Sehbali Cafe and Hookah Shop
Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Lounges, Sandwiches [Edit]
235 University AvePalo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 566-8860
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun 8:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Good for: Late Night
- Best Nights: Mon, Tue, Wed
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: None
- Smoking: Yes
- Coat Check: No
59 reviews
Palo Alto, CA
"Wine Bar in Palo Alto at 7pm on a Saturday evening....sure to be packed. We went in hoping we might find one or two open seats where we can…" read more »
37 Reviews for Sehbali Cafe and Hookah Shop
This place is under new ownership and is now called "Da Hookah Spot" and connected to the cafe next door.
The Hookah area is much better than before (they removed the counter and added more seating area) and they also take your drink orders in the Hookah area and bring it to you (which they did not do before).
Most of the Hookahs they give are small ones, but they pack a punch and are pretty smooth! This place is also open late (until 1am on M-T, until 2am on W-TH and until 4am on Fri-Sat)! Nice place to hang out with some friends for some tea/coffee and sheesha!
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Open late, and in Palo Alto -- that alone gets it 4 stars from me!
I don't smoke, generally, but I make an exception for shisha. After living in the middle east for a while, I discovered the social fun from smoking one of these together. Sehbali is a bit expensive ($20 for a shisha; vs. about $3 in the middle east...), but it's Palo Alto, and the staff are friendly.
I seem to remember signs proclaiming this to be an unreinforced masonry building, so hopefully I won't be here when the next big earthquake hits. However, while waiting, I'd rather be here than the other standard downtown Palo Alto cafes.
A perfect place to come with your best friend from 2nd grade whom you haven't seen for nearly all of college!! We came here on Saturday and it was great. We pretty much got the best seats in the house, in the corner, on the pillows (wooden benches with piles of pillows on top) so we were at a perfect angle from which to observe the entire room. We noticed it was a pretty diverse mix of folks...looked like maybe some Stanford students, a group of older guys, some really nerdy guys over in the other corner who kept coughing...we were just looking around all night, talking about people, catching up and reminiscing. There are few better places to hold a reunion of old friends than sitting around a hookah pipe :) We tried the Sex on the Beach flavor, which I really liked. Sometimes I think hookah flavors are so strong that they are too "thick" and almost sickening, but Sex on the Beach was very light, subtle and you only tasted a hint of the flavor, which is best I think. They had these two "fresh fruit" flavors too, which I really want to go back and try.
The service was great, the guys were very polite and helpful and smiley and we never had to ask for more coals, there was a guy going around replacing them for everyone. The lighting was dim, mostly candlelight. They have these cool candles everywhere that create a nice ambiance, especially in combination with the dark wooden paneling of the walls. They just let the wax from these huge candles drip everywhere, so it adds a really romantic, soft vibe to the place. The music (I don't know what genre this was...I guess I would call it some kind of ethnic techno) was a little loud, but we were able to talk over it just fine. My only complaint: they don't blend the songs together, so there was always a pause of silence in between music, during which I nearly always happened to be shouting something that was either funny or embarrassing when taken out of context, but that's okay, we couldn't stop laughing over it anyway :) This place is a real treasure in downtown PA, very unlike the rest of the PA nightlife! It is a small little place, so don't be surprised if you show up and there are no empty tables! We got there around 10pm on Saturday and landing a table was no problem at all.
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NEW OWNERS!
Kind of expensive, but not nearly as bad as before. I used to come here. It was 20+ for a hookah, and on top of that, the hookah didn't smoke well - it felt like there was a huge plug in the middle of the hookah and you could never get that thick, flavorful smoke.
Now with the new owners, the shop is entirely stocked with Mya Saray hookahs, which if you don't know your hookahs, are among the best, and arguably THE best in hookahs.
The hookahs CAN get a bit hot, because the stems aren't so long (all the hookahs here are the QT model, as far as I can tell, excepting a few that the owners & their friends use).
A lot of the shop is connection-based, in that they definitely do give deals to their friends and charge them less/nothing, etc.
I have to say, the smoke here is better than at Smoke This; also, the environment is more chill. I think I'll be frequenting this place, it's nice to sit outside with a huge mug of tea and hookah.
