Bloc 11 Cafe
Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Bagels, Bakeries, Sandwiches [Edit]
11 Bow StSomerville, MA 02143 (617) 623-0000
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: Paid
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch
- Alcohol: None
65 Reviews for Bloc 11 Cafe
This spot is the lunch stop I've been cravin' since I left Boston for Somerville. The grub speaks to the Cali hippie chick in me. Today I tried the Buttercup, not only named after my favorite princess, but also boasting avocado aplenty, Tofutti (or cream cheese), tart apple slices, carrot slivers, greens, tomato (when safe!) homemade avocado-lime dressing packed between slices of 7-grain. Order a lemonade, and watch while it's made.
The staff is hip and kind. There are many options for seating, whether in the mood for a hideout in a vault or game rooms, outside on a bench, or somewhere in between. I need to try the Chai Latte, but have a feeling that it'll be a treat as well.
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This is one of the best places in the metro area. The food is incredible, the place is nice, environment is incredibly friendly, and the people that work there are soooo nice and accomodating. One of Boston's gems.
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I for one love the layout of Bloc 11, it was deceptively more interesting than the front window area. I can't wait to drag someone into the vaulted rooms for a game on those ready-made benches! As for hard to acquire seating, there's always the grass adjacent; though it'd be nice if they added more seating outside.
I don't know nothin bout no coffee, but I'm partial to tea beverages and it's nice to have a selection of iced options as most places seem to worship those Lipton instant boxes of stale hell. I've got to agree that the girls behind the counter were lovely and even indulged my chattering about the music they were playing.
The price of sandwiches is on par with any other Bostonian cafe, they had me hooked with an apple sammich ($7ish). I ordered it as the Dogwood but someone else reviewed it as the Pallet- turkey, apples, fig puree, greens and carmelized onions. I nixed the latter ingredients and added sprouts. The puree was sweet but a pleasing balance to the crumbly cheese, I'm already craving it again.
I'd give them another star if only they stayed open a little later!
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Delicious! Just went there today for the first time and had "the Rivet" hot sandwich-- proscuitto, herb ricotta, caramelized onions, tomato, and greens on rosemary focaccia! All the ingredients tasted really quality, and the combination of flavors was simple and satisfying. Lots of other menu items look tasty, too. I also had a little pot of peppermint tea, which was yummy.
My only qualm: price. A little on the high end for a cash-strapped college student, but probably perfectly reasonable for anyone outside of that category. In spite of that, I'll definitely be coming back sometime soon (when I can afford it).
The Elm sandwich is awesomely simple and delicious. I go to Bloc 11 a few times a week for the Elm.
Its hard to get a table sometimes as bloc 11 is infested with people on laptops nursing their cups of coffee.
What an interesting place- a bank recycled into a coffee house- even the old bank vault and safty deposit boxes were made into a part of the decor-A very friendly staff, and excellent coffee and sandwiches...
I decided to frequent this place rather than Diesel, as I live close by, plus it's not as sardine packed as the Diesel.....
The vault may be interesting to look at, but is actually quite claustrophobic to sit in, and an echo chamber for those who desire a discussion within...I usually sit by the window...A nice place, a much needed and a welcome addition to Union Square.
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Iced americano & Dagwood Sandwich = Lunchtime perfection.
This place has a great open floor plan, lots of tables and a huge selection of interesting and tasty sandwiches, salads, etc. Just noticed last time that they also do breakfast sandwiches.
(This is run by the same folks who bring you Deisel Cafe in Davis Sq).
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I walked down to Bloc 11 the other night with my man for a little rocket fuel before a long night of crafty work. I got an iced latte, and it was really delicious. My man got 1/2 lemonade 1/2 iced tea which was a little tangy for my taste, but he thought it was perfect.
The space is cute, and it's a nice option for coffee, pastries, sandwiches, etc, which Union definitely needs. The front is all open and airy in the warmer months, which is nice. Good service too, and a very chill atmosphere. Perhaps I'll add more stars after I try a sandwich or 2 off their long list, but for right now, after my 5 minute experience, I can say that I like the place, so 3 stars it is.
