Cream Coffee Bar
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Delis [Edit]
Neighborhood: University Heights4496 Park Blvd
(between Meade Ave & Mission Ave)
San Diego, CA 92116 (619) 260-1917
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 7:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
34 reviews
San Diego, CA
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88 Reviews for Cream Coffee Bar
Cream will do in a pinch. The coffee is acceptable. The little couches are very cute but the service is spotty. The baristas are generally nice but I have also encountered two rude and snotty ones. Bit of a turn off.
I've attempted to try their food on a couple of occasions but the kitchen has always been closed.
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When I am not stuck at the corporation that pays in free coffee five days a week I frequent this spot not because of the great coffee or atmosphere. It's convenient and cheap and spacy. All the things a girl needs to study or write articles.
It's hot in here during the summer. I feel bad for the employees because the kitchen doesn't make it any cooler.
It has adequate room to study and plug in laptops. They also make a mean panini. The Pizza Pizza one is divine and they also have vegan and gluten free options.
The only thing I have to say is it's not the cleanliest of places. The bathroom is nice with a dark makeup room like atmosphere and modern art. Three chandeliers hang above the toilet. But the condiment bar is always dirty and looking behind the counter at the floors always makes a little weary to drink the tea that is resting there.
But I do love the cook. He's a cool cat with a marijuana leaf tattooed on his arm and a swagger in his step when he calls out: Turkey Pesto Panini! I smile as I take my food and wonder where the world has taken him. Can I go?
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I say about 3.5 stars?
I had a good experience i guess.. i had vietnamese coffee and it was strong, but that's how it should be.. :)
//edit
besides that, it was really nice to study in.. i love the oldies that were playing and it was really loud, but if you are like me and can zone out all the sound, this is the place to go to study..
i'm guessing they had free wi-fi since everyone had their laptops out.. i just wish it was slightly more ventilated.. but nothing too bad to complain about.
//add.
i went there again today... it was lunch time, i was hungry, i orders turkey pesto.............. the chips that came with the sandwich was so so oily, but other than that it was delicious!!! **today the vietnamese coffee i had was wayyyyyyyyyyy too sweet though, but the pesto sandwich was delicious and totally made up for it.. i thought it was slightly expensive though for a sandwich considering foot-long subs are $5 these days.. but still yummy and filling!
i add one more star for the yummy sandwich.
I just am not feeling this place... maybe it's just me. My good friend here is defending it pretty strongly so hn. I could just be having a bad night, as I said. But something about this place seems wrong to me. Maybe it's all the nudes. Busted my ass getting my laptop here on the bike, but I'm really just wanting to pack it all up and move it to Claire de Lune.
In all fairness, here are some pros:
- strong coffee
- abundant space
- v. classy chairs
- free wifi
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Great go-to place to study or just Mac it up.
The actual drinks and service are so so, but I go more for the set up. Large enough tables to work and decent lighting.
Everyone here is usually cooler than you.
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as much as i wish i could give this place 5 stars i cant just because... the barista there wasnt very willing to recommend something. i love when someone can recommend somethin and surprise me but i asked her what she recommended over my 2 choices and all she responded with rude non emotional answer. :( so i was like 'ok ill jus talk an iced latte' bleh. but it still deserves 3 stars cuz it has free wifi and i saw a really cute there once lol :)
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I only go here sporadically and out of convenience. The vibe sucks and I usually cannot stand the service. Most of the employees lack eye contact, personality and act like it's a nuisance for them to stop their conversation and serve you. 2 stars only b/c they have good treats.
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i swear I need to take pickpocket 101 and march right over to Cream and help myself to everyone's bags and backpacks. Everyone's so god damned hypnotized by their laptops its alien-esque. From the outside, it it looks like a huge aquarium of emo zombies. The music inside is pretty loud, so I know they must be alive and moving in there. I remember when people used to meet and talk at coffee shops. i bet 2 people probably flirted with each other all night on Myspace-not ever knowing the other one was in the same room at Cream.
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Please invest in an air-conditioning unit. If you already have one, please turn it on. By the time I finished ordering, my face was drenched in sweat. And I don't even sweat that much, I'm Asian.
We got two panini 's, a pesto and a roast turkey. The pesto sandwich was lacking everything; had way more bread than actual stuff like, um, pesto. The roast turkey was decent but for ~$7, I don't think so. It's not a $7 sandwich.
