I've always been a Sherman Cafe loyalist, going back to the days before Bloc 11 ever existed. Though I still visit Sherman more frequently, I've come to love Bloc 11 for a few things. For one, you can always find a seat here - this space is cavernous. Diesel in Davis Square is probably about the same size but it's rare to find an open seat there even in off-hours. I love the outdoor seating complete with a well-maintained patch of grass and ivy-covered wall. People watching in Union Square has never been better! The coffee and tea is high quality, or at least the iced varities are (I almost never drink hot beverages). The sandwiches are tasty but I feel like there's not a ton of variety in the selection - many feature similar combinations of ingredients. And they come only in one size - at Sherman you can order a half sized, and Oxford Spa offers a small for a few dollars less. The baked goods are decent - Sherman has them beat by a mile, but Bloc 11's selection is solid and aside from a rock-hard cookie, everything I've had is great. Other plusses - you can usually find a discarded newspaper to read, and there's a very good chance it will be today's paper. Grab yourself a few random sections of the Globe and the Times and kill an hour or two! They have occasional performances in the early evening hours, including an open mic night that seems to attract cute girls. The downside - no free wifi. While laptop campers annoy the hell out of me, it would be nice to check my email someplace besides my sunless apartment sometimes. Sherman seems to have the best solution - you can pay for it, or get an hour free with a purchase. Because after all, who's going to be so lame as to go into a cafe and set up a laptop without buying something? I think it's great that there are two very cool independent cafes in my neighborhood - it's kind of like how Davis Square was a few years ago when they had Diesel and the Someday. There's a lot of ways to make a coffee shop lame, but Bloc 11 avoids all the usual pitfalls. Small tweaks is all I'd ever suggest from them. read more

First thing that comes to mind when I think of Bloc 11? Chicken salad. Second? Movies. (And, oh yeah, they have coffee and morning pastry things too.) I can't even express how happy I was the night they were showing Clue and I got to sit outside with a plate of chicken salad on my lap, and one of my all time favorites on the big screen. I never knew life could be so good. Order The Union (the chicken salad version, obvi!) and you've got a huge, satisfying meal. Here's the breakdown: Chunky white meat chicken, lightly mayonnaised, with halved red grapes and sliced almonds. Pile of fresh greens with a scoop of shredded carrots on top. Slices of avocado. Handful of cherry tomatoes. Two slices of chewy, crusty bread. I'm not done yet...here's the best part: Dozens and dozens of cheese cubes. Plenty for mixing in with the chicken salad, plenty for putting between the bread for a teeny tiny cheese sandwich, plenty for eating on their own, and plenty for sharing. I love this dish. If I was Mrs. Peacock, in Clue, this dish would be my monkey's brains slip-up that would give me away. read more

Dig the food, drink and decor---So much so that I chose to come in and do some reading. Unfortunately, I couldn't concentrate because they were blasting teen girl pop followed Coheed and Cambria so loud that I just couldn't pay attention to the book. The music was louder than my headphones. Was I in Spencer Gifts or a cafe? Anyone ever hear of jazz? Air (the band)? It's sad when a really nice placed is ruined with a 15 year old's ipod. fin read more

The beverages and baked goods here are quite good (I especially appreciate the Vegan offerings - I'm a total carnivore but lard makes me sick, sick, sick, so baked goods without fear are priceless :) The atmosphere here is fun but relaxed, similar but not identical to their sister cafe Diesel. What pushes Bloc 11 over the top for me is the outdoor courtyard - it's a little green oasis in the middle of bustling Union Square - I plan to spend a leisurely morning or two there on an upcoming staycation :) read more

The only vegan sammich has BBQ sauce...just like at Sherman Cafe--the OTHER hippie cafe that's right around the block. Can't they come up with something more inventive? Trying to make fake meat taste like real meat will never be a success. Never. Plus Bloc 11 doesn't have other vegan alternatives, like Tofutti cream cheese for bagels (which Sherman has) or Daiya cheese for sandwiches, etc. They also CHARGE for wifi, which is senseless, again, since Sherman, right around the corner, with a very similar menu, boasts free wifi. And finally: they are so expensive! It is impossible to pay less than $10 for a sandwich at this place. It's nuts! read more

