Casa Madera — Restaurant in Toronto

Booted us from our table TWICE, cut our seating time by 1 hour mid-res, frantically called us at 12:30 LATE AT NIGHT after our visit.

I have been several times, and consistently have seen poor management and service. This restaurant needs to work on its table management and communication.

The most recent time was for my friend's birthday, where we were a group of 10 people. Upon placing this reservation, we were told that we had 3 hours for our slot. However, 1 hour in, after we had our drinks and appetizers (which took a while, 20-30 mins to come out), we were told that we only had 1 HOUR left and were rushed by our server to place our order for entrees. Why was our reservation time sliced by an hour? Why were we only notified about this 1 hour in? Our servers were now approaching us over and over to have us make a decision which stressed us out. Our server told us that entrees would take minimum 20-30 mins and since our drinks and appetizers took as long as they did, we weren’t confident that the entrees would arrive in a timely manner as we wanted time at the end to have birthday desserts and a nightcap.

This left us to instead order the tacos (overpriced and “just okay” at $14 PER TACO) as we understood that it would come out faster than the entrees. I was personally very frustrated by this as I would have much rather ordered an entree - I did not come to a nice restaurant to eat the same street food as I did in actual Mexico, at these inflated prices. It was very unpleasant to be pressured to order and eat our food faster by the waitstaff due to poor scheduling and communication by the restaurant. I like to savour and enjoy my food, not feel like I’m in an eating competition.

We were then kicked out of our table due to the next party arriving, to move to a table in another room where we had to get settled in AGAIN and eat our desserts. However, 20 minutes in, we were pressured and forced to leave by our servers as there was yet another party expected in this table. They didn't even let all of us pay AT the table, halfway thru us paying they told the rest of us to instead pay at the front, and even moved all our coats that they brought to the table from coat check away from us and instead to the hostess booth.

When we arrived at the hostess booth the staff just dumped 4 parkas on me to hold for my friends, and ushered us to pay and get out.

Of course - we still had to pay a mandatory 18% gratuity despite this chaotic experience.

Then, at 12:30 AM (!!) we then received a phone call from our very frantic server - informing us that they forgot to charge us for the desserts. I cannot express how angry I would have been if I was woken up at night by this call, that was due to the SERVER'S mistake. It is VERY unprofessional to call a customer at such late hours of the night, at the very least, call during normal business hours the next day. And yet they still had the audacity to charge us despite the awful hospitality.

It doesn’t help that the first time I came here was 2 years ago for a friend's birthday, where I had placed a reservation prior. When we arrived for our reservation, we were told our table was not yet ready, and the hostess had us wait at a separate bar for 20 minutes. It’s apparent that your level or organization and management has not improved over the last 2 years.

I will not come here again, and will actively discourage my friends, family, and colleagues...

