Coffee refills ?

Piliger

Do any Cafes here do coffee refills ? It is such a normal everyday thing in the States and many other countries, I can't get how they get away with not offering it here.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Piliger wrote: »

Do any Cafes here do coffee refills ? It is such a normal everyday thing in the States and many other countries, I can't get how they get away with not offering it here.

The audacity of it all :eek:

John_Rambo

Piliger wrote: »

It is such a normal everyday thing in the States

Different country, different cafe culture. Avoca do refills, not sure it it's just for regulars.

Lux23

Elephant & Castle do it but they are supposed to be like a New York diner.

neckedit

Piliger wrote: »

Do any Cafes here do coffee refills ? It is such a normal everyday thing in the States and many other countries, I can't get how they get away with not offering it here.

It completely ridiculous!! I'm getting on to Joe Duffy!!

fleet

Irish people demand better coffee from their restaurants/cafes?

Drip or filter doesn't cut it, and offering free espresso based drinks (americano, long black, latte, cappuccino, flat white etc.) is too expensive to offer for free?

cgcsb

Cafes in Ireland like everywhere else in Europe, typically don't offer filter coffee. It's espresso here and it's not really possible to refill an espresso based drink in correct proportions. An american woman came into where I used to work once and asked if we had 'American Coffee' I said, 'like an Americano?' thinking that was what she meant. She replied yes, and was not happy when I handed her an Americano. There's a perception amongst American visitors in Ireland, and the rest of Europe that we must adapt our food/drink culture to suit them, that is not going to happen.

ironclaw

I actually found refills very annoying in the States as they usually charge for it and don't mention it. I have no issue in paying for it, buts its the slightly underhand nature of not mentioning that its going to cost you. At least be upfront about it.

Jello

ironclaw wrote: »

I actually found refills very annoying in the States as they usually charge for it and don't mention it. I have no issue in paying for it, buts its the slightly underhand nature of not mentioning that its going to cost you. At least be upfront about it.

Lived in the States for a summer and was never once charged for a refill of coffee or soft drink. Worked in a bar/restaurant too and we never charged for them. Their coffee is definitely a lower standard though.

haro124

Only place I've seen offering free refills in Ireland is Starbucks

HivemindXX

cgcsb wrote: »

There's a perception amongst American visitors in Ireland, and the rest of Europe that we must adapt our food/drink culture to suit them, that is not going to happen.

I for one think it's hilarious that gourmet coffee is considered 'our culture' now.

not yet

Working on that premise why don't pubs do ''free'' refills..

Ole Rodrigo

You might snigger at the culture of gourmet coffee - and rightly so - but it beats bad coffee. Costa express has saved us from coffee flavoured dishwater at garages all over the country. That most coffee in the country is served at petrol stations is a stick in the wheel of gourmet coffee culture for a start.

Refills are at odds with the Italian style of coffee serving. Unless a pot is brewed, a barrista ( snigger ) would have to make up another one at the expensive coffee machine.

Nobody asks for a black coffee, you can't have an 'americano' refill. If we could disassociate coffee serving from the all that pretentious Italian styling we might be able to offer a refill, which is quite reasonable.

John_Rambo

cgcsb wrote: »

There's a perception amongst American visitors in Ireland, and the rest of Europe that we must adapt our food/drink culture to suit them, that is not going to happen.

Ah, c'mon, most Americans that travel around Europe are fairly educated and embrace the cultures!

HivemindXX wrote: »

I for one think it's hilarious that gourmet coffee is considered 'our culture' now.

Cultures rapidly evolve in multicultural busy cities. Even my folks in their sixties head in to the city, get a nice coffee and watch the world go by. It's not that hilarious.

I'm wondering did Piligar just come on to make a point or to avail of the info we are giving him.

ironclaw

Jello wrote: »

Lived in the States for a summer and was never once charged for a refill of coffee or soft drink. Worked in a bar/restaurant too and we never charged for them. Their coffee is definitely a lower standard though.

Yeah, I've driven a huge amount of miles in the States and even coast to coast, so I've been in everything from diner to up scale. And your right, some places its free and in others I have been charged. But on no occasion was I told either way. It kinda got to the point where I just refused a refill as the coffee was so bad I'd rather not be hit with a bill for it.

Not wishing to white wash, but I feel a segment of Irish (And I am 100% Irish myself) are very much a 'something for nothing' society and I feel if such a system was introduced anywhere, people would abuse it i.e. Order the cheapest thing on the menu to get a free coffee. A lot of Irish, especially in my age bracket, are mind blowingly 'cheap'

veetwin

I'd rather pay for a decent second cup than get a free refill of that brown water that passes for coffee in most American establishments, Starbucks included.

Piliger

cgcsb wrote: »

Cafes in Ireland like everywhere else in Europe, typically don't offer filter coffee. It's espresso here and it's not really possible to refill an espresso based drink in correct proportions.