Great food. Friendly staff. Really cool interior spaces wonderful for meeting a friend or working. The WiFi suuuuuuuuucks, just as in their sister restaurant Diesel. The bathrooms aren't quite as disgusting as in Diesel however. With improved WiFi and cleaner bathrooms, they would easily deserve 5 stars. read more

Any place that charges customers $5 / hour for wifi in Boston is trying too hard. "Oh but ooooooohhh they have such a cool building and vegetarian sammiches!" I'll pass. read more

Do you ever walk into a caf, look the person behind the counter in the eye and just want to be their friend? That is exactly how I felt at Bloc 11. The ladies who helped me reminded me of pixies -- cute button noses, sweet smiles and no fuss tinker bell hair. The sun shining through the front window calmed my goose bumps immediately and the glare from the plastic menu was a welcome respite from the florescent tube light bulbs in my cubicle. I wish I had more unique things to say about the restaurant as a whole. The food was ambrosial but costly. The people inside probably all listen to WERS and like to sketch with charcoal. The layout was compelling and made me want to start a game of hide and seek. I got the Pallet (turkey, goat cheese, fig spread, caramelized onions and greens) -- next time I'll skip the onions because they really took over the sandwich. I also got an iced coffee, it tasted like Christmas on speed. I will definitely start frequenting this place because it is hip and the staff is friendly but only when I have a wad in my pocket. read more

i want to like this place, i think, but it kinda bugs me. The GOOD: really good coffee, lots of menu options (better than diesel), something cool in East Somerville, in an old bank too boot, lots of room, comfy to hang out and work, lots of big, not disposable pint glasses to drink water in makes it easy to hydrate, everything i have ordered so far has been solidly good or at least decent, yay for breakfast sammies on the menu!, and, last but not least, one of a very small list of places in Somerville (or the Boston area in general) that seems to welcome queer and trans visibility. The BAD: coffee from chicago instead of from any number of really good roasters in the northeast, pastries etc outsourced instead of made in house (like they are at the sherman), the places is waaaay too expensive ($3 for tea? over $6 for coffee and a cookie? over $10 for a grilled cheese sandwich and hot cider?), and on top of that, paying, and paying way too much, for wifi?, a little too hip for it's own good (predictable indie rock, etc), not as awesome or as comfy as the nearby cafe sherman, weird layout (kitchen area in the middle of the space seems to be bigger than it needs to be, less room for tables), slightly surly counter service at times i'm glad they are there but wish they were cheaper, offered free (or reasonably priced) wifi, and were a little all around cozier and less gentrified white hipster-y. and maybe someone could put some al green on the stereo. i'll go back from time to time but it's not the kinda place i would tell a friend they really ought to check out. read more

The Terrace is officially the best sandwich that's ever graced my humble mouth. The creamy avocado, the juicy turkey, the fresh arugula leaves, the perfectly-toasted sourdough bread... simply magnificent. Not sure what the sauce was really made of, but it had hints of garlic and heaven. On top of that, washed it all down with a refreshing raspberry lime rickey. I'm still sitting here reminiscing about the meal. read more

Here's the thing about Bloc 11: it can't compete on price. It can't compete on wait times. What it can do - what it does better than almost any other cafe around - is give you exceptionally tailored service. This is the one place in town where, if you ordered a Key & Peele Andre 3000 half-caf, decaf mint mocha latte, foam on the bottom served in a flower vase, they would probably say, "Sure, no problem." I've had them volunteer to give me extra avocadoes on sandwiches when I told them to hold the onions. They've made me custom pick-me-up salads when I haven't been that hungry and been floored to see them charge me just two bucks for it. These guys will bend over backwards to deliver great cafe experiences in subtle ways like that. So it's a 5/5 place for me. read more

