Cafe Two Forty Five — Restaurant in Guelph

There are not enough words to describe Connie … an exquisite chef, a kind hearted and empathetic soul and the kind of business owner that goes above and beyond for her clients/friends and after all of these years I am honoured to call her a friend. I first met Connie over 15yrs years ago when she was doing cooking classes at a kitchen store and immediately her culinary skills blew me away. Her skill, her creativity, her charisma, do genuine, talented and loved making people happy by feeding them. Since then, I have hired Connie and her team for various events like private fancy dinner parties, backyard birthday bashes and my dad’s celebration of life. Each time she went well above expectation with her culinary delights, from the her custom crafted delectable menu to the set up to even the clean up. She took care of everything. I just said Connie I need you and she put it all together. And she did it again, she always gives 1000% for her clients!!! I reached out on Friday of a long weekend for a special request….there was a passing in my family and I was away. Within hours she had food ready and this is what she said when I thanked her “remember people come into your life for a reason, I am an acts of service woman and I do what I can for those I love and hold dear” Connie is not just an exquisite executive chef that will feed you well she is woman with a heart of gold and a genuine desire to nourish your heart...

I’ve been debating writing this review for a while now but I can’t stop thinking about what I encountered here last month…

I visited to this cafe multiple times during a recent trip to Guelph, and while the coffee is great (salted caramel lattes are seriously to die for) and the baristas are so kind and friendly, I’ve noticed a concerning pattern in how the staff is treated. The owner/manager (I think her name is Connie?) is often rude and not only berates employees, but often does so in front of customers.

A few weeks ago I saw a barista scrambling to fix a catering order due to some invoicing error, only to hear the owner LOUDLY blaming the kitchen staff over the phone instead of taking responsibility or working with the team to solve the problem in a constructive, professional way. I also witnessed snotty remarks from her towards staff in front of myself and other customers during another visit in the same week.

It’s disappointing to see such a toxic work environment for an otherwise great cafe. I don’t think I’ll be going back on my next visit to Guelph, which is truly a shame because I really did love the atmosphere there. Just can’t bring myself to support a place that treats its people...

Had the canadian breakfast bagel with an Americano , coffee was full bodied and full of great flavors, also sauteed onions on a breakfast sandwich was absolutely amazing. Liked it so much went back for lunch and had the " Natta Ronald" wrap and was absolutely blown away by the flavors. A little on the pricy side but if you like good quality food cooked by friendly people this is the place !! Especially because there is nothing else around, makes Cafe two fourty five all more special . Will be visiting...