Pricing-wise, they charge $17/hookah here. Smoke This charges $12. I like the people who work at Smoke This better - they're very friendly, likely because I've been going there for almost a year now. Da Smoke Spot (or Da Hookah Spot, not sure what the hookah portion of the cafe is called) is a bit more exclusive, almost. The owners are very friendly and come by to all the customers, but not nearly as familial a feel I get with Smoke This. Loud music at both venues, though I like the heat lamps out back at Smoke This more. Seating inside in Smoke This is definitely more sketchy, and at Da Smoke/Hookah Spot, it feels more cozy.
It's kind of a toss-up, though I think I'll probably end up sticking to Smoke This & coming here when I'm in PA - in other words, it's not good enough to make me drive out from Sunnyvale. The guys at this place tried to sell me a Mya Saray hookah worth $45 for $99. Wasn't too happy when I found out the true value of the hookah. One star off for this.
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Other than a few bars, there are very few places in Palo Alto that are open late, which is one of the upsides to Sehbali. That, and that it's the only hookah joint in the local area.
But as far as Sheesha places go, it's fairly sub-par. The hookah is over priced, and they allow only 3 people per pipe, although they are usually nice and won't bother parties a bit larger. The main turnoff for me is the complete lack of open air smoking, which isn't really Sehbali's fault, they're just abiding by strict PA law. But the cafe hotbox usually leaves me light headed after only a few minutes of puff puff pass. The owners are very nice people, and the adjoining cafe is great for tea and coffee. I have yet to order any food from them, so I can't really say how it is.
There isn't much seating inside, which can mean a several minute wait, and the place also doesn't serve alcohol. Boo.
Like I said before, it's a nice alternative to the bars, but as hookah bars go, it's a little lacking. 3 stars for the opportunity to sheesh.
Always open late, even on the weekdays! Reasonable pricing and a great atmosphere. I'm a regular!
Arguably the best cafe in Palo Alto, especially for night owls as it's open until 11pm (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays).
Just opened up at the end of 2006 so it's one of those gems yet not known by everyone like the Coupa Cafe.
Why is this cafe, which is half a block from the Coupa, far superior? Let's review:
1. Although half the size of the Coupa, just about every table has a power outlet and they don't try to kick you out like some cafes. Ahem!
2. The tea is outstanding to the average to above average tea at the Coupa.
3. The tables are spread out so it's almost impossible to get bumped, unlike the Coupa where half of the places you sit are ripe for bumping.
4. The staff is friendly and greets you as you enter, unlike the Coupa that ignores you or flashes a look of snobbery, even though these people are dependent on us for tips and probably don't make more than min. wage. Very strange and destructive behavior.
5. If you have problems with internet connections, they will help you. Ask for Yosef, one of the owners.
6. Prices are a tad below the Coupa but similar enough. If you aren't sure, just get a big cup of tea or a pot for 1.50 or 3.50, respectively. I really like the English Breakfast tea. One of the best flavors I have had anywhere.
7. They have a bathroom for men and another one for women.
8. You can hang out here for several hours and they won't glare at you or kick you out.
9. Most of the people here are nice and helpful (I'm talking patrons) and that almost never happened at the Coupa.
10. There is a closed section in back if you like to smoke. I think it's called Hookah and this is open until 1am. If you don't like the smell of smoke, as I do, best not to enter.
11. No art exhibits to interfere with your working time, as couples walk by and look over your head at some painting/photo on the wall.
12. Oh, and the people here speak English. Most of the people who serve you at the Coupa have to communicate with hand gestures and trying to get something simple can be a real chore.
So, given a choice, where do you want to go? :)
UPDATE: note that they are typically cafe open a good 1 to 1.5 hours after closing b/c the Hookah is open later. While they don't have a full range of things (like coffee) in those after hours you can still get sweets and tea and the like. Half a block from Coupa and Nolas, as well as other places.
DOUBLE UPDATE 01/04/08: I was told tonight they are closed for remodeling. Not sure when they will reopen. Definitely a great cafe to get back to you for a somewhat quiet environment, reliable WIFI and great service/food.
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I don't really care for this hookah cafe. I mean, they only allow 3 people per hookah, and they have very limited seating. The drinks from the cafe were alright, but certainly nothing to be missed. The only reason I gave Sehbali an extra star was because it's one of the only places on University to be open late. Actually, it's one of the only places in Palo Alto for that matter that is open late.
