SHAKER Kitchen & Mixology — Restaurant in Quebec

Four of us attended here last week for supper. It was not very busy with the restaurant just over 1/3 full. We ordered our drinks and waited and waited and waited. We eventually flagged over our waitress who obviously had forgotten to bring them. We eventually got our drinks, at which time we each order our meals. About 30 minutes later we finally flagged down another server and asked where our meals were. Our original server was too busy sneaking shots from behind the bar to be bothered to come check on us. Our meals were then brought out to us, however they were all just room temperature. Obviously, they had been prepared a while ago and then left sitting somewhere for several minutes. They were tasty but likely would have been so much better if they had arrived hot.

I ordered another drink when my meal arrived, but it never did show up. Had to flag another person over to get it. Our server never came back and asked how our meals were. At the end of the evening, we almost had to tackle someone to get our bill. This was the first time in my life I didn’t leave a tip. Without a doubt, this was the WORSE service I’ve ever experienced in any restaurant across Canada. Thankfully, our other dining experiences in Quebec City were amazing. Just wanted your restaurant to know how terrible your service was...

Just don’t do it ! Corporatised food sold in a contrived atmosphere. So many issues, where would we start. Friendly staff but hugely varying degrees of professionalism/competence. Nothing like watching people who came in after you getting served first. Or having to ask for everything - cutlery, water, napkins etc. How about having your food arrive but you are still waiting for your drinks (a simple order of a beer and a wine). Finally, nothing like ordering lobster poutine and a lobster roll to find that there was very little lobster and a lot of shrimp (this in itself is not necessary bad, however if the first descriptor on a menu is lobster, you expect lobster! If the menu had said shrimp and lobster, my expectations would have been totally different. As it was, 95% shrimp and 5% lobster just didn’t cut it). This was all achieved at 3pm with 3 staff on and about 10 customers, not all of whom were eating. So hardly rush hour there. So all said, it really is a why bother experience ( big call out and apologies to the two staff who were very good. Hopefully, you have enough insight to know...

My biggest complaint is that they did not notify me of or post what items were unavailable on the menu when I entered and was seated. The fish and chips and Becks 0% were out of stock. Yet another restaurant just up the street had fish and chips. And how do you run out of bottled beer, a big brand one no less, and fish when Quebec is virtually on the St Lawrence river. This looks like a case of poor management with no inventory controls, and a lack of customer service.

And, so, the food that I eventually had was good but nothing to write home about. The fries in the poutine were soggy and the red meat sauce did not stand out as an Italian meat sauce. The meat consisted of just minced beef, not sausage nor strips or cubes of beef, that was barely noticeable.

I will say the atmosphere was nice and pleasant, and my server was attentive. But when you get roped into a bait and switch situation it does not reflect well upon the establishment. As a result, I doubt I will return any time soon, and would rather spend my money at a place where dishes that a restaurant purports to offer will...