La Buena Déjeuner — Restaurant in Gatineau

I don't review often (as seen in my history), but with this experience, I couldn't resist. Long post incoming.

While I get my car worked on at a nearby dealer, I walk over and treat myself to a nice breakfast at Tutti Fruiti. As I got close enough, I noticed it wasn't there anymore. I thought "oh no.. I guess I'll try out this place I never heard of before".

When walked in; you can tell most of the assets were still from Tutti. Although a new paint job was done, I was still a little weary.

I was greeted by a very pleasant waitress. When I spoke to her in French for a bit, she noticed I was struggling and gladly spoke to me in English. She wasn't condescending, and overall friendly and attentive with her work.

I ordered my food and was given coffee right away. The waitress refilled the cup often while I waited but my uncertainty of this new place didn't go away (yet).

When the food arrived, I went "WOW!". Very well presented with decent portions. I couldn't wait to eat it! Everything was done perfectly and wasn't too greasy at all.

My uncertainty was gone and I will be coming here again soon without my car being worked on as an excuse! Lol. I asked the waitress a few questions and found out this place has been open for 4 months.

Well done to the owners, workers and cooks of La Buena. You won me over! :)

-- The only thing that I can nitpick at this point is a few things. Please take it as a grain of salt--don't let it tarnish my 5 star review.

I was charged for maple syrup for my crepe. Little surprising however not a big deal. The next thing is the logo/name. While writing this review, I found myself looking around for the logo/name more than once because I'd forget.

Personally I look forward down the line when this new business has it's own feel to...

We had a reservation and table was not ready! Had to wait 15 min. Then took our orders and after 1h1/2 we still were not close to have our breakfast!! My wife talked to the owner and he told her if she was not happy to leave!!! What kind of response is that!!!? We left and the owner said sorry on the way out and made excuses but I told him you can't run a restaurant like that having people wait 1h1/2 for a breakfast!!! I don't care if you were short staff or what. I know for a fact that it should have taking max 5 min to sit us down, had our order taken within 15 min and had our plates in a worse case scenario 25-30 minutes!!! Terrible place. Went to Tutti Fruity instead took us 2 min to sit down without reservation, ordered within 10 min and had our plates on the table within 20. Owner at La Buena was just standing around telling people what to do and at Tutti he sat us down helped get the table ready himself!! Price is way too much at La...

The service is friendly and good natured. The food is well cooked, good quality, fresh, and tasty. The portions are also generous. Of note is that they have a very good pancake recipe and the prices are very reasonable.

Unfortunately, although the place is clean and well kept, it really lacks atmosphere. Which is fine considering the food and service are above average. But the noise was unpleasant. The accoustics of the space are terrible. The restaurant was about half full yet I could barely hear the person in front of me. There was no music but the noise was more like being in a night club than a breakfast restaurant.

I won't be going back on my own but I won't be upset if someone invites me to join them there either. Simply put there are alot of other breakfast places where I can enjoy a decent meal and have a conversation. Over all the experience was good. I recommend that...