Bin 22 @ Betsy’s

I like this place for what it is — a nice atmosphere for a glass (or bottle) of wine and a light dinner on the outdoor patio. I’ll admit that if it’s not patio weather, then I skip Bin 22. The bacon wrapped dates are great! Service is a bit slow — I’ve had the same issues with no water on a hot summer night.

I hate to do this because I really want to love Bin 22, but after several recent visits I’ve gotta deduct a star.
So, by far, the best part about this place is the patio. It’s big and perfectly located for people-​watching in Carytown. But, service can be sloooow. For the most part, this is okay if you’re sipping wine, but sometimes on an 85 degree night, you just really want a water refill. And it never comes. Side note: why are the water glasses so tiny anyway? Bigger ones would mean less work for the servers anyway!
On my last visit we started with hummus, which was soooo bland. It literally tasted like ground-​up chickpeas with nothing added. The texture was good, but come on, give me some garlic or even some pepper, something.
Second, the owners had their toddler-​age child in the restaurant and he was running around and screaming. They put him in a high chair while the mom drank wine and he just kept making loud noises. I’m sorry, but I really just don’t think a wine bar is the place to bring your kid in and let them run around during business hours. I could see that the owners had some friends there who might have enjoyed seeing the child, but the background noise really detracted from the atmosphere I was hoping for. I mean, if you want to have a private party and show off your kids, shut the restaurant down.
Also, they don’t open til 5:30, and if you arrive before then, even 5 minutes before, the staff acts like a$$holes and makes you wait outside. Once, I was meeting a friend there, and she arrived at 5:25, it was raining and cold, and she asked if she could just wait in the corner until it opened at 5:30 and was told no. As a result, we just walked down the street to Can Can and had a fabulous time. We figured we didn’t need to deal with unfriendly service.
I’m keeping it at 3 stars because I still think Bin 22 has one of the best-​value cheese plates in town; I like the patio and the porron; and they have a nice wine list. I think they need to make some changes, though, if they want to compete with Carytown’s wine-​bar scene.

Was enjoying one of the last warm evenings after hours sitting on Bin 22’s bench this past Thursday, and a belligerent man who said he was the owner walked up to us asking us if we enjoy tresspassing and threatened to call the cops on us. I certainly won’t ever step foot in here again, which is a shame, because I enjoyed Bin 22 before this.

haven’t been in awhile, but I remember why after today. service is slooowwww. thank goodness, there was not a crowd. but i have several other reasons now for never going back.
we ordered bagels but first we were told they were out of many types of bagels (sat before 10am, geez). next after ordering the bagels and requesting the green olive cream cheese, we were told — «oh, we are out but you can have plain and artichoke.»
the lattes we ordered were poor excuses for lattes — lukewarm and watered down. i was very disappointed with the lattes. the bagels were good except i had to settle for plain cream cheese and I always came for the green olive cream cheese. we sat outside in the beautiful weather only to be attacked by flies.
i can do better at ellwood’s, starbucks, can can, etc. i recommend going elsewhere. 20 minutes to get 2 bagels and 2 lattes when you are the only customers. not worth it, time to move on.

My review is for the Bin 22 side of the business. This is always a great place to stop for appetizers and a bottle of Prosecco before heading out to really do some major drinking. I have had two parties here and the owner, Greg, has always been accommodating to me. We have used the inside seating area directly to the right of the door which consists of three couches and a huge cocktail table big enough for food and drinks. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and it is intimate and well lit.
As for appetizers we had the figs wrapped in bacon and the fruit and baked cheese plate, both were fantastic. The menu is light and small consisting of salads and pannini’s as the restaurant does not have a grill or fryer.
The outdoor patio is a great place to watch the hum of Carytown and the selections of wines, champagnes by the glass make it a great place to start off your evening.

The best thing about Betsy’s is the atmosphere… that’s not to say the coffee and assorted breakfast/​lunch items aren’t acceptable, but I think the real reason folks go to Betsy’s isn’t really the food.
Firstly, they have a great patio, on the corner of Auburn and Cary Streets, where you can people-​watch all day long on the weekends. And, if you like to gawk with your pooch by your side, feel free to bring him/​her along to sit on the patio with you.
Inside Betsy’s is just as comfortable– there are a great mix of tables and chairs, plus couches and window-​seats filled with cushions and pillows where you can gather with friends to chit chat over an afternoon coffee. Whenever I have friends in town, this is our afternoon coffee stop, purely because of how comfortable and relaxing it is.
They do offer a decent selection of coffees and coffee drinks (double pump vanilla soy non-​fat latte anyone?), bagels and breads and pastries, plus a few sandwiches. I think their sandwiches tend to be a little earthy (ie: turkey club with sprouts and avocado and whole grains)… and truthfully there isn’t usually any sandwich there that I really feel like ordering.
I also haven’t perused their wine selection or tasted their dinner fare, but the menu was never particularly inspiring to me– it was small, and the portions sounded small too. Which is fine since this is a wine bar at night, and a coffee shop during the day… it’s not like they have a full kitchen and staff to prepare a huge menu. But for me, I would rather get wine with a full dinner.
So overall, this is a great option as a place to spend some time outdoors and/​or with friends while enjoying coffee and light fare, but don’t expect any culinary heroics, and you won’t be disappointed.

I used to love this place for coffee and bagels. Even after Betsy retired, the morning crew kept her same funky appeal.
But then staff began to change. A particular wait/​counter person just drove is away – surly 20-​sumpin’ attitude, whaletail prominently displayed, and a penchant for snoozing on the customer couches helped drive us to Capital Coffee or CanCan.
If she leaves I might go back.

I love the place, the food, and the people. Great Breakfast and Lunch menu! I like the variety of cream cheeses, salads, and baked goods.

I love this place. Its a great place to meet up with friends and get a drink, coffee by day or wine at night while enjoying some fresh air on the patio. Friendly service, tasty sandwiches, cute unique mugs, and very reasonable prices.

Knowledgeable. easygoing waitstaff, tasty wine, and a nice outdoor patio facing Cary Street. I went for the first time this past weekend at night and hope to return soon, and definitely to try the food!

Good coffee, a friendly staff, sammiches, yummy baked goods and some really interesting cream cheese choices. My fav is the green olive. I haven’t been there at night or the Bin 22 part but I’ve heard good things. As mentioned, cash or check only. On a side note, there’s a lady working there with the most amazing blue eyes. Keep a look out for her.

It is so nice to sit outside and drink coffee and hang out with your dog. There is alot of outdoor seating and it fills up faster on the weekends. Coffee is pretty good.
At night it doubles as a wine bar.

garlic love cream cheese bagel but only for days that you won’t need to talk near anyone else. cash or check only! lucky for me there is a bank across the street.