What's up with restaurants that don't serve coffee?

[cherylmtl]

I have been to two new restaurants in the past few days - Mais Taco and Maison Publique. In both cases, when I asked for a coffee with my dessert following the meal, I was told they don't serve coffee.

In the case of Mais Taco, an espresso would have been the natural partner for their amazing chocolate bar. And if Maison Publique can serve tea, why not coffee? Is this some new trend I'm missing? Or are these (hopefully) anomalies? At least the food was good, but still...

[Maximilien]

That's weird!

Me think, at least for Maison Publique, that they will get a nice simple coffee machine (espresso) and offer it.

It is not that difficult to make a simple coffee.

For Maïs, I would not mind/don't care; a taco restaurant is not a place to linger for coffee (IMO)

Max.

[williej]

They should take a look at Gus. A simple coffee machine and the liquor is just sitting on a cabinet. And the tea is in sachets sitting in a bowl. Nothing fancy. Gus has great food, great cocktails, great cooks. How can a place not have coffee?

[Ruthie789]

Where is this place, I'm going!

[lagatta]

Hi Ruthie, here it is: http://restaurantgus.com/ (from "openings in 2013" thread).

51 Beaubien E., between St-Laurent and St-Dominique

[Ruthie789]

Thank you Lagatta! Have you tried it?

[lagatta]

No, not yet, though I live close by. It is a cute small bistro. I don't know anyone else nearby who has gone either.

[Ruthie789]

Well thank you again.

[Glaff]

Here's a review : http://willtravelforfood.com/2013/02/...

[Ruthie789]

I do want to try it. Review pending.

[williej]

Closed Sunday and Monday. I liked sitting at the bar for the conversation with the waiters/bartenders and for the view of the cooking. Depending on the night, you might need to reserve.

[Shattered]

Re: Gus. Exactly. It's not rocket science.

[Ruthie789]

I went to the M on Masson and when I asked for a coffee I was told they could only give me a long extracted coffee from the expresso machine. They do not offer just a standard drip coffee.

[lagatta]

Well, that isn't "not serving coffee" - lots of places only do espresso machine coffee. A long one wouldn't be too strong for people who prefer milder coffee.

[poser]

An over extracted espresso wouldn't be milder, it would be bitter. However an Americano would be the drink to make. On the topic of a restaurant not serving coffee. Given the state of 99.9% of restaurant coffee, it would be a good thing.

[lagatta]

Yes, that is perfectly correct; I expressed (sorry) myself badly. I believe the proper method is adding hot water to a normal espresso?

[Ruthie789]

It also adds up on the tab. Also missing part of my story, we were asked if we preferred to drink l'eau de la ville or bottled water? I was just put off.

[hala]

I think I prefer that question to "sparkling or still?"

[Shattered]

I hate that kinda crap. This and MP's reasoning for not serving coffee is what happens when the snobs take over.

Their explanation makes perfect sense if you believe pharmacies shouldn't sell vitamins without the pharmacist on duty to consult first.

A restaurant not serving coffee... my head almost exploded. Are they working with the guys who have a problem with the word 'pasta' on an Italian menu? Because I'd call it the stupidest thing I've heard in years but it's been week full of that.

[Ruthie789]

I just chuckled or as the young ones say LOL!

[Anth]

some of us actually care about what we're charging you for. If you're content paying $3 for nespresso, there's no shortage of restaurants who'll oblige.

[Shattered]

It's not 'nespresso', it's not 'americano', its coffee. Cof-FEE. It's a staple, so every restaurant should "oblige", including yours.

Man, I don't even drink the shit and I know this. Mind boggling.

But hey, maybe people should list more restaurants that don't "oblige" so they can be avoided, since you and others can't "oblige" a basic part of most people's after-dinner experience.

[Anth]

I don't own a restaurant, but I don't charge people for "staples" just for the sake of profit. But hey, you don't drink the shit, right?

