Companion Cafe

"We did not know anything about this place until I searched for "brunch" one Saturday morning and saw that Companion Cafe had much higher ratings than anything else around. It is incredible what a popular business they built in such a tiny space! Coffee drinks (note: no decaf is served here), breakfast/brunch foods, tons of plants and there's even a bathroom! We ordered a cappuccino, omelette and French toast. I REALLY liked my omelette, would give it 5 stars. The French toast was overly rich - generously covered with nut butter, a dollop of jam, sprinkled with maple syrup, and finally adorned with apple slices. We tried to finish it but it was simply too much and wouldnt have been good reheated later. Overall, glad to have tried this spot - clearly they've built a loyal following and have a particular vibe."

"In the 16 years that I have been a resident in Prospect Heights, I have never had such a poor restaurant experience. It's disheartening to see a cafe so out of touch with the essence of community and hospitality, especially in an area that once celebrated these very values. My recent experience at Companion Cafe was rife with frustrations and bad vibes, and it's evident that it has become emblematic of the negative side effects of gentrification. But the atmosphere wasn't the only thing that left a bitter taste. The cafe operates under a set of mind-boggling rules, including: the one where a coffee can't be warmed up unless the cup is entirely empty, and conflicting messaging: (see the manifesto photo) where it starts off with love and gratitude, but if you can't afford $20 per person then you can't eat here. It's a prime example of a scarcity mindset in action, where the fear of giving even a little extra trumps customer satisfaction. However, what truly took the cake was my interaction with the owner. When I attempted to provide feedback about the rules and contradictory messaging on the cafe's menu, not only was it not received with grace, but the owner/chef Kai became defensive. Claiming we were sitting at his table as if it was his private property "his territory", only showcased an unsettling entitlement. No Kai, the tables are outside on the PUBLIC sidewalk, you don't OWN the sidewalk. So so reminiscent of a colonizer's mindset, and the fact that he's just another wannabe white business guy trying to stake his claim in a neighborhood without fully understanding or respecting its history made the experience all the more sour. It's a shame that what could have been a hub for community and connection has devolved into a space defined by exclusion, stringent rules, and a clear disconnect from the neighborhood's roots. Oh the food...it's mediocre at best. Probably has a lot of foot traffic because there's not a lot of breakfast spots in the neighborhood. I await your attack Kai, as I see from your responses to other low ranking reviews which also called out your scarcity mindset vibrational actions and attitude, you can't seem to take feedback from them either. And please for the love of god, wash your hands! As a restaurant owner...SMH."

"Companion Cafe in exceeded all my expectations with its cozy ambiance and exceptional menu! Our family of three (two adults and an 11 y.o.) thoroughly enjoyed our brunch there and will be sure to come back."

"What a fantastic little spot! A perfect start to our sunny spring day in Brooklyn. The crew of two are deliberate and dedicated, providing great service to appreciative clientele. The food was wonderful and the beverages were innovative and invigorating. We will definitely stop by when we are in the neighborhood again!"