A tad under $10 for one sandwich and a VitaminWater. Yeah, I don't think so. If I was at The Cheese Shop, sure I'd pay $10 with a smile for a sandwich. But here, no way.
To the owner of Cream, instead of hiring Sysco for food-service consulting, just use this checklist. You can utilize it free of charge:
1) Buy and use an air-conditioning unit.
2) Make sure the chairs and tables match. Wooden tables and chairs don't go well with plastic tables and chairs.
3) Get rid of the baby carrots.
4) Swap the gross, cheap pickles for some decent ones.
5) Clean the outside chairs. My chair had bird shit on it.
Don't make this an ego thing. If you really want to improve your cafe, follow the checklist. Yes, I know commodity prices are skyrocketing but that's no excuse.
Has a lot of potential.
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You either love Cream or hate it. After seeing the 18th Starbucks pop up in the neighborhood, Cream is a welcome sight for sore eyes. Granted, the decor can use a few more lounge chairs and end tables to add a cozy element, but I go to Cream for the soy lattes, the great customer service, and the occasional glass of wine.
Taciturn customers seem to be the real downside to Cream, but then they should ditch their laptops every so often and start socializing. It's not that hard.
Lyle - keep on grooving.
I like the ambience here. i am entertained to see rows of random people facing the same direction on their laptops. but the espresso tasted sour (old), bitter (over-roasted) and un-creamy, meaning NO cream, (bad pour) which is obviously ironic for a place called Cream. Everything else seemed ok.
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Walking into Cream, I always feel like I'm stumbling into a telemarketer's paradise. There are laptops open on every table, cords cascading off every surface, and a majority of cellphones out and in use.
Nevertheless, I am always able to find an open space and scrounge enough concentration to get through at least 3.5 hours of work. I assume that most people come to Cream for the no nonsense work atmosphere or what it seems like, to talk to the people behind the counter. The employees seem to be really laidback (read: relaxed).
I have no opinion on any of the food products, because I've only ever ordered coffee, but have never been let down.
PS. If you're feeling like saving a tree, make sure to ask the "barista" to NOT double-cup your coffee!!! They seem to do this on default.
Thanks Cream for making me productive! Although right now I'm writing your review instead of doing work...
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Back to back lunch hour field trips with Mrs. Canada herself. My normal indecisiveness led me to pawn off that desicion and let the lady take charge and she did. We walked over to Cream and we were greeted by a Yelp Sticker on the door.
The place was set up like a cafeteria. With a large amount of tables and chairs for all the diners and wi-fi'ers. We both opted for sandwiches and Vitamin Waters. Their small selection of beers looked tasty but my stomach or head was not feeling it. My dear friend was worse off than me and definitely was not having it. I did take a second to appreciate the selection of wine as well.
I had a pizza pizza and they were having issues with the bread. She had a turkey something with a Three letter acronym. They did take a good while for my pizza pizza sandwich and decided that my asking for no onions meant pile them on. Ohh well we all make mistakes. This was a kinda harmless cute mistake. Like when a puppy poops in the refrigator. When you look at it and that tail is wagging at 100mph and you stare at those big puppy dog eyes. You tend to put the rolled up newspaper away. Unless your a sick and twisted bastard. Don't hit puppies you jerks!
This place looks like it has some potential and I may make use of it for laptop excursions whenever I feel like prying myself from my house. Also the service there was good and with a smile.
So the moral of this story is. Do go to Cream. Try not to be late for work for the second time in a day. Don't beat puppies. Don't ever talk about Fight Club.
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First off, I just go here for the drinks and food. I can't bring myself to take my laptop in here and chill. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I'm way more rad than that. That being said, I love the smoothies and when I'm hungover they make me feel better. So, go smoothies.
Oh, and it's hot as hell in there. Always.
