Buvette — Restaurant in Winnipeg

Shockingly disappointing. We found this place by fluke and saw that it had great reviews so we decided to check it out. Numerous issues from the start.

1. THE SPACE: extremely small and cramped. Tables close together and your conversion can be heard by everyone. Absolutely no privacy. Also cold inside. For such a small space, you should be able to afford to heat it. (the music was nice)

2. UNPROFESSIONAL: The menus were hand written and all over the place. We had actually come in for something specific that we saw online. The server mentioned to us that it wasn't available because they change their menus weekly but that needs to be updated. It is very misleading to offer something online that you don't actually serve. Also the prices we much much higher. The items are listed with no detail as to what is in it. I really don't want to guess as to what I am being served. Even some of the sauces have MSG and that is something many people can't handle.

3. PORTIONS: The "bowl" of soup was a cup at best and incredibly overpriced. I asked how big it was when we odered as we were planning on sharing and she said 2 big laddles. I think she meant 2 tablespoons. We ordered the meatball sandwich which was literally 4 meatballs, sauce and lettuce for $18! With the board so far away, I thought I read $12 and I thought even that was a lot for a small sandwich, but when we went up to pay I realized it was 18. My mistake but if they had adequate menus perhaps it would not have happened.

4. TIMING: We ordered one sandwich and we were the only customers. It took forever. Unacceptable.

5. QUALITY: I am all about quality over quantity. I'm not looking to go to a buffet and stuff my face. But there is something to be said about value. If a restaurant charges expensive prices it better have the atmosphere and the flavors to back it up. This place had neither. The meatballs were half pork and lacking flavor. I was pulling out hard pieces until I lost my appetite and gave it to my partner. He eats anything. We were running out of time as the sever was quite slow so I just ordered a muffin to not be hungry. They were big and looked really tasty. I was wrong. It had the texture of uncooked dough. Too heavy and clumps in your mouth as you eat it.

6. SERVICE: Overall, the server was nice and polite. She was a bit slow but her service was not really part of the bad experience.

7. PRICE: We ended up returning the soup as it was inedible and only were charged for a coffee, muffin and one sandwich. Which came to $30. Absolutely ridiculous. This place should be ashamed of its prices. And if you want to charge that much, then you need to increase the quality of food and the atmosphere.

IN CONCLUSION: I am the type of person who can really appreciate a little hole in the wall restaurant with amazing food. Sometimes, even if the atmosphere is not the greatest, it is worth coming back. But this place was a huge disappointment on so many levels. I left hungry and feeling like I got ripped off. I'm not sure how they made it this far, but I hope they take this review seriously. I am not irrate, I don't mean anything malicious by it. It is just...

An honest review from someone who frequents breakfast/brunch restaurants in Winnipeg..

Saturday morning without a reservation meant having to wait 20 minutes for a table.., like many breakfast restaurants in Winnipeg, but the catch is, the fact that to begin with they maybe had 3 tables in the small living room sized “restaurant” as well as a spot for two at a short wall counter (barely big enough to fit a average sized entree plate) so that if two had felt like it, they could enjoy each others company by staring at a wall, this “table” was offered to us, but refused so an additional 10 minutes of waiting was required. Finally seated in the cramped nook in which Buvette genuinely is, we had waters served in mismatched “thrift store glasses” one of which was an A and W root beer mug, neither of these glasses had a proper wash nor even rinse which became apparent with lipstick stains from former patrons. The tap water was flavourful however.. The limited cramped seating is only sectioned off by a small counter in which on the other half of the living room sized bistro is the kitchen, in which many of the cooks have longer hair absent of hairnets (not even baseball caps or toques worn).., I ordered the classic eggs Benedict, which was posted on the chalk board menu plastered to a random wall, the menu im told, changes everyday, so if you’re looking for old reliable breakfast entrees or to order the same thing continuously, Buvette is not the place for you. The eggs Benedict was good, simple, but good, and was served hot, I had to order an side of hashbrowns which were included in the classic breakfast meal, as they are at many Winnipeg establishments, and also found the good side of hashbrowns reasonably cheap, unlike the $16 eggs Benedict, which wasn’t as well portioned but at least tasted good, and was served warm, perhaps on account of the kitchen being several inches away from the table. Buvette is not you’re traditional breakfast place, if you’re looking for a good bang for you’re buck, BUVETTE IS NOT THE PLACE, nor if you’re looking for a establishment that follows ALL the Manitoba health codes. There are many better and cheaper places in Winnipeg to enjoy breakfast or brunch at, I don’t think...

Sat-in for the first time at Buvette. Went on a Saturday morning for breakfast with a friend of mine. Saturdays employ French toast, an eggs benedict menu, side of hash browns (4 different types of eggs benny and a flight of eggs benny which range from $15-19 for single serve or $34 for the flight of 4). Opted for the flight - perogy/fish+chips/asparagus/ham. Only got through the asparagus, and ham and a bit of the hash. Everything else was boxed up. The food was delicious and well priced. The hollandaise sauce was light, the eggs just right, with each benny well constructed, flavourful and balanced. The cubed hash was fresh, not overly crispy; a profile I’d like to learn how to cook myself.

They also offer a wide selection of cold and hot drinks, as well as cocktails. All a welcomed selection.

The service was great. Our server was friendly and attentive. We arrived just before opening and already people were queuing up to go in. While a smaller space and with the tables full, the kitchen worked quietly and diligently. I was impressed considering how busy they were - it’s a testament to their efficiency and professionalism: fast, effective and focused.

The tables are close together so at times you had to lean in to hear each other speak but otherwise it didn’t detract from the dining experience.

I also appreciated the ability to pay at the table using a square card reader as their POS System. With a smaller space, it removes the traffic of standing at a till/counter to pay or using a handheld terminal making it a quick payment process for both the customer and business alike.

My friend and I are already planning our next outing to Buvette. It was enjoyable and I highly recommend. Just make sure you come with an appetite. Personally, I already have my eye on the French Toast for...