Symposium Cafe Restaurant Oshawa

My team scheduled lunch here because their site and menu suggested that they could accommodate for dietary restrictions. I let the server know I had celiac disease and couldn’t have wheat and ordered the only non-salad gluten-free entree they had, a rice pasta alfredo. My entree came with wheat bread on it. When I brought it to the server’s attention, she said she’d replace it… but brought the same dish with the bread removed. Eventually, it was properly replaced - I think! - but this resulted in eating ~20 minutes after my colleagues who all said they thought the meal should be comp’ed. It wasn’t; in fact, I was charged extra! The standard fettuccine dish is 17.49, same as the rice pasta one, and added chicken makes it 23.99. I was charged a full $7 for added chicken. My bill also denoted a standard fettuccine meal rather than a gluten-free one, which is now having me concerned that my inattentive server may have triggered my celiac symptoms (time will tell!). The food was only okay; the first plate of pasta had Parmesan while the second didn’t, and I was offered zero drink refills.

When you are looking for a breakfast spot in North Oshawa Symposium may not come to mind immediately but I encourage you to give this restaurant a try - spacious seating options, attentive servers, breakfast menu items to please all tastebuds and refreshing drink options. Patrons are not crammed into a small dining area and you have enough space to have a leisurely meal without bumping into your dining neighbours, which makes the atmosphere very inviting. We liked all the food preparation but it tends to border on greasy spoon instead of a more eclectic and personalized menu preparation style. Their fruit only smoothies are worth a mention and a refreshing start to the morning or brunch experience. They have gluten free options which is always a plus for us. Service was attentive and happy to make requested substitutions. Service was always delivered with a smile and staff were overall pleasant and welcoming. We have visited this location more than once now and it's safe to say Symposium is now on our list of breakfast spots to visit on a regular basis. We expect that this location will start to get a lot busy in the days and months ahead as word spreads so visit soon and often.