Bloc Somerville - Outdoor umbrellas have been added! - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Unbelievable. I have been to coffee shops all over the country and none hold a candle to Bloc 11. The menu offers a wide range of possibilities in both cold sandwiches and hot ones (prepared with one of those magical ovens that heats and toasts in 40 seconds, so you don't have to wait longer for a hot meal). Sandwiches are always served with a little salad on the side, which is a nice touch. Some people complain about the prices, but they really aren't any different from other nice lunch spots. The drinks are top rate. Latte art is standard and always perfect. Bloc 11 realizes that you need an amazing machine to make amazing espresso and they come through with a beautiful La Marzocco FB-series. Bloc 11 was built out of an old bank and they've kept key elements of the original architecture. This means that you can sit in the vault and old safety deposit boxes play a key role in much of the fixed seating. The chairs are all Emeco "Navy" look-alikes (my guess is the Target "Cafe" chairs, which I can understand for a coffee shop trying to outfit a place with 100 chairs). The general layout of the cafe is very airy and open. This is in contrast to the dark Diesel Cafe, the sister store (which I also like). Bloc 11 is not to be missed (despite the unfortunate name). I would never get anything to go. Stay there for the full experience. read more

This is a great spot for the Union Square area. I would even go so far as to say it makes me want to move down the hill from my not-quite Davis Square digs. Their coffee is just the way I like it: dark but not burnt. My favorite menu item so far is the breakfast sandwich, very tasty. So far I've been in this place on weekend days, weekdays and weeknights and it's never crowded. Maybe I'm selfish for wanting it to stay that way, but I always get a lot of work done when I go here. It's a nice atmosphere and nice, open floor plan. Friendly staff. I rate it highly! read more

Been here a bunch of times... live around the corner. Their mocha lattes (which is only what I've had as far as their coffee beverages go) are delicious, pretty, and significantly different than Starbucks (where I usually go). I always order my mochas with skim milk and their ML's really do taste like they're made with whole milk... nice and creamy! Mmmmm. Of course before putting the lid on (usually on the go) I have to admire the beautiful design on the top. I've also had a bagel sandwich which was awesome. I ate half that day and ate the other half the following morning, which was just as delicious. The secret creation you ask? Here it is: Poppy seed bagel, egg, cheese, and tomato. Delish. read more

I came here for a Yelp Crafting event, and I have mixed feelings about the cafe. I love the space and how much room they have compared to other coffee shops around the area, but its too far out of my way to get to, which is quite sad. I love it for the space, but the tea I ordered there was kind of disappointing. I did not really like any of their selections of tea, and I ended up order a mint tea, but it was very weak, and they gave it to me in an espresso cup. I haven't tried the food yet, but my companions did not seem all that impressed. read more

I don't get around this area much but when I do I will stop for some coffee and a sandwich/salad. This place was an old bank turned into a warm trendy cafe. You can find people sitting here for hours with a book, newpaper, or people on their laptops sucking up their FREE wifi. ONe thing that sets Bloc 11 from many coffee shops in the city and around the area is that most of their coffee beans and ingredients are organic and come from local farms. I am a true fan of supporting local businesses and stock! My only complaint is that they use this french bread that is fantastic but sometimes its over cooked and it gives it a very chewy and hard texture. My mouth was exhausted after finishing their sandwiches one time. This place is a very relaxing place to have lunch and chill on a sunny Sunday afternoon. read more

This place is ok, but not great. For me, it's convenient to get a cappuccino at. So, I go once every couple of weeks. The space is fantastic and their yogurt parfait is unbeatable (yeah, I'll still pay close to $5 for it). The staff is usually super nice and helpful. Now for the uneven stuff. So the lemonade has zero sugar in it - they should for sure just cut a lemon in half and hand it to you to suck on instead. And then their hot chocolate is so sweet you can't taste the chocolate. The coffee is often times burnt and their espresso is just so-so. The sandwiches are super expensive, but then they turn out incredibly bland - I'm looking at you chicken salad. Also, every single pastry tastes day old - they look marvelous, but there's no way that they're fresh. On top of that, you for sure are going to be waiting in line on a weekend and they charge an egregious amount of money to use their wi-fi (we get it, you don't want us to stay). So yeah, so much potential. But, just so-so. read more

