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Scott Tavener | Last Updated: May 29,2009 4:35:40 pm
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I've been to Italy, to the south even, and this much is true: Italians dig their espressos and their gelato. It's not bullshit posturing; they take their beans and cream seriously (as should you). The unassuming Calabria Coffee Bar has the requisite (I want to prefix the next word with "faux," but that's not quite right) Italian statue décor. The menu is fittingly light and the air is unassuming, clean, and vaguely exotic. Calabria is a well-suited for morning-scowl paper reading, caffeine-stoned frenetic conversation, or pensive gelato lip licking. - S.T. |
 AT A GLANCE
Calabria Coffee Bar
1745 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC
604-253-7017
Cafe
Commercial Drive
Venue:
Cafe
Hours:
Daily: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Price Range:
$ (Budget)
Payment:
American Express, Master Card, VISA
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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11 Reader Reviews | Today I joined 2 colleagues of mine at Calabria Café in Commercial Drive this morning. On arrival 2 of us ordered sandwiches and coffee. Our third colleague, being undecided about what she wanted to drink chose to wait awhile and order something a little later.
We commenced our meeting and sandwich eating, only to be interrupted by an extremely rude owner who insisted that our colleague order something immediately. This, despite the fact ,that there were many free, empty and available tables all around us.
When I politely pointed out that we were eating and that my colleague was part of our table, he rudely shot back, “I’m not talking to you.” He then humiliated my colleague and insisted that she order a drink immediate. We were going to settle in for a longer stay and another cup of coffee and maybe a cake, however after this rather unfriendly treatment we cut our meeting short.
On leaving, my colleague politely pointed out to the owner that he had been a little heavy-handed and that we had actually spent money in his café, he shouted back “I don’t care. Even if you had spent $100.00 I don’t want you back.” This is a rather surprising reaction as we are three well behaved paying patrons quietly having a respectful coffee meeting on a Saturday morning.
We will do exactly that - never go back – and I will encourage everyone I know not to go to the Calabria Café. Furthermore I have to add that the House Specialty sandwich was fairly mediocre and the coffee positively awful. Oh that we had chosen one of the other many, bustling, friendly, delicious cafés on the Drive. Next time!!!!
1. Julie Coghlan's Review :: January 30, 2010 Julie Coghlan's Rating: 1 Stars |
This place is awful. I have lived on The Drive for three years and I will never go back.
I was there today with a couple of colleagues. They both ordered a sandwich and a coffee and we started our meeting. I didn't get a chance to get a coffee right away. About ten minutes later one of the staff approached me and ask me what I would like to have. And I told him nicely we were in the middle of something and that I would go and get a coffee in a few minutes.
Less then 5 minutes later a older man approached me and was all smiles at first. He asked me what he could get me. And I told him once again I would be getting a coffee, but that we were just in the middle of something. He immediately told me I had to get something RIGHT NOW. I told him that I would get it when I wanted to because he was being very rude and I was sitting with people who had just spent over $20 on their food. He proceeded to tell me that they needed the table (although there were many empty tables).
I did get a coffee, but I didn't hesitate to inform him how rude he was and that I would not be coming back. He said he didn't care if I didn't come back.
I have spent years in customer service and I have never treated any customer remotely like that. There are so many fantastic places on The Drive, so I encourage everyone not to go there.
2. Abby's Review :: January 30, 2010 Abby's Rating: Stars |
Owner was very rude. They apparently have a policy which you can't leave the store grounds and must wait for your sandwich which is being grilled on the premises or they will not give it to you even though you had paid for it.
The experience was so terrible I would never wish this on my worst enemy.
3. Anonymous's Review :: November 14, 2007 |
Food is abit pricey but customer service is seriously lacking. Owners are arrogant and not a very friendly. thumbs down.
4. Anonymous's Review :: November 13, 2007 |
Food is abit pricey but customer service is seriously lacking. Owners are arrogant and not a very friendly. thumbs down.
5. Dan's Review :: November 12, 2007 Dan's Rating: 1 Stars |
Owner was very rude. They apparently have a policy which you can't leave the store grounds and must wait for your sandwich which is being grilled on the premises or they will not give it to you even though you had paid for it.
The experience was so terrible I would never wish this on my worst enemy.
6. Dano's Review :: November 10, 2007 Dano's Rating: 1 Stars |
Molto Italiano! Family run business, where you really get to know the people. Very friendly. Love the "plastic" David.
7. Anonymous's Review :: October 24, 2007 |
Molto Italiano! Family run business, where you really get to know the people. Very friendly. Love the "plastic" David.
8. Debbie's Review :: October 22, 2007 Debbie's Rating: 4 Stars |
This place was good, but no longer is. They have had a good run, but arrogance, high prices and a pre-occupation with who uses their washrooms has seriously degraded the experience.
9. Anonymous's Review :: February 01, 2007 |
This place was good, but no longer is. They have had a good run, but arrogance, high prices and a pre-occupation with who uses their washrooms has seriously degraded the experience.
10. Visitor From Kelowna's Review :: January 31, 2007 Visitor From Kelowna's Rating: 1 Stars |
Just got exactly what I wanted in Franks sandwich, good atmosphere,great latte, ran into some Greek people from New West and great service from one hot looking man!!!
Thats Italian!!!!
11. Lindsay's Review :: October 01, 2006 Lindsay's Rating: 4 Stars |
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1745 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC |
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