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| - Customer service would seem to be the hamartia of Café la Gaffe. Me and my DC wandered in around 7:30pm for dinner. Their front patio was full, but I learned they have a Smoke Free Back Patio which are probably four of my favourite words in the english language.
We were led to the back (pointed, really) along is a route that takes you through the narrow restaurant, past the kitchen, through a ramshackle corridor and finally on to the secluded garden patio. They actually manage to cram in quite a few tables considering the modest size of the space. The partial roof means plenty of shade and they have a gas heater for colder nights. It's a lovely spot.
A few moments after sitting down, our server politely asked us to move from our table (which was at the end of a row of two tops pushed together) to a separate table for two since they often get busy during dinner. This is an understandable position, but if they are particular about this they could have seated us properly, instead of waving us toward the back of the restaurant.
Anyway, we were famished so we got set to order. There was a full page of specials as well as a road-map sized menu. There were a lot of compelling selections. I chose the penne with beef, sausage served in rose sauce, and a starter of mussels in a Thai-inspired curry broth after I saw a girl furiously devouring these on the way in.
The portion sizes are generous and this is not helped by the fact that our meals were really, freaking, good. The mussels' broth was brimming with awesome flavours, and I couldn't help sopping it all up with bread. It would have made a killer soup all on its own. The penne was just loaded with delicious stuff: spicy sausage, mushrooms, and slices of tender steak. My bowl of pasta was enough for two servings and I ate pretty much the entire thing.
Foodwise, I had no complaints but getting served was another story. They are dangerously understaffed, or at least, disorganized. Our server was managing both the front patio and the back patio (and no doubt getting flagged down in between), which made her visits painfully infrequent. It took more almost half an hour after we finished eating to procure our cheque. I noted by the receipt that it had been printed ages before we finally got it, but clearly she hadn't had a chance to bring it our way. We waited another 25 minutes with the credit card sitting on the table before I hunted her down myself. When she conceded that "she hadn't been back there in a while" like the back patio was a college bar or the neighbourhood she grew up in, I realised that this type of thing probably happens a lot. I think they need another server on during suppertime, or at least divide up the dining room sensibly. Imagine working the extreme ends of a restaurant!
I can come here knowing I can rely on their excellent kitchen, but only if I have copious amounts of time to burn. Perhaps off-hours is when they really shine.
Obligatory Title Pun: Their only GAFFE is tardiness.
Menu Readability: The menu is the size of a wakeboard, laminated and slathered in the worst calligraphic typeface, all bold.
Need to mention: While it did get busy that night, not enough that we really had to have given up our seats. Too bad. Being corrected shouldn't be a customer's first interaction with your staff.
What this place teaches me about myself: I probably do have copious amounts of time to burn, I just don't know where it is.
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