I've only had the coffee here so this review is more about the vibe. As for the coffee... it's overpriced. Completely average flavor-wise but more expensive than every other coffee shop in the area. Looked like the food was probably overpriced too. Breakfast items (croissants, etc.) seemed to be your standard trucked-in fare. My biggest complaint is that the chairs are perhaps the most uncomfortable chairs I've ever sat on in my life. And they wobble. As do most of the tables... I wish coffee shops in general would pay more attention to this. Wobbly table + coffee next to a notebook or a laptop = bad, bad idea. The place is reminiscent of it's BFF Diesel Cafe. Thankfully, it lacks Diesel's overwhelming "hey look at me" atmostphere, but sadly it also lacks the Diesel's generally friendly character. Bottom line... decent, but don't go out of our way, and if you find yourself in Union, Sherman's is a much better option. read more

Unlike other yelpers, I think the price tag at Bloc 11 is perfectly reasonable considering the top notch produce, meats, cheeses and breads used for dishes. The sandwiches and salads are thoughtfully delicious. The menu here has been carefully put together and better than your average local coffee spot. They're really raising the bar, foodwise. Additionally, the space is really cool. I really love the area with the fireplace. It was very comforting during the cold, sometimes rainy, sometimes snowy winter. PS I'm secretly into the derth of outlets, it increases the chance that the average Somervillian can grab a table since every spot isn't being monopolized by students on laptops. read more

This cafe was named a "New Star" in Food & Wine magazine -- I was shocked that a place in Somerville would be mentioned alongside coffeebars in NYC, LA, and Portland, so I had to check it out . . . Bloc 11 is really a diamond in the rough of Union Square. The staff is hip and friendly; the whole place is low-key chic. I had a "buttercup" sandwich (avocado, thin green apple slices, tomato, carrots, herb cream cheese, mixed greens on seven-grain bread). All the fruits and veggies were superfresh, and the bread was soft and nutty -- yum! The peppery vinaigrette on the salad garnish on the plate was surprisingly flavorful -- I sopped up all the dressing with my bread . . . $7 To drink on a perfect summer day like today, I recommend the sparkling limeade, which is so crisp and refreshingly different. (This is not the Brazilian limeade that appears on the menu. That drink has condensed milk in it -- I'll try that next time.) I saw the girl who took my order squeeze real limes to make the drink . . . $3 I sat outside on a wooden circular bench that went all the way around a tree to enjoy my snack in some shade. There were a bunch of people sitting on other benches or lounging on the grass in the outside "park-style" sitting area. It's worth the trip down Somerville Ave. read more

For a busy residential neighborhood, Union Square has been lacking a pleasantly cozy spot for a sit & a sip. Given the distance away from my home base of Central Square, I wouldn't haul past all that is available in the immediate neighborhood on a daily basis. However, when I am in the area, I'd for sure hang out on that terrace, especially in summer, or one of the many nooks and crannies inside this former bank building. Service was quite pleasant; the food by all accounts, terrific; I nursed a yummy pot of tea while rat-tat-tapping away on my laptop. And if you can withstand the claustrophobia, the converted vault seating is so worth a stay. P.S. While charming, vintage safety boxes don't make a very cushiony base for bottoms, so if you were planning an extended sit, do consider bringing a pillow or two for greater comfort. The only blip on an otherwise gem of a place? Pay for wifi? Say what? Dear Management, Would it possible for you to provide the customers a few hours of free wifi and possibly a parking pass with a minimum purchase? Thank you for your consideration. With regards, Your Customer read more

