Chaise Café & Lounge — Restaurant in Winnipeg

DISORGANIZED - POOR SERVICE - UNCARING OWNER – MEDIOCRE FOOD We were here Saturday night for a birthday. All guests were asked to arrive for 7 pm and the honoured guest arrived just prior to 7:30. While guests were waiting for us to arrive, they had been sitting there without any beverages including water. There were no serviettes, glasses or cutlery. Apparently there were jugs of water out by the front desk and the guests were supposed to get the water themselves.

We had to ask the bartender/waiter to take drink orders. Drinks finally started to arrive at tables. Some people went directly to the bar to order their drinks. It was observed that the bartender was free pouring drinks - no jiggers or shot glasses were used – this resulted in single shot drinks turning into doubles and triples. They did not have the beer in stock that was on their menu. Incorrect drinks were being brought to the tables and not sure how they kept track of who ordered what. We had one waitress and one waiter, who was in training (either 1st night or 1st week-can't recall). The bartender/waiter was so confused on how to handle the situation he kept offering to give free drinks. I had told him that was not what people wanted. They just want what they ordered. He had called the owner to come down but he refused (he was upstairs) to help his staff. He only showed his face once to fix the TV so we can play a video. He did not greet any of the guests nor did he seem to care that the room was in chaos. It was obvious this place was under very poor management.

The dinner was set up for buffet style as requested. They only brought out two pasta dishes at a time which were in bowls, just slightly larger than a soup bowl. The pizza was brought out two at a time on oval dinner plates. The plates provided to us were dessert size plates and you could only put a small amount of food on the plate at a time. The food was replenished every 15 or 20 minutes (or longer) so not sure how that is supposed to feed 40 hungry people within a reasonable period of time. Some guests pre-ordered a meat dish which cost an additional $18 in addition to the $30 they were being charged for the buffet meal. Some people did not even get their order but were charged for it or they received the wrong meat. Guests were clearing dishes from the tables.

When people went to pay, there was chaos once again as people were being charged for things they never ordered or did not get. The host advised Chaise that there were to be individual bills but they didn't do that and the waiter/bartender ended up sorting things out at the till as people were leaving. People left very upset at the lack of service, the mediocre food and the cost for the food and then on top of that being charged an 18% gratuity. When the host went to pay his bill, he was told that there were meals and drinks that had not been paid for. We believe that was a result of Chaise’s inability to keep track of the orders. When incorrect drinks were brought out, we believe those were charged but we are unaware of what happened to those drinks. He ended up having to pay $650 due to Chaise’s mismanagement.

I have read the reviews from Saturday night and I must say I am shocked at the response to some of those reviews by the owner. Why would you not want to deal with this issue in a more professional way? You basically threw your staff under the bus by leaving inexperienced staff alone on a privately booked event for over 40 people. It is obvious you do not care that your staff was overwhelmed. You were in the building but you just did not care enough about your staff, your guests or your business to come down and help. You are blaming your guests instead of looking at yourself. Could there have been some miscommunication about a few minor things, sure, but blaming the host and the guests for everything that went wrong is cowardly. You need to take a look in the mirror as you are only one at fault. The night was complete mayhem for the guests and your staff. If I didn’t pay my bill how did I get the...

This is directed to the owner specifically. Your response to "Steven" is completely wrong. How dare you try to twist things. We were there, the 2 servers and 1 bartender were in over their heads. A good owner knows that when the staff need help, they pitch in, day off or not, I know as I was a business owner. You were there for at least an hour trying to get the video going, you had to know how chaotic it was and if you didn't then you shame on you. Your staff needed help. As for the food, there was not much there for $30 a person plus once the small amount of food was brought out, it did not last long and we had to wait a least 1/2 hour for the next serving (and there were many of us waiting) and this went on for the duration that we were there. We had to get our own drinks, there were no napkins, people preordered and waited until they were almost ready to leave before they got their order. The staff were free pouring (which could get you shut down), we had to get our own drinks, people were cleaning off the tables themselves. And I was wondering how were they keeping track of all the drinks that did come out? Nothing was written down by the staff, it is no wonder why there was confusion at the end. Is this is how drinks were obviously duplicated: hence the big unpaid bill in the end. As a business owner you have got to know that your best advertising is word of mouth and believe me there were a room full of very unhappy people (approx 45) that will be talking. You should have been apoligetic for what happened instead of going on the defense. A good business person would have tried to help fix the problem instead of being argumentative. We will never be back!! Please don't respond as were are not interested in hearing back from you.