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I'm in Bloc 11, reviewin' Bloc 11.
This is maybe the 5th time I've visited Bloc 11, and every time I come here, I'm more and more impressed. The sandwiches are off-the-hook amazing. Better than anything I've had elsewhere (I'm looking your way, All Star Sandwich Bar). The espresso is the best I've had in Boston. The drip coffee is made from Intelligentsia beans, one of the best roasters in the country.
Though a mad house on weekends (like any coffee shop around here...), it's empty and quiet on weekdays. Super nice environment, friendly staffers. Overall my favorite coffee shop in Boston.
Unlike other yelpers, I think the price tag at Bloc 11 is perfectly reasonable considering the top notch produce, meats, cheeses and breads used for dishes. The sandwiches and salads are thoughtfully delicious. The menu here has been carefully put together and better than your average local coffee spot. They're really raising the bar, foodwise.
Additionally, the space is really cool. I really love the area with the fireplace. It was very comforting during the cold, sometimes rainy, sometimes snowy winter.
PS I'm secretly into the derth of outlets, it increases the chance that the average Somervillian can grab a table since every spot isn't being monopolized by students on laptops.
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One to watch!
I've only been here once, but the service and quality of the food so impressed me that I want to give them a nod.
The iced coffee was delicious and fairly priced, and the sandwich lived up to my rigorous goat cheese standards. Great bread, as well. Atmosphere-wise, the use of the space is ingenious, and I'm enamored of their plates and the glassware emblazoned with their logo.
Everything points to Bloc 11 making its way into my rounds.
I came here for lunch on Sunday around 12:30. My friend and I found the last two seats at the back bar. I ordered the "Dogwood" sandwich: turkey with caramelized onion and apple. I was very happy with presentation of the sandwich: it came with a little salad and tomatoes and looked really nice. The bread and fillings were high-quality and the sandwich delicious. I've heard some complaining about prices here, but I thought the sandwich price was reasonable for what I got (although I can't comment on coffee prices). I really like that they not only provide free water but actual pint glasses to drink it from, not dinky plastic cups.
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I love this place (except for the wi-fi charge). The direct trade coffee is great, and I loved the chocolate croissant and tomato mozzarella panini. I got there around 10 a.m. on Sunday - good time to get there, it gets crowded. Parking is tough in this area, though not at that time/day. Staff was so friendly - I was pleasantly surprised as they all looked like moody hipsters. Bloc 11 sells Taza chocolate! Music wasn't my scene, but it was at the right volume. I look forward to going back.
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Do you ever walk into a caf, look the person behind the counter in the eye and just want to be their friend? That is exactly how I felt at Bloc 11. The ladies who helped me reminded me of pixies -- cute button noses, sweet smiles and no fuss tinker bell hair. The sun shining through the front window calmed my goose bumps immediately and the glare from the plastic menu was a welcome respite from the florescent tube light bulbs in my cubicle.
I wish I had more unique things to say about the restaurant as a whole. The food was ambrosial but costly. The people inside probably all listen to WERS and like to sketch with charcoal. The layout was compelling and made me want to start a game of hide and seek.
I got the Pallet (turkey, goat cheese, fig spread, caramelized onions and greens) -- next time I'll skip the onions because they really took over the sandwich. I also got an iced coffee, it tasted like Christmas on speed.
I will definitely start frequenting this place because it is hip and the staff is friendly but only when I have a wad in my pocket.
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I've only had the coffee here so this review is more about the vibe. As for the coffee... it's overpriced. Completely average flavor-wise but more expensive than every other coffee shop in the area. Looked like the food was probably overpriced too. Breakfast items (croissants, etc.) seemed to be your standard trucked-in fare.
My biggest complaint is that the chairs are perhaps the most uncomfortable chairs I've ever sat on in my life. And they wobble. As do most of the tables... I wish coffee shops in general would pay more attention to this. Wobbly table + coffee next to a notebook or a laptop = bad, bad idea. The place is reminiscent of it's BFF Diesel Cafe. Thankfully, it lacks Diesel's overwhelming "hey look at me" atmostphere, but sadly it also lacks the Diesel's generally friendly character.
