This review is for one thing and one thing only. Overpricing gone wild.
I've been to L'espresso Bar Mercurio dozens of time, since I work near by. Had many a business lunch/coffee here. I've noticed the decline in their menu (along with the rise in their prices) over the last couple of years and I always thought it was a bearable shame.
But the other day I was there (for another business meeting) and decided to opt out of the overpriced $4 coffee that I usually get. I decided to go for a smoothie instead. I ordered one with tropical in the title made of pineapple, orange and banana. Sounded good. The barista took a blender and added two chunks of pineapple (each about the size of an ipod shuffle), about 1/4 of a banana and maybe 1/3 of a cup of tropicana orange juice. She blended it up and poured it into a small-ish wine glass. It filled it about 2/3 of the way up. With tax and tip? $7.50.
Now I'm not fussy about paying a little extra for the pleasure of someone else making yummy things for me, but this felt outrageous. L'espresso, have you no shame? How can you exploit your loyal customers so? Time to find another spot for my meetings, me thinks.