[Shattered]

No, but I believe ppl have a reasonable expectation to something that any reasonable person (ie. anyone who's been to any restaurant, like, *ever*) expects a restaurant to have - like plain, regular coffee!

p.s. I've worked in restaurants, we like to keep the customer satisfied.

[catroast]

it's a bit of a power trip. regardless, chesterman put them on notice for poor execution - the lack of coffee was just icing.

[williej]

Yes, and she said she was disappointed in the cook (oops, chef), saying he was better than he was at the previous restaurant he worked at (DNA, I think). And, of course, there was too much salt.

[Shattered]

@ Anth: "I don't charge people for "staples" just for the sake of profit."

But MP & M sur Masson do! Exactly my point. MP's excuse is that they will only serve it when it's profitable - of course, that barista-drawn coffee has a higher markup than a drip coffee would. Do you even see the irony of what you wrote? A $5 barista-drawn 'pretenchisio' vs. a $2 cuppa joe. Hmmm. (And please don't try to tell me the barista is more overhead. In cafes, they make $9.50/hr +tips. In a restaurant, if they claim them as a pt employee, its $6.50+)

And does M charge more for a 'longue' than coffees at most restaurants? I'd be amazed if they don't.

@catroast: No, their absurd reasoning for why they couldn't serve it outside brunch was the icing. Masking their profit motive as a concern for quality, whilst denying the customer what they want - well played, MP!

But she certainly makes the point that the chef isn't playing to his strengths overall.

[catroast]

let the new money have their tea. besides, there's no way that anth wakes up on sunday to sling shots for $6.50 / hr - not to mention his crazy rider.

[marblebag]

Maybe restaurants will have to serve hot chocolate too, to please everyone.

[Ruthie789]

Marblebag, coffee has been around for donkey years. It's a standard item on menus.

[Shattered]

Sure, but don't forget your Hannah Montana thermos, wouldn't want it spilling on the way to school!

:D

[Fintastic]

I really don't know why Maison Publique doesn't have coffee, but I've been to other restaurants (namely in NYC and Boston) that don't offer desserts & warm beverages in order to expedite their turnover. However, its a bit odd that they'd have one but not the other. Maybe they legitimately don't want to serve a sub-par product, so would prefer to offer nothing at all.

[williej]

Lesley Chesterman was very critical of Maision Publique in yesterday's paper. She mentioned they don't service coffee. Very odd practice.

[unlaced]

yeah, it was quite funny to see some responses on twitter from Societe Orignal and Myriade - it was hard to know if they were just joking or if they were quite put out by her review

[williej]

How do we find that blog?

[SnackHappy]

What blog? I'm not following you.

[EaterBob]

https://twitter.com/societeorignal
and
https://twitter.com/cafemyriade

Specifically this one
https://twitter.com/cafemyriade/statu...

[Fintastic]

Its nice to be noticed..

[williej]

Thanks EaterBob. SnackHappy didn't specify it was on twitter nor how to find it if it was. I thought it was a blog.

[stak]

Lesley Chesterman's review of Maison Publique also mentioned that coffee was only served at brunch. I do think it's strange & don't understand why a restaurant would make that decision. I think a lot of people expect to be able to have coffee with their dessert. Maybe it discourages lingering so they can turn the tables faster??

[cherylmtl]

Which might make sense, except that they serve tea. I was told, when I asked, that they needed the space for a machine, and a barista to prepare drinks properly. But I don't understand why they can't just offer something simple like french press coffee, if they can serve individual pots of tea.

[luism]

@cherrymtl,

it's really weird they did not serve you coffee at Maison Publique, since they have excellent (unlimited) coffee at their brunch. (They guy from Myriade was making it; I don't think he still is, but the coffee was still good last time I had it.)

[cherylmtl]

They did say that they brought someone in to orovide coffee for weekend brunches, which would explain Myriade. But they don't otherwise serve coffee, which I still find strange.