I was in the GTA, visiting family and friends for a couple of days and my sis and friend were all about going to "The Pickle Barrel." Apparently, what 20-year olds want, 20-year olds get.
Our two families, 8 people, all headed out to there to the Bramalea location. We were seated promptly and then forgotten equally promptly. It took our server, Nina, several minutes to get to us and then several more to get us water. Two of us who didn't want ice in their water had to wait close to 40 minutes for their tepid H2O.
It wasn't that busy either dudes. I don't know what the hell was taking this chica so freaking long.
Then we ordered the hummus (meh) and the calamari (yay) for appetizers. The squid came within 10 or 15 minutes but it took a couple of inquiries before the hummus made it out to the table. The special drinks of the day were Bellinis and please, allow me to ask Signor Bellini for his forgiveness now on behalf of The Pickle Barrel because what the eff was that shit that they passed off as a Bellini, I don't know...
It was this blended wanna-be-a-margarita-but-ain't-got-'nuff-attitude fail of a whale.
Everyone at the table ordered different things and I would say that: 2/8 raved about our meal, 1/8 wished she'd ordered something else, 3/8 were happy about their food, and the last 2/8 wished their food had been cooked to their specifications (egg white omelette, not whole egg and crispy fish for fish 'n' chips not some soggy p.o.s.)
The shiitake gnocchi were so freakin' good that I have visions of gnocchi dancing in my head. The lobster and jumbo shrimp pasta was seriously muy delicioso (and I don't bust out my rudimentary Spanish skills on just ANY occasion!)
So, with the exception of those two amazing dishes on that EXTENSIVE menu, I'd say go somewhere else where you can get better service and good food for a better price- Jack Astors, maybe?