Caffe Driade

08/01/10

terrible all around

by pjeant at Citysearch

I have visited this place twice and been disappointed each time. This last visit was by far the worst. When we walked in our barista did not even say hello, but gruffly asked "what do you want". When I requested a soy latte with no foam he gave me a dirty look and sighed. When he handed me the coffee it was barely warm and tasted terrible. I still tried to be friendly but he was not having it. Having made coffee for a living for quite a few years I know that my request should not have merited such a reaction. The lack of free wi-fi completed Caffe Driade's complete failure to please. I'll never return.

• Pros: outside seating
• Cons: bad attitudes and luke warm coffee

02/14/08

Great coffee if you love dogs and hate children

by sebst55 at Citysearch

While the coffee is wonderful and for the childless customer may be worth tolerating the dogs of the regulars that roam free around the great atmosphere, I strongly encourage any one with children or a desire to be treated politely by the staff to stay away. I had a terrible experience where my daughter was almost knocked over by a "regular" while trying to look at the dogs and when I said something to her she denied it and her male friend cussed me like a sailor at the top of his lungs in front of my 2 year old who was terrified. Basically the response from the staff was that the regulars can do what they want and that certainly seems to be the case. If you really must have good coffee, and I sympathize, leave your children supervised in the car and get it to go or try the owner's other shop in Carborro.

• Pros: amazing coffee
• Cons: not child friendly or customer friendly unless you are a "regular" - meaning you spend most days there

08/11/07

great ambiance, s-l-o-w service, no free internet

by panachechem at Citysearch

Most independent coffee shops in the area have free wireless internet. Why not this one? I feel I'm being nickel-and-dimed to pay an extra $5 to check email when I already spent that much on on coffee.

The inside space is tiny so only 2 people can work behind the counter and I can understand that after a long day the staff can get a little snappy. Lines get long...which is worsened by customers who want all kinds of special requests or don't think about what what they want *before* it's their turn to order.

They could also have a jug of water out so you don't have to stand in line to ask for a cup of water (and then face dirty looks from staff because you're not ordering more expensive drinks).

The outside seating area is spectacular. I think that's what keeps people coming back. You feel like 1/2 a world away.

• Pros: great outdoor seating, peaceful
• Cons: small space, no free internet

03/17/07

Best Coffee in the Triangle

by godofsilvio at Citysearch

The only place that can make a real and full-bodied macchiato.

Entertaining, idiosyncratic baristas.

Interesting music is always playing.

One can still smoke outside without suffering fascist, body-obsessed yuppies driving SUVs who sneer at you for enjoying a cigarette.

Holds esoteric appeal for artists, dreamers and shamanistic types.

• Pros: Ambience, Espresso
• Cons: Pricey

02/28/07

favorite cafe in the triangle

by carlagina at Citysearch

I do love this place. I come here for the ambience and the cappucinos. It's unique garden setting, eclectic clientele, changing artwork, and music is what makes it great. The best night ever: sitting outside on a warm summer evening, sipping on some red wine and listening to the Cuban jazz... good times

• Pros: coffee, ambience, music
• Cons: lack of seating space in the winter