Tripleshot Cycling

Anyone nearby on the weekend no doubt heard me complaining once again about the absolute crap service at Dockside Fantastico. After paying for a dozen americanos Garth and I exchanged looks as the barista slammed our coffees on the bar with such palpable distain.

You may also have noticed that the glass doors between Fol Epi and Fantastico are closed. Apparently they are having a pretty big pissing match. The good news is that Fol Epi is now serving Bows and Arrows coffee, so there is an alternative to the non-smiling, "how dare you order coffee from me" tude-giving gang at Fantastico. If you are so inclined.

Argh! Don't even get me started on my dislike of that place.

Almost a year later and they still don't understand the concept of "service."

WTF?

I say ditch them for somewhere that wants our voluminous and consistent business.

Better yet - how about a Tripleshot club member with too much time on their hands (hello retirees!) opens up a café with fantastic coffee in a superb location and service that's friendly and efficient. And cyclist-friendly...

I can't say I disagree with anything that's been said here or in earlier threads on this same topic. That said, the Fantastico's location is certainly ideal for the end of our Sunday rides.

So before abandoning, perhaps we should check with the management and find out (i) whether they are even aware of the problem, (ii) whether they want our business, and (iii) if so, what's the impediment to us getting better service on Sundays?

J.

I've been hooked on Bean around the World in China Town. Perhaps its just the carrot cake but it has the right feel for a local coffee shop.

So before abandoning, perhaps we should check with the management and find out (i) whether they are even aware of the problem, (ii) whether they want our business, and (iii) if so, what's the impediment to us getting better service on Sundays?

See Claires reply thread- been there, done that. Time to move on. IMHO...

Claire: I smell a distinct career change for you. Dump that job working for 'the man' (happens to be a Health Authority which shall remain nameless) and open a coffee shop catering to cyclists who deliver la service with a smile. Bob (dad of Claire) might see a business opportunity here, seeing as he's a keen cyclist too!

John D wrote:...what's the impediment to us getting better service on Sundays?

Answer.

roadflasj wrote:I've been hooked on Bean around the World in China Town. Perhaps its just the carrot cake but it has the right feel for a local coffee shop.

If we're going to consider China town coffee shops then the sprint line should be moved to along Fan Tan Alley.

Coffee in this town is a two or three or or even five person get together usually.

Additionally shops like Fantastico, Discovery, Habit etc are trying to provide a high quality coffee experience. If you are having an espresso based drink, each cup takes time unless you want the on tap brew.

If TS riders were to be at CF in batches of 4 and 5 that would certainly change the experience. Remember those small winter rides, with few people, coffee is easy then. Also when the sunday ride shows up at CF there are already other rides descending on the place and if not jammed with people already, it soon will be. In the food service business, as many of you know, being slammed is not a lot of fun.

We all still expect a high quality of service, good coffee and damn it I was just riding hard, so I need it now, with a smile and my own cream pitcher! Damn it you are athletes who can get up and use the shared pitcher with the rest of the public. Can you please make that organic, gluten free sugar?

Don't we just need to be polite and be patient??? maybe a bit of coin in the tip jar! .... or move to another shop like Paradiso or Mocha or someplace with the space and not one that is already experiencing high volume at the time our ride ends.

I'm Sure Fantastico like the revenue but it is not as if they can put more staff on to accommodate our horde for the hour. There is only room for 3 people at best behind that small bar.

I think our post ride coffee vitriol is a bit over the top and a problem for the privileged.

That is my "shot in the dark" land of the Forum for this week

Stormin

norman marcy wrote:Coffee in this town is a two or three or or even five person get together usually.

Additionally shops like Fantastico, Discovery, Habit etc are trying to provide a high quality coffee experience. If you are having an espresso based drink, each cup takes time unless you want the on-tap brew.

If TS riders were to be at CF in batches of 4 and 5 that would certainly change the experience. Remember those small winter rides, with few people, coffee is easy then. ...

Stormin

Sorry, I disagree. I do not think we have unreasonable expectations. I've been (or been with) the first person in line - no backlog of fancy espresso orders lined up - and still waited 20 minutes or more for a handful of coffees (4-6) to appear.

If they were to tout themselves as a specialty *slow food/drink* establishment with water sourced from sows' tears on the far banks of the Gorge, hand-collected in single batches to ensure freshness... well, that might account for the wait and frankly that's way too hip or slow or whatever for me and I'd pass it by altogether.

And the attitude of the servers/baristas? Puh-lease. So unwelcoming.

On the other end of the scale, I still have to sing the praises of Shoal Point Moka House. They have no more than three staff who churn out Americanos (not drip coffee) by the dozens almost quicker than we can pick them up. That place still garners my vote for post-Sunday-ride coffee and most likely where you'll find me post-Saturday, post-Wednesday or post-any-other-day-I-can-manage-post-ride-coffee. I'll even buy the first round.*

*up to a maximum of six (hey, it's not like I'm a retired lawyer/doctor or independently wealthy freelance writer with the means to run a barely break-even coffee shop or something).

Right on Norm.

There is never an excuse for bad service. It's just bad. Don't do it.

There is no need to change locations. Just buy your coffee from Fol Epi while you're getting some fabulous baking.

And keep your eyes open for a bike friendly coffee alternative coming this summer to Harbour Road.

I have a feeling this discussion may continue.....at COFFEE.
A couple of other options and suggestions:
1.If someone really doesn t like where we go for coffee ...a simple solution is ; they can go some where else.
2. Before Tripleshot , as a group , makes a decision on changing coffee shops there needs to be a discussion with the manager or even better , the owner.
3. We are not that special. We as customers also need to respect and help the businesses we choose to support. This could look like...a thank you.....or asking them how WE can HELP them.....such as maybe phoning ahead to let them know 20 are coming instead of 10.

Please read Claires link- I previously wrote to management and asked all these questions. Its disappointing that CF has not upped their game.

As Geoff says, in a service industry, there is no excuse for poor service, (Ask United airlines how they are doing these days , and as Claire points out, many of the other shops we frequent do not have the same challenges serving us coffee.

I would therefore submit that it is past time that we started to consider different options.

In a free market, we should, IMHO, be able to use better options if they exist.

I like Geoffs idea of using Fol Epi:)

I wholly agree with Claire.

Under normal circumstances, in the service industry our group would be described as "regulars," which are generally coveted and desired by establishments. That is not the case with CF. Our business is met with disdain. I don't believe any of us expect, or want, to receive any special treatment. The qualm is their lack of costumer service and feeling like our business is an inconvenience, evident by the continual discussion on this forum and over coffees.

That said, what is the alternative?

Despite their crappy service, CF is conveniently located at the end of the Goose, has sufficient outdoor seating for everyone, and lots of space for our bikes.

While I personally like Bean Around the World or Discovery on Discovery, they don't have enough outdoor seating, and would require we leave our bikes unattended in high traffic areas.

Blair

wonger wrote:...
And keep your eyes open for a bike friendly coffee alternative coming this summer to Harbour Road.

In case anyone missed it - I think Geoff just dangled a very tantalizing tidbit for us to ponder. I will try not to get ahead of myself, but - reading between the lines - I'd say Geoff has a line on a new place that may solve our (admittedly first-world) coffee woes.

(Hotel Zed satellite coffee shop?)

I am intrigued... and not very good at patience... but also hopeful!

Perhaps a place like this...
http://pelotonmagazine.com/home-page-sl ... glia-rosa/