Harbour Street Fish Bar — Restaurant in Collingwood

Love everything about this place! The food is amazing, the staff are very accommodating and friendly. I had the pleasure of witnessing their professionalism first hand on my latest visit. Two classless, and obnoxious elderly women causing a scene over their bill, and well everything actually. I usually don’t bother with reviews but seems that Sandy Ivison, one of the alleged “victims” wrote on a local take out and delivery page referencing a google review from t.a.d 13, days before it was published, so either she is psychic, or she is trying to make herself look less disgusting. That being said, I thought I should share what actually went on. We were a group of 6 seated at the table closest to the said “victims”, with no other tables in ear shot of the original complaints. Might just be me, and the company I keep but when somebody is obnoxious you tend to hear what’s being said. Complaint 1) The side plates (for them to split a meal) were not big enough, so bigger plates were brought, which subsequently were placed in “the wrong spot”, ladies move the plate from in front of you, if you want the other one put there. 2) the lemon slices were not big enough, so more lemon slices were dropped off. 3) Asked to speak to manager regarding bad plate placement, and small lemon wedges. 3) being charged for what was ordered, wants to again talk to a manager..... Keep in mind the restaurant is busy while all of this is going on. 4) will Only pay for half of the bill because the menu didn’t state that when they order extra food, they would be charged, yes this is a head scratcher. 5) I’m not paying at all because I wasn’t told, I’d have to pay (for what was ordered) “I’m just going to leave”. Hate to say it ladies but that’s usually what happens when you go out for dinner. After being told to pay or they would have to call the authorities to report a dine and dash they finally paid, and got up to leave. At this time the young female waitress that was dropping off our food had Sandy Ivison (recognized her from the facebook post) run over pointI guess, and screaming in her face over top of my friends head, about being a liar, among other choice words. At which time another waitress had to run and get in front of Ms. Ivison so she couldn’t get any closer to the young lady dropping the food. Not sure how you can lie on a bill, when you ordered 1 meal, drank water and split the bill, but hey, could just be me. However, the “victims” were then escorted out of the building where they continued to yell, and disrupt other diners with their tacky behaviour, this could be seen through the windows from our table. Moral of the story, don’t believe everything you read. In this case the ones that were victims of bullying were the staff. Honestly, wait staff deserve an award if they have to deal with horrible people like that on a regular basis. If you’re miserable stay home, nobody deserves to be treated that way, or have their meal ruined by your actions. Fish Bar crew, hats off to you!...

Dear Harbour Street Fish Bar «The Fish Bar»,

I would like to inform you that you have beguiled your patrons with your words on your website. You should sincerely revisit your «our story» link and rewrite your hopes and goals. Your website claims that your goal is «to create a place that served good food and everyone would feel comfortable and welcome.» It should claim that your goal is «to reserve tables only for close friends and family, with exceptions only made by the owners. That food will only be served to those that have seats at the table and all others will be told that they are not welcome there.»

Your story says that you «have been in the hospitality industry since 1975, and have used a lot of what we (you) have learned to establish a place that would create the feeling of family and friendship, and yet maintain quality customer service.» This should be corrected to read, «Even though we have been in the hospitality industry since 1975, we have learned nothing about treating people with respect and we enjoy creating animosity along with pointing fingers and yelling at customers.»

Finally, your hope is that «your (customer’s) time at «The fish bar» has been one of fun and enjoyment.» This should clearly state that it is your hope that «your customers will post reviews on Google to warn future customers of your poor business sense and to encourage them to share their awful experience with everyone they meet until you are out of business.» Which, I, personally am hoping will be soon. I am appalled at the treatment I witnessed while a patron there. I left my drink, never ordered food, and would never go back. I urge you to discourage anyone from patronizing this establishment and opt for a wonderful visit at the «Northwinds Brewhouse & Kitchen» where you will find fine food and excellent hospitality. Next time I visit from St. Catharines I will be sure to eat at Northwinds again.

P.S. In response to your reply, it sounds as though you are assuming that I am the patron that you were shouting at. I will offer you a bit of advice, never assume. For, I was not that patron, but a bystander observing your rude behaviour. I was appalled that you would speak to any human that way. You are the one that should be ashamed, and by the sounds of some of your other google reviews, you may think about attending an anger management class or two. Very disappointing that you jump to such conclusions and act...

Came for a quick drink to say hello to people, ordered two drinks and asked for the bill.

Stayed max ten minutes, and without saying anything $20 was added to our bill for “music appreciation”. I asked what it was for and expressed being a little uncomfortable with the charge given our circumstances. The manager came over and I explained again that we just stopped in for five minutes and he was incredibly rude, insisting we should have known and they have it posted on the door. The only signage for this is at the bottom of the hours of operation on a plain piece of paper and it’s not something we typically take time to read every bit of so missed.

Not so upset with the charge as much as how it was handled by management. Charging a cover is one thing, many places do, but is very clear when they are, never just added to the bill and given the circumstances, this was inappropriate. There was an opportunity to mention cover upon us asking for a table, and upon as ordering drinks. Would have loved to come back for a full experience on another day but certainly won’t be now.

EDIT:

You did indeed have it written under the hours of operation, we made sure to check for signage upon leaving. Again, lots of places do have cover but no where does it like this. Yes, if we had left before music has started we wouldn’t be charged. However we walked into a new place we had never been where music was already playing, to say hi to someone and were there for max ten minutes. Given the circumstances, us being there only a few minutes and clearly not knowing about the fee and wanting to leave, it should have just been taken off and explained that for next time if we came we would be charged. There is charging your guests for a service, and then there is just charging unnecessarily. The management defending poor service is indicative of the business as a whole. Stand...