Helios Coffee

12/17/2007 Posted by raleigh3456

i happen to like helios. jaaronboag you should open up your own coffee shop im sure it would look and feel a lot like starbucks you could call it starf***s

12/01/2007 Posted by jaaronboag

My apologies to the Helios fan base, but my recent trip to the coffee, wine, and snack shack at 413 Glenwood was extremely disappointing.  I wanted Helios to be great, but 25 minutes after arriving our order had to been changed 3 times due to the lack of supplies and the misinformed staff, the triple mocha the Barrista made for me found its way into the hands of a regular who had ordered AFTER me, and after the manager got involved and my drink was remade I was inspired to give completely because the Barrista insisted he'd made my 20oz. mocha and it was waiting for me on the bar.  There was a 16oz. mocha there and I actually had to hold it up to a 20oz. cup to prove that it was not the drink I had ordered.  This review system asks for stars and I'm pretty sure that you have to accomplish something positive to get a gold star, like finishing your homework, getting an "A" on a test, but Helios, you DO NOT GET A GOLD STAR, NOT EVEN A SINGLE.  The manager made a strange attempt at salvaging the situation by placing a coupon in front of us.  It stated that IF I came back I could buy a drink and get a free drink of equal or lesser value.  Well, I'm still waiting on my Triple Mocha!

Pros: If you are a regular you will know what to expect when they run out of things

Cons: If you are a first time customer the manager will attempt to alienate you

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

10/10/2007 Posted by unc05

After perusing the previous reviews, I've come to the conclusion that there must have been some changes over the last year, because I've found the service here to be consistently GREAT, and the espresso and coffee are even better. I'd definitely recommend it. The staff are also knowledgeable and seem to care about what they're doing.

Pros: Nice outdoor seating, WiFi, excellent coffee and espresso, friendly service

Cons: Can get crowded at lunch time (of course)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/09/2007 Posted by perbulouse

The lighting is just subtle enough to allow the sunlight to illuminate the cafe, and at night, just bright enough to allow the art to add life and color. Coffee is great, and although I don't believe many coffee shops are any better than the almight, inmoral Starbucks, owned by the Satan and yet soo good, it is great if your in need of something different. They conveniently have beer and a few wines available, so it seems to apeal to all sorts of people. While there is a steady clientel of the "inner-beltline" that the other users seem to underscore as an infestation to all society, the wireless internet connection is very useful, the sofas are great for hanging with your friends, or chillin' with a warm cup of coffee while reading a magazine or book. I feel at home whenever I go there, and the enviorment is friendly enough to go alone; Inviting enough to serve as a great spot to meet up with others before you explore that side of raleighs down-town nightlife. The only intimidating thing in the cafe is one of the servers who seems to feel superior to all, which can make it seem like there is a division between the inner, and outer-beltlines, and the simple passerbyers and modest college students. Despite that, this person does make the best cup of cappucino. Kinda' reminds me of a great chef who carries an arrogant air about him. The lighting and its setting is most deffinatly a habitat for those looking for something more intellectual, 'green', artistic, 'local based', and spiritual... regardless of your genuinity. Featuring some local artist and photographers, the place tries to promote individuality and the exploration of North Carolina. The various spiritual magazines, provide a sorta public message board for people and there yoga. With all these great things, it all falls back to the same arrogant air by a certain employee that seems to create a conflict between all these great features, as well as causing common problems to scream even louder. Its real.

Pros: A lot of diversity, a great place to meet up with people, and awsome coffee, and internet connection

Cons: Slight PMS problems, Can get crowded, limited seating, Their open and close times arnt reliable.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/08/2007 Posted by kujeri333

This is the ideal coffee shop for baby boomers who are pretending to "do it differently" - lots of lip service about "growing the community" and "supporting local artists." In reality, a place for those with pretension, money, and laptops to meet likeminded folk who share their sense of superiority. Seems cool and mellow at first, but yoga classes can only do so much to improve the karma of intensely self-involved people.

Pros: if you're arrogant, you will meet others like you

Cons: if you're not arrogant, will make your skin crawl

09/01/2006 Posted by paj

Service has improved. Clientele mainly the 'inside the beltline' elite Raleigh crowd. If you like to hear 50 somethings complaining about their 500,000 dollar houses at the beach, hearing 'are you doin' ok?' greetings, or watching wannabes, its the place to go.

08/26/2006 Posted by tdunstan

A nice place to hang out and surf the web with your wi-fi enabled laptop. Atmosphere is relaxed and fun. The problem is that they're not very good with the espresso. Better than Starbucks, but not a lot better. Espresso is over-extracted, the temperature is inconsistent, and the crema is weak. The filter coffee is better, but not the greatest either.

Pros: Nice decor, fun atmosphere

Cons: Coffee can be lame

03/20/2006 Posted by little_foot

This is a great break from the Glenwood South bougie atmosphere. The coffee isn't always the best, but the espresso is very good, and the other drinks are great. Plus, you can drink alcohol! Wi-fi connection with plenty of outlets, though sometimes they're short on tables. Also, if you want to sit outside, you'd better have a good battery on your laptop because there are no outlets that I've found. The service is always killer, and very consistent. The staff is friendly and pretty well-read in their coffees and wines, so if you don't know about something, ask them! It's a great atmosphere with lots of cool happenings throughout the week (live music, wine tastings, DJs, etc.), and the people watching outside can't be beat. Highly recommended.

Pros: Great service, killer atmosphere, well-priced

Cons: House coffee so-so, sometimes crowded

10/29/2005 Posted by letitfly

Simply put: perfect. Helios fullfills all expectations of a coffee house. Funky but not over the top. The best coffee and staff. The food is great. Great location, great ambience. Go there once and you will never go in another Starbuck's. UPDATE (4/25/08): HAS GONE TO HELL. Dirty, no filthy. Hotter than hell and I would die except the buzzing flies are creating a breeze. Bot mostly, it is the damned musin. It is 6:30 PM, full of older white guys and they have some sort of rap / jazz blaring. People are leaving but the employees don't give a damn. This has been an issue here recently, suddenly there is loud rap even in the morning. I am gone. Time to find anotherplace where the employees are not so self absorbed and can look over the counter and see the clientele that are paying their wages and play something more reasonable.

Pros: great staff, great ambience, best coffee. CHANGE< FILTH, FLIES, RAP:

Cons: everything

04/07/2005 Posted by coffee_wine_lover

Try this place once, preferably when the weather permits hanging on the patio, and you won't regret it. Great espresso drinks, CHAI, unbelievable wine selection for a "non wine-bar", unique architecture, art on the walls for sale... need I say more. Oh, and one really hot barista!

Pros: patio, wine selection, coffee/tea seleciton