Sightglass Coffee — Restaurant in San Francisco

Inconsistent service. When I entered Sightglass on Divisadero the service was like nothing I have ever experienced at Sightglass before. The workers were huddled over away from the register, concerned only with what ever banter they were sharing and with no interest in providing that smooth, seamless, passionate service I have always loved Sightglass for.

Finally, I ordered the macchiato.

Moments later they called my name and I approached the ready station to grab my tiny drink. When I got there I asked for a small side of spritzer water. The server pulls out a large bottle and pours a bit into a small glass, "all is well", I am thinking. But then as she passes me the small glass of spritzer water she says "just so you know, we sell whole bottles of spritzer water at the counter, we only give sides with espresso shots. Keep that in mind for next time". This is where the whole experience truly falls apart. I have been to Sightglass on Folsom st hundreds of times and never have I been told that a side of spritzer is not avail for macchiatos... so as you can imagine I was confused. I expressed to the blonde haired lady server "you do realize a macchiato is in fact an expresso shot with just a smidgen of steamed milk, right?" I also expressed to her that "at no other Sightglass have I not excitedly been provided a side spritzer water with my macchiato", she goes on to ask "are you sure?" I reply said.. "not ever". She went on to say some hoopla about she "... would look into it" and blah blah, at that point I was out.

Bottom line is consistency is everything. Very few understand that the highest level macchiato experience is accompanied with a side of spritzer water... the funny thing is I learned this fact from Sightglass themselves. So, why allow your principles to fall apart now Sightglass? It would seem based on my today's experience that during Sightglass's recent expansion efforts quality, consistency and that all around "Dopeness" are beginning to become their lost art. Sad times.

I can only hope that a review like this wake Sightglass up and get Sightglass back to whom they once were... so that my next hundred macchiatos will be as good as my first....

Great coffee. I tried espresso, Americano, cold filter (hot brewed), pour over, and quick drip between two visits. The bean flavor stood out as especially roasted to my taste on all the origins and blends that I tried. Maybe a medium roast (Full City-ish). So good to see shops pulling back from the very light roasts of the last wave of specialty coffee. The cold coffee was maybe my favorite but the quick drip and pour over were also excellent. So well done. Plenty of complexity and depth with no bitterness. Smooth and flavorful! I had mixed results on the espresso. My first visit I had an espresso that was deep and complex. A brisk, bold shot in the mouth but with a highly varied aftertaste that made it an adventure. My second visit I had an Americano, different barista, and the espresso flavor was not complex with no sweetness that I could detect. It tasted too dark and I would have preferred a lighter roast bean in this case. Also no single origin was offered for espresso, which would be an easy build. The interior is beautiful, including bathrooms! Lots of community seating (shared) in a minimalist but warm and homey setting. Very nice place to spend time. This is a gem for sure. Maybe my favorite overall coffee spot, although not...

Had the most humiliating experience at a coffee shop ever here.

I ordered a pour-over off the menu in the afternoon when the line wasn't too long. The barista making it kept loudly and repeatedly complaining to other baristas and customers about how he had to make the pour-over and couldn't help them. After the barista finished, he immediately went to complain to the next customer about having to make a pour-over and did not acknowledge me when I thanked him for making it.

They really went out of their way to let everyone know I was an inconvenience even though I didn't have any special requests, tipped, and there wasn't really a line. I'm not sure why they even have it on the menu if the baristas don't want to serve it? I guess if you choose to come here, be sure not to order anything that might inconvenience the baristas.

Otherwise, I've been here multiple times and it's always jam-packed. The coffee is always okay but pricey. I suspect being jam-packed but expensive makes the owners feel like they can get away with bad customer service (just read the other reviews). Plenty of other great coffee in the neighborhood that are just as...