Le Malt Lounge — Restaurant in Woodbridge Township

My trip to Le Malt this evening was tainted by horrible treatment from the staff. Let me begin by saying that my husband and I frequent Le Malt. We patronize the private events like last night as well as just random date nights.

After last night, I’m not sure we’ll ever be back.

It was a group of 4 couples we all arrived on time and were seated together. The evening started off with champagne at the door followed by 3 rounds of hors d’oeuvres. The third hors d’oeuvres was a lamb chop. Half of my group was served when our server ran out. She said she would go get more but never came back. We asked multiple people, one staff member said, “They’re all gone. Sometimes that happens when you get here late.” We were not late. In fact, we were one of the first groups there. Moreover, we purchased tickets in advance for this event. Provisions should be in place for every person.

When our waitress finally came back to the table, she simply said, “Oh my bad, we don’t have anymore. I forgot to come tell you.”

Because we frequent Le Malt, we asked for the chef directly and he made us a plate of lamb chops for the table.

My husband doesn’t really drink wine. He sipped the initial champagne that was given to us at the door and then asked if he could have a glass of tequila. This was very early in the night BEFORE the first round of wine tasting. We were told that the bar was closed and that wasn’t possible. Only the wines that were part of the tasting are available. He said ok and didn’t press the issue. Then the table next to us is served a cocktail. We asked the manager, Illiana, why that table could get a cocktail, she said that it was because “that guest doesn’t drink wine”. We explained that my husband doesn’t drink wine either but wasn’t given that option. Iliana then says, “I’m trying to work with you, but we need to be honest here, I saw him drinking. Let’s tell the truth.”

I then spoke up and explained that I drank some of his wine and the rest he poured out. Again. We paid in advance for this event so what he did with HIS wine in inconsequential, but we were NOT lying. Illiana then stormed off saying that she was going to “check the cameras” to prove that my husband did in fact drink his wine. I was furious! How dare this woman accuse us of lying about drinking wine that WE PAID FOR. And then to take it a step further and threaten us with checking the cameras.

We again requested to speak to the chef who was apologetic. We requested that Illiana come back to the table, but after accusing us of lying, the coward lied herself and had someone else come to the table and say that she left early. I am quite certain that she was hiding in the kitchen.

To first be dismissive about not have enough food and being told that we were late, to then being called a liar is unacceptable. While, I make it a point to not look at every situation through the lens of race, I have a hard time believing that the wait staff would be so rude and dismissive of a table of white patrons. It was as if we didn’t deserve the same respect and that speaking to us in a condescending manner was acceptable and almost necessary in order to teach us how to behave.

Even as I write this, I am angered and insulted by the treatment. I will not recommend Le Malt to anyone else and will be sure to share my experience, specifically with Illiana to anyone and everyone who...

I'm not big on writing reviews but this place is by far has the worst service from start to finish. This business was chosen because of the fine dining and cigar lounge. Entering the business at 8pm on a Thursday, it had a relaxed ambience, live jazz music and eye catching alcohol selection. The business appeared slightly full capacity but it is not a large place so approximately 35-40 customers.

My friends and I had a reservation in the rear of the business. While seated, a female employee welcomed us and stated, "this is our VIP section." That statement right there had us thinking we about to get white glove treatment. Negative! Thereafter, our server, aka Edgar, came to the table and took our drink orders and returned 15 minutes later. Their listed handcraft drinks were great but order time was terrible. The rest of our group shows up and the server returned 15 minutes after our first round of drinks. That second round took 20 minutes to get to our table. I get it. If the business is packed or server has multiple tables, I understand the delays. The server, aka Edgar, only had two tables not including us. We were observant as to why our service was lagging.

The server returns with drinks and we get to the appetizers. Our group is seated in a U shape area, he proceeded to ask the left side of the table for an order. He took the order and walks away. As a group, we thought he forgot something, had to address it and was going to return. Negative! We sat their waiting to a point my friend had to go to the bar and order our drinks. Appetizers came out sporadically which was funny because the server bringing it was not our server, aka Edgar.

The server, aka Edgar, returns and sees another server giving us drinks (Cats out the bag). He takes our entrée orders. I'm still stuck on appetizers and would like the lamb empanadas. He stated, "we ran out." Like come on, that's not the servers fault but THURSDAY NIGHT 8PM. Lets hit the entrées. The server takes our order, returns 10 minutes later stating, "1 brisket burger left." Just like that, no courtesy, no recommendations, no nothing. Now entrée order is changed, entrées are coming to the table sporadically, again. My friend ordered a steak which is $75+, you expect it to be served woth no problems. She cuts into it and it's over cooked. We flagged down the server and let him know, he tells my friend to cut another piece. We looking at him like he can't be serious (oh he was). Our time out to celebrate a birthday was in the dumps because now our energy is focused on how TRASH Le Malt is.

We get the bill and pay it with no disputes. Keep in mind 20% gratuity is in there and a 3% credit card charge was there with no notification from server or business. We ask for a manager. A senior server comes over and tells us the manager left. It's a quarter after 10pm. Senior server gets an ear full.

Service was TRASH. Food was mediocre. I'm still looking for the 4.5 star rating because my 2 stars is for the live jazz music and warm/relaxing ambience. To top it off, we at a cigar lounge and couldn't even do that due to service. It wasn't just aka Edgar, even though I recommend you stay away from him, it was the overall experience from start to finish. OVERRATED, SUBPAR SERVICE, ZERO...

Extremely Disappointing!

I am giving it two stars because of the decór and vast collection of distilled liquors and Spirits.

Last Friday (2/18/2022), I visited the restaurant to celebrate my birthday with a total of 6 people at my party. The bill amount to $800, and this is what we experienced:

Food: mediocre dishes in general. Appetizers are not served as “beautifully” portrayed on their website; for a moment, I thought I was at a local dinner or something similar. Portions for the main entrée are not consistent. Two of my friends ordered the seabass; one piece was tiny and the other considerable large. To top things off, one of them got sick from it too! I ordered the chicken and mashed potatoes. Well, let me say that this dish was not worthy of the $32 it cost. The dish was extremely salty and just plain average. I do not praise myself for being a food connoisseur, but I have been fortunate to enjoy superb fine dining around four continents and know one thing or two about QUALITY meals.

Drinks: Average, nothing spectacular for $18 apiece.

Service: and here comes the biggest disappointment of all! First, we were greeted by a dull and very unfriendly hostess. She asked for our coats (I wanted to keep mine since I am always cold), and she said that, unfortunately, I would not be able to bring this inside as “it is their policy” that all coats are to stay in the coatroom. I have been to a handful of Michelin star restaurants, and this non sense has never happened to me. They need to train their wait staff urgently. Our waiter took forever to come to our table, and on top of it, he was not just our waiter but also the bartender. Meanwhile, four people (which seemed to be the floor manager and hostess) walked around and ignored what was needed. Whatever conversation they were having was way more important than paying attention to customers. When diner was being served, the waiters had no idea how to walk around and present the plate to anyone on the table. They served the food across the table and one of them even “handed” the plate to one of my friends. At that point, I was sure that I was not at an exquisite restaurant but more like a regular bar worth no more than 2.5 stars. They cannot even compete with Perkins right next door; at least there, you know what you get for your money!

Finally, I want to thank the management of Le Malt for making my 48th birthday a COMPLETE DISASTER!

Sincerely, A non-returning customer.

P.S. beware of the surcharge for paying with a credit card – again, another...