Lockett's Kitchen - Ottawa

Similar to previous experiences, my party and I had a reservation for the 5:30 seating at this restaurant and encountered a very slow service. We ended up being... read more Similar to previous experiences, my party and I had a reservation for the 5:30 seating at this restaurant and encountered a very slow service. We ended up being the last table to place our order, with the waitress jokingly remarking that we might not finish our meal before the next seating. Unfortunately, her comment turned out to be true as we waited a long time for each course and had to rush through dessert. Although the food was tasty, there was hardly any of the promised lamb in our dish. Additionally, we found the wine to be overpriced and the overall meal to be just okay that evening. While we had enjoyed dining at this restaurant in the past, I felt a bit cheated on New Year's. It's a shame because I know they are making an effort, but that particular night was a real disaster. I have decided not to return.

It’s been many years since my wife and I had gone out on New Year’s Eve and after this experience it may be years before we attempt to again.Before I get into t... read more It’s been many years since my wife and I had gone out on New Year’s Eve and after this experience it may be years before we attempt to again.Before I get into the review I want to say that I don’t know how to review the evening without sounding petty. We had been to Lockett's Kitchen on numerous occasions and seen the flyer for New Year’s the last time we dined. The service and food is always excellent. We had booked the 5:30 seating, and this should have been my warning for the evening. I had called several times to book the evening and after a few days of no response to my voicemail I was almost ready to just give up. I got the return call a few days later and booked the seating. No explanation as to why it took so long to get back to me, or that the restaurant was having a problem.We arrived at 5:30 and were seated immediately, again the service was great, our drink order was taken and everything appeared normal. However, it was almost an hour before we were able to place our dinner order, and then another half hour before the first course arrived. We then waited quite a while before the second course arrived. We questioned the waitress if there was problem and she informed us that the restaurant had had a flood a couple weeks prior and was working from a secondary kitchen. I really felt for the wait staff and the kitchen, but I wish I had known this before we arrived. It seems they had lots of time to contact the guests for the evening to let them know there may be an issue. We had traveled quite a distance in a snow storm to be there and would have probably still come, but we would have been prepared for the wait. After the second course we again waited until almost 8pm for the main course to arrive 2 ½ hours after we were seated (BTW 8 pm was when the second seating was to begin … they also had no idea there was a problem, and waited at the coat check, bar area for what must have been an hour for some people).Although the waitresses were excellent we just had a feeling (and it was our own thinking) that we should be rushing through the main course, and at that point my wife actually didn't even want the main course anymore it had been so long. We even asked for our dessert to go because the second seating were all standing waiting for the first seating to leave, so a relaxing coffee and dessert was out of the question. Lockett’s is not a cheap restaurant and New Year’s is like any place, you pay a little more for the evening…. It doesn’t feel very good to put out the money we did on the meal and drinks and feel like we should be leaving. Then to put a topper on the evening, when we went to pay we found out that there was only once Interac machine working so we would have to wait until it became available before we could pay the bill. Perfect end to the evening.All in all a very disappointing evening, which was unfortunate. I’m sure for the restaurant they made more on drinks being served because it took so long to get the food, and they would have made a few on the drinks served to the people who had to wait for an hour to get to their 8pm seating. I’m not sure what I expected but maybe an apology from the owner for the wait time, or a complimentary champagne drink for the inconvenience, anything … but we got nothing.I really like the restaurant and the food as well as the service, but this has left a very bad taste in my mouth (pardon the pun) and I really don’t think I would return. I again don’t want to sound petty, I understand that this flood could not have happened at a worse time for the owners, but look at it from our side. We had dished out $300+ for the evening and were not told there was problem …. Then waited forever for the food to arrive, again without an explanation until we asked. I have no idea what time the 8pm people were seated but I can’t imagine they would be too happy as well. I’m sure there will be a review from one of them very shortly.

This was a very disappointing experience - not a way to welcome 2017! We booked the 5:30 pm sitting for a New Year's Eve dinner. While the servers were very fri... read more This was a very disappointing experience - not a way to welcome 2017! We booked the 5:30 pm sitting for a New Year's Eve dinner. While the servers were very friendly - and kept their cool despite obvious back room issues - the actual service was VERY slow. Also, food servings for same dishes were inconsistent - and some servings did not have the ingredients promised. The 8 pm sitting crowd were delayed (gathered by the door waiting...) - and who knows how they felt in the end. My meal (prime rib) was mostly fat. I doubt we will go to this place again. Sorry to say - as I've visited once before and loved it.

Charming location in the charming village of Manotick. I thought a cozy brunch was just what I needed on this chilly November morning. read more Charming location in the charming village of Manotick. I thought a cozy brunch was just what I needed on this chilly November morning.

It is incredible to have a place like this in Manotick. This is not the first time I have been to Lockett's and I have never been disappointed. The service is g... read more It is incredible to have a place like this in Manotick. This is not the first time I have been to Lockett's and I have never been disappointed. The service is good, the food is incredible and the quality superb. It is nice not to have to go downtown and to have something so close to home. The Chef listens to what you say or suggest and acts accordingly. As a customer, that is appreciated. They are very accommodating. Thank you Luckett's. All the best.