----I am flabergasted at the response you are giving everyone. You are putting blame on everyone and not taking any responsiblity for anything, again, shame on you!! I would have done everything in my power to try and fix the situation instead of deflecting and arguing, that is what a good resturant owner would have done. I meant to mention before that I was at the table watching you for an hour trying to get your video system working and when you did, i said thank you to you and you never responded. You squeezed by our table of 14 a few times and never once asked how were things going, what kind of business owner does this esp. when you could hear the chaos in the background? This is called common courtesy. And what free drinks??? At our table of 14, not one of us was offered a free drink, I had to go and get our own, twice. My husband wanted a Bud Lt, none available then asked for Shock Top again none available. And to accuse someone of not paying their bill when they have the proof of reciept, and when they show you proof you still don't beleive them, who does that?? ----- I want anyone reading this to know that what the owner is saying only has the bare minimum of truth. We are all good people that just expected a nice evening and I don't blame the staff, they were overwhelmed. Some serious rethinking/retraining on customer service by the owner needs to be done. This matter is finished! ----Said I wasn't going to respond again but now you are saying our group was rowdy, OMG, further from the truth, my daughter was there just before 7 and said no one was yelling or demanding anything and I got there 7:15, was a normal group of people out for an evening.!!!! As for not paying bills I don't know about that as we left around 9:30, if service and food was so good, you need to ask yourself, why are people upset and refusing to pay the bill? People were not going there to bad mouth the resturant, they were there to celebrate a birthday. You need to seriously think about what you are saying here, people are going to be reading this, you are only digging a deeper hole...

From the moment we stepped in, it was evident that they prioritize their patrons' dietary needs with utmost care. Our server Adam was simply wonderful, adding to the already charming ambiance of the restaurant, which exudes both fun and romance in equal measure.

The inclusive nature of this establishment makes it a standout choice for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to everyone, especially those with dietary restrictions.

The grilled Caesar salad and pizza with gluten-free crust were particular highlights for us – simply phenomenal.

Our experience with the $25 sampler option left us thoroughly impressed. The variety of dishes offered was impressive, and each one tasted absolutely divine. The attentive service from our waiter truly made the difference, showcasing that a little extra friendliness goes a long way.

Opting for the prix fixe menu was a decision we didn't regret. The selection and pairing of dishes were impeccable, and the timing of each course by the waiter and chef was spot-on. As mature picky foodies, we can confidently say that Chaise Cafe is a true gem in both St. Boniface and Winnipeg. Plus, the option to request additional samples of our favorite dishes was a delightful surprise.

Our waiter's (Adam) knowledge of the ingredients and his positive demeanor made our dining experience all the more enjoyable. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

The exceptional service, delectable food, and affordable pricing left us feeling thoroughly satisfied. The patio, with its inviting atmosphere, only adds to the allure of this establishment. It's no wonder that this restaurant is considered one of Winnipeg's best.

Chaise Cafe truly embodies warmth and hospitality, making every visit feel like a comforting embrace. From the cute and cozy atmosphere to the spectacular food and caring service, every aspect of our experience was top-notch.

We were particularly grateful for the delicious vegan options available during our holiday party at Chaise. The upstairs lounge/dining area provided the perfect setting for a fun and relaxing evening with friends.

Thank you, Chaise, for your kindness and excellent service. We're already counting down the days until we can return for another unforgettable...