I'm the first person to write an English review, so my review is for people who are not from Paris but who may be interested in checking out this trendy new spot...
I found out about this place from reading several expat blogs and I generally do a lot of research before I travel. So I was really excited to try the Fish Club. The photos looked amazing and in person, the place was indeed very cool with the blue decor and tiny mismatched furniture (though the tiny tables were not practical for balancing several dishes of tapas!). I reserved online a week in advance for 6pm. I know that's early for Paris, but we wanted to go to the Louvre after for the evening opening. My reservation was confirmed by email.
When we arrived, the pouty server appeared disinterested, fiddling on the laptop and answering a phone call while 'helping' us. She said the dining room wasn't ready (although it looked fine) but she could seat us on the patio (it was freezing!!) for 20-30 mins. and then move us inside. But since it was so early, they only have sardines and no other hot dishes. So we left, thought about it, and walked back asking if we can come at 8:30 or 9pm? She says we can only come at 7:30 or 10:00pm. I didn't understand the reason for the rigid scheduling. I would understand if it's a formal restaurant with 2 seatings for a set dinner, but this is a Peruvian tapas place! And it was wednesday night, not too crowded. I wondered if she was just trying to get rid of us...
We did come back for 7:30pm (lots of empty tables). The waiter suggested we each order 4 dishes because they are small. Then, although we never asked for it, he sends over the sommelier who proceeds to recommend a 200 euro bottle of wine. In our party of 4, one doesn't drink much and two wanted beers. So we didn't go with her wine suggestion and I don't know if that contributed to them not welcoming us or thinking we're cheap? I had a pisco sour and it was really good but the service throughout the night left a (pardon the pun) sour taste in our mouths...
The server seemed completely disinterested (I know that people say that's what servers are like in Paris, but in an entire week of eating out in the city, only the Fish Club lived up to that stereotype). There were long gaps between courses, water was not refilled, they seemed to ignore us when we tried to get their attention. We ordered a cheese plate and it took so long to arrive we regretted not just getting the bill... Throughout, it seemed that they were irritated when we asked for tap water, irritated when we didn't order 4 dishes per person (we had 8 dishes between 4 plus a cheese plate and were comfortably full), and irritated when we didn't get dessert. It's like they didn't want us there and if we were gonna be there, they wanted to make sure we spend as much money as possible... I'm not sure if it was because we are Canadians or that 2 of my DC's were over 50 (i.e. do not fit their fashionable/young bobo target market).
BUT, the food itself was actually excellent! Flavourful and tangy ceviches, shrimp soup, grilled octopus and chorizo, a cheesy spin on patatas bravas... Lots of memorable dishes with great presentation. Too bad the service took away from the overall experience so much. read more