Les Moulins La Fayette — Restaurant in Ottawa

I want in to see what they have as this was a new place for my daughter and we love little cafe type places.

My daughter decided she wanted a spinach puff pastry and a loaf of bread. She decided on the walnut sourdough for $7.95. The total, with the pastry, was $15.80. I paid for it. We had the pastry warmed up to eat there, while we waited for the bread to be given to us. Turns out they did not have that kind left (we had looked at the menu), and the employee may not have checked the shelf before the completed transaction. I asked if we could just get a different kind of loaf, thinking it was no big deal, until we looked at the prices. Pretty much all of them had different amounts, which made it a little complicated to just hand us a different one.

So we looked at what was price comparable and the employee suggested, after a couple of others, the hazelnut and raisin loaf. I said okay. I asked if I could pay the difference and went to do so. At the till, the employee said it would be a dollar more and that she’d have to do a refund first and then a new charge, or just do the refund instead. I asked her what was easier, since I was not allowed to pay the difference, and she said refund so I said fine, let’s do that.

She ended up having problems doing the refund, however, and couldn’t get it to work on the machine. She asked the other employee there who also tried on a different till and couldn’t do it either. They said they’d have to give me cash as my refund. I said I would still like the bread, can I not just pay the difference. I can do debit, or get change if easier. I asked how much the loaf was and I was told $8.50. I then said to the employee that it was not an extra dollar then. She looked up at me and I told her she had said it was an extra dollar more but it is actually .55 cents more, plus tax if any (no tax on bread however). Her response was that she was not the manager. I’m not sure what that had to do with her telling me incorrectly what the extra cost was. I asked again, can I just pay the difference. No I could not because neither of them is the manager.

At this point the whole thing is taking forever and I don’t think I’ve ever said “bread” as many times in 5 minutes as I have my whole life. It became so difficult for nothing. I kept thinking I was doing something wrong but I was just trying to make it easier for her as clearly I’m not able to pay the difference due to their policy, and obviously just giving us the other loaf, and sucking up the difference, was not an option. How hard is a refund then? Instead they told me again they’d have to give me cash as a refund. I didn’t really have a choice apparently and cash I received, while looking like an idiot the whole time. I just wanted to buy bread. Never realized how hard that was. Obviously common sense, and normal customer service practices are a thing of the past. Rather unfortunate. Obviously I don’t recommend.

Response to owner: I was not looking for a refund. I didn’t want a refund, I wanted the bread (or any kind) I ordered. Please read the full review.

As a side note: I did get the refund in cash as per your employees...

TLDR: This was a pretty abysmal experience. You can do better anywhere else.

So the good, the staff was friendly and the almond croissant was good. But you can get better pastries down the street at La Provence.

The bad, everything else. We had a turkey croque monsieur, the bread was like wonder bread and the turkey is basic deli cuts. They were both cold in the middle. You can get better at La Kouign Amann on the other side of Kanata. The atmosphere is loud, and in the winter the door is constantly bringing in cold air. This is going to get worse as the winter progresses. The prices are extremely high for what's being sold.

The unforgiveable was the coffee. We ordered 2 Mokacinnos, one iced one hot. They were made like Americanos and so the iced drink melted and was just watered down luke warm coffee. Both drinks flavor were terrible, I've never sent back a coffee for being so bad in my life and this was a first for me. The staff don't know what coffee they're using. When the drinks were returned, I got an apology but they were not comp'd. This place is running Tim Hortons quality and charging Café prices. If you want better coffee, Ritual on Main and Honey are down the street in Stittsville. Second cup and Starbucks will also both be better than this, and both are on the same street.

I won't be back, this place is doing too many things and ends up being like airline food for...

I know my way around a french pastry after over consuming in excess for the last 35 years, from France, Japan and more... Truly appreciate the French originals. Very hard to find anywhere outside of Quebec. Toronto has lot of overpriced ones and they all Americanize the recipes sadly. And none came close to the real taste. That's until I tried them here. Viennoiserie et patisserie excellent! Really like the friendly atmosphere and family friendly. They added the traditional and elementary French candies, it feels like I'm going back home. Carambar, fraise tagada and much more... Staff and owner are friendly and welcoming. Will go again... and again.... (and I have been) Galette des rois was good at new-year, would love for the gateau des rois as well ;) When it's that good, we keep asking for more...