Plant Matter Kitchen — Restaurant in Ontario

I have been here multiple times and their food is typically spot on, service is hit and miss unfortunately, today was exceptionally terrible.

I was hoping to get more of a light lunch, but walked into brunch…I found something to have on the menu and was sadly disappointed with what I got. The crust on my omelette made it difficult to cut, and the inside was like a partially cooked scramble. I managed to choke down half and left the rest. The meal came with toast but because I’m new to their brunch I forgot to ask for toast and my server did not prompt me. When I realized my meal came with toast I was unable to get the servers (all 3 of them) attention as they were at the front counter socializing and checking their phones. When the server brought the food to the table I asked about toast, she then went to the kitchen to put in the request and when the kitchen asked buttered or not, instead of giving me the option, she opted to answer on my behalf, by the time the toast did come I was 1/2 way through my meal. The server did not ask once how our food was, and when another server cleared my plate, they did not bother to ask how the food was, again half the food was there and I refused a takeout container. In my experience when a customer leaves 1/2 a plate of food and so does the other person at the table it’s customary to ask if everything was okay.

Plates were cleared and we were asked about dessert, to which we declined. The server walked off, quicker than I was able to ask for the check and failed to ask if we were ready for the check. She went back to socializing (as she had done the entire time we were there).

When the server came back and we got our check, she dropped off the debit machine and proceeded to go sit at a table in the front of the restaurant with her coworkers. Again, it’s my experience that when a server brings the debit machine over it is typically another opportunity to check in with your table. Apparently this server was more interested in socializing than seeing to the experience of her guests.

I am not in any sort of hurry to return here unfortunately, and definitely not until there is a menu change and I certainly will not be sitting with this server.

I am not one to write reviews as I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. This experience was so horrible overall that I felt it was important to make note of it for...

Potential to be amazing! we went on a sunday and were greated with a bottle neck of people lined up. We inquired about our reservation and the server pointed at the counter for us to by pass the line; at the counter we were ignored by no less than 4 staff. 2 at register, 1 pacing and another on an ipad. After "line up" strangers became friends as we chatted about being ignored (for 7 mins now) the gentleman with the ipad spoke to us then brought us to our table. Krystal was our lovely waitress who took our order, 5mins in brought our drinks. ..45mins later breakfast arrived (issue with one dish and it was taken away for a redo) it is easy to see who the owners are; they are busting they're asses and the staff...let them! Our server took orders but didnt bring us the food which i found odd because she seemed to float table to table enquiring with customers so when she came over and asked where my breakfast was and did I enjoy it? I informed her of the issue and she went and got my meal after everyone at my table was finished. Krystal looked capable so why not let her serve 100%? IMO all the meals at our table should have been prepped; literally scoop my beans, salsa, quacmole etc. so why did I wait so long? Krysral was apologetic and gracious explaing how busy they are. I don't believe it because there is no meat wait time, nothing is frying or cooking really, i read the menu... Anyway, i believe the servers should serve and the owners should be hosts, schmooze me, talk to me, ask me why I chose your establishment....relax and let your staff work. there were so many staff this morning but no one communciated. The tall doughy guy was curt, almost attitude when we asked about our reservations. Eye contact, smile and say "welcome, I will be right with you" hiring someone who is charming, funny, a performer of sorts who can bellow out an address to the line up in good cheer or the patrons in general. instead of looking at the one owner whose face looks like she is doing everyone's job when everyone lets her. a big fail for me is when coffee stops flowing. PMK 1 1/2 hours no refills; at another breaky place in 45 mins my cup never fell below 1/2 and 6 people ate and left in one sitting. WE will be back to PMK to give it...

I lived in London all my life until a few years ago when I moved to Vancouver. The Vancouver food scene is always to the highest standard no matter what the restaurant type, even the food off of a food truck is incredible. When I come home, I try not to force my expectations on restaurants in the London area because it isn't fair and the standard is just not the same.

Plant Matters certainly means well, but it has a long way to go.

First of all, just from the pictures other people in the reviews have posted about their food - I can tell you that they gave my friend and I a knowingly overcooked/burnt flatbread. When he put it down on our table I thought the colour looked extremely off and I looked to the table across from us who ordered the same thing - there's was slightly less burnt, but still quite blackened. I figured this was weirdly normal for their presentation and didn't bother to ask the waiter. I mean, he handed it to us - he would know what it should look like. However, because it was overcooked (and I don't just mean the crust, the WHOLE thing was overdone) each bite would break like crackers and fall apart in your hands. Your staff (cook and waiter) knows what a properly cooked flatbread looks like and they still happily served us that clearly hoping we were none the wiser. Next the distribution of toppings on the flatbread was way off, the yogurt spread was gobbed on - perhaps a choice made by the cook to make up for the burnt flatbread? It was way too much.

My friend and I also shared the taco salad which the waiter told us was 'so good' - it was mediocre at best. The salsa alone was definitely from a jar and if that wasn't and it was fresh, then I suggest working on the recipe.

This would all be fine if they didn't charge premium price. I personally didn't notice the portion sizes myself because my friend and I shared both meals and it was more than enough. However, I've gotten far fresher and more flavourful local/organic food off of a food truck in Vancouver - let alone in the countless restaurants doing the same thing Plant Matter does.

You guys are on your way, but I would seriously work on your quality control and flavours. If we're paying for organic/local/fresh - it should...