I was excited about Bloc 11 when I heard it was opening. I love the Diesel and I live in Union Square-- what more could a girl ask for? Shortly after it opened i made a lunch date with another union squarian friend and walked over. When we arrived, I poked around a bit-- it's a little more straight-laced than the Diesel, but you have to admit that the vault seating is pretty cool. Then we ordered food...and it's definitely spendy spendy spendy for what it is. A sandwich and a coffee for almost $15 seems like a lot, especially for the area. Bloc 11 seems almost wishful thinking for the Union Square area. It's 5 or 6 clicks above anything else in the neighborhood which could be good, it might encourage the growth of other funky eateries and shops-- but it could be their downfall. I'd like to see it turn into a bar at night, it has the right swanky atmosphere-- throw a few taps in and see what happens. read more

This place gets 3 stars for the cool atmosphere (it uses to be a bank!) and variety of sandwiches (that I didn't get to try). It looses two stars because it cost me $9 for a breakfast sandwich and some limeade - both were mediocre. I wish that they had more breakfast options. I definately plan on going back there to try one of their sandwiches. read more

While I live about three minutes from this place, I have only been once. I read several reviews here that had conflicting thoughts and feelings about the place. I also know the people who own Sherman's and am much more likely to walk in there than Bloc 11. One day I had a car full of sisters and cousins and we decided to give it a whirl. We walked into an almost empty place, spent several minutes reading the menu board - which was really hard for me to read, my eyesight isn't that bad, but it made the ordering process more difficult than usual. It wasn't busy, and there were three people making our orders, and there was still a fairly long wait. I asked for an herbal ice tea and was handed a very tasty large red-ish colored ice tea. I have to say that was the highlight for me. We walked out into the "courtyard" that they were working on incorporating. The espresso bar area is really cute. Once we had our 5 sandwiches and had returned home, we began to devour. We had 3 satisfied costumers out of five. My little cousin doesn't like cheese, so it hadn't been put on her sandwich (special request) but it had been replaced by extra SPICY mustard. Beyond a burning mouth, she was happy. I found my sandwich was also just ok, nothing spectacular, or worth remembering the name of. If this were a review for the service end of things, or the design/décor of the place - I would be scoring it much higher, but my tastebuds tell me that it didn't live up the looks of the place. read more

Hidden in Union Square, Bloc 11 Cafe is a cute place to do some reading, catch up on homework, go on an awkward first date, or admire the adorable baristas. The saying is true: once you live in Cambridge you never want to leave. It really takes a lot of "umph" for me to go across the rive to Boston, let's not even talk about walking to Somerville. However, the walk out of Cambridge in 11 degree weather with fierce wind blowing at my face was well worth it (even if I lost a limb due to frost bite). Let's get the negatives out of the way: - No free WiFi - Hardly any plugs for computers Now that the negatives are over, this place is great! The general lay out is conducive to an intimate experience (is that weird to say?). The kitchen is literally a blob in the middle which allows for various places to sit and relax. There is a section up front near the windows, a mid-section behind the "blob" (if I may), a vault (yes, a vault) and a game room. Adorable. The music (at least when I visited) was great. Not too loud, not too soft. It was loud enough to cancel out awkward conversations from neighbors and enough that you can talk at a normal range to a friend. The loose leaf tea really quenched my thirst, it was great. I am super happy they don't have the crappy Tazo or other commercial brands. I also ordered a Reuben sandwich which was very delicious (although, a little too much meat for my liking, but that's a good problem). I would say the price is a little expensive, but it's the experience that makes up for it. Go here, bring your homework and relax. read more

I went there last week, really hungry. Thought I'd get a sandwich, but they had no bread! "Sorry, we're out of bread." What the... so, I step back to figure out what to do. On the soup board I spot Curry Peanut Soup. Sounds interesting. It was on the counter in a flash. Miraculously, there were pieces of sourdough bread to accompany the soup. Even if I were a food critic, it's unlikely that I'd have words spectacular enough to fully describe the experience of this spicy golden nutty stew. It was so good I should've licked the bowl. I didn't but I asked how often they make Curry Peanut Soup. Answer? Maybe once every couple of weeks. They really need to create an email list for this. I would love to be alerted when Curry Peanut Soup day comes around. I may start a fan club and petition for an email list. If this sounds like something you might possibly find interesting, try it. You'll have no regrets. read more

