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Cafe Sophie
Categories: Restaurants Cafes Food Coffee & Tea Cafes, Coffee & Tea
3463 16th St(between Sharon St & Dehon St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighbourhood: Castro
(415) 529-2972
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 7 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dessert, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
60 reviews for Cafe Sophie
Review Highlights
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"...light, comfortable, modern, natural wood throughout, great..." In 4 reviews -
"Thoroughly enjoyed my Verve Roasters americano." In 6 reviews -
"I've had their latte and hot mocha and both were awesome." In 5 reviews
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60 reviews in English
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Review from Mollie c.
San Francisco, CA
5/22/2012
Best staff in the world.
Also, I don't really get the no-outside-food-policy complainers. Everyone knows that Ike's is so 2007--and if you're really going to go there, the best thing to do is eat in on a random Castro stoop. :D Silly to complain about this perfectly friendly cafe. They can't control the fact that Ike's still doesn't have enough space for its patrons.
Anyway, this place is really refreshingly great. -
Review from Alexandra M.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2012
Cafe Sophie is my favorite cafe in the whole wide world. Owner Sean knows what's up.
The interior is bright and fresh, as it was constructed out of a single cedar tree (how lovely). It just smells perfect in there: no weird food aromas, just coffee and earthy wood. Mmmm.
And if you sit in the bay window-esque areas, you'll feel like you're outside. You can even stick your legs out.
No doubt, coffee here is impeccable. Even better is their floral, ever so slightly honey-ish iced-tea.
After months of sub-par pastries, some serious croissants debuted. These babies are no joke. I know they're a tad pricey, but please get a croissant. I believe they're crafted by Neighbor bakery. The pistachio-marmalade is worth the $3.75 or whatever -- it's lunch.
Serious friendliness in this cafe. Though it's a great place to get work done (free wi-fi and just enough outlets), friendly baristas will sit by your side and chat with you when you need a break (they have a sixth sense about these things).
This place is all about quality & love.
P.s. The sweetest little view can be seen from Dehon alley, right next to Cafe Sophie. Good place to go get mushy over the city's cuteness.
P.p.s. Oh, yeah. Please don't bring Ike's sammies in hurr. The aromas just do not mix. Control your hunger and walk a few blocks further to the park, where all messy eating should happen. -
Review from Jon T.
4/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The other day, got here about a half hour before they closed. My girlfriend wanted to get some coffee to go with her ikes sandwich, and I a mexican coke. When she tried ordering her coffee, they told her they actually didn't have anymore because they start cleaning up approximately 45 minutes before they close. Ok, that makes sense, no big deal. She gets an americano instead, and I my coke.
Now while we're ordering this, keep in mind that we have the ikes stuff in our hands, directly in front of them. And clearly they know what this looks like, being just a few steps away ikes. After we sit down to enjoy our beverages and eat our food, they tell us there is no outside food allowed. Really? You're going to let us order something we didn't even want (the americano) and then tell us we can't eat inside. It wasn't like we were going to make a mess or the place was full. Also, they didn't even have food available!!
I get that places have policies but if you're not going to be upfront about them that's lame. Will not be coming back here. -
Review from Emilynne A.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cafe Sophie!
I love-love-LOVE this place! They're one of the smaller coffee/tea shops in the Mission Dolores/Castro border area, spitting distance from Dinosaurs. The interior decor is adorable (high ceilings, wooden tables, a couple bar/high-seat areas, perfect for someone sitting alone, tables, and window-booths).
The staff is super friendly, and the cafe is always pretty quiet and low key. The coffee is decent, but I'm not a huge coffee snob so I can't speak too much on it. What I can say is that the espresso doesn't taste burnt, the coffee is delicious as far as I'm concerned, and the mochas are to die for.
Also, an order of tea is also provided to you in a small teapot that will yield 2-3 cups of warm, fragrant tea. The standout for me, however, is definitely the hot chocolate--so def. give it a try!
