Starbucks

I’m a big fan of a traditional cappuccino, with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, and a nice dollop of dense foam on top. Unfortunately you can’t really get that at Starbucks without some serious discussion with the barista. If you just order a cappuccino, you’re going to get a Tall, which is usually more like a latte. And just like in Alice in Wonderland, if you ask for a small cappuccino, you’re going to get a Tall, because at Starbucks down is up and up is down and OH MY, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!
But if you ask for a «Short» you’ll get what you’re looking for. It’s never on the menu, but all Starbucks will make you a Short cappuccino. Ask for it dry with an extra shot and you can almost close your eyes and pretend you’re at Peets. If you can close your eyes and pretend you’re at Blue Bottle or somewhere in North Beach, then I want some of your drugs.
I worked in the building where this Starbucks was and most afternoons I’d pop down for my usual. After about 2 months of asking for the same thing, they got to know what I wanted and I’d get it without a lot of discussion.
At one point during my patronage of this Starbucks I swore off coffee altogether and developed a taste for cocoa instead. The first time I ordered a hot cocoa, I was told by the barista girl, «we don’t have cocoa.» I pointed to the hot chocolate on the menu, and I said, «Sure you do. See?» «Oh, ok, you want a hot CHOCOLATE,» she replied.
I did this the next day, and the next day and the next. And for at least three weeks, it was the same conversation:
Me: «Hot cocoa, please»
Barista: «We don’t have hot cocoa.»
Me: «Oh, sorry, I’ll take a hot chocolate then.»
At one point, I am pretty sure I noticed an ever-​so-​slight smile on her face.
This is why I’m on Unilocal.I get bored easily, and am always trying to find ways to amuse myself. Thanks for being such good sports.

I despise coffee. okay, after a couple seconds of quick thinking, I suddenly reversed my 4 star and boosted my rating back to 5. HAPPY NOW, COFFEEHOLICS?! GOD! I’m so sick of rating every single entity that falls under teh sdame corporation!.. too much time on my damn hands, I swear to devil.

Our office honestly must keep this place in business because we are all there every single day, multiple times a day. I don’t even want to know how much we spend collectively (or individually, for that matter!) here.
The customer service in this Starb is totally stellar. The store manager, Adam, is amazing — We talk daily about how much we love him. At first I thought he was just a flirt, calling all of us ladies by name and knowing our drinks (he knew my name and my drink of choice by the third time we ever met)…but then I realized that he knows EVERYONE by name and their drinks.
I know I need to reel in the Starb addiction, but it appears that Adam and the soy sugar free vanilla no foam lattes will keep me coming back constantly.

Feeling a bit lazy and after reading Miika’s steller review, decided to take a stroll from my office. Okay, I have to disclose something here, I rarely have coffee at a Starbucks and will almost always go to a Mom & Pop or even 7 – 11 for my joe. That said, when I asked the woman for a small, she did not correct me «you mean vente, grande?» She just said okay, took my money and brought the joe. Second good thing, the newspapers laying around, third, the stools and counter facing the bay with a great view and finally, the music wasn’t at ear splitting level so that I could enjoy my coffee in peace. It would get 5 stars if it was across the street from work, but, you rarely get everything you ask for.

Coffee break?
Anyone? Anyone?
I acquiesced to go get some coffee with a friend of mine since we were nearing the end of our workday and I was starting to feel the tug of strings reining in my consciousness and motivation to be productive.
This location is perfect since it is only about a block away from our building and it afforded me the sweet moments to be spent in the warming sun before it finally bowed down to the cold wind coming down upon the city. Perched in the historical Hills Plaza next to Gordon Biersch, sunny days will find people perched amidst the brick containment walls and various tables and chairs scattered throughout the deck. Most of the men lounging around are from the construction site across the street.
A pretty good space exists, with the front windows facing the busy Embarcadero and another room for wireless users in the backroom. These are usually occupied by visiting businessmen rolling their suitcases along and dressed in the traditional black/​navy blues.
My cappuccino has always been good here: smooth, strong, and silky. And the staff here have been pretty consistent so they recognize me whenever I walk in and don’t do the jaw-​dropping routine when I order two (that’s right, two) of the pumpkin scones.
As we gossiped over men (sigh, women will be women), lives in general and the whole idiosyncratic mess targeting somewhat single women in general, the hot stuff going down our gullet felt comforting on our brisk walk back to the office.