Espresso Bar

One of my favorite stops at Neiman Marcus, that’s if the Mermaid Bar & Mariposa has a long wait, so basically it’s my third choice of restaurants in this high-​end department store that sells silk briefs & fabergé. So even though my first choice is Mariposa, second choice being the Mermaid Bar, I still won’t complain if I end up at the…
EXPRESSO BAR!
The name alone might lead you to believe it’s only a coffee shop, but this restaurant (more like casual café) offers quality coffees, teas, Italian sodas, baked desserts, and even sandwiches & soups. Its well known for cookies too, especially during the holidays, I’m curious on the valentines selection. Like I mentioned above this is my third choice at Neiman’s, but it’s a nice quick bite, if you don’t mind the noisier ambiance, and limited menu. However, I have always had a pleasant experience here and that includes my latest visit…
I ordered the American grilled cheese sandwich with a choice of Ciabatta bread. Sides of half salad/​half chips. I add the guava Italian soda as my choice of beverage. My business associates order various sandwiches, combos, & salads. One even ordering from the kids menu! She’s not a kid, but no biggie. After maybe 10-​minutes our order arrives at our table, but for me the bread wasn’t the one I requested, yet without me even saying a word, the waitress notices the snafu and offers to re-​do the sandwich. Hey, the sandwich looked pretty good anyway — several notches above Wonder Bread, so all good to me. I decide to take it as-​is. She then offers to comp me my Italian soda that I really didn’t expect. Props!
The sandwich was nicely grilled «panini style» and the guava Italian soda topped w/​a glob of whipped cream was on the sweeter side, but still paired well with the cheesy sandwich. Everyone was pleased with their lunches. I’ve been here several times for business meetings and a quick bite and have to say it’s always been consistent — fast & good! Quite frankly the 4-​cheese grilled cheese sammie from the Mermaid Bar is double the good, but I really have no complaints. Yes, I recommend…
EXPRESSO BAR!
It offers top quality drinks, including beer, wine, etc., quality bites and desserts. Pleasant service. Clean. Limited menu, but ever changing. Conveniently located in Neiman Marcus (street level). And the best part is the speed of service — my usual time in-​out is within an hour! Great spot for a quick bite — that’s if you don’t mind loud chatter about lingerie & Russian farbergé eggs. Oh, if you decide on the Italian soda don’t ask for the real whipped cream on top, it’s messy, um go ask for it… #yolo
SOLID. Great meeting spot, tho loud. 4.0-STARS!

What a surprise this little café was to me! Running errands and had to stop at Neiman Marcus to buy cookies as my part of a football bet with friends on the mainland. As I approached the entrance/​exit I spy a little shop situated on the left before the doors. Two steps to the left and I’m in front of the pastry case displaying an array of mouthwatering plates loaded with tempting delights.
Looking up I’m greeted by a young man asking if I wanted to be seated and see a menu… well yes I do and how kind of you to offer. The server gave me a menu, albeit limited, to peruse and make my choices. Pelegrino and a Pastrami Reuben sandwich, my choice of green salad instead of chips.
When my lunch was delivered it was amazing. It wasn’t the best Reuben I’ve ever had but it absolutely hit the spot. The accompanying salad, fresh and lightly dressed, was ice cold. IMHO salads should always be served on cold plates as it brings out the flavors. The sandwich was toasted on griddle, electric I assume, as there does not appear to be an area for cooking. Whatever they use it is adequate for the items served.
I wasn’t going to have dessert however I had been sitting across from the pastry case and a beautiful square of tiramisu was seductively beckoning to me… yep I’m a sucker for a pretty plate of espresso laced lady fingers and whipped cream. I will be back to try the variety of salads and other items on their menu, this little «bar» is outstanding.

