Recently met up with the organizer of the "Ridgewood Social/Market" here at Spolem. This was my first venture this far down Fresh Pond Road...and I have to admit, I like!
This is the first coffee shop that I've been to that has table service (probably because they also serve alcohol). I tried the Chai and my boyfriend had the Nutella latte (iced). The drinks were pretty tasty.
Honestly, I was more blown by the atmosphere. Big, open space. Lots of seating options. Perfect for meeting up with one person or a small group of people. Very cozy. You kind of feel like you're sitting by a fireplace in a cottage the whole time you're there. The staff is nice and cordial.
-Good WiFi (easy password)
-No snacks =(
This is my Polish cabin in the woods. I'll definitely be back again.
I've had constant mixed feelings about Spolem because I desperately want this place to be a gem. Pros include that the coffee isn't that bad, the nutella latte is great, I kind of like the funky ambiance of it & decor, and its great to have a coffee house like this in the neighborhood.
However, the prices are kind of steep for what it is and there's virtually no food, so unless you're using the WiFi there, its difficult to actually spend any time there.
Based on various comments & my love of nutella, I got the nutella latte. Â It wasn't half bad & I'm not even a coffee drinker. Â The lady who helped us was nice & friendly. Â It's a much better coffee shop than any fare near my home. Â Prices also aren't obscene so if you're looking for a bargain, you should consider going here.
This is an area of Ridgewood I don't frequent since what choice would you make b/t long walk & reliable subway to Manhattan less than a block away from your house? Â I've lived in my area for 6 years & this is the first time I've actually been to this shop.
Seating is ample & I didn't feel pressured to leave the second I finished my drink. Â I'd probably come back here more often if it didn't involve a bus ride or long walk from my house in relation to getting to Manhattan.
Tacky decor, rude people, very random opening hrs and most importantly mediocre coffee at best and way too often terrible. Been here like 20 times because it's the only place around to get coffee really. And from those 3 the coffee was so bad I had to throw it away. Finally last night was the last drop and I'm not going back.
Review Source:I'm not as into Spolem as much as the other reviewers, and here's why. There is not enough seating, the prices are high, and sometimes the food comes out just horrible. People smoke outside and it blows back in.
On the plus side, it has a certain European cool vibe, and nice decor. It's definitely worth checking out, just watch your spending and stick to the desserts. Oh, and if your group is more than two people, prepare for uncomfortable seating.
Warm atmosphere. Nothing fancy, just comfy and warm.
Free Wi-Fi with purchase.
Good coffee...really good coffee!
I see a liquor menu! (Though I have yet to try anything.)
Friendly service; accommodating, yet not hovering.
My only wish is that they carry more savory food options (I only saw ONE on the menu). I love hanging out at internet cafes, but I get hungry and I'm not always in the mood for sweets and pastries. Overall, I think this place is great and I'm happy to have it in my hood!
I love this place.
This is a great "neighborhood" place to go out with a friend at night. You can play cards over a cocktail or coffee, or play chess. Â It's a place that is comfy and invites you to just hang out and chill. Â
The only other places like this close by are Hooka bars which is most definitely NOT my thing.
I come here once in a while to work, since they have free wifi.
The coffee is fresh and tasty, but a little expensive. Also, there is no/limited food, which is kind of a deterrent to sitting all day. Regardless, I hung out for a good five hours, and no one pressured me to buy anything besides my coffee and biscotti.
I've gone here after hours as well. The coffee with booze in it is delicious; my boyfriend got Irish coffee and I got coffee with Grand Marnier in it - orangey and delicious, with whipped cream and a caffeine kick.
The decor is kinda of thrown together, and you can tell it probably used to be a sushi place or something like that based on the entrance, and the music is irritating top 40, but these aren't huge inconveniences. The coffee is solid and it's a cool place to sit around.
Have been walking past this place everyday on my way home and FINALLY, decided to try it out. Â Cute decor . . . has a little lounge area in the front with a couple of sofas. Â Tables & chairs in the center area and a small bar/counter at the back. Â Looked clean. Â I had the Nutella Latte and my husband had an Iced Latte. Â We also ordered the Apple Cake with vanilla ice cream. Â The lattes were good; the apple cake was warm but a bit dry . . . fortunately, the vanilla ice cream helped solve that problem. Â Portion wise . . . with 2 scoops of ice cream, it was perfect for sharing. Price wise, if you're ok with Starbucks-like pricing, then you won't have an issue. Â
They seem to have an interesting bar menu which I plan to come back & check out sometime soon.
Went in for some coffee and a huge waffle on Sunday morning!
Had the iced caramel macchiato  (however you spell it) super duper yummy. A bit pricey for me though. Being a dunken donuts kind of girl, but definitely a treat!
Also the Waffle is HUGE!!!! super yummy!!
As we were there we saw someone order a polish toasted sandwich that looked and smelled amazing! I have been here a few times and will go back again and a again!
