Cafe 1517 — Restaurant in Brantford

Feels unfortunate to leave such a low review, but I experienced real negligence from this cafe today. This morning my friend and I went to try this new cafe, and she ordered a “chicken salad” croissant. NOWHERE on the sign did it say that the chicken salad was a WALDORF chicken salad, that contains nuts, which she is severely allergic to. This information is only found online, and we told the server that it was our first time coming in. It is extremely negligent of Cafe 1517 to not disclose that there are walnuts in their food. She has been having a severe allergic reaction since we have been there, and we have now been in urgent care for hours while she gets monitored. When I called the cafe, the manager gave her apologies, however there was no sign of genuine concern in her voice, and she did not offer ANY sort of reparations. Had I gotten a better response from the manager, maybe we would have been able to figure this out in a better way, but I feel as though their negligence MUST be highlighted for any future patrons of this cafe. I will also be seeing about contacting public health/someone who can help to make sure that this is handled properly so no one else goes through this.

For the future, for the love of god, please put up a sign, and please respond better next time something horrible like...

Great atmosphere, cozy space, and comfy music — Christian bookstore right next to it and everything about the cafe were such un unexpected surprises in the trip, yet the baristas were making the drinks to go prior to our drinks for here so waiting time was too long — so many of other people who came later than us got the drinks first. For 30 minutes, until I mentioned things to the baristas asking why other people got the drinks first, only one of our total 4 drinks was served and the baristas were making drinks for other people who came later than us still.

One of the baristas said the two of them separated the tasks to deal with to go drinks and for here drinks, which does not make sense at all as letting customers wait for 30 minutes as one of the four people only got the drinks first so three people just wait? We all ended up having drinks in a very separated time frame, making our stay uncomfortable.

I included tips when paying for the drinks as being surprised by such unexpected encounter of a cute cafe, yet I...

Love it here. Needed to give a review after my third visit since its opening. From the architecture and clean inside finishes to the little patio, study area, and resource library, it is an excellent space with a ton of potential. The staff are friendly and helpful and look like they enjoy their job. My only hope (not a criticism by any means) is they expand the menu selection to perhaps include deli-style sandwiches, salads, and soups. I think that would increase the breadth of the overall appeal of the place. I would happily return with a friend or two. ( photos are from my first visit a couple of...