BayLeaf Authentic Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Ontario

Very surprised to see mainly good reviews as our group did not experience this. Very slow service, our drinks (just pop and 1 glass of wine) didn’t come until minutes before our entrees. They were out of multiple things which required several trips back and forth upstairs for our server to tell us this. After putting in our orders about 15 mins later our server came back to tell us one entree they were out of. So my friend tried to order something else, an app, they were also out of that. Then she tried to order the tandoori chicken app, but was told it will be another 35 minutes to make that. We also found it odd multiple persons ordered would be served on one dish. Two people ordered the same app( not to share, individual orders), they weren’t sitting next to each other, and the apps came on one plate for them to split up between them.

Pricing: we were honestly shocked when our butter chicken came and was not served with rice or naan. Just a VERY small dish of the chicken in sauce, probably 4/5 chunks tops, for $18. We all then ordered naan, which was $5 for one single piece. And then another $5 for a portion of rice. It would be wise to have the choice or rice or naan included as a side and up the price to show this.

We were seated upstairs where the air conditioner was broken, even though downstairs there was only two tables of people. We’ve come here many times under previous ownership as a group so I know our group of 6 could have fit at a main floor table which was much cooler. Plus then the server wouldn’t have had to make a million trips up the stairs.

It was clear our server was very new to the job, and she seemed confused the entire time. Not fair to her or patrons to have someone without a trainer assisting them if they are not ready to be serving tables solo.

We have no reason to return after...

BayLeaf offers an elegant yet cozy dining experience with warm gold tones adorning the interior, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. From the moment I entered, I was greeted promptly, and my server proved to be both friendly and professional. She demonstrated a solid knowledge of the menu and alcoholic beverages, which added a nice touch. Since I arrived right when the restaurant opened, the service was quick and efficient.

The menu at BayLeaf caters to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets, with a variety of flavorful options. I opted for the chicken korma, which was beautifully presented and had an authentic look to it. Though I requested the dish to be mild, I found it still had a moderate spice level, which was a pleasant surprise for those who enjoy a bit of heat. The flavor met my expectations, and I appreciated the authenticity of the taste. However, while the portion sizes were acceptable, they might be considered slightly smaller than what some patrons may be accustomed to at other restaurants. That being said, the pricing was fair and average for the area.

The cleanliness of the restaurant, including the washroom and kitchen area (from what I could see), was impressive and aligned with my expectations of a well-maintained establishment. The restaurant's location is quite convenient, with the bus terminal nearby for those opting for public transport, or there is a parking lot directly south for those driving.

Overall, BayLeaf offers a pleasant, cozy dining experience with attentive service and delicious, well-presented food. It's a great spot for both casual and more intimate meals, especially for those who enjoy authentic flavors with a modern touch. I would definitely recommend it to anyone...

I just visited Bayleaf on July 25th at 7:30, and it was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had. We spent almost $70 but received absolutely no service—no welcome, no smile, not even basic courtesy.

We ordered chicken pakora, which was completely tasteless. The chicken biryani had no leg piece and lacked even basic seasoning like salt. It tasted nothing like authentic Chicken biryani—it felt like it was made by someone who has never actually tasted one before.

This place is misusing the name of biryani and giving a poor impression of Indian cuisine. To anyone looking for real biryani—this is definitely not the place.

To make it worse, the service was nonexistent. Very disappointing experience overall.

Edit :I appreciate the response from the owner, but I’d like to clarify a few points:

At no point did we ask to pack food from an “already eaten plate.” We requested to pack the remaining food from the original serving bowl, which is common in most restaurants.

If the restaurant has CCTV footage, go review your footage.

I stand by my original review about the food and service experience. I understand restaurants may have bad days, but misrepresenting customer feedback is disappointing. It feels like the topic shifted conveniently to avoid addressing those issues.

Finally, I understand loyalty to your team, but turning a genuine complaint into a personal attack on the customer doesn’t reflect well on the...