As someone who has frequently enjoyed the soup and snack offerings at the Le Salut bon marche shop on the same stretch, as well as the smiley service from one of the key workers there, I was keen to try this bright new option for lunch today. Unfortunately, my experience has put me off returning to the cafe, and possibly also the shop.
I was sitting alone while grabbing some lunch and preparing for a seminar nearby, and ordered one of their four soups. It came (eventually there was quite a delay for some reason though the place was not busy) with a nice basket of toasted breads, although I admit the soup itself (butternut squash and pumpkin) was not as flavourful as the soups I have had from the shop, and didn't appear to be home-made. However, it was pleasant enough, and I enjoyed the space.
The waitress came to clear my bowl and I asked for the bill. As I was waiting for that, I continued to read through my papers. When the bill arrived I continued reading to the end of the page, and as I was doing so, I heard the younger man/owner talk to the waitress. He asked her if 'that girl' had ordered any drinks, and to keep an eye on me the waitress shouldn't allow us to sit there without something because what we'll do is just sit there for hours without ordering anything and it's not on. I was agog. I had literally finished my soup five minutes earlier, and was preparing to leave the cafe to go to the seminar that was starting in just ten minutes. I was an honest patron who wanted to enjoy some lunch while doing some last-minute prep. I was instead made to feel like someone who needed to be watched and either forced to buy something or got rid of, quickly. Ironically, the cafe was mostly empty, and I would be leaving anyway. What strikes me is this comment came just as I'd finished my lunch not when I'd been sitting for an hour without any food or drink for them and simply using the space without spending. I was made to feel incredbly unwelcome, and will not be going back there when the owners have such defensive, presumptious, negative, and uncharitable views. read more