Restaurant Reviews
The Revue Cafe
Reviewed by jamescollier on Mar 07, 2010
What's it like?
I've spent a lot of time in Revue over the last several months--in fact, I'm the current mayor on foursquare, for whatever that's worth. Go ahead, usurp me; I don't care. (No, really.)
You see, I've spent countless hours in Revue because of its potential as a third space. The location is convenient, there's a great mix of creatives constantly coming and going, and the place has a good "vibe." It's also locally owned, and that's of increasing importance to me.
Potential aside, though, I can't support the place any longer. I've tried, but I just take too many issues:
- The coffee is bad. I'm told it's from Costco, but that doesn't really matter--it just doesn't taste good.
- The service is terrible. I can tolerate slow service, if it's from friendly staff, and if there's a good reason. But the staff at Revue seem constantly annoyed an overwhelmed; perhaps its the attitude that makes the coffee so bitter? One of staff members is an exception, but I don't know her name--she's the only one who smiles.
- The atmosphere is hostile. Revue was recently featured in the Bee as being one of several Valley businesses using wi-fi to attract customers, but anyone who's regularly visited the place knows that the connection is spotty at best, and that its use is not encouraged. Lately, signs with messages about the need to purchase a drink in order to use wi-fi have been multiplying, and they set a negative tone.
Add to these complaints a menu that includes more items from Costco's bakery than from Revue's sister restaurant, Cafe Rousseau, and the only reason to keep going is a lack of options.
Sigh. I guess I'll revert to Starbucks until I can find a locally owned coffee shop with good coffee, ambiance, wi-fi and a care for their customers. Oh, hello there, Iron Bird...
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Comments
Brandon Hill (not verified) | Sun, 2010-03-07 19:27
Amen.
Sarah (not verified) | Mon, 2010-03-08 20:39
I have a hard time writing off an old favorite like Revue. Sure, we love to hate the bad coffee. Yeah, the internet connection isn't the best. Yeah, they seem to have a bit of a turnover and more frazzled staff lately than in the last few years. But its my neighborhood coffee shop. Its not a place that I think is ideal for setting up a mobile office - its a place that I think is ideal for stopping quickly on the way to work and saying hello to the usual morning neighborhood crowd, or for having an intimate conversation with a friend in a booth in the back, or for hanging out and crosswording on a Sunday morning, and lately for attending a free film or event in the newly remodeled back room. I haven't read the article in the Bee about attracting customers with wifi, but I can't imagine thats Revue's business model - its just an amenity that they offer, and Bee readers (what's the average age? Bee, not Beehive...) think its novel. I like the atmosphere at Iron Bird Cafe also - its shiny and new! Its modern design is more conducive to a working professional on an hours-long wifi/coffee retreat. But I still love my Revue. I'll see you around!
jamescollier | Tue, 2010-03-09 14:30
Sarah, thanks for speaking up in support of Revue.
I think a critical difference for me is that Tower is *not* my neighborhood - it's one I borrow when I want to be around creatives or want to escape Sunnyside, which is somewhat barren.
Time will tell if Iron Bird holds the same value, but after their first week, I'm impressed by the initiative and attitude. They seem to really care about the customer experience, and while I so want Revue to do so, they just don't...
NerdMom | Fri, 2010-10-29 15:58
So when are you going to work your mojo and get us a kick butt coffee shop in Sunnyside?
jamescollier | Sat, 2010-10-30 14:11
Ha! I'm sure there's one planned for Fancher Creek or in some of the SEGA alternatives :-)
NerdMom | Sat, 2010-10-30 15:26
But the second coming of Christ may come before the Fancher Creek stuff ever happens.
Pook (not verified) | Thu, 2010-05-06 07:31
Preach it Jimmy! Not only is the Revue all that you described, but it has also been working hard to ruin the art scene in the Tower.
First big incident was their commitment to being a main stage venue for the Rogue Festival this year. They pulled out with about a month before showtime, leaving many artists who had pre-paid and committed to the venue in the lurch. Big props to Million Too for stepping up by the way.
And their second and most recent assault on the mellow art vibe was running the Inner Ear Poetry Slam from their venue. This being even more outrageous, since they already had an agreement with the owner to have the show there and have a suggested donation for entry. But apparently she felt these lazy art types didn't drink enough coffee, so wanted to make her employees prevent attendees from going to the show unless they had a "drink ticket" to prove they had paid her, regardless of donation.