Casa Madera is a restaurant concept with locations in various cities, including Toronto, West Hollywood, and Miami. It generally receives positive reviews for its upscale ambiance, fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, and vibrant atmosphere. Here's a breakdown of common themes in Casa Madera reviews: Ambiance and Atmosphere: Upscale and Trendy: Casa Madera is consistently described as a "fancy," "trendy," and "classy" spot, often noted for its beautiful design, with a focus on natural materials, wood, and greenery. It aims for a "jungle oasis" or "Tulum vibe." Vibrant and Energetic: Many reviewers highlight the "vibey" and "high-energy" atmosphere, often accompanied by DJs, live musicians, and performance artists, especially during brunch. Good for Special Occasions and Groups: It's a popular choice for celebrations, business meals, and group gatherings. Noise Level: While the energetic atmosphere is a draw for many, some reviewers mention that the music can be quite loud, making conversation difficult. Food and Drinks: Mexican-Mediterranean Fusion: The menu blends culinary traditions from the Mayan Riviera and the Mediterranean, offering unique and creative dishes. Quality and Flavor: The food generally receives high praise for its taste and quality. Portions can sometimes be on the smaller side, but the flavors are often described as "amazing" and "delicious." Notable Dishes (may vary by location): Raw Bar: Hamachi Serrano, Tuna Timbale, Oysters Cascara, Torre de Mariscos, Aguachile Verde, Salmon Crudo, Ceviche Blanco. For the Table: A5 Tajima Wagyu Beef, Casa Guacamole, Grilled Crab Legs, Black Truffle Burrata, Mayan Hummus, Oishii Shrimp. Tacos: Sea Bass, Braised Wagyu Beef, Tiger Shrimp, Arrachera, Al Pastor. Entrees: Wagyu Top Cap, Fire Grilled Wagyu Ribeye, Madera Burger, Truffle Risotto, Casa Tomahawk, Pacifico Striped Bass, Pollo Asado. Brunch: Churro French Toast, Mayan Pancakes, Salsa Verde + Eggs, Truffle Ricotta Toast, Casa Omelet, Casa Tomahawk + Eggs. Creative Cocktails: The cocktail program is often lauded, with unique and well-crafted drinks. They also offer non-alcoholic and low-proof options. Pricey: Expect Casa Madera to be on the higher end of the price spectrum, with some guests finding certain dishes or valet parking to be overpriced. Service: Attentive and Friendly: Service is frequently described as excellent, with staff being knowledgeable, explicit, and attentive. Overall Impression: Casa Madera is generally well-regarded as a high-energy, visually stunning restaurant offering a unique culinary experience with a focus on ambiance and atmosphere. While it can be on the pricier side and the music might be loud for some, many consider it worth it for a memorable dining experience. If you're considering a visit, it's a good idea to specify which Casa Madera location you're interested in, as menus and specific offerings may...

Extremely disappointing experience—poor service, misleading reservations, and subpar food.

My partner and I arrived just after 11:30 AM for brunch. Since OpenTable showed plenty of available reservations, I assumed it wouldn't be an issue to get seated without booking in advance. However, the hosts informed us that they were fully booked for the next few hours and could only offer bar seating. They mentioned they might move us to a table if one became available. Strangely, the main dining area had several visibly empty tables, and their private dining room was entirely closed.

We decided to sit at the bar and ordered an Americano and a latte. I requested milk on the side for the Americano, but it never arrived. A server checked in after a while, and we asked again—still nothing.

While sitting at the bar, I checked OpenTable again and saw that the same reservations I had viewed earlier were still available. Out of curiosity, I booked a table for two in the main dining room while we were still at the bar. When I asked the bartender if we could now be moved to a table, I was told nothing was available. I then approached the host stand again and was given the same response. When I showed them that I was able to book a table online in real-time, they fumbled through some incoherent explanation about multiple booking platforms not communicating properly. It was clear they were making excuses. Suddenly, a table became available as a "previous reservation hadn’t shown up," and we were finally seated.

Once at our table, we asked for milk a third time along with our food order. This time, we finally received it—half an hour too late, by which point the Americano was already cold.

Food Review:

Americano: Tasted fine, but went cold waiting for the milk that never arrived.

Latte: Mediocre taste with poor milk steaming and presentation.

Churro French Toast: Looked great but was dry and lacked the rich flavor you’d expect. The ice cream was nice but didn’t integrate well with the toast, and the berries were cut too large.

Omelette Mexicano: Disappointing. The so-called "Wagyu beef chorizo" tasted like regular spiced ground beef. The filling was flavorful but sparse, leaving parts of the omelette bland. The egg was completely underseasoned, dry, and fluffy like a pancake instead of creamy as a good omelette should be. Poor presentation with an odd thyme garnish on the avocado that made no sense. The whole dish felt incomplete and lacking.

The only bright spot in the service was the busser who cleared our table efficiently.

Ambiance:

The live DJ and guitarist were a nice touch, and the music selection was enjoyable.

Final Thoughts:

Not once did any staff member acknowledge or apologize for the clear mismanagement of our reservation or the painfully slow service. The food was mediocre at best, and the overall experience left me feeling frustrated and dissatisfied.

Would not...