No Personality Equals No Return

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Chelsee's Coffee Shop & More

Chelsee's Coffee is a cute, artsy, boutique coffee shop in the middle of the historic Arts District of downtown Winston-Salem; Trade Street specifically.  It owes most of its business to the placement, not so much its product.  Residents and urbanites that work downtown have coffee options.  Many, many coffee options. 

4th Street dwellers have Camino Bakery (our preference) or the brand new Washington Perk & Provision Company.  5th Street consumers have Starbucks (if you're into subpar chain coffee) or venture to the aforementioned 4th Street locales.  East of Liberty Street peeps and those who want trendy, over-roasted and sometimes burnt options over substance go to Krankie's.  Trade St. gets Chelsee's.

I will admit that we didn't actually get coffee on this trip.  We were wanting to try the smoothies that they advertised both in the store and on the street sandwich board.  We were downtown for the annual Bookmarks Festival and even though the weather was spectacular, it was still warm enough to warrant some smoothie goodness.  Smoothies are part of their product line and we figured we could get one, enjoy it and be back to talk to sponsors of Tart & Tangy Triad, Barnhills Books, Wine & Gifts.  Yes, the line was long (and by long I mean about 4 customers ahead of us), but nothing that would have made it incredibly overwhelming for the employees. 

They have modern machinery and had two veteran and seasoned baristas behind the deck making drinks.  Neither seemed to have any problems making drinks.  The line was moving at an expected pace.  The person in front of us ordered and was told by the lifeless statue that was stationed behind the cash register that they "weren't making smoothies right now."  The customer said that was all she had wanted so she walked out of line, just as the barista known as DJ RedStar called out to the waiting gallery, "Lemonade Smoothie," with a playful voice.

So we approached the counter and Venus de Void-o'Personality informed us upon the question that indeed they weren't making smoothies.  I inquired about the one that just passed over the counter and she said in stone faced zeal (that's sarcasm), "that was the last one."  I said, "well, I'll just have a Perrier," as Stephanie went to look for something instead, as well.  The Human Bust stood there, just looking around.  "Well I guess I'll go ahead and get it since you don't seem to want to do anything," I said, more than slightly annoyed.  Stephanie had a Diet Cheerwine and I my Perrier.  I wonder had we asked for Iced Coffee if we'd have had the same reaction? 

They acted like ice was the problem, or they felt too busy to worry about smoothies.  There was plenty of ice in their machine.  Giving benefit of doubt, the machine could have been down.  But can't you say that instead of making it out like we all didn't see the three smoothies prior to the customer in front of us walk out the door?

This is not the first time that I have gone to Chelsee's  This trip was not at all unlike most visits I've made here. The service is almost always lacking any personality.  No matter who is behind the counter.  Yes, there may have been circumstances that I didn't know about going on in the unfortunate cashier's life.  But, you know what, that's not our problem.  Customer service is driven by happy customers, satisfied customers.  Customers aren't and don't have to be ones who care what is going on in your life.  That's not to say I don't have empathy or even sympathy to your plights, neither am I a bad nor hard to please customer.  However, you are paid to do said service, do your job or go home.  Unemployment is high in this state and there are plenty of people that could have your job.  Even when she was off of work she walked through Trade St. with a look of painful disdain.   

I can't imagine that any other factor than location is the reason Chelsee's stays in business.  The coffee drinks are less-than-inspiring and the smoothie flavors are basic.  Yes, coffee is coffee but coffee shops bring a certain degree of self-importance that all of us do indulge in from time-to-time and need something more than the Folgers or Maxwell House we can make at home.  The flavor of the coffee is mediocre at best. The atmosphere does brag a nice fireplace and a TV to distract from the overall banality of the location.  Still, customer service is a huge factor of a return visit and since this is not the first time, yet the worst time, this has happened, I doubt I'll give any more money to Chelsee's Coffee.

This experience, on top of the past experiences, deems that the location doesn't even warrant a rating. 

Artisan: Upscale While Affordable

January 11, 2013

Millennium Artisan Restaurant

The Millennium Artisan opened in November 2012 with little-to-no fanfare; a soft opening, if you will.  Owned by Greg Carlyle who also owns The Millennium Center, which does events and events catering downtown. 

The menu at Artisan features Smart/American Casual or Bistro fare.  The dining room is small but quaint and has an impressive beer and wine list and also offers a fully stocked bar.  The servers are friendly and inquisitive of your desires. It has a city neighborhood clientele while remaining inviting to tourists and out-of-towners; a place you'd drive into the city for. While the restaurant is busy, of course, the kitchen is slightly sluggish, but the quality makes up for that. The restaurant is affordable while remaining upscale-esque. 

Here's the breakdown:

Reservations/Call-Ahead:
Not used but is available.

Ambiance/Appearance:
The ambiance is definitely city chic and gives the feeling of bigger city possibilities; comfortable, inviting.  It's stylish with out being too pretentious.
Chopsticks: 4

Service:
Ashanti was the server and although she seemed a bit distracted, she was good with our orders and alterations.  Drinks took a while to be served due to the fact that she was double-dipping as a server and bartender. 
Chopsticks: 3 

Appetizer:
The daily soup special is always called "Chef's Daily Whim" and is usually something concocted of unusual ingredient pairings.  Stephanie likes to partake in the soups, often.  Tim and Stephanie both also enjoy the parmesan oysters served with lemon-caper aioli.
Tim recommends the Humboldt Fog Bake which features a fabulous mixture of ash rind goat cheese and pistachios served baked with crostini bread.  Also, you get app bread with a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.  Tim prefers the bread soft instead of the crostini-style bread (it's the same bread, one baked, one toasted).
Chopsticks: 5

Entree:
Stephanie liked the Steak 'n Frittes.  She thought it was good enough it wasn't necessary to dip it's medium-cooked cut in the au jus that accompanied it.  The fries (frittes) were quite flavorful, baked in a truffle sauce with parsley flakes. 
Tim liked the Pork Osso Bucco.  It was braised in a special jus that was think and hearty.  The meat fell off the bone and barely needed cut with the knife.  Served with parsley smashed potatoes, this is a fantastic meal. 
Both Stephanie and Tim have tried the Kobe burger.  There is no beef like Kobe beef and this is a darn fine burger.  If you have nothing else from Artisan, have this burger.
Chopsticks: 4.5

Dessert:
Artisan features 3 desserts: Chocolate Marquis, Lemon Tart, and Crème Brûlée.  Tim and Stephanie shared a Crème Brûlée.  We both judge an upscale dessert menu by its Crème Brûlée.  It was very tasty with the candied braised top-crust and vanilla custard perfectly prepared.
Chopsticks: 3.5

Libations:
The list of craft beers and wines is extensive considering the size of the restaurant.  Large bottles and high gravity beer is offered, and accepted at Artisan.  Tim had the Double Chocolate Stout from Rogue while Stephanie had the J. Christoph Riesling.  Both enjoyed both.

Artisan  (Photo Camel City Dispatch)

Chopsticks:  4
___________

Recap:
Reservations: N/A
Ambiance/Appearance: 4
Service: 3
Appetizer: 5
Entree: 4.5
Dessert: 3.5
Libations: 4

Overall:
Chopsticks: 4

Millennium Artisan Restaurant
310-A W. 4th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-725-3900
www.artisanrestaurant.ws
Facebook - www.facebook.com/ArtisanRestaurant?ref=ts&fref=ts

Enjoy big city eats at small city prices.