ryantann Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 54 Location: San Antonio Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Dec 23, 2010, 8:42pm Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
I’ve definitely felt what the OP is talking about at the Silver Lake location. I won’t pass judgement though, I was only there once. My experiences at Venice have always been excellent, with great, engaging baristas. Could also be because they’re newer, though I think the layout of that store helps a great deal. I was there right after this year’s USBC and the barista and I chatted about it for a minute while he made our drinks and comped me a shot of espresso at the end.
Posted Thu Dec 30, 2010, 7:40am Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
BoldJava Said:
Glad to hear they are following the thread. I too have written the manager of the Randolph cafe with my concerns. I will post them once they have had a chance to review my observations. I suggest that Doug employ some secret shoppers for a period of time and see if the shops are achieving desired objectives.
I didn't hear back from Intelli. I visit the shop on Randolph every year (for the last five years). My impressions from a visit just before Christmas this year:
I felt like I was an intruder. The cashier and the barista were oblivious to my presence. Rude? No. Indifferent? Yes. Note - the shop wasn't busy so it wasn't a matter of knocking out the drinks. There was no "welcome" in their demeanor, tone, voice, anything. I asked the barista how they were pulling this morning and he acted like it was the oddest question he had ever heard. Even if it was, "engage man, engage."
The latte art on my daughter's and wife's latte was superb.
Fantastic array of pourovers. Nicely done.
The Black Cat was absolutely generic in my macchiato -- almost flat. I don't drink it often so I can't comment on the morphing of the blend over the years. I can say it was totally unspectacular and quite forgettable.
The decor is a stone/granite/stainless steel. Very cold presentation. My daughter remarked that she thought is was place-intentional. She felt that this is a "grab a cup and run" neighborhood. It is very unappealing and I certainly didn't have any desire to hang around.
The coffee shelves (this was a Wednesday) were bare. About 1/8th full at best. Only coffees on display were Black Cat, Black Cat Organic and the newest espresso blend. There wasn't a bag of single origins for sale.
I always look forward to my visit at Intelli. I usually am like a kid hitting a candy store. In the past, I have had nothing but superb service and coffee at this shop <image fades>. Next year, I will pass.
Posted Thu Dec 30, 2010, 11:57am Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
BoldJava Said:
The decor is a stone/granite/stainless steel. Very cold presentation. My daughter remarked that she thought is was place-intentional. She felt that this is a "grab a cup and run" neighborhood. It is very unappealing and I certainly didn't have any desire to hang around.
Curious, I wonder if the cold decor purposely coincides with their stark black/white flying eagle holding coffee cup intelligentsia logo theme. Are you aware if all the other intelligentsia locations use a similar theme?
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
Posted Thu Dec 30, 2010, 1:38pm Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
Here has been my experience with Intelligentsia on the West Coast. Silver Lake opened and I was in heaven. The baristas there have always been super kind and are to this day. This being said, this location is super crazy nuts busy most of the time and there is a line going out the door. They simply do not have time to have long conversations unless you go in when it's not busy. Pasadena opened up and it is my favorite location. They always take the time to make you feel at home. I've been to Venice once and did not like the atmosphere at all. I definitely felt like I was putting out the barista as well as the guy making my tea. Not friendly at all. Remember this was a one time experience but this is how me and my wife felt. As far as blackcat goes, the shot at Venice was the best blackcat I've ever had. Very complex. Blending espresso is an art and I realize that you can't nail it every time. This being said, I have never had a bad blackcat shot, just not as good.
Posted Thu Dec 30, 2010, 6:52pm Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
My experience with Intelli:
I was interested in perhaps buying a set of their white/red star logo espresso and cappa cups, December 2010 sent in 2 online information requests off their website 2 weeks apart. Never heard a response, i also called the contact number on their website, was never able to talk to a real person...left a message and my call was never returned.
I have mail ordered ordered BC twice, both times no chocolate bomb taste but a citurs flavor instead...not what i was looking for.
