RUDE TO AMERICANS - WILL NOT TO SERVICE YOU
After a long day of walking around Bordeaux, my husband and I wanted to grab a bite to eat. We had just passed the Miror d'eau and came upon a few different eateries. One is Les Moules. The patio, which had over 30 tables, only had 4 tables taken, it looked like a spot with lots of availability and could use the business. There was no staff to greet us at the entrance, so my husband walked inside and asked in French for a table for 2. A man pointed to the empty patio and gestured to take a seat. The only tables that were empty and clean were a series of 4 tops. So we sat on one side across from each other, leaving the other side intact.
And then we waited....for what seemed a bit too long for a restaurant with no patrons.
I then saw a waitress come on to the patio, look at us, then walk towards the man that had gestured to us. She asked him a question and pointed our way... she seemed to be asking if "we were his customers/table." And this is when it began to get uncomfortable..... he looked towards us like he was searching for the people she was referred to. Clearly, he could see us. And clearly, we were the same people he told to be seated moments before. He then shook his head no and walked toward our table. We thought to ourselves, finally he is coming to properly welcome us and take an order. But no. He walked by our table and, without looking at us, said,' First , no, this is a table for 4, and you are 2', and then he began to walk to the other side of the patio. We didn't know in his poor English and poor mannerism if that meant to follow him to a new table so we stood next to him as if he was going to suggest a new spot he preferred us to sit. Then a woman came up and asked for a table, and he just ignored us. And continued to do so...as he sat the next 14 patrons.
It was so incredibly rude. And I think I now know why the restaurant patio was empty. They do not like Americans, and they do not want their business. I was literally 6inches from his shoulder saying "Monsieur, our table?" And he kept ignoring us and talking around me to other patrons.
It was so over the top rude that I took a picture of the menu with the intent to warn other American patrons.
The Intercontinental Hotel ended up getting our business that night. They are across from the Opera House and have a beautiful outdoor patio and bar. A cute eatery called Brasserie Bordelaise won our business another night. I would NEVER recommend a spot that doesn't want customers and doesn't want to "deal with Americans." It felt hostile and unsafe at Les Moules. In a city that is so empty and in need of tourism, it looks to be determined to want to stay and remain empty.
Americans should be careful. read more