I'm not generally a big fan of Lorne Murphy Foods, so I don't eat there very often. Part of it is the cost of the food, but it more has to do with the service I have received over the years - although there has usually been at least 1 really good server(?) most of the time. On the other hand, I think my biggest gripe is that we can't have other restaurants in the Pasture because of this contract LMF has... Like, I'd love a Tim Horton's in here because their food is really good for a coffee shop, and I'd like a Mexican place in here - like a Lone Star, and I really like Marcello's which used to be at Holland Cross but they moved out. I'd love other Canadian and Ethnic restaurants too. Thank Goodness Westboro has expanded so much over the last few years!
If you're not familiar with them, please let me explain: Lorne Murphy Foods supplies the food on contract with the government in Tunney's pasture. There are 3 restaurants in 3 different buildings in Tunney's, as well as one canteen.
On the upside, they have a good reputation for their soups, which have been affordable. And the salad bar offers a variety of choices. I've been happy with the Sushi they've brought in (it's actually got me coming back!) - there's a company that makes the sushi fresh for LMF and brings it in fresh on a daily basis. Thursdays used to be Fresh Sushi on Request days, when the couple making it came in to make it to order at your request. Lovely! This sushi is as expensive as other places offer but in my humble opinion, it is worth it! Also, LMF do offer themed lunches for the holidays, like a Thanksgiving lunch that's more like dinner, and a turkey dinner near Christmas time, and so on. These are a little more expensive than their usual fare, but they are also larger portions, and festive.
It will be interesting to see what transpires in the near future, now that LMF has refurbished the cafeteria. I'm not certain what will stay and what will go (the salad and soup bars have been removed), or how all this work - particularly how the nice countertops will affect their pricing.
On the so-so side, they do a booming business in coffee and tea, and for the past couple of years, they have been selling Starbucks coffee (I can't use my Starbucks card here!) - but their version of Starbucks is never like the real deal, and now we have a real Starbucks at Holland Cross. However, the cafeteria is more convenient if you happen to work in the Brooke Claxton building.
But on the downside, LMF will charge you for taking cutlery when you brought your own lunch from home, but forgot to bring your own utensils. Same thing with serviettes! And if I wanted to buy a litre of milk or cream, they really don't like to sell it to us! read more
