Cafe Lavender

CLOSED.
I checked this place out three times this week at different hours and it really and truly is closed. Very sad. Café options in Japantown are now limited to the one inside the mall (not open until 8am) and Royal Ground Coffees all the way up Fillmore Street. Sigh.

Closed. :(
I really wanted a BLT too and I never did try their noodles. :[

My stop here was the only semi-​productive result of my trip into SF today. Like Rich H, I was here to get my visa to China only to discover that as of yesterday, I can no longer do that without giving them proof of tickets and hotel reservations. Wtf?
So I stumbled upon this café as the only place open near Japantown at 10AM. There was 1 other person enjoying ramen and the free wifi, and after suggestions from the lady at the register, I got a lychee strawberry slush for $ 3.25. It was pretty good, a little bit too sweet. 2/​3rds of the way through, I kind of got sick of it and threw it away. You shouldn’t get sick of a really good drink. Oh well, I will be back soon with airplane tickets in tow, and perhaps I’ll stop by here for a coffee drink. Those looked good too, and cheap (mostly under $ 3).
**** update 4÷24÷08
I upped this by 1 star because I had a chocolate macadamia nut latte frescante when I came back to pick up my visas 3 days ago, and I am STILL thinking about it. $ 2.95. Cheap AND delicious.

Summary:
–best place to hang out while waiting for your turn in the take-​a-​number queue for a visa at the Chinese consulate, 5 minutes walk away
–coffee drinks ok and not that expensive
–pastries wrapped in plastic
–free wifi
–parking pretty bad and usually metered
–friendly service

Don’t come here for the atmosphere. Come for the free wifi. Also you can get a free chip and cookie with any sandwich (that’s what the sign said anyhow). I got a diet coke and a bagel with cream cheese and jam. My girlfriend got a breakfast sandwich; they serve breakfast all day. Her sandwich was delicious!, and my bagel was too. You can get mango pudding for $ 1. Also, you can buy spa products (with lavender of course) here. They are displayed lovingly on top of the Coca-​Cola ‘fridge. This place is kind of a café, kind of a coffee bar, kind of like your Chinese aunties garage (part of the café has a section with a fan, old phone books, old newspapers, etc.).

They have a computer with Internet access here and there is also free WiFi.
It’s a quiet café and there is only one person behind the counter.
They have sandwiches here but I tried their ramen. It was surprising good for a place with no stove. I think they used a combo of hot water and the microwave. I think it’s Korean owned since they have a bunch of Korean posters outside of it. Also they made the ramen Korean style.
The people that come here look like they are taking a lunch break or got off work to go to a quiet place to work or hang out.
i worked on my resume here and was very productive and got a lot done.

Cool atmosphere, free wireless.

I work across the street from this place now so I imagine I’ll be in a lot. Thus far, I’ve only stopped in once for a Costco muffin. Whatever, it tasted like a muffin, but what a cupcake behind the counter!
I’ll be back for sure and I’ll try to resist the urge to give that sweet girl a hug.
EDIT: WOW! The food is awesome and the service for a tiny little café is incredible. They wait on you hand and foot — all I had was a sandwich.

This small café is so homey… Free Internet access there… I’m surprised they even offered a small selection of noodles there too. But I usually get the mixed fruit smoothies instead. The lady work there is really friendly. She offers you to sit down while waiting for the order and brings it to you. It’s never crowded so it’s a lay back place for you to chill and check your email. =)