Sugarbowl — Restaurant in Greater Strathcona

The Sugarbowl restaurant has been a family favourite for around a decade now, personally taking my loved ones and friends here if they are new in town or passing through as it is a needed flavour palate experience. The atmosphere, food and the building aesthetic itself are all unique and warming alongside a highlighting feature being local artist work displayed throughout the venue. The restaurant itself is city central Garneau, off Whyte ave shops as well as within distance to the river valley and university, a well known local "bumping" brunch spot. This evening my boyfriend and I decided to stop in looking for the Banana Cream Pie. My personal favourite (without the added chocolate topping). Unfortunately we were informed that the kitchen had run out of whip cream for the day and we had the option to have the meal without said whip cream. Knowing it just wouldn't be the same we decided to try something new with the Earl Grey Cheesecake. The restaurant was on its last gears for the evening and our last resort option came out promptly with chocolate on the side instead of ontop as requested. That being said... what a lovely plot twist to the evening, the dessert exceeded both of our expectations. We decided to top the dish with the chocolate as the addition of flavour matched the Earl Grey well, being light in flavour. The crust itself was a treat tasting of brown sugar reminding me of molasses cookies, we sat in silence savoring the highlight of our night. The pie totalled 9.00 and was enough to share. Personally recommend trying the joint for a brunch date or meet up with Chicken and Waffles with a Cappuccino followed by the Banana Cream Pie or if you were looking for a cozy date night. Free however limited parking behind the building.

(Went the following week to have said Banana cream pie, compromised with bf and shared their curry (percect dish for those who enjoy a bit of spice but not overwhelming to the dish)followed by banana cream pie w/said chocolate + Lapis Luna Pinot Noir (currently a favourite smooth wine of mine)....

Today was very Disappointing. Ever since I was a kid the Sugar bowl has been a special place for me. I can remember being a kid and coming to the sugar bowl with my mother. A couple of times we talked to the owner, he was a very kind and considerate man.

Unfortunately I do not think I will ever come back. Today I came to the Sugar Bowl and was told no seating was available except for the bar which I said was okay but I would prefer a table; me and my partner sat down at the bar and then noticed the party sitting behind us was getting up. Immediately, we asked the bartender if we could sit there as it was not reserved and no one was waiting at the door, he said he would ask the waitress with the brown hair to which she came over and cleared the table. We then asked her if we could sit there and she said we could. Quickly however, she changed her mind and told us she promised it to the couple who showed up after us at the door. It was very awkward and was a mistake of the employees after having sat down and agreed to let us sit this should have never happened. We tried to debate this with the waitress as it was clearly a fault of her but she made the situation more awkward. After which I was very polite and left without issue to the high-level diner next door. I will no longer sponsor my company to eat at the Sugarbowl and will never return on my own due to the service I experienced.

The man who ran the Sugarbowl when I was a kid was a caring man who made an effort to be fair and considerate to customers, as when I asked him he removed inappropriate decor only because of my comment. But clearly there is a lack of judgement in the staff nowadays regardless of the owners intentions. Until this is changed my employees will not eat at the Sugar bowl nore will we order company wide delivery due to this mishap. If an employee cannot take ownership of a mistake they made forcing me to leave, I see no reason to return of sponsor...

My mom and I have made a tradition of going for a run in the river valley and stopping by Sugarbowl afterwards to takeaway their delicious cinnamon buns for breakfast. While I know we aren't their most lucrative customers with this small purchase, we have generally received quick, pleasant service and really enjoyed the freshly made (often still warm!) buns. Where this review takes a hit in service for me is on Mothers Day. One year we tried and they weren't doing any takeaway, not even buns - okay, disappointing but we got buns from High Level instead. Another year, they were doing takeaway but they were so lined up we didn't bother (not on them at all). This year, we called first to try and see what the situation was and were told they were doing takeaway, open at 9am, just go to the bar. Perfect. In line at 8:45, told the person seating folks that I was just hoping for 4 buns to takeaway and he said I could go to the bar when it opened. They open and I go to the bar to ask for my 4 buns and they say I can only buy 3, and it's a hard cap. My mom is waiting in the car so I ask if I seriously need to go get her to come line up so we can get our 4th cinnamon bun and he (after a lengthy time in the back) concedes and brings me 4 buns. He then proceeds to lecture me on how this is their policy and that I can pre-order if I want more. I counter with the fact that we phoned yesterday and that none of this was mentioned and that I also told their staff at the front about my plan and they didn't say anything and that maybe if they are going to have such a rigid policy in place they need to communicate that to their customers. His reply was how that person had just started. I left feeling chastised despite having tried to find out and follow their standards on what I know is a hectic day.

TL;DR - don't go here on any holiday expecting takeaway. Unless you pre-order, which may or may not be available depending on who...