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Cafe Lambretta - CLOSED
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1806 Polk St(between Jackson St & Washington St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
(415) 673-0772
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Cafe Lambretta
Review Highlights
"Cute little cafe that serves up great blue bottle coffee."
(in 17 reviews)
"nice staff, community feel, cool scooters."
(in 8 reviews)
"I look forward to watching this cafe grow."
(in 3 reviews)
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Jaei P.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2008
eep! i think i have to clarify for some people (though its probably not my place to say, but i love the owner and am only looking out for his [and his shops] best interests.):
yes, cafe lambretta is moving. the landlord screwed them by letting them rent a space in which they weren't allowed, hence a quick exit to avoid an undeserved lawsuit. just a few short days after their closure, john(the owner)'s wife gave birth to their second lovelylovely child and the hunt for a new location was postponed. as of late, there are rumors of a space in potrero hill which sound promising, however i dont believe anything has been finalized.
anyways, cafe lambretta gets the full five stars from me. i dont even know how to describe my love for that place other than saying that my scooter/moped crew and i will continually give our support to them no matter the location! and its nice to know that they will always do the same for us! the Creeps love Cafe Lambretta (owner, staff, coffee, every part!!)!
hope this helped!
xoxoListed in: Coffee!
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Review from Cheryl D.
10/11/2007
I havent tried all the coffee drinks but I love this very European stand-up cafe. They sell
Coffee - and someone there does foam art!! (A heart in my foam makes my day!)
Panini - about the same price, less selection than as CheesePlus down the street but theirs (CL) comes with some salad. I mostly order the Fig Prosciutto - delish!
Specialties - fig tapenade and sundried tomatoes and other things
Wine Soda - yes really its non-alcoholic
Magazines - nice
Scooters - yes there (was) a vintage one there for $5000
I like the stand-up way its done here, even when I'm wearing heels. It really opens up for more social interaction with people. The owner is friendly and the staff cool.
____ Update 11/21/07____
The staff fresh bakes mini snacks, like biscotti. There is outdoor seating. -
Review from Matt G.
7/6/2007
With the local Blue Bottle Coffee company being a smash hit in San Francisco, the popular coffee company chain has added another cafe in the heart of the Russian Hill neighborhood.
Instead of going to the Hayes Valley sister location, it's a welcome addition to the Fantastic-4, who is huge fans of the coffee/espresso drinks.
The coffee shop has a very limited menu selections and seating area in its short tenure at the current location. The ambiences are set up differently as oppose to other coffee shops. There classic scooters parked in the shop for a picture-perfect display.
Matt took daughter to checkout the coffee-shop to see if it was worth the trip. Matt ordered their signatured $3.75 mocha and daughter ordered the $2.50 hot-cocoa. Like the Hayes Valley location, the drinks used the same Scarffenberger chocolate and other organic ingredients in a 12oz. cup. Unlike the adjoining location, the taste from the new location in both our drinks were very thin and no where as equal as the other location.
The next morning, we decided to give the new location another chance, this time wife joined in and bought a $3.25 latte. Matt and daughter bought the same drinks from yesterday, and we had another barista preparing our drinks. Wife's latte faired a bit better than our drinks; while Miss Rugrat and Matt's drink had the same insipid taste from the previous morning.
We love our espresso drinks from Blue Bottle Coffee Company, unfortunately, with our disappointing experience, we won't be coming to this newest coffee shop anytime soon. Daughter was crying after her 2 bland tasting hot cocoa. It should never have come down to this.Listed in: Thanks for the memories!!
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Review from Chelsea R.
3/4/2008
Lambretta, it looks like things are over between us before they barely got started.
I had two tantalizing tastes of your potent, personally brewed goodness, and then, just when my appreciation began to blossom into addiction, you up and left. Worse than that, you left without warning, or explanation, or even goodbye. You are like a dude who didn't even reach back to close the door behind him as he saunters out after a one-night-stand.
I know your blue bottle elixir is micro-brewed, and thus far too good for the masses, but was it really too good for me, too? Will I ever see you again? -
Review from Lauren C.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2008
Stop torturing me!
You serve Blue Bottle and you're never open when i need you!
woohoo! today, i actually had cash in pocket and it was after 9am so i was able to get a fabulous cafe mocha!