I sincerely hope that she leaves the business and someone like Cafe Corazon or Fabiano's will take over. They seem to know how to turn a profit without angering their patrons.
-Pook
jamescollier | Sun, 2010-05-09 12:45
Wow, Pook, I hadn't heard of some of these experiences. It sounds like the owner wants to disconnect from many segments in the creative community; that's a shame.
It's been 3-4 months since I've been in - even refusing to attend events because of the venue - and I can't say I miss it. In that time, though, I've realized more and more how much the coffee is separate from the coffee shop business. Cafe Corazon and Fabiano's sell you flavor and the base for a quality drink, but Revue (and others) sells ambiance and an overall experience. Marrying the two is no doubt an incredible burden, with tight margins.
Anonymous (not verified) | Sun, 2010-05-09 20:18
I have to agree with most of this. I like hanging out at the Revue and I've never had problems with their Wi-fi. But the last few times I've gone in there to try to get some homework done in the back booths there have been kids (teenagers) watching videos and making so much noise I can't even think. So not an idea spot for a grad student. Also, the coffee is just AWFUL. Never have I had a good cup. So, though I love The Revue and have gone for years and years I'm slowly giving it up too. Unless they want to start making a decent cup of coffee I'm just going to go get tea across the street or just up the road I can get a really good cup of coffee from Echo Street Cafe (also locally owned and a venue for art hop, has wi-fi, and has good food). Echo Street all in all a better option.
Andrew Feil (not verified) | Mon, 2010-05-17 08:45
I have to completely agree with you James... Two friends and I get together twice a week in the morning for some reading and a chat... we once frequented The Revue... because of the "potential", but after at least... no joke... at least 30 mornings the serve still did not know my name, order or smile. Now they have started charging for power! What the?!?!
We have made the switch to Iron Bird and LOVE IT! Plus they sell coffee that has ethics...
jamescollier | Tue, 2010-05-18 20:26
Andrew, I was really irked that no one at Revue knew my name - it was one of the first things I appreciated at Iron Bird. No matter what shift I come in, someone knows my name and that I'm probably ordering a cup of coffee. Which is delicious, by the way!
Sarah (not verified) | Sat, 2010-10-30 15:29
Okay so now that its been about a year, I'm going to further pipe in and assert that IRON BIRD CAFE SUUUUUUUUCKS for a stoppy place on the way to work. I'd rather stop at the Cornerstone Church Cafe, and you know I don't want to give those yahoos my money! IBC's service is so slow I could go to Macy's, wait for them to open, buy an espresso maker, take it home, read the instructions, make a few test cups, and then make myself a latte in the time it takes them to ring up my order. And thats not even counting the time it takes for them to make the 17 orders ahead of mine and finally get to mine. And argue with me about what I ordered. It is seriously impossible to go there on the way to work. Oh and really, to stop making my coffee to explain to me that espresso is best made and served and enjoyed slowly and that a small cup is more authentic than a large one does not take into consideration that IBC is just a stupid cafe in Fresno and I need quantity and speed and a friendly face in the morning instead of to be chewed out by the oh-so-knowledgeable barista about how my order is incorrect. IBC makes me wish there was a Starbucks on my way to work. There, I said it.
bradley | Mon, 2010-11-01 09:03
I understand comments can be meandering, but why post this under the Revue review?
Part of the hope of sites like this is that ownership will see comments like this and take steps to improve. Hard to expect them to find it under another café's review.
Cazarys (not verified) | Sun, 2011-08-07 05:18
Love the Revue Cafe! The ambiance is awesome, the coffee is almost as good as Peetes coffee, and the prices are very reasonable. I never had trouble with the wifi. Frankly, I seam to get 15-20mbs speeds regularly (Cable internet speed), and have yet to lose a connection with my laptop... knock on wood. The staff is great, except for some senior citizen lady... odd that she seams so disgruntled; because of her it is a four star cafe, when she is not there... easily five stars.
jamescollier | Sun, 2011-08-07 12:01
It's been quite a while - maybe they've changed a few things (like the coffee). But that woman you're describing fits the profile of the owner :-/