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i go here for one thing and one thing only- the dutch apple chai latte. it's liquid crack for me. i crave it, i need it, i yearn for it.
the thing that's weird about cream however is the fact that hardly anybody in there is socializing. everybody is on their laptop. it's crazy and a bit creepy. once i met a girlfriend there for coffee and i seriously felt weird talking in there, like we were being too loud.
i guess if i was a college student who was seeking out free wifi, maybe this would be the place to go- but i donno. the overall ambience is just weird. i feel like it needs a serious decorating makeover. way too sterile for my tastes. i like things interesting and cozy and welcoming. oh and this one clerk there is always rude to me, like he thinks he's so above everyone. he acts like it's a hassle to even tell me that my drink is ready. i donno, maybe he's just been having a bad day... like everytime i'm in there.
but yes, that damn dutch apple chai latte.... soooo good.
you have to try one.
you HAVE to.
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Dear Cream Owner~
Is your grandmother named Daisy? I met her on a plane last week from Newport, Rhode Island and I think the name of her grandson's coffee shop was Cream.
If so, she rocked. Tell her I said hello please. H
I have to give a shout out to Brian K.'s comment about the air conditioning, or lack thereof I should say. Being Faux Asian I don't sweat that much either, but I have definately seen a couple drops of sweat fall from my face to the floor while drinking my iced coffee here. But whatever, I blame that more on the oppressively hot weather that has hit San Diego harder than I can remember over this last year.
I really like the sandwhiches here. They use romaine lettuce, have good size portions (not just a slice of meat and cheese), they come with quality ridged potato chips on par with Kettle, and a pickle (the final touch of satisfaction for me!) I've had the turkey sandwhich and the veggie sandwhich and have left happy and full both times. I remember them being $6 which I thought was a great deal, especially considering they don't offer sandwhiches at the coffee shop up the street (Twiggs). I also have been happy with the iced lattes I have ordered. Standard prices and great flavor. Last time I was there I got a double iced latte with creme de menthe Torani syrup. If you like sweet mint you should try it sometime, just make sure you get the creme de menthe syrup, not peppermint, or any other type of mint. It won't be the same!
All in all I like to come here to eat and drink, and the staff have always been nice to me. However, I wouldn't come here to catch up with a friend or socialize because 99% of the people here are studying, and have a laptop. Hooray for free wi-fi, and definately come here if you are in the middle of finals.
Also, there is outdoor seating, but it is only about 2-3 small tables next to the open sidewalk. Definately not a patio.
This place is pretty cool. Compared to it's predecessor, Korova, this is a really happening place. It's freaking impossible to get a seat here.
I gotta give them props for adapting the song title from that Wu-Tang track.
Their caffeinated drinks are guaranteed to keep you awake. When they say strong, they mean *strong*. They've got the wi-fi running, too, although the signal is a little flaky, at least the last time I was there. There aren't too many electrical outlets, either, which is a problem for me because the battery on my notebook no longer holds a charge. But to make up for it, they've got a myriad of extension cords criss-crossing the place. Not sure if it's square with the fire code, but it works for me.
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EPITOME of awesome lounge-iness. Study-friendly, group-friendly, huge tables, couches, I feel like I'm in a cafeteria sans-bland, and boring. I enjoy the coffee, as I have been a member of SA (Starbucks Anonymous) for a few years now, I frequent the little guy, because its taboo to go to big-brother. San Diego has a plethora of coffee and tea joints and Cream was always one I drove by and always wanted to visit, but never did. I am glad I eventually did though. ONE bad thing is the speed of getting an order - to - enjoying your order, They aren't made for high volume orders, and when I went I stood in line for about 23 minutes before I got my first sip (the guy in front of me only lasted 15, sucker!) anyway, that's what bumped it down to a 3 star-er, unfortunately. I enjoy the few tables outside, watching the traffic go by and I love how people seem to know everyone else in the neighborhood - it was awesome, make me want to live near by. I didn't get a chance to try their food, or their pastries, which they have a lot of - maybe next time, when no one else is in the store.
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Well, aside from the slightly raunchy name and the weird mural (a lactating hottie with pillowy ta-tas) on the side of the building, this place would only do in a pinch. The freak of nature behind the counter looked like the last man outta Auschwitz. I wanted to hold him down and force feed him cheese danish, then wash it down with 1/2 & 1/2 (I thought only women could be anorexic). Skeletor's* SKINNY jeans were freakin' BAGGY!
If he weren't moving (albeit sloooowly) I would swear he was in the early stages of rigor mortis. I guess when you eschew all nutrition, it makes you listless and crabby, and/or makes you want to wear your little sister's clothes. (Come on EMO guys - wear a tee-shirt that covers your belly button - unless your dancing the cabaret at Lips - we don't want to see your curly locks from down there. Capisce?)
