maman — Restaurant in Montreal

I would like to explain my horrible experience at this restaurant I had today September 2, 2019 (Labour day). To start off, I am on crutches, I haven't left the house in a few days and I was invited to go to brunch so my 2 friends so they suggested to try this place. By looking at the menu and the various locations this place looked promising. When we arrived, we had stood there in the entrance (around 10am) to a half filled restaurant and plenty of staff. The barista noticed we were standing there, and a few staff kept going about to what they were doing and we were still standing there (myself standing with crutches). It did not start off great being not even acknowledged. We were finally seated and were given water but not asked if we wanted any coffee. We continued to wait another 15-20 minutes and finally we were asked if we wanted to order coffee. We ordered the coffee and received it but not asked if we were ready to order our meals. So we continued to wait again... In the mean time, another family of three had arrived, they ordered drinks right away, received them and ordered their meals. We finally order our food, 3 plates and a 4th to share for the table, take note that the waiter even asked if the 4th plate was to share for the 3 people? I was confused given that we were 3 people... Anyways it was CLEAR that we ordered 4 plates. So we continue to wait, the little family from earlier is already eating and we don't have any food yet so we ordered a 2nd coffee. Low and behold, the waiter returns to tell us that there is no more special brunch and to order something else. We order something else from the menu, and he returns again and they do not have our 2nd option either. So my friend just orders a random plate that seemed to her liking. After waiting another 20 minutes, we finally get the food, 1-2-3 plates... something is missing... I wave down another waiter (at this point we had to keep waving down waiters to even get acknowledged...) and I had asked her that my plate was missing and she was going to check where it was. Unfortunately it was not made. So my friends had their plates and our sharing plate, and I had nothing... I was still waiting. Even 2 more guests showed up and they even ordered and received their food and I didn't even have my plate yet. It finally shows up (Maman's Breakfast sandwich) and it was not what I had imagined from the menu listing. But I had ate it anyway since I was hungry and waited all that time. It was very underwhelming and had an odd flavor. Anyways, this was so disappointing we just wanted to get out of there. They continued seating people without taking care of the ones actually eating. Not to mention that my other friend's napkin and a clean sharing plate was snatched up by a random waiter or host and we weren't even finished eating! I do not recommend unless there is some improvement! I will be posting another review from my friend's perspective as well from...

This is from another perspective... an accompanying guest with me.

This is to express the significant disrespect received when visiting the restaurant on September 2nd. We had hope for much better experience given the good reputation that Maman has in NYC, but it was far from those standards. When arriving at 9:30am, the restaurant was not yet bustling with the peak brunch crowds. There were clearly two large empty tables, meant to be shared and that is where we ended up seating. After being seated, it seemed that we were then forgotten. Our order was only taken after 30 minutes of being seated, after trying to get attention of the waitstaff. This was especially particular as new guests arrived on the same table and were served before us. Once our order was taken, it was only afterwards that we were informed of the three dishes that were not available. This was surprising since we were there early on and it was a long weekend. At this point, another party joined our large table and then were served. After receiving 2 of the three plates, it was not until an hour later that the third plate was was served because the third order was forgotten, leaving the other two plates cold so that we can eat together. This was especially frustrating as other tables with the same dish were being served around us and even one at the same table. Shouldn’t the forgotten order be prioritized or done as soon as possible so that we can all eat together? At this point, it was well into the brunch peak period so other things happened such as the syrup being forgotten despite being reminded and napkins being taken off to make us believe that they wanted to clear the table for the next party. Again, we sat trying to get waitstaff attention to get the bill and we were served at a distance where the cheque motion was done with the hands and mouthed if we wanted one bill or three. The other guests on the same table have long left and we were seated with two new parties. This entire experience was very long so two of us left while one paid the bill. Alone at the table waiting to pay, another person come with the dirty dish bin and placing it on the table, asking if we were done which was surely to get the next party in. Once the bill arrived, it had to be reiterated that the sold-out casserole was not charged. This comment was not to offer a meal for the forgotten order or bad service but rather say that an additional plate was not charged? A tip of 15% was given just so the experience could end - no need for explaining and causing a scene in a very crowded restaurant at this point. Despite the bad service and it clearly being recognized by the waitstaff, there was no apology made. When we were served, it was always with a different person so it was not an isolated situation. We strongly suggest that customer service training be offered because this situation should never...

Don't go there. I brought 10 of my close friends / family for my birthday and to celebrate the birth of my son, and these are the reasons why I don't recommend this place to anyone:

1. a group menu was imposed to us, which was not clearly communicated by phone when doing a reservation. When we mentioned this to the obnoxious manager, he answered without any sympathie that we could go elsewehere if we were not happy (!). This was very saddening as this was my bday and also a special event that we came to celebrate...
2. The service was so bad, waiters were rude and too busy to care, not providing basic requests we had. We had to wait an hour and a half to be served (cookies were served without their drinks, which for a breakfast/brunch is SO OFF). I had a stomach cramp due to the waiting lentgh, and as I am breastfeeding this was really an exhausting experience.
3. The food was honeslty not impressive. You can eat better for cheaper at other places in montreal, and at least the service won't leave a sour taste in your mouth!
4. As it was my birthday, my friends/family requested a candle to be placed on a dessert as a surprise to me. This request was done 3 times prior to being executed, and the dessert was an old viennoiserie, not looking fresh at all. When you are known for your cookies, at least to a commercial effort and put a damn cookie instead of a leftover viennoiserie from the day before !
5. TIPS WERE ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE BILL, while we were obviously not satisfied ! TIPS are etiquette-based and not mandatory; it is at the discretion of the customer...
6. When a customer requested an espresso at the end of the brunch, the waiter had to OPEN THE CASHIER ONCE AGAIN to add the fees to the bill, instead of 1) offering it to compensate the bad experience OR 2) accepting cash - thing that the customer proposed !
7. The attitude of the manager: repulsing, snob, obnoxious, prentious. When my husband came to him to discuss his unsatisfaction as a customer, the manager argued with him. Don't forget that customers are always right, and customer...