Cafe Nola
| Address: | 4 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701, USA |
| Phone: | +1 301-694-6652 |
| Site: | cafe-nola.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 7AM–2AM 7AM–2AM 7AM–2AM 7AM–2AM 7AM–2AM 9AM–2AM 9AM–2AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
BR
Brian Carey
To give credit where its due, we were greeted promptly and our drinks came quickly - although the ginger ale was watered down to the point my wife actually mistook it for her water. The real problems began when we ordered. The fryer was down, so no fried food was available to go with our orders. The soup of the day was nonexistent - they only had vegan chili to offer us. Worse yet, we had invited guests to this debacle. As they were running a bit late, they had to hear the same sad, tired excuses about the lack of food available for us to order - that is, when the waitress finally came to get our orders. Mind you, the waitress was very friendly when we did see her, but for such a small restaurant, she certainly found places to hide we couldnt detect. Once she finally emerged from her hidey-hole and took our orders, the time from ordering our food to receiving it was ridiculous. It took at least twenty minutes, and we were the only people in the place eating at the time. To say the food was a disappointment is the understatement of the century: my wifes sandwich was missing all evidence of the pastrami advertised. Also, her rye bread looked defeated and what cheese there was on her sandwich looked clinically depressed. The embryo-sized serving of chili she got in place of fries tasted horrendous enough to make a starving man crawl back INTO the desert. As to my own order, while I think the corned beef on my sandwich was good, I cant be certain due to the minuscule scraps the chef saw fit to arrange on it with what I can only assume were overpriced tweezers. Given the state of my salad, I can only assume the tweezers were again employed in the miserly dispersal of the Gorgonzola. Given the thrifty - some might even say stingy - use of ingredients at their disposal, you can then imagine the sticker shock I experienced when I received the bill. For three sandwiches (remember, there were no fries to go with this, only abysmal chili or so-so garlic mashed potatoes), a vegan biscuit and gravy, AND including a generous tip, (when she wasnt teleporting to exotic destinations our waitress was very nice) we walked out for a cool $100. Hmmm. Re-reading this, I suddenly realize Ive used a few words too many. But I think Ill keep them despite the fact that when it comes to Cafe Nola, only two will do - Never. Again.
NI
Nicole Snyder
This place seems to be inconsistent. Drinks - We went last weekend for coffees and the drinks we received (German Chocolate Cake latte and a cappuccino) were fantastic. We went again this past weekend and each ordered the Ninja Turtle latte and were less than impressed. There was barely any flavor them and I couldnt figure out what the rave reviews were all about. Additionally, my latte last weekend included foam art and this week they were just plain lattes so that was disappointing. Food - When we ordered we were told they we out of two dishes and thus changed our order accordingly. We were then told, roughly 5 minutes later, that both dishes were actually available and thus revised our order accordingly again. We received our appetizer after 10 minutes or so but our entrees too roughly one hour to come. After a totally unreasonable wait they were nothing to write home about and the portions were on the small size considering the price. The food was tasty enough, but nothing Id recommend to someone coming in for a visit from out of town. Overall its just okay. We might go back for coffees but not for food. Its overpriced for what you get.
A
A Private User
Our first visit was for dinner one evening when we walked in off the street. Yes, you will find a server with dreads and facial piercings. You may have an art student making your coffee. The band may be kinda funky-artsy. The food is the bomb and the atmosphere is what "makes" the place. Once you relax and understand that you are not The Tasting Room or the Orchid and Cafe Nola is what it is- ENJOY the experience. Like any resturant there are "off" days and we have experienced this once as well. When we told the manager about our poor experience,he was crushed. We were given vouchers for free meals and begged to come back. So, realize that every place has its great visits and a poor one once in awhile- the places that never come out of thier slumps are the ones to slam here.
KY
Kyle Pool
Bad MGMT and/or understaffed .... Ive been here twice. First time, although it was busy, I stood at the hostess stand with no one there to talk to for several mins. I saw an open spot at the bar and took a seat. After another 5 mins of no hello, no menu, not even eye contact, I decided to research on my phone other places to go. This took about another 5 mins, found somewhere else and walked with NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I was ever there!!! 2nd time was yesterday. Asked to sit outside not knowing thats apparently the smoking section. When I asked to move inside, I was with an eye roll and no comment. Food was sub-par at best, NO CUSTOMER SERVICE to speak of with LOTS of other options that YOU, dear reader, are more inclined to visit. NOT WORTH YOUR TIME OR ENERGY TO VISIT
AL
Alan Bernstein
Cant comment on the food or drink (couldnt even get near the bar) but a horrible setup for a music venue. Very buzzy crowd with poor sight lines and even worse acoustics. It was awful when the home town band is pleading with the friendly audience to tone down the chatter because they cant hear their own monitors! Who puts a stage directly in front of the line of foot traffic where diners are still finishing their dinners in the main area for the audience to gather? Where are the house speakers? Just intensely difficult to hear a rock band even sitting 5 feet in front of them. Loved the music but the venue and crowd of seemingly regulars who mostly ignored the music and droned out the bands were beyond ridiculous and disrespectful.
HE
Helixx
I used to come here quite often. Over the last years the food has become better at first but lately it seems a little off. Like they are on the backside of the curve and coming down. The service used to be decent and has gotten rather horrible lately, to the point that it has become so vage and unpleasant that it inspired me to write this review and for reference, I am talking about 3 different visits, not just 1 bad experience. I hope the owners read these and get their staff back in the saddle. As usual, getting to the top it one thing, staying there is an entirely different game. I am sure I will try it again sometime in the not foreseeable future but for now I am far from impressed.
JA
Jason Martin
Everything was fantastic! Except the receptionist in the front she was less than 1 star. She was the lady with tatoos that looks like Kathy Griffin. When we walked in she looked as us as if to say.. "Why Are You Here". Then begrudgingly took our names and when someone didnt arrive for their seats she finally seated us. She was absolutely terrible. But once you get past her, everything is phenominal. The food is incredible, the service, even with a packed house was awesome. Our drinks were never empty and I felt like this place really cared about our patronage. Again please dont let the disrespectful, Kathy Griffin looking lady with tatoos discourage you. Nola is Fantastic!
