I was looking forward to eating at Casa de Mateo. My friend and I were visiting Montreal and I mentioned the last time I ate at this restaurant was 12 years ago and it was totally awesome. We decided to have dinner one night and boy did things change.
I must say I have never been so insulted. First, I speak Spanish fluently but I decided to speak English. The hostess, did not host, no one greeted us at the door- let's be clear Montreal closes early and when one decides to go to dinner at 9:30pm at night on a Saturday, it seems restaurants are not pleased.
Second, one of the Mariachi band members (the old, short one with long hair) was down right insulting and racist. He made fun of us the moment we entered the restaurant because we spoke English, then because we are Asian and decided to mock us by singing a song about an Asian girl and trying to saying Hi in any Asian language and laughed! They sang even when we told them we did not want to be serenaded.
The food was fine but I found a hair in the salsa. The general service was quick and efficient. Our waiter was friendly and nice. However, the distasteful Mariachi had made me lose my appetite. I will never go to this restaurant again especially if management/owner continues to hire singers that taint the restaurant in this manner.
Coming from NYC where Mexican food is found at every street corner, from budget to upscale. This restaurant was a disappointment both in courtesy and ambiance with average Mexican food.