4th Ave Espresso Bar — Restaurant in Seattle

Prices charged on cashier was different than menu/sign even before tax, so please take care and be aware of shady practices happening here, as itemized receipt will only be given when you ask for it. I brought this issue up with the establishment and was ignored (see below) so I have reported this business but want future patrons to be aware of the shady practices and that is why I am writing a review here. Before payment, I had brought up the price difference gap and asked the cashier/barista before paying, and I was brushed off and was told it was “tax” and said “prices shown above does not include tax”; but that is not possible - I am local and tax rate max is 10.25%. My total bill was 17.25% on top of the listed price on signs. They did not give me a receipt after I paid for it, so I asked for an itemized receipt and they printed it out. The receipt showed that the base price was 7% more than the sign/menu pre-tax, and further tax (10.25%) was charged on top of that price. I brought this up again and was told it was “tax” and prices on board does not reflect tax. Showing them the base price pre tax vs board does not match seem not to do anything as the same answer was repeated. Perhaps the tax excuse works well for tourists visiting and staying at the hotel. I am appalled that a historic hotel such as Fairmont Olympic allows shady business practices associated with their establishment here in Seattle. By the way, future patrons - coffee here is by Cafe Ladro and there is a Cafe Ladro 2 min walk away so I would recommend visiting Cafe Ladro directly if you have the time and are looking for coffee. Price there is transparent at least. I did give a chance for the establishment to rectify the situation on the spot, but was brushed off. Future patrons...

I was having an ass-crack morning. Running on 4 hours of sleep, bus was 20 minutes late, the looming threat of in-laws coming to stay at my house later that evening. I stumble into this place half awake, knowing I can count on their lattes and pastries to resurrect me enough to complete my wage-slave duties for the day. Through puffy eyes I see the barista look at me, her eyes widening. "Oh my gosh," she says, "you are, like, so pretty." I blink, unsure if I heard her correctly. "You're giving like, movie character energy right now." She proceeds to take my order, chatting with me the whole time. As she finishes my latte, she looks at it with admiration and says, "this looks sooo good." Hands me a steaming chive and cheddar scone and sends me on my merry way. Morning turned around. Day made. Stomach full. Caffeine entering my bloodstream. What more could you ask for on a...

This rating only applies to Gwen, she shouldn't be in service industry at all. I stayed at the Fairmont for over a week, and been going to this cafe for coffee and sandwiches every morning, thank God, she was only working there twice that week, everytime she's there, she just lie about the grill is broken, and instead, she throws everyone's sandwiches order with the take out box in the microwave. And made our sandwiches so saggy and didn't even bother to cut our sandwiches. When I asked her to grill my sandwich as what other severs would do every morning, she gives me attitude and telling me "no, I already told you, absolutely not". she is so lazy, honestly, Gwen, nobody asks you to work there, if you don't want to work, then leave! I hope I won't see Gwen again once I return...