The Queen’s Bistro — Restaurant in Kawartha Lakes

I’m updating my review. Almost immediately after the review below was posted, I was contacted on social media by the manager, offering to address my experience. Alas I don’t actively use the messaging app employed, and it took me months to see his message. He asked me to come back for a complementary meal, and apologized for what happened.

Since taking up the offer, I have been back a number of times and have received the same food and service I was originally used to. So, at this point I’m just going to boil it down to someone having a very bad day… with all kudos to the manager, who obviously cares about his establishment.

Original review below:

Does the owner not realize that one bad experience handled poorly can turn off a customer for life?

I’ve been coming to Queen’s bistro for a year, about 3 times a week on average, sometimes more. The food is generally good, reasonably priced, and so forth. My family has never had reason to complain about our meals over all those visits (I ignore minor issues) - we’re good, regular customers, and today was literally my first time having an issue.

Today, the veal in the veal parm was dry and overcooked like jerky. It literally could not be cut with a steak knife. I was simply hoping to get a new piece. The chef/owner outright refused, saying he put extra on the plate. Well, there was one small piece and one larger piece. The smaller piece was dry but edible. The larger piece was the aforementioned jerky. But since he put “extra”, we were ineligible to get the inedible piece replaced.

No chef should have been happy with what was put on the plate. And if you’re going to put it on the plate, then you should stand by it and ensure your customer is happy. Not insult them by telling them that the garbage you served was you being generous, and essentially making us feel like we should be thankful for the right to be your customers.

Do better, guys. You were given multiple opportunities in-restaurant to correct the issue in ANY way. You did nothing but succeed in turning off a...

Not a fancy place, but the food was really good, reasonably priced and big portions. They also let us have our dog outside with us on the patio and brought him a bowl of water.

This place has a huge menu with a variety of dishes, breakfast and typical diner fare, but also some Indian dishes. My wife ordered a banquet burger which looked to be about 8oz, came with 3 strips of bacon (real bacon, not precooked) and cheese. The fries were good and plenty of them.

I ordered the chicken curry and it was exceptional. A big bowl with lots of chicken breast and curry sauce with a large portion of rice and naan. I loved every bite and was definitely full. My wife says she is going to try the butter chicken next time.

The place looks a little dated and run down on the outside, but the inside is a little nicer. Not a fine dining place but the food raises it's status significantly. A hidden gem.

Total cost for our meals and soft drinks came to $40, taxes in. With tip it came to $46. ...

EDIT: So quick update. I went and picked up an order of Butter chicken, the beef sandwich as always and some small other things.

Where to start. Well one of the small other things was an 8$ "milkshake". It was chocolate milk with whip cream on top.

The butter chicken bought frozen from the store that I can heat in the microwave is better.

The beef sandwich was literally leather I almost choked. —-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Easily the best in Lindsay for food. I am amazed by the flavour of the sandwichs. The portions are massive. Not enough words in the world to describe how thankful I am I can go somewhere in Lindsay that has some taste. There is a handful of good restaurants in Lindsay.

There is now...