Symposium Cafe Restaurant Barrie — Restaurant in Barrie

First thing's first: this is not a café. This is almost a fine dining restaurant. Let's get that clear.

My sister and mom raved about this place so i was excited to eat here for lunch one day - neither my mom or I were very impressed. The service was excellent - i believe our server was named Roxanne - she was very patient and helpful and offered to put a discount on our meal since we weren't very pleased; we got our food remarkably fast and it looked delicious - and that's where the praise ends.

The food was okay. Just okay, and for around 8 eighty dollars you don't really want 'just okay' food. It was certainly pretty but didn't live up to the visuals.

My mom noted that the flatbread looked and tasted burned yet was barely warm when it was served to us, as well as that it was oily. The calamari tasted almost like imitation crab but at the very least it wasn't soggy. It was served on a piece of lettuce that was obviously just there for decoration.

My eggs in my Eggs Benedict were overcooked, the hollandaise sauce began to stick to itself like glue minutes after it being brought out, the bacon felt and tasted exactly like the "crispy bacon" you buy in boxes to microwave and was extremely greasy. My side of bacon was also served on a piece of (wilted) lettuce and once we had removed the bacon there was a pool of oil on the bottom.

Out of all of my food the fries were by far the best thing we had been served. I forgot to request ketchup for them though but that's on me.

My mom stated that even her burger was just "okay" and her cream of broccoli soup was honestly more water than cream.

I don't mean to write such a strong review but if not for my mom having had good experiences twice before at dinner than i wouldn't consider going back. My mom and i were both looking forward to it and it let us down.

It seemed to me that when it comes to lunch they focus more on presentation over any kind of flavor.

I hope if i go there again my experience is better next time. I appreciate our waitress being so understanding and doing her best to make it even a little better.

Better luck next...

I just had to say something because it was just so bad. 1st of all the service was fine, our server was great, nice girl. We went on a Monday night they had a special on, advertised $4 beers on tap & $ 5 burgers / grilled chicken burgers etc... Thought we'd give it a go. The menu was extremely clear with no subtext or fineprint. (budweiser, coors light, sleeman original, sleeman light & pabst blue ribbon. Cool, so we ordered 4 beers in all 2 Bud & 2 sleeman. When the bill came they charged us $ 5 a beer. lol. They said Pabst was the only beer that was $4. lol. What a con!. Not gonna make a stink about a $4 loss so whatever... but it was clearly bait & switch. Never seen a restaurant say one thing & do another, pretty sketchy. We both ordered the grilled chicken & fries on the side, it wasn't great, it tasted like it came from a box, nothing special, nothing memorable, I think this place believes their patrons are pretty dumb & won't tell the difference. lol. Glad I didn't pay full price of $14 each. And the fries were boring & just greasy spoon fries for $ 6 extra. They had a small pesto dip with it that was actually good. The regular menu is quite expensive $16 appetizers, entrees $16-23+, I didn't spot much for under $16 on the menu, so you know on a regular visit the bill for 2 people would be about $100 ouch!. overpriced! and you'll wonder what the hell you actually paid for. lol. Go anywhere else & get A LOT more bang for your buck. Our bill was only $44 with tip so no real big loss for me, I just paid the bill & left. Definitely won't eat or drink here again. Just too many choices in Barrie with much more to offer.

The restaurant is unfortunately nothing special, very boring, just a square industrial unit with a hole in the front for a door, parking directly in front was limited & tight. Looks like they tried but didn't quite figure out what they wanted to do with the space inside, the decor is confusing &...

I thought this place was great! Had an amazing breakfast and the service was fantastic! Very rare nowadays...menu looks great and will certainly go back and recommend. Not sure what the trolls problems are...I imagine just trolls being trolls...the place in nit in the least bit run down and is actually very nice...good spot for a date even! This place has everything. The only thing I would agree on is that my side bacon was very greasy and I think would present better without the lettuce leaf...the hot bacon makes it wilt and not looks so good. Was a bit strange however the bacon that came with my meal, on the plate was absolutely perfect! 5 stars for that alone. Either way it was all delicious, way more than I could eat so had to take home a doggy bag and the desserts...they look so good I had to get one for later. Keep up the good work...I'll be back for some of the weekday specials for sure!🤘😁👍 Update! Have been back several times now and every time has been great! The wings, the fish n chips.... have brought friends that also really liked the place...tonight we had the 2 can dine special...steak was perfect! The Halibut and Gnocci dinner, Chicken Parm, Spinach dip and desserts were also fantastic. The deserts here are awesome...good selection and the service was great! Gabriella was awesome and took care if us well but also a couple others also checked in to see how we were enjoying everything. Not sure if itbwas the manager or cook maybe? They all worked together...another server grabbed some empty plates as she walked past from her own tables just because she was walking by...nice job on everyone! Even the kid liked the place and they can be the pickiest! Perfect Shirley...