The snacks are pretty good, but it's really the entire package that warrants the 5 stars. If you're looking for a nice place to sit, be productive, and enjoy a nice warm drink, this is definitely the place to do it. -
Review from Alicea W.
3/29/2012
This is a great neighborhood internet cafe. I planted myself there for several hours, and never felt rushed to, well, unplant myself. The staff is friendly, and they make a great hot chocolate - I like the added marshmallows. Mostly locals frequent this cafe, so one does not get the chain coffee shop feel. The cafe is spacious, and the Wi-fi is fast and reliable.
One tip: Don't even think about bringing outside food in here. Especially your Ike's sandwich. Shh. Shush. Zip it. No buts. I just said don't even think about it! -
Review from ju C.
San Francisco, CA
3/24/2012
Good coffee made with Verve beans. The mocha was just a tad on the sweet side for me, but I am one who prefers my mocha to be made with good chocolate that is low in sugar. You can choose to have marshmallows on it too. Oh, and the mocha is only served with whole milk, which is quite common at coffee shops that use artisan coffee beans. I would agree mochas do taste better with whole milk than lowfat milk.
The bear claw and pistachio blackberry croissant were good. Service was good. Place is quiet and clean. Good for people who want to work at a coffee shop. -
Review from Annie L.
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
After scanning a few previous reviews of this spot I note that people find it pricey, that makes me feel good that you find it pricey. Oh... Did I upset you? I would say sorry but it's the little travel thrills like this that make living in, expensive taxed to the last thread of my knickers, Dublin palatable. I feel like I am a James Bond villain when I travel, the Monte Carlo kind not Jaws.
So to me the coffee was so very affordable - darling.
The perplexed look coupled with disappointment that I evoked from both the baristas that were in deep chat prior to my arrival was not particularly good for my soul.
I had to pause you beautiful people - I wanted to play my role of customer, my bad for making you take positions behind the counter. My self worth did dip and I hung to the thought that I could buy them if I wanted, that made me feel better.
The coffee was superb, I even tipped which stirred a sliver of emotion in the cool hipster barista's bearded face. I grinned. Rich people grin. The barista insisted on bringing it down to me. Rich people get served by confused baristas.
Wifi is great. Wonderful light coming in and I enjoyed the simple decor.Listed in: Coffee in San Francisco
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Review from Joanna R.
2/14/2012
Poop. They have a no outside food policy.
It sucked for this poor little girl here who had JUST bought a sandwich down the block at Ike's. But it is quite alright, I respect them.
I would have stunk up the place too : / would have been bad on my part.
Anyways, Cafe Sophie a nice and quaint little cafe with a nice interior. You might miss it if you're driving by but just being inside made me feel pretty nice. Free wifi so it's good if you need a quiet place to study. The people working there are very nice and friendly. I ordered the Iced Dragon Eyes Tea which sounds sooooo much cooler than oolong (: Twas a nice cup for the sunny day! (*EDIT: Oops, my bad. It's actually not Oolong style tea but a green tea infused with juice from the Longan fruit.)
Thank you! Will probably be back again, after church on another Sunday. -
Review from steph t.
San Francisco, CA
4/27/2012
Went to Cafe Sophie for the first time today and ordered an ice coffee for $3. The counter person was quirky and nice. The coffee was delicious and I will probably go back for more.
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Review from Emiko T.
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cafe Sophie is a wonderful, bright gem of a cafe in a great part of the Castro as it's off the beaten path and a wonderful place to sit, study and stare into the technological bliss of your laptop forever. There are plenty of places to sit and so space doesn't seem to be a problem, however you might just need to get a little cozy next to your neighbor.
Service is extremely friendly and welcoming and is probably the number one reason why I'd come back. They don't have much selection in terms of food but the coffee is great and they have a variety of teas/lattes you can order. They also had a sweet Yelp deal for checking in which was a large coffee for 75 cents off or something. Anyway, it's a whole lot of coffee that could keep you up and wired and plugged in for a while. And free wi-fi helps with that, too.
