Cafe Beethoven

Two recent experiences at the cafe are making it  very unlikely I'll go back. I was in for lunch and the food was ok but the service was really off.  It took a really long time to get a menu and each step after that (get me my beverage, take my order, deliver my food...) took forever.  I was late for my next appointment and the food was no where near good enough to warrant being late.  It was close to noon and the front room was close to full but that really isn't that many tables for the number of people they had serving.  Very disappointing. The previous visit was a stop for coffee and cookies to go.  Coffee was god but the mix of cookies were consistently bad.  Some seemed stale and none tasted like they were worth the calories.  Staff seemed indifferent.

I went this cafe at 11:30 with my friend and husband for a quick bite. There were 3 tables open and but each had 2 chairs.  ( 70 % occupied )We asked an woman, around age 50-55 acting like an owner? If we can add one chair to the table and she said NO.  There was a table with 3 chairs by the window but a " reserved " card on it.  We were standing and were waiting if she tried to make a table for us but she was absolutely " I don't want to help you " on all over her face.  I and my girlfriend are Asian and my husband is a professional white man and at the first she was a racist but after I read all the reviews I think this place has NO service oriented. ( there was a young guy and he smiled and said hello )   Maybe she is not an owner because if she is, she wants to make a table to make money!  Anyway we are refused and went to a sandwich shop and it was very good. One hour later we passed by this cafe and the window table was still empty..... What time was that " reserve" meant .......  We will absolutely won't go back as long as she will be there.

For an independent coffee shop / bakery to make it in the face of competitive behemoths like Starbucks, they need to offer either (a) superior hospitality, (b) high quality products, (c) ambiance, or (d) amazing prices.  Unfortunately, Cafe Beethoven lacks all of these elements. Cafe Beethoven is empty most of the day, which is reflective of the bored, disinterested service, the mediocre food, the tired decore, and the poor price-point.  The sad thing is that I would tend to steer my business here if they made any effort to make me feel welcome or comfortable.  They seem bound and determined, however, to make this place fail.