Cafe Lambretta, you were worth the wait!
nice staff, community feel, cool scooters. I will definitely go back. -
Review from Michael M.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2008
Absolutely adorable cafe! Good lord! If you're into italian scooters (Lambrettas to be exact) you'll love this place! The decor is so flipping cute!
I had a drip coffee and a cafe au lait. They serve Blue Bottle, and it's fantastic! Staff is friendly and know how to serve up some wonderful coffee.
I will come back anytime I'm in the neighborhood, but I really wish y'all took cards =( Oh well, I'll just carry cash. Yeah, they're worth carrying cash my fellow card users. =) -
Review from Flemm F.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2007
This place is helping with the de-texas-ification of America. Let me splain. You know how everything's bigger in Texas? How Americans want their stuff extreme-ized and super-sized and faster and cheaper and louder and hotter?
Yeah you won't get that here. The coffee and the lattes take a little time. They do not steam a big vat of milk and slosh a little on your Espresso, they heat only enough milk for your drink, which is one size only. They don't have their coffee ruminating in press pots, they make your cup just for you.
You know how you order a latte and you have to wait about 10 minutes to drink it cause the milk is WHITE HOT FOAM? Here the milk is the exact right temperature- hot, but just cool enough to drink.
The coffee is mostly medium roast I think, which means its strong enough to taste but won't take the skin off the roof of your mouth.Listed in: Beverages, Patience is a virtue
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Review from Becky B.
San Francisco, CA
6/11/2007
Just happened to walk by and notice the Blue Bottle sign in the window of this new coffee house. And to my total excitement, the coffee is fantastic and service is friendly.
Best of all, it's my neighborhood. Enjoy! -
Review from Scott W.
San Francisco, CA
6/25/2007
VERY nice people running the place, but really limited selection of foods and sweets. Their hours are bad. A coffee shop shouldn't open late and close early. It should be the other way around.
I like that they have Blue Bottle Coffee and brew it one cup at a time, but it's not hot enough. I really want to like this place, but why do I care that they have a bunch of magazines about scooters?
Am I the only one that doesn't buy it? -
Review from Nilu r.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2007
I have underestimated Blue Bottle Coffee in the past and I wholeheartedly apologize! I just had a fantastic cup of coffee, drip brewed especially for me and I enjoyed it as much as any cup of Alterra coffee I have had. Ok so they are even...its just that this wonderful cafe is 5 blocks up from my work and I can run up to it for my morning cup rather than in Milwaukee, WI.
Wonderful coffee, friendly people, cute little coffee shop (I hope they put in some more furniture) and did I say wonderful coffee already?
Oh yeah, the coffee is good too! -
Review from Lou S.
10/2/2007
Yes, it's just another authorized Blue Bottle Coffee (TM) dealer. But it also happens to be in my neighborhood, so while the coffee is good, it's no longer anything special--3 stars for the coffee and 2 stars for the convenience.
I may be mistaken, but I think their prices for some drinks are higher than the standard Blue Bottle pricing. -
Review from Tim C.
Charlotte, NC
11/23/2007
We're getting ready to move into this neighborhood, and seeing as I currently live 5 minutes from Barefoot Coffee Roasters in the South Bay, this coffee geek was thrilled to find Cafe Lambretta. Blue Bottle coffee is already legendary; my coworker says "it's like drinking gold". However, what drew me into the cafe was seeing that the focus of the shop is espresso, and that the baristas knew what they were doing. The cappuccino was excellent, with perfect microfoam and rich coffee purity.
The owner, John, is super friendly, knows his coffee, and was open to suggestions and questions. The coffee is superb, and the atmosphere reminds me of European cafes. In fact, the only reason I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is because they could improve their seating and their hours (they close at 5pm). John assures me that both of these are related and are being worked on.
You'd do well to avoid the Starbucks wannabe next door and go to Cafe Lambretta for a real cup of coffee. It's great. -
Review from ninja M.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2007
espresso science 101-
Scooters, super cute gals serving me Blue bottle coffee and absolutely no non-sense drinkachinos.
sandwiches and other goodies.
