Rendez-Vous Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

Just got back from our first time eating Ethiopian food here and I can’t agree with most reviews. I made reservations and was seated almost right away. The waitress was pleasant enough but if you’re hoping for top notch customer service where they ask you if you’ve ever been there, ever tried Ethiopian food, offer recommendations or anything like that....this is not the place for you. You basically have to know what to order and figure it out yourself. I researched before going so I knew. The food came in about 15 minutes. It was not hot or warm it was room temperature and the Injera (wrap) was also room temperature. We ordered 2 veggie platters, 1 cha cha tibs, 1 beef tibs and 1 doro wat, 2 stella Artois, 1 cinnamon ginger tea. The bill came up to $94 and change tax included. The portions were not huge in terms of the veggies or meat. The injera is what fills you. They give you enough Injera. The cha cha tibs was supposed to be lamb but tasted like beef and the doro wat instead of spicy was a bit sweet and too peppery. The taste was completely off. They are busy and don’t have enough help. The seating arrangement is very crowded and you tend to bump into the person sitting behind you at another table. Nowhere to put big winter jackets except try to have it behind you on your small chair. I don’t mean to sound too critical but it is what it is. I’m telling it like it is. I was excited to eat this food but I have to say I was disappointed. The taste was not bad but the fact that none of the food was hot made such a huge difference. Would I go back ? No. Would I eat Ethiopian food again? Maybe elsewhere and if it’s temperature hot. I hate cold or lukewarm food. My parents were not impressed either. But I took them to try something new. They do not want to go back. They also dislike cold food. This place can fool people who don’t know how to cook or eat but for a family who cooks and eats really well, no bueno. Also, the restaurant was so dark. While we were eating a couple more lights went off/burnt out and we could barely see what we were eating. Its almost as if they don’t want you to have a good proper look at what you are consuming. Could use a LOT of changes and improvements. Would I recommend this to anyone?...

We went to this restaurant to dine in tonight August 29 at 8.50pm. It took us around 15 minutes to order food as we were checking the menu! We also ordered something to drink! 1 white wine which tasted bitter and 2 soft drinks! One waitress came and took order verbally she didn’t have any notebook to write the order! Anyway, we started to wait! The restaurant had all native diners of the same community. Except us. After us a group of 8/10 people came and they were promptly served! Maybe within 15 minutes of their arrival.. They might have ordered before coming? Just giving benefit of doubt for that! (All from the same community)!! Then 3 gentlemen came took a table ahead of us and their order was also served on time! The waitress who took our order verbally was walking past by our table with a puzzled look, not maintaining any eye contact! Then finally at 9.50pm I asked where is our food? She didn’t answer and hurriedly walked away! We were surprised! The people who came after us all left except those 3 men who were eating! The waitress then comes to our table and quietly mumbled that the food will take some time!( she must have forgotten to place our order to the chef since she took the order verbally) Not ready to hear this after an hour long wait! We stood up prepared to leave and we’re ready to pay for the drinks! She said we don’t have to pay for the drink!Wow! So generous eh? Not a word of apology for her mistake or negligence !We left the place! I did declare Loud that we will give a ‘Great’ review! Never to return to that place ever! We eat out quite often and enjoy the food we dine everywhere! A very poor customer service!...

It’s been a while I had Ethiopean food and I took my friend from out of town to impress her with their amazing platter. Ordered veg +meat combo platter. My friend was impressed. It was around $62 including 1 soft drink and there was leftover.,

However My knowlege of Ethiopean food is very shallow, I only know some names such as “Tibs”( meat fried with butter, garlic , onion & pepper), “Injera”(fermented flat bread) “Doro Wat” “Awaze”(sauce), etc. Their menu description in English was very confusing. Almost all the meat dishes had different names but they were mostly sauteed with butter, garlic, onion & pepper. Wait staff was trying to explain that there are various options of meat such as spicy, non spicy, ground meat version, etc. but I was not even sure, I was served with what I actually chose.

For example, if you look at #60 &#61, only difference I see is one is served on sizzling plate. However their names are completely different.

ChachA Charbroiled beef tender seasoned with spices, onion, garlic, red pepper, green pepper, ginger, rosemary, served with Injera and green salad (It comes with a special sizzling pot).

DereK Tibes Charbroiled beef tender seasoned with spices, onion, garlic, ginger, green & red peppers, rosemary, served with Injera and green salad.

Experience was overall great but I with they had better menu...