By Abaxial on March 16, 2009 Verified by Email

I wrote last week about how excited I was to be going to Winterlicious. I still love the event, but will probably give more time next year to picking just the right place to visit.

I wrote last time about how I believed Winterlicious is an excellent time for Toronto restaurants to showcase what they can do to people who may never dine there again, as well as people who are shopping around for a new ‘regular’ place to dine out. I would expect, during such a showcasing of your restaurant’s talent, you’d be at your best in every respect.

We were seated right away, even though we were early for our reservation. I noticed the decor was nice, but nothing special. We ordered quickly as we had a week of looking at the set menu for both of us to know which way we were leaning for the starter, main, and dessert.

I was initially impressed. The appetizers arrived promptly, which I suppose is due to the set menu and constant creation of the same set menu all through Winterlicious. They were excellent. While we were still enjoying our starters, I saw the server walk towards us with our mains. Then turn around and seat them on the bar when he noticed we were not yet done. (It had only been about 5 minutes since we were served the starters.)

I felt a little rushed at that point, but understood that Winterlicious was a time of quick turnovers possibly. Or thought so. Our mains came, and they were spectacular. The food, was absolutely well done. The problem is, while we were still eating our mains, he came back with the desserts stated “I’m not trying to rush you” while placing the desserts on the table next to our mains we were still eating.

I’ve been to quite a few nice restaurants, as I have a foodie friend with whom I started a tradition of dining out at very nice restaurants a few times during the year. She’s a chef, and I’m a fan of new experiences. Never has this happened, and I imagine it’s actually considered poor taste to throw a new course onto the table while the last is still being eaten.

Still, I figure he’s trying to rush us out the door. That would be one thing. Wait. Once we have our dessert plates taken from us (also excellent), we sit. And wait. And sit. Nobody comes by for 35 minutes to ask if we want anything else, or even give us the bill. So, we were rushed through what could have been a very relaxing and casual meal just to be ignored for 35 more minutes afterward.

I find that level of service unacceptable, and insulting. It’s really a shame, because the food coming from the kitchen was worthy of a return visit, but the service was bad enough to warrant my first written complaint of a ‘restaurant’ experience.

I will not be returning, and I’ll be steering as many people clear of the restaurant as I can. Such is the price of poor service.

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By Ruth Mandelman on December 4, 2007 Verified by Email

I was there once during the summer. The atmosphere is pleasant. It was the middle of the week and early so it wasn't too busy but the food was excellent and there was a wide variety. The waiters were very attentive. It was a comfortable and delicious evening and I will definately go again.

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By Abaxial on March 16, 2009 Verified by Email

I wrote last week about how excited I was to be going to Winterlicious. I still love the event, but will probably give more time next year to picking just the right place to visit.

I wrote last time about how I believed Winterlicious is an excellent time for Toronto restaurants to showcase what they can do to people who may never dine there again, as well as people who are shopping around for a new ‘regular’ place to dine out. I would expect, during such a showcasing of your restaurant’s talent, you’d be at your best in every respect.

We were seated right away, even though we were early for our reservation. I noticed the decor was nice, but nothing special. We ordered quickly as we had a week of looking at the set menu for both of us to know which way we were leaning for the starter, main, and dessert.

I was initially impressed. The appetizers arrived promptly, which I suppose is due to the set menu and constant creation of the same set menu all through Winterlicious. They were excellent. While we were still enjoying our starters, I saw the server walk towards us with our mains. Then turn around and seat them on the bar when he noticed we were not yet done. (It had only been about 5 minutes since we were served the starters.)

I felt a little rushed at that point, but understood that Winterlicious was a time of quick turnovers possibly. Or thought so. Our mains came, and they were spectacular. The food, was absolutely well done. The problem is, while we were still eating our mains, he came back with the desserts stated “I’m not trying to rush you” while placing the desserts on the table next to our mains we were still eating.

I’ve been to quite a few nice restaurants, as I have a foodie friend with whom I started a tradition of dining out at very nice restaurants a few times during the year. She’s a chef, and I’m a fan of new experiences. Never has this happened, and I imagine it’s actually considered poor taste to throw a new course onto the table while the last is still being eaten.

Still, I figure he’s trying to rush us out the door. That would be one thing. Wait. Once we have our dessert plates taken from us (also excellent), we sit. And wait. And sit. Nobody comes by for 35 minutes to ask if we want anything else, or even give us the bill. So, we were rushed through what could have been a very relaxing and casual meal just to be ignored for 35 more minutes afterward.

I find that level of service unacceptable, and insulting. It’s really a shame, because the food coming from the kitchen was worthy of a return visit, but the service was bad enough to warrant my first written complaint of a ‘restaurant’ experience.

I will not be returning, and I’ll be steering as many people clear of the restaurant as I can. Such is the price of poor service.

Write a Comment

By Ruth Mandelman on December 4, 2007 Verified by Email

I was there once during the summer. The atmosphere is pleasant. It was the middle of the week and early so it wasn't too busy but the food was excellent and there was a wide variety. The waiters were very attentive. It was a comfortable and delicious evening and I will definately go again.

Write a Comment