Definitely a great meeting spot, very minimalist and a simple cafe. One bathroom. But it works and it's great. Best part is service with a hipster smile. -
Review from Sofia R.
I stopped by Cafe Sophie to get some work done.
Cafe Sophie is great for studying. Cozy place, decent amount of outlets, free wi-fi, awesome coffee/tea, good pastries, and great people working. It's a good work environment because it's pretty chill here.
I decided to order a Tea Steamer which was a new addition to their menu. I got the Honey Monkey tea steamer and a polkadottie chocolate chip cookie (which was also new).
A tea steamer is basically tea steeped in steamed milk rather than hot water. In this case, tea steamers may not necessarily be the best thing to have if you need to perk up and do work but I couldn't resist because I do love milk tea very much and this Honey Monkey did not let me down. Delicate in flavor and delightful to drink. Also very pretty!
The polkadottie cookies are not housemade. They're made by another business in San Francisco that specializes in making cookies. This cookie was made well and I did enjoy the homey taste in every bite. I understand why they decided to purchase these for their cafe.
At the time, some of the staff was working on setting up some decor for the cafe. I've been to Cafe Sophie time and time again and I thought it was weird that their decor changed so often, but now I know that it's because they host little art galleries. I don't know when and how often, but you can call and ask. I plan to attend one one day if I can.
This is a charming cafe that deserves your attention.3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/19/2011
I stopped by here really quick to get some iced tea. I think I'm always trying to find an excuse to… Read more »
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Review from Marco C.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012
My favourite café by far in the Castro area - good coffee, perfect for reading/studying.
Pros:
- free wifi at decent speeds
- good availability of outlets
- very clean, well-lit space with big bay windows you can sit in
- extremely friendly baristas
- great espresso drinks...yay Verve Roasters (local-ish - Santa Cruz)
- don't charge extra for soy
Cons:
- not usually crazy busy, but can get hard to find a table - there aren't a lot of seats
- not a huge fan of the drip I've had, way too lively for me
- is a little pricier than your average coffeehouse - you won't pay less than $2.75, I think, and espresso drinks are in the $3-4 range -
Review from Emy B.
3/24/2012
Quite possibly the most outstanding cup of Decaf Americano I have EVER had. So smooth and so delicious. There's nothing more I can say about it. After grabbing some sandwiches from Ike's we stop in because it was cold and I really wanted something hot in my tummy. I'm so glad we did.
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Review from Cathy K.
12/11/2011 3 photos
My 500th review ~
Like a moth to the light, I was drawn into Cafe Sophie by the pop up board on the curb, proclaiming amazing mochas. I just had to try one.
True to its word, it was wonderful. A perfect blend of light chocolatey sweetness and espresso with a dusting of cocoa on top of a beautiful design.
I was particularly touched by the thoughtful service. Walking up to the register, the barista kindly said he'd help me soon and later brought his labor of love to my table with a smile. I truly appreciated his heartfelt customer service, which is sadly rare these days.
Cafe Sophie also serves beautiful pastries. I wish they also had some savories and a few extra chairs and tables. I guess it's a trade off for the extra room. Ambiance is easy on the eyes, ears and elbows, with lots of wood features, slate blue wall and attractive local artwork. A gem.Listed in: The Keepers, Shhhhh...
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Review from brazz y.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2011
Ok, I really hate to only give 3 stars. No one wants to love this place more than I do. I live around the corner.
-5 stars on ambiance, design, aesthetics. Visually, I'm in love with this place.
-perfect for studying or working. Music is calm and not too loud. Really lovely environment.
-service is friendly- no qualms with barista(s). very chill.
The thing is, I really just don't like their coffee. And it's extremely expensive. The espresso is way too sweet and the drip coffee I've tried twice with no success. I could deal with it if it just wasn't so darn expensive. But for the price, I don't know, it just doesn't seem to live up to expectation.
I really hope this place makes it. It is truly a wonderful cafe for everything other than my flavor preferences and the whole trendy we-can-charge-$4-just-because-we-can thing. -
Review from Jason B.
