We had a reservation for our anniversary and were seated promptly upon arrival. That’s about the only good thing that happened during our experience. To start, our table was right beside the kitchen, so every 5 minutes there was a lady screaming “service please” basically right in our ear. The very abrupt yelling definitely ruined the atmosphere. Once we were seated, our server arrived. She asked if we were celebrating anything and we told her it was our anniversary. She then asked about drinks and we had let her know we just needed a minute to look at the menu, as we had literally just sat. 15 minutes passed before we were approached again. We saw our server walk by multiple times, not once glancing over or acknowledging the section we were sat in. We finally got or drink and food orders in. I ordered the Eggs Donovan and my Husband, the Chicken and Croiffle. Both of us were incredibly disappointed with the food. My Donovan came on a fully loaded plate with greens, potatoes and the bread/meat/egg concoction. Everything on the bread had toppled over and I had to reassemble my meal. The “smoked and slow cooked brisket” was literally just Montreal smoked meat. I was expecting thick slices of juicy brisket, not lunch meat, but I guess “Montreal smoked meat” doesn’t fit the $21 ticket price. The dressed greens tasted like it was tossed in water, with no hint of any kind of dressing. I had to flag someone down to ask for salt and pepper to dress my salad hoping it would coax out some of the flavour. It did not and it just tasted like salt. After reassembling, I took the first bite: what an incredibly horrid mixture of flavours. I don’t know who designed this dish, but it is all wrong. Two bites and I couldn’t stomach it. My husbands meal came with a fist size mound of butter, an ocean of syrup and two pieces of chicken that was deep fried in old stale oil. As someone who cooks for a living, that was painfully obvious and you could literally taste how burnt it was. The only good thing about our meal was the potatoes. Despite them being obviously held in a hot tray and re-deep fried to order, they had decent flavour. Our server talked to us 3 times and only to come and collect our dishes. Not once were we asked how everything was tasting so we had no opportunity to express our disappointment. She returned to collect the plates and asked if we wanted containers which we promptly replied with “no”. That would have been the time to ask if everything had been alright. $85 later, we left. Circling back to the beginning, there wasn’t even any offer of something to celebrate our anniversary. Obviously this isn’t necessary, but then why bother asking if we are celebrating at all if there was no intention of acknowledging that? All around awful experience and I truly hope you head this warning.
Edit to add: The staffs’ inability to provide the guest experience that Chartier cares SO deeply about resulted in this scathing review. The reality is, if that were the case, the matter would, in fact, have been settled face to face. The reality is that the staff clearly don’t wish to deal with issues of quality or guest satisfaction so they avoid the awkward encounter. If they were passionate, as stated, they would be attentive, they’d ask questions, they’d make the guests feel seen. I’m slightly insulted by being told that brisket is a cut and not a cooking method, as I am well aware. “Smoked & slow cooked” was the description that implied it would be hot, slow cooked brisket served to me. Slow cooked also implies tenderness, especially for such a tough cut of meat. Reality being, artisanal or not, it was cold deli meat on my plate, nothing more. If you’re going to charge extravagant prices, make sure the...
Read moreFirst of all, I'm not one to write reviews EVER, but my expericence at this establishment was so so wonderful I needed to make it known! First upon walking into this warm and cozy atmosphere with the scent of freshly baked bread in the air... To all of the mixed matched chairs and beautiful chinawear, it felt the the most comfortable yet stylish place to me. Secondly, the food and service was exquisite. I had made a large party reservation with the owner. Who made note to all of the staff that I was celebrating my grandmothers birthday. Everyone knew about it (even the host) and greeted her accordingly. We started off with the baked sour dough bread(which i highly reccomend) poutine and scallops to share. The bread was so flaky on the outside and freshly made that it literally melted in your mouth when paired with the maple butter that it came with. I had the hardest time not filling up on bread! And the scallops were perfectly seasoned plenty of sauce for soaking the bread that this dish came with too and then the poutine was so well made. The cheese curds were so big melty and delectable! I personally don't really care for poutine and i loved this dish and would get it again.. and again.. and you guessed it AGAIN. and on to the mains. I had this braised beef with a spicy pear on it on a bed of mashed potatoes and crab apple compote. There was bacon and sauteed mushrooms garnished with it. All of the flavour combinations that came with this dish were mesmerizing. I also snagged bites of other guests dishes and they were all bursting with flavour aswell. I particularly liked the lobster/crab bisque! Dessert was just as remarkable! I enjoyed a really delicious cappuccino and cremebrulee that contained just the right amount of sweetness and the pumkin pie in a jar was worth fighting over. All the food aside the service was even more spectactular. We had multiple servers stop by and even the host who was eager to help us take multiple family photos. They even toon care of my grandma's dessert even though we didn't ask for anything. I was so impressed and moved by all of the kindness everyone showed I tried thanking EVERY single staff member that I could find on my way out. Thank you for this REALLY remarkable experience! I am beyond amazed with everything that this place has to offer and am eager to come back and experince another incredible meal here. See you...
Read moreAmidst the rustic-chic charm of the establishment, the initial allure of the displayed baked goods sets a hopeful tone for the culinary journey ahead. The ambiance, dimly lit and serene, is an ideal backdrop for an intimate dining experience.
The "Bread, Butter, and Beyond" dish, while presented with promise, unfortunately fell short in execution. The bread, despite its artisanal appearance with pronounced air holes, had a surprising density and lacked the freshness one would anticipate. The accompanying butter, overwhipped to the point of losing its rich essence, seemed reminiscent of something one might find at a more generic establishment.
The Sych Farmstead Bison Burger was well-prepared, with the meat cooked to perfection, but it lacked a distinct flavor profile to set it apart. In contrast, the poutine was a culinary delight. The fries, with their impeccable balance of crispness on the outside and fluffiness within, were drenched in a rich gravy that elevated the dish to the highlight of the evening.
The Buttered Berkshire presented a plate of contrasts. The gnocchi, though unusually darkened, had a delightful taste and texture that paired well with the perfectly cooked vegetables and the aromatic roasted garlic. However, the pork chop, despite being sous vide, missed the mark. Its presentation, sliced and appearing haphazardly cut, was overshadowed by its gummy and chewy texture. A playful attempt to remedy this by briefly grilling it over a table candle surprisingly enhanced its flavor. The apricot butter, which should have added a sweet contrast, unfortunately seemed past its prime.
The beverage choice, Red Ember non-alcoholic wine, was polarizing. While its rich flavor was appreciated by some, its aroma, reminiscent of clamato juice, was off-putting for others.
The staff, though occasionally seeming a bit scattered, showcased commendable hospitality. Their attentiveness, from the pacing of the dishes to the thoughtful gesture of storing motorcycle helmets, was noteworthy.
In essence, while the establishment offers moments of undeniable culinary brilliance, there are dishes that would benefit from further refinement. With its unique and slightly dated yet pleasant decor, it promises a dining experience that, with focused attention to detail, could...
Read more