If you are looking for a phenomenal hookah experience, then by all means go to Giza in San Jose. The atmosphere is great and they carry a vast array of shisha from which you can choose.
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After a disappointing dinner, I didn't want to go to the movies. Instead I suggested hookah at Sehbali. Group of four, myself included, went to Sehbali's Hookah Shop. Price for hookah session $24.99, cash only (WTF? No C/C?!) We did not go to the front for coffee, instead we sat and digested our crappy dinner.
Overall experience was okay. I'm thinking hookah is a place to lounge with friends, sip on some coffee and chitter chatter. The seating was not the best, could have used more "plushness" in re: to pillows and probably a rug or two to create a better vibe. Despite the lack of warmth and openness in re: to the ambiance, I would go again (making sure to dress warm on a rainy night with big puffy jacket...maybe bring my own butt pillow or two). The service was mediocre, nothing that caught my attention. The hookah itself, we got peach mango...could have used more flavor. Where was the mango flavor??? The hookah had one line, but plastic cover for each person as the line was passed around. So hookah was okay and I would return with a group of friends b/c it's downtown P.A. and not out of the way. So four stars, it would be five the ambiance was a bit better.
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This place is a welcome addition to the downtown Palo Alto scene. I was pleasantly surprised to find a place with decent food that's open late in Palo Alto. Having said that, the food is decent but not overwhelming (the chaat and North Beach Chicken panini are recommended) and has some interesting choices such as Lassi available. The main reason to go here is for the ambience and laid-back atmosphere; the fact that they were playing Nusrat (Qawwali) over the sound system was a major selling point for me (yes, it doesn't take much to make me happy :))! While no longer partial to the Hookah scene myself, it is definitely a chill place to hang out, although quite crowded. Bottom line, I see myself hanging out there with friends with increasing frequency in days to come.
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I was very excited to try Sehbali Cafe. I stopped by one evening to check out the menu and it looked so good. The owner was there and she seemed very sweet. We asked questions about the menu and I noted in my head that I needed to come by some day for coffee and a bite.
It was an utter disappointment. The food was mediocre and the service was horrid. It was obviously the first day the waitress had worked. She mistook orders. She blamed us for the mistakes. My food came without promised ingredients (sour cream for a quesadilla). The restaurant was out of many things and the waitress kept claiming that the menu was "wrong" and that it needed to be updated. These are things that a customer should be told upfront--not after they order.
If I wanted a quiet place to work on my laptop I would come here. It would be nicer to get a drink and work here than Starbucks.
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I passed this place the first time: it's not an obvious location at all. But on the way back past it to go to a wine bar, I saw it. I got an espresso ($1.65) and had some mint hooka. I thought the mint was just OK, definitely not as minty as I would have liked.
I thought the atmosphere was just OK: the people working there were nice enough: though I was none-to-impressed generally. The actual hooka lounge area could do with significantly more lushness (read: more pillows, carpets, couches) and could be warmer (I got cold about halfway through), but it was overall a fairly good experience. I'd come back here with some more friends next time: it's rather expensive for just two people.
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Ahhhhhh Sheeeeshaaaah. You've missed it ever since you left Beirut / Cairo / your dorm room. It's a small but homey room, with a wood ceiling, open till 1 am / 2am on weekends. They have a nice selection but it ain't the cheapest I've seen - 20 bucks for a shisha you can share between 3 people.
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So, this place really should be broken up into two different businesses, as the Cafe and the Hookah Shop are quite distinct.
The cafe is PAINFULLY slow. I mean, the slowest service I've ever had slow. The quality of the food/drink is decent, but the utter pain in waiting for something from this place would make me run elsewhere. 2 stars, one for being open late in Palo Alto.
Now, onto the hookah bar. This place seems to have found a niche crowd of people in the 18-21 age group who can smoke but can't drink, and just can't bear going to The Cheesecake Factory one more time. The prices are a little high, but it's open late. 4 stars.
Average the two, and we get 3 stars. Go there to smoke, but stay away from the cafe...
