CAFÉ GELATO - ST-LAURENT — Restaurant in Montreal

WOMEN BEWARE. I felt conflicted about whether or not to put up a review, because my experience was so horrible and bizarre I felt like there must be some kind of explanation. I ordered a cappuccino, and the milk was not steamed properly, the foam looked dry, lumpy, and the taste was off. No problem, it's just a bad coffee. I drink it anyways because the staff seem new and I really just wanted caffeine. I try to use the washroom, the toilet is covered in hair, piss stains that seem so layered you could drag a fingernail through it, as if it had been weeks since anyone had cleaned it for real, and fresh pee all over the seat, more than I've ever seen in my life. The floor and walls looked sticky and equally unhygienic. It was worse than the bathroom stalls at most clubs. Okay, so that's gross, but hey, I know what it's like sometimes it's hard to clean thoroughly and you don't get paid enough at these jobs. I sat back down. I kept seeing customers (more than 5 people) get up and go behind the counter to do things and I realized that, actually, all of them worked there except for me and one older man. Okay, so they come in on their day off just to eat and hang. No problem. But while I've been sitting there, the older man has been trying to start a flirty conversation, staring at me for minutes straight with a smile on his face, winking at me, giggling at what I'm saying to my friend on the phone. I'm giving him looks to get him to take a hint, but it doesn't stop. I start looking around at the customers who are actually staff, they seem to notice that I'm being bothered but also look away, and I'm like, okay, sure, that happens sometimes, staff don't want to get involved, or maybe they didn't actually notice. But this guy would not QUIT, he was looking at me and acting like we were newlyweds, and I've never spoken to him in his life. Cue: the old man gets up and goes behind the counter. I realize that he's probably their boss. This is the most bizarre "family style" cafe I've ever experienced. Good luck, I hope I'm wrong somehow or I've misunderstood. I have to post this review because I want other women to have the most...

First and last time coming here. Went on a Friday night, like at around 9pm with some friends. Atmosphere was like a nightclub. Really trashy. Super loud music. Patrons standing around, dancing like drunkards, going in and out constantly, meanwhile I was getting elbowed in my back while waiting in line. Cashier that flirts with customers instead of doing her job (very classy). Staff also going behind the counter and then going outside, no sense of organization. Who even manages this place and these terrible employees? Limited menu options. For a place that has gelato in its name, the number of ice cream flavours is a joke. Plus when I received my product (in an embarrassingly small cup, mind you) it was liquid. There are much better places in little Italy. Do not give this establishment your business, they don’t deserve it. 👎🏻

EDIT (reply to owner): Your "team" was unprofessional. Staff should not be flirting with patrons.. the cashier had ZERO customer service skills. No hi, no thank you, nothing. Is this how staff is trained? It's embarrassing if you ask me. I also find it ridiculous you are telling me what my experience was like. You were not there when I received my gelato, and I doubt the workers would have rectified the situation seeing how unprofessionally they were behaving. The fact that cup sizes are "displayed" does not negate the fact that portion sizes are laughable. The quantity-price ratio is bad. Finally, it's quite sad you are justifying the ambiance as being "lively" as I know the difference between lively and disrespectful. Patrons were acting belligerently and while I obviously know staff cannot control certain behaviours, it does not create a willingness to return. Sorry you cannot...

Story Time!

A friend and I had just finished a hearty dinner next door. We pop into the Gelaterie for a second, and upon seeing it was crowded, decided to walk down the street to another gelato place we had seen earlier. That was closed, so we walked back, planning on metro'ing home. Before we could do that, though, one of the owners came out and asked us if there was anything wrong/any reason why we had left - as a note, he was incredibly friendly and polite.

We replied no, of course not, and he asked politely if we'd care to step in and at least just try some of the Gelato. Long story short, his charm won us over and we came in and tried the gelato - which was AMAZING! Upon trying to pay, we were thanked again for agreeing to come in, and then informed that the gelato was on them.

I can't recommend this place enough. Amazing owners, great location, and of course, incredible gelato! I'm planning on coming back in the next couple of days to actually buy my own, because it's well...