I’ve ordered take out from Neiman Marcus’s Espresso Bar a number of times throughout the years but today was the first time I dined here.
It’s located on the lower level of Neiman Marcus on the far right.
I’m so picky and just infamous for being indecisive when it comes to eating alone… Or just being indecisive in general so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to eat here. I went up to the counter to ask for a menu.
I ended up ordering the BLTA (bacon lettuce tomato avocado) wrap, which came with a choice of chips or a salad. Jackie, who helped me even offered me a half and half option, when she noticed I was pondering over it. I ended up going with salad because I’m trying to eat more heathy. Then I asked about the iced tea. Again Jackie was amazing– she offered me a sample of it when I wasn’t sure.
The salad that came with the wrap was very simple– just mixed greens, julienned carrots, with a type of vinaigrette dressing. I usually don’t like vinaigrette dressings because they’re so acidic and sour but this one wasn’t bad at all. The wrap was not huge– but quite big for me… And here’s the amazing part… the wrap itself wasn’t chewy! A lot of times, when I order wraps or burritos. Especially the green ones or whole wheat ones (this was on whole wheat), I find that it’s too chewy. This one was perfect and I just had to finish it even though I was stuffed. It also came with a small bowl of fresh fruits: D
The servers, Jackie again in particular were so attentive. Every time I was down to about ¹⁄₃ of my tea, she would come by and offer a refill. They even offered me a tea to go. Seriously amazing! She even poured a fresh one for me.
The dessert looks super delicious as well, but unfortunately 1) I’m just stuffed and 2) I’m trying to eat healthy and I just can’t justify blueberry cupcakes or chocolate crème brûlée no matter how good it looks =[ definitely next time…
Anyways! Amazing! Good food (well to be honest. Very typical café food. But not bad pricing) and just awesome service… All the servers really went out of their way to be amazing!

Went here for lunch and was very happy with food and the service was exceptional. All the staff bend over backwards to help you. We ordered the soup of the day which was a delicious clam chowder and the kale salad. It was tasty and reasonably priced. We also got ice tea and ice coffee which they refilled and even gave us new drinks on our way out. The servers are so friendly and generous and make this place a great spot for lunch!

I found myself a couple of times roaming the mall during my lunch break not knowing what I want to eat.
The first time I’ve dined here was really just for a pastry and tea. Nothing major to write about at the time.
The last couple of times I came in for lunch. At first I was confused. Shall I sit down and then be served or shall I order first and then sit. I approached the counter with 4 different servers/​workers and no one acknowledged my presence until I politely called for assistance.
I was told to have a seat and I could order there. The place was nicely filled with a few empty tables. Some though were still needing to be bussed. I finally picked a table, waited a few minutes to get the menu. I ordered quickly since I was on a time limit. My past two lunches were the same: a half sandwich and soup combo, which was a nice deal. I get the chicken salad sandwich which also comes with a small dish of fruit and chips!
All in all, a good deal. Lobster cream soup is delicious, sandwich is stuffed and filled, but lacks a bit of taste :(And, service, is slow, but its okay.
Doesn’t really live up to a luxury coffee bar.

