I was super excited to try Adda, as Shadyside could really use more non-chain coffee/tea places. However, in my opinion, it didn't quite measure up to the hype.
In the case of my order, I could perhaps chock this up to bad luck or just a bad match. I ordered the blueberry iced tea, which sounded deliciously refreshing on a very warm fall day, but the flavor was just kind of flat--watered down, perhaps. I added some Stevia and wished that they had Splenda instead, as I feel that I can very much taste Stevia in raw uses such as sweetening tea. I chatted with my friend for almost 3 hours and left 90% of my drink behind. However, she seemed to find her iced chai perfectly adequate or, at least, she finished it.
As for the vibe, Adda was cute, per se, but it just lacked the comfort or coziness I look for in coffee houses I like to hang out in. There are rickety tables and chairs rather than sofas and couches or even those solid wooden chairs that characterize Starbucks (I know, I know, chain hate, blah blah, but hey, they're certainly doing something right.) The few hours I sat at a table, I was constantly shifting and trying to get comfortable. It never happened. There were also quite a few flies inside, which I'm sure isn't because it's unclean or anything, but was just kind of alarming to find buzzing around my face in an eating establishment.
I'd definitely be willing to give Adda another try but I've ruled it out as a place I'd set myself up to chill with my laptop. Still a nice addition to Shadyside, but for me, the magic is dead. I'll bring my own Splenda next time.