Ok - back to the review of Cream. Coffee was hot - there, that's my review.
"But what happens next Finula?"
I know - good bed time reading, huh?
Ok - so I'm standing in line waiting for Mr. Hasn't Eaten Solid Foods in 23 Months to get through the crowd (3 of us) and this suit type gets in line 1 person behind me. He's jabbering away on his cell phone about A) being homicidal, and B) being suicidal and how STRESSSSED OUT he was. The cause of all this angst? What else? Some asshole co-worker, blah blah blah. (Note: I'm stoked to be self-underemployed).
Well, the conversation, whilst alternating between suicidal tendencies and homicidal mayhem, went on a little too long, and a little too loudly. All of us in line turned and glared at the silly prick yammering away on his celly (the latest iPhone of course) a couple of times, but he just looked back at us like "What are you gonna do about it?"
Then - in the flash of an eye - the guy behind me snatches the phone off the suit's ear and hurls it across the room! I thought Mr. Whiney Pants was gonna soil himself right then and there. We were all a little shocked, but the look on HIS face was beyond PRICELESS.
The grand finale was when everyone in the room stood up and cheered. YYYYYYES!
Mr. Poopy Pants (formerly Mr. Whiney Pants) retrieved his precious iPhone (busted to smithereens no doubt) and stormed out with his tail twixt his legs, too mortified to throw down, or threaten to press charges -- because the guy who did the flingin' was a buffed out gym rat type with a sprayed on tan, and I wouldn't beef with him either.
There was a palpable collective thought in the room that maybe this was the low-point in an already pathetic existence, and could quite possibly nudge him over the edge.** (Hallelujah! One less wanker on a cell phone messin' up my peaceful morning.)
Added a star for the high-drama with a happy ending...And I thought Diversionary Theater was just up the street...
___________
* Sorry about always baggin' on the EMOs - but they're such easy targets, it's hard not to.
** I am not a proponent of suicide or homicide (yet), so spare me your hate mail.
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What can I say? This place gets almost daily Frank loving. I love the whole morning crew and like everyone else I have met. The food is good, fast to the table and easy, and the place gets people drunk occasionally. Yes!
Chris (owner) is a smart guy and has some mad entrepreneurial skills. A former graffiti master, he also owns the little boutique next door, so check out both when you visit.
Staffers Lyle and Sarah, Ethelyn... top notch! They are just willing to put up with a lot and still crank out food and caffeination. Way to go, guys. Heather is my reminder-person about being less of a bad consumer and neanderthalian guy. I'm trying, Miss Heather, really. I have her to thank for a kick ass night at the gangster party (Baras worked! A review coming soon).
Shawn, the manager, has a sense of humor but his business side is all "Get 'er done." He's cool and so is Cynthia, his often-present girlfriend.
The whole crowd is a nice collection of age groups, business statuses, classes and focuses. From morning meetings to groups hanging out, everyone is welcome and fits. Social two stars just for crowd and staff.
Another star for the food. They have a limited menu but it is packed with novel uses of the same ingredients with spices and small flourishes that give you plenty to think about but not long to wait for your call to arrive. Bagels of doom! Delicious.... try them all and modify them to your tastes.
My current favorite custom job is a bagel with a scoop of black beans, served open-faced with avocado, fresh tomato, onions, fire-roasted salsa and a dash of lemon pepper. Ask for it! Low fat, great nutrition!
The coffee earns them another star. Never too weak, and NEVER too strong, it's just right for my Cream-using (hah!) tastes. The espresso drinks and the like are also done well and quickly.
The fifth and final star comes from both the wine and beer selection. They offer a happy hour, no less. What what? Yes, a happy hour. Cheap drunk! Come and be!
As a bonus star, they have some kick ass events in coordination with Neighborhood next door and other groups. You just never know what's up around here unless you visit often.
Oh, and if you forget your frequent caffeinator's card, they'll punch it twice the next time if you remember to ask. Honesty is assumed on both sides of the counter. That's refreshing, folks.
So do it. I'll be tapping a review or playing hacky sack with Lyle on his break, or people (girl) watching, or drinking coffee before work. See you there (here)!
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Update 5/5/08: Worst internet connection, ever.
