Orchard St

I love Orchard St! I usually go to the one in North Bondi and found this one by accident. Ordered a sticky chai with homemade cashew milk and it’s been an absolute treat. I love how they always put so much effort into the presentation of their drinks and food - such a cosy little shop and lovely staff!

Amazing juice cleanses, I’ve done a couple, however I’ve just done their summer cleanse for 2 days and it was delicious. They also have some amazing gifts for people who are into wellness and total health. The crystal bottles are beautiful and not as branded as other shops or online. I’d love to do a treatment there at some point and review!

I ordered a single espresso this-morning and the woman behind the counter initially tried to serve me a ristretto. I pointed this out however she didn’t understand the difference between a ristretto, single or a double shot. Trying to be helpful I attempted to explain the difference but stopped after she seemed to not care about my well intentioned and kind attempt to explain it to her. When she pulled the shot it ran for about 13 seconds and then she served that to me. I was surprised, I would accept anything from 20-35 from a cafe but 13 seconds! It was obvious she wasn’t a barista which is fine so I kindly and not condescendingly mentioned it only took 13 seconds and her response was, “that’s what the machine always does” and immediately asked me if I wanted my money back. I was still really shocked how little she knew or seemed to care but still took time to say there was probably nothing wrong with the machine and she likely just needed to dial the grind in. Her response to this was a blank stare at me I think and then she said this meant the grinder was broken and that she would report it and have it fixed. I tried to explain how you grind coffee coarser and finer etc to help adjust brew times and there was likely nothing wrong with the grinder however I stopped after I noticed she just really really didn’t seem care and I felt she just wanted to get me out of the way. I can take mild passive rudeness but it just wasn’t worth it anymore. Also they didn’t weigh out the coffee and it felt like they packed the portafilter full of coffee pretty haphazardly which is surprisingly considering how quick the shot I was served was. For a place that pitches itself as upmarket and prices itself accordingly this isn’t good enough. Do not go here for coffee, people working the machine are not baristas/have no idea and they are quite rude as well.

I was really looking forward to have a nice snack and move on with my day. While ordering I clearly asked to take the paper off the savoury muffin. And what do you think I received? A muffin with leftovers of paper all over it. All that paper was masked with avo and macadamia oil. Should be tasty, right? Not with paper! And it is not the first time! I’m so fed up with people who just come to their work places to hang out and not to deliver quality and value to the customers. Frustrating and not worth it at all!