Bottom line... decent, but don't go out of our way, and if you find yourself in Union, Sherman's is a much better option.
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This is my new coffee shop. I always liked the coffee at diesel but was annoyed by the pool table and the general noise there but bloc 11 so far has been the perfect place for me to get a cup of and get some reading done that my hectic house usually keeps me from. I have yet to see the vaults but I'm just as happy at one of the bar stools. I havent tried any of the sandwiches but someday I'm sure I will. O and a comic book store right down the bloc works for me!!!!
While it is unfortunate that the owners of this location are getting bad publicity when it comes to the name of this place, I personally had no idea what it was until I learned from a few knowledgeable Yelpers.
However, despite the name, this is not going to hold me back from coming here. The owners aren't doing anything wrong or outlandishly to seclude anyone or making any discriminatory references. Their name was explained in the papers when they first opened and it is just so happened to be a coincidence. I do not hold this against them.
I came here for the Crafters' event and have to say that the staff is incredibly sweet. I do have to say that this location is definitely targeting a different audience. It's much cleaner than Diesel. The atmosphere seems a bit more contemporary rather than artsy. They have photographs hanging along their walls. The bathroom is actually clean!
Although, for me the downside is that they have all this space, but they aren't really utilizing it. Where are the couches around here? I feel like it is a bit colder in here because they are so minimalistic, but maybe that's because they're still new. I hope they add some couches and make it more homey feeling, especially since they have the brick walls to help accentuate it. I'm not too sure how I feel about the bank vault. Although, I've seen a few people sitting in there, it just seemed kinda awkward to me. But I guess I will have to give that try the next time I come here.
I also like the fact that they also have another serving bar built in towards the back, for overflow that hasn't yet happened maybe? I hope they will eventually utilize it. It's a certainly a great idea. I'm hoping to see Bloc 11 strive, as I see great potential here! They don't have it quite yet, but they will. Just give them some time to establish themselves, just like their sister in Davis. I believe I may have found my new study spot when Diesel is overflowing like it was last weekend. A return is definitely in order.
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Enter Diesel Cafe's straighter and slightly snobbier cousin.
The best thing about Bloc 11 seems to be that it's an indication that this neighborhood is getting a little nicer. Union Sq has a ton of great little restaurants, it has my scooter shop in it, and a great little fenced in dog park, so I'm there on the regular.
The remodeling was a total success. Great concept and a fun execution, but the crowd that frequents it is definitely on the conservative side. It was nice to see some familiar faces behind the counter though. It just needs to be gayer to justify the price.
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Finally, a place where the hipster employees are SUPER NICE. The staff was polite, pleasant, and fast. Great service. Great Iced Lattes. Love the gigantic Bloc 11 mugs that they serve all "for here" drinks in. Croissants are just buttery enough and flaky enough. And the chocolate chip brownies satisfy a sweet tooth without being overly sweet and sugary. Also, love the rotating artwork - this place is like a Diesel Cafe for grown-ups!
My one complaint, for how tall the cups and glasses are for any large drink - the straws are far too short.
I hope they get busy enough to get some use out of the 2nd coffee bar in the back area. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Best chai in Boston. Homemade, not too sweet, made with lots of love. Great sandwiches and pastries as well.
I came to Bloc 11 last Friday for the Yelp Crafting event and it was pretty cool.
I had a mint hot chocolate and a hot sandwich (the grilled cheese one, can't remember what it was called) and both were really good. The staff was friendly enough and prepared my food and drink quickly.
It is a bit pricey, the hot chocolate which cost somewhere around $3 was served in a mug that really wasn't all that big, but if you're going there more for the atmosphere and to spend some time it's not so bad.
It is pretty spacious and wasn't at all crowded when we were there. I didn't notice where these vaults that everyone else was talking about were so I guess I'll have to check those out next time.
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I came here for a Yelp Crafting event, and I have mixed feelings about the cafe. I love the space and how much room they have compared to other coffee shops around the area, but its too far out of my way to get to, which is quite sad.
