Coffee Noir — Restaurant in Salt Lake City

This was the worst experience I have ever had at a cafe. The barista wore headphones and didn't look up from her phone, so we had to wave our arms to finally get service. We told her what we wanted, but she said she hadn't learned how to make those yet. (I guess she didn't think to use her phone to watch a tutorial.) So, we settled for an iced Chai and Americano. She didn't announce when the drinks were ready, so I have no idea how long they sat on the counter before we finally went to go see what was taking so long. She was staring at her phone again. The Americano was wrong - it was some sort of iced drink. When we finally waved our arms long enough to get her to take off her headphones again, she told us, "Americano's ARE iced." No, they are not. I have been drinking these for 30+ years and have never once had one delivered to me on ice. She argued with us until we asked for our money back, then she said she'd make one --- if we told her how to do it. We explained the process. She make a sickly-brown looking cup of water. We tried to get her attention again, but she would not look up from her phone. We threw the drinks in the trash can in disgust and walked out. I wish I could get my time and money back. What kind of cafe puts a person behind the counter who doesn't know how to make coffee and has no interest in learning or...

"we automatically charge 20% gratuity on all orders over $20". This isn't my favorite shop, Roots, Kings Peak, Red Moose and the Coffee Garden are all superior and more charming IMO - but if I'm in this area I have supported this shop over the years. I won't be back as I won't be forced to pay gratuity, it's my choice not the company's. I am sympathetic to post pandemic labor challenges, but there are better shops in the city, with the same challenges, who are making mutually beneficial customer-company decisions. Pay your employees better, raise prices if you must, but force gratuity on your larger orders? Hard pass.

When I picked up my order from the counter, and cleared my own table, I was dumbfounded that the barista was scrolling on her phone. There is no value in the gratuity to the customer. What's unfortunate about this is that I always tip, and I'm happy to pay 20% when the service is positive or exceptional.

As absurd as it is to write this, apparently keeping your order under $20 is how you can control your service...

Coffee is okay, on the pricier and smaller side. The croissants are good if heated. The other pastries are tough and dry. The peanut butter cookie is good (and I'm not a fan of peanut butter, but wanted to taste a little bit of everything). If your purchase is over $20, they add a 20% service charge, so be aware, even if it is for take out (I overheard a guy being so baffled at this when he came to pick up an order; glad I'm not the only one). Not all the workers are nice, so it depends on the day. It is also self serve and clean for the tables. So if you dine in and spend over $20, you are charged 20% on top of that just so the workers can make your order while you bus your own table and get your own water etc. I've tried to like this neighborhood coffee shop, but each time I went, it was something different (not so friendly workers, hard pastries, coffee not consistent, getting the wrong drink order, etc). So no, I will not go back. It definitely is convenient for the neighborhood, but not enough to convince...