So i really enjoy good coffee and I was first drawn to Victrola because I had read about this new espresso machine company, Synesso, based in seattle and Victrola was one of the first cafes to install Synesso's 'uber' espresso machines (www.synesso.com/)
my first experience was so-so....yes the coffee was great...but it was more the experience that I just didn't jive with. The cashier and barista seemed a bit pretentious and rude......and it took a good 5 minutes to get my espresso....yes there were 5-6 people in front of me....but it seemed very odd indeed.
but i figured i'd give it another try and i've been back 4-5 times, but it's always the same experience......which is unfortunate as the coffee is great......but there are lots of great coffee shops and roasters in seattle.....that offer a much better experience.
on one instance i was ordering a sandwich and the cashier/barista had a pissed off attitude that they had to grill the sandwich.....and then when he delivered it......it was the wrong one.....so he was even more pissed........at what i have no idea, but it's unfortunate that i've had this same type of experience on several occasions.
So, if i'm on 15th and have 15 min to kill...i might hit Victrola or head down to Ladro (which usually has very nice baristas and great coffee as well)......or I find myself many times willing to walk on down to 19th and hit FUEL which is about as non-pretentious as you can get and has great coffee.
but if you're in the mood for some pretentiousness...then you know exactly where to head.
andiamo!
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