Bread & Roses Bakery — Restaurant in Ottawa

I really like this place and we've been there a dozen times before as they usually are great but today it was a disaster. They have hot air blasting on the only three small tables; bakeries are understandably too hot to begin with why blast hot air right onto the customers? We order samosas and sausage rolls to eat in. I asked to have them heated up, but I was told to use the microwave behind us. The microwave was filthy inside with foods leftover from whomever used it last. I asked for a plate but was told they didn't have any. So, I heated them up in the paper bags. How do you eat a samosa without a plate, with your hands? Samosas are hot and they break apart so are not a "finger food". Then I asked for spoons for the soup; and I was told they were were beside the microwave, but I said they were out of spoons and was told a second time that they were by the microwave. I had to ask a third time, pointing at the empty spoon tray before someone got us spoons. After we ate, we tried putting our trash in the only garbage can we could find but the opening of the garbage can was too small for the soup bowls (see photos). Lastly, there is no formal ordering counter and all counter tops between the staff and the clients have stuff piled on to about 4-5 feet so you have to peer left or right to be able to see the staff; I know this is a small, independently-owned business that cannot afford elaborate renovations, but even a sign that said, "ORDER HERE" would help. We will go back because the food is usually very good, but we will never plan to eat...

The single star I’m giving pertains only to their “Aussie” meat pie. And it’s just my opinion. I’m an Australian who has been living in Canada for a while now and I have been craving a real Australian meat pie for ages. For all you who have had real Aussie Meat pies before you know what I’m talking about especially you other Australians and New Zealanders. Now I went looking for a meat pie fully understanding that it would be hard to find a place that makes them properly. Anyway I saw online that this place makes an “Aussie” Meat Pie. I picked one up today and just had my first piece and I gotta say… this is probably the furthest thing from an Australian meat pie that I’ve ever had. Nothing about it reminded me of an “Aussie” meat pie apart from it being the shape of a circle. It’s more like a tourtiere and if it is a tourtiere it’s a terrible. Very bland in flavour and was just mush inside.

However I should say I have been to this place a few times before and the service has always been good. Some of the other pastries are great! And the one Australian/British thing that they do pretty close to the real thing is their Lamingtons.

Anyway was really disappointed in that meat pie. I would suggest changing the name of it. Cause that...

Was quite upset. Stale bread. I got there not long before closing on Sunday. I asked if they had white bread left as none was on the center table. He pointed me to the "day olds" at 30% off. I said, these are days olds, I was wanting baked today for that extra softness. The man told me that they were baked today and that he had just transferred them over to the discount shelf. As it was the end of the day, this seemed reasonable. I picked up the loaf, it seemed really firm and so asked again: "These are not day olds?", the man said, "no". I paid full price for the loaf, not with the 30% off as was listed on the shelf but, as I was assured that it was todays bread, I paid the full price without hesitation. I got the loaf home, and straight to the kitchen for a slice. The bread was STALE, at least a day old or if not more. A full 2 inches around the outside was hard and even the very center was not "soft" as fresh baked should be. I would not have been so upset if I had not been lied to about the freshness and in fact likely would have bought it anyway as it was the only white loaf left. Very disappointed. Will never go back and will make sure to tell everyone. Not because the bread was stale, though it was, but because I was...