I don't want to have a laundry list, but so many little things add up to "I won't return". In late November, my daughter and I went for a birthday celebration lunch. The ambiance is upscale "Parisian". It was clean. Soup lukewarm, appetizer was a dip with bread. Bread was served cut around the dip and wasn't warm, grilled, toasted. Not much flavor. The server reheated the soup. Service rather slow. Fast forward to a February order for 6 macaroons. Looked over the bakery case, chose a sugar cookie (so,so) and gave the cashier my name and phone number. She said the owner would get back with me if she had any questions. She had difficulty operating the register. A week later I phoned and said I would be there to pick up my order. The gist of the conversation was that she saw the number, forgot and that I should have paid for them at the time of order. Asked who took the order and I said that a man and a woman were at the register. More or less said that was the problem. I was beginning to see the picture. Since I am assuming this was the owner that answered the phone and said I should have paid, why not phone me and explain and I would have come in and paid? Six macaroons could have been made and even if I was a no show they could have been placed in the case. She did offer some pink ones she had available. I wanted the non tinted ones as they were for special guests.
Today was my third visit. My cousin came in with me to sit and chat. This was at 9:15 am. I asked for the cherry turnover since there was a sign for it. None available. The XL cinnamon rolls are (gasp) $11. each. They must be fabulous at that price. Ordered one slightly warmed. Dry and rather chewy. Both ordered coffee. Cousin ordered the bourbon (the sign was spelled burbon) Bundt cake which was listed at 6.50 each. Flavor, meh. Not sure why coffee took 20 minutes to bring around, (server needed to explain that at the onset that it would take more time as it is fresh brewed etc. ) but our pastries were almost finished at that point. I felt bad for the 15 year old server. She came and said that she wanted to tell us about today's soups.....at 9:30 am? Was there for breakfast, not lunch. A sweet girl. Didn't appear trained. Thankfully there were only 4 people within the 2 hours that were dining in. She would have been in the weeds if any more had arrived.
Now to the check. The cinnamon roll was 4.25. Was willing to pay the $11, but the sign was wrong. The XL were out and that must have been the regular size. The Bundt cake was charged at 4.25 not 6.50 like listed. Again, willing to pay, but she had no idea what was correct pricing. Coffee was hot and ok and the price actually less than any restaurant around.
Here are my suggestions. Train your help. I felt so badly for the young teen.
Remove the little white cards if you are out of an item.
The bakery case is missing the European look that is so lovely in Italy and France. I'm willing to pay higher prices for a really great, tasty bakery item. The pricing is confusing. You aren't sure what the price is and honestly, if items were priced correctly and didn't have $11. under a roll that was actually $4.25, the shop would probably sell more.
With as many coffee/bakery shops in Findlay to choose from, it is a competitive market and these specialty cafes need something great to set themselves apart from the rest. I hope that Mon Couer can find their niche. read more