Chocolate Zen Bakery — Restaurant in Winnipeg

I stopped by search of French Macarons for my daughter’s 20th birthday. She wanted that instead of cake. I called in advance to see if they had the flavours she wanted and they had one of them. So I made the stop. It turns out they were mistaken. No biggie. I considered another flavour and started to browse and ask questions about some of the items I was interested in that didn’t have labels on them i.e. flavor. I asked for 6 macarons which was met with a stare and long silence. Awkward. It was like they were deciding if I was there to snatch baked goods and run or what the h* I was even doing in their store. Though I was considering the meringues and focaccia I decided to shop elsewhere. Somewhere I might feel more comfortable browsing. As I began to pay, I realized that the Macarons were ringing up higher than the price I had seen on their website. Apparently they weren’t surprised it differed. Anyway, to their credit they offered to honour the price I quoted. And I was happy to take my leave. Afterward I wondered if I had a mistake - they were also selling coconut macaroons (the cookies) at $1.50 each. Maybe I hadn’t searched hard enough. (But who knows if that website price was even accurate.) I didn’t feel terrible for long though, because the Macarons were disappointing - hollow with a brittle top (see photos). Thankfully, I found some perfect vanilla macaroons at a shop near Edmonton and Graham where the folks knew how to smile. Birthday celebration saved.

It is a hallmark of professionalism to treat all potential customers well, regardless of who they appear to be. To do otherwise is bad for the bottom line. As I was deciding how I might spend my money Chocolate Zen made the decision for me. Leaving...

Went with this place on recommendation of MANY people for our wedding cake/cupcakes.

Initial tasting was 50/50...adorable little tasting area and the cake samples were to DIE for but the cupcakes were rock hard, literally we couldn't even cut into them with the plastic knife. Made a comment to the lovely girl hosting the tasting and was told the sample cupcakes were made the morning before (over 24 hours old) but were assured the cupcakes would be fresh for our wedding day.

Made a comment in a wedding group about the cupcakes and ended up making another appointment for tasting to make up for the hockey puck cupcake experience

The second tasting was PERFECT.. the cupcakes were DELICIOUS.

A lady came out of the back and started confronting me about my comments about how the cupcakes were not good and how "she didnt want to hear or see another comment online"...very threatening and off putting.

Ended up still booking with them.

Day of the wedding the cake and cupcakes were delivered on time with no issue and everything looked lovely.

I didn't end up tasting any of the cupcakes or cake but people RAVED about the two different flavors of cake but people had mixed reviews of the cupcakes . We had a mix of a few flavors of regular and mini sized cupcakes but were told some of them were inedible bc of the dryness...

All in all it's a nicely little bakery, cute decor and nice and clean but the attitude and aggresive nature of the woman in the back combined with the disappointing cupcakes make it a no go for us ever again.

Highly recommend any other bakery...

NOT, I repeat NOT gluten free!

Do not under any circumstances trust this bakery to safely provide a gluten free product.

Went in to buy a small torte for my birthday cake. Asked the clerk at the front what was gluten free. She pointed out several items that were in open containers with gluten containing products such as chocolate dipped pretzels. When I pointed out that they are now cross-contaminated, she rolled her eyes & said "we aren't a gluten free facility". Yes, I understand that, but I do expect food professionals to understand cross-contamination.

At this point someone from the back came out to give direction on what was gluten free. I was given 3 options, I picked the raspberry lemon torte.

Fast forward to today, when I cut into my birthday cake that was supposed to be white truffle, and discover its a sponge cake.

Thanks, Chocolate Zen Bakery, for the overpriced cake that I'm told by the people who were able to eat it was very delicious. Thanks, also, for making me watch others eat my birthday cake because you sold me something that was poison to me.

Stop advertising as gluten free unless you actually care if it's gluten free. I'm not eating gf because it's a fad.

Almost a year later - and thanks for not even once bothering to respond to me. I think that says everything there is to say about your commitment to...