05/30/09

Best in city

by 5369

I go to La Calombe about once a week and everytime I am amazed at the efficiency & consistantcy. I went yesterday the line was out the door but that doesn't matter, I got there at 8:34 there were 12 people in front of me. I had my ground coffee and double espresso and was walking out the door by 8:46. You can't get that anywhere in the city.

As busy as they are the staff is always great and the never let you see them sweat.

07/20/08

how RUDE!

by snickerss

good coffee, bad service.. yea. rude baristas. my recommendations: know what you want and don't ask questions.

05/14/08

Unacceptably rude staff

by hpn975

Since I like La Colombe coffee, I usually tolerate their brisk, unsmiling staff. However, after today I will not be returning. When I took out my wallet to pay for my coffee, the barista bluntly asked if he could see my social security card! I was so flabbergasted that I just stared back at him, and he urged, "no, no, let me just see that." Then he had the unmitigated gall to ask me if it was real, and when I replied with a bewildered affirmative he stated that it "sure looked different" than his.

I'm not sure if his comments were motivated by racism, xenophobia, or plain rudeness and bad breeding, but I was deeply offended, angered, and surprised that such a popular cafe would hire such insufferably rude baristas. I like La Colombe coffee, but there are better cafes in the area that grind La Colombe, without the dark, noisy setting and haughty staff.

01/10/08

Euro style cafe bar

by cristofero

To Qualify.. espresso fan since the late 70`s, family in the restaurant biz... SLOWFOOD mmbr and have traveled Northern Italy extensively..

home machine GAGGIA.......

Finally someone that gets it.. Lets me stand up for my double shot in a proper ceramic cup and a metal spoon to stir it with. Tableside Cappucino was fine too.. The blend they serve is Nizza.. Ive tried the others when the Nizza was sold out at Whole Foods and didnt like them. The Nizza is a proper shot thats got a robust flavor but not burnt like Charbux or Bucks County havent got a clue coffe company(why do people go to these places.... double carmel latte and a pack of strawberry JOBs please.. some of you get the joke!!ps i do not partake anymore, coffee is my last vice) At home their espresso a slight bitter aftertaste but this could be the local water. Italian San Benedetto water in a glass bottle improves this...... I still preferr ILLY but i cant get past the $25 for a pound of coffee. Staff was always nice to me. Atmosphere was nice didnt feel like i had 2 be terminally hip to hang out.. thought the tables made of broken italian pottery set in tile grout was a creative way 2 recycle the broken dishes. And if im in the middle of ordering i dont answer the cel..it is rude.

• Pros: Nizza Blend
• Cons: their other blends

09/21/07

You Who Like La Colombe Do Not Know Coffee

by sg101

It is very simple to like La Colombe coffee if you have no clue about what coffee is supposed to taste like. La Colombe is nothing but an industrial roaster that just pumps out cheap coffee and charges alot of money for it. Its all how you market a product and they do that well. Oh yea, its also a French thing - better than everyone!

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad coffee, bad staff

08/16/07

Shocked and appalled...

by ang2921

Never though I would say this but, I will NEVER go back to La Colombe. While placing my order this morning by the only female that works the register I was distracted by a phone call from a friend who wanted me to pick up a bag of coffee for her. As I was in the process of putting my phone down after taking her order this "barista" told me "get off the phone before you order from me." I was one of three people in line mind you so I was not holding up any orders from being placed. Instead of coming back with a wise remark which I now regret not doing, I just grit my teeth, smiled and replied, "of course." How dare she be so rude to a customer! It was like I committed the ultimate offense by ordering the most expensive item they carry. It's a shame that it has come to this, but I will never step foot in that coffee shop again. I will however continue to drink their coffee at Capogiro down the street on 20th and Sansom and have my order taken by a polite brrista. I know this will post will probably not deter people from going to La Colombe but at least you'll be on guard when ordering from this character. And if she does it to you, please don't regret getting your two sense in like I did.

• Pros: Coffee
• Cons: The most wretched people work there

04/19/07

The Absolute Worst Attitude and Declining Quality

by cocoverdos

I have used La Colombe, first as a retail customer, and then for my business in Brooklyn. As a matter of fact , several major restaurants in New York City began using their coffee after tasting it at my place. I will no longer be using La Colombe. They are the rudest, the most arragonat, most ignorant group of people I have encountered in over two decade of running restaurants. And the coffee is no longer that good. According to a rep they have changed their roasting process. Mistake. It often tastes burnt and dry and over cooked. Sorry guys, but you slipped and it shows. There are too many alternatives to put up with bad attitude and an inferior product.

04/14/07

Great strong coffee right next to Rittenhouse Sq.

by ket006

Delicious strong coffee, gorgeous italian ceramic mugs, great big windows, and changing artwork on the walls. The croissants are incredible - i am afraid to mention my favorite (not the plain) because it is so often sold out as it is! Right off of Rittenhouse park so if you can't get a seat or a table, you can take your coffee outside. All and all, one of my absolute favorite places in philadelphia,

• Pros: Great Coffee, Cheaper and Immeasurably better than Starbucks, Euro ambiance

10/02/06

high quality coffee, low quality customer service.

by jbowen25

La Colombe's coffee is superior to any coffee shop ive been to or even worked at. I felt a little awkward the first time i went in there. i had never been to a coffee shop that put your lid and spoon to stir on a dish. One time i went in there I was also confused about the cream dispenser because i didnt see that it had a spout on one end, it looked like a handle, so i poured it over the side and it spilled everywhere. stupid, i admit. The barista then yelled out 'f*ckin a!', and wiped the cream up. I know it gets really stressful when you've been working a long day and some idiot spills cream because he doesnt know how to dispense the cream but you never EVER react like that in a customer service job. oh well, not a big deal at the end day.

Serving fresh-roasted gourmet coffee at reasonable prices since 1993.

by Contributor

In Short
This off-Rittenhouse location is filled with the sorts who thrive on equal parts coffee and cigarette smoke: dancers, students and artists. That said, just about everyone who works west of Broad Street comes here for a morning latte or an afternoon espresso break, served in Fima Deruta cups and saucers handmade in Italy. The blends served here also are served in the dining rooms of some of the finest restaurants on the East Coast.