12/4/2011
Do one thing and do it well.
Reopened with a new name and new management a few months back it looks like Sophie has undergone another evolution. Food is gone. Great coffee remains.
Thoroughly enjoyed my Verve Roasters americano. Smooth. Potent. Given a boost of sweetness by a house made vanilla syrup. Free WiFi. Tastefully designed space with wood floors and benches complemented by deep blue walls punctuate by art.
Nicely done on all accounts.
Almost gave a star less than you might expect as the $3.50 americano (with syrup) was slightly more than you'd expect to pay.
But if the extra price means supporting a local business with local beans than it's a price worth paying.
Update: One of the employees told me they are in between permits and food is only temporarily halted. Sounds like a reason to go back. -
Review from Court S.
San Francisco, CA
Strolling through Castro one Sunday afternoon, I needed someplace to do some homework and people watch. I came across this charming little cafe and fell in love. I ordered the honey monkey tea steamer which tasted like an explosion of awesomeness in my mouth. On that chilly day it warmed my insides and made me feel super cozy and focused. The staff is super friendly and helpful. It seems like they really enjoy their jobs. Seating can be a little tight, but if I drink another honey monkey(which puts me in a great mood), I just may let someone sit on my lap and rest their laptop on my head next time.
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Review from tal n.
10/7/2011
Must stand up for this coffeeshop!
How can it be that it's 9:30 on a Friday and this place is virtually empty?!?? (despite my all-encompassing presence I don't believe I am overcrowding it.
i am about to tell you why that is just preposterous (so much so that it reminds me of the old joke about the pair of economists and the dollar bill):
** excellent excellent verve espresso (expect the coffee is good too)
** most congenial as well as proficient barista
** carefully picked out works of art on the wall (both a "permanent collection" and a changing exhibition)
** wifi
** excellent work-accompanying music
Why, they even have a convenient restroom.
So I encourage you to come in spades! Well, maybe not in spades, maybe just in hearts (i still need a place to sit). -
Review from Amanda S.
Davis, CA
3/11/2012
The coffee is amazing. They make their cold brew with coffee ice cubes. Fantastic. And the pastries are incredible looking.
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Review from Anna D.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2011
Attractive interior space, quality coffee and friendly staff. Don't see why this place couldn't stand up to the other coffeeshops in this coffee-crazy city.
Worth a cup if you're in the neighborhood! -
Review from Vivian W.
San Francisco, CA
2/29/2012
Came here to meet with some out of town friends. It's a good cafe and there were many tables available on a Saturday afternoon. But it wasn't easy finding parking. My friend ordered a mocha which had tons of small marshmallows - yum! We didn't try the food. Random note - they only had one bathroom that was hogged by a guy for ages. Not cool. (Not the cafe's fault obviously).
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Review from Cavin T.
11/15/2011
Came here to get a to go hot mocha and from my brief 10 minutes in this place, i love it!
-The place is small but has a cool modern interior design
-Mocha is just great! The guy makes it really good!
-Good service, the waiter is really warm and compliments my outfit!
-Chill music
So....whats not to like? Def swinging by here again when in the neighborhood:) -
Review from Pamela L.
2/15/2012 2 Check-ins Here
A little pricey, but I had the loveliest mocha with marshmallows here. They also had a GIANT chocolate croissant that I hope to try next time.
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Review from Jason M.
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to a friends birthday that rented out Cafe Sophie for a dinner venue. It was one of the best, small, hosted events I've been to in a long time. The staff and owner were incredibly nice and extremely accommodating.
The decor of the cafe is really relaxing and intimate. There is a cool area for outdoor seating that is equipped with wifi. Because they were not on their normal schedule I was very inquisitive about the daytime ambiance of the cafe. I'm definitely going back to try it again and would recommend everyone introduce yourself to the friendly owner! -
Review from Cage H.
Los Angeles, CA
2/19/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Good coffee and a good workspace with a restrained hipster vibe. The staff are quite nice, and the music is a blend of current indie and older alternative stuff. I wish there were more places like this around the Castro. For a city that drinks as much coffee and spends as much time online as does San Francisco, decent cafes with wifi connections and workspace are hard to find.
