Crema Bakery & Cafe

07/09/08

Going down fast

by ElConquistador at Citysearch

The good:

Crema is a wonderful location with great drinks and food. It's normally a very lively place in a hip neighborhood and a great place to hang if it's not too crowded.

And the bad,

I've lived in the same neighborhood as Crema for the last few years. I've noticed a steep price increase and deterioration of their customer service and environment. I go there at least once a week and as of the last few months, I've been served a lot of attitude with my coffee. This bothers me much more than the increasing prices, and it is ultimately the reason I'll stop going to Crema. You'll see other posts around local foodie boards and I'm clearly not the only one who is feeling their customer counter needs a fresh overhaul in personnel.

A year ago, I would have given them 4.5 or even 5 stars. Now, it's barely 3. More importantly, my money is going to other shops in the area. I hope the owners are reading their reviews, because i'd hate to lose this once great shop.

02/29/08

Too popular.

by havinfuninptown at Citysearch

There are no spots to sit and eat ....because every darn table is usually filled by people and their laptops for HOURS. What a bummer. I don't like to eat sandwiches standing up! Then again, who does?

02/23/08

There's Hope For Crema!

by myjavajunkie at Citysearch

Crema foes and friends, unite! Please don't give up on Crema. While I totally agree with these negative reviews there may be hope for our favorite coffee spot! The make-out twins have disappeared! I haven't seen either one of them in weeks, so maybe this place finally got the hint and gave them the BOOT. At any rate the atmosphere at Crema has been much nicer....reminiscent of a time before....when the sun was shining and the baristas were smiling...and so were the customers! On behalf of loyal Crema fans everywhere....thanks for bringing our coffee shop back!

• Pros: the boss is putting the positivity back into Crema
• Cons: snooty toots are scaring the customers away

01/08/08

Great coffee but...

by marioliv at Citysearch

I visit Crema every time I come visit Portland. I love their baked goods and their espresso is superb. However, last time I left a little uneasy. As I was trying to buy a drink I had to wait for the PDA between staff members to cease. It didn't seem like an appropriate activity for a business place, especially while customers are waiting!

07/13/07

Good Atmosphere

by oneangryraisin at Citysearch

The airy atmosphere, natural lighting, free wi-fi, and abundance of tables with electrical provided by this establishment make it a prime spot to plug in your laptop and work for a few hours. The pastries and coffee are good. It isn't my favorite coffee house in Portland--that is, I've had better coffee--but I keep going back.

07/05/07

Replace employees and Crema is $

by schuman at Citysearch

I'm not a big service guy and will usually rate a place high if the food is good but the service is sub-par. Crema has such lousy service that i am forced to make an exception. the rudeness alone doesn't bother me that much but the slowness kills (although the rudeness gets old: you are not that cool, you work at a coffee place). the idiots behind the counter spend time talking and joking with each other instead of working despite a 15 min line out the door! even when it is a 2-3 peson line, it never moves quickly. The fat guy with the too-tight shirts and the arm tatoos is the worst -- please fire him and promote the guest worker in the back to barista! that said, the stuptown is great and the AM buns are the bomb, which is why i come back and deal with these jerks.

• Pros: stump-town, AM buns
• Cons: 80% of the employees

01/31/07

Is it worth It ? Hmmm.

by tberks at Citysearch

I too really want to love this place. Open, airy and a great location. I appreciate the contemporary artwork, Stumptown coffee and delicious pastries. Some of the baristas are pleasant... the ones who aren't are complete tools and ruin the experience. I am often just wanting a simple americano, but the wait (after I place the order) is ridiculous. I support the 50-cent refills to promote my chance to actually get a table. Otherwise, the place should stick to local cost standards and rid itself of a useless barista or two.

• Pros: Ambiance
• Cons: Long waits, rude baristas

11/13/06

If I didn't have a job like everyone else who sits here all day, maybe I wouldn't mind waiting 7 hours for an americano

by lenaellis at Citysearch

I keep trying to go to Crema, so it's partially my fault. I want to believe or I hope it has changed or I like to get angry. Parking in that neighborhood, once one of my favorites is nearly impossible. The space is large and airy and pretty, yet boring and uninspired. The floral arrangements are frightful. Every uncomfortable, boring chair is taken up by an equally boring uncomfortable someone on their laptop who doesn't have a job, these are the people who have ruined Portland, take a minute and thank them. When you finally get to the front of the line, it looks like a confusing clumsy dance, there are at least 5 (albeit very nice) people behind the counter, all doing a very active looking nothing. The pastries have been consistently disappointing, and taste like they are cheaply made. I always order espresso and hot water, it always takes a better part of the day to get this simple drink. I can not for the life of me understand why. What is going on? I have a job to go to. Really, a job at a place that I have to be at, at a certain time, (9am, pretty standard work time)I know it's unusual, but I work. And I need coffee and I'm addicted and I just want the coffee and I have to go to work. Hurry hurry hurry up! I don't care about valentines they can make with the milk. Maybe they need two people on the machine and some butter in the pastries?

• Pros: Nice staff, prices are fair
• Cons: takes forever, pastries are lackluster

07/24/06

Rude waiters

by victoria_ at Citysearch

This place was recommended to me by Criollo (before they closed). The counterpeople just ignored me while they finished their conversation with each other. There was hardly anyone in the place so it's not like they were busy. I also noticed flies sitting on the croissants - yes. I mentioned to them that it would be a good idea to get some covers for their food. I walked out.

• Pros: I wonder if the owners know.
• Cons: Rudeness, sketchy health code observance

12/10/05

why do I feel so uncool?

by curtis_mayfield at Citysearch

some of the staff here are pissed that they didn't make it as banana republic salespeople, and the emerging clientele is similar. it's gotten popular, so it gets packed with trendoids and permissive parents of toddlers who need ritalin.

it can be hard to find a seat, and people are kind of prickish about it - putting their stuff down and then going to order, when there are no other seats available.

okay they do have wi-fi, but that is also on the fritz frequently.

it is a nice space with lots of light, but the hassle is not conducive to a nice cup of coffee.