A Tale of Two Sides of a River

by J. Gleason
(North Andover, MA USA)

I have entitled my review "A Tale of Two Sides of a River" as both I am my wife were appalled at how bad a restaurant could be on the Canadian side of the river whereas the same restaurant on the American side (given its menu) would be great. Let me explain:

One New Year's Eve my wife and I (with our one year old son) decided it would be best to do take out on New Year's Eve rather than fight crowds at a local restaurant. We had driven by Bravo! Pizzeria and it looked quite nice and the take-out menu was attractive. ...and this is where it all starts to go bad.

After looking over the take-out menu my wife and I decided on an appetizer, a couple of entree salads, and a dessert. Now, let me demonstrate to all who read this why Canada is STILL a jerkwater country:

1. When I placed my order I asked for grilled shrimp on both salads. The menu had one particular salad with grilled shrimp so I figured it would be no big deal.

IN THE USA (almost) every restaurant offers grilled chicken or shrimp on an entree salad.

IN CANADA I was told this was not possible.

2. Given that it was New Year's Eve I offered to give the kitchen a break and come back in ninety minutes to pick up the order.

IN THE USA a restaurant would wait an hour, fire the order, and have it coming out of the kitchen upon the customer's return.

IN CANADA they prepare the order immediately and then let it sit for ninety minutes.

3. After the order was placed and I was driving away, my wife called and requested that the dressing on her salad be put in a separate container.

IN THE USA our salad would have come with a separate container with the dressing.

IN CANADA a request like this is completely ignored.

4. Upon my return I entered the restaurant and saw that my order was sitting on a chair in the waiting area unattended and un-bagged.

IN THE USA take out orders are placed in bags and either held in the kitchen or in a secure area at the take out desk.

IN CANADA I guess you do not get a bag and your food is left wherever.

5. When I asked for a bag the woman working the front desk turned and asked the owner/manager if they had any bags (this is a question one has to ask?). When she was told they did she returned with two bags that could best be described as lunch bags.

IN THE USA your order would be appropriately bagged and include utensils

IN CANADA you get nothing. No bag, no utensils (not even an inquiry).

So, if you are in Niagara Falls, Ontario I suggest you give this poor excuse for a restaurant a wide berth, grab your passport, head over the bridge, and find a real wood-fired pizzeria on the American side where you will get a decent meal at a decent price.