I agree with most of the other reviewers, the hookah lounge could definitely benefit from some rugs and pillows, and turning the heat up a little higher. Other than that? I like it a lot. They have a fairly wide variety of flavors (don't bother with the mint, though), and it's pretty moderate in price (around $20). They say only 3 people per hookah, but if you're nice they won't say anything to a party of 4 or 5 (although personally I'd rather have 2 between that many, since I actually want to SMOKE sometime this year!).
I don't have much to say about the cafe, since I've only ever gone in that section to pay for hookah with a credit card (they don't have a credit card machine in the back, so you have to pay up front and bring them the receipt) and buy some pre-made baklava from the display tray (which was delicious, although I've never met a baklava I didn't like).
Shockingly good. far superior hookah to Kan Zeman, more affordable, awesome staff and very friendly and dedicated owners. As a bonus, the whole place is halal, which is fantastic for those of us rocking our Axis of Evil status.... Not only have I never been disappointed by tihs place, I have never failed to be impressed. Me and Wisconsin Dave have made this our Thursday tradition...
Without a doubt, the one bright spot in the suburbian blight of palo alto...
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wanna sheesha? Well i just came back from turkey and did buy some water pipe supplies but i can't be asked to set it up so I came here. This place is crazy chill, its intimate (aka small) but the "booths" are cornered so if you have a couple of friends you can actually hear them. The staff is great, they are very attentive and make sure the coals are always hot and blow your filter (also *hott) The prices are higher than i usually pay then again i was in Turkey and do it in berkeley and this is Palo Alto but you do get A LOT. We spent like an hour + ish on one and there was only 3 of us. Thats the other thing to note one water pipe for 3 people. I had such a great time and it does get busy but you never feel rushed.
so yea check it out, ill probably be there still not assembling my own.
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I was actually floored at how much these guys want your order to be just right. My friend ordered a sweet lassi from them. The lady who made it actually came out and told my friend that if it was too sweet, she could go add more yogurt and re-blend it. She even stood by as my friend made an initial taste. After confirming that it was indeed too sweet, it was taken back, re-blended, and then brought back out.
Amazing customer service.
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This is for the cafe across the street from the upscale hair salon, not the hookah restaurant.
I love dark wood bistro cafes done right and love even more ethnic STREET FOOD and SNACKS.
I've never been to South Asia but I have had fancy chaat tapas in DC and was happily surprised to find chaat and chai with sunny outdoor seating right after my last haircut.
Service was friendly and prompt. Prices were high. Portions were small. So typical of any small coffee shop most anywhere, especially in a 'where' like downtown Palo Alto.
I have to give this place a 4 just for the uniqueness of the street food they offer. I also liked that my chai was smooth and strong, though you could always 'make it better' at home -- but again, that's typical for any coffee shop anywhere.
The fact that they cram their 2 outdoor tables next to an awkwardly displaced flower shop whose phone is always ringing is a minus, but I guess you could chalk that up to it's "charm" and the overall "charm" of downtown Palo Alto.
Nice atmosphere. Decent, warm, comfortable seats, clean. I like the separate bathrooms for men and women -- not that I care about sharing a bathroom with someone of the opposite gender, I do it every day -- but it's definitely convenient to have two bathrooms available in case you're, well, in a hurry.
Coffee is decent. But my god, things are pricey here! I ordered the aforementioned large coffee and some pita and hummus, and it came to $7.89. Excuse me, does a blowjob come with that? It took 20 minutes to get the pita and hummus, and while it's good (grilled, fresh, nicely done with toppings), it's very much not worth $5.
I'm a little dubious of some of the rave reviews here, to be honest.
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I've never been to the cafe portion of this establishment, so this review is only concerned with the Hookah side of things.
The Hookahs here are good, if not a bit pricey. They coals they use burn long enough, and the staff is always willing to give you a relight if necessary.
If you go on the weekends expect a bunch of not-yet-21 kids to be in here.
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This review is only for the hookah lounge. I haven't tried the regular cafe.
The appearance and popularity of this place seems to clarify once and for all that hookah has "arrived". First there were the San Francisco purveyors, then San Jose and Sunnyvale got in on the game, but Palo Alto? Hookah? Downtown Palo Alto?