Tucked away in hectic Union Square is Bloc 11 cafe, a coffee sanctuary to charge up with heavenly caffeine liquid. The cafe con leche was absolutely delicious, very deserving of 4 stars. Did I mention pretty too? Who knew foam could look so good?! Breakfast choices were adequate with tons of pastries and muffins to choose from. If you're craving a traditional breakfast sandwich I may suggest going elsewhere. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful and everything was made to order. Plenty of seating if you want to sit down and relax or read/work on the laptop. They also have an outdoor patio. I wish I had a Bloc 11 cafe in my neighborhood. Bloc 11, that's a formal invite to open up shop in Medford Square! read more

I've been to this cafe twice. The coffee is very good (counter culture), the food is above average and the salads I have had there. However, if I'm paying $10 for a medium quality salad, I expect there to be wifi! They charge for it. I almost asked for a refund because it is not posted anywhere. Want to hang out in a pleasant atmosphere? Bloc 11 is fine. Want to sit down for a productive lunch? Sip a cup of coffee and get some homework done? Go anywhere else in Boston. read more

I walked by this place once and it was packed, so much I figured there wasn't any place to crash for lunch/wi-fi so I went someplace else. The next time I came again and noticed it wasn't as busy. The lunch menu had some really delicious sounding sandwiches. I decided to go with the 257, which was prosciutto, fig, greens and goat cheese on an square bagel like roll. The guy working at the counter was cool. I asked him about getting on the wifi and he just said nope just go on and pay and your all set, I'm thinking..Pay?..then he said yeah there are different plans. I said I'm surprised they charge and he said where do you go for free? I mentioned a few places. Is Brighton the land of free wifi? There are half a dozen places that came to mind when I lived there for 4 years. Even any starbucks. Anyway I got my food and decided to see about going online. Sandwich was delicious by the way. For the $8.50 price it was up to par with its gourmet looks and ingredients. Now I see 1 hour of internet is $5! I'm thinking OK, this is ridiculous. I didn't end up going on cause I had just wanted to check a couple things and my blackberry could handle that. I was killing some time while I was having some tires put on my car next door. So Bloc 11 is a really cool place, looks wise and food wise. The crowd looked like a local mix or hippies and young professionals. I am just not into cafes charging for internet, especially $5 an hour! read more

Ambience is pretty cool - I love that it's in an old bank building. I love how they've creatively used the space in order to preserve old aspects of what the building used to be! I love that there is outside seating in a little courtyard. It's huge for a cafe which is great because I hate having to fight for a space with college kids who decide they don't want to do work at their university library when I want to sit down for coffee and that's it! The only thing I've started to not become a fan of is their coffee. It's too acidic for my taste.. even if I add cream to lessen the intensity. I've had their coffee ~9x and it has been consistently acidic across blends. Unless you like your coffee that way, then disregard this 'negative' aspect of my review. Their pastries are not bad. I like that they have vegan options, too, even though I'm not a vegan. It's considerate to those that are! read more

I'd be a regular here if they would only offer free wifi. It's crazy that they still make you pay when you can get free wireless at even Starbucks nowadays. That being said, the coffee here is superb. Intelligentsia is some of the best coffee I've had, and Bloc 11 (and Diesel) is one of the few places in the area that serves it. I also love the environment of this place; it's hard to put my finger on, but I really like it, even though it doesn't seem to fit into the Union Square neighborhood well (though that's quickly changing). Please, please let your wifi run free! Five stars await! read more