A fresh new addition so far to this world famous (world in my head) polk street coffee corridor.
Im in hogHeaven
note- they are cash only for now. they said cards kick in soon.
BEANS: Blue bottle -
Review from Curran H.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2007
This is a really exceptional cafe, in a town glutted with mediocre cafes and dismal chains (Sure, we all despise Starbucks, but if I see one more "Muddy Waters"/"What a Grind"/"Royal Grounds" type generic chain-cafes, I'm gonna spew.)
Why "exceptional"? First, they serve Blue Bottle coffee, but they also know exactly HOW to make it. I've had a lot of coffee in places that know their coffee (I lived in the Netherlands, so I'm spoiled for most coffee), but the cup I had at Cafe Lambretta was as good as the best of them.
Second, the crew were great -- really friendly and conscientious. They cared that I had a good cup of coffee; they didn't just want me to git and go. Third, the panini looks great, and is an inspired combination with proper coffee. A lot of cafes do warm food, but most of the time, they try to please too many different tastes.
And finally, the decor is a knockout. The owner's collection of priceless vintage Lambrettas is not sort of thing you'll see at any other cafe, and it lends a whole 'nuther level to the experience. The magazine rack is stocked with great selections, and the lighting is dramatic. It almost feels more like an ultra-hip cafe in Shibuya or Omotesando (in Tokyo), and from me, that's as big of a compliment as I can give.
Ditch Starbucks, Peet's and the other chains and move up to a higher plane of cafe. -
Review from Nick L.
San Francisco, CA
11/26/2007
Exceptional coffee. They use Blue Bottle and clearly know what they're doing. The downside is that it takes them 5min to make your cappuccino, even if you are the only one in line. The upside is an amazing drink that takes your mind off all earthly concerns (including the wait).
Lambretta:Starbucks::GaryDanko:McDonalds
Word to the wise. The coffee is priced roughly in-line with the far inferior Starbucks. The panninis, however, are only OK and for $8.95 there are better options around, including 2 blocks down Polk St at Cheese Plus.
Also, I hope you like your coffee on the go because there's nowhere to sit. -
Review from Jill G.
Bend, OR
6/3/2007
mmmm....
Coffee....
Cute shop. Excellent coffee. It is nice to have a coffee shop in the neighborhood that takes time and pride in their coffee.
They have just opened so have some tweaking to do but I am sure that there will be lines out the door of this shop very soon. -
Review from Ponytail W.
San Francisco, CA
7/8/2007
Looks like Lambretta got pushed out due to landlord incompetence and politics. I look forward to seeing them re-open somewhere in the neighborhood -- hopefully soon. Great small business owner with good vision -- friendly, neighborly, knows how to do things right.
Please reincarnate yourself locally! :-) -
Review from Deena G.
San Francisco, CA
5/30/2007
Congratulations and best wishes John! The Panini was excellent and my coffee was delicious! Count me in as a regular at Cafe Lambretta.
(Nice scooters on display too!) -
Review from Joseph A.
Richmond, CA
8/30/2007
Wow, great coffee! I have been a Peets diehard for years, but I think I just found my new favorite coffee in this blue bottle stuff...
Cafe Lambretta looks great; very clean, nice ambiance, friendly staff and lots of cool scooters.
I had a simple drip coffee and a croisant - both were excellent - I'll be back!
A few chairs and tables will be a welcome addition... -
Review from phil h.
9/2/2007
Great coffee served by a happy, friendly staff...what more could you ask for? Now that I think of it, I really wish that they had more food options, maybe some brunchy type fare. -1 star for the limited menu, but 4 solid stars for Blue Bottle in my neighborhood.
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Review from Rebecca H.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2007
DO NOT go to Lambretta. And whatever you do, don't order the New Orleans style iced coffee. Not because it is bad, but because it is far too delicious. Try it once and you will become an addict like me, hopping up in down in front of the store in the morning waiting to get your next fix. Yes, I've become a junky -- I swear I even feel bugs crawling on my skin until I take that first sip. Stay away from Lambretta for your own good and if you do go, don't say I didn't warn you.
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Review from Wakako U.
San Francisco, CA
8/23/2007
Why does everyone complain that there are no seats? No one complains about no seats on Linden.
