The Table Bistro — Restaurant in Abbotsford

Ok so here I am almost 2 years later and we decided to try again. This time we were not disappointed . We were here for lunch and shared the green salad, the empanadas and the duck tacos. All were very good and flavourful. The salad was large and if you added protein would be a hearty meal. The service was friendly, and prompt even though she was new she did a great job. The food came quickly and was very fresh. We had a glass of wine each and the bill was just over $100. The manager spoke to us upon leaving , he was friendly and wanted to assure we had a nice experience. I would say the only negative was the smelly washroom but overall it was nice experience and I would return again! I am happy to say that they fixed all the issues that made it a 2 star in my previous review.

I realize this place has only been open a month but they need to get customer service figured out. We were seated and man came over and said he was our server and bartender, then mumbled that we would be taken care of after a meeting of staff members, hence the the man went behind the bar and started making drinks with the other bar tender ! Several staff were wandering around looking confused. The floor manager and another man in a suit were just wandering around as well. 20 minutes later he came back and mumbled something again about getting organized and finally took our drink order. We decided to order our meals right away fearing another wait. My friend ordered a Caesar, with no tabasco as she didn't want spicy. He asked if she wanted the "under the table" caesar and she said no just a regular one. I had the blackberry cocktail. Her drink was so spicy (I tasted it and I enjoy spice and heat) we called the waited over and asked if there was a mistake . He said no , but offered to bring more clamato to add to it. You could see a distinct difference in colour, the drink was more orange than the clamato he brought. It did help bring down the spice. I ordered a spicy peanut noodle dish adding prawns and my friend the Caesar salad adding prawns. The drinks came fast and shortly after our food. The Caesar salad was very plain, no added Parmesan cheese or croutons, no toasted bread just a few red onions and some kind of crumble tossed on top. not at all what we expected in a nice bistro for $14. the added 4 prawns was an $8.50 up charge. The spicy noodles in peanut sauce was so over sauced it was like soup, no real dept of flavour just peanut. a few crunchy bits and green onions on top, and again thankfully I ordered the added prawns. The only thing spicy about it was the side of chili oil. At the close of the meal we asked again about the level of spice in her drink and he insisted it wasn't spicy and asked if it was the rim coating she was tasting or the green bean. We told him no she was using the straw, and then he said that maybe they were shipped a spicy clamato by mistake. WOW. still charged her for the drink, which it would have been nice if they comped it considering the spice level. not sure why this place has 5...

Update! We've been back to Table several times now, and the service and food are just as impeccable as the first time. Today, Claire was our server and she was lovely, perfectly attentive, and made great recommendations.

Highly recommend the Brunch Eggs Benedict, which was amazing, and the blackberry French toast was also delicious. Also enjoyed a perfectly crafted cappuccino and cortado, and for those with dairy sensitivities, they have milk alternatives.

Love Table bistro and can't wait to go back for another brunch!

TLDR: Can't recommend The Table Bistro highly enough. A beautiful dining experience that stands head and shoulders above the rest in Abbotsford. Reservations are available over the phone.

Easily the best dining experience I've had in Abbotsford. I was certain the other reviews were exaggerating (I see you, Yaletown reviewer!), but I was wrong! From top to bottom, The Table Bistro delivers a sublime experience. Great staff, beautiful plating, exquisite food. I highly recommend the duck and chorizo tacos. Not only is the salsa the tacos are paired with lovely (and perfectly spiced), but the beef consomme was perfect. Easily the best tacos I've had in Abbotsford, and among the best I've had in BC. They reminded me of birria tacos, which is wonderful.

The braised short rib was also divine--melt in your mouth perfection, topped off with a gorgeous gravy. Dessert was cheesecake (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), and creme brule. Both were delicious, though if you're only getting one, go with the creme brule and thank me later. Finished with an espresso macchiato (it's so nice to have the option for an after-dinner espresso), and that was that!

The cocktail options are second to none in Abbotsford, and Vancouver quality without Vancouver prices. Be sure to ask about any seasonal offerings, because there were a few and the strawberry sage drink I had was exquisite. Other than that, the Caesar was perfect and beautifully presented, as were all the drinks we tried (and we tried a few). The bartender was also able to make an off-menu ask, which was greatly appreciated. She did an amazing job all night!

Our server was lovely and attentive, but balanced and let us enjoy the meal and the ambience. I also really enjoyed the decor and ambience of the restaurant. Can't wait to return. Thanks so much for a lovely experience.

May 15, 2023:

Popped back in for another visit (actually, one of several) and still appreciate the quality of the food, drinks, and service.

On the seasonal menu, the strawberries and cream cocktail is wonderful and goes down so easy, and the Hotel Georgia is light and refreshing.

The duck tacos are still really tasty, and the empanadas are definitely worth trying they as were also delicious.

Loved the roasted chicken and you should not leave here without getting the creme brulee because it is the best creme brulee that I have had in recent...

Did not start out well. Walked in just before our reservation to a wall of employees standing around the front entrance from servers to management. Our table was not ready because the couple at the table had just received the check so we were asked to wait even though there were a few empty deuces. Not being told where we could wait but the front doorway, we decided to wait outside the restaurant in the building lobby. After about 5 min someone came to get us and led us into the restaurant only to be stopped because the couple had not vacated the table yet! So we were asked if we wanted a drink menu while we again stood around and felt extremely uncomfortable so we went back outside to the building lobby. The couple left about 5 min later and once again we were asked to come in only to be escorted to a table that was in the middle of being reset. This whole scenario was just the beginning of an evening of bad timing. Did not have time between dishes, waiter checked on us right after dropping off plates but then not again until we sat with empty plates for 10 min. No manager checked on our table even though they checked on several other larger group tables. It's like we didn't matter because we were only two people. The other wait staff seemed to wander aimlessly without direction. Some training in customer service and proactive serving would be a good idea.

Onto the food...the charcuterie plate had two spicy meats and an underseasoned, ropey duck rillettes. The artichoke and Olives straight out of the can. The apricot jam tasted too sweet and did not match the cheeses. Whole platter needed salt or seasoning.

The duck and chirozo tacos .. could not taste the meat inside over the fatty/greasy corn taco. The sides seemed like afterthoughts and once again needed seasoning or salt.

The cauliflower .. the acidity in the vinaigrette was too punchy with the capers. The brittle (tossing pumpkin seeds in sugar is not brittle) did not add flavor and the cauliflower itself was unevenly cooked between raw to borderline overcooked.

Before dessert came a gentleman came to our table and put down another duck and chirozo taco dish. We said, sorry not ours we already had these. He picked it up turned around only to turn around again and ask us "and you sure you didn't order these" and try to put it down again ... because I didn't know what I had ordered??

The desserts .. creme brulee with a ganache base was like chocolate pudding and vanilla pudding in a dish. The cheesecake did not have obvious three flavors as described. Very one note.

Overall, we were prepared to spend more money for a great anniversary dinner however between the service the food, the disappointment cut the evening short. Two stars...