Sewickley Cafe

The service was horrible. We ordered specialty drinks (from the menu) and had to inquire about them ½... more

This place is not all it seems. The owner is rude to not only his guests if you complain but his employees as well. I witnessed him fire a girl on Christmas eve because of an honest mistake on an order. Also the place if not clean and if the people who ate there knew what the cooking area actually looked like in the coolers or the food holding areas they would never eat there again. The place is polluted with flies and place is just unsanitary. Really people think twice about spending your money is this place. The owner is only concerned about drinking and partying and not what goes on in his business more

We witnessed the owner of the restaurant cussing at a woman (I will not repeat what he said) because she had asked to be seated at the bar since the tables were all supposedly reserved (about half were empty). This was completely unaccommodating and rude behavior. Do not support this misogynistic creep's restaurant. more

The servers seemed completely disinterested in us, our orders came out lukewarm. I wish I would have read the reviews here first! more

We at Groupon would like to apologize to our customers for the recent problems many experienced with The SewickleyCafe. The issues that occurred during the redemption process can be attributed directly to us at Groupon.\r \r \r \r When we work with a business to structure a deal we take many factors into consideration: desired purchase, availability of tables, seating, product, potential savings for customers, value to the business, and more. Unfortunately, in this instance, we did not meet our typically high standard for organizing this deal for our customers and the business involved. Specifically, the maximum number of purchases should have been 450, not the 1340 that were sold.\r \r \r \r This is the reason redemption problems occurred. With 800 Groupons still unredeemed as of February 1, 2011,\r \r There was no way The Cafe could begin to accommodate this number having only 16 tables in the entire restaurant.\r \r Had we sold the correct number of Groupons any availability issues would have been extremely unlikely.\r \r \r \r As per the Groupon promise, if you feel like Groupon let you down, please contact us at support@groupon, and we would be happy to offer you a refund. Thank you for understanding, and once again, our sincere apologies to our customers and to The Sewickley Cafe for the problems that occurred during this promotion.\r \r more

I was visiting Pittsburgh from the California Bay Area and my great friend took me to the Sewickley Cafe. What a treat!!! The decor was lovely and the staff was professional, polite, and friendly. The food was impressive and I had never encountered ""fries with truffle oil and blue cheese""....I thought we had it all in Cali and will have to share my new ""find"" with my restuarant friends out here. I had the opportunity to meet the owner, Don, who was very kind, nice and attentive. I look forward to my next trip to PIttsburgh....one of my first stops will be the Sewickley Cafe!!!!! more

Every time I have someone visiting from out of town I take them here. I KNOW that I will always have good food and great service. This is exactly what I enjoyed last week when I brought a friend from Calif. She loved loved loved it! Honest, I have never had a bad meal or bad service. \r \r more

I too was treated terribly by the incredibly rude and seemingly psychotic owner of the Sewickley Cafe. \r \r In response to Kristin B, I could understand the owner’s frustration if his restaurant was actually booked. BUT, as I live around the corner from the restaurant, I happened to walk by after being denied reservations because they were “completely booked.” Only half of the tables were filled. I walked by later that same evening and only two tables were occupied. I went in and tried to discuss this with the owner and he simply said, ""I've redeemed 600 Groupons in the last week and I'm done - I'm not taking any more of them."" So, he was demanding reservations to use the Groupon, but then was not allowing any reservations to be made. He was intentionally not honoring the promotion that he had agreed to. So, I wouldn't feel too bad for him. In fact, the manner in which he treats people is simply appalling and makes feeling any compassion for the man seem impossible. Screaming at potential customers is no way to attract new business. It is apparent that he made a business deal with Groupon which he decided was not working the way he had hoped, so he simply decided to renege on his part of the deal. \r \r Being called a ""Cheap bastard"" and being told to ""get the F*$k out"" leaves a lasting effect on someone who simply wanted to get some food. I certainly am siding with those who had a horrible experience at the Cafe and hope that the owner's actions will come back to bite him.\r more

