Bello Coffee & Tea — Restaurant in San Francisco

I've been to Bello many times. None were particularly remarkable except for the beautiful rainbows that fall across the countertop in the evening sunlight - the result of a well-placed, beautiful coffee contraption in the window. I've lived in San Francisco for a long time, so I'm used to rude service being trendy... but I have never had a cordial interaction with any of their employees. The coffee is okay, but I had a bad enough experience there to officially review this place as just "meh."

We are vegan, and my daughter likes to sip a steamed soy milk while my husband and I drink our cup'o. As we were ordering, the guy behind the counter was way more interested in telling his coworker a story than acknowledging our existence. I told him "soy" two times because I didn't want him to ignore this particular detail - our order wasn't complicated, just two coffees and the kid's steamer. Sure enough my daughter took one sip and looked at me in horror as she blurted out "what is this?!" I opened the lid and it was unmistakably as white as you would expect pus-infused calf hormone growth formula to be. I was angry but calm when I told him I'd asked for soy and he'd given my child cow juice. His first reaction was defense, saying he'd given me soy, but when he looked for himself he did rescind. "Oh yeah, hope she's not allergic!" was his fake-jovial reply. SMH. This guy is a jerk. My daughter burst out crying and apologizing to the cows.... She was 2 - a 2 year old with more compassion than the guy working there. Ugh, now I get my coffee from Canyon Market. The only reason for two stars instead of one is that fortunately he's not the one...

Coffee is good but the place is small so seating runs out fast. We also just had a poor service experience there.

The person working the counter (heavyset bald guy) felt the need to make sure everyone in the shop knew how much he hated closing on the weekends because weekend customers don't know how to tip and he works for a living so it's important he gets paid. Ironically, they don't take tips via credit or debit card so I'm sure that plays into the tip factor alongside of his bad attitude.

Next I asked for the bathroom key which must have annoyed him since he then felt the need to call out that it's hanging on the wall "next to the big sign saying bathroom key". What he didn't notice is the elderly man sitting directly in front of the key was blocking my view. Maybe if the key wasn't left at eye level for an 8 year old it would have been more visible.

The coffee is good but not worth the experience if you want to...

Vanilla rose latte and lavender white chocolate mocha are delicately devine! The espresso here is top notch.

I've always wanted to try this place because of the amazing aroma I smell when I walk past on my way to Bart. Finally stopped in around 9am on a Thursday morning. No line. Spent about $8 (before tip) on two drinks which were made very quickly. The espresso here is very smooth. Not bitter or sour at all.

The vanilla rose latte was wonderful. Very delicate sweetness and rose flavor that is not overpowered by the vanilla. Very pretty Instagrammable foam designs on the lattes.

The lavender white chocolate mocha was also very nice and had a very gentle lavender flavor that paired nicely with the white chocolate. I opted for no whipped cream so I got another nice foam...