Prima Cosa Caffe

The coffee here is OK and the wifi is quite good. My main complaint is that they really play their music too loud. It’s mostly 80s rock and really a nuisance if you are trying to read something, talk on the phone or do work while in the café. Combined with the other noise from other patrons, coffee making and passersby, the total volume can easily give a person a headache.

Wonderful, straight-​forward Italian coffee drinks. The coffee is Illy, the classic, balanced Italian-​style roast. Unlike some of those «artisan» places, they don’t underroast or overroast the beans to create some «character.» The cappuccino is perfectly carmelized and the flavor so balanced I usually pass on the sugar. Serving sizes, whether espresso, cappuccino or macchiato, are, again, traditional Italian. Yes, this is my favorite place for coffee.

Delicious illy coffee (my fav is the jasmine vanilla latte with half the normal amount of syrup), super friendly staff, free wifi and awesome location right in the embarc center 1 across from a lovely outdoor garden fountain oasis. What else could one ask for… absolutely nada!

After a long commute every morning, I look forward to my Jasmine Vanilla Latte at Prima Cosa Caffe. The staff and barista’s always welcome their guests with warm hello’s, happy smiles, and delicious coffee. Commuting 2 hours to and from work, I treasure my morning coffee, and even if I had a horrendous commute, I’m brought back to earth with their kind and happy demeanor.
With Starbucks on every corner, I will walk the extra few blocks just to have my JVL and a friendly hello.

The girls who work there do not know how to make a latte the way a speciality coffee is supposed to be made. They also treat customers with little respect. I always ask how are you and I usually get a stare or some kind of attitude response. Always have an attitude.
I’m just sick of this place and being treated the way I do when I come. I try not to go there unless I see someone working who does not work there all the time.

Their beverages are fine. I’ve gotten a few lattes.
I’m usually not one to get butthurt about service. (I just checked my review history to be sure). And these guys aren’t THAT bad. But every time I come here, I just sense so little urgency from the baristas– a little feet-​dragging, if you will. Almost painfully slow, at least compared to most other cafes. Sucks when I’m on a break and only have ten minutes. One of them is actually pretty surly. I think I’ll go elsewhere from now on…

I’d be here a lot more often if they just kept themselves open in the evening. It’s only two floors down from the Embarcadero Cinema, and it would have been an ideal spot to discuss the qualities of ‘Birdman’ versus ‘The Imitation Game’ with Jamie W. But it’s only open until 5PM, which means I only stop by here if I’m having lunch nearby and feeling like a finishing caffeine move. I did recently when I was having fancier-​than-​usual Greek at Kokkari with colleagues. A taste of Illy coffee sounded good after lamb kebabs, and they serve it in a space that’s much more relaxing and open than its sister operation on Sutter at Sansome, a more-​than-​frequent pit stop for me.
There you’re competing for the creamer in a walk-​in closet. Here you can enjoy the 70’s-vintage brick tiling of the Embarcadero and sit among the outdoor sculpture that would have been featured on an episode of ‘Dallas’ I had a Large $ 3.95 Chai Latte, which isn’t all that large but most satisfying nonetheless (photo:
). The extensive display of Semifreddi’s pastries looked tempting, and I know from previous encounters, quite tasty, but oom-​pah, I just had a bite of baklava at Kokkari so fuggedaboutit. But I did set a spell to enjoy my chai in the quiet of One Embarcadero before facing the reality of the office.
CHAI LATTE — 4 stars… one of the smoothest in town with just a slight whip of foam
AMBIANCE — 3.5 stars… more relaxing than other coffee stands due to its isolated location
SERVICE — 3 stars… very attentive group here
TOTAL — 4 stars… finally a valid reason to go to Embarcadero Center aside from the movies

Just alright. There are better coffee places with more artisanal flavor for the same price.

