The Local Cafe and Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

Went here for brunch today for the first time. The atmosphere is perfect for a college cafe. We were looking for a cafe and found this on google. Found pay parking at the back and free level2 EV charging at the lot. There was also flo chargers around an adjacent lot, but we didn't quite check out how those areas operated.

We didn't even know it was serving a brunch buffet. Walking in, there was very little indication as to how the menu is being run at the given time. When we walked in, we told the people at the door that we don't have a reservation and we wanted a table for 2 people. We waited a bit, but there was no eye contact or verbal assurance from the front that we are being looked after. At this point I'm unsure if there was a host/hostess at the door as we weren't directed very clearly if it was a find your own seat restaurant or a please wait to be seated type. A sign at the door would greatly help, for both indicating it is a buffet, and waited to be seated.

Confused and unattended, we found our own seat, only to find out in a few minutes later that the seats were reserved(with zero indication). The hostess(I guess?) redirect us to another table. We weren't mad, I kinda had an idea that this is a student ran restaurant from the beginning, but when I told her that this is the first time we are here and doesn't know how this cafe works she keeps telling me the seat was reserved, which was something that was already established and moved beyond but she doesn't seem to be listening to what I was saying.

She needed to understand quickly that we are new customers to the restaurant, and needed directions because the restaurant itself provides very little indication of how it runs. Hospitality doesn't start at the table, it starts at the door and sometimes even at the reservation. A simple "Hi" or "Welcome" at the door, and "I'll be right with you", will almost ensure customers won't just wander into reserved seats. Avoid creating situations that can cause confusion and anger in impatient customers would create a better atmosphere for everyone that will end up serving that customer.

At the table, our server greeted us and proceeded to inform us that this is a buffet. Again, this should be made clear at the door because what if I don't want to have a buffet? Our server was attentive, and courteous, but I can also feel he's a bit nervous and needs a bit more snappy and confidence in the routine. After the first plate he came and collected my plate, and also proceeded to collect my fork, knife and paper napkin that was not on the plate. He did come back with a fresh set of cutlery right away, but I did find the process a bit odd considering it's a buffet and I made no indication or was asked if I was done for the visit.

The food, while pales in selection excels in quality, reminds brunch at many 3-4 star hotels. Everything on the table looks absolutely delicious, and clean. I do have an insight about how the omelette station runs. You order it at the station and they will bring it to your table. The thing is, the tables aren't numbered, and it's on a "point and over-there" system which leaves a lot of room for errors. Either make to wait for the omelette or give the customer a tag or sign to put on the table for the order. I can imagine it not being fun holding a couple omelettes running around the dining room searching for the customer who ordered it. Also the soup needs to be served using a bigger ladle. The poor guy was given a small sauce ladle to serve the soup, he has to do it like 5 times, each time carefully not have it drip onto the side of the bowl.

The overall experience is good and would definitely return. I might come back and, on purpose, give a little more grieve so the students will have a better chance at learning for the real restaurant. Also I read some comments on people saying this is just a exploitative operations and students just get yelled at and doesn't learn anything. To which I say, good luck not getting yelled at in...

3rd time visiting. Service and food were better at my two previous visits. I would actually rate my experience 3.5 stars but as this is a student learning opportunity, I'm rounding up. Taste of food was overall average. Price is great. I like that tips go towards student scholarship.

Corn bread with herbed butter - good. Small piece, but I was satisfied with it. At my first visit back when they served dinner, I received complimentary bread and was offered more. Not sure if the same case with the cornbread. Celeriac Cream Pasta - this was more filling than the portion size looks. Initially mistakenly given to the table next to me and when the ladies said no one ordered the pasta our shared server insisted that they did. Eventually it was put on my table and our server apologized to the ladies. Sweet Potato Arancini - you'd think the way the menu reads, the chili is a garnish. My plate was replete with chili slices I couldn't even taste the sweet potato in the arancini: hot pepper was the only flavour. I can handle spicy but I do think this dish was improperly made. I asked for a different side and the manager allowed it. Poached Plum Green Salad (replaced side) - I enjoyed this the most. It could've been elevated with some cranberries. I would've preferred it served in a salad bowl for more even distribution of the vinaigrette rather than the deep soup bowl. Apple Shortcake - Nice presentation. Light. Not too sweet. Subtle flavour other than the actual apple pieces. Peach Iced Tea - Nice. Filled to the rim with ice though. Not uncommon. Should ask for less ice. My server was attentive during the dining experience and very polite. When a different server brought out my desert I asked for the bill and she said she'd retrieve it (or maybe she would let my server know). That didn't happen. Then the ladies at the adjacent table finished their desserts, received their bills right away, and promptly left. I finished mine a minute or two later. My server came over and instead of providing me with my bill and then clearing and cleaning both our tables, he focused on clearing the ladies' table. Part way through his cleaning another server came to help him. I sat and waited for 10 minutes, even made eye contact with my server, before I asked him for the bill. He finished clearing the last of dishes and then attended to me.

I hope my review helps with...

I came here for brunch on Sunday at 12:30 and was informed I'd have to wait 20 minutes. No biggie, except I saw from the window that there were a couple of unoccupied tables which nobody was clearing. After waiting 10 minutes, I asked the server if they were free, and thankfully they started clearing the tables. The server showed me towards me a 4 person table at the entrance (I came alone and it felt like the hostess was staring at me the whole time, a bit awkward) and I asked to have a smaller table near the back, but he refused, citing that they were understaffed. I was confused because the person right behind me was seated at the table in the back. Huh? Not a great start. Then when I asked for my food, it took a while to get it. I ordered a tea but was given only hot water and had to ask for the tea later.

The food was on average 3 stars. The chicken and waffles were pretty good! Waffles were a bit bland (certainly not belgian waffles) but the chicken, maple butter, and slaw were delicious! Not dry at all. However, the pastries left something to be desired. The croissants and danishes were very dense and hard without any buttery flavour, and the desserts were very sugary, but otherwise the flavors didn't mesh very well. The paris-brest did not have an authentic taste and for some reason had coconut and macademia (maybe this was a spin on a paris-brest), and the tiramisu had chocolate in it. I also wasn't a fan of the st. honore (filling was a bit weird). I felt really bad because everything was presented beautifully.

Honestly the service is to be expected because everyone is a student. I would definitely come again for the food considering the price point-just...