Espresso Roma

So sad to see you go, Roma! I have to write a special review to say goodbye to Espresso Roma – a landmark on the corner of College and Ashby. I’m not sure how long Roma has been there – the first Yelp review was written in 2006, but it’s the kind of place that many people don’t bother reviewing, so it may be there longer than that. Coincidentally, I moved into the neighborhood in 2006 so it has always been my local (along with The Beanery, which sadly closed a few years ago). I’m not sure if it’s official yet, but I know that Roma is about to serve its last espresso. To all the folk who have worked there (both the kind ones – hey Alvaro and Maria! - and the grumpy ones), to the lovely folk who played piano and sung in the afternoons, and to the other customers who came to Roma on a regular basis: FAREWELL! I’ll miss those days of working remotely at Roma and hanging out with the wide selection of peeps who found themselves there. The book clubs, the musicians, the people learning Chinese and Spanish, the Dungeons and Dragons groups, the tutors and tutees, the eccentric academic types chatting up students one third of their age, the Boggle group, and of course Kim, waiting for her usual table at the back.

This is a very nice place to come get some coffee, lunch, and breakfast. The owners are very nice people and it is a great place to come and get work done or have a lively conversation. There are two couched areas and a piano which somebody comes by and plays every once in awhile. It is a large space so you are able to either be next to the liveliness or find a quiet corner. Another thing that I find particularly important when spending time somewhere is that they have a clean restroom which they do. Hands down it's one of my favorite cafes.

average. great location. plain decorum with too little identify to my taste. I wish a woman touch would apply. staff seemed bored to death and barely making any efforts beyond the business transaction. in such popular location at the corner of busy streets the tendency is to trust the stream of clients is enough and 1 will always replace another ?

Great coffee/pastries, but it’s a bit unkept in that the door is left open for air but pigeons are allowed to freely roam around the restaurant. the staff doesn’t really seem to care/do much about it. If it weren’t for the bird thing I would definitely be here more often but after seeing multiple birds in the cafe today (and on a separate occasion) I will not be coming back, during the day at least.