rwarren69 "If chocolate is involved, sign me up!"

So I had some free time waiting for a Greyhound bus. And I hadn’t had lunch yet. I wandered outside the bus station and came across this charming little café. When I entered, I was offered a free slice of bread. Who could say no to free food?! I had a choice of 5 kinds and I chose the Dakota: a dense whole wheat multigrain bread. And you don’t get a tiny crumb you get a HUGE THICK slice. It was really really good.

Based on that wonderful taste I stayed and ordered a sandwich. While I ate, I noticed at least one Greyhound bus driver also ordering food. So it must be really good here if the drivers come in.

A whole loaf of fresh bread averages $5.95. And there are many choices of flavors, all made onsite. Also available are salads, sweets, some beverages, and jars of mustard and other locally made spreads. Pick up a leaflet near the cash to learn about the breads of the month, and sign up for the mailing list.

This restaurant is located in the Essex Shoppes outlet mall. The store really is tiny, you could walk by and miss it without the sandwich board advertising the specials. I went at lunchtime where you can get a trio for 7.95: pick one item from each category: soups and drinks, appetizer, and main course.

I’m used to eating Thai fast food that is on the salty side and kicks you in the gut with spice. This doesn’t. The spice is there but it’s warm and pleasant, you taste all the flavors not just fire. And it’s not salty. it’s wonderful! I love it and would go back if/when I return to the area.

Why am I writing a second review of this restaurant? Not just because the food is incredible. On my earlier review, I hit the Save button after 5 items to be sure that what I had written wouldn’t be lost in cyberspace. Then I discovered I couldn’t add more food to the review! So here are the other lovely things I experienced.

This is the casual dining restaurant and bar at the Essex Resort and Spa. Your food is prepared by students from the New England Culinary Institute. There is a firm emphasis on local and organic ingredients.

I stayed at this hotel for 4 days and ate at this restaurant every single day. And I loved every tasty morsel! Plates are generous and everything has a strong, pure flavor. There was no bad note at all except for one bitter herb leaf decorating a plate.

Do not neglect the bread basket at lunch and dinner: all the bread is homemade every day, soft pillowy and comforting. I especially liked the herb bread.

I had heard many things about APdC over the years: much of it good, a few discouraged diners. Finally I’ve had the opportunity to go and try it for myself.

One thing that surprised me is despite the upscale cuisine (and eyebrow-raising prices to match) this is not a white tablecloth establishment. The feel is more rustic, with bare wooden tables, like being in a sugar shack. And a hockey game playing in the bathroom!

Our group’s challenge was to eat affordably. It is very easy to blow the budget but I managed to keep my bill under $20 with tax.

The staff are pleasant but on this particular night were rushed off their feet, so it took a while for the food to arrive. But once it did, it was worth the wait. Everything I tasted — including little bites from my companions — had strong, well-balanced flavors with a touch of sweetness. And the food was very filling.

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.