Alchemy by The Pumpkin Pâtisserie — Restaurant in Warsaw

Edit: As expected, the owner blocked me, but not before posting a long tirade on her business's social media, filled with assumptions and false accusations. She clearly doesn’t “believe” in one-star reviews and takes them as personal attacks. For the record, I did not walk in with bad intentions. I tipped during both of my visits and asked about ramen because that’s what I had originally planned to try. I didn’t ask for my sweet potato to be remade - it simply wasn’t on the menu anymore, and I let it go.

Customers aren’t obligated to announce themselves when returning after a negative experience, especially if they’re being respectful. Oddly, I was also criticized for being polite, which somehow was twisted into an attempt to sabotage the business. I stand by my original review and sincerely hope the owner finds peace before this business takes a further toll on her emotional well-being.

I decided to give this business a second chance after a disappointing first experience. Unfortunately, what I've experienced is alarming. I have been following along on the owner's social media for a time, and to say that it is off-putting is an understatement.

The owner has a long standing habit of bullying and publicly shaming anyone who doesn't leave a glowing 5-star review. The same day I decided to give Alchemy another shot, that evening the owner once again referenced the poor review my husband had left (three months after the fact). She also claimed that I had messaged her to "fix it for him" when instead (and only after she had referenced his negative review at least 4 times over a period of 2 weeks) I had actually messaged her directly, imploring her to take accountability and encouraging her to use the situation for growth.

She has also made several comments that come off as blatantly classist - implying that if people can't afford her wildly inflated food prices, they simply shouldn't buy. It's one thing to run a premium business, it's another to insult and alienate potential customer's based on their socioeconomic background.

As someone who genuinely wants to support small, women-owned businesses, this situation is deeply disappointing. But I cannot, in good conscience support a business owner who consistently disrespects, gaslights, and humiliates her customers just for...

First, just to get a reservation you have to pay $10 per person. So my wife and I paid $20 just to get in the door. When we got there the place was pretty hip inside, and we were glad we made reservations because it was very small. We were immediately sat at a table in a hall way, then completely ignored for 30 minutes like we were their stepchildren. Not a single staff member even recognized our existence. We were lucky water was already at the table, because we didn't have anybody take a drink order. Meanwhile, the table behind us, who were sat 10 minutes after us, was on their second drink order when we finally decided to get up and leave. We spoke with a staff member about how disappointed and upset we were, and only then did they decide to take our order. We told them we were no longer interested, I was hungry and no longer wanted to spend around $150 for two people to eat there. We stated that we would like a refund for the reservation, and they said they would let the manager (owner?) know so they could take care of it. It is 6 hours later, no refund, not so much as a phone call to apologize. We really wanted to like this place, the menu looked wonderful. Instead, we drove a few miles away to eat at a wonderful brunch spot on a poultry farm which we will definitely return to.

Edit: There used to be a restaurant chain called Dick's Last Resort where diners were insulted as part of the theme. I guess that's the approach Alchemy has decided to take. Wow, I should have expected a terrible response from the restaurant considering the service, and they certainly met that expectation. Being a small business is no excuse for being a bad business. If you want people to spend $200 at your establishment, you should probably provide the equivalent service. But she wants to blame us for their failure. Instead of trying to fix this, they decide to shift blame. I was disappointed in the service, I am even more disappointed in their response. If you want to eat at a place that disrespects their customers both on site, and online, Alchemy is the place for you. They are also padding their reviews, they had 2 before I posted this, and suddenly they have several...

I have been dying to come in but life with 2 toddlers made it rough. Today I was able to come in and needed a mommy break. Just by walking in, I could feel myself relax. The atmosphere was so welcoming. I barely had the door completely open before Liz and her junior baddies welcomed me. The music was bumping which was so nice since I'm used to listening to Ms. Rachel or Bluey music. I'm traditionally a basic girly and normally eat a plain white bagel with plain cream cheese. Well today I tried the rainbow bagel with tomato, basil, and feta schmear and on the first bite, my stresses just melted away. It was hand rolled and the size was huge which was great since I was very hungry. The schmear was freshly made and I could tell the ingredients were fresh and well thought out. The amount of schmear was also perfection. Usually the schmears at other restraints is either one little swipe of the whole dang block of cream cheese. Not here. It was the right amount as if I did it myself. As I read over their beverage menu, so many great options and their names are on point, I decided to try the Redneck Arnold Palmer which is Mt. Dew (I chose regular but they also had sugar free), Iced Tea, and Strawberry Lemonade. The drink was crisp and had fresh garnishes that indulges the taste buds without leaving a nasty after taste. I sat at a table and chose the bench seat. It was nicely cushion, with the cutest pillows, and a soft blanket. As I sat looking out the window at the traffic and people scampering by, I was able to relax, refuel not only my body, but my mind. I continued to think of that drink and bagel all day and kept telling everyone about them. Is Alchemy everyone's cup of tea, no but that's what's great about them. It is a safe and welcoming space that offers food, beverages, and a place to breath. Downtown Warsaw needs more businesses like Alchemy where it's only the best ingredients for their customers, its woman own, and breaking through the little boy club of downtown businesses. I will be returning and appreciate they also offer rewards cards for...