Insomnia Cafe

01/06/09

this place doesn't want your business

by lucidream

One just hopes that this place would be better, but it is not. The atmosphere is cozy and conducive to study or work but beyond that, it's a bust. The mean Asian barrista that everyone talks about is not an exaggeration. She's unpleasant in a way that isn't even funny or amusing. Aside from her the place could easily do two more things for its customers: 1) provide food beyond sugary desserts and 2) free wireless. Wireless is an expectation for me. I don't like having to set up an account before I can work, or paying for something so commonly free. The late hours are great but not enough of an incentive to go back, no matter how much I can't sleep. But in all honesty, is 1:30 really that late? Try harder please.

• Pros: ambiance
• Cons: meanness, cost of wireless

06/05/08

Writer Heaven

by xs10cl

I've been a regular here for years & it's among the very best places in L.A. to sit for extended periods and work. There are only two simple & reasonable rules you need to know:

(1) Don't talk on your cell phone inside. (be courteous to others trying to concentrate)

(2) Don't bring in outside food or drink. (if you're gonna sit & work for hours, pay your "rent" and purchase items there)

Break either of these rules, the management WILL scold you! If the regulars don't do it first.

• Pros: GREAT baristas, quiet work atmosphere, clean, cozy
• Cons: Wi-Fi costs

03/11/08

N azi Waitress At Insomnia Cafe - Beverly Blvd.

by CafeGenius

Ok this is only a slight exaggeration. I was biking in my neighborhood, and stopped off at Insomnia Cafe yesterday. I put my stuff down and immediately ordered coffee. One of the people left from my area, so the Asian waitress comes to clean off the stuff. She is not a smiler. She grabs the soda cup which I did not want to leave on my bike in the heat. I said, "That's mine." I take it back. An hour or so later, the next person leaves, and N azi waitress comes by to take his one cup. She again grabs my still full soda cup, (second time!) and then my unused napkins, all right beside me. I said, "That's mine!" and tried not to look at her like she is nuts. She would not let go of the soda cup and I had to take the cup out of her hand, without touching her of course. (She had deliberately shoved my soda cup inside the other guy's used glass. Then THREW my napkins down.) She was really in a huff now (not a far departure from the normal attitude) and stormed off. Yeah. I had been reading a book with my ipod on, calmly drinking coffee now and again. She storms back in and said to not bring in drinks from another place. Anyone know the owner or manager's email address or website? I called for this info just now and N aziWaitress answered, saying there was no email address or website information. "What's regarding?" I eat out all over WeHo, L.A. & Hollywood, and buy from 1 or 2 places and never does the management mind when I also bring in something else. Even if this is the policy (and I saw candy wrappers etc from other customers in the cushions etc) the waitress' manner is just not kosher.

• Pros: Atmosphere great
• Cons: Asian waitress very unfriendly and even hostile