Cream: why do you have two Yelp pages?
This is a solid coffee shop. As a student who can't manage to get anything done at home, this place has served me well. Very computer/workaholic friendly. Surprisingly comfortable chairs despite their appearance to the contrary. The baristas do seem friendly, as has been mentioned by other Yelpers. Although, I haven't experienced this first hand. For some reason I go to Cream when i'm in a "don't bother me I need to work" mood. I should really go in there when i'm in a "I need to work but screw you Gramsci, i'm sick of reading you" mood.
Either way, the drinks have always been good if not great and hey, they have wine!! My kinda coffee shop.
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Alright, I remember when this was the book garden. And I liked the books...and plants. So I refused to go when it changed hands.
Finally, I went in the other afternoon and was pleasantly surprised. Ariete was the barista on duty..and he was very friendly. Made perfect Yerba Mate. The brownie I had was pretty good too. It's more of a place to sit and work on your pc now. So, if you're into that thing, you'd like it. It was clean too. I'd go back for a quick cup of coffee or tea. Not sure about the food. I'll try something next time.
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Cream is one of those next generation cafes where you no longer find people dressed in black lurking in corners scribbling into notebooks or reading esoteric works of philosophy by Camus or Heiddegger. Instead, you see people dressed in normal clothes staring at laptops. Both are equally antisocial, but the new world order isn't nearly as poetic.
That said, Cream has a great bathroom (this has been historically very important for me); their coffee is good; they have an *amazing* selection of chocolates and their food menu is expanding. On a recent visit, i had a huge sandwich - very reasonably priced and delicious at the same time. I look forward to soiling my laptop keyboard with the crumbs of some of their future offerings. Oh and they also serve wine, so maybe I'll don a black turtle neck, break out my slim volume of Sartre, put out a few lightbulbs and do some lurking.
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Anyone who gives this place more than 2 stars has to work there.
This place was awful, if I could have given it zero stars I would have. After we finally got the attention of the super hipster counter guy, we ordered what sounded like and should have been a pretty good lunch. Soup and half sandwich with the "mad tuna" (I was pretty mad when I finally got it) and a pizza panini. They brought out my soup and sandwich and informed us that paninis take 10 minutes to make so we would have to wait for the rest of the order. What? Doesn't everyone who works in food service know that if one meal takes longer to make you hold off on making the second? ALWAYS bring both meals out together, duh.
The tuna sandwich was literally a can of tuna on bread. In addition to being a poorly assembled mess it had absolutely no taste. No mayo, no seasonings, NOTHING but dry ass tuna. Okay, I thought, maybe this is their version of "healthy," surely the soup would be better, it's pretty hard to screw up soup. Wrong.
The soup was the consistency of very thick, cold oatmeal. It had no flavor, ever heard of garlic salt? Pepper? ANYTHING??? So, just as i'm finishing chocking down this sorry excuse for a meal, out comes the other half of our order, hooray!!
The pizza panini: I mean I think Subway makes something better than this. It certainly was the shining star of what we got but how can you f*ck up canned pasta sauce and pepperoni melted with cheese on bread? When it arrived we really just wanted to get out of there.
By the way both orders came with what looked like homemade potato chips but they could have used a healthy dose of salt since they had none.
Maybe the hipster-ness makes up for the food for some people, but w e came to eat, and regretted it.
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I had a bit of time to kill before my hair appointment at Fresh, so I decided to check this place out since it was right around the corner. On first glance, it's a neighborhood favorite with lots of people crowding up the space with their laptops galore. However, it was dead quiet. Hopefully, it's always not like that.
I originally wanted a salad and a smoothie but it seemed like everything I picked out was out of stock. What?!! Are you lazy?!! I settled on their pesto sandwich (which was only a sad smear) and parmesean & zucchini soup (dont. order. this. gross.).
I don't want to judge too harshly on this place. Maybe I'll have to try something else next time.
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I compare all San Diego coffee shops to Influx, that being said I would say cream is pretty good. The food isn't as good in my opinion, but their mint ginger mojito is great. The place always seems packed when I pass through (watch your step as everyone there is on there computer so there is a nice collection of power packs and extension cords). The seating is comfortable but a bit cramped (I prefer Influx's and Monica's sparse seating).