The Espresso Bar located on the ground floor of Neiman Marcus near the Valet Area and is a perfect place to quench your thirst or have a light lunch that hits the spot without burning a hole in your wallet unless you wan to dine on the third floor at Mariposa.
The menu is very limited here but i like the options they have here. I don’t think they a grill or an oven because most of their items are either sandwiches or salads and they probably fo have a Panini Press because they sometimes have a Pastrami Reuben Sandwich which is featured on their Lunch Specials at times.
A little word of advice to you, don’t come here during peak lunch hours as they have a lot of regulars that come here and getting a table is virtually impossible. I usually go during the off peak times which usually after one o clock till closing.
Whenever i am dying of thirst and am craving a coffee drink, i usually get an Espresso Shake to go. I love everything about the Espresso Shake as it is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It always hits the spot for me.
And when i dine in, i usually like to order the mock pink champagne cocktail which is made with pineapple, cranberry juice, and italian soda. So light and crisp and truly hits the spot. Also the unsweetened flavored ice teas never disappoint as well.
The service here for lunch is usually pleasant depending on which server you get. There is a chubby local girl who works there that i see all the time when i have lunch there and is always cheerful and has a wonderful personality to boot and another filipino server who is just as wonderful as she is.
Even the pastries and desserts here are a sight to see and are very tasty as well but i never really get to dessert because the Salad’s and Sandwiches actually fill me up.
As for the food menu, the menu is very limited which i like because it doesn’t make my head spin when trying to make an item selection. The menu here is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. The soups here are delightful and change each and every day.
The Salad’s here at The Espresso Bar are made with the freshest ingredients and are made to perfection. The one salad that i love to order is the Madison Avenue Salad which is made with big chunks of Diced Chicken, Bacon, Romaine, Frisee, Avocado, Tomato, Egg, and their House made Blue Cheese Dressing make this salad a masterpiece and i am truly a big fan of blue cheese and this salad is perfectly tossed and not drenched in a whole lot of dressing.
And also the Love Salad is a salad i’m truly in LOVE with because it’s made with Turkey, Mixed Greens. Avocado, Artichokes, Hearts of Palm, Eggs, Carrots, tossed with a light Vinaigrette. Such a wonderful salad it is if your are looking for something light and not too heavy.
The Tuna Pecan Sandwich made with Water Chestnuts and Toasted Pecan’s on deli rye bread is one of my favorites and i usually like to eat my sandwich as sampler which comes with a cup of soup, half a tuna sandwich, and fresh fruit for $ 12.75.
Being a big Pastrami Reuben fan, i am always hoping that they have this Sandwich available during their Lunch Special because that’s the only time you can order it. The Pastrami Reuben is full of Pastrami and Sauerkraut and it truly satisfies my voracious appetite. I am truly a Pastrami fanatic and at The Espresso Bar, they do it right without going overboard.
The best part about dining in Neiman Marcus is that they have free Wi-​Fi throughout the store and i love just hanging out here at The Espresso Bar because it’s a place i enjoy dining at when we have guests from Japan visiting and once again i just love the fact that you can just order a hot or cold beverage and eat something light while taking a break from a long day of shopping throughout The Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Also the people watching can be pretty funny at times as you may be seated next to some Korean Bar Girls talking about how they reamed some drunk men at the bar last night or some rich Japanese ladies with all their jewelry that will make you go blind or you may be sitting next the Joy Luck Club as they are talking about when their next Mahjong game is gonna be held at. Also you gotta love the local girls with enough Gold Hawaiian Bracelets on their wrists that’ll put Wonder Woman to shame and have them chew their wads of gum and stick it right under the table or on their saad plate so they can chew it again afterwards. You have a cast of characters in this place let me tell you.
In ending all i can say is that you can’t go wrong in ordering any salad or sandwich on the menu here because the food here at The Espresso Bar can do no wrong if you ask me.

amazing italian crème sodas and new american style light lunch!

If you’re gonna order drip coffee, you may as well order water! I wasn’t happy with this purchase but the workers were so nice I didn’t have the heart to return it.

Located on the second floor of Neiman Marcus, this coffee shop is open later than most in the rest of the mall. However, they are worth the wait. They have both counter service and table service, but the full menu is available either way. I ordered just a coffee and a cookie, but I was very impressed with the amount of service I received at the counter. Everyone is so nice!
The salads looked super delicious and make me want to come back for more.

The Espresso Bar is on the ground floor of Neiman Marcus, right next to valet parking. It is a nice little hideaway from the crazy parking lot and a long day of shopping. I love that they stay open later than the Mermaid Bar and have savory and sweet foods in addition to having your standard café selections.
On this day, we were starving after having shopped for almost 5 hours. We sat down and I noticed they have a specials menu. I ordered the special: Roast Beef wrap with salad, drink, and sorbet for dessert. The roast beef tasted like it was made in house. It was complimented with provolone cheese, red onions, and roasted veggies. It was divine! The dressing on the salad was light enough to cut the fattiness from the beef and not overdressed. Plantation iced tea is not too heavy on the juices and you still taste the tea. The sorbet was made in house and was light and refreshing; perfect ending for my lunch.
One star gets taken away for the wait. Sometimes customers just want to sit and veg for a while without ordering anything. Note: Do not go during peak hours. They have regulars during certain times and it is crazy busy. We normally go between meal periods. This is always a favorite and I love coming back.

