The Pie Plate — Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake

I generally use Google Reviews to give shout outs of recognition for good customer service, but tonight The Pie Plate was truly disappointing. I had a cocktail that was alright but insanely over-priced. The seating area is in direct sunlight so it's very uncomfortable to stay long for any period of time. But more than anything I was taken aback by the attitude of the manager on staff today. She was incredibly rude from the beginning. I purchased a charcuterie that was 26$ and I felt, considering the price, it should have had more on it. I complained to our server and she got the manager for me. The manager gave no sincere sense of sympathy or made any attempt to make me leave on a happy note. I certainly don't feel I was being unreasonable and I was not being rude, I was simply voicing how I felt. Her responses to my issues were statements such as "that's your opinion" and "well that's the price." Not only did she make these frankly snide remarks, but she proceeded to return to my group a couple of times shortly after, very clearly acting out defensively, in what seemed like a desire to argue with me even after she had said her piece. Before I had even began to describe my particular complaint she was already ready to react without hearing me out. During this interaction she complained about us loudly enough that other customers absolutely heard her. Completely unnecessary to make a scene. I work in the tourism industry in NotL, just as she does, and I have never seen someone in customer service respond so rudely to a customer. I will not be coming back here, and I do not recommend anyone visit here when you have so many better options in this...

The Pie Plate is one of our favourite places. For over five years we’ve enjoyed their range of baked goods and all are equally delicious. Top of our list are chocolate orange scones, double chocolate biscottis, date squares, all croissants, all muffins, pumpkin cheesecake... and this is just a sampling. On the savoury side be sure to try their pizzas (especially the seasonal ones), meat pies and sausage rolls. Combining food excellence with an inviting informal setting and great hospitality; this place is worth returning to over and over again.

UPDATE - The Pie Plate has recently opened a new spot at the corner of Niagara Stone Road and Four Mile Creek Road in Virgil. Many places lose their way when they expand but this hasn't happened to The Pie Plate. If anything they've become even better... many of the favourites noted above are still offered, plus a broader range of other goods. We've recently tried the egg/bacon/cheese brioche, savoury galettes, loaded focaccia and madeleines... all delicious (our only suggestion is... bring back the pizzas asap!) The high-ceiling renovated fire station space opening onto a spacious street front patio completes the excellent experience. When in Virgil don't hesitate to visit this...

This morning I decided to take a bit of a drive from Toronto to one of my favorite places for a day trek and that is Niagara on the Lake. My first stop of the day was to The Pie Plate. A place I visit once a year at a minimum to pick up some delicious treats for myself and to bring home for my family to also enjoy.

Long story short, I ordered 6 assorted fruit tarts to go and then was looking around at other items not really paying attention to how they were being packaged. I then ordered one additional breakfast item for a morning snack, paid and I left.

As I placed my tarts in the rear of my vehicle, I could see the paper bags they were placed in now had wet marks. I opened the bags and noticed the tarts were placed on top of one another and 4 of 6 of them were now broken. Their filling was all over the inside of the bags they were packed in. I thought they would have been packaged properly perhaps in a small box of some sort but nope. So nevertheless, I will be returning to Toronto later today to share broken tarts with leaked out filling.

Very disappointing as I always have enjoyed all their baked goods in the past but perhaps the girls working the counter could consider a little more care with...