I love it for the space, but the tea I ordered there was kind of disappointing. I did not really like any of their selections of tea, and I ended up order a mint tea, but it was very weak, and they gave it to me in an espresso cup. I haven't tried the food yet, but my companions did not seem all that impressed.
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I LOVE Bloc 11. Not surprising since I also love Diesel cafe and it's run by the same people.
The first time I went to Bloc 11 it was a rainy Saturday. I ordered the Black and White latte... It's seriously one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had in my life. In fact, that's the only thing I've ever gotten there since I've only been a few times, but it's just that good.
The atmosphere is funky, there's an awesome bank vault, and it's a great place to talk and just hang out. The first time we went there, we played Scrabble for a few hours... such a good time.
Ok, I originally wrote something about the huge mishap of a name for this place involving its relation to the name of one of the barracks in Auschwitz as a couple of other reviewers mentioned. An employee messaged me explaining the name, and did so in a manner that was not angry and defensive but rather accepting fault, apologizing, and reiterating that it was in no way meant to resemble what many think it does. I think it showed he really cares for the thoughts of the local community and I don't think he would mind if I posted his reasoning for the name so future reviewers and readers understand why it was named:
"The "Bloc" in our name comes from thesaurusing around "Union," we settled on Bloc because it's defined as a group of people working together for a common purpose, which is the kind of thing we want to do with the cafe. Also, with the exposed brick inside, they're like little blocks. The number 11 is our street address at the cafe (11 Bow Street), and how long the owners have known each other (11 years)."
I found all of the employees there to be friendly. The place is huge and has all kinds of nooks to seat yourself in, although I kind of prefer all seating to be in one area. It wasn't too crowded when I was there and felt empty, but I'm sure this seating style was definitely done because of the fact that the Diesel Cafe gets so crowded.
The food is good, and as most have said a little pricey, but not so bad considering I got a prosciutto sandwich. They have some really cool "specialty drinks" like caramel apple cider that definitely look like they are worth checking out if you don't handle caffeine very well.
Overall a great addition to Union Square to meet up with someone for coffee or enjoy a small meal to yourself while doing some light reading. Someone mentioned they charge $8 a day and another said $13 a month for WiFi connections , which sounds really shitty either way since I think most places should be promoting free wifi. I think they could make money without complaints by making it something like .99 with purchase, or giving out member cards with promotions for regulars including free wifi for members only.
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Beautiful space. Beautiful people. I have always enjoyed Diesel's atmosphere, and Bloc 11's is a bit more upscale (bigger, brighter) -- and I dig the vault. Although, I'd never sit there because I like windows and sunshine.
My favorite part about Bloc 11 is their extensive Hot Sandwich menu and veggie options. I love Diesel, but at lunch-time, space is scarce. At Bloc 11, I don't have that problem and I get the same great food.
It's a great escape for a work-lunch with friends if you live in Somerville or Cambridge!
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Re-edit:
I gave them the benefit of the doubt. This was a mistake. A month and change after receiving a concerned letter from management, it's still named Bloc 11. And no reply from concerned/courteous Community Coordinator. Thanks for the update, buddy.
We assume that they have no intention of changing, which, fine, more power to them. But ignorance can no longer be an excuse, if it was in the first place.
Edit:
After receiving a concerned and courteous letter from the Community Coordinator from Diesel/Bloc, I've decided to rescind my prior review. It was unfair on my part, and perhaps not exactly in the spirit of Yelp, to editorialize on little more than speculation, especially when the subject is really just an unfortunate coincidence (which I kind of suspected all along).
Seems they are at last aware of the potential powder keg they are sitting on. There's a lot of power in a name.
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Ok I'm just going to come out an say it, I don't care what this place is called, all I care is if it's good or not. I'm reviewing a restaurant, not a name.
And I personally think it's great.
This place is not a normal coffee shop in the sense that I don't feel like I'm in a tiny space where I can barely move around and there are 6 other people sitting at my table that I don't know. Bloc 11 is the most spacious coffee shop I've ever been to. With that being said, I still feel like the place is cozy. I love exposed brick, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And I think it makes a place feel cozier. The fact that you can also sit in a real bank vault it pretty awesome. I also like the combination of the exposed brick with the stainless-steel that they incorporate into the decoration. The pictures they have hanging on the wall are pretty cool too.
