Bangkok Garden — Restaurant in Toronto

My wife and I had a terrible experience at this restaurant. We ordered takeout on Sunday May 11, 2025. Both of us got sick. It was her first day at work today and she’s having to go through it while sick.

I called the restaurant to bring up my concerns. The first person who picked up was empathetic. She apologized and let me speak to her manager.

However, the “manager” gave me an awful experience. She pretended to care and apologize for approximately 5 seconds. Then I explained the situation and she immediately got defensive. Her tone and attitude was shocking to say the least. At the beginning of the conversation, she decided it would be a good idea to tell me that 200 customers ordered from the restaurant on the same day and did not get sick. She proceeded to tell me that it could have been something else we ate after. Then she said it could have been the way the food was handled after it left the restaurant. She said sometimes people leave the food out for too long. She told me if I am suggesting it’s food poisoning, food poisoning doesn’t happen right away it can take up to 30 days. She went into a series of excuses and defences. When I called her out on her inappropriate customer service and bad behaviour she had the audacity to tell me that I’m the one who is being aggressive.

I told her I want a refund of my order. She said she can’t do that. Apparently people abuse takeout orders, in her experience. I called her out for yet again drawing from her previous experiences and making assumptions of me and my wife. When she refused the refund I told her the only form of justice I can access it to share my experience on Google Reviews and with my friends and family. She then asked, “Are you threatening me?”. I told her no, I am telling you that I will share my experience, not only about the fact that we got sick after eating at your restaurant, but also about your behaviour and approach in handling this.

She then tells me that she did in fact apologize at the outset. I told her there’s a difference between saying you are sorry and meaning that you are sorry. I told her that people are not slow, they can sense when someone is being authentic, and she was not. I told her there’s no point of going back and forth on this. She responded “You’re right. I agree there’s no point in going back and forth on this”. I told her I will leave a Google Review sharing my experience. I told her let’s leave it at that. She said okay.

This “manager” handled the situation so poorly I was shocked. When someone calls your store and tells you that they’re sick after eating your food, I think it’s a good idea to be understanding and emphatic instead of denying their experience and deflecting the blame to them, or to other factors.

You need to learn how to speak to people. The way I spoke to you was a reflection of the way you set the tone of the conversation from the very beginning, and I told you that.

I can’t wait to see your petty attempt at denying any of the above. I told you during our call that out of integrity (something I believe you deeply lack), I will make sure that my entire review is accurate. So if anything other than an apology comes out of your mouth, you are embarrassing yourself further than I have already done and that’s your own loss.

May I add, your food...

I came in with a reservation for a group of 16 originally. And we were all disappointed with the service. Its understandable that on a Tuesday night it was very busy for 2 servers. However, it was very clear that the two were avoiding interaction with our table, as they were both attending and conversing with all the others. Handling such a large group of people on a busy night while understaffed is understandable. However it was absolutely unacceptable with the lack of communication and attentiveness there was with our table compared to every other from what we observed.

As most of our group had already arrived promptly, we just had a few others who were unable to attend and one who was running late. Everyone was ready to place their orders. And yet there was no server to come check up on us for a whole 20 minutes. By the time we did place our order, and when the food did arrive, it was very disappointing to see how generic the food was compared to the price.

Our gathering that night was to celebrate a birthday, which is why we brought our own cake. When we gave the cake to one of the staff to handle when we first arrived we were not informed of a "cake fee" or a fee regarding outside food and HOW MUCH it was either. Not until the end where it was about to be served. it was very understandable to have a fee on bringing outside food, but at least inform us of how much it would be. In the end every guest was charged $3 on top of the 18% gratuity fee. We did not even have to option if one person was willing to pay for the whole fee. What if one person were to pay for the whole table? How would that determine the outside food fee? If it wasnt for the mandatory fee, do you think we would even tip at all or even that much with this sort of service?

We never even got the chance to clarify any questions or concerns we had regarding the cake fees, or how we wanted the bills split. It felt extremely rushed for you to receive our payments. It honestly does not matter if the service was poor on the off chance, but if you expect us to pay such a high quantity, its expected the same for...

UPDATE Jan/01/2019: Admin responded to my comments as to the many stairs at the front of the restaurant. Fair enough but having missed that side entrance entirely, I must have also missed the sign suggesting this alternative entry. And so, if only for the humour, I'll leave said comments as they are until my next visit where I'll resist drooling over the drinks and the food to pay closer attention to my surroundings. But thank you for the response.

Lunch with a friend and the line up...and I do mean up...is maxed. Luckily we have reservations. But if you are thinking of entering this restaurant with a child & buggy, walker or mobility scooter you'll never make it. First you have stairs going down from the sidewalk. Entering you face stairs going up to the first or second floor depending on your point of view. Inside you have stairs down for the bathrooms or up to the second level. Bring a canteen of water and hiking boots I say. An oxygen bottle wouldn't hurt either.

Ok, that was the bad part. And now for the good and their is plenty of it: The service, Staff, food and drinks are all worth every bit of the previously mentioned headache. Professionalism is a plenty in this well appointed restaurant.

Buffet style food service will satisfy you. The Chili Negroni and Thai Basil Mojito were made by a Bartender who paid attention in class. Kudos also to Kunthira who is without a doubt one of the very best Wait Staff I've ever encountered. And I pretty much live in restaurants.

The soup counter...and my picture does NOT give justice to the delicious concoction...is tended by a lady who is pleasant and able to provide suggestions as to the various items available for your mix.

PS: They also have a coat check service available but what is a coat room without hooks for hats, scarves, etc. ...