Serenity Espresso

I was so relieved to find this place when we moved to Florida. There are very few places where you can go and get a coffee and wifi and work for a few hours, or go for something different for food. Authentic croissants? 5 course French wine dinner? Yes please! It’s very relaxed, and family run, and nothing is perfect but the owners are really nice and happy to accommodate. I recognized from being a therapist that one of the men who works there has some developmental challenges, but he’s super sweet and does his best so I also give the owners kudos for providing gainful employment for someone who might not fit the typical hipster image of a barista.

Yikes! I came here a couple of times several months ago. I wasn’t impressed with the ambiance, but the espresso beverage I had was ok. I went back a few days ago. The top of the espresso machine had been removed, exposing the dirty inside tubing a etc. The steamer wand was encrusted with old steamed milk and the countertop in the preparation area looked messy, with coffee grounds all over the place. They serve food, also, which is prepared in the back — I wonder what the kitchen area looks like… I also wonder how often the health department inspects this place.
The waiter looked disheveled and was apparently very nearsighted, even with glasses on, because he had to get really close to everything to be able to prepare the coffee that I ordered. I have no idea why I even stayed after noticing all of the above, I should have just said «sorry, I changed my mind». Anyway, I walked out with my drink, and it tasted like old coffee.
The owner of the place is French, and they advertise wine tasting dinners. There is no way I would take a chance with that. Too bad. This area could use a nice little French café, but this isn’t it!

This place totally gave me the creeps.
I was in search for a coffee house where I could order a hot drink and read my book in peace. It seemed like Serenity Espresso was the right choice. Ugh — it was so not the right choice.
I arrived midday and stood at the counter waiting for someone to come out and serve me for a good 5 minutes. There were two people at one table and a single man finishing up at another, other than that, there was no one present. Finally a woman emerged with food for the two people. She moved at a snail’s pace and said she’d be right with me, she mentioned how «busy» they were, but to an onlooker it appeared to be totally dead. It took her another two additional trips to the table — two very slow trips — before she was ready to help me. By that time, I’d given up on her and sat at a table to wait.
Since the restaurant served more than just coffee, I decided to go with a lunch sandwich — $ 6.95 for brie on a baguette and a side. It was so TINY! It wasn’t even a good crusty baguette, it was only average bread with about two slices of brie. For that price, I expect a little more for my dollar. Everything was just so-​so. As for reading my book? That wasn’t going to happen. They had a loud TV blatting day time garbage. The last thing this restaurant offered was «serenity.»
Also, I’d give the woman a break if she was the only one working, but later her coworker (her daughter?) came out from the back. She wasn’t working solo and could have easily asked the girl to wait on me if she was too busy.
The whole experience was somewhat creepy and not serene whatsoever.

Very attractive and homey little coffee shop with homemade baked breads and pastries. Although the coffee is fresh brewed, there is no variety of choices. When I asked the owner for their bold Italian or French Roast, she said to me they «don’t make it because it takes burnt.» Oh well, what are you going to do. I had to laugh.