DON'T WASTE A NIGHT IN PARIS HERE…read more
Very disappointing experience, especially for a milestone celebration.
I chose this restaurant to celebrate my best friend's and my 50th birthdays during our long-awaited trip to Paris. I've been saving for this trip for 13 years, so I was hoping for a memorable evening. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the biggest disappointments of our trip.
I booked this restaurant because it was one of the few places near the Eiffel Tower with availability. After our experience, I understand why.
The food was mediocre, but the service was what really ruined the evening.
When I asked our waiter to explain the burrata because it included ingredients I didn't recognize, his response was simply, "It's good. Everything is good." I ordered it anyway, only to discover it had a soy sauce-style dressing--a flavor profile I never would have chosen had it been explained.
Since I wasn't enjoying it, I ate it slowly. Staff repeatedly came to remove my plate even after I told them I was still eating. Eventually they told me, "We've been waiting for you this whole time. The kitchen is closing, and everyone is waiting on you." It was said in a way that made me feel like I was inconveniencing the entire restaurant, which is not how anyone wants to feel while celebrating a milestone birthday.
Things got worse when I tried to order the same starter my friend's daughter had. I pointed to her dish and explained that I'd like the same one. Instead, they brought me the risotto. I immediately explained there had been a misunderstanding, but I was told, "That's what you ordered," and the server walked away.
Twenty-four minutes later she returned and asked if I didn't like my food. I explained again that it wasn't what I had ordered. Her response was simply, "Well, the kitchen is closed."
To make matters worse, the untouched dish remained on our bill even though I never took a single bite.
Adding to the disappointment, another table celebrating a birthday received a dessert with a sparkler. I had noted in my reservation and mentioned upon arrival that we were celebrating our 50th birthdays, but our celebration wasn't acknowledged in any way.
Paying €24 for an average Aperol Spritz only added insult to injury.
I don't expect perfection, but I do expect basic courtesy, accurate service, and not to be charged for food I didn't order or eat.
After saving for this trip for 13 years, it's heartbreaking that this is the memory we'll always have of our 50th birthday dinner in Paris. I hope this review helps others make a more informed decision.