The Muse Gallery & Café — Restaurant in Bancroft

I am writing this review not to judge and over analyze a small business, but to express my discomfort and warn anyone else this may trigger. The Muse Gallery and Cafe partners with an individual who practices new age and performs palm readings. The encounter with this individual made me uncomfortable and disrupted my stop at the cafe. When I entered the establishment, I saw a nice seating display at the window sill. It looked very comfortable and gave the perfect aesthetic for a coffee setting. I am an art lover, young entrepreneur, and internationally recognized artist, so I can appreciate the local art they have displayed. However, when I started to place my order, the palmist entered, she immediately started setting up camp at the window sill. At first I hadn’t realized that this individual came to make a profit, I thought it was another customer. I slowly approach the window sill to look at the artwork as I wait for my food to be ready. It’s obvious that I’m spectating the displays, and she gives me a look. I smiled back to which she responded “are you standing there for a reading?”. At first I still hadn’t processed that she was a palmist, I really had no idea what she was talking about. I just smiled back and said “no, I don’t think so”, it wasn’t till she took up the whole Bench and set the business items along the table that I understood what was happening. Once I realized the true meaning to her question, I was appalled. I was even wearing a shirt with Christian origins that day. I no longer felt comfortable being in the presence of such satanic practices. It’s definitely all about reading the room, but what made it worse was that I was wearing a shirt with a Christian phrase and a cross around my neck. I think it’s inappropriate to freely ask other inhabitants of the space if they’d like to participate in demonic activities. Further more, taking up the best seating arrangement? If I let a business partner into my business, I’d tell them to go a more secluded or less popular table. I just felt a negative impression after learning about the palm readings and feel it’s important to let the business know, Christians aren’t the only religious people who you may make uncomfortable. I listen to a lot of testimonies and podcasts about the negative impact new age has on people. Protect your business, separate yourself from this practice, I’d love to come back and sit in the window sill. This happened just before Christmas as I passed through Bancroft, and thinking about it still bothers me. Just to reiterate, the food and service at the register was good. I ordered a mango smoothie and a turkey sandwich. I just wish that people separate business and recognize the harm in disrupting others...

This is a cute little cafe with very nice ambience. The woman who served us our food was super sweet. I absolutely loved the margarita omelet. It was fabulous. The crepes were less than ideal, the inside seemed to simply be jam. We just moved to the area and probably wont come again for two main reasons, 1) the price. Unfortunately, we know that times are tough and prices have gone up for everywhere and everything, but we simply can't manage a $20 lunch on the regular. and 2) the coffee. We were excited because of the best coffee award. We moved here from Toronto and we have tasted every kind of cup you can imagine and both of us thought not only was the coffee not the best but it was seriously awful (I'm sorry to say). It had an alcoholic taste to it. Since we both noticed this odd flavour, I looked it up and discovered that coffee can get this sort of flavor when the beans are stored improperly. High humidity, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to light/air can have this affect on the beans' flavors. I believe this must be the case for the cups...

I wanted to share some feedback from my visit to your coffee shop today.

Firstly, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the cold chai latte and the cheese and grilled veggies sandwich that we ordered. The food was delicious, and it was evident that care and attention to detail went into preparing it. I particularly appreciated the combination of flavors; however, I would suggest considering offering a different type of cheese for the sandwich to cater to varying preferences.

Moreover, I found the ambiance of your coffee shop to be delightful. The neat arrangement of books and the coffee cups with plant décor added a charming touch to the setting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Although our visit was brief due to your closing hours, I wanted to express my enjoyable experience. I look forward to returning and trying more of your offerings in the future.

Thank you for providing such a lovely environment and...