Albatros Pub — Restaurant in Toronto

I recently had the misfortune of dining at this charming Polish establishment with my vegan friend, where I encountered a blonde waitress who seemed to embody the perfect blend of golden locks and a heart of stone. Her exceptional service skills were only rivaled by her apparent disdain for anyone who didn't share her skin tone. I bet her parents must be happy that she is not the only child they have.

My friend and I decided to try their famous "homemade"pierogies freshly delivered from somewhere else frozen, but with a slight modification – no cheese, please. When my friend, who happens to be white, requested that simple modification to the pierogies, our blonde waitress responded with a warmth that could rival the Arctic tundra, grudgingly agreed to our request. Her expression was so unfathomable that it almost felt like she was asking my friend to give up. It was as if the mere act of accommodating a dietary preference was an affront to her very existence. Should I ever wish to end myself, I shall jump from the level of her hubris to the level of her courtesy.

When the pierogies arrived, my friend and I were thrilled to find that the portion was generously small, making the price feel like a robbery - $18 for 7 pierogies. Apparently they have put quite a load of efforts redefining the concept of "value for money". The food, while tasty, was portioned with the generosity of a miser, making the price feel like a joke.

But what truly made our evening special was the exceptional service from our blonde waitress. It's impressive how she even managed to make my white friend feel unwelcome. Several other reviews have mentioned her unique talent for making people of colour feel particularly unwelcome, and I must commend her consistent rudeness to all races. Though I, as an Asian, did not personally experience any evident racism, it's heartwarming to know that she maintains such high consistency. In fact, I enjoyed her absence very much. I would recommend this lovely place to all white supremists to learn something from her.

If you're looking for a dining experience that combines overpriced, undersized meals with a side of racism, then this is the perfect place for you. And don't forget to ask for the blonde waitress – she's the icing...

As noted by many reviewers, our negative experience with the service was second to none. My wine was "off" and when I informed the server (after having two other friends taste and concur), expecting an apology and the offer of an alternate, was told very curtly that "it was what I ordered and had been opened just that day". She then told me that she would bring me a "sample" of another type before committing to a full glass (as if she felt that it was a gimmick to get an extra sip for free). Any bartender would be aware that even an unopened bottle of wine can be damaged by light, heat, freezing, or for other reasons. Regardless, reasonable customer service would not subject the patron from having to prove claims of poor quality. Although the most glaring, that experience wasn't the only example of the server's hostility toward the guests at our table. The food was fine but not spectacular, but was devoured quickly as it had taken so long to be received. The decorations were certainly plentiful - winter snowflakes, icicles and snowmen, combined with hearts and other Valentine's Day paraphernalia - and gave you lots to look at, during the interminable wait for the food. Some other reviewers have suggested that her poor service was due to bigotry - as a 69 year-old Caucasian, I can reassure them that the extreme rudeness seems dished out universally, without regard to race/ethnicity. She must be related to the owner, as no self-respecting establishment would continue to employ such an individual in a customer-facing position.

We will...

A hidden gem. The decor, food quality and service make Albatros worthy of a cross town drive or bike ride. I've been going there for years and never, even during a pandemic, does the food falter. Portions are generous too. I will go there and enjoy the decor and sip fresh Polish beer after this pandemic ends. This is one of the best restaurants in the area, if not the city.

Update as of June 4 2022. They've changed the menu, removed a lot of the trinkets and decor items and changed their potion sizes. The food is still good but for the money, its not worth it anymore in my opinion - even with inflation. My friend and I ordered a dinner-for-two platter. There was only one protein item per person - a 5 " schnitzel, literally 4 perogies, two potato pancakes and a basket of fries. Carb overload and not worth 46 dollars. After we were done I was still hungry so I ordered their chicken wings. 17 dollars. For 6 wings, deeep fried to death.

I understand the need to cut costs but there is a reason whey customers choose a restaurant and if those quality factors change the customer does not return. I hope they read this and consider their approach because this place was worth a trip out from downtown to experience the charm and the food. Both of those things are...