Posted Thu Jan 6, 2011, 8:41pm Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
A follow up to my 30 Dec post regarding non-response from Intelli.
I recieved an e-mail from Intelli customer service on 4 Jan indicating they heard a rumor i had requested information from Intelli and it had not been responded to and could they help.
I requested my information on 4 Jan regarding their demitasse and cappa cups, on 5 Jan i received another email with all of my questions answered.
Wanted to say thanks to intelli for monitoring this site and tracking me down to close the loop with me.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011, 8:30am Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
Much time has passed since the last post in this thread, and -- having re-read through the entire thread -- I am left with one question, one observation, and one comment.
My question is to Mike Wisniewski, the OP: has anything improved in subsequent visits to Intelligentsia?
My observation is, perhaps, a "lack of observation," now that I think about it. I have never been to Intelligentsia in Chicago. I just don't go to my home town very often (if at all), and so I have no idea how the Chicago stores are run. I do, however, return to LA (where I moved from Chicago) 2-3 times a year, and make it a point to swing by Silverlake and/or Venice (have yet to make it to Pasadena). Speaking personally, I have felt the "vibe" change in both locations since their respective openings, but have always chalked that up to chance more than anything else -- that is, maybe it was the time of day, the busy pace (Silverlake) or the lack thereof (Venice), whatever. Now I'm wondering if I should re-evaluate that . . . .
My comment stems from the following: / / /
wiz561 Said:
I sent Intelligentsia an email through their "Contact Us" link on their web page. I directed it towards customer service. I sent this email on 12/17/10, which is almost a week ago (6 days). So far, I have not heard any responses back from Intelligentsia regarding this topic.
December 2010 sent in 2 online information requests off their website 2 weeks apart. Never heard a response, i also called the contact number on their website, was never able to talk to a real person...left a message and my call was never returned.
I recieved an e-mail from Intelli customer service on 4 Jan indicating they heard a rumor i had requested information from Intelli and it had not been responded to and could they help.
/ / / I find myself shaking my head and agreeing with Dana:
dana_leighton Said:
A sad commentary though that they responded only after being alerted to a public complaint; one would hope they would take private complaints as seriously.
CoffeeGeek should not serve as the "customer complaint line." That's why the initial policy as outlined here makes so much sense, but it's also why posting here is, and should be, permitted. Sometimes, sad though it may be, it is the squeaky wheel . . .
Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011, 11:55am Subject: Re: Intelligentsia rant
Sadly, arrogance...or in these times, out and out hubris, seems to be an established component of success ...for those who are not careful and fail to detect it.
I used to find this nonsense without fail at running stores whose success went to their heads.......business success with a specialty audience can spark this. The humble purists turn into snobs.
On the other hand....a wide , expanding market brings new players into the arena. Sounds to me as if you really supported Intelligentsia when they were small, modest, and making their name. In a city like Chicago, you need to champion a new guy...Metropolitan (or is it Metropolis?) for example. If you still want to feed at the top of the coffee food chain, I'd suggest you flirt with the idea of placing an order with the Stumptown folks in Portland.
Given that you've armed yourself with both Silvia and her steady beau Rocky, it's clear that you're invested in coffee on a number of fronts. Don't let a few recent Folgers apostates who have found a job where they can meet women deflate your zeal for coffee.
One year later -- our annual stop at Randolph while we were Christmas shopping. ^ Place was mobbed. Decor seemed warmer though I can't identify what has been done. Less obstruction between customer and crew and some remodeling, right? ^ Warmth in the cashier's eye contact, tone, demeanor. His tone said, "welcome." Barista was polite, responsive, engaging. ^ Staff displayed a sense of "we are here to serve you and we enjoy this," even as they hustled to stay ahead of the crowd. ^ "Can you make me a tight ristretto Gibraltar?" "You betcha." Good, very clean, Colombia SO. ^ Shelves were stocked to the brim. ^ Wonderful selection of SOs for pour-overs.
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