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Review from T-Bone L.
San Francisco, CA
6/2/2007
It looks like a "soft" opening at this point, but I know good things are in store at this charming spot. Everyone is raving about the Blue Bottle Coffee in the Gulch. Since I am not a coffee drinker, I just soaked up the ambiance and the warm welcome I received from the owner. I look forward to trying the food.
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Review from today y.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2007
Cute little cafe that serves up great blue bottle coffee. They are edging into my ideas but only edging, so i forgive them. Cute scooter theme (not played out too annoying like scooter-themes sometimes are) and pretty looking magazine selection, nice selection of sandwiches and coffee sweets, plus really nice barristas every time i come. Best coffee in the neighborhood. (cash only).
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Review from Tanya C.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2007
BBC in my working neighborhood! w00t! Seriously, once the chairs arrive, I'm parking my ass in here for hours on end.
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Review from cora j.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2007
Big fan of Blue Bottle and I was beyond ecstatic to find a spot on Polk serving the heavenly brew. I have to say that Cafe Lambretta makes the second best soy lattes in the city (the first being the Hayes Valley location of Blue Bottle). I've also been to the Blue Bottle locations at the Ferry Building and I still don't think their soy lattes compare to Cafe Lambretta's. Panini's are good with a nice healthy salad on the side. Also the staff is friendly and outgoing and really like getting to know the customers. And they have seating now - yay!
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Review from Emm C.
Manhattan, NY
7/9/2007
this place has potential as the new kid on the block. It does look a bit bare and think it'd be nice to have somewhere to sit rather than stand. I asked if it was meant to not have chairs like european coffee bars but was told that chairs will be coming. Love the cute Lambrettas and photo art. just needs some more ambiance like music and cushy seats - maybe motocycle seats? I know I cant get a better cup of BBC on Polk but the other choices (t, p, s, lb, i) all have decent coffee with seating. When I want to catch up on reading or hang with a friend, this is not the ideal place. Also, Philz heats the half n half. I like dat. a lawt
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Review from B G.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2007
Great name. This is the spot. Best cup of coffee I have had to date. Count me in as a regular. I look forward to watching this cafe grow.
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Review from Tara F.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2008
I am absolutely obsessed with this little cafe.
I moved to the city about a month ago, and searching for the perfect new coffee joint became my first mission.
I read the reviews here for this place, and checked it out right away, and it was love.
I walked into a place with great character, the scooter decor is great, unique amazing atmosphere, with a neat magazine rack featuring a large assortment of different, hip magazines.
The Moldy Peaches and Kimya Dawson were playing, and that was the next perfect touch.
The servers were insanely friendly, and it felt like I was talking amongst old friends. They instantly recommended a few drinks, and I was sold.
A lot of care goes into the preparation of your coffee, and after trying a few different mixes I'm sold on the soy latte, which is actually a perfectly drinkable temperature the second it's placed in your hand.
On my second visit, the server had remembered me already.
The drip coffee also, is amongst the best I've had in a while. -
Review from bmwcafe c.
San Francisco, CA
2/29/2008
where are you now???? we miss you really, really badly!!!
we hope you will reopen (very) soon at another location, maybe even closer to where i am.... so selfish... -
Review from S C.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2008
Arrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!
Don't leave us (AAU PPL)!!!!1 We need you guys!
There is no drinkable espresso otherthan this place. In about 5-6 minsutes walk I can get coffee and back to school. Even our professor dig their coffee too.
In contrast, I ordered an espresso from rxyxl ground today.......two sips than I throw it to the trash can. There was like 1/8 of an inch of crema seperating the espresso....I should rephrase, coffee. It comes out of the machine is like 15seconds.......bitter....that's it.....
I will spend my 2-4 dollars anytime in lambretta. Whenever I pass by it's grind, I wonder are they thinking they are drinking coffee.
UPDATE!!!! Their website has been updated that said coming soon! -
Review from Sally A.
San Francisco, CA
12/1/2007
I come here every Sunday morning for a drip coffee, and since my second visit, the girl at the counter has always remembered me. And that pretty much never happens. The "themeing" may be a bit contrived, but the coffee and service are great! Watch out though; the cup lids leak!
