The Standard — Restaurant in Hamilton

Very disappointing. Ruined a very special occasion and romantic evening. 1.) booked reservation from company website that took us to Open Table app that offered seatings for 9:15, 9:30, and 9:45. Assumed that if 9:45 is last seating kitchen must close around 10:30-11:00 and restaurant at 11:30-12:00 and plan our special evening around that. As soon as we were sat we were told the kitchen closes at 9:30 or 9:45. I politely suggested they update open table to not take reservations at 9:30 and 9:45 and they said there is nothing they can do about open table which is just not true.

At 10:30 we asked if we want dessert as the kitchen will be will be closing again. We paid at about 10:50 and at 11:00 as we were deep in an intimate conversation we were told the have a “hard block” at 11 and asked us to depart right now. The staff were still completing side duties and were not ready to shut off the lights and lock the door. All of this made me feel under a clock and unwanted and I have never seen a restaurant treat a 9:30 or 9:45 reservation like this ever.

The items we ordered we all were trying too hard and seemed to attempt to be “showy” with too many ingredients and too much innovation. We ordered wagyu tartare that was so over powered with other ingredients including a barrage of pickles/capers/relish/mushroom (I don’t recall exact recipe) that the wagyu could not be tasted at all and in fact could not be seen. It was served on a piece of barely toasted stale bread. Like 5 parts other ingredients to 1 part wagyu beef. The foie gras beignet tasted like a day old clustered filled donut with a hint of foie gras, the port truffle reduction seemed confused and off, the chervil shoots were over powering and again added another strong incoherent flavour to the beignet. For mains, the salmon was overcooked, and the miso glaze, was washed out with a watery tasteless coconut curry lime broth. The best dish was the Duck breast but again too many ingredients as the grapes, verjus burnt onion soubise, and the baby turnip all added a lot of strong conflicting flavours.

My advice would be to simplify and let the key ingredients (especially Wagyu, foie gras, and duck breast be the “star of the show”. Dial complexity and number of ingredients back by a third.

Server was friendly and knowledgeable and engaging. Took the salmon off the bill - although we would have rather just had a nice experience. He was great. The issue appeared to be with the chef/manager/owner.

Most unacceptable, I expressed my disappointment as I walked out the door after being rushed out by replying to there suggestion that we come to brunch with an annoyed and short “never, not after this”. So I was further upset when I received an email at 11:14pm from open table that my reservation was “cancelled”. This was done to prevent me from being able to leave a review on Open Table and is not only poor management but also simply dishonest. Ironically it was only this action that prompted me to take time to write a review.

My companion felt I was being harsh and unfair, but as a senior luxury hospitality executive of 18 years, and a former maître d’, I see this as well below industry “Standard” and do not recommend The Standard in Hamilton. I recommend Conversate instead as it was exceptional good and service, and great value for money despite being a bit...

Two strikes and we are out! Tried this place for dinner about a month ago. At first we thought it looked great and front of the house (who happened to be the general manager) was kind and accommodating. Took a long time to be greeted by our server. When he did arrive he seemed flustered. We ordered some drinks. Which took a while but we were okay at this point. Then we placed our order for dinner. Food took quite a while. Dishes were tasty but not “mind blowing”. Again server was not attentive to us and although we wanted to order desert, after desert menus were brought over it took more than 20 minutes for our server to return. At that point we decided to just get the bill as we had spent way too much time waiting. The bill itself took forever and at that point that we complained. The manager and server apologized profusely (albeit the server’s breath had a strong odour of weed), saying multiple times it was an exception because they were short staffed. The manager did comp a few things on our order and promised that if we returned we would have a fantastic experience guaranteed! So we thought we would give it another try ..booked brunch for Mothers Day. We had looked forward to it and my husband did leave a note on the reservation for Anthony to call us to discuss that we were returning and wanted to ensure the experience would be better…he did not call. Yesterday we arrived for brunch. Not too busy. We were offered water. I then asked for a glass of Prosecco but my daughter was not asked if she wanted something to drink. Our server then finally came back to take our order and when I said that my daughter wanted a drink he said he would get that first and then come back to take our order. I don’t understand why he could not have just taken our order..we were more than ready. So we wait, and wait…until I flag him down to take our order..we place our order..(my daughter’s drink still has not arrived). Then..the food takes forever!!! We are talking about brunch! I see the kitchen from our table and many of them are just standing around not doing anything. At this point I think they don’t even have our order…what is the holdup? It’s not busy and the kitchen looks uneventful. We have now been at the restaurant for almost an hour and still no food. My husband and I are realizing that coming back was a huge mistake..especially on a special occasion. Our server never checked in with us to say “sorry food is taking a while” or “ I will check in with the kitchen to see what the holdup is”..nothing!We flag down the shift manager and she was friendly enough although lacked the professionalism to handle the situation the way we would expect from this establishment. We finally got our food which again was good but not great and not good enough for us to want to return with such poor service twice in a row. It’s a shame because our bad experience from the first time could have been just a “one off” but now we know better. The shift manager offered absolutely no compensation just the “sorry about that” which really does not sit well with us. Mother’s Day Brunch was a real...

A Memorable Culinary Journey at The Standard’s Chef’s Table

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Standard, where we indulged in an extraordinary nine-course tasting menu at the Chef’s Table. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of spectacular, with each course surpassing the last in creativity, flavor, and presentation.

The meal began with delicate and refreshing starters like the Watermelon and Cucumber Carpaccio, which set the tone for the evening with its bright, clean flavours. The Octopus, wood-fired and accompanied by squid ink sauce, was a standout—tender, smoky, and perfectly balanced. The Tomato course, featuring heirloom varieties, tomato water, and purple basil, was a vibrant celebration of summer produce.

One of the highlights was the Duck Breast, spiced with black tea and served alongside Ontario apricot and a rich duck bone jus. The interplay of sweet, savory, and aromatic spices was masterful. The Intermezzo, a playful palate cleanser with raspberry, cherry gel, and fennel pollen, refreshed us for the next act.

The Agnolotti, filled with charred corn ricotta and draped in a silky corn crema, was a dish I’ll dream about—comforting yet sophisticated. The Australian Wagyu, paired with burnt leek purée and pickled elements, melted in the mouth, showcasing the kitchen’s skill with premium ingredients.

The cheese course, featuring a selection of cow’s and ewe’s milk cheeses, was a delightful prelude to the grand finale: a Blueberry Tart with buttery crust and compote, a perfect harmony of sweetness and tang.

Beyond the food, the atmosphere was intimate and inviting, with the Chef’s Table offering a front-row seat to the culinary artistry. Our waiter, Vince, elevated the experience with his impeccable service—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu.

The Standard has crafted something truly special—a dining experience that engages all the senses. It’s a place where every detail is considered, and every bite tells a story. For anyone seeking a memorable night of gastronomic excellence, this is a must-visit. We left already planning...