Espresso Vivace South Lake Union — Restaurant in Seattle

I came into this coffee shop this past Sunday around 4PM and it was so beautiful outside! There were two people working behind the counter and my friend and I walked in. They both looked at us, and said nothing while continuing to work behind the counter.

I worked at Starbucks as my first job for roughly 5 years, and I would say to 'greet the customer' would be a fairly normal thing to do. My friend and I came down the stairs as I greeted them with "hello". I got no response other than stares.

BEST part is my friend and I get to the counter and begin to order. The front ringer had painted fingernails and wore something like a french beret. He stared blankly at me and asked "what can we get for you?". I smiled and said, "Hi, How are you today?" and he looked at me again AND SAID "what can we get for you?". TOTAL BLANK STARE. Just like.... NOTHING phased him.

I know this is Seattle, and I know you have bad apples everywhere. This by NO MEANS say's he is a "bad apple". But have some damn respect and kindness if you are going to be the FIRST face seen at a coffee shop. Have a better attitude! My first impression was saddened for the owners of this coffee shop, and the other customers who might have experienced his behavior. Mostly, saddened for him because I truly hope he know's what JOY feels like.

I would be bummed too if I had to work on a Sunday at 4:00pm when it's 80 degree's and beautiful outside. But, I probably wouldn't let my customers see that.

Sincerely, Another young person working to survive and love life, just like you. Only -...

I did not feel welcomed at this establishment.

I walked in and was half-heartedly greeted by the worker behind the counter as he was tending to another customer’s drink. I chocked it up to him being busy. Okay, understandable. I was originally looking for a restroom so I entered this cafe hoping there would be one, but I wasn’t sure if I had to buy something first so I started looking at the menu.

A lady more done-up (in comparison to my jeans and sneakers look) walks in soon after and he damn near instantly greets her in. I would even go as far as to say his demeanor changed a bit as she mentioned wanting to buy whole beans - a higher-priced item.

I didn’t have a lot of money so I asked how much a pastry item would be, to which he responds “idk 2 something,” saying it with some attitude. I had 3 in cash so I told him that would be it for me and I head to the check out area.

This is what irks me the most: He is actively watching me pull out physical cash - specifically 3 dollar bills - and as I go to hand it to him he says that they only accept card. Mind you, my hand was extended out for a couple seconds before he had the audacity to inform me. This was an interaction that could have been prevented, but instead felt like a form of humiliation. As he moved on to chat it up with the next customer I looked around to see if there was a “card only” sign anywhere. Nope. Not any place that I could see with my 2 good eyes.

The cookie I bought was a half-step above a Crumbl cookie, which isn’t saying much considering I’m not a...

I stopped in today (3/6, 10:30am) for the first time in a year in order to take a quick conference call. I ordered a pastry and an Americano, which came out to $6 after tax. I clearly remember because after I signed the receipt, the barista asked me to include the total. Generally I tip at coffee shops, and always at establishments I visit regularly, am staying at for an extended time, or if I have asked for a complicated order. In this case, I did not tip because I was only staying for an hour, and I asked for the simplest drink on their menu (they don't serve drip coffee).

I get automatic notifications on my phone when my credit card is charged, and a minute later, a notification popped up that I was charged $7.20 (my total + 20% tip). I checked other Yelp reviews and others have also mentioned receipts being modified by a woman matching the description of the barista who took my order.

Yes, it's a small amount, but it leaves me with an unsavory impression of this place. I'd prefer Espresso Vivace increase their prices by 20% and institute a custom of no tipping, rather than expecting customers to tip 20% and then taking it from them...