Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar

Great by a very friendly waiter but was turned away.
I came in to the cafe for the first time today around 5pm. Snow storm and super cold outside. I had with me my clearly marked service dog who was behaving as such. The waiter was very kind but asked me for my service dog papers, which I didn’t have out shopping with me and out in the snow storm. I could have gone back to our car to get them but when I informed him that legally he can’t ask for those, he explained his boss made this rule. For that reason, I left. Not many service dog handlers carry around their papers, simply because we don’t have the space and/or don’t want them ruined or to lose them. I also didn’t want to encourage this ideal because the law in Ontario under the AODA clearly states that legally an establishment may ask 2 questions. Is that a service dog and does your dog perform tasks to mitigate your disability.
While I appreciate weeding out fake service dogs, this was a huge inconvenience and is why this kind of discrimination is illegal in Ontario. You don’t require a paper to bring an oxygen tank, wheel chair or cane inside, so I would have hoped to be treated the same as those people. Being blind poses its own issues, I never want to have those issues added to and it certainly was tonight.
I hope the owner can brush up on the laws. Someone with more time could pursue this further. And I truly felt the waiter was feeling bad, turning us away when I explained the laws to him. Good way to loose a great waiter!

Merry Christmas.

Heavily overpriced and absolutely not worth it, you are a must here because they have to make money! Would say take the next one

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

Our young lady of a server was such a gem! So very friendly and personable. The food and wine (of course all local) were sooo good! We came straight from our afternoon theater show and had the place to ourselves. The entrance may seem confusing, but head straight in past the sign.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We were a party of 4 and walked in on a Wednesday night when the place was empty - we were the only patrons. The place is beautiful and decorated for the holidays, but they had house music blaring so loudly you could not hold a conversation. We asked if they could turn it down, but we're told they could not because the volume is locked in the office - made me wonder how they turn it off at night?? Then we got menus, and they had pictures of the food, which did not look good. It was such a lousy atmosphere that we decided to leave and go elsewhere.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

The ambience has a lovely European charm, but unfortunately, the experience didn’t quite live up to expectations. As soon as we walked in, there was a noticeable odor, like a beer keg that spilled over — a familiar odor from my bartending days.

The floors and tables felt sticky, which made the space feel a bit unkempt. Including the washrooms.

That said, the service was exceptional. Our waitress was warm, attentive, and really made our visit enjoyable. I had hoped this would be a great spot to bring my family visiting from overseas, but the food didn’t quite hit the mark. The fish and chips were lacking seasoning, and the mussels — while looking delicious in the photo — tasted like someone just lazily poured heavy cream on top.

The white wine sangria, unfortunately, was also a letdown. The pitcher resembled an old beer pitcher, and the drink itself looked more like dishwater with floating berries rather than a refreshing cocktail.

I don’t usually leave reviews like this but with only a few hours to enjoy the lake, I really wished we had chosen somewhere else. The place does have a cute vibe and could be a nice spot for photos, but when it comes to food or indoor dining, I’m not sure I’d return.

Perhaps I’d come back for happy hour on the patio, but that’s about it. Definitely not a cocktail though.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 5

Couldn't say much aside from being a beautiful place as if you don't have a reservation, dint bother wasting your time going there. Off season and there was no room to accommodate walk ins although several areas were not being used. Ended up a little further down the road where Wilkins were welcome.

Everything was great but the service was lacking.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

Lovely seating outside taking advantage of the autumn weather. Portions were generous and the food we ordered tasty. Liked the Sangria drinks altho cld be stronger. Atmospheric and got a gd crowd descending for lunch after our group checked in.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

The original brewery with good ambiance.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips

Wanted to get coffee and deserts and was rejected at the entrance. They said you can sit here only if you will it. Do not recommend

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

poor service. average food

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

The Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar patio is a great place to dine or have a glass of wine on their private patio.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Flight of Red Wine

4 of us having lunch here .
18% tips was AUTOMATIC add on our bills.
The server (a girl with blonde hair) didn't explain anything. we didn't ask her for a lot service during lunch , not even fill the water once. If there's an option I might give her 15% but the truth she added it on the bill without telling us makes us feel so so uncomfortable.
Sneaky

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 1

Atmosphere very poor, turning customers away unless every member of the party was ordering food. They will not accept you as a customer if you come to this Cafe looking for a cup of coffee! I ordered the soup of the day...cold and underwhelming, tasted like it was fresh from the can. Staff not very friendly. With so many nice restaurants in the area I would avoid this establishment..

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Just choose another place and do not come here. There was no kids menu, large fries like a ordinary small fries and the sangria was taste like a grape juice.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1