Via Resto Lounge - Montréal

I travel the world and eat at countless restaurants, and this could be the worst experience of them all. Servers who couldn't care less if you stayed or left and so many things not available on the menu.It started with our arrival when we first set down. The server asked us for our drink order. One person, looking at the beer menu asked for a "Bass". The server replied "Seabass?" We had to remind her she was taking our drink order. The next person asked for a "Hoegarden". The server replied "is that a beer?" We all just looked at each other, convinced we must be on some candid camera show. Both gentlemen who ordered a beer asked for a lemon slice with their beer as well. I asked if they had a wine list. She said no. I asked if they had a Pinot Grigio or something dry. She said she would look into it. We also asked for an appetizer (bruschetta) to share. After she left, another server came over and asked us what we ordered. We confirmed for her our order. She went in and about 10 minutes later, our drinks came out.The beers both had a lime wedge. When asked if they had lemon instead, the server replied "oh I thought that was lemon".The server then brought out a bottle of wine and showed it to me. I didn't recognize the label and asked what kind it was. She said "I have no idea" and just stared at me. I asked if I could try a sip first before confirming. She stared at me blankly. The other server came over and told her to let me try a little bit to be sure I wanted a glass. So they left to go pour me a sample. Or so I thought.We waited 20 minutes...and during that 20 minutes we watched our main server sit down at a table on the patio and start playing with her phone and having a cigarette. The other server was nowhere to be seen. I never got a sample of the wine. They never returned with the lemon. They just never came back.We decided that we were going to leave. I walked over to find someone...anyone....to get the bill for the 2 beers. Both servers were standing inside the entrance of the restaurant and with painfully blank stares they just looked at me as I told them that we were leaving and wanted the bills right away. The one server had our bruschetta in her hands. Not sure how long she had been standing there with it. She slowly pointed to the app growing cold in her hands with a dull expression of "but what about this?" I just stared back and said "Nope". So the one server left to get our bill. The other, brings the bruschetta to the table with all her friends and gave it to them and was met with "oh thanks! Free apps!"It took about 5 minutes and we got our bill. We ran out if there!So...in summary...if you think you want to enjoy a nice meal in Montreal on crescent street, go ANYWHERE but this sad excuse for a restaurant. They don't care if you choose another place either.

When your instincts tell you to run ... You should run fast! Four of us were taken in by the location (trendy Crescent St) and outward appearance (think zen like couches etc.) which left us believing we were going to have relaxing pre-concert drinks, tasty appetizers and fantastic service. Boy were we WRONG!!! I am in my 60s and have been in many restaurants/lounges and this is by far the WORST! Imagine a server ignoring patrons (except the "regulars") with cigarette dangling from her mouth while talking on her cell phone. Imagine another server that doesn't know the difference between "bass" beer and "sea bass" the entree! And now imagine a restaurant that doesn't have 90 percent of what is listed on the menu or a half decent selection of white wine. Get the picture? RUN AWAY FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would rate this place a zero if I could.

We came to Via because they were doing an event (1 dollar oysters). At first glance the ambiance seemed alright but was completely and utterly destroyed by the horrendous club music. The oysters were not fresh. The waitress hardly took notice of our table and didn't refill our obviously empty glasses of water despite having told us that she would come back to give us a refill. However when it came to the bill she somehow increased her attention towards us and gave us our bill almost immediately. This place is more like a lounge than a fine Italian cuisine run by asian people...

Came here October 2013 after a long flight, chose this restaurant as it was near to our hotel. Looked nice from the outside, especially the terrace. That's where the positives end. Disappointing menu, told a 35 minute wait despite the restaurant being almost empty. Still nothing after forty five minutes. My husband had a childishly presented gnocchi which looked like a tin of tomatoes had been poured on top, served on a cold plate. I had seabass spaghetti which was absolutely cold. Sent my food back and ten minutes later the food reappeared exactly the same and still cold. The manager offered me another meal and a free drink but my husband had eaten his and I was tired and fed up - how hard is it to cook pasta?! - so refused both. Shame that our first visit to Montreal began so badly.

My boyfriend and I were walking down Crescent Street looking for some great Italian food. The hostess did a great job selling the menu, but maybe she hasn't tried the food.Inside the resto, there were a moderate amount of tables, mostly empty (should have been a clue) we decided to sit outside. We waited and waited for service, finally a server came over an apologized (he was very nice). Seeing how the place was not busy I would expect faster service. There seemed to be a few "regulars" there... maybe they took up the servers time.My boyfriend got a glass of wine (which wasn't good) and I ordered the seafood pasta. Absolutely no flavour, and cold. My boyfriend got the mushroom fettucini, which was disgusting and also cold. Seeing how there were only a handful of people there, I would think our food would be hot. There was no bread offered.. most Italian restaurants offer bread while you wait. Not a big deal though. We complained to the manager who spoke to the chef. They offered to make us another meal, but I was not interested. He also offered drinks, but we didn't want to stay there any longer. I was surprised they didn't discount the bill... we paid full price for gross half uneaten food, I do not recommend this place unless you just want to party on the patio.