Maple + Clove — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

As someone who has much experience in hospo, I understand that Saturday mornings can be very fast-paced and that customers can be extremely unreasonable in making complaints. However, I feel that this may be an exception. This morning, I ordered the ‘full breakfast’ with scrambled eggs, but was brought something else. I offered to change my order and eat what had been mistakenly brought to me, as it looked quite nice, but was assured by a man wearing glasses (apologies for not asking for his name) that my original order could still be provided. After another 5 minutes or so, I was brought my full breakfast, but with poached eggs. I told the server (apologies for not asking for her name also) that this was not my order, but she seemed uninterested in taking my plate back again, not apologizing, as if waiting for me to retract my statement. I told her it was fine, but only because her conduct made it out like I would asking too much of her to back it back again. Again, I am not one to complain, so when it came to paying, I made a conscious effort to speak calmly as I know how aggressive customers can sound without knowing. I asked the man at the counter (the man who was wearing glasses from before), “Excuse me, but I didn’t really get what I ordered…is there anything that you can do about that?” I was merely curious about what your restaurant’s policy was with respect to such instances and whether it applied to my situation. A polite “No” in response would have sufficed. However, both my girlfriend and I deemed his manner to be obtuse and rude. He firstly asked me “What do you want me to do?” as if I was supposed to know what your restaurant’s policy was and that his hands were completely tied. I could tell that he was annoyed and I specifically remember telling him that I didn’t want to kick up a fuss. Despite this, he made it out like I was being pedantic for pointing out that my eggs were poached rather than scrambled. My girlfriend asked whether the amount he was charging us was the full price, checking to see whether she should thank him in case he was giving us a discount. He told us that he was charging us the full price, which was fine, but then looked at me as if I had been completely out of line and said, “I assume you ate all of your breakfast?” Luckily for him, I am not conscious about my eating habits. Thank god he didn’t target such a question to my girlfriend, or mum had I taken her. I am not asking for a refund or compensation of any kind. I just wanted to give some customer feedback in case it interested you or anyone in your team. I know that if a complaint like this were made to any of my past or present hospo bosses, they would have been disappointed but appreciative of the information. It is a shame we didn’t enjoy our breakfast at Maple + Clove because it was highly recommended to us by lots of friends, who have been disappointed to hear about...

Iv held off making this review for a while... Iv been going to Maple for over 3 years now since I started working in the area. Before I start I will say the food is and has always been great like that steak sandwich! 👌When I went in the first year the service was amazing and the coffee was good. The staff were up beat happy and would provide good banter with the regulars one day they ran out of 2 of the sweet snacks that I would get on a regular basis and the owner went to his other cafe he owns at little national and brought them over for me❤️. Second year was after the second lockdown and I think they lost some key staff but they started off good. Then this is where I started to experience this change in vibe. The staff were dull and looked like they hated being there no one ever smiled and in recent times down right rude. I witnessed a customer who didn't speak very good English ask if she ordered something correctly and the barrister rudely looked her up and down and said (ah huh) and turned around. I have also personally had a barrister talk down to me as I asked him if I could have my iced drink in the cup that the smoothies come in as they have for the last 2 years. Iv also recently sat down for a meal with a coworker and they took forever to come talk to us we eventually had to go find someone and get them to take our order and then the waitress was so rude to my friend. And recently every time I come in this same girl at the register has never once smiled and looked like she hated her job. I know some over these things may be minor but they add up and as there aren't many places in the area to go it's...

Brilliant marriage of flavours, the chef at Maple + Clove is performing at the next level. The well designed menu will appeal to all diners and demonstrate great skill in pairing flavours and presentation. I can not recommend Maple + Clive enough to gourmands on the look out for interesting and innovative food!

The interior design is cool, calm and collected, making for a higher brow environment. The layout of the till, however, is confusing. It’s tucked away down one side and makes for plenty of people waiting by the door in order to pay. Unfortunately this isn’t helped by a pretty mediocre staff. Over three visits I observed the same dark haired waitress plunk coffees down, curtly redirect customers and generally be inconvenienced by the hospitality industry. If you’re worried about the service here, my advice is to push through, the food is fantastic and worth the distractable and ‘busy’ waitresses.

The coffees, on the bright side, live up to the high standard set by the kitchen. The baristas work under the pump to quickly serve high quality crema and well stretched milk. Strongly recommend Maple + Clove for takeaway coffee if you’re in a rush.

Overall, you want to go here. You’ll be impressed with the chef’s skill and style, just be careful when choosing to engage with the waitresses. Oh, and order the waffles - either chocolate or buttermilk, you’re basically treating yourself to pudding...