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Review from K. E.
San Francisco, CA
3/1/2012
This is the second day this week I've worked from Cafe Sophie - in fact, I'm writing this review from the cafe. This is definitely going to be my go-to place for the rare occasions when I work remotely.
The service here is some of the friendliest I've ever encountered. Service with a smile and friendly conversation. I feel inclined to tip well, especially since I've only spent a little over five bucks (on two beverages) and am taking advantage of their free wi-fi all damn day. There are several other people who've been in here for hours and just bought a coffee or whatever; the cafe doesn't seem to mind, but I prefer not to feel like a mooch.
The wi-fi is FAST. When I came here earlier this week, it was because the wi-fi at Church Street Cafe had become maddeningly slow (granted, it could have been one naughty patron watching YouTube or streaming music, but still). I sometimes need to remote into my work machine to get things done, and have had zero problem here. It might even be faster than my internet at home.
They play good music (mostly of the indie rock variety) at the perfect volume for working. Just enough background noise, but not too distracting. It's possible for a cafe to be too quiet, so that other people's conversations become a distraction, but that's not the case here. Bravo, Cafe Sophie!
Basic coffee shop menu - drip coffee, tea, espresso drinks. Not much in terms of food, but they do have some pastries available (which I haven't tried).
(FYI, they used to welcome people wanting to chow down on Ike's sandwiches as long as you bought a drink here; that policy has changed. I don't have a problem with that though.) -
Review from Cameron S.
San Francisco, CA
12/27/2011
Finally found a place that is better than Blue Bottle and Ritual!!!! The unthinkable is possible. This is my new cafè, needless to say. Verve beans (direct trade) and true artisans in espresso making. The baristas are super friendly, the design and layout is fantastic and the music is perfect. HIGHLY recommended!!!!!
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Review from John S.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2011
Initial impressions positive; I was in there for an iced coffee and to sit with a book on a Saturday. Barrista was very helpful and friendly (And super apologetic when we discovered the milk in the condiment area had curdled. Oops.)
Describing the space as 'airy' is a bit of an overstatement, more like "hard vacuum" but it's early yet. Plenty of seating, I really like the window-seat benches.
Will definitely be back and I hope they are more successful than their predecessor in that location, Tazza d'Odio -
Review from Kellan M.
San Francisco, CA
10/10/2011
Not too bad. I wasn't too impressed with my americano, rather watered down when I asked for it to be strong.
On the plus side, there is:
- Wifi
- A good location
- Cool interior with benches along the windows, hardwood floors and a modern look. -
Review from rik p.
Oakland, CA
I went by Cafe Sophie, still in "soft open" phase, yesterday for a quick shot of coffee. I was happy to see it open on July 4th! It's a light, airy cafe space with lots of sunlight, comfy seating, and natural wood tables. No wifi yet, but I think that's coming soon.
The friendly barista served me a smooth and bracing macchiato, made from Verve roasted beans (http://www.vervecoffee...).
I'm looking forward to coming back to check out their baked goods! Definitely check it out if you are in the hood. -
Review from Jimmy G.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solid coffees dispensed by friendly staff.
A nice alternative to walking all the way over to Four Barrel or Ritual if you happen to be hanging out near the park. -
Review from Susan W.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2011
Cafe Sophie is a great little addition to the neighborhood. The people working there are always friendly, the coffee is delicious and the atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming.
It's a great place to chat with a friend or relax with a book, and you are never made to feel rushed. They rotate the art on the walls fairly often and are always playing good music.
For a business that Yelpers classifies as "hipster" (which can either be an asset or the kiss of death, depending on what you're looking for), Cafe Sophie is refreshingly free of the too-cool-for-school vibe that is often present at such places.
I love you, Cafe Sophie. Don't ever change. -
Review from Alan H.
San Francisco, CA
7/23/2011
Finally a Mission/Seattle style coffee shop in the Castro!!