Anyway! Despite it's symbolic significance, Sehbali (sadly) just isn't very good. I've been there twice and both times left feeling disappointed. It's expensive, the hookahs aren't particularly clean (leading to harsher smoke than necessary), and the service is excrutiating.
Cute little place that just openned up Fall of 2006 (was formally Mills the Florist). The cafe section is simple, no frills decor, but a nice change of pace from the usual hectic Palo Alto Coffee Scene (i.e. VC meals and meetings - enjoying the bubble while it lasts, etc.). Friendly staff and a good selection of caffenated beverages. Perfect place to go for Middle Eastern desserts and drinks after a place like Kan Zeman just up the street (who do tasty full course meals).
Through the back door at Sehbali's you can enter a Hookah Shop (omg, P.A. just got a little culture - don't tell the authorities). Here you can buy all your supplies or rent the hookahs and enjoy this treat with a group of friends. Again, knowledgeable staff, nice atmosphere, and a cool way to chill away a few hours. If you bring your damn friends to discuss VC deals, though, I reserve the right to throw you out of my little piece of oasis in the middle of Sillycon Valley.
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Must try the veggie quesadillas; very comfy seats; excellent customer service. Have yet to try the hookah bar.
Great wi-fi, quiet, with a warm atmosphere. The coffee I had was first-class, and a large serving for a small. My salad was made quickly and was good (not great). Overall, a really pleasant experience. It's rare that I can work at a coffee shop and not need to wear headphones to drown the "atmosphere" out.
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The Cafe section: Not really a great find. The food was good enough, but it's a sort of a "seat-of-the-pants" operation. Food is served too casually, often incorrectly (not as sponsored on the menu). The patrons are mostly folks sitting around working on their laptops (ordinary lunch-goers seem out-of-place).
(No comment on Hookah Shop; these are really two distinct spots.)
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I loved this place the first three times I went here and posted a glowing review.
Since then, I've been back several times and noticed the following inconsistencies/issues:
1) Some of the best items on the menu have not been available--more than once. "We're out of the Bombay wrap" is a huge bummer when you've been craving it for a week. And now it's happened twice.
2) Some people are better than others. I've had a few amazing mango lassis there and then a couple of not-so-good ones. I think the proportions are just off. Someone needs to be better trained.
3) Speaking of staffing issues, almost every time I've been there, there have been major delays in serving or even taking orders. Typically they are at least one, maybe two people short (ideally someone would be taking orders while other people prepare espresso drinks/make the sandwiches/go find more Bombay wraps.)
4) Finally, some things on their menu just don't taste very good. I ordered a tuna sandwich and it was strange--tasting mostly of canned tuna. The server gave me the wrong salad, which wouldn't have been a huge deal (I like most kinds of salad) except that the one he gave me was really sodden and old-tasting. It probably spent a few too many days in the fridge.
So why still three stars? Well, they're newish, and I'm sure they're still sorting out their menu and staffing. The Bombay wrap really rocks. So does the basic green side salad with basil-balsamic vinaigrette. Some of the other side salads are interesting. And they have made some delicious mango lassis and espresso drinks.
These guys need to go to the Roy Borrone School of Restaurant Management. I bet if he were in charge, he'd cut their menu in half, make sure everything good was in stock at all times, and hire a couple of reliable staff who knew something about food prep and customer service. I'll keep trying and hope that they figure this out.
I'm surprised that I'm only the second reviewer of this cafe. I stopped by here tonight after catching a film at the Stanford Theatre. I walked up and down University looking for a cafe but couldn't find one (except for that one that sells chocolates); then I too stumbled across this place. The store front has some sort of flower shop, with the entrance to the cafe tucked behind it. It looked quaint, so I went in.
I really like the decor. The ceiling has nice wood beams. The chairs and tables are attractive. The counter is nice (but cluttered).
I ordered the Masala chai. It was tasty, but not cheap ($3 and change). I guess this is equivalent to a latte at Starbucks, but I never was one to pay over $2 for a coffee or tea. It's too bad there are no prices on their menu boards.
The service was sub-par. The middle-aged woman who finally made me tea was nice enough, but the two young men who took my order (and who were supposed to fill it) were slow and not very professional.