I have been to The Cafe in Sewickley at least a dozen times and had never once met the owner until the time I used my groupon. I went with my daughter at 3:30 on a Thursday for a bite to eat before her afterschool activity started. As I sat there, I heard many conversations of people calling in for reservations and either the owner or waitstaff explaining to them that they were booked that evening. I actually felt sorry for the staff and owner because it appeared that people on the phone were rude and angry as this was the last 2 nights to use the Groupon. When I stopped the owner to ask whether I could use it or not, he commented that it was to be used only after 5 and there were no reservations opened. He also mentioned that the groupon was bought 6 months ago and now everyone is trying to use it. It was obvious by his level of stress that he had said the same comments to many people and I think he was preparing himself for yet another hostile person. I commented back, "" I totally understand where you are coming from. Not a problem. It is my fault I did not use it sooner. No worries"" He immediately softened, spoke kindly and appreciated my kindness. It was my problem that I waited till the last minute to use it, not his. If he did come off rude to some it may be a reaction to the way people were treating him. Put yourself in his shoes....here you have a small restaurant and you have reservations filled (GREAT restaurants have reservations so we can PLAN AHEAD). You need to hold those tables for reserved parties. If he gave them to anyone walking off the street, then those who made reservations would be angry when they arrived a few minutes late! He did the right thing by holding reservations. People are just angry because they wanted what they wanted when they wanted it with no regard of others who did plan ahead and used their groupons on time and made reservations. By the way, because I showed him common respect and understanding he ended up offering to allow me to use the groupon that day! The food was awesome as always! For those still willing to try this place, the food is very good.I love their tomato dill soup, their salmon, the Brie appetizer, and the truffle fries. The Cafe will continue to have my business! more

Too bad I have to give The Sewickley Cafe a single star. Like others I tried to use my Groupon coupon which I'm sure the rude manager made a lot of of money from but was told I needed a reservation. Funny thing though, there were at least 4 empty tables. When I offered my coupon to some folks sitting nearby the manager started to yell for me to leave his restaurant. What an idiot, why would I ever come back. If you want some good food and meet professional, polite restaurant owners come to Beaver where we appreciate your business. more

I also called for a reservation to use the Groupon, on a Thursday evening and felt the pain of others!\r The manager told me he didn't have any reservations.\r I asked him when I could use it, he said I should turn it in next week and he'd give me a $20 Sewickley Cafe credit toward dinner. I asked him for a refund, he said no. Back and forth went the conversation and he hung up on me. Imagine that? I think he made it difficult to use Groupon, so he wasn't forced to honor the $45 value. I called Groupon to complain about him, and they credited my account, with ease. Do not blame Groupon. There intentions are genuine. Don't let Sewickley Cafe ruin Groupon's reputation. I've used other Groupons, no problem. But, from this experience, I advise Groupon users to confirm coupon acceptance in advance. I certainly wouldn't patronize Sewickley Cafe if it was giving away free dinners and I will make it a point to pass the word. GO GROUPON! GO AWAY SEWICKLEY CAFE! The owner would make a good warden at the prison! more

I really wish I could make this a no-star review. I had a Groupon experience almost identical to another... more

I really wish I could make this a no-star review. I had a Groupon experience almost identical to CaleN this evening, except the guy actually YELLED at us! We got there around 7 PM and there were four empty tables with no one waiting to be seated. When the guy saw that we had a Groupon, he refused to seat us and said that all the tables would soon be full because everyone was trying to use their Groupons, etc. And then he held up his reservation book to show me how booked up he was (I don't know why he did this, I certainly didn't ask him to)...What I saw on the reservation book were several open spots. I figured that I just didn't know how to read the reservation book, except at the bottom of the page, in all caps, underlined five times, was the phrase ""NO MORE GROUPONS!!!!"" Again, why he showed me the book is beyond me, and he actually flipped through several more pages to show me they were ""all booked"" for the rest of the Groupon time...but I spotted more than a few empty spots on the other days, as well. I quietly & politely mentioned that it seemed to me that, in actuality, they had decided to not take any more Groupon folks, seeing as how I noticed blank spots on the book as well as where it said ""NO MORE GROUPONS!!!!"" That's when the guy yelled at me that the terms of the Groupon had given me 6 months to use it. True, but I had unexpectedly developed a medical condition which required me to have brain surgery in October and this was only the second time I have been out to dinner since the surgery. Also, it hasn't been 6 months yet, so I am well within the terms by trying to get the deal redeemed tonight and I certainly did nothing to deserve to be treated like that. I'm calling Groupon tomorrow to get my money back and also to suggest that they vet their Pittsburgh businesses a little more thoroughly -- after returning home this evening, I read some reviews about this place and found that many people have been treated poorly there (many of these reviews were done before the Groupon was offered). Personally, I have never in my life experienced such horrible treatment at a restaurant as I did at The Sewickley Cafe! more

