Charming (I hate using this word, but it sounds good) eatery in the Nieuwezijds area. Almost every…read moreother cafe is still closed but this one opens early at 730am.
It was busy and every table on the quaint (hate this overused word too) outside patio was occupied and two small tables inside. Basically, a snug 'standing room only' cafe.
I ordered cappuccino for "take away" from the young female barista who was diligent at the espresso machine. While she was preparing my coffee, I noticed several bags of green and white coffee on the shelves bearing the Mortimer brand name. I asked her, "Was the coffee Italiano ? She said, "Sir, I told you to wait for your coffee"! Whoa, I was taken back for a second, then explained that I only wanted to know the coffee's origin. I stood to the side of the counter and the girl smiled and stated, "I think English beans, It's our brand of coffee". My anticipation for a wonderful cold early morning in Amsterdam just went limp and sadly never improved - This type of attitude is not the norm in Amsterdam which we experienced - but everyone has a bad day from time to time.
My two cups of cappuccino were ready, which were oddly small for 4€ (see pic, and you decide). With a knee jerk reaction, I still tipped the girl, grabbed some sugar and coffee cup covers and left the shop.
This brief interaction tainted my expectation of this cafe, especially in an area that is tourist heavy. At the end of the day, the cappuccino tasted good, the fresh bread loafs and croissants on the counter looked amazing and their breakfast menu looked promising, but told the wife we will find another cafe around the corner.