Café au Temps Perdu — Restaurant in Quebec

Je déconseille à toute minorité de fréquenter ce restaurant, car j’y ai été victime de discrimination rétaliatrice. Après la graduation de mon frère, nous sommes allés célébrer dans cet établissement. Dès mon arrivée, des tensions ont commencé lorsque j’ai demandé de l’eau fraîche avec citron, une commande qui n’a jamais été servie correctement. Quand j’ai essayé de commander un martini ou ses composants, la serveuse et la barmaid m’ont brusquement refusé sans raison valable. L’eau que j’avais demandée m’a été remplacée par une eau déjà présente sur la table avant mon arrivée.

En me plaignant au manager, il a soutenu la serveuse qui a menti en affirmant avoir déjà servi ma commande. Le manager a rapidement écarté mes préoccupations, me reprochant de vouloir créer un scandale. Frustré par ce manque de respect, j’ai quitté le restaurant. Étant moi-même un professionnel de l’hospitalité, je sais qu’un bon service se distingue par la fierté et la transparence (surtout par self-identification), des qualités totalement absentes dans cette situation. Prudence H.

I strongly discourage any minority from visiting this restaurant, as I experienced blatant retaliatory discrimination there. After my brother’s graduation, we decided to celebrate at this establishment. From the moment I arrived, issues arose when I requested fresh water with lemon and no ice, which was never properly served. When I tried to order a martini or its components, the waitress and bartender rudely refused without a valid reason. The water I had requested was replaced with pre-existing water that had been on the table before I arrived. How do I know this water was not poisoned or soiled?

When I complained to the manager, they sided with the waitress, who lied about having served my order. The manager dismissed my concerns and accused me of trying to create a scene. Frustrated by this lack of respect, I left the restaurant. As someone with hospitality industry experience, I know that good service is defined by pride and transparency that include self-identification—qualities that were completely lacking in this situation. Prudence H.

RÉPONSE À L'ÉTABLISSEMENT: Le point n'était pas si vous aviez les ingrédients pour faire le martini ou pas. Le point est la manière dont la situation a été gérée. La retaliation de la serveuse parce que j'ai refusé de commander à manger et celle du manager qui a même refusé de m'écouter ou de s'identifier après avoir bafoué ma complainte et s'en était allé en accusant le client de faire du scandal. Et même si l'eau était déjà servie avant notre arrivée et le client demande une eau fraîche avec du citron et sans les glaçons, la demande du client devrait être accommodée. C'est une violation des lois hospitalières.

Par votre faute, j'avais manqué la fête de graduation de mon petit frère. Et je suis venu de très loin pour cette cérémonie. Prudence H.

RESPONSE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT: The issue was not whether you had the ingredients to make the martini or not. The issue is how the situation was handled. The retaliation from the waitress because I refused to order food, and from the manager who even refused to listen to me or identify himself after dismissing my complaint and walking away without hearing his complaint, yet accusing the customer of causing a scandal. That is a biais. Even though the water was served before we arrived, when the customer requests fresh water with lemon and no ice, the customer's request should be accommodated. This is a violation of hospitality laws.

Because of your actions, I missed my little brother's graduation party. I traveled a long way for this...

Stopped here for a quick dinner with my wife. The atmosphere is nice and the chairs are comfortable. The nachos are decently covered with toppings, yet is a bit small for sharing with larger parties. The veal burger was not bad, if a little on the salty side; the fries were extra crispy yummy and the salad was delightfully surprising. The vegan chili is disappointing, as it was more rice than actual chili; the fried tortilla that went with the chili was enjoyable. A major note of improvement is, the serving staff could be somewhat friendlier; but, who knows, everyone...

Called here twice to confirm my reservation and inquire about parking. Both times the phone was answered in French (which I expected) and I asked a question in English. Both times the phone was immediately hung up, which is so unbelievably rude. I understand if the person on the other line doesn’t speak English but it feels incredibly inappropriate to just hang up instead of try to communicate (because I know enough French to understand if someone says they don’t know English)/hand the phone to...