3
Robert Kraeuter 39 months ago
I struggled with myself at providing this café 3 stars. I will address this now. It currently does not have the best served coffee in Abu Dhabi or on that street. It may purchase quality roasted beans from Dubai (this came from an employee), but it is what a café does with those beans that creates the magic in the cup. There was no wizardry going on the morning I visited. But what really is making me have second thoughts about offering up a 1 or 2 star rating is when an employee wants to argue with me, a paying customer, and tell me I am wrong about opinion of his prepared drink.
Since it was the morning, I was hoping for some sort of pastry to enjoy with my coffee... no such luck on this morning. My wife ordered an Americano and I ordered a Cortado. The server offered to make our coffees from a choice of two beans, one from Brazil and the other choice was from Nicaragua. My wife selected the Brazilian for the Americano. On the first sip, the coffee was barely hot enough to be considered a cup of hot coffee and it was sour and grassy tasting. I had chosen the Nicaragua for my Cortado. I was familiar with the area the coffee was supposedly grown having traveled through this region while in the coffee industry years ago. When I received my drink, the presentation was fine, however again the drink was hardly warm. When I spoke to the barista he assured me this was the correct temperature. This was even after I expressed by dislike for the beverage. This individual came around after I requested it be taken off my bill and offered to make me another drink at a higher temperature, although he shared that I wouldn't like it because it would be too hot now. His second was much better than the first but his lack of customer service had already done the damage. This falls back on to the owner with regard to proper training.
Hazzaa Specialty Café is like many businesses, it is attempting to gain exposure and develop a loyal following. The café is located at the end unit of a long procession of other small shops in a much larger building complex. There is ample parking in front of and behind this location. The café has better visibility due to its branded storefront which is easily seen from the main road fronting these businesses. The inside of the café is small, quaint, and very nicely appointed. Rich wood-work is evident throughout the space. The tables, the counter, and especially the large wood and coffee bean logo are impressive. The presentation of their beverages is also right on target for a specialty café. Their drink menu is extensive with an array drink categories like Black, White, Acai, Filtered Coffee, Shakes, Desserts, and Ice Cream. They offer 7 different types of Lattes which had us wondering why? The prices being charged are specialty coffee prices but on the high end of the spectrum. The problem with that is we didn't get the high end product we were paying for. There lays the disappointment with our first and last visit. We have other coffeehouses to spend our money at...