With such great reviews, I’m not gonna lie, I had some expectations. I’ve walked past the Espresso Bar a couple times, but today my lunch date suggested it. 4-​stars, why not? I assumed since they are in Neiman Marcus they carry the «Neiman Marcus» swag… not so much.
A couple tables were a mess and you know with five workers standing around, they are just too busy (that’s sarcasm, friends). Since it’s table service, we just sat ourselves at a dirty table hoping the standarounds would «work». Finally we got our table cleaned with a nice pair of table settings… and then, 5 minutes later a menu. Fan-tastic…can you tell I’m not happy? When we were ready to order, she took mine and, wait for it, walked away. I mean, didn’t even take my lunch date’s order. Oopsie! I’m going to chock it up to absent-​mindedness. Haha, yeah. So… I guess what happened was she had a thought in the middle of my order that maybe they only had enough soup for one more order. I guess I should say… thanks *shoulder shrug* for checking on the remnants of the soup in the middle of my order? We got our food ordered (finally!)…we both ordered the sampler which comes with SOUP (!), half of a sandwich (either tuna pecan or chicken salad), salad, and a little fruit cup.
Honestly, our food was yummy… except guess who’s remnants of soup was cold?! I was a bit bummed because, I mean really, who serves cold soup at Neiman Marcus? Yes, I’ve turned into a little food snob, so I asked for a the new batch of soup. Hooray for grumpy waitresses who reluctantly give you a replacement fresh, hot, yummy bowl of soup. I don’t give a hoot, it was damn delish!
All in all, it’s not all that bad. Service could be much better (I mean, we are at Neiman Marcus, aren’t we?). The food was healthy and fresh. And I’m sure if I opted for the fresh batch of soup rather than the last scoop of whatever was left, I would have been a happier NM chic. Cheers!

I’ve been to this location a few times. I love the Caprese sandwich is so fresh, so Italiano. Arugula, fresh mozzarella, pesto, prosciutto with tomato on ciabatta… Forget about it! Or don’t :) it’s amazing and 600 calories. Not too bad in my book. I’m addicted to prosciutto and usually eat the whole package at home.
Today, I tried the BLTA wrap. Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado wrapped in a whole wheat wrap. Super yummy even though it was cold and totally made hours ago.
I like the healthier options here, even if I feel shoved a bit into a department at Neiman Marcus. At least women’s fashion is across the way and I can cover shoes and clothes while chowing down.

Been here about every week for the past two months. Ok that’s a bit too much at one place cuz the menu is very limited. Having said that, it’s my BFF’s fav place to eat. Loves the chicken salad. It’s really good and I recommend that as well, but maybe not weekly, lol
Sometimes there are good sandwich specials, the roast beef is good. Not so good are the wraps. Why? Well they taste like they’ve been made ahead of time and the tortilla is dry. If you try to cut it it will crack apart. Other than that I’ll be back again this week.