This place has got it going on. The staff is super friendly and customer service oriented, the coffee is great, free wifi, outside seating, great music, and they have a small but nice mix of food/pastries. They also nailed the ambiance... full of light, comfortable, modern, natural wood throughout, great art, and very clean. And there using the Ipad as their POS... super cool!!
Cafe Sophie is still new and figuring themselves out, but by that I don't mean that you wont come and have an amazing experience. What I would like to see to make this place great... pour over/melita style coffee, later hours, unique drink components (ie. hand made vanilla syrup, custom hot chocolate), and bike rack outside. -
Review from Turi F.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place has only what can be described as good feng shui for working on a laptop and chilling with a cup of coffee. Nice sunny bay windows to sit in, and it seems like you can usually grab a seat here. Plus, they're cool with your grabbing a sandwich from Ike's next door and eating it while you work.
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Review from Eric C.
Stanford, CA
7/19/2011
I really enjoyed the ambiance of the place. It was a great place to sit down and have a cup of coffee with friends.
The barista was very pleasant and the tea I had was very good. -
Review from Aubree T.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2011
I have never fallen in love with a coffee shop so immediately.
Absolutely phenomenal coffee - I've been stuck on the mocha for a while because it has this delicious, rich dark chocolate flavor. I highly recommend it. The pastries have always been quite tasty, too.
The atmosphere is so wonderfully down-to-earth and homey without feeling out-of-date - a relatively rare find in the city. Well-lit and airy with beautiful wood paneling, it reminds me of a warm cabin coffee shop out in a pretty mountain town.
Favorite part? The staff! They are some of the kindest, most personable people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Easy to talk to if you feel like a friendly chat, but if you're not a big talker before your morning coffee they'll greet you with a smile and then let you do your thing in peace.
(Also of note: free wifi! If you need a study space, this place is perfect.)
I'm lucky enough to work nearby, so I'll be back again and again to enjoy this awesome new start-up and see how they evolve! Good luck, Cafe Sophie! -
Review from Chris A.
Redwood City, CA
8/27/2011
I know this place is new, but when I was there, it was basically a complete fail.
Went online, saw their rather sparse menu for the day, but what was on it looked good, and I'm a big coffee drinker. Me and my gf went in. When I asked about food, they said they had none, and were pure coffee and tea. I got my coffee anyway. Their credit card processing was down, which they only realized when they tried to run my card.*
My iced coffee had no ice. They serve it chilled, but with no ice. This seems... weird to me, but whatever. I put milk and sugar in it as I always do. I didn't try it until after I had left. I don't know why, but it was AWFUL. One of 2 times in my life I couldn't finish iced coffee. Idk if the milk was bad, or the coffee was just awful or what, but megabad.
I know this place is new, so hopefully my experience was an anomaly. Maybe I caught them when they had run out of food? I might try it again, but not sure...
*Thats the problem with doing it on an iPad. If you have connection problems its all bad. -
Review from Seth G.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
Unlike the prior tenant, these guys get coffee. We are so happy they moved into the neighborhood!
They have their own style, both in terms of coffee and in terms of decor, and they're both very pleasing.
Just about anything you'll get here is going to be great--I drink caps, mocha, drips, all delightful. -
Review from Sung C.
San Francisco, CA
1/1/2012
excellent tea place in my neighborhood!
now I have been there about 3 times, since I don't drink coffee I had their tea and they were excellent.
my only thing was the person who worked there seemed, i don't know how to say this.., a bit high?? i got an impression that he was annoyed that i was there and made me feel a bit uncomfortable ordering things.
however, everything else was excellent. -
Review from Sesily M.
San Francisco, CA
3/16/2012
Great spot! I was looking for somewhere cozy to study and this was a perfect fit. It's a little pricey but it's really cute with a lot light and space. The coffee is really good. The pistachio blackberry croissant I had was around 4.50 which is pretty steep but it's probably one of the best I've had outside of france. Selection was a little limited but overall a great place.
