Here are the pluses from my first visit: Free wi-fi, plenty of seating, relaxed atmosphere, Bagel World bagels, and a nice selection of desserts (including gluten free). The girl working there was pleasant and helpful. This is definitely a place where they want customers to spend some time hanging around.
The minuses: The coffee is from New England Coffee Co., which I associate more with office kitchens and convenience stores. I'm not a total coffee snob. I just think that if you're a cafe (and charging Starbucks like prices), you should serve a product that isn't readily available at a gas station mini mart. I also think the you should know how to make the drinks. Case in point, the iced latte I had.
Long story short, the girl made my "iced latte" without using the espresso machine. She poured what I thought may have been chilled espresso from the fridge over ice into a paper hot coffee cup (instead of the plastic cups for iced coffee drinks), added skim milk, and put a lid on the cup. When I tasted it outside (my fault), it was bascially a $3.50 cup of milk with a splash of weak coffee.
I'm sure she would have remade the drink for me, but I was already driving and didn't feel like going back. I really want to like this place and will definitely give it a second chance. I think this is just the kind of place we need downtown and it would be a good spot to go for dessert after eating at another restaurant.
I am so sorry to see this place go! I loved it on Sunday afternoons when I could eat lunch and use the Wifi. Delicious coffee and everything.
Rev Maddie Sifantus