We had two very different experiences at Cafepino.
The first visit was great! My daughter and I were somewhat pressed for time as we had movie tickets so, rather than order a whole salad, we decided to share a Nicoise salad. The salads had already been split in the kitchen when they were brought to the table and they were great. Tasty tuna, huge capers, small green beans and pieces of potato, etc. They had been carefully prepared and were tastefully presented in two bowls. The service was friendly and the food came out of the kitchen quickly.
We were so impressed that we went back two weeks later. My husband came with us. This time we weren't under any time constraints and were prepared to linger a bit. One of us ordered a glass of wine. Unfortunately it was served in a small unattractive glass.
My husband ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich which was excellent. We also ordered their Homemade Bread which also was excellent although they charge $1.75 for it. My daughter and I ordered the same Nicoise salad.
Imagine our surprise when only one salad was brought to the table on a plate. We had again opted to share the salad and had assumed it would be split in the kitchen the same way as it had been on our first visit. When we commented, our server told us the salad could not be split in the kitchen. When I said we were just there two weeks earlier and the salad had been split in the kitchen, she said she got into trouble for splitting it the last time and had been sent home. Regardless, I reiterated my request that the salad be split, but my request was denied. Instead, another smaller plate was brought to the table and we were left to muddle through the sharing process on our own. Frankly, the meal was ruined before it began.
It is noteworthy that there were only two or three other people in the entire restaurant and the kitchen could easily have taken the time to accommodate our request but, for whatever reason, chose not to, or someone (a manager or possibly the owner) told them not to.
No one said "thank you" or "goodbye" when we left.
No restaurant, especially in the current economy, can afford to be this cavalier and inflexible as far as its customers are concerned. There are simply too many other restaurant choices.
Finally, their prices are somewhat on the high side. The Nicoise salad and the Grilled Chicken sandwich were $12.95 each.
Although we loved their food, under no circumstances would we ever go back. In fact, we couldn't wait to leave.