Ebar: Great Coffee. I'm Better Than You Service.

There are not many Nordstrom Ebar's out there.

With 10,000 Starbucks to choose from, why would you walk through a department store in a mall to get better tasting coffee? Chances are, you won't. It's not fast, it's not easy and it costs more than Starbucks - how is that possible? I suppose the only logic behind their pricing strategy is they expect to have the rich folk who shop at Nordstrom to wander out to Ebar to get a $5 mocha. From my observation, I think the major source of sales comes right from the Nordstrom employees.

The amazing thing is - Ebar has better coffee than Starbucks. A lot better. Why? Because their espresso is ground fresh in store right before they brew it into your cup. They have taken the art of espresso and redefined it.

There is only one problem - only angry people work there. Good luck getting first name recognition after repeat business or having one of the servers remember your favorite drink. Chances are that your service experience will consist of brief eye contact and a smug grunt after you order. I continually get the impression that the staff at Ebar thinks that I've interrupted their day by stopping by to get coffee. I'm sorry Ebar that I give you $5 for steamed milk and ground espresso.

Give me great coffee, but please give me even better service.