Bistro Champetre

I was there last a week ago. It was my fourth visit in a month. On this occasion I was on my own and though there were many open tables on the window section at the front of the restaurant I was seated away from that area behind a wooden half section entirely surrounded by empty tables. That did not bother me that much as I wanted to read but the problem became out of sight of the wait staff to out of mind entirely. I waited and waited No menu. No drink order. Rien. The manager took no interest in the restaurant but paced up and down the bar area in a frenzy while screaming into his cell phone. Laughter and fun and games was coming from the three wait staff hunkered down in the window section having a great time with the one table there with some eating customers. The section I was seated in is long and at the top there was one full table of 10 silent Asians with faces turned in unison towards the pacing manager willing him to pay attention and also provide them some service. In the end I just walked out passing the mamager and explaining " pas de service". At which point the manager detached himself from his phone and screamed at me to hold up. I ignored him and left. I could see no excuse for their inattention. Later the same waiters stood on the front steps taking a cigarette break blowing smoke at potential customers as well as blocking the entrance. The manager was also dressed in some dark red sports jacket and light trousers. It would be more appropriate ifor this more "classy" establishment to at least have worn a dark suit. Also he should find an office to make his calls from and not subject the clientele to his furious rantings. The food was good when I ate there but they lack the committed service professionalism of most French eateries. They should go 50 yards down to Linois a small brasserie and watch and learn how real Parisian restaurant managers and wait staff properly manage a business. I have been going to Paris for fifty years and this fall off in standards (improper dress, talking business on the phone in front of customers and smoking at the front door without any regard to the effect on potential customers) needs to be identified and corrected to maintain the positive image most people have about theri dining experience in Paris.
Comment on this reader review

Pierre
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Sunday, May 23, 2010