212 Pier

05/10/10

212 PIER

by phoebejones

212 Pier Cafe, which has taken over the old Novel on Pier & Main in Santa Monica. Its a great little bohemian getaway with an extensive and delicious menu ranging from burgers and mac&cheese to vegan Indian platters, to breakfasts. Great coffee and fantastic environment: bookshelves and artwork on the walls, great for work and study, poetry nights and live music nights, free wifi, and open until 1am.

• Pros: late night, free wifi, reasonable prices, great atmosphere

02/16/09

Whatever Happened To Curteous, Friendly, And Polite Customer Service?

by DavidGlen1010

Sure, the Novel cafe is a quaint place to hang out, drink a coffee, and have some decent chow at a very reasonable price while you are working on your next blockbuster script or studying for an exam. That is why I have been a regular customer for at least a decade and spend several thousand dollars in the cafe each year on food, beverage, and tips.

So why does the short order cook "Martin" feel he has the right to continually be rude and insulting to myself and other customers. And, when asked about why he is rude reply, "I joke like that with everyone."

I have never had a problem with any of the other cooks or counter people. Most of them are very personable, friendly, polite and professional in their conduct. The Novel Cafe makes a great Mediteranean Plate, great chili, and great turkey quesadillas. It is generally a relaxing down to earth place to eat and study.

Unfortunately, it only takes a dozen or so insults from a short order cook to sour a long term customers taste for an establishment. I for one no longer feel comfortable ordering food when I see Martin is at the grill. If he is openly rude to a long time customer out front , what might he be doing in the back?

Hopefully preparing food properly, but I'm not taking a chance. Maybe he will get some retraining on polite and friendly customer service in the near future.

Besides that, I would recommend the Novel Cafe to anyone. The prices are very reasonable, the atmosphere relaxing, and the customer service is just fine most of the tiime!

10/22/08

Great Place to Get Some Work Done

by ItsNotDelivery

So I stumbled upon this place in Santa Monica off of Main Street. I wish it were in a better spot. Its not out of the way, its just that nobody can really see it from the road. But I guess that is to my advantage because if it was, it would be PACKED. There are books lining the walls. I go sometimes now just to pick up a random book and read for a few hours. There are tables both inside and out. Usually busy but never too crowded. They have great drinks, really anything you could want and a good selection of sweets and sandwiches/small meals. If you are looking for a spot to plug in your laptop, grab a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, and peacefully get some work done, this is it. I heard that there are book clubs held there as well.

• Pros: Wi-Fi, Books, Quiet, Plugs everywhere
• Cons: Parking

03/15/08

Great Food, Inexpensive, Wonderful easy going college coffee house feel.

by ravendreamer

I really enjoy coming here. It reminds me of the Coffeehouse on Illinois State's campus back in a time when Starbucks didn't exist and you could spend all day tasting different foods, coffees, and listening to the world go by. I don't come here enough because I forget about it due to its location but coming across it today, I definitely will come more often! Don't change!

• Pros: Tasty food, fresh, nice coffee, fantastic atmosphere and inexpensive. Great breakfast!
• Cons: parking.

03/26/07

Nice atmosphere

by thelwani

Although we got lost getting here because we thought it was on the Pier in Santa Monica (go figure) I really liked the atmosphere. We studied upstairs to where it felt like a basement/attic. Parking is a hassle as it is anywhere in LA. Pretty big and cool coffehouse to study or hang out at.