was BAD. It looked and tasted like it had been sitting for quite awhile. When I went up to order an extra shot to add to my weak Americano I was literally handed the shot in about 20 seconds. It takes 30 seconds just for the shot to brew... so it seems as if they are pulling several shots at a time and serving them as they’re ordered. I can’t really think of any other plausible reason for the espresso to be so bad.

Bottom line : go for the pastries, but DEFINITELY bring coffee from...

At times, I think the Food Network is such a tease - you're sitting in front of the television watching these amazing chefs prepare some of the most delectable dinner courses, while all you have in the fridge/pantry is some bread, cheese, and butter, and all you can make is your specialty grilled cheese (luckily, I've become a pro). Going to Seven Stars is a similar feeling. You walk in to the sweet smell of pastries and the inviting aroma of coffee. There are so many tasty options you have trouble choosing. Cream cheese danish or blueberry turnover? Forget it, I'll take both.

Seven Stars is where I wish I could spend my entire day (and my day's entire caloric value). The pastries are delicious and there is so much variety. I've had quite a few and my favorites are the chocolate croissant, cream cheese danish, sticky bun, and blueberry turnover. Their iced coffee is also really good and perfectly strong. The ice cubes in the iced coffee are even made out of real coffee so your drink doesn't get watered down (so clever!). Everything is pretty decently priced which makes for a pretty cheap breakfast or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

The atmosphere is also great - a perfect place to relax and unwind and also a great place to meet friends. The outside patio is really nice (especially when it's not too cold outside). Just make sure you avoid the macaroon case at all costs - it's so dangerous. It's hard to just have 1, or 5, or 10. They are...

Hey remember when I worked for your company for 8 years and you eventually cut my pay and told me that I would never get a raise ever again, since, "you get paid enough with tips" (exact quote) and then you threatened to demote me from my supervisor position based on accusations that were verifiably untrue, despite the fact that I had the highest sales per visit of any employee in the entire company, because I sure do! With all that being said, I still hold this place near and dear to my heart. I had so many positive experiences working there and had the privelege of meeting some amazing people, many of whom were among the hardest working people I have ever met, and it's such a shame that ownership has continued to not pay them the wages that they are definitely deserving of receiving. It's too late for me, as I have moved on, but don't cry for me Argentina! Instead, I encourage all customers to tip the staff generously, especially during this uncertain economic period in which inflation is at record highs and the cost of living has made it basically impossible to live off of the woefully inadequate pay that my friends are being given. Also, the kouign amann (pronounced queen ah-MAHN) are absolutely delicious, especially when they're heated up! Highly recommended! Support...