665565 Sun Nov 08 09:31:24 -0800 2009 3 57 Western Canada 0 5165022 Does anyone have any thoughts on Belgo? I took a group of girlfriends, from out of town, there last night and it was really really disappointing. I had been there for appetizers after work once, in the summer and thought it was good but the meal and service last night was bad. I had made a reservation a few weeks in advance, and when we arrived at 8:00 it was completely dead. The server seated us right up at the front windows where it was absolutely freezing. We sat there and froze for about 10-15 mins before the waitress came to take our drink orders and she was the one who seated us, so it wasn't like she didn't know we were there. When we were looking around for her we saw her chatting with a table of guys - for far too long. Finally we asked to move - no problem there alot of tables to choose from. When we ordered, one of the girls asked if salads could be made half sized and was told yes. So she asked for the Brasserie salad and was told 'oh we don't do that one in half', so then she asked for the Greek. "oh not that one either'. That left one salad - so NO actually they don't do half salads. There was an appetizer & main special for $25. Two girls ordered that; poutine appetizer which was excellent. The main was beef bourginon, which was truly horrible. It was small beef cubes smaller than stew, pan fried crispy and then way over stewed. The gravy was tasteless, grey, and it had no hint of wine at all. I've had beef bourginon in Paris and I"ve made it serveral times from Julia Childs cookbook. This was in no way beef bourginon. No one liked it. I ordered beer chicken. It came and was basically a mash of onions and mushrooms slices, which were indistinguishable from each other, on the bottom topped with 2 chicken legs and 1 thigh. The menu did not mention at all that it was all brown meat. I am not a fan of chicken legs at all. I ate one bite of the thigh; it was dry and very salty. Finally after almost everyone was done eating the waitress came around to ask if everything was ok. I said I was not happy at all that my dish was all brown meat and told her I did not want to eat it. She then asked if I wanted it remade with white meat, because I could have white or brown meat - WHAT?? You are telling me this now? I said no because everyone else was nearly done eating. When the bill arrived I was being charged full price for my meal. The server made no comment, made no offer for a complimentary appetizer or dessert or anything. I asked her if she felt I should pay for a dish I would not have ordered if I had known it was brown meat, and ate only one bite of. Her response was a shrug and said I would have to speak to the manager. She left and came back 20 minutes later to tell me that the manager was busy. So we waited another 10 mins. Finally I went to look for her and ask her if she had the authority to do rectify this situation at all. She shrugged, said no and walked off. Nice.. Finally the manager came. He was very nice and apologized, removed the chicken from my bill and gave me a coupon for a free wine & appetizer for my next visit. But I'm unsure if I will ever go back there. Even if I do have a free appetizer coming my way. I felt the food was really not that good and not really a true french brasserie. I think that's just a fancy name. Sun Nov 08 09:31:24 -0800 2009 275269 TSAW 1 5165084 We were actually there last week. I really enjoyed it. We had poutine, sushi cones, brasserie salad, beer chicken, mac and cheese, bacon wrapped shrimp. They were all really enjoyable, especially the beer chicken, the sauce was great, a variety of mushrooms, juicy chicken legs & back (we did not get an option of white meat either, but did not need it. The salad and mac & cheese were my favorite. The salad is like a nicoise salad. The beans were perfectly al dente, tender fingerling potatoes and sweet beets. The mac and cheese had a really nice savory blend of cheeses balanced with the sweetness of sundried tomatoes and smokey tender white chicken pieces. I did not like the poutine as it was with thick wedges which I dislike, however the gravy was really nice. I cannot speak on the service as we were there for a function. I would absolutely head back to it! Sun Nov 08 10:04:13 -0800 2009 5165022 105701 cleopatra999 1 5165280 I've been there several times and would now only go back for drinks. I enjoy their choices of interesting beers. However, my experiences with the food and service there leave a lot to be desired. I've liked the mussels and frites but other than that, most of the other things we've tried were bland (burger, steak, cured salmon/beef tartare starter, seafood tower). But I think my biggest beef is I find the menu overpriced. Add to that terrible acoustics and overall, it's not a comfortable place when I want to go out for a nice meal. I can understand why some people like going there after work downtown for drinks, but it's not for me. Sun Nov 08 12:19:52 -0800 2009 5165022 45619 alau2 2 5166238 I agree on the overpriced - I've never found the food to be all that great but it would have been fine if the prices had been more reasonable. I've never had issues with service. I go for the great selection of beer, too, but not often, maybe once a year or so. Sun Nov 08 21:26:28 -0800 2009 5165280 69044 hsk