My husband, Allen Lynch, and I celebrated Christmas with a lovely dinner at Bacchus Restaurant on December 25th. The service was impeccable and the food was lovely. We spent the night at the Wedgewood Hotel and met a friend for Boxing Day Brunch in Bacchus....Brunch started well – again, we had a capable and friendly server. Unfortunately, when my order (Smoked Salmon Benedict) arrived, it was tepid. I advised the server who took it away and ordered a replacement. By the time the replacement arrived my two dining companions were nearly finished their meals. The replacement was also not hot. The dish arrived with cold salmon, topped with cooled poached eggs, covered with congealed and solidified benedict sauce. The potatoes were hot - heaped on a cold plate.
When I complained the server advised the person in charge who came to the table to address the situation. His attention appeared to have nothing to do with customer satisfaction and everything to do with demonstrating that I was not correct. He started by saying that he would ‘walk me through the preparation of this dish’. I was not interested in his explanations as I had had salmon benedict multiple times in various restaurants – none of which had suggested that the meal would or should be tepid, at best.
I chose not to order an alternate dish since the others had by then completely finished their breakfasts. I asked instead for a cup of English Breakfast Tea. And I waited a full 10 minutes before the man in charge brought my tea, which he dropped on the table after which he spun on his heel and immediately walked away. He didn’t offer any sugar or milk, or any apologies for the delay. His manner throughout the entire event was officious and unfriendly.
The food was a disappointment but could have been remedied with speedy and friendly attention to the situation. The initial server was friendly and as helpful as he could be. The self-important ‘man in charge’ ruined the meal for me and my dining companions. We will choose an alternate restaurant next time around.
Natalie ZigarlickMore