A Little Cafe

I called leaving a message asking if it was possible to use an expired coupon. I didn't expect that it would be honored, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to at least ask. What was the worst they could say? No. Right? I was wrong. The owner, Marianne Powell, called back to tell me she wouldn't honor the coupon. I responded, in a very pleasant tone, ""Ok, no problem."" Again, I thought there was a good chance that it wouldn't be honored so I wasn't upset or surprised. She repeated again, ""We can't except an expired coupon."" And I said, ""OK, I understand."" My husband and I were thinking of giving your restaurant a try. Then she said, ""Can I ask you a question?"" I said, ""sure""...she said, ""Would you be coming to my restaurant?"" I thought it was an odd question, and I said, ""No."" I thought she meant that particular evening. My answer was no because we were juggling schedules and if we were going to pay full price, I'd need to make the plan for another day. Then, the conversation turned UGLY. She started raising her voice and literally yelling at me. She started saying I was a ""groupon groupie"" and that I had somehow just proved what she said in an article for the courier-post. I tried to stop her before she embarrassed herself too much, trying to interrupt her tirade to explain. I live near by and had planned to try the restaurant at some point since my husband and I go out to dinner frequently. But before I could say anything more, she literally slammed the phone down on me. I hung up in shock. I couldn't believe that any business owner would react in such a way. I told my husband immediately about the call. He said, ""Something more must be going on. For her to escalate the issue when you were perfectly fine with her not accepting the coupon, it just means there's more going on for her."" I was curious about the article she mentioned, so I read it. In it she is quoted as saying that ""she did not review the language of a coupon for A Little Cafe before it hit the digital universe April 11 and did not read it online until 12 hours after it went live."" Later in the article she's quoted, ""...Now, I'm broke."" No wonder she's broke. She didn't understand what she was getting into and clearly she didn't do the proper analysis. She didn't understand how to properly create and leverage the deal site. I will never go to this restaurant now and I suspect she won't be in business much longer anyway. It's a shame she didn't do her homework. There was coffee shop who wrote about his experience. Had she researched it, she would have found that and realized it wasn't going to work for you...at least the way she set it up. I wrote this to warn others not to go to this restaurant. She showed her true colors when she yelled and hung up on me. I do understand that she got herself in financial hot water as a result of the deal, but that is not an excuse to yell and hang up on someone. It today's economy, she made a BIGGER mistake by treating me in such rude manner. Marianne...I wish you better success in you next business. more

by foodie 04/10/2011 Absolutely THE worst dining experience of our lives. This opinion was shared by 10 people from different tables after the meal all of whom vowed never to return as well. In many respects this place lived up to its name.It had little in the way of quality, service, ambiance, warmth and most of all a rushed pace (although it took over two hours for the main course to arrive and one dish was incorrect and the other was tasteless and inedible)with an abrasive and unfriendly owner pacing the place like a wounded animal. When we spoke to the owner about this her response was ""don't come back."" Well she will get her wish. The ten people we met after the meal vowed never to return as well. So be warned this is NOT the place to come to and have a relaxing meal in a friendly environment. In this respect this cramped room does not live up its name its a BIG disaster! more

The food was good but the private engagement party I had there was not satisfactory. From the changing contractual agreements to the lack of communication between the business partner and owner to the inexperienced wait staff, this was not a pleasant experience. Worst of all, we were rushed out before our time was up so they could get ready for the next dinner serving. Staff was changing tables while guests were attempting to finish their desserts and coffee. This obviously made the guests uncomfortable and they left before the scheduled time the party was to end. There are many places in South Jersey with good food, so I would never have a private function there again. Because our engagement party was a once in a lifetime experience, I am very upset with how things turned out. I can never get that day back so I, as well as my family and friends who attended this function, will never patron this restaurant again. more

It was great! It was the first time that my date and I had been there and we were lucky enough to get a table on a Saturday night at 8:00. Mary was a gracious hostess and our food...wow. I had the talapia and my date had the chicken and crab (which he won't share so now he HAS to take me back). Both were excellent. In fact, I saved half of mine because I didn't want to finish the dish. I had it the next day and it was great even then! We even made it to the 10:00 movie at the Ritz. We will return. Pros: good parking, excellent food, friendly staff more

I have eaten here twice. Both experiences were wonderful. The classical music makes for a romantic atmosphere... and the dishes are imaginative and delicious. The service is friendly and efficient. And get the chocolate heaven for dessert. Pros: quiet, innovative, romantic more

A Little Cafe is the best BYOB in South Jersey. I should know. My husband and I have gone on an unofficial search for the best. In the past we have gone to Phili for good food...not anymore. Our experience at this cozy little restaurant was the best! The lober and shrimp ravioli was excellent. Though the star of the show was definitely the crab cirgarettes! Don't leave without trying this appetizer, you will regret it. There is no doubt in my mind that we will return, maybe even next weekend.... Pros: atmosphere, quality of food more