Clementine

I've been going here for years simply because I live nearby and other options are limited. I dread any interaction with people behind the counter. They are sullen and rude. Furthermore, their policies are always changing. As for the salads- they give nothing for a lot of money- mostly lettuce. It's not even worth it at half price in the evening. The sandwiches are meager for the price, and the bread is often not crunchy and soggy at times. And.......the coffee is overpriced, often cold, and not very strong. I always regret getting this. Raising prices and giving even less may be the way to run a business, but it won't get my vote of confidence.

The owner would do their business a favor by firing these negative people working behind the counter. After putting up with it for about 2 years now as a weekly customer, I will NOT be returning. It's very much a shame as their food is good, but it's 100% not worth have that lunch experience for a cup of soup.

They have raised their prices yet the food isn't good anymore. Sandwiches are soggy and an ice tea is $3. Seems like a lot. Also variety is no longer good, i.e. daily specials. Seem more concerned with their ongoing construction project next door.

So I've loved Columbine for years and now have no desire to go back there. While I love the food, they have recently raised their prices (which were high to begin with). If that wasn't bad enough, you have to fight with them for more than one napkin (even if you've clearly ordered food for more than one person). They're also cheap when it comes to silverware. What am I supposed to do with bread and butter but no knife? Add to this the fact that they are rude (even when they are in the wrong) and I'm done with them!

I love their Velvety Mushroom soup, Hearty Tomato Soup, and Malibu Veg sandwich (I'm a huge carnivore, by the way, so for me to say their veg options are good... that means they're awesome). But, their portions are super tiny for the prices they charge. The Ina's Coconut cupcake is pretty good too... Word to the wise: stay AWAY from their chicken-based soups... I've tried Mom's Chicken Noodle, Chicken and Corn Chowder, some Tex-Mex style soup with green chiles, and a co-worker tried Caribbean Chicken... they were really just inedible. I know what you're thinking... how can you mess up chicken noodle soup? The broth was completely watered down and it had no flavor whatsoever. I've also tried the beef barley (which I expected to be a hearty tomato broth-based soup a la minestrone) but it turned out to be chicken broth based and was disgusting.. a lot of gristle and unidentifiable cartilage-type substances... I've got a lot of Columbine experience because I work a block away and it's convenient..

this place is great. makes lunchtime in tribeca bearable.

Very nice little gem with very creative sandwiches and yummy soups. The line is a bit annoying but once we were served, we appreciated the nice service and the very tasty mushroom soup and chicken sandwiches. Well worth the wait.