Peacefood Cafe: a Juxtaposition of Good Eats and Odd Service

The eats at Peacefood Cafe are consistently stellar, but I always have a service issue.  ALWAYS.  Normally it's just a weird, casual, here's-your-potato-salad-and-I'll-bring-you-the-accompanying-sandwich-in-about-an-hour attitude, but it can get even more bizarre.  Since I go there pretty often and the food is almost always delicious, I am conflicted when it comes to writing about them because of the consistently strange experiences that accompany the otherwise great food.  So, here are some pictorial examples of some recent, really good eats, juxtaposed with textual examples of their inexplicably odd service.


chocolate chip cookie sandwich: om nom

There are always a TON of people working (i.e. congregating in deep conversation at the end of the counter) at Peacefood, so why is it that I recently found myself at the counter being ignored by the two people standing behind it who were blissfully holding hands, giggling, and ignoring me?  I swear I was not wearing a t-shirt that said, "My name is Abby Bean and if you annoy me I'm going to blog about it", so it couldn't have been purposeful.  Were they simply on a work date?  I've heard of a staycation, but...



moist, chewy, almondy, chocolate-covered macaroons: a must order

On another recent visit I decided on my way out to get some goodies to-go.  When I started to place my order at the counter, the cashier interrupted me to instruct that I "take it up with my server".  Seriously  !?  Although I explained that I was long since done eating, she insisted that my server "should take care of it".  I repeated that I was finished dining, but she wouldn't hear it.  I clarified that the bill had already been settled and she finally paused.  I waited to see if she'd concede.  After a prolonged sighed she asserted that, "for future reference" I should let my server handle my entire order.  Why?  The explanation was so that it could be on the same bill.  When I explained that I didn't want it on the same bill she considered my response, ignored me for the length of time it took her to take two telephone orders, and then filled my order wordlessly.  Phew!  For a minute there I thought I'd be going home empty handed; thank goodness she decided to do me the honor of letting me spend more money.  It was a while until I returned after this fiasco.


the best savory biscuits around: filled with cheddar Daiya & lots of roasted veggies

Last time I was there I was with a large group who inexplicably skipped dessert obviously didn't want to be part of my take-home booty, so I meekly attempted the same, separate, dine-in/take-out scenario.  No problem this time, except for that I was curtly admonished that there is a minimum credit card purchase of $15.  Now, you certainly don't have to twist my arm to add an extra cookie to the order, but give me a break; my group had just spent a mint.  And, incidentally, it is illegal for a merchant to require a minimum purchase. 


satisfyingly spicy chickpea fries with cooling sauce

Another time the owner unexpectedly ran over to our table right after we'd placed our order to point out that there were a number of dinner specials available.  Because the regular menu is printed on the wall and the specials menu is often nowhere to be found, I appreciated the reminder not to stick to the standard menu items; I quickly told him that I wanted to change my order to the curry dinner.  He immediately replied that the kitchen wouldn't start preparing dinner for twenty-five minutes.  Okay, I get that you have delineations between breakfast/lunch/dinner, but if it was too early to honor the dinner menu, why offer?  And, if you had already done so, wouldn't you make the concession?  I stuck with my original order and never did try that curry (but I've heard great things).


yes, a real live chocolate croissant



flaky & buttery just like you remember

The least of my complaints, but not the least odd, is the fact that once you have finished eating the staff seems to purposefully ignore you so that you have to physically (and quite dramatically) flag them down in order to formally request the check.  Now, I've had to do this at The Four Seasons, but is this really necessary at Peacefood?  It certainly doesn't add anything to the experience but frustration.


almond danish in cool, pinwheel shape

I truly enjoy the food here, but I really cannot wrap my head around the weirdness.


looking totally non-annoying from afar