Sola Coffee Cafe

Reviews 5

NY

Nyles Kampra

YOU’D BETER SIT WHERE YOU’RE “SUPPOSED TO” IN THIS PLACE THE FACTS: I went to Sola solo, my first breakfast visit. I ordered donuts, mini omelet, & medium Fast Forward coffee. The only available seating Saturday morning ~ 9:20 when I looked for a table was a booth. I finished my breakfast, was finishing my coffee over the N & O when an early 50-ish looking man jarringly interrupted me. He asked me if anyone would be joining me. I had no idea who he was so I asked him why he wanted to know. He said, “Because you’re sitting at 4 top when there are 2-tops available.” I realized he was one of the owners. I told him I’d be leaving in a few minutes and he said, “Great!” Really, it’s great that I’ll be leaving?? I’d planned to imbibe in more donuts. So, I moved to a 2-top but got up and left after a few minutes because the owner’s wife came by and did the same thing, asked me if anyone would be joining me. After that--I felt too uncomfortable to stay. As I was leaving, I saw two 30-ish women in the 4-top booth I’d just vacated and wondered if the owner would also pressure them to move. As I walked out the door, the couple who’d sat beside me stopped me, and the husband told me they overhead what the owner said to me and couldn’t believe it, his wife shaking her head in agreement. Then the husband basically apologized for the owner and told me he was sorry the guy said what he said to me. It was really nice of them to do that! So, I went back in to talk to the owner and told him I was 63 years old and had never experienced anything like that in a restaurant and it was the rudest thing I’d ever experienced from a restaurant owner. He said he was sorry but I could tell there was no sincerity in it, so I told him “No you aren’t, if you were, you wouldn’t have done it.” Then he shifted responsibility to me and told me he was surprised I was offended because he had customers move to smaller tables all the time from 4-tops. Ah…there’s no experience like having someone in the service industry trying to make me feel “wrong” by comparing me to other “better” customers. I WONDER IF’s & OPPORTUNITY COSTS: Perhaps the owner wanted me to move along because I’m a senior type. A visual check of the customer demographic revealed a handsome 30-something crowd. --The owner didn’t know that I dine out frequently, and frankly spend way too much money, thousands per year dining out, and was looking for a new regular-breakfast place for me and my friends. --The owner didn’t know that I’d worked in the restaurant business at fine-dining establishments for 5 years putting myself through graduate school, and that I’ve been known to leave large tips especially if I stay too long or “if I don’t sit where I’m supposed to.” --The owner didn’t know that I might suggest this little place to my men’s group for dinner/beer/coffee every 2 weeks during the week and/or breakfast on Saturday mornings. --I wonder if this man knows about opportunity costs…or if he saw only a senior man taking up space in the midst of 30-year olds. --I wonder if he understands the potential long-term opportunity costs of inhospitable actions toward an older man in an attempt to maximize profits on a Saturday morning. Will I give this place another chance? Hell no, maybe, probably, I don’t know. If so, one thing’s for sure, next time I’ll keep my original seat…unless he can convince me that he also asked the two 30-ish women to move to a 2-top from the 4-top. BTW, the food was overpriced but OK. The downtown Morning Times also serves Fast Forward coffee and it is delicious there, but not so at Sola.

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Domingo Rogers

I had the sincere pleasure of enjoying a fantastic cup of cappuccino and great live music at Sola recently. John and Jeanne, the owners of Sola, along with their team are fantastic! Not only does Sola have great coffee, they also have a limited selection of beer, wine, along with other non-alcoholic drinks, such as soda and juice. Though I didnt have a chance to sample their food, a loyal patron that I happen to strike up a very lively conversation with, highly recommended the Southwestern chicken sandwich and their mixed greens salad. I will be trying one or both of these when I return! The atmosphere at Sola is really unique. I learned the building they are in used to be a bank and you can actually see the area that used to be the bank vault! Artwork by local artisans hang on the walls through the cafe and there is even a little corner area decorated with some antiques and Americana. I should mention that I didnt learn that Sola Coffee Cafe was voted the 32nd America’s Best Coffee Shop as published by The Daily Meal. I would have to agree that Sola is very very good and I truly look forward to returning soon.

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Chip Mason

Among my favorite coffee shops, and much better coffee than the large chains. Cozy environment and wonderful outdoor seating for warmer months makes this a great neighborhood spot. However, there is a reason for my rating it 4 stars rather than 5: I simply can not visit on work mornings. This is because the kitchen is open, and by kitchen, I mean the fryers. While the mini-donuts are a favorite, I really, really dislike smelling like their overused fryer every time I leave this shop. Frankly, I stink when I arrive at work, and so, have begun avoiding the place on workdays. Sad really, because I want the place to be a success. If the owner would either close the kitchen to the dining room or perhaps install better ventilation, the problem would hopefully be solved. In any case, go on the weekends, and enjoy the coffee and food!

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G.C. Henry

Really like this place. Food has always been good and the music enjoyable.The owners (not present tonight) are always very hospitable. Not so this Saturday night (3-14-2015). First cup of decaf tasted like cowboy (been on the range all day) coffee. Pizza not cooked in center and burnt around edges and turkey rice soup was ice cold, not even lukewarm. As for the music louder (cant hear yourself think) does not mean better and blaming the damp weather for the guitar being constantly out of tune is a poor excuse. All in all the place seems to operate in a better overall fashion when John and Jeanne are present and mingling. The staff tonight seemed somewhat stressed. That being said I will come back because I feel tonight was an exception to the norm; not what I expected.

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Keelan Cook

Great cafe. One of the better in the triangle. They use counter culture beans, which is always a plus. The seating is real nice, with plenty of different options from coaches to a bar with everything in between. They even have outdoor seating. However, the place is so popular that it is regularly full to the brim. Ive been when the line literally ran out the door. So, I wouldnt suggest it if youre in a rush. They ration the wifi, and it seems they prefer people not to work here. Laptops are only allowed at certain tables, and these are limited in availability. If you want to study or get work done, head somewhere else. They do regularly have live music in the evenings. So, if you want to hang out for a while (without wifi , of course), then this is a great option.

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