back again and it’s still very good…
i love their plain jane House side salad– it’s huge! next time i’ll order it with chix to make it a complete meal. i think this plain salad is a thousand times better than the specialty ones. i hated the Harvest (kale) salad and the Madison Ave was just OK. for those you can switch up the dressings too if you don’t like the one that’s served with it.
i did notice that their Hummus plate is different though as if the recipe’s changed. it’s not as creamy and now has odd bits of parsley chopped in which my friend didn’t appreciate. but the flavor is good. i do recall it being better in the past though.
i especially love ordering dessert here. their coffee drinks too are solid– i usually wind up with a cappuccino or coffee and pie of some sort and it’s usually some berry almond torte. the cookie crust is always so yumms! my friend ordered the apple raspberry crumble tart and that was just way too gushy and sweet for my taste but she had no trouble pounding that down all by her piggie self and loved every bite! both were $ 5 and i was happy about that because as i recall i remember it being $ 7 so i wonder if they did some price adjustments, as $ 7 was a bit steep for just one slice i think.
service is still slow but like i’ve said before, it’s not a turn and burn kind of joint so enjoy your meal and relax. the food is always fresh and the desserts can’t be beat. it is noisy in there so don’t expect to have a «quiet» lunch.

I usually come here for their chocolate chip cookie, its sooooo yummy and huge so you can eat a little everyday. Today I sat down for a nice cool glass of orange juice, its a nice place to drop by for a snack and relax your feet for a while before doing more shopping :)

I always come here when I want a healthy alternative to fast food. I stumbled upon this little gem a couple years ago when I was looking for a place that served light and refreshing fare. Was at the kiehls counter when I noticed it so I thought what the hell. It’s a little intimidating at first because you don’t know if you’re supposed to just sit down or supposed to order and pay at the counter first or what, but thankfully the girls were super friendly and showed me a spot to sit down and order.
I usually order the soup, salad, and sandwich, but I’ve tried most of the other entrees. The regulars on the menu are great though their specials are sometimes a hit or miss. The soups are always yummy and the salad is nice and fresh. They always toast the bread on the sandwich which is a nice touch though you can order it untoasted as well. They also have the best ice tea on the island. It has a nice berryish finish to it.
Their desserts are great too. I love their lemon meringue pie (tartness at its best) and their flan with berries (creamy goodness). The service is excellent! Even at their busiest, they provide quick and efficient service. The girls here are great. Since I come here often, they always greet me warmly and know that I’ll be ordering the ice tea: best ice tea again :) They make good suggestions and if anything the five stars are for them alone.

I had fun watching the people with choke money come dine hea and look all fancy-​schmancy … and den laugh at da oddah people dat come hea wanting to play like dey stay all rich … and den titas lyke me lyke just come hea & try ‘em out. All decked out in t-​shirt & rubbah slippahs …
IN SHORT
— Great place for lunch offering a small menu of salads, soups & sandwiches! Prices: $ 6.25 — $ 12
— Offers specialty drinks & pastries/​baked goods (try da mixed berry brown butter tart!)
— Located in Neiman Marcus on 2^nd floor
— Accepts major credit cards & has waiter service
The service that my boyfriend and I received when we came to dine here during lunch on July 15, 2010 was incredibly well-​timed, expeditious, and functioned like a well-​oiled machine. The wait staff cooperated well in taking and fulfilling my orders. None of our beverage, entrée or dessert orders were mixed up and we received many of our items within a few minutes after placing orders.
What was more amazing was the fact that my guest and I arrived while the restaurant was at max capacity! There was an estimated twenty-​eight people that were there when we arrived.
The staff members were able to properly and comprehensively address any questions that I had about the menu. Our server’s recommendations were pretty on it.
We ordered the albacore tuna pecan sandwich ($ 9), a spinach salad ($ 10.50), and a mixed berry brown butter tart ($ 5?) for dessert.
The albacore tuna pecan sandwich was served on toasted bread, along with what appeared to be Maui Onion chips and a coleslaw with its dressing in a separate paper container. The presentation was nice, but lacked a little in taste. My guest ended up taking a few bites of his sandwich, ate some chips, and enjoyed eating half of my salad instead. He said he liked my albacore tuna sandwiches better.
My salad was handsomely served with a huge helping of spinach greens, generous chunks of grilled chicken, slivers of battered onion rings, shreds of bleu cheese, and tangerines. The spinach leaves were fresh, the chicken was tender and succulent, and the tangerines were refreshingly sweet and juicy. Altogether, this medley went together harmoniously and my guest and I literally ate every last crumb and leaf! It was a generous portion of salad and would have been more than enough for me if I had not shared with my guest.
Their mixed berry brown butter tarts was absolutely to die for! According to our server, it’s their bestseller.
Altogether, our entire lunch was about $ 30 sans-​tip. Not too bad for a place the bourgeoisie come to shop at.

