Stillwaters — Restaurant in Ontario

Arrived on Monday evening (18 Aug 2025). Full availability on Open Table app and main restaurant half empty. Was told by hostess that they would not have availability due to them holding several areas of the restaurant in case outside diners were either cold or had trouble with bees. (only 1 table was seated outside). Place seemed nice but staff Vicky, Stacey and bar girl were all very defensive. Whilst asking for a table inside from hostess Stacey, she proceeded to pick up menus and take us to be seated and opened the door to go outside. When we asked why she was taking us outside as we just told her inside please. She then decided the inside seating wasn’t available even though 10-12 tables were empty. Whilst she was saying this I went on OpenTable app (their chosen reservation system) and booked table for 2 for 19:30 (12 minutes from then). When I asked why they would keep tables blocked in case the people outside “changed their minds” was answered with aggression and frustration by server…I again asked the bar girl after we had been seated in “lounge area” that was completely empty (8-10 tables), why they would keep tables “just in case” those that elected to book outside changed their minds, was met with a completely aggressive response from her that included her getting upset that we were asking this and if we weren’t happy…then mid-sentence completely changed her mind and said “in fact I have decided we are unable to serve you today”…. Crazy change of personality mid-sentence. We are an easy-going couple in our 50’s that have dined all over the world and I have never seen such unprofessionalism from staff anywhere we have been. Basically kicking us out of the restaurant because we challenged their reason for not using tables. Completely unwelcoming attitude and also terrible customer skills…would give zero or minus stars if possible. Don’t go here. I never have been so offended dining anywhere. I also have never heard of keeping 10-12 tables set aside for diners that elected to be seated outside to come inside on a whim (🤔)…Additionally when I challenged their reason for not having reservation availability when OpenTable said they did (their chosen reservation system)…the bar girl’s response was “I don’t care what OpenTable says.” 🤷‍♂️🙈…I recommend before going here you filter the reviews lowest first to get the “real story” of this place, the service problems: No manager present and servers and greeters attitudes as well as tables allocations are an on-going issue, we never got to the food part thankfully, as seems we also dodged a bullet there based on many reviews which they have probably tried to cover with some fictitious 5 star ones…. Finally, there is one thing that really is obvious here. All the girls that were impolite and aggressive towards a reasonable question line had one thing in common. They were all very young and seemed inexperienced. They seem to have zero customer training and when I asked to speak to the manager they also told me there was no manager (something that has been repeated on other reviews here). That together with the fact that none of the reviews on here have ever been responded to by the owners speaks for itself. They obviously don’t gaf about their customers experience and ignore continuous feedback that repeats itself…( mostly customer service and food quality issues).

Finally, we opted to have dinner next door instead at “Capeesh”. We were welcomed with a smile and seated immediately and had a very reasonable dinner at a reasonable price too. No drama. No attitude. No lack of customer skills etc…place...

As someone who uses a wheelchair, finding accessible and accommodating restaurants can sometimes be a challenge. However, my recent visit to Stillwater Restaurant in Paris, Ontario proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable and seamless experience.

Located along the scenic Grand River, Stillwater boasts a picturesque waterfront setting that is truly hard to beat. The restaurant itself is housed in a beautifully renovated historic building, but what impressed me most was the level of thought and care that has gone into ensuring the space is comfortable and welcoming for all visitors, regardless of mobility.

From the spacious, well-marked parking area to the wide, level entryway, it was clear that accessibility was a top priority in the design of Stillwater. Once inside, I was pleased to find that the dining room, bar, and restrooms were all easily navigable for wheelchair users, with ample room to maneuver and thoughtfully placed seating options.

The staff at Stillwater were also incredibly attentive and accommodating. They greeted me warmly, quickly guided me to an ideal table, and made sure I had everything I needed throughout my meal. The service was efficient and friendly, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

But of course, the true test of any restaurant is the quality of the food, and Stillwater did not disappoint. The menu boasts an impressive selection of elevated comfort food and seasonal specialties, all prepared with care and attention to detail. I opted for the braised short rib, which was fall-off-the-bone tender and paired beautifully with the rich, flavorful sauce and creamy mashed potatoes. My dining companion raved about her pan-seared salmon as well.

The portion sizes were generous, the presentation was visually appealing, and the flavors were simply divine. I also appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, catering to a wide range of dietary needs.

As I reflect on my Stillwater experience, I'm struck by how seamlessly the restaurant blends exceptional cuisine, stunning river views, and truly accessible accommodations. It's a rare find that caters so effectively to the needs of all guests, making it an ideal destination for wheelchair users and the able-bodied alike.

I wholeheartedly recommend Stillwater Restaurant to anyone visiting the charming town of Paris, Ontario. It's a shining example of how thoughtful design and inclusive hospitality can create a dining experience that is truly memorable and...

WOULD NOT RECOMEND

Booked reservations as we had always wanted to try Stillwaters. We have dined at their other locations, Cobblestone & Cappesh and they were great.

This one was disappointing from the standpoint of service. When we arrived the hostess pointed to a table and she grabbed the menus and cutlery. She just dropped them on the table and walked away. We sat and passed everything around the table.

Next issue was we sat for about 15 minutes before the waitress even acknowledged the table. I should mention that the place was not packed or anything. Lots of empty tables in the different areas. We placed our drink orders and they arrived about 10 minutes later. We placed our order for appetizers at that time as well as our mains.

After another 10-15 minute wait the appetizers arrived. No complaints about them, the calamari arrived hot and cooked properly.

We finished our apps and waited and waited and waited. Finally we gathered our plates up and put them in a pile and after awhile our server picked up the stack.

We sat and waited again for our mains to arrive. When they finally got there the food was excellent. No complaints with that.

The plates were taken away and we asked for 1 bill for our party of 4. The bill arrived and for 2 apps 4 mains 2 drinks and 2 pops it came to 169.00 plus tip of 21.00. What we would expect of a high end eatery.

With the higher end meal we expected a higher end service and unfortunately the service falls far short of the price. We saw numerous parties coming in looking for a seat they were turned away even though there were many open tables that were never seated during our extended stay. That is unfortunate for the serving staff as they are loosing out on tips, but with their speed they would require twice the serving staff.

The final item was cleanliness. Our wives went to use the washroom and were disgusted with the condition of the washroom. They actually told the hostess who commented that she will have to get someone to look at it.

I'm sorry but that is something that needs to be checked hourly and maintained.

I would have to say that I recommend the food but be away that the...