K-Iffy
I’ve been stalling on reviewing K-City Coffeehouse because I really hate giving bad reviews. Today was my third, and finally, somewhat positive visit. But before I get to what’s changed from when this was Eljay’s, let’s visit on what’s the same: nearly everything but what matters. The tables, chairs, deco, corkboard, lamps, cash register, espresso machine… all the same. All originally good, all still good. Atmosphere preserved. In fact, background music selection… better!
Events are finally getting rolling here again. I’ll forever miss the jazz trio + wine nights Eljays had, and who knows, maybe they’ll return to K-City yet. Tonight is an open mic poetry night. This Saturday noontime will feature a solo musician. So glad to see it picking back up.
Word is that their lunchtime paninis are awesome. I can’t speak to that myself, but if any of you have had their paninis, please post a comment.
Now, on to the less-good and more fundamental stuff.
Visit 1: Early January, right after opening. Espresso tasted awful. Service was … not perky.
Visit 2: About a month after opening. Espresso tasted awful. Drip coffee was so-so. Service was so non-perky it was nearly surly. Liquor license to turn this into a wine bar at night, still nowhere in sight.
Visit 3: Today (exactly 2 months after open). Espresso was decent. Quiche was decent. Service was STILL surly. I’m the one who hasn’t had coffee yet and should be allowed to give blank stares to questions. Going to the coffeehouse on the way to work is supposed to kick start your day, not continue the slow inertia of the morning.
All of that, plus I’ve heard a couple reports of measurable customer service gaffes in their short time being open. Most have been resolved at this point, so I won’t spread the rumors publicly here, but just know, its not all sunshine and java at K-City.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I’ve been in there enough to be the Foursquare mayor (woop de doo :)) and work right down the street. I’d say the service has improved from Eljay’s – that service was way, way too slow for a coffee shop. K.City has decent speed, but the charm/personality could definitely be kicked up a notch.
The paninis are DELICIOUS – I was not expecting anything near as good as that thing was. I need to go back and have another soon.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker so can’t comment as to that quality – I almost always get a Chai Tea Latte when I go and that’s been pretty good.
June 3rd, 2010 at 6:46 pm
The coffee has drastically improved. I am actually drinking americanos with no cream and really enjoying the flavor. This is after having a latte that I simply threw away it was so terrible and “chemically.” The service has improved but I did not go and stay inside enough in the beginning to comment on just how much. I study there quite a bit and they are always nice to me and the coffee helps keep me going.