SLIMAK CAFE — Restaurant in New York

This was one of my favorite brunch locations in Brooklyn. I have been a customer almost since this place was opened. I love the food and the owner is really nice. I noticed the rude customer service here and there especially when the owner isn't around and I've tried to ignore and assumed maybe they're having a bad day but after today 2/26/2023, I decided to NEVER set a food in this place.

My kids don't like veggies or sauce on their sandwiches .  I usually order for them a turkey sandwich with everything on the side "only plain turkey inside the sandwich" which what I exactly ordered today.   The cashier " who looks like he's new"  asked another employee to come and help him enter my order .She was really frustrated that I was making a customized order ( I made an additional ask of a  gluten-free bread for my allergic son). She asked  me, " what do I want on the side?" I told her whatever in the sandwich except the turkey, I even had to explain that this order comes with cheese & onion and I DON'T want any of the extras in the sandwich but only on the side " she treated me like I should know their menu more than them".

They brought the wrong orders ( regular orders, no customization applied).  I asked the waiter to please correct my order, he brought me extra sides. I told him, this  is NOT what I ordered and refused to accept them. After that, the same rude employee came and took our plates. She told me that I need to pay an extra charge for the new replacements!! This was the breaking point for me. I told her "why would I pay for a mistake you made"?? and asked to see the manager. It was really upsetting how she insisted that the order is correct, treating me Like I am unable to understand a simple order. I am wondering if she would say the same thing if I didn't have an "accent". It's unfortunate that some people assume you're not smart enough only because they hear you speak with an accent which what her attitude reflects. Ironically this is sunset park where English is almost a second language here.

The manager offered to correct the orders but at this point, I completely lost my appetite.  I told them to cancel the orders and left all our paid food untouched on the table including the other two omelets that we ordered.This was $116 brunch that we wasted (including the orders they didn't correct or refund). They already ruined my Sunday morning and I didn't want to ruin any additional moment that I should have been enjoying with my family. Finally, I don't wish for my review to negatively impact this employee. I just  wish she learns to treat people with respect and for the management to address any issues that are causing this type of behavior...

I was so excited to find this cafe for brunch today. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming in a way that almost feels un-New York. It feels like a cafe upstate or something. The menu is large and reasonable, the food is tasty, the case of pastries is alluring, and the vibe is awesome.

We enjoyed our breakfast, until I had a pretty negative interaction with someone behind the register. I saw that someone else commented on this too. I was so disappointed, given how excited I was by the restaurant so far. What happened was that my coffee was served way too light. (I had asked for a tiny amount of milk, but it was very, very light.) The coffee is served in thick mugs, like it often is at diners. I figured that refills were offered, given the size of the mugs and the vibe of the location. Regardless, because my coffee was too light, I drank some and then went up to the counter to ask for a top off to darken the color (and because I figured refills were the norm). Beyond telling me - with no words just a really rude look and by shaking her head? - that the restaurant does not do refills, the person working the cashier did not want to darken the coffee/add anymore without charging me. I tried to explain that the coffee was not as I ordered it, and I would accept a replacement cup that was black, but she really wasn't having it. Finally, I convinced her that it was inappropriate to charge me for a second cup? She very reluctantly filled the cup with an additional... 4 oz of coffee? (It was still pretty light, but I walked away at this point.)

All in all, I would visit this restaurant again. I just don't understand why 1) they don't do refills when the mugs are so small, even maybe charging $1 for a refill or something and 2) why the cashier needed to be so rude to me. I was a first time customer, I did not know their coffee procedure, and I was served something that was different from what I had ordered.

I'm writing this review because I think this policy can easily be remedied by the restaurant, and...

I had an excellent experience at Slimak the first time I went. Being able to substitute for gluten-free bread is a rarity in NYC so I jumped at the chance to try it. The Chicken Club was so good and the side salad was impressively fresh. My order was taken by a very knowledgeable blonde woman, possibly the manager or owner.

I visited again today and ordered the same dish but my bread looked suspect, like regular gluten bread. I asked the young woman that brought it out if it was gluten-free and she barely looked at it from afar and told me that it was. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and tried it but immediately regretted it. I spat it out but it had already made me very sick. I brought my food up to the cash register and told two young women, one being the woman I had just spoke to, that my food made me sick so the bread could not be gluten-free. They proceeded to try and gaslight me but I knew my meal had to at least have been very contaminated with gluten based on how sick I felt. They both seemed very confused as to how food allergies/intolerances work since they first asked if I simply wanted to have the bread replaced. No, the dish has to be remade, so once they finally understood that I waited and, lo and behold, was given COMPLETELY different bread that was indeed gluten-free. I never once received an apology nor did anyone check that the new dish was ok. One of the women actually completely avoided eye contact whenever she walked by me. There was a clear lack of management today since the customer service and quality control was nonexistent. It is a real shame since I only have positive things to say about this establishment, otherwise.

I cannot recommend Slimak's gluten-free options anymore, but I will return and try to avoid any bread. I tried my partner's steak and it was delicious so I highly recommend that, without toast if...