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UPDATE: back up a star. can't make up my mind. they've been good to me recently. food additions have been surprisingly tasty.
my former review of cream ended up being too lengthy--i finally erased all the updates and evolutions, cause i've landed on this decision:
i love cream. i really do. the art, the employees, the customers, the working study hall vibe, the drinks, the vibe, the music--all of it.
but my experience with cream over the last few months has been more about walking out than staying to enjoy it. what happened this afternoon completely typical: walk in, no tables. table opens up, no feasible plug for my computer. computer has 1/3 battery so decide to stick it out. stand in line for a drink, line's not moving. decide to wait until it dies down before purchasing a drink. sit down to my computer and can't get online. get online and get booted off. get online and connection moves like dial-up circa 1997. get booted off. 15 minutes later give up and leave dejectedly.
if i'm not walking out during the weekends cause it's overrun, then i'm walking out in the evening because whatever cleaner they bust out around 8 or 9 pm fills the place with nasty fumes.
that about sums it up: i've done more walking out of cream than working there, and that makes me sad. i spend so much time and money in cafes in san diego. i want to spend that time and money at cream, but they make it nearly impossible for me.
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It's always an interesting time at this chill coffee shop. It's great for a casual place to study, and for people watching. They must have read the previous reviews because the music hasn't been too loud. It's not deafening loud or anything. The service isn't bad either as stated on previous reviews. I really like the open seating. As for the food and beverage selection, the coffee is average. The scones are pretty good, really like the icing on the top of them. I've had their soup, the potato and dill soup, which sounds really weird but it was pretty tasty. If you have some work or reading to do in a nice, chill setting, I recommend goin to this spiffy coffee shop.
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It used to be called Korova Coffee Bar. I don't know the reason behind the name change, but it doesn't seem to matter to me. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed. They just purchased some really nice tables and chairs, to mix with the old fashioned, wobbly ones. The good ones always get jacked first unless you get here early. Aside from beverages, there are also wine and food for you to choose from. Some people don't clean up after themselves, but I guess that's people's problems.
Free wifi is offered, but sometimes it can be problematic. You could get randomly cut off, but this has been rare. The Internet speed is acceptable. It is AT&T DSL at the time of this writing. There are more than enough electrical outlets if you need them.
They have erratic music taste, and the entire space is un-air-conditioned and unheated. On a nice day it is airy and bright, but it can get very cold or hot otherwise.
Parking is off-street, and free after 6pm or on Sundays and holidays.
In general, I like this place.
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I loved this cafe when it was called Korova and had all the 50's furnishings -- but it was recently remodeled, and the name was changed, and the new owners installed that weird mural on the side of the building that makes me feel like that latina seductress is staring me -- personally -- down. (Here's a snapshot of the mural, you'll see what I mean: http://www.flickr.com/...)
I might have continued patronizing this cafe in the face of its remodel, but I didn't. (I'll blame the mural, which by the way, may give the name of this cafe a disgusting new context)
However, my sister is a regular here. And she always seems to call me from this cafe when she's there.
And everytime she calls me, it sounds as if she is at a rave. No, it sounds louder than that. It sounds like she's front row at a Daft Punk show.
I don't know how people work in there.
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Coffee Talk- Neither a coffeehouse or a coffee shop- Discuss! Creepy since one my neighborhood shops has de-evolved from Book Garden to Korova and then Cream.
With so many great interactive choices out there, I can skip the good Diedrichs coffee and treats they serve for a more inviting and comfortable experience.
Observations supporting this have been stated in chats with socially engaging friends from early 20s- mid- 50s
Despite its spacious surroundings, it is the most likely place to trip over an extension cord.
The most likely place not to get "eye contact" from employees, especially in the mornings nor the clientele.
Spotted "people wearing hoodies" on warm days walking trance-like, Dudes wearing sunglasses indoors, OK well as a coffeehouse bopper, it is unusual to have baristas wave and carry on conversations with people in line while serving you.
So if your cup of tea is a laptop central, not well ventilated with "club music" to help keep the help happy, then enjoy your experience at Cream..
FOOD
terrible. the only menu item that's worth eating is the lox and bagels. but that tastes good just about anywhere and has enough falsified flavors added to it to make it taste good. salt salt salt.
DRINK
i drink coffee with cream and sugar. i can't taste what it was intended to taste like anyway.