I really enjoyed my Safe Haven sandwich. Cheddar and goat cheese paired with artichoke hearts and tomatoes on focaccia. I had never really had goat cheese before but it really worked in the sandwich. I also ordered the black and white latte (mocha and vanilla). It was delicious! It was so cute that they put a little design using the foam. And another thing that I love, the fact that they use REAL glass cups/mugs. I wish more coffee places would do that! The prices were pretty standard. I paid $13.00 (this included $1.80 tip b/c they were so nice) which in my opinion was totally worth it. The employees were all super nice!
It was empty, but I think it was because the place was so big, not because no one was visiting. If I lived closer, I would come here a lot.
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Hey, I only got a mocha latte but it was really good! The atmosphere was quiet, classy, and cool but cozy and inviting. The woman who took my order was very nice and answered my 20 questions about the place with a smile. My drink came fast and it did the trick. I took a look at the menu and the sandwiches sound AMAZING! There's something for everybody, carnivore and vegetarian alike. They get their pastries from local bakeries and they look fantastically tasty. One turn off was the very small breakfast menu. But, I'll make sure I go for lunch. I'll update my review after I eat there
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The food is awesome (sandwiches, salads, soups), and they will make stuff to order for you. In fact, the staff is really nice and makes an effort to get to know the customers.I love the espresso. WiFi is reasonably priced and easy to use. The wood-burning stove rocks. It's a great place to meet folks or get work done.
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I live walking distance from Bloc 11 Cafe - such a cool spot. The back room has a fireplace, plenty of seating and can be a good quiet place to read or do work if the front is crowded. The food is great - tasty, different, but not too pricey.
Great food, great people working there. Coworkers from my office go there every day... one girl up to 3 times a day on average!
a funky little cafe, and nice addition to Union Sq. the cavernous space offers many little corners and former bank vaults to tuck away into. unfortunately, their selection of tea is not as good as their sister cafe, the Diesel.
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So one night I decided to hold a crafting event here in order to try out the place. I must say that I was not disappointed. I love that they have a huge amount of space and the contemporary feel of it. During the nicer days they do have the front windows open to let in fresh air which I love. Their chairs are slightly uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time but if they did have the comfy chairs I feel as if the nice clean feeling would be gone.
I don't expect much for the food since it is a coffee shop. I got a sandwich, forgot the name, that involved roast beef and caramelized onions. It was average and needed a little more flavor but it did its job in satisfying my hunger. As for the coffee, I'm not a big fan so I opted for the Nantucket nectars which they always carry. My friend Tara though lives close by and she loves the coffee. They only carry two types of coffee: the regular and then the dark roast. Her complaint is not that they have two types of coffee but the fact that they are always out of one type. I would also like them to improve on their outside trash situation. It just makes the front look tacky. Move it please!
Besides those things I think that Bloc 11 is coming along nicely. It's a great addition to Union Square with plenty of street parking.
Restrooms: They were clean but boy were they cold!!! Get some heat in there to warm my bum in the winter! I can't even imagine how the guys would feel!
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I have been to this place twice.
Love that they take credit cards, more cleanlier that their first location and larger.
Only wish they had more for a breakfast menu on Sunday..
Love the coffee so much to choose.
So good to have one where to go in Union SQUARE.. THANK YOU
And a place that understands a good cup of Jo ...
There sure are a lot of Subarus parked out in front of Bloc 11 Cafe.
This place opened this past Monday, and we went in today after breakfast to check it out, and I love the building. They've turned an old bank into the hippest little cafe that I have ever seen.....the vault is an adorable little seating room, and there are benches that are made of safety security boxes. It's pretty f-ing awesome architecture. This place is owned by the same people who on the Diesel Cafe in Davis, and we weren't disappointed. We got an iced tea and a sparkling lime juice (named the sparkler), and a pumpkin currant muffin. It didn't let us down. It was a nice beverage, but really, it's all about the ambiance. I liked it, and we were both impressed with the design of this place......one more reason to add to the list of why Union is the coolest square in Somerville.
