Diwan — Restaurant in Toronto

I would have given Diwan 5 stars if our experience was better. We attended the Aga Khan Museum on Family Day then stopped over the restaurant for a bite to eat. We were the first one in the museum building. The lady at the restaurant desk could have told us that we need to make reservations. Because if you dont, there will be a great wait for seating. After touring the whole museum we came back and ready to eat, only to hear we have to wait 40 mins because we didnt have a res and others did. No one told us we needed one when we were there in the first place. Anyways, we browsed the over priced gift shop for 45 mins then our table was ready. At the restaurant everything took forever and a half to come to us. The waiter forgot about us, then at one point he forgot our food while we sat puzzled looking around lol. We were annoyed but just made fun with the situation. The food however, was tasty and the mocktails were superb. Also the coffee and tea were bursting with flavour followed by a wonderful strong aroma. The atmosphere was buzzing with chatter from the people's experience about the museum and the view from the windows were perfect with plenty of sunlight coming in and the decor in the ceiling and side panels were a work of art themselves. I guess due to family day some staff were missing and caused havoc in the kitchen. Perhaps we will come another time when they're not so busy to get a full experience without...

Fresh, fresh, fresh! We went for lunch and discovered a great dining spot that reminded me of the former restaurant at the AGO before its Frank Gehry transformation. Diwan's dining room is spacious with modern styled furnishings. Antique carved polychromed wood with mirror panels cover portions of the restaurant. Outdoor dining is available seasonally. The menu is from the ubiquitous yet quintessential McEwan brand and while it's not imaginative in its offerings, it's all very fresh, wonderfully seasoned and nicely presented not unlike Kelseys, Milestones or The Keg. My lamb samosas and fattoush salad were delicious and I'm not a fan of lamb. The onion bhaji and shrimps with pomegranate seeds were well portioned. A few items detracted our first experience at Diwan: an unsightly coat rack greets patrons at the entrance to the restaurant, restrooms are located an elevator ride to the parking level below and stained fabric on the dining chairs should be addressed. The decorator should know better. Same level restrooms are available beside the coat check on the far side of the museum. The museum also has a bistro available to visitors on the main level with leather covered seating (hint, hint), but please purchase a commercial espresso machine. Diwan is definitely worth a visit for the food! Pay...

We were having a lovely dinner in the lovely Diwan. The waitress was attentive, the service was good. We had our coffee, and then .... The waitress disappeared.

Another waitress appeared and got into an altercation with the table next to ours. They started discussing the "a la carte" menu. What "a la carte" menu, I ask. It's on our website, didn't you read the website. No we say, we booked our reservation and came to look at the menu here. Well then you can't have the "a la carte". But, what we ordered would have been cheaper. Well you'll know for next time, not our fault if you are too stupid to look on the website.

Still can't pay. Still can't get a second cup of coffee. Still no waitress. Argument ongoing at the next table, and then table behind us starts looking for the waitress. The assistant manager (on duty - no manager) is running around trying to explain what the customers are doing wrong. Not the staff's fault. Policies are reasonable.

Could we please pay. Oh that. Sure, wait awhile longer will find someone to bring you the bill.

We paid. No Tip!!! Great food, lousy (rude and disrespectful) service. This is not a cheap restaurant. For your money you can eat somewhere that they don't feel obliged to be insult you, and tell you it's the restaurant's policy to insult...