STAFF
nice and somewhat attractive, although they think they're prima. but then again, who doesn't. and doesn't every barista think they're prime pickin? that's alright. they're in college, they're supposed to be that way.
SPACE
there is plenty of it. although it's poorly organized. it was better in the past. few tables, plenty of space. great for studying. now it's a mess of random tables that can uncomfortably hold a few students.
DECOR
not as modern as it thinks it is. it's trying and tacky. don't get me wrong. i'm quite the modernist. but if you're going to do it, spend the extra cash and do it well. influx did a great job of executing the look it was going for. cream can't cut it.
the paintings and art are painful. they're worse than bad college art. it's not alternative, raw or interesting. it' bad, tasteless, and lacking in concept. sure the concepts are there, but whomever attempted to execute whatever poorly constructed concept they had and call it art is in need of an education and should never attempt to carry out their art again.
and yes, i get it. all to well. it's not that no one understands it. we all get it. it's that it's bad and the artist needs to take it down and try again.
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Honestly, this should be a 3.5. It's better than a 3, but it's not quite a 4 because it's just not a destination place for me. It's more of a convenient place. The atmosphere is so...collegiate. Honestly, I was in there the other night and upon walking in it felt like walking into a lecture hall.
But they do have free wifi, which is nice even if it's not really all that good. And they do make a delicious vanilla chai latte.
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Be careful what you write on yelp. After all, the internet is basically one massive bulletin board. I learned this mildly when I found that a barista that I had mentioned in my yelp review of Cafe Cabaret as a nice hipster guy with a derby and vest had begun working at Cream. Upon seeing him, he mentioned that he'd been on yelp, and disagreed with me calling him a hipster. We then had a light conversation discussing the meaning of the term hipster--it's vague and overused, but that's part of the term's charm, i guess--before amazingly, he remembered my regular drink order from Cabaret and made it even better than before.
I like Cream's reinvention from its old look as Korova, and the basic feel of "big space with lots of laptop and wifi room" is a welcome difference from your average coffee shop. I like the layout, and the vibe, and I'll definitely have to keep coming back, hipsters and all.
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Cream is wonderful for studying and the barristas are efficient and entertaining. Particularly Lyle is perpetually effervescing, which is great because he is just as engaging with each person that comes in. They also have good taste in music, and have fun, artistic performances of identity. So, I study at Cream constantly---until this Friday, when my first year of law school will be over. The menu is diverse enough that I can eat a couple of meals there a day, and not get scurvy, which is important. ^-^ The crowd that comes in is pleasantly diverse, some elders, some writers and graphic designers, some other students, some cute musician men, a mayoral candidate, an intense and unemployed poet with a doctorate in engineering (o.O), a karaoke star.... If you've got to get work done, but don't like sitting alone in an office, it's great (work, work, work, great barrista service, work, work, work, wacky conversation, work, work, canoodle with mayoral candidate, work, drink a white, almond mocha).
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After 72 delirious and unproductive hours watching the local news coverage of FIRESTORM 2007! trying to ascertain when my apartment would be 'globally warmed' out of existence, Thea T and I decided to log a few hours working at Cream.
I really appreciated the large, open space - it helps in so many ways, from better acoustics,.to more personal space, to letting sometimes funky coffeehouse smells disperse more readily.
Not sure I dug the coffee, though. I opened with a huge iced Vietnamese coffee, which was fine, I guess. I don't have much basis of comparison for Vietnamese coffee; all I can really say is it was definitely a brown caffeinated beverage. The massive Cafe Americano I followed with was disappointing. It had the right mule-kick-to-the-moon strength but no discernible taste.
Wi-Fi access was touch-and-go for a good portion of our visit. I just hate watching a Very Good connection cut in and out in favor of Limited Or No Connectivity. The only answer the baristas had was something about "a lot of laptops connecting", which was strange as the place couldn't have been at more than half capacity. It did settle down eventually, giving a strong, clear signal; I guess whatever dipshit was hogging all the bandwidth finished background-downloading Pantyhose Catfights Volume 6 off Bittorrent.
And maybe my fast consumption of huge boiling-hot beverages had something to do with it, but it was unexpectedly hot and stuffy for such a large space with the front doors wide open.
None of this will keep me from going back. Strong beverages + abundant space wins.
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