The customers all appeared to be Stanford students (lots of laptops and text books). The woman behind the counter seemed to know all of them, so I guess there are a lot of regulars. I'd go back, but would find a cheaper drink.
This is a recently opened cafe that has somewhat displaced Mills the Florist (they are still there out front but now seem to use the basement for flower storage).
They serve standard cafe offerings while also having Indian cafe-like varieties. I've had a raspberry cheesecake there and it was decent. My friend and I once went to lunch there and she ordered an Indian cold appetizer dish which consisted of dough puffs layered with potatoes and sauce. I found it to be different but yummy. My curry chicken pie was so-so. I think in time the food will become more defined and the service will improve.
Whenever I go to Sehbali, the first thing I think is, "mm Mango Lassi and North Beach panini! Sooo good! I can't wait!"
The second thing I think is about my computer hardware class and how important pipelining is.
Why the contrast? Well, their Mango Lassi and North Beach panini are indeed delicious. The Lassi is quite sizeable, quite mango-ey, and cold, which is nice. The panini has just the right mix of flavors, and is ambrosia from the first bite. But you have a LOT of time before you get your order, and if you're there on your own, or with a bad conversationalit, or hell, even with a good one, you will have plenty of time to ponder what exactly is going on and why it's taking you so long to get your food.
True story: it once took me a full hour to get my Lassi and sandwich. During that time, my friend, who ordered at the same time as me already got her food and ate it. Another time, I got my sandwich fairly quickly, but didn't get my Lassi until I actually finished the sandwich, even though my friend, who paid at the same time, got her Lassi right away.
So, pipelining, right? Sehbali seems to have huge, huge problems, not just pipelining stuff correctly but keeping it in the pipeline. It's not altogether surprising from the way the staff behaves, but still mildly unpleasant. Every time I've been there, the very sweet lady behind the cash register has been very kind, but also extremely slow, staring at the aforementioned machine as though this was her first time seeing it. She would eventually print out the receipt, put it on the table behind the cash register in ostensibly some kind of order, and at that point any semblance of organization goes out the window. The anonymous-looking and remarkably inefficient college students in the back sort of float up, take a look at what seems to be a random receipt, and then make a dish from that. The order doesn't matter. The number of items on the list doesn't matter. The speed with which the items are being made doesn't matter either. The cash register lady will periodically leave her spot at the cash register, flop around the aforementioned college students without any noticeable increase in output, and flutter back to the cash register to confusedly help another customer.
So basically, the food is excellent, and I'd give it five stars, but I would not go there if I were starving, or even very hungry. The slow, slow service even when the place isn't even half full makes me ponder giving them 2 stars. If I were Sehbali's owner, I'd make a few changes, like maybe hiring some computer science majors who could implement a better pipeline.
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The people working there are very nice, we were trying the place for the first time and we joked around for a while, and then got good advice on what food to try. The sandwich special of the day was delicious and we had a good time sitting outside by the florist. I did not try the wireless but have heard good things from others. The chairs could be a bit more comfy for long sitting, but overall I like the atmosphere. Palo Alto needs more unpretentious places and this and TeaTime are important steps in the right direction.
Oh, and one more thing. I forgot my backpack there (first time that's ever happened to me, but it was after a stressful 3 hour meeting) and they found it and safely stored it for me - I was immensely happy/relieved.
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I went with some trepidation having read the other reviews here. But I was in the area and wanted something more relaxed than starbucks. I walked in and felt transformed to another time and place. The young man behind the counter said hello to me and welcomed me to their new cafe. He chatted me up for a minute telling me about the menu and some of the unique things they offered. I ordered a cap, dry. I took the menu to my seat to give it a good look over. It was extensive for such a small place. My cap came and it was just perfect. Smooth foam with a nice circle of crema around the edge of the cup. The espresso was very good too! No acid, just smoothing drinking.
I ordered one of their sandwiches. It was something with brie and turkey and apples on a very fresh and flaky croissant. Really nice! Their other sandwiches looked good too. I wanted something sweet after-wards. I was talking to the manger who used to be a pastry chef. She told me that she picked out all the desserts and proceeded to describe everything in the case to me. I actually settled on two desserts. I had one of these lovely little mousse cups. There were a few flavors but I had the Lemon Mousse and Raspberry Mousse. Just perfect and the price was right! only 2.50. They also have other small desserts like petite fours and some mini chocolate covered cookies.
