I have occassionally frequented Sitwell's over the past years for its laid back coffeehouse feel. It is very comfortable with mismatched furniture and local artist work hanging on the walls and muscians playing there. I always came more for the energy and I like the people that frequent here also.
I never thought the food or coffee was particularly spectacular, but it was a nice place to hang out. The staff was generally polite and timely and the partial self serve/seat yourself system works most of the time.
I had never even seen the owner until last night, and the behavior I witnessed was by far the most unprofessional I have seen, and I have worked with screaming Chefs.
It was busy last night so my husband and I decided to grab an Iced Mocha Java (or mocha latte) with soy and light ice- I had previously been treated very rudely by a male server because I did not use the correct terminology. I did not mind that it took a few minutes to get the drinks, there was a band setting up to play and the kitchen was obviously busy and some tension was building with the owner getting frustrated and yelling. We grabbed some straws and walked out and immediately sucked up gobs of chocolate sauce from the bottom of the drink. I was feeling quite disappointed because my glass was full of ice to the bottom and I paid $5/drink. I decided to go back in and ask if they could please remake the drinks, stir the chocolate and use light ice. I was very apologetic to the waitress and she was back to me. I then witnessed the owner yelling at the waitress that this was her fault and this was how they lose money and just going on. The waitress came out and said I am so sorry, I should have just made the drinks myself and I said you know its not a big deal, you guys are busy I understand I've worked in plenty of coffee places and restaurants to know that it happens. The drinks were then handed back over the counter (which is a health code violation, once a product passes from the kitchen if it comes back, it has to be thrown out and re made) and all that was done to fix them was that and inch of ice was spooned out, they were not topped off with more soy or even stirred. The owner was still yelling at the waitress from behind the counter and she was on the floor. We took our drinks and walked out and my husband and I looked at each other completely aghast. He said I really want to say something and I said you know I don't care because I think she deserves it. So I watched from the sidewalk as he walked in the owner was still yelling at the waitress but now they were in front of the house. As he came in the owner was saying again this is your fault and my husband said no it is not her fault, it is the fault of whoever made the drink, to which she huffed and turned to walk away and he proceeded with.. and you don't treat people like that. To which she responded o you have big balls don't you. He flicked her off, told her he would not come back and that is how you lose money and left.
This is not how a business should be run. Nor should employees and customers be treated in this manner. Especially not by the owner, who's actions and integrity sets the mood for the whole establishment.
I will not return and I would suggest you find somewhere else if you enjoy being treated with respect and value the respect of other people also.
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