Espresso 77

[julesnyc]

Hi Chuckster,

We discontinued the hard-boiled eggs a while ago...but if we get enough voiced interest, no reason why we couldn't bring them back!
We are also going to start doing some more brunchy-savory things, starting with a new quiche plate this week.

Julie from e77

[Chuckster]

O.K. everyone.  It's time to start asking for the return of hard boiled eggs!   

[linette]

I tried a sample of the quiche this morning--delicious!

[Chuckster]

Went to E77 early on Saturday and noticed that they now have French toast.  Nice sized wedges of brioche served with syrup on the side, raspberries, a lite dusting of powdered sugar, mint leaves for a pretty presentation and coupled with coffee --- delicious and very satisfying breakfast!

[Shelby2]

I just noticed someone placed a new negative review (1 star out of 5) on yelp for E 77.  The poster is mad, I guess, because E 77 does not want to serve as this person's all-day-internet hangout.  I support E77 in the need to limit or get rid of wireless, because this service is abused. 

The people using the wireless tend to take up precious table space, while customers intending to come in and order $20 worth of food and drinks end up passing by and not going in because there is nowhere to sit.

The person who posted the review on yelp threatens that he will take his business to Starbucks instead - which sounds to me like it wouldn't be such a bad thing because in fact it will probably allow E 77 to make more money and stay viable.  I would hate for JH to lose Espresso 77 because they are not able to make it financially.

Here's an article from the San Francisco chronicle about the issue of wireless users who stay too long in cafes.
Mind Your Business: Paying Customers crowded out of cafe by free wireless users

excerpt from article:

Rachel Herbert, owner of the Dolores Park Cafe in San Francisco, has purposefully avoided providing electrical outlets. That way, most laptop users are limited to the lifespan of one battery.

She also has posted a sign saying, "Dear Wireless Customers: Please be willing to share your table during peak hours, and please limit your wireless use to two hours."

[Jeffsayyes]

you should write a review on yelp about it.

[Shelby2]

I should clarify that the complaint the person has is that there are lockboxes on the electrical outlets, which means if you are using your computer you can only use it for however long your battery lasts. 

[Chuckster]

I support E77 in the need to limit or get rid of wireless, because this service is abused. 

The people using the wireless tend to take up precious table space, while customers intending to come in and order $20 worth of food and drinks end up passing by and not going in because there is nowhere to sit.

Another supporter here, although I don't necessarily have a problem with people enjoying some limited laptop time.  Unfortunately, when someone sits for a few hours without ordering a beverage or food, I have to believe that they're not considering the fact that this is a business.  My husband and I have encountered the above scenario as described by Shelby on more than a few occasions, leaving us no other option but to go somewhere else to eat.  Maybe it's just a coincidence, but since they installed the outlet thingies, more people seem to be eating rather than surfing.  This is just a casual observation since my last few visits.

[rachel]

I was disappointed by the lock boxes.  I don't go to E77 too often with my computer except when the place is dead at night.  I went in the other week on an off peak hour (I was one of 2 people in the place around 8pm) to get out of the house, get caffeinated, and and do some work for a college class.  I saw the lock boxes and was turned off.  I can understand having them on there during peak hours, but unless you have a brand-spankin'-new computer, a battery doesn't last that long, especially if you are doing work that doesn't involve simply browsing the internet. 

I vote that they take the lock boxes off during non-peak hours (you know it is dead there after 7 or 8 pm every night pretty much).  I was excited to get a lot of work done (not even by browing the internet), but my battery died shortly after I got there and I had to leave. 

I'd hate to see this place go out of business as I really enjoy having it in the neighborhood, but I can't get behind the lock box policy as it is.

It seems that they just need to make up their minds.  Wireless or no wireless.  I thought that the policy they had before (minimum purchase for computer use during peak hours, all access during off peak hours) worked pretty damn well.

[Jeffsayyes]

I think it's a good idea to just rely on battery life for computers. BUT, originally they wanted to create a space where people just hung out, like in the greenwich village beat style. back then, I assume people just read their books for hours instead of going on computers... but still, they were still just chilling for hours. I am pretty sure that's what espresso 77 wanted to create... well, do they want people to relax and chill there or not?

If they wanted to discourage people from plugging in, they should have just plugged in lamps or other things into the outlets. The lock boxes are very offputting. makes you think they are 'the man'. I am not confident they have it all together as far as a coffee shop goes. but at least they are trying.

[michaelb]

It seems like it's for the better.

Very recently I managed to strike up a few conversations with total strangers at E77.  Only one person was even on a laptop.

It's definitely getting that Great Good Place vibe.  Same goes for Lety Bakery, although I'm definitely out of place in that 60+ crowd.

(http://www.amazon.com/Great-Good-Place-Bookstores-Community/dp/1569246815)

[Queenskid]

I agree with Michael, it's nice to go to a neighborhood place where people actually talk to one another.  I was at E77 the other day and I was the only person who wasn't looking at my lap.  The vibe was casual, but not neighborly.  With respect to Lety's, there's nothing wrong with a 60+ crowd unless you're a member.

[Marlene]

I agree with Michael, it's nice to go to a neighborhood place where people actually talk to one another.  I was at E77 the other day and I was the only person who wasn't looking at my lap.  The vibe was casual, but not neighborly.  With respect to Lety's, there's nothing wrong with a 60+ crowd unless you're a member.

Do I look that old?  I guess old and fabulous!

[buddy]

>>posted by rachel:
I vote that they take the lock boxes off during non-peak hours (you know it is dead there after 7 or 8 pm every night pretty much).  I was excited to get a lot of work done (not even by browing the internet), but my battery died shortly after I got there and I had to leave.  <<

If it helps them do more business, AND WE'RE VOTING, I vote to keep the lock boxes in.  And I have to disagree on the policy working "damn well" because in the beginning there were so many computer table hogs that I know I went other places to grab a bite to eat.  It's a cafe serving food and coffees, not a social club, even if it is a social place to be.  It may be disappointing not to be able to hang with a computer, but the place is not that big or roomy to have the tables taken up with people on lap tops.  Starbucks is much bigger table wise.

Personally, I think having wireless in such a small seating establishment was a mistake.  I understand about "off peak" times and rachel, you may be one of the more considerate customers, but many people were not considerate at all.  In the long run, even if a few upset customers go to Starbucks, they'll be able to actually make more money if their are tables for people to sit and eat.

[Aronan]

Personally I think the problem is best solved by expanding E77 perhaps they can take over that strange little medical / herbology place next door to them. What goes on in there anyway ? I've never seen anyone go in or out and I feel like it has been there for years.