Mostra Coffee — Restaurant in San Diego

I was drawn to this coffee shop based on the reviews, but unfortunately I was left terribly disappointed.

I drove from Poway to try their mint mojito monthly special. I ordered it online for pickup in-store. Here are all of the reasons why my experience was quite possibly one of the worst I've had at a coffee shop:

The line was very long, nearly to the entrance, and I noticed the assistant manager was taking inventory of merchandise at that time, when clearly all hands were needed to combat the Sunday morning crowd. I asked a barista at the bar if my mobile order earned points in the loyalty program. He told me the systems are not tied but that points could be added, however I'd have to stand in the long line to do that. I stood in the line while I waited for my drink and when I got to the register, the assistant manager took over the middle of the transaction when the other girl was looking up my account to add the loyalty credit. The manager then tried to charge me for the drink again. I waited for my drink some more and then was told they were out of half and half and could not make my drink. What kind of coffee shop runs out of half and half before the day is even halfway over?! Very disappointed, I told the assistant manager that I wanted a refund. She said ok and walked away. I stood around for a few minutes and finally got her attention to ask if she was going to acknowledge my existence again. She said she had issued the refund. So why let me continue to stand around and not follow up? Also, she gave me no documentation whatsoever and I am still waiting for a refund to post to my card. I told her that this was a terrible experience all around and she acted as if she couldn't be bothered and there was no reason for my annoyance and disappointment. Her demeanor was not appropriate for one who interacts with customers, let alone one in a position of leadership.

What I find most disappointing is that I reached out directly to the business in order to share this experience for improvement. To date, the email has been opened 4 times but no one has addressed it. I don't anticipate I will receive a response unless I need to reach out again should the refund not be credited within the next week. Working in client services myself, I have had to address when my team did not live up to expectations and senior management certainly would not find it to be acceptable for me to leave a customer hanging.

I really wanted to like this place as I am always on the hunt for local coffee shops with creative drinks, but I don't see myself going back since it is out of the way for me and I do not feel valued...

Driving up the 15 from SD to Temecula, I needed a strong coffee and not from that chain place with the green straws. That’s too easy, no bleh. So, I searched on Yelp for something en route and this spot popped up. The directions took me thru the wrong parking lot but I eventually found this caffeination oasis….and got VIP parking right in front. The vibe was old world meets modern industrial. I felt like I could stay there and hang out all day, or grab a quick cup and jet if I was in a rush. I am here for a place like this that gives me both!

They have a bunch of house made syrups and milks which was super fun. My kiddos grabbed the no-caffeine drinks, Ube Wan-Kanobi & The Yeti. They were sweet and cold, great light flavors that my kiddos loved!

I was here for the caffeine, so I grabbed the Honey Lavender Latte, oat milk on ice. My first sip put me into a trance. Most times with a drink like this, especially over ice, you can’t taste the coffee/espresso, but this drink…..wOW!! I understand why the owner/barista was award winning!! The sharp flavor of the dark liquor cut thru the honey and lavender and creamy milk to bring me a feeling of a pinky cup of warm, strong espresso after a meal. I was transported to Italy for about 30 seconds before I was hit back to reality by the light lavender spell that felt like it was directly from the local fields. This coffee spot is top of my list. Tucked back in a Home Depot parking lot, it is a destination. One you can bet you will find me at again!

Pro Tip: have your friends sit in the booth and take a photo while you pose in the mirror, in the...

YOU HAD ME AT "BIBINGKA ......... LATTE"

As well as culture, concept, creativity, and uniqueness.

espresso, delicious price, fair service, good

I have tasted many different kinds of creative flavored lattes up and down the west coast and had to add this to my list. I usually see myself sipping good espresso in the busy streets of big coffee capital cities. Never could I imagine sipping good espresso in north county, in a shopping plaza, in the middle of suburbia. long line but goes by quick. Small space, limited seats and tables, but many people coming and going.

BIBINGKA CREME BRULEE LATTE - It had taste, it had body, it had texture, but it didn't have foam art. The beans used was the Fortissimo Espresso. The bean's flavor profile has dark chocolate, turbinado sugar, molasses, hints of dark fruit and citrus zest. I had mine with almond milk for a more nuttier-creamy flavor because I knew this latte is on the sweet side. The bibingka flavor was present but not overwhelmingly noticeable. You would have to had bibingka in your life to recognize the flavor in it. They blow torched the sugar on top to make the Creme brûlée layer resting on of the espresso - no fancy foam art, just brown bubbly looking foam. The Creme brûlée creates texture in the drink. The Creme brûlée top breaks down to smaller pieces that come with your sips, giving your mouth a little "espresso forte", nibble-crunching on sweet pieces while sipping down good espresso. Highly recommend!

JABA APPROVED. Until the...