A Renaissance Cafe

My omelette was lacking flavor, no spices and the chicken was sliced deli meat. Not worth the $8 and my husband's waffle was stale. The ketchup was fermented. Just a horrible and disappointing experience. Pros: Great location Cons: coffee and food were nothing special more

Its a great place to go if you want a casual meal. The have great service and a good varitey in the menu. My family and I almost always go there or lunch if we are in the area, or just want to go out for a good lunch, we always go there if my uncle's visiting . Its pretty much my first choice for going out to Breakfast or dinner. The have some really neat vintage posters hanging up that I like. Plus the guy makes really good cookies, once he gave us the recipe, but we can never get them just right like he always does. \r I'm trying to find time to go there with my friends. Pros: Food's great, the guy's very friendly, and its on a bus route. Cons: N/A more

I stopped in at Renaissance for a Sunday afternoon lunch. I wasn't acknowledged right away, however, the wait wasn't long after my order was taken and the sandwich and salad were good. It's a nice, simple, no frills cafe - one of those nice places to relax with a good book while you enjoy your food. Atmosphere a plus. Will go again. Pros: Independant, good basic breakfast & lunch, laidback atmosphere Cons: Could be a little too laidback if you're on a schedule more

My favorite place for breakfast, which I judge by two criteria: 1) Do they know how to make scrambled eggs that are not scorched and won't either bounce off the walls like a rubber ball or leave a trail of slime on your plate; and 2) do they understand that crispy bacon means fully cooked but not burnt. I always get my eggs and bacon just the way I like. Like most small family-owned businesses, they are understaffed, but I'm okay with getting up to get my own coffee. By the way, they also make really delicious, thick and creamy milk shakes. If you like the forced, insincere cheerfulness of 20-something ""baristas"" and being overcharged for over-roasted coffee and pretty, but flavorless food, this is NOT the place for you. If you want just basic home-cooked fresh food without having to worry about doing the dishes, and you don't mind getting your cup of coffee and maybe shouting to the back of the kitchen for cream, then you'll like this place. Pros: Nothing fancy about the place Cons: Nothing fancy about the place more

The service was a little bit slow, and we almost left because no one took our order, but it turned out this was the best breakfast that I have found in Tacoma. Fresh and tasty. My two children (who normally leave food on their plates) ate large helpings of ""Green Eggs and Ham"" and a Belgian waffle...and didn't leave a bit! Wonderful. Just need a little more effort in the customer service department. Definitely worth the wait though. Pros: great fresh food Cons: lack of attentive service more

I am a local who has been to Renaissance Cafe about 4 times. The atmosphere is comfortable and the owner, who is usually working, is friendly. The food is good, and probably the best freshly-cooked breakfast you can get in downtown Tacoma on a weekday. I've had similar experiences each time I've been in (always for breakfast), and feel that I have given Renaissance enough chances and now won't be going back again.\r \r The service is slow and inattentive. Several times when I have been in, there is no coffee. The last time there was no coffee or creamer. I couldn't inform anyone of this because the owner/waiter was talking on his cell phone. I did get coffee after about five minutes, which he was kind enough to bring to me, but black, and there was never any creamer out.\r \r The service tends to be slow. I think if you're just in town for the day, visiting museums or shopping, this probably wouldn't be an issue, but if you're trying to stay on a schedule, there's no telling how long it might take to get your breakfast. Also, if you just want to grab coffee, there's no guarantee that there will be coffee. \r \r And finally, it's impossible to say anything to the owner/waiter without getting drawn into a long conversation. Every time I've been in, he complains about how people are automatons who walk right by his shop to go to Starbucks, how no one supports the little guy, how locals don't support him, and on and on. It's really irritating, because you don't have to be in his cafe long to realize that there are lots of things he could be doing better if he really cared about attracting more customers. more