EDIT. They truly deserve 5 stars. Every time I come to BLoc 11. They are smiling , happy to be there, happy to help me. The coffee is always the best .. the BEST. THe food is always very tasty, creative and consistent. I truly truly love coming here. This cafe is most excellent. Why, is this?: - They serve the best coffee bean in the USA: The Intelligensia ( http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/ ) - They get almost all of their ingredients from organic, local farms, supporting the scene - The interior is spacious and well designed, music is never too loud, and there are small corner rooms where you can escape from the bustle of a rush. - In the wintertime, the back room has an amazing furnace that is soo nice and warm to sit next to and thaw from your walk . In the summer time the courtyard area is perfect for weather worship. - You, too can know what its like to enjoy a coffee inside of a vault. Con - No cushy couches, or soft seats. I'm definitely one of those type who comes to a cafe for my coffee, lunch etc and stays for a few hours with my book, laptop or a friend in conversation .. Frankly, a NUMB BUM is the result of sitting on hard chairs. I will give the 5th star when a couch-like area or couch like seating is available in the entire cafe. - Considering internet is so cheap these days, Free WiFI would keep me here longer, drinking more coffee and eating delicious sandwiches read more

I live in the neighborhood. I stop by for my morning tea after I run. Their oatmeal is yummy. I really enjoy stopping by this place and I've come here a couple times to work. Yeah, it's hella hipster and there's no real unique personality (if you been to a cafe in camberville where people work, you've been to all of them). However, I did find it dope to see a woman breastfeeding her child and no one batting an eye. So that's a first. And you know how I love to have peoples humanity affirmed in spaces where I spend time or make an investment in. Although I did see a dude watching the Paul Ryan town hall meeting on his laptop but I won't deduct points. ;) What else? I've been here a number of times and I've haven't felt unwelcome, so stop by and werk werk werk werk werk. read more

Bloc 11 has the coolest interior of any cafe I have ever been to. However, that's where the compliments end. I want to love this place but so many things leave a bad taste in my mouth. Outdoor seating: my husband has been kicked out of this grassy area while waiting for me inside because he had our well bahaved dog with him. Now, I would understand this if dogs were never allowed, but often times the outdoor seating area is teeming with dogs so what gives? Staff: I used to be a barista and I am only expecting the person who is taking my order to know the menu. I don't think that's asking too much. I ordered an herbal iced tea and asked if it was sweetened and the answer I received was, "Um, I don't think so." I ordered it in the hopes that the girl was positive on her hunch though very annoyed that she didn't know and couldn't be bothered to ask anyone preparing the drinks. The tea certainly tasted sweetened to me! Wayfinding: your order can come from either side of the bar. Not sure which? Yeah, me either. If it correlates to the side in which you ordered from, call me dumb but I've never made that connection. Signage or communication from the person at the register would be helpful. I don't need a surly look from an employee when I try to pick up the wrong drink because when my name was called I walked to the wrong side of the espresso bar. Price: one large iced tea, one large iced coffee and a very small muffin cost me $11. Even if each drink were a reasonable $3, that would make for a $5 baby muffin. The quality of the food and drinks is high, but damn, that's pricey. read more

Decent snacks. Decent layout. Music is fun but not offensive. Prices are high. Lots of hipsters to look at. Plenty of seating. Exposed brick and wood aesthetic. Unfortunately the wifi is not free and would not take my money. None of the people sitting near me could get it working either. You can get xfinity wifi if you have an xfinity account. Maybe I'm missing something, but I have work to do and easy-to-use wifi is a dealbreaker for me. read more

This spot is the lunch stop I've been cravin' since I left Boston for Somerville. The grub speaks to the Cali hippie chick in me. Today I tried the Buttercup, not only named after my favorite princess, but also boasting avocado aplenty, Tofutti (or cream cheese), tart apple slices, carrot slivers, greens, tomato (when safe!) homemade avocado-lime dressing packed between slices of 7-grain. Order a lemonade, and watch while it's made. The staff is hip and kind. There are many options for seating, whether in the mood for a hideout in a vault or game rooms, outside on a bench, or somewhere in between. I need to try the Chai Latte, but have a feeling that it'll be a treat as well. read more