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The atmosphere is tre cool, the vault seating , the glassed in fireplace, etc. But the prices are a bit, well, pricey. The baked goods are mediocre. And $8/day for wifi? Are you kidding me?
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Bloc 11 might be the coolest cafe I've ever been to. They have really taken things to another level.
The Intelligentsia coffee is solid as usual.
Bloc 11 has a very clean design, but is still warm and inviting. It's really big and has a lot of seats, but it can still get crowded.
As many people have noted, Bloc 11 is brought to you by the folks at Diesel Cafe. It really is its own cafe, however. The menu is different and the environment is very different. Bloc 11 is relatively quiet and mature compared to Diesel, and with less edge.
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I was excited about Bloc 11 when I heard it was opening. I love the Diesel and I live in Union Square-- what more could a girl ask for?
Shortly after it opened i made a lunch date with another union squarian friend and walked over.
When we arrived, I poked around a bit-- it's a little more straight-laced than the Diesel, but you have to admit that the vault seating is pretty cool. Then we ordered food...and it's definitely spendy spendy spendy for what it is. A sandwich and a coffee for almost $15 seems like a lot, especially for the area.
Bloc 11 seems almost wishful thinking for the Union Square area. It's 5 or 6 clicks above anything else in the neighborhood which could be good, it might encourage the growth of other funky eateries and shops-- but it could be their downfall.
I'd like to see it turn into a bar at night, it has the right swanky atmosphere-- throw a few taps in and see what happens.
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i want to like this place, i think, but it kinda bugs me.
The GOOD:
really good coffee, lots of menu options (better than diesel), something cool in East Somerville, in an old bank too boot, lots of room, comfy to hang out and work, lots of big, not disposable pint glasses to drink water in makes it easy to hydrate, everything i have ordered so far has been solidly good or at least decent, yay for breakfast sammies on the menu!, and, last but not least, one of a very small list of places in Somerville (or the Boston area in general) that seems to welcome queer and trans visibility.
The BAD:
coffee from chicago instead of from any number of really good roasters in the northeast, pastries etc outsourced instead of made in house (like they are at the sherman), the places is waaaay too expensive ($3 for tea? over $6 for coffee and a cookie? over $10 for a grilled cheese sandwich and hot cider?), and on top of that, paying, and paying way too much, for wifi?, a little too hip for it's own good (predictable indie rock, etc), not as awesome or as comfy as the nearby cafe sherman, weird layout (kitchen area in the middle of the space seems to be bigger than it needs to be, less room for tables), slightly surly counter service at times
i'm glad they are there but wish they were cheaper, offered free (or reasonably priced) wifi, and were a little all around cozier and less gentrified white hipster-y. and maybe someone could put some al green on the stereo.
i'll go back from time to time but it's not the kinda place i would tell a friend they really ought to check out.
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Yeah, the bank vault seating is cool, and the cafe is nice and big, but this place is just not that great.
My first complaint is that the aforementioned large square footage of Bloc 11 is totally misused. There aren't many places to sit in the main part of the cafe. In back, there are two bank vaults to sit in; one has subway-style seating so you're facing the strangers sitting across from you and have nowhere to rest your book or food, and the other one is a tiny dank pit with no power outlets. There's another back room with a fireplace and only two tables. If you sit directly next to the fireplace, your face will burn off. Trust me, I've been there.
Other problems include slow service and lack of free wifi. Drinks are small, especially considering what you pay for them. The bathrooms are clean but boring. Wheelchair accessibility seems decent, except for the back rooms. This place is open late, which is nice because the only other cafe option in Union (the superior Sherman) closes at 7.
Overall, I only go to the Bloc 11 to grab a beverage when the Sherman is closed. If they amend the poor seating plan and light a fire under the employees' collective asses (alternate use for the fireplace?) to speed up the service, perhaps my ire will decrease. Until then, see you at the Sherman!
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