Aroma Cafe — Restaurant in San Rafael

I was bummed! I had a bad experience from beginning to end. I called ahead of time to see if they had wireless Internet as I had to get some work done while I had food. They said they did so off I went in search of "Aromas." I showed up and every table near the front of the cafe and near any windows said "Reserved for 2 or more people!" How lame is that? I had to sit in the back of the restaurant away from all of the light and all the people. LAME. But I toughed it out and found a table in the back. I unloaded my lapto, plugged in and turned on. Then I made my way to the front counter. I proceeded to order some breakfast and coffee. I went to hand them my credit card and BAM..... they only take cash. The guy behind the counter pointed at a TINY little sign on the register that said "cash only." He pointed to an ATM machine about 10 feet away. THAT SUCKS! I had to get out of line. I took out cash which cost me $1.75 at the ATM and another $2.00 from Wells Fargo! I had to pay $3.75 to pay the guy $8.00! How lame is that! So I went and got back in line. I finished paying and went to sit down. then I decided to trek across the cafe to the bathroom to find that it's controlled by a key. The sign said go ask the kitchen for the key. I went to the kitchen and asked for the key. The guy pointed to a key back towards the bathroom and seemed annoyed that I didn't see it. LAME AGAIN! So after the bathroom I logged on to my computer and guess what..... the wireless takes a "key." Back to line for a third time I go. I got to the front of the line and got the code. I got back to my table and guess what.... the Internet wouldn't work. So the bottom line: What cafe doesn't take plastic?!? What are they stuck in the stone ages? The Internet access sucks! There's a Starbucks 3 doors down that has great WiFi. The bathroom key is in the middle of the restaurant so don't do what the sign says and just look for the key under a hanging arrow. They make you sit in the back if you're by yourself. Bring a friend to be disappointed with. At least that way you might get to sit where it's actually light.

The coffee was pretty good. The food was okay. The hassle was huge and I HATE having to spend money in fees just to pay for a lazy company that doesn't want to take plastic.

Bottom Line: LAME, UNFRIENDLY and stuck in...

Great place for work/study. Wifi for 2hrs with purchase. Outlets, super spacious, lots of tables. They have a great menu and friendly service as well. I got the spinach mushroom quiche with a side salad (also came with an unexpected bit of bread and butter) and the strawberry raspberry mango smoothie. Both were great! I also purchased this packaged cookie from near the cash register- bad! I don’t recommend. 2 bathrooms open (with keys) for customers. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Suggestion: it would be nice if prices could be put on the little pastries and packaged goods near the cashier. I can’t be the only one who factors price into considering which little...

I like this place generally but try to avoid it when a certain person is working the counter. Short guy, wears hat backwards, usually there. He is neither nice or welcoming (but seems friendly to women), but the worst part is he doesn't call you when your beverage is ready. So you have to keep checking back to see if he's put it out yet; then if one is waiting, you have to ask if it is yours. I really wish they'd get someone else to take orders. He seems like the wrong person for customer service. Put this guy as a cook or something. (When another guy was working once, I told him that he was way better than the guy I'm writing about here. He said, "yeah, I've been...