This was the worst food experience I've had in almost fifteen years. I had an allergic reaction and…read moreThe behavior of the waitstaff, and especially of the manager, Roberta, was appalling.
I ordered brown bread with mixed berry compote. When I tasted it, I tasted cherries, to which I am allergic (it's not life threatening, but they make my throat sore, and make me cough. Not good). I asked if the compote had cherries. The server said no, then said "let me check". She came back and said it did have cherries. I asked for the other jam instead. She said "let me see". Many minutes went by. A different server came. Same routine. Many more minutes went by. The manager came and asked if I had asked if the mixed berry compote had cherries in it. I said no because cherries are not berries. Then she said the compote did not have cherries. I said her server said the kitchen confirmed it did and my throat was getting sore. She said I needed to have asked if there were cherries in the berry compote. I asked for the check. Many minutes went by. Finally a different server came and we again asked for the check. The manager returned and said we should pay on the way out. Roberta charged for a
1L bottle of water we had not ordered and my entire plate. She also told me to calm down, and reiterated that it was my responsibility ask if I was allergic to something, even though she claimed I could be having a reaction because the compote had no cherries! Pick an argument, Roberta! And don't contradict the kitchen that made the food!
The worst part was the behavior of the manager. Inexcusable. She should not work in a customer-facing occupation, and she should not direct staff, because no one had any agency or knew what to do in a situation that happens every day in restaurants. They are lucky it was not more serious.
Never eat at Avocado Cafe--at least not as long as Roberta works there. If you do go there, ask about every single ingredient in whatever you order, but don't believe what they tell you.