Moderne Cafe — Restaurant in Greater Brisbane

It is with regret that I amend my previously 5-star review of this establishment, as the food is great (particularly the vegetarian options), however I feel that it is my duty to inform you, dear reader, of my experience of the way this restaurant is handling us during this crisis, in hope that you may avoid the humiliation my children and I experienced here. There is little I enjoy more than relaxing with a meal and a coffee with my children; and what a treat it is to leave the house on rare occasions these days. We arrived at Moderne Cafe, waiting a brief time for a table, and after ordering we took our seats. 20-25 minutes later, I had barely finished my meal, and my children were still eating their hot food when we were told that we must "move within 5-7 minutes, because people are waiting".. apparently, if you would like to sit down, there is a secret 45-minute seating rule I was informed about after being asked to leave. We had been there almost no time at all, were quiet, my children were well-behaved and respectful, surely this was a mistake? We were the last to arrive and the first to leave... all other tables around us were allowed to finish their meals -- were we being singled out? The answer is no; I was harassed again, and given a takeaway tray to finish our meals in. As we got up, I was told by a guest at another table that everyone sitting down was in fact being told to leave after a short time.. why?? Do we, as patrons, not deserve to enjoy finishing our meals and drinks before being tossed a takeaway tray and told to make way for the next lot of cattle?? To the owners I say, learn some manners; would you do this to dinner guests in your home? "Oh, please come to my home for a meal with us! Oh, you're almost finished? well here's a takeaway tray now get out, we have other people to feed". I'd very much like to know what made you feel it was necessary for your staff to harass me and my children while we were enjoying our time together eating a meal in your cafe. My sincerest apologies for anything I did to you that made you ask me to leave multiple times, besides taking a seat and buying your food. I can assure you, we weren't intending to stay longer than the time it would have taken us to finish our food and drinks. After years of regular patronage, this offensive experience during a time of stress for everyone, has embarrassed me to the point that we will not...

(this happened back in April) Completely humiliating experience. My mother and I order drinks and lunch at the counter... Drinks arrive at our table along with a lemon meringue which we didn't order. We told the waitress we didn't order the meringue but she just shrugged her shoulders and said it was for table 31,which was our number. Because it came with our correct drinks we just assumed it must have been accidentally added to our order at the counter. Since our total cost a bit more than we were expecting, we figured oh well, we'll just eat the meringue since it looks like we've paid for it anyway, instead of causing a fuss and trying to get a refund. Fast forward to after we had finished our meals and the owners daughter (I presume) came over and rudely asked if we had ordered the lemon meringue, we said no and explained the situation. She stormed off and said I'll be back. The owner now comes to our table and literally starts yelling at my mother and I and waiving the meringue order receipt at us saying this was for table 31, not you! He literally goes on and on and on, extremely angry at us for eating it. The whole time I'm looking at this receipt and our table number which both say 31?!? After his tirade he starts to realise he is in the wrong and quietly said sorry and walked away. We were completely dumbfounded at their approach and him genuinely being so angry at us over a mistake that one of his staff had made. The other tables were all looking at us and we were just so embarrassed that we up and left...

I was on the phone to RACQ, so I waited for 2 other people to order before me. I order an Almond Late, take away. The man (owner?) repeated my order, I paid then while waiting I made another quick phone. No other staff were approaching the coffee machine. Eventually, a tall man (his son?) made me a coffee and presented a Caramel Late, so I told him I ordered an Almond Late and he told me to talk to the older man about this and then he walked out of the shop. The man (owner?) proceeded to argue with me.. He said I must have made a mistake because I was busy on the phone. I said, "I always order Almond Late, I have never ordered a Caramel Late in my life". Eventually, he agreed to remake it with Almond milk then sarcastically asked if I would like Caramel in it.. I said "I don't want your coffee, I won't enjoy it now" and I left without a coffee or a refund. I don't think this was a language/accent barrier (I am Australian). I think he wanted to argue with someone and thought he would pick on me. I am ALLERGIC to lactose. Not intolerant, ALLERGIC (to all Mammal products). His bad attitude could have put me in hospital, or worse. The last person I should have to argue with is the guy making me a coffee! THIS PLACE IS DANGEROUS TO THOSE WITH...