Inside Neiman Marcus– Another one of my usual lunch spots. I usual get the chicken salad sandwich. It’s more of a lunch spot, than coffee, for me. I have never even tried the coffee.
Anyway, good service here!

My no-​sense of direction often gets me lost (like how a friend and I ended up in Kaneohe looking for Cake Couture), and after two vain attempts of looking for this Espresso Bar in ‘Nordstrom,’ my friend finally asked, «Are you sure it’s not in Neiman Marcus?»
O_​o
Err, maybe? So off we went, to the other big ‘N’ department store, and tada! It was there! (Hey, a 6-​hour school day would do that to you too…)
While we stood in front of the glass dessert case pondering what sugar-​laden items we would stuff our faces with, we also wondered how the hell their system worked. A male employee had walked right past us, not offering any help. Okay fine, we don’t need you.
We stood in line and grabbed a menu off the table against the wall. After ordering an iced mocha, an iced Thai, and the last Tiramisu and Panna Cotta, the woman at the register said, «We’re full-​service, so just have a seat and we’ll bring your food out to you.»
After having the first sip of my mocha, I noted for future reference that I should spend the extra dollar for another espresso shot. As noted by everyone else, the prices aren’t shocking, and a light lunch or snack won’t cost you the price of your Gucci bag.
My friend really enjoyed the Tiramisu. It was better than I expected, but not the best I’ve ever had. Although the second layer of spongecake that wasn’t doused with the coffee/​liqueur mixture was quite dry and the dusting of cocoa on top was a bit much. And that ‘chocolate-​covered espresso bean’ on top is not a chocolate-​covered espresso bean, insert sadface here.
I was the one who chose the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Strawberries, and I totally did not want to share it! Creamy, silky, and melt-​in-​your-​mouth, it was a perfect pairing with the not-​too-​tart strawberries. Simple yet amazing.
When our server dropped off the check, she informed us that our desserts were half-​off. At 5:15, they reduce the prices since they close at 6.
As I opened the bill, my eyes almost fell out of my head and I had to read it at least three times.
PASTRIES (2 @ 2.50) 5.00
Say what?! So the original prices were only $ 5, and now you’re giving them to me for half of that?! Pure awesomeness. That alone is worth an extra star to make up for the dude who ignored us.

I really like this place. It’s cute because it’s actually in Neiman Marcus, like I can window shop and eat at the same time! AND people watch too! lol. It’s a nice alternative to Makai Market and the other ‘restaurants’ in Ala Moana. The Espresso Bar is like two steps up from ‘dining in’ at Starbucks or any other chain coffee shop that sells coffee and sandwiches. Plus, you don’t leave smelling like coffee (ugh, coffee smells great but I can’t stand that smell on my clothes… especially after working at Starbucks for almost 7 years).
Their menu is limited, but everything that I’ve tried on it was excellent (and I’ve pretty much tried everything). However, it’s a little pricey for what they offer. But I guess that’s expected… It’s in Neiman Marcus.
Anyway, they have sandwiches, and I love sandwiches. They usually have some kind of special, but sometimes run out towards the end of the day. All their sandwiches are served with their sweet & tangy corn relish and either Maui potato chips or their house salad. I love the half sandwich and soup because it’s just the right amount of everything. AND, their soup of the day is always really tasty.
They also have a pastry case filled with pastries (scones, muffins, etc.) and desserts (pies, cakes, and tarts). I’m not so much a fan of pastries, so I’ve never had any of their scones or muffins. I have tried their tarts, and some of their pies. :) YUM.