Illy, knowledgeable and friendly barista, who remember your order and always have great music playing over the speakers. Their pastries are from semifredies. You can’t go wrong with this place… Certain times during morning rush hour the line gets long

Another day, another latte assessment in the FiDi. Lately, the temperatures have been plummeting, but my desire for that awesome hot cup of milk and espresso has gone up. I’ve maintained some form of loyalty to Café Terminus, but in the interest of purely trying to find something new, I headed over to Prima Cosa. They serve illy coffee, so I knew right away I’d be OK with whatever got served. I asked for a double latte, and was literally only in there for about 5 minutes before heading back out. The latte was good, but continue to maintain my feelings on illy having the best latte in the area. I’m glad I stopped by here, one day I’ll get around to trying that mint latte if I’m feeling dangerous.

If the barista hadn’t asked me if I wanted to sweeten my soy chai tea latte, the drink would’ve been too bitter for my personal tastes. Even with the added sweetener, I wouldn’t say that it blew me away — but I’m pretty picky about my chai tea lattes; I like to be able to taste the «latte» part of the drink, too — not just the chai part.
I’ll have to come back to try the mint latte that everyone keeps raving about.

Why coffee isn’t considered one of the main food groups is beyond me… seriously though there are mornings where I wouldn’t know how I would make it through the day without a good cup of coffee.
I like Prima Cosa Caffe since they serve Illy Coffee. Illy has that smooth bold yet subtle taste that makes a perfect cup of coffee for me. They are also conveniently located at Embarcadero Center. They also serve some pastries and paninies. There is never a line when I go so I don’t have to wait long to order. Prices seem to be at par with Starbucks and Peet’s.
This morning I walked in Prima Cosa already giddy and excited letting the sweet aroma of coffee take over my senses. The bitter, yet invitingly warm smell filled the atmosphere, making my taste buds ache for the creamy, smooth coffee I longed for.
Since I was extra tired today I ordered a Cappuccino ~ $ 3.45 for a medium cup. I brought the cup to my lips, my nose deeply inhaling the strong undeniable scent of the coffee I was about to devour. Perfection!
I usually get the medium size that is just about the right serving for me, not too much and not too little. What is also a must try here if you like sweet flavored coffee like me are the:
Mint Latte ~ $ 3.85 for a medium
Hazelnut Latte ~ $ 3.85 for a medium
With the coffee in my system I could now walk back to work with a skip and a hop. I wasn’t excited to get back to work but at least I had the extra pep in my step!

Why I Don’t Go to Starbucks Reason #100,001:
Prima Cosa Caffe’s Uniquely Delicious Lavender Mint Latte.
³⁄₂₀₁₃

All Illy is not created equal
Even though this is the same shop as my current fav spot to snag a perfect latte, this Prima Cosa Caffe seems to err on the side of bitter
I usually opt for the triple nonfat — $ 3.95. Strong coffee & creamy milk ratios are more often than not, perfect — no sugar needed
Usually I’m loving it just like at the other PCC spot but there have been a few occasions where I’ll find a bitterness that I’ve never found at the Post St location
Still a better cuppa than you’ll find anywhere else around & at a more than decent price… you won’t go wrong by getting your caffeine fix here
But picky me having a choice says: Not sure if the machines are turned up too hot or what the missing «it» factor is but I’ll for sure keep coming back here b/​c I’m a huge fan of these lattes but can’t say they’re as good as it gets

Dammit. Okay. I’ve checked into this place enough times that I guess it’s time I stop keeping this place to myself and write a review.
Just a few reasons I am so smitten w/​Prima Cosa:
— illy coffee is the shiz-​nizzle
— Dark Chocolate Blood Orange latte — yes!
— Sweet & Spicy latte — double yes!
— Cappuccinos are perfect — not too foamy. Get it Viennesse style.
— I love that they play 80s music.
— I can always grab a table no matter what time I come here.
And finally, they serve sugar-​free lattes that taste AWESOME. You seriously will wonder, «How is this sugar free? Can’t I have like 10 of these and not get fat? Yes, yes I can.»