My second dessert was a sugar-free fudge brownie made with Maltitol. The manager assured me that if I could tell it did not have sugar she would give me my choice of anything in the case. It was good and I stuck with the brownie. No chemical aftertaste at all. There were two other desserts made with this type of sugar. She told me that she was going to get more.
I sat for a while, unhurried and played on my lap top and ate my lunch. What a lovely time. I plan to go back frequently
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i love this place.
ive been trying to find one that is even vaguely comparable in LA but haven't yet been successful.
i went with my boyfriend on date night and we were both very impressed by the ambience, the quality of the shisha and the service. the waitstaff was extremely helpful in recommending flavors, made sure that our hookah was always lit and working properly, and helped to ensure that the experience was as pleasurable as possible. we've smoked hookah many times but it has never ever been as good or strong.
the location itself is kindof cute - it's in the back of a little coffee shop and you can grab yourself pastries/coffees for while you smoke. my only criticism is that it can get a bit crowded and there may be a few minute wait for a spot to sit. the wait never was too long though and nobody was ever left standing for more than a couple minutes. also, i don't believe they serve alcohol, which i actually prefer. it keeps the costs down because they dont have to compensate for an expensive (and underused) liquor license. so yes, this place is moderately priced -- which is fantastic.
strong flavorful hookah + reasonable prices = a hard to find treasure in the bay area. (all those san jose places are way overrated and not as good in terms of bang for the buck)
when the bf and i went, they were playing old hindi songs from our childhood. soooo cute and soo romantic for a little fob couple like ourselves.
i highly recommend anything in the apple fruit bowl -- the apple enhances the flavor of the hookah immensely. the orange bowl was also good but not as flavorful/intense.
i want to go back as soon as i get the chance :)
also, i just found out that this place is family owned --- sehba and ali are a brother/sister duo in charge of the shop. it turns out my ex-boyfriend is a distant family friend of theirs. maybe i can convince him to get us some hookups ;)
Stumbled across this place while visiting the little bro in Stanford - almost didn't see it because the sign says "Mills Florist" and there's a lady selling flowers in the vestibule. Make it past her and you're in for a treat.
The coffee was fantastic - some of the best I've ever had. A caffe mocha is tough to get right, and this was neither just a cup of regular coffee or hot chocolate. Should have had two.
The menu offered many appealing sandwiches, salads, and even some Indian food but I opted for a dessert, which was tasty as well.
There was a hookah shop in the back that they said was open in the evenings - not really my thing but if it is the place looked like fun.
Thank you for giving us something besides Starbucks!!
This is the new Coupa cafe. Yusuf, the owner is a kind Indian gentleman. The drinks aren't cheap, but the network connection is unbelieveably solid. Wire line connections and power plugs at all the tables!
I was very excited about trying this new cafe out. My husband had a cappuccino there, and was raving about his experience: the quiet ambiance, the great coffee, the yummy-looking treats... So, I went and ordered a small cappuccino, anticipating a cup half-filled with creamy foam. Well, I was highly disappointed. What I got in my styrofoam cup was a wet latte: very different than a cappuccino. So, I debated for a few minutes: should I complain and get a new one? or should I just endure what I didn't really order. I decided to ask for a new one. I was very specific the second time around: I wanted a dry cappuccino. That shouldn't be too difficult, now, should it? Well, apparently it was because what I got the second time was no different than the first: a very wet latte. Hardly any foam. That's not what I ordered, and for $2.50 for some milk and coffee, I think the customer should get what s/he ordered.
You may think I'm neurotic about coffee, and you may be right. But if you're as picky as I am, I advise you NOT to go here. Walk over to Peet's; it's a chain, but at least they know what they're doing.
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the food is overpriced and not very good!... the bhel was just terrible... the lassi was too sweet and watery (indian drink)... the coffee was made from beans that aren't of very good quality and tasted burnt...
the ambience is confused... cheap cafe style soda cabinet mixed with a glass case for a myriad of desserts... and then a terribly confusing and expensive drink menu that is beautifully written on chalk boards...
all in all... not worth going to even though the wireless is free...
have not tried the hookah in the back...