So you think everyone drinks espresso here ? really ? And I have been in Paris, Barcelona and Krakow already this year and half of the cafe's restaurants refilled my Americanos.

An american woman came into where I used to work once and asked if we had 'American Coffee' I said, 'like an Americano?' thinking that was what she meant. She replied yes, and was not happy when I handed her an Americano. There's a perception amongst American visitors in Ireland, and the rest of Europe that we must adapt our food/drink culture to suit them, that is not going to happen.

You seem to have a problem with Americans. I don't.

Piliger

ironclaw wrote: »

I actually found refills very annoying in the States as they usually charge for it and don't mention it. I have no issue in paying for it, buts its the slightly underhand nature of not mentioning that its going to cost you. At least be upfront about it.

Absolutely. But having been in dozens of American places from NY to LA, and never once been charged .. I don't feel this is an issue.

Piliger

ironclaw wrote: »

Not wishing to white wash, but I feel a segment of Irish (And I am 100% Irish myself) are very much a 'something for nothing' society and I feel if such a system was introduced anywhere, people would abuse it i.e. Order the cheapest thing on the menu to get a free coffee. A lot of Irish, especially in my age bracket, are mind blowingly 'cheap'

I find that nothing less than pure bigotry.

John_Rambo

Seems the helpful posts answering your original question haven't made you very happy piliger!

Thomas D

The OP is showing their ignorance here. As was mentioned earlier, the big difference is espresso versus filter coffee. All your free refills in the states are filter soup concoctions whilst 90%+ of cafes here use espresso machines. There are places that offer free refills on filter coffee but you're unlikely to want one.

ScouseMouse

ror_74 wrote: »

You might snigger at the culture of gourmet coffee - and rightly so - but it beats bad coffee. Costa express has saved us from coffee flavoured dishwater at garages all over the country. That most coffee in the country is served at petrol stations is a stick in the wheel of gourmet coffee culture for a start.

Refills are at odds with the Italian style of coffee serving. Unless a pot is brewed, a barrista ( snigger ) would have to make up another one at the expensive coffee machine.

Nobody asks for a black coffee, you can't have an 'americano' refill. If we could disassociate coffee serving from the all that pretentious Italian styling we might be able to offer a refill, which is quite reasonable.

Costa express? I love costa coffee, hate starbucks, BUT, I find costa express machines absolutely awful.

Piliger

John_Rambo wrote: »

Seems the helpful posts answering your original question haven't made you very happy piliger!

On the contrary, the helpful posts have made me very happy. Johnny !

Piliger

Thomas D wrote: »

The OP is showing their ignorance here. As was mentioned earlier, the big difference is espresso versus filter coffee. All your free refills in the states are filter soup concoctions whilst 90%+ of cafes here use espresso machines. There are places that offer free refills on filter coffee but you're unlikely to want one.

I think are just showing your ignorance in not reading either my original or follow up posts.

Thomas D

Piliger wrote: »

I think are just showing your ignorance in not reading either my original or follow up posts.

I read them. It's still a stupid question. Would you expect a second helping of a meal at a restaurant? ****ty filter coffee is offered because it costs nothing.

fleet_admiral

haro124 wrote: »

Only place I've seen offering free refills in Ireland is Starbucks

I wouldnt even put coffee and starbucks in the same sentence

smellmepower

Lucky you don't work for their marketing department so!

Ole Rodrigo

superscouse wrote: »

Costa express? I love costa coffee, hate starbucks, BUT, I find costa express machines absolutely awful.

They don't provide the best coffee you'll ever have, but Ive been impressed with their overall quality and consistency, especially given the alternative. Plus they do a brownie with coffee for 4 euro. And you get to set on a stool watching people fill up their cars :pac:

I don't get all the starbucks hatin' . My niece loves them and it seems most of her age group do to. Is there anyone over the age of 21 that hates them ? Thought as much.

Piliger

fleet_admiral wrote: »

I wouldnt even put coffee and starbucks in the same sentence

That's subjective taste for you. I chose to spend a lot of time and money in Starbucks because they make great coffee. Each to his own I guess.

Piliger

Thomas D wrote: »

I read them. It's still a stupid question. Would you expect a second helping of a meal at a restaurant? ****ty filter coffee is offered because it costs nothing.

Well it doesn't take much intelligence to just call people stupid. Especially when you choose such a poor analogy.

cgcsb

HivemindXX wrote: »

I for one think it's hilarious that gourmet coffee is considered 'our culture' now.

I'm not old enough to remember espresso not being the norm.

cgcsb

Piliger wrote: »

So you think everyone drinks espresso here ? really ? And I have been in Paris, Barcelona and Krakow already this year and half of the cafe's restaurants refilled my Americanos.

I don't know anybody goes to a cafe and requests a filter coffee, likewise I dont know any cafes that would serve it if asked.

If you are having your americano refilled, are they making you a new americano? how do they do they 'refill' it in correct proportions?

