The Missing Piece Macquarie Centre — Restaurant in Sydney

It is really disappointing that all the 1-star reviews have similar experiences from this place. I had hoped these feedbacks were taken in great consideration to ensure these unpleasant experiences do not occur again. But sadly, I experienced something I wish to never experience ever. It took 45 minutes to get my shakshuka and 50 minutes for my sister's big breakfast. The cutlery was dirty so I had to ask for CLEAN cutlery. When we asked to check on our meal 20 minutes after taking our order, the worker said "They started cooking". After 10 minutes, "It will be ready in 5". After another 5 minutes, "It will be ready in 5". I would've appreciated it if they were just honest with their communication. If I knew it would take this long, I would've cancelled the order and happily go somewhere else to eat. To me, it seems as though they made us wait and hang on so we eat it and ultimately, pay.

When we complained to the man (referred by the workers as the "owner"), he was so disrespectful. Instead of apologising for the inconvenience, he blamed us for our impatience. "We put all our effort in to cook our food, we're not a fast food place", the owner said when we said it is unacceptable for the food to take this long. He also said "We have a small kitchen" and "Sundays are usually very busy". Yes, I am aware that Sundays can be very busy. But your kitchen being small? Why do I have to care about that? This is something that the business have to reflect and consider how this may affect their quality of service. He pointed to the 2020 Local Business Awards and said "We got this award". Well that clearly does not reflect the attitudes and work ethics of the recipient of this award. I said I am not paying for my bill and the man said, "I'm going to call the security guard". He really tried to threaten us.

Joy, the "real owner" (as stated by Joy) listened to our experience and said she'll sack that man and tried to work things out. She mentioned about their hardships from the impact of COVID-19 which is, again, irrelevant to the problem we're complaining about. I ended up paying for the 2 drinks (which was served 5 minutes after we ordered) and the shakshuka because I just wanted to get out of this place. Joy gave us a card for 2 free coffees.

I would've really appreciated it if they acknowledged a customer's frustration than lecturing "we're not a fast...

I don't usually post on bad experiences and I often let these experiences go, but today (mother's day) was one that was really bad. I wish I was making this story up based on the events that happened. In short, the food as usual was good, the service was not.

We had waited for some time for a table for 4 at the sign that says 'please wait to be seated', while people were cutting in line from the Uniqlo end and taking seats when tables were being cleaned. We heard probably about 3 times from the wait staff 'we're cleaning the table now for you it won't be long, you're next', which were being cleaned from different ends of the cafe and then suddenly occupied by others who weren't waiting in line. I should've trusted my gut and left at that point. Once we got to our table, it was the usual 10 min wait for service to order. The cutlery was brought out to my kids

came to have a catchup with a friend. Our last experience was rushed and we thought it must have been a bad day and decided to go again. We had patronised the cafe since it opened with the original owners. My friend's tea arrived ordered at the same time as my coffee. After 10 minutes I asked someone to find out where my coffee was. I was told 'it was being made now'.... Instead of waiting for both of us to finish we had 4 visits to the table - to give us a bill by interrupting our conversation and reading out loud what we had ordered whilst our (still being used) plates and cups portrayed what we'd had fairly clearly. Then the parade of people coming to collect crockery instead of waiting for BOTH parties to have finished. A simple request for scrambled eggs on toast got us a chat about it being a 'special order' that would add 15 minutes onto getting it. We kept our faces straight. The whole experience just serves to make you feel like a 'bum on a seat' that has spent too much time there. Sadly, this is because the wait time is so long and uneven- that you're stuck there until things eventually arrive. Our drinks should have arrived together. Look - if the payment is so critical why not adopt 'order and pay at the counter' ? It's a far more pleasant experience than having all these people hovering around who clearly feel uncomfortable giving bills when service has not completed. We won't be returning, as personally I prefer sitting with a friend in a cafe not being assaulted by interventions that only serve to remind you that they want you to leave as soon as possible. Lastly, the delightful sweets that used to be a highlight have been replaced by generic warehouse style cakes - Vegan golden gaytimes are gone.Sad. At least I did see the...