Starbucks (Via Brasil)

First Starbucks in Panama and May be the better one in costumer service This is the 3rd Starbucks in less than a month honestly that has the house coffee machine (or cafe del día) broken. Multiplaza and penta plaza (near Marriott) also had the issue. First 2 locations immediately offered the americano as an option (shot of expresso + hot water ) both wanting to charge regular pricing for the americano and arguing they couldn’t charge the regular price of a regular brewed coffee. After some light questioning both places agreed in the end. The Starbucks today in street mall immediately offered the option at regular house coffee price. I asked the barista to talk to the manager and see why these machines were breaking so often.. or are they getting defective machines from their vendors ? This is something rarely if ever happened abroad

Best things about this Starbucks (in comparison to the US and other cofffee houses here). - Good coffee - using top quality Panamanian coffee helps - Plenty of space to sit - even if the line is long, there are always a few spots open to sit - Speed- again, even if the line is long, they've got enough people on staff to get your drink going fairly quickly. Mixed drinks take a bit of time - 8-15 mins just about. - Electrical outleets - plenty of them Bad - Bathrooms - only 2 of them (they're coed). Usually not as clean as expected and well, you may have to wait in line for the beathroom - Cups and thermus selection - just the standard Starbucks stuff for now - not the cool seasonal mugs they sell in the US at least - Drink makers & their annoying shouting of your name if you don't claim your drink within 2-3 calls. It's 1: rude; 2: annoying for other visitors trying to enjoy their time; 3: keeps you from listening music - Music - another starbucks staple that although present, can't be heard and enjoyed well throughout the spaces - Milk available on the fixings islands (where they put straws, sugar, powders etc). The worse - Cleaning staff trying to take drinks away from your table while you're still sitting there and even when you may have drink left in your cup. This is just plain unforgivable- The good thing about this is that your upcoming table will be cleaned of all eating/drink materials (though you may still have someone sitting there :D Overall the place is very popular (and the poor Coffee Bean and tea l...... too long of a name people! - has probably lot some business), and the coffee is probably way better than in the US (not burnt :D), but has some improvements to make. Recommend this place? sometimes (not an option on this form).

Excelente atención y calidad de los productos. Limpio y muy organizado. Iluminación y temperatura ambiente ideal. Recomiendo el Banana Loaf Cake, el Oreo Cookie Bash, los Capuchinos y el Very Berry Refresh Tea

Excelente ambiente, diseñado para reuniones de negocios y otros, excelente atención y sentido de urgencia de todo el personal, los crosant de queso blanco riquisimos y las nueces mixtas ricas, las infusiones a otro nivel y por su puesto el cafe de altura (pasado de rico) jajajajaja

Este es de mis Starbucks favoritos en la zona y vengo relativamente frecuentemente a trabajar. Hoy me sorprendí de la lentitud del servicio (como estamos acostumbrados en otros lugares, pero nunca me lo imaginé en un Starbucks; además sin sonreír y sin preguntar tu nombre), un pequeño desorden en el counter de preparación (nunca había visto en Starbucks), y sobre todo las tres mesas libres en el area hacia la calle estaban sucias, por lo que no pude ocuparlas. El piso sucio también, igualmente las escaleras. Lástima que decaiga esta sucursal y espero que solo haya sido mala suerte del día y la hora en que fui.