The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Upsetting that I bought an iced coffee there two hours ago, came back to buy a refill, and was asked for a receipt. For the first time in as many years as it’s been open.

As I was cleaning out my handbag, I found a few little cute squared shaped napkins from here and remembered that I still had to write a review. I sure wish we had one in Boston.
I loved coming here while on vacation to indulge in vanilla iced coffee and bagels with cream cheese.
The coffee was simply delicious and not too sweet with just the right flavorings and the toasted bagel was amazing with thick cream cheese that appeared homemade.
It was just want I needed before heading over to Venice Beach on a Saturday morning.
There were a few other coffee flavors and concoctions that I still have yet to try, but I guess that will happen next time I’m on the west coast.
Other notes:
Tiny shop in the middle of the mall.
Outside seating.
Accepts cc.

By far the most shity coffee bean. My drink tasted gross and I went to take it back for a different drink. While I was there two more people was taking their drink back saying it tasted horrible. It was only six people waiting and it took then 20min to make a dang iced coffee. And the double chin girl in the back looked like she had a major attitude. They need to close this place down and put a Starbucks

Here on Wednesday, 1÷21÷15 at approximately 10:20 AM. Definitely NOT anywhere near the best Coffe Bean I’ve patronized. Actually, to be specific and blunt, the worst.
Four employees present with two cash registers, but only one employee taking orders. Long line to start, and VERY slow. Upon being next in line, I ordered coffee and was told what the price was. The LCD screen that normally shows the price was blank. I told the gentleman (who wore a badge that said «supervisor» and who took my order and money), «Just so you know, the LCD screen is out… it doesn’t show the prices.» He ignored me. I then asked if he heard what I had said. With a most rude and unpleasant scowl on his face, he stated, «Hey, I just work here.»
Hmmm. Needless to say, I’ll never be going back to this Coffee Bean location again.

It’s a 2 register small location, limited selection, with a very small refrigerated display. Longish line with no place to stand but outside while you waiting to order, and again, while you are waiting for your order.
Nope. Not for me.

Went in with girlfriend to grab a quick coffee and was treated like a thief. I handed the cashier a giftcard, he swiped it, handed it back to me while looking away as he talked to another worker. I waited five seconds for the «would you like your receipt?» question but he was too preoccupied to spare me his time.
Ok…I don’t need the receipt anyway.
We walked to the condiments bar for milk and sugar, and a minute later was hollered at by another customer. It appears the to-​busy-​for-​me cashier is requesting my presence. I went in, same thing, cashiers still talking to each other. Must be a prank, I thought. Another 30 seconds later, the same customer waves me back. This time both cashier talked to me in a scolding tone «you owe us 70 cents, you only had a dollar on the card».
Oh now you tell me. It’s not like we are trying to shortchange the store. I expect the cashier to tell me on the spot when I have not paid in full.
The big bad Starbucks corporation has friendlier service than this supposedly local neighborhood chain.

I’m a fan of the Bean, but this tiny location is no bueno for the mall that can be super busy. especially during the weekends and holidays.
Its a little hut, about the size of the old PhotoMat picture kiosks. You enter one door, order your drink and pop out the other door.
This system works if: the place isn’t busy and if the staff turns off the loud fan… because you can’t hear anything when you’re standing on the other side of the glass.
I’m glad CBTL copied Starbucks and allows you to pay for your stuff with their app, and even created a loyalty program like Starbucks. This gives me more reason to not go to the Mermaid, and start drinking local stuff.
No free wifi. or none that I could piggy back off. That’s also no bueno.

Quick and convenient while shopping. Servers are friendly and accommodating. Great outdoor seating on the mall patio.