I'll be honest - it took me awhile to warm up to this place. I didn't really like it at first. But now, after several visits, I consider it a great place to stop by for an occasional treat.
PROS: This place has a lot of architectural character, there's a nice patio area, and the food and drinks are good. The ambiance is perfect for catching up with friends and I'm particularly impressed with the latte art and the French bakery-quality pastries.
CONS: The service is very slow - as someone who used to work at Starbucks, I'm always shocked by how disorganized and inefficient the staff are (that kind of thing would never fly at Starbucks), and it certainly doesn't help that the place is packed on evenings and weekends. Also, the wannabe-hipster vibe can get annoying...I think that was the biggest initial turn off for me (although I've since learned to ignore it).
Bottom Line: It's a nice little cafe, but it has its flaws. If I have the extra time and can go during non-peak hours, I like to treat myself to Sambalatte. Otherwise, Starbucks is just a lot easier.