Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre — Restaurant in Wethersfield

I recently moved to the area and after finding out about this place a few months ago, I make sure to stop in at least 2-3 times a week. I usually spend $70-80 for breakfast, which usually consists of sandwiches, yogurt, fresh juices, cookies/muffins. The food is awesome. Always fresh, lots of attention to detail, and super tasty. Most of the staff are helpful and friendly....HOWEVER my last few experiences here have really soured me to the establishment. There is one younger girl who has trouble getting simple orders correct which is fine, I've worked customer service and I'm never one to make stink about things. I usually just keep a wrong order too unless I'm allergic to it. A chance to try something new! But on the day she got my cookie wrong and I really wanted the cookie I asked for and I went up to tell her she put the wrong cookie in the paper bag, she argued that I ASKED for the ginger molasses, which I never would. It's not a cookie I eat. I asked her to take it back and give me the right cookie and after arguing that she definitely heard me ask for that cookie, she rolled her eyes, gave me this horrible attitude and glare and said "fine, I guess you can have a cookie for free". Excuse me??? My bill was $80, I'm not trying to get a free cookie, just the original cookie I had asked for! Oof. Then I had a recent encounter with I believe the owner? I had ordered 3 juices, totaling about $24 (with my breakfast that day). The woman at the juice bar made the 3 juices, one of the cups was about 3 quarters filled and she had some juice leftover from making my last juice. I said "oh, maybe we can just top this one off", she was NOT thrilled, ignored me, then when I said it again because I thought maybe she didn't hear me, snapped back "yea it won't fit" and turned away. I paid $8 for each 12oz of juice. One was not even close to full, but she was happy to dump out the extra from one of my other juices down the sink rather than top of the one that wasn't full. For a place that is passionate about food which I love, that just seems gross. Everytime I think about going back or suggesting it as a meeting spot with friends, I just cant do it. Those interactions felt so cold and rude. It sucks, the food is amazing there and there are some really nice staff there but I never know who I'll get.

UPDATE: well I got suckered in again. The location is just so convenient and I find myself in wethersfield often looking for a healthy meal. Tried it again, with fresh eyes, immediately met with rude staff. Ordered a total of $76 for 2 people for lunch, asked to sub arugula for the cheddar on a sandwich, whew, you would have thought I vomited all over her hair. The look of digust was so intense, she physically had to look away from me for asking such an absurd question. It's cool if you don't want to sub it, but man! Anyways food was fine, pastries were try and oversweet as usual. I'm sticking to my word this time. No more, I will not be...

I absolutely ADORE this place. I moved to the Hartford area recently from Austin, TX, and numero uno on my list: find my coffee place! After a LOT of looking around, trying places, and maybe drinking a few too many cortados, Heirloom Market is IT! This place has serious Vibe, the staff are incredible, nice, cool, and the pastries and food are DIVINE. They have an enormous indoor area for sitting, as well as a cozy loft, where I sit and work almost every day for several hours (where I consume far too much coffee, pastries, and food). Why this place isn't nonstop packed is beyond me. It would be an excellent hangout for students who need to study, creatives who need to create, or work-from-home-folks who need their caffeine fuel and a good place to focus.

My only wish??? That this place stayed open later. I am a night owl, and I have a sketch group that likes to meet in the evenings. This section of Wethersfield is often PACKED in the evenings, so why isn't the Heirloom Market which IMHO, should be rebranded "Heirloom Market and Cafe" because I think a lot of people don't realize they are a coffee and food place from the name! I didn't know until I walked in randomly one day. _

Many gluten free options! They warn against some cross contamination in the oven. It was still a larger variety of gluten free or vegan options than most places carry and that alone impressed me. Interesting mix of local goods and produce in the market part of the store. Good atmosphere, the greenhouse seating was fun, albeit pretty hot.

That said: Staff could use more training on gluten free safety for people with Celiac. I didn't love getting asked "if I had an intolerance or if it's actually serious" when trying to buy 6 different pastries to take home and photograph for my review. Just a rude way to ask "are you gluten free or just trying to be trendy and faking". I was told at the end that if I was gluten free to avoid cross contamination I shouldn't buy anything, which of course we did anyways and my partner ate. My partner said they were mixed in terms of quality and the muffins all had the same base, which was a bit grainy. They did note however the cookies were excellent, as was the cherry donut.

Edit: No one should have to clarify their medical status to get a gluten free product that is truly gluten free. If it's not gluten free 100% of the time, it shouldn't be labeled gluten free. Celiac isn't an allergy. It's an autoimmune disease where exposure to gluten causes the gradual destruction of your intestines. It can leave you on a feeding tube and a colostomy bag if untreated. So no, it's not an allergy, but yes, it is serious. If someone specified they want something gluten free - it would be nice if it was without strings or arguments or medical explanations. It makes a horrible experience for people with Celiac who just want to go out and enjoy their life like everyone else for...