Thomas D

Espressos are gourmet now? Anything else isn't really coffee IMO. But yeah, we should just accept crap and not get ideas above our station. What an attitude.

Thomas D

cgcsb wrote: »

I don't know anybody goes to a cafe and requests a filter coffee, likewise I dont know any cafes that would serve it if asked.

If you are having your americano refilled, are they making you a new americano? how do they do they 'refill' it in correct proportions?

Exactly it's nonsense. Can I have my burger topped up please? Sorry, some people don't get the analogy.

Ole Rodrigo

Thomas D wrote: »

Exactly it's nonsense. Can I have my burger topped up please? Sorry, some people don't get the analogy.

Explain how its nonsense ? I ' refill ' my own cup at home all the time. Its perfectly reasonable.

And why do most restaurants offer just black or white coffee ? Maybe the menu is too full to fit in all that Italian guff.

What isn't so reasonable is the idea coffee can't be consumed outside of an Italian serving system, with all its attendant expensive equipment. Unless you want the fattest possible profit margins of course.

cgcsb

Let's be clear Italian style service is not in operation in Ireland. Italian coffee consists almost entirely of espresso bars, mostly with standing room only where you can buy espresso, single or double and or a machiatto and that's about it. The type of coffee on offer in Ireland is more typical of the northern European (Germany northwards style). And most restaurants in Ireland offer every variety of espresso drink in my experience.

cgcsb

I'd say you lot would be better off carrying around some nescafe sachets with you and asking for hot water.

bigar

fleet_admiral wrote: »

I wouldnt even put coffee and starbucks in the same sentence

Here we go again with Starbucks bashing to appear to be a conisseur of "real coffee". I prefer filter coffee and Starbucks is one of the few that offer it so I am happy that they are around.

Piliger

cgcsb wrote: »

I don't know anybody goes to a cafe and requests a filter coffee, likewise I dont know any cafes that would serve it if asked.

If you are having your americano refilled, are they making you a new americano? how do they do they 'refill' it in correct proportions?

You appear to be using the term refill in a very strange way ... as in 'top up' ?

Piliger

Thomas D wrote: »

Exactly it's nonsense. Can I have my burger topped up please? Sorry, some people don't get the analogy.

Correct. I was in Tribeca last month and asked for more Fries and onion rings. No problem. No charge. I've asked for and received extra rice in Chinese restaurants without being charged. In pubs at lunch I have asked for an extra couple of pieces of roast beef. Good business know what good service means.

L1011

Piliger wrote: »

Correct. I was in Tribeca last month and asked for more Fries and onion rings. No problem. No charge. I've asked for and received extra rice in Chinese restaurants without being charged. In pubs at lunch I have asked for an extra couple of pieces of roast beef. Good business know what good service means.

Except you're looking for a complete replacement product free.

Its not done in Ireland, accept it and move on.

Piliger

MYOB wrote: »

Except you're looking for a complete replacement product free.

No. Is extra fried a 'complete replacement product' ? Move on if you like, don't let me hold you back.

Sulla Felix

Thomas D wrote: »

Exactly it's nonsense. Can I have my burger topped up please? Sorry, some people don't get the analogy.

Red Robin (and I'm sure others, but I've specifically eaten there) do bottomless fries in the states so the analogy isn't completely inept.

L1011

Piliger wrote: »

No. Is extra fried a 'complete replacement product' ? Move on if you like, don't let me hold you back.

A complete cup of coffee is; and that is what you were trying to use those as a comparison to.

Thomas D

Sulla Felix wrote: »

Red Robin (and I'm sure others, but I've specifically eaten there) do bottomless fries in the states so the analogy isn't completely inept.

Do they make a complete replacement from start to finish just for that customer? No.

Piliger

MYOB wrote: »

A complete cup of coffee is; and that is what you were trying to use those as a comparison to.

No. Why would I expect a top up if I only went in for a cup of coffee ? That would be silly. When I go into a cafe I would also have at the very least quite an expensive piece of cake, more often a sandwich or roll as well. Coffee is only one thing a cafe sells.

L1011

Piliger wrote: »

No. Why would I expect a top up if I only went in for a cup of coffee ? That would be silly. When I go into a cafe I would also have at the very least quite an expensive piece of cake, more often a sandwich or roll as well. Coffee is only one thing a cafe sells.

You bought the coffee as an item. You are expecting a complete replacement of that item for free.

Your obscure logic here astounds me.

Piliger

MYOB wrote: »

Your obscure logic here astounds me.

And yours me. Touche.

Thomas D

Can you please post a list of all food and drink items you expect to be replaced for free and your logic behind it. Thanks.

Piliger

Thomas D wrote: »

Can you please post a list of all food and drink items you expect to be replaced for free and your logic behind it. Thanks.

I don't do requests. This is a discussion forum. If you have nothing more to say then that's fine with me.

Mr Simpson

This has run its course. Its not a Dublin City topic anymore