Carbon Cafe & Bar
| Address: | 1553 Platte St #130, Denver, CO 80202, USA |
| Phone: | +1 720-428-8565 |
| Site: | carbondenver.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 7AM–10PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–12AM 7AM–12AM 7AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
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Tiffany L
Very mixed feelings about Carbon. I frequented Paris On The Platte for 9-10 years until its final days. I was happy to see a new establishment going in that might sell late-night coffee and food. Well, after the first 6 months of Carbons new life in the old Paris spot employees were still unable to make the boutique espresso machine or even the coffee grinder work correctly. Standing there for 10-15 minutes almost every time I came in just for the barista to try to make the machine make a decent pour. Several times I just asked for my money back. Now lets fast-forward a year. I started coming in again despite Carbons inconvenient quirks because of the summer time and my late-night walks by the river. I dont drink alcohol, I drink coffee. Two times in one week the barista had closed down the entire coffee area before 9:45pm. No lattes, no espressos, no drip coffee and barely even able to order a nitro cold brew without hesitation or a look of disgust. Bar full with alcohol drinkers, some people sitting at tables, music blaring, kitchen staff in full swing with all burners and ovens ready for your order. But, no coffee. One of the most simple machines and areas in the entire restaurant to clean up and NOPE, sorry no coffee. "My boss told me to clean it up...." Wow. Youre lazy boss is keeping a could-be regular customer who loves late-night coffee and snacks (cough... donuts ...cough) and who also brings other coffee fiends along most of the time. To sum things up about Carbon, they take the majority of their first year to get the coffee machines and grinders to work properly, sometimes being barista error. I patiently wait and continue to be a customer. I come back after a break and cant even get a coffee now. The first thing you walk in and see is a coffee station with the newest boutique coffee fixtures. I feel that Carbon has too many insecurities and it shows. Always changing the menu, the signage, the ambience, the lighting, the chairs, the layout of the chairs, the staff, etc. I understand the process of change though, especially in the restaurant industry regarding a new business and a struggling new business. But to change the coffee feature just because BillyJoe or BettySue wants to go home early is not going to cut-it in the industry.
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rachel salvay
Went in on a Wednesday afternoon to do some glam-style WFH Wait staff: SUPER genuine and dedicated folks! They take their time with everyone, though, so that tends to translate into them not necessarily being accessible if youre trying to find them. Happy Hour: decent deal in my book, it currently goes 3-6p, with 25% off of most of the food and drink menu. Drinks: prices are average-to-high, quality is high-to-outstanding! If you enjoy drinks that have mucho flavor and minimo sugar then this is the place for you to slake your red sangria thirst. WiFi: AWFUL. spotty connectivity to a verrrry slowwww networkkkkk (even when the place emptied out late-afternoon). Food: I really wish I *could* review it, but due to a soy allergy I cant. Waitstaff and kitchen staff and I all tried pretty damn hard to find me something... and in the end it was "we can fry you an egg and serve it with sauteed veggies." Gee, another restaurant that will remain unimaginative and flavorless to my taste buds until they decide (if ever) to actually menu plan around soy? Pass. I hope only that the conversation we had will influence Carbons future menu planning and purchasing decisions.
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Emma Inwood
Loved it the first time. Really good coffee, sandwich was decent. Second time was disappointing. Got the scrambled egg wrap. I make a much better version at home, and it was $7. It lacked flavor due to lack of seasonings (even salt and pepper) and butter or oil. The wrap was gluten free. Im so tired of gluten free! I have no allergy - in fact, most people can digest it just fine! Gluten free products arent even healthier, usually they contain more sugar to make them taste better. Ugh. Anyway. My boyfriend got a waffle with bacon and was equally disappointed. No butter, syrup wasnt offered, no toppings at all. Just a sad waffle sans gluten. Bacon was fine, but how can you mess that up? Blah. Both times I also gave a tip because the checkout screen prompts you to leave one. After the bad meal and really, no service, I feel jipped. What is with places that give you auto tip options from 15 to 40%? Have a little humility! Or work for your tip. Hipsters... Anyway. That was a little harsh, but if they stepped up their kitchen skills a bit ill probably go back. Hope they do.
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Alison Romer
This is my go-to neighborhood spot. The coffee is great in the morning and the vibe is super chill. At night - it seamlessly evolves into a funky, fun and casual bar hangout. The staff is super fun and knowledgeable. You can play Connect 4 or watch old movies projected on the wall. One of my fave spots in Denver! All time food recos: - Breakfast Scrambler . . . in a burrito! Yes - they will put it in a tortilla and grill it up burrito style for you. Its amazing - Tots - they are homemade and a MUST GET - Golden Arches - this isnt on the menu currently, but if you ever see it on there GET IT. Its glazed/fried SPAM (dont be scared), a perfectly runny egg, homemade blackberry jam and smushed homemade tots. OMG AMAZING - Giant Egg Sandwich - all their sandwiches are on homemade brioche and are AMAZE. A half is PLENTY for one person - Brussel Sprouts are good but SUPER RICH with butter and cheese. Proceed with caution The beer and wine menu is always evolving and always wonderful. Happy Hour is 4PM-6PM every day with delicious $5 options.
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Xan Chaves
This place is Awesome! I am really surprised by the negative reviews on here. When reading reviews typically I find the negative ones to be a little more reliable than the positive ones. Well not this time. Im glad I checked this place out before reading reviews. I had the hemp bowl with Chicken -- great flavors and filling. The food prices are extremely affordable even before you consider the quality of ingredients (organic chix, seed-crusted is truly covered in great seeds, etc). Most food items are $5-$10. They have Stem cider on tap. The ambiance is great -- for work/studying, or chatting with friends, or people watching. Im glad this place is here and will definitely be back. Oh! and the service was fabulous. Great suggestions and they even checked the labels on all the Chai options to tell me the sugar contents when I asked if they had unsweetened Chai (they dont, but are super helpful with equally as wonderful alternatives).
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Craig Bowers
I just have to say that this is a place with unique meals, decorum, and attitude. But DO NOT go here if you like your restaurants/cafes clean. This is just as dirty as a McDonalds. I live in the neighborhood and meet up with people here often (and stop by sometimes) and there will be left over meals sitting on tables for over an hour!?!? More than just a few crumbs, this trash could be growing mold. But does this bother the hipsters who are wearing dirty clothes from a week or two ago? (Im talking about both employees and clients when referring to hipsters. And Im in my early 30s.) Now, most of the servers are kind. The coffee and tea is fine. If it isnt busy I am content with sitting here--if a clean spot is found--reading a book for a few hours. It is great if you are looking for somewhere different. Bring family here if they are craving something weird. But something of quality? Uhhh... Nope!