I really want to give Bloc 11 all 5 stars -- they have a super friendly staff and an excellent selection of sandwiches, soups, pastries, and beverages. It's a great location with an amazing little side yard for those nice, sunny day offs. I go there often and recommend it all the time. But what prevents me from giving it all the stars I know it could earn is the cleanliness factor. The tables (which are mostly uneven and wobbly, like most of the chairs) are ALWAYS dirty -- crumbs, salad bits, leftover whatevers all over the place. I frequently have to clean the table myself and even then all I can use is a dry napkin since there's nothing else available. But what is beyond gross is the ladies' bathroom (I can't speak to the men's since I've never been in there). It, in itself, is kinda messy (ALWAYS toilet paper all over the floor) but what really kills me is the smell. WHAT is that SMELL? It's seriously gag-worthy. It smells like a sewage plant. And sometimes that smell makes its way out into the dining area, so if you're sensitive to such things, pick a table in the front. I will keep going to Bloc 11, there is no doubt -- but I might be more prone to take out than dine-in. read more

Bloc 11 makes good use of the space left behind by the bank which used to inhabit the space. There are benches and a large table in the large vault, a picnic table in the slightly claustrophobic small vault. The atmosphere in the larger more open spaces is charming, decidedly hipster. My girlfriend and I visited on a pleasant Saturday afternoon and the place was only sparsely populated. 20-30 people in a space that could easily fit 100. This is likely due to the fact that everything is priced about 59% more than you'd expect for a hip Union Square cafe. A 16 ounce cup of regular coffee is nearly $3. The sandwiches almost $9. For these prices I expect to at least be able to finish my sandwich without constantly having to swat away fruit flies. I even had to crush one with my index finger when it got itself stuck to a bit of jalepeno jelly. We both got different hot sandwiches and exchanged halves. They were both delicious, though the "alder" was a bit too sweet for both our tastes. This was the one with the fly trapping jelly. The "Davis" was great. Both sandwiches were pretty drippy and sticky and impossible to eat without going through a bunch of napkins. We both had to wash our hands afterwards. The dollop of high carrot content coleslaw was a nice addition. Bathrooms were clean, but the sink drain was a bit clogged in the men's and the automatic hand dryer didn't work; a roll of those institutional low absorbency brown paper towels was sitting on the sink, soaking up a bit of stagnant sink water on it's edges. Fine, but at these prices I expect a bit more. This cafe seems a bit out of place in Union Square. It would fit in better in Davis or Harvard, even Inman. I suspect the owners are biding their time, waiting for the Green Line expansion to Union which will surely raise real estate prices and usher in a new hipster golden era for Union. read more

Not bad, not bad at all. I had the day off and had a bunch of work I needed to do, so thought I'd nip on over to Somerville and try out this cafe which is a popular meeting spot for a certain Meetup group that I follow. What transpired was a fantastic - albeit small - pumpkin muffin and an Americano which did the job (i.e. inject a little fuel into me). I was somewhat surprised at the price, more than $6 plus a tip. I get it, it's high quality, local ingredients, and all of that, but I've been to other cafes of the same ilk and they were cheaper. The muffin itself was great and I would have one again, but the Americano could have been stronger and tastier. My main beef - and I see I'm not the only one - is the wifi. After paying $7 with the tip I then asked the guy about wifi and he said yes, it's a paid service. That kind of throttled me, as I came fully prepared to work. My work involves a lot of online, Google Docs, CMS, etc., so wifi capability is a requirement. I thought, well, it can't hurt to get an hour or so of wifi, but at $3.95 an hour? That's kind of high. I balked, and ended up working on some other things with the intent of heading home to finish up my other work. I was surprised, disappointed at this. You're essentially asking someone to pay $11 for an Americano, a muffin and an hour of wifi in your cafe. I can go to many other cafes of the same quality products for half that. I appreciate there are bills to pay, and your prime location means higher leases, and your fresh ingredients and made-from-scratch products mean more labour, but come on, really? read more

I paid about 9$ for a bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel here whilst walking in on a whim during a busy Saturday morning. I waited 30 minutes for it. Tasted amazing, sure. Paid for the atmosphere mostly, definitely, The symbolism in the art emasculated men, without a doubt. read more