Symposium Cafe Restaurant Guelph

Great Food

I have been to Symposium about 6 times and I feel ready to make a review. The food has always been great, all day breakfast is always a treat and the Buger Special Day is a good deal. The first time I went there was a line up and the Hostess reccomended we just go somewhere else ha ha! That left me with a "bad taste in my mouth" But I never judge a place based on one staff member, so I went back. The next time I went we sat at the bar and we found a big black ant in the salt shaker, we showed the server and he laughed nervously and took it away, that was it! I like the atmosphere, even when it is busy it isn't too loud, and the booths are bug and comfortable. So overall the food is good, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is nice, it is just the service that is consistently poor.

went for lunch, service was slow, waitress was overly cheerful, food was OK, my chicken Parmesan sandwich was warm, the bun was an average sausage bun, hubby's burger was tasty not outstanding. The music is annoying, must use MSG as I drank about a gallon of water when I got home. May return.

I like this place!!!

A friend and I went for dinner last night - sat on the patio which is really really nice..and had an excellent meal. Our waitress was attentive but not pushy..food was really good....I always have the mediterranean tilapia..the beer was cold and cheap (Monday night is draft special night!)..and I really can't complain. I have been here about 5 times since they have opened and have never had a bad meal...some times the service is better than other's...but really, I like this place and the back patio is very nicely decorated and relaxing....

I went here with my husband on a Saturday night. We were sat immediately and weren't approached by anyone for 15 minutes. Finally the manager came along and asked how everything was. I told him that I didn't know because we hadn't received any service. He apologized and sent a server over who didn't introduce herself. I usually like to get to know the staff when I'm dining out. As previous posts have said, their servers seem to have an IQ of a new born child. She took our order and continued to talk with the manager for a couple minutes before giving our order to the kitchen. It took over an HOUR for our food to arrive. Everything on the plate was overcooked and tasted as if it was two weeks old. My husband asked for a refill of his coke and our bill when we received our entrees. We finished our entrees and he never got his coke. It's easy for us to say that we will never go back. By far the WORST place to spend your money!!!

My family and I went here after moving my daughter into her new house. We wanted to relax and have a good meal before settling in at home. We sat down at around 6:30 with a packed restaurant. We were served immediately by a lovely server named Shay. We never came here before because, quite honestly, we had no idea it existed (it is located behind a gas station). Anyways, Shay offered my husband and I some Martinis. He brought them to us immediately and made some great recommendations from the menu. I had the tuscan chicken, my husband had a new york steak with shrimp and both my children had a chicken pesto pizza. The food was to die for! Shay was so wonderful. The young manager (I think his name was Allen) approached us and made us feel very welcome. He offered dessert and coffees and we couldn't refuse. The manager brought them to our table assisting Shay. The cheesecakes were divine! Thank you to Shay and the manager (Allen?) for a wonderful experience. We are going back next week for sure!