I discovered this place through a newspaper contest. I won dinner for two, and was looking forward to something new and unusual. As instructed I phoned the restaurant to let them know I was coming, and I made a reservation for the date.

The restaurant is listed with a Cote des Neiges address but the building is actually around the corner on Linton, connected to a chain coffee shop. It was once a pizza parlor, the chain’s logo still visible in the interior glass. There is traditional art on the walls, and mirrors on the ceiling, but the decor is minimal; and a large TV on one wall played a talk show from Senegal. The large terrasse was empty due to the rainy weather.

Upon arrival I mentioned my reservation, which puzzled the staff. (Given how empty the restaurant was, perhaps a reservation wasn’t really necessary.) I was left to wait on a very comfy sofa for more than 10 minutes, while the manager was summoned. When the manager greeted me, he seemed confused about why he was there to see me. Once he realized that I was the prizewinner, he took the waitress aside and gave her a stern lecture about what we were allowed to order. I didn’t catch it word for word, but it was quite limiting. No one told us directly that there were any limits to the prize.

The waitress didn’t show us to the table, she paused at the stairs while we walked up and selected our own (wobbly) table. After a few minutes she brought us the one-page menu and spoke in general terms of fish and chicken meals. She did not understand most of our (basic) questions about the food (in either English or French). Repeated requests to learn what kind of fish could not be answered. We were assured the food was not spicy,“we’ll put it on the side.” With my chicken dinner, I was given a choice of plaintain or cassava couscous; I chose the plaintain and she confirmed “cassava couscous”. She walked away without taking appetizer or beverage orders; when I called her back to order an appetizer, she repeated about plaintain and cassava couscous, but would not take the appetizer order. The waitress had a general air of disinterest, even to bring a glass of water seemed like a big bother.

Our meals were much spicier than we had been led to believe, with salty and sour overtones. The plates were dominated by the starch (rice for my guest, cassava for me) with a small amount of protein and vegetables. Despite this we politely ate it all. Our empty plates sat in front of us for more than 30 minutes, with absolutely no sign of any staff. On a whim my guest sent me downstairs in search of staff. The manager, in his office, pointed me out towards the lobby. I found the waitress at the front desk, chatting to her friends. I asked her what kind of dessert was available, and she didn’t understand what dessert was. “something sweet?” I inquired. Then she suddenly regained ability to speak English and announced loudly, “you take more food, you buy!” We declined and departed.

The letter confirming my win did not place any restrictions on my meal, other than the dates to visit. I thought this was an absolutely horrible way to treat customers. Would it have been any different if we were paying, and not part of a promotion? I didn’t feel welcome at all. The whole experience left a bad taste in our mouths, literally and figuratively. We could not wait to get away from there and the general area.