They also have yummy alcohol coffees and a full bar plus beer on tap.
So I have been a loyal customer to Spolem from its humble beginnings a couple a year's ago (or maybe three years?). The espresso is probably the best I ever had, thanks to the Owner that makes sure that it is done the right way every time. Good selection of liquor and (finally) a draft beer made this place even more inviting, especially in the evening, when the lights are dimmed and candles are lit up. I noticed that the prices for some drinks were raised, but the friendly atmosphere made up for the difference. The only place in the neighborhood (and I mean not only Ridgewood, but also Maspeth, Glendale and Middle Village) with REAL coffee.
Review Source:Ridgewood needs more places like this....this cafe wouldn't be out of place in Williamsburg. Â The coffee is delicious, and they also make mixed drinks that look interesting, but that I haven't tried yet. Â The ambience is great...it's great to bring your laptop and sip delicious coffee. Â They also sell waffles!
Review Source:Came here on a Saturday night. Quiet, intimate, clean, friendly staff, free wi-fi - what else could you ask for? Great to go for chat with friend(s) or as a post-dinner date. I had the apple cider and the bf had the soy latte, both of which were really good. The delicious apple streudel/pie goes for $7, is enormous, and decked with ice-cream and whip cream. Will definitely go back again.
Review Source:Free wifi, excellent artwork on the walls, extraordinarily friendly staff and equisite coffee. The quality was noticeably better than other coffee houses that I have been to. I loved the ambiance and seating, it's very comfortable. My friend and I sat here for 2 hours because we were just enjoying talking in there.
Review Source:Coffee/espresso, desserts, and a full bar with free wifi? Shit ya.
I've only stopped in once or twice and if I weren't a loner weirdo who just moved here from L.A. it'd probably be a great place to hang with friends or to bring a date.
Seriously tho, best espresso I can remember having.
The perfect place to get away, with free Wifi. The staff is extremely nice. Plenty of variety and choices. What's been said about this cafe has already been said. So if you're on Fresh Pond Road, hit them up.
Oh, and stick with the coffee. Had a margarita last summer, which was kinda watered down. Other than that, no complaints.
This was a nice little cafe. Â The only downside is that there is no room for live entertainment and no books to be browsed. Â The caramel coffee that I had was perfect. Â There is plenty of room for seating. Â The wifi is free and I took advantage of that. Â Really nice place to sit and study. Â
Some one had said at night it turns into more of a bar. Â As I was leaving they broke out the candles and darkened the lighting so I assume it is more of a bar atmosphere at night.
It was kind of empty so I hope this place stays open.
The staff are friendly, the drinks are good, the wifi works. On the other hand, the televisions, bad commercial radio, and sort of cheesy decor don't make for the best "coffee house" ambience. Then again, the noise or hardcore music playing at some nearby coffeehouses in Brooklyn may not actually be preferable (looking at you, Cafe Orwell), come to think of it. Becomes more of a "lounge" at night... the spiked hot cider was pretty good. For the neighborhood, it is a very welcome and useful establishment.
Review Source:A really great coffee shop with a wide variety of other beverages, pastries, muffins, and quiche. The staff is friendly. The atmosphere is very nice, with comfortable tables to sit at. It's a great place to hang out, or to bring a book & do some relaxing reading.
Update, October 2011: I guess the only problem with Spolem is that their prices have gotten steep in the last year or so. I blame the economy. But if you don't mind spending a little extra money, Spolem is still a nice place to hang out and have a nice drink or snack.
Update, July 2013: Since I last commented about Spolem, their prices have gotten even more expensive. Â Most of their drinks are now alcoholic beverages, rather than coffee & tea. It's really more of a bar than a coffee shop nowadays.
I'm so happy that a place like this exists in the neighborhood! I always felt that we were in (desperate) need of a coffee shop like Spolem. My wish has been granted! It has a very pretty decor... and it just feels comfortable which is perfect!
I went there on Tuesday for the first time for a small meeting. It has Wifi so it is perfect if you need to present work (or do school work or spend hours on FB haha). I'm definitely going to become a regular!
I moved to Ridgewood about two years ago and always used to say all this neighborhood needs is a coffee shop where I can hang out, do some school work, read the paper...etc... and what do you know? I now have that coffee shop I always wanted. The place is really nice, the people are extremely friendly, and the coffee is good! The menu is growing slowly and they now also serve wine! I am a true fan!
Review Source:Spolem Cafe is just perfect. The atmosphere is relaxed and yet vibrant. There are magazines and newspapers for those that want to catch up on the latest (and CNN, sports and other TV programs) as well as wonderful contemporary music. Quiches, sandwiches, waffles, amazing baked goods and beverages (including coffee drinks that are reasonably priced) and spirits, wine and beers round out the selections that compliment the cafe's ambiance. The decor is wonderful from day into night, when the candles compliment the cafe. Â And there are fun board games as well. It is a great place for Ridgewood!
Review Source:
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