I tried to use a Groupon this evening and was rudely turned away. We're new to Pittsburgh, so we've bought a few Groupons as a low-risk way to try new places. So far we've had great experiences at Square Cafe, Blue Water Tavern, and Double-Wide Grill, to name a few. But never have I run into a more pretentious and rude proprietor as the one I met this evening. The Groupon clearly states that reservations are required on the weekends. Being a Thursday night, I didn't think it would be a problem. I was met at the door and asked for a table for 5. The owner asked if I had reservations and I said no. He said they were completely booked that evening, though I counted 5 (!) empty tables. I've worked in the restaurant industry in both the front and back of the house. 5 empty tables does not constitute a booked evening when your entire restaurant has maybe 15 tables total. I kindly explained that I had a Groupon to use and could I please make reservations for later that weekend. He said rather curtly, ""No. We're booked. Everyone and their mother is trying to use their Groupon."" I was stunned. I said, ""Um, then how will I get my $20 back?"" He said we could come back after Monday and get $20 worth of food, but he would not honor the value of the Groupon purchased in the deal. He then went on to lecture me that I had 6 months to redeem it and it wasn't his problem that they're booked up now. We just had a baby 8 months ago and yes, I had poor judgment thinking we would get out a little more than we actually did. Shame on me. However, I don't appreciate being lectured. At that point I was insulted and angry and asked for my $20 back now. He refused and I said, ""Fine. You can keep your $20. You'll not receive another penny from me and we'll not ever be dining here."" We then walked out the door and down the street to Sweet Water Grill and enjoyed a lovely meal there. My opinion of Sewickley Cafe: stuffy and pretentious. more

I have gone to the Sewickley Cafe for years now and have had good food and service from both the owner and his staff. Though there is turn-over among the staff, I have been able to stop in and have decent customer relationships with the staff.\r \r Yes, the lunch food choices in Sewickley are limited but there is not much that can really change about it. A new owner may try things differently but given the crush between 11:30 and 1:15 p.m., I feel any place is going to have problems giving everything to everyone right now.\r \r As for the poster who got gift certificates from Hawaii; regardless of the problem with those certificates, you did the right thing in tipping your waiter. Nice touch in a ""touchy situation"". more

Disinterested server, and when we complained about the less than adequate food and service we were asked not to come back! I see that another reviewer was told that they don't need their business either so be leery of patronizing this restaurant since it seems management, rather than customer, is right. Our server started out with a significant delay in greeting us and taking our drink order, then continued with low quality attention. It is an awful feeling to watch your food literally cooling to room temperature from across the room while the server (Travis) was no where in sight. Other workers looked at our food, saw it wasn't theirs and moved on. One stayed long enough to swipe the condiment that was to come out with our dinner for their table. After the cook motioned to our plates an employee, though not a server, brought us our food. Travis showed up at a third of the way into our unimpressive meals and asked if we needed anything else. (Note - Not how is everything?) When my wine was at a level to be replenished he wasn't available, when we were through eating and wanted to peruse the desserts he wasn't available, and then finally when we just gave up and wanted to just get out of there we still had to wait. It seems to me that he had some business in the back of the house. If that is true then why are you taking tables Travis? more

My brother lives in Hawaii and sent three $75 gift certificates to Sewickley Cafe thinking this would be an appreciated gift. \r We went as a family and when we tried to use the gift certificates signed by the manager himself he refused to accept them. This was unbelieveable!! He has $225 of my retired teacher brother's money. \r We have always had acceptable food and it was a good place to take the family. Now, no one will walk in to the restaurant again and we don't know how to tell my brother. \r I hate to give the restaurant 1 star, but the waiter was nice and of course we left him a tip. The food has always been mediocre at best, but it is only a cafe not a quality restaurant. \r I am writing so that others will know who they are dealing with when they go to this establishment. more

I confess to not being a regular but with good reason. Every time I give the Cafe a try I am soundly disappointed. I so want this place to be good as we have so few choices in town. Last week was the worst and I will never go again. The main problem is a staff and management which seems to know they are one of only a few options in town. The words ""I'm sorry"" are not a part of their vocabulary let alone ""how can we make this a better experience for you"". You are more likely to hear as I have overheard ""look around, we obviously don't need your business"" or ""don't ever come back"". Don't waist your time or money here. more

I live in the neighborhood and have had the misfortune of eating here a few times. Each time I think ""that's it, I'm NEVER going back"" but because there are few options in town (at least for breakfast) somehow I stupidly go back. Well, I'm finished now. I've been burned too many times by this place and that's enough for me. I'll spare the lengthy review and give you this: It's filthy inside The wait staff is usually rude (high turnover, poor management) The food CAN occasionally be good, but usually isn't Anti-family seating (the back garden is off limits for ""breeders"") The owner conducts himself in the manner of a total toolshed (note giant painting of himself with dogs over the bar) and doesn't know anything of customer service. You'll note that there are a lot of bad reviews for this place; they speak the truth. The good reviews are usually written by friends (I have personally met several people in town who purport the owner is a ""good guy""--yeah, whatever). I don't believe that the good reviews are real. However, if you feel compelled to try your luck, I wish you the best of luck. I genuinely hope that this place goes out of business and perhaps makes room for a real restaurant. more

My opinion: Horrible service and a mean-spirited glorified waiter-turned-manager named Travis, who was... more