Overall, I would give this restaurant 0 stars if that were possible…read more
**Food:** Mine: 4 stars | My wife's: 1 star
**Ambience:** 2 stars
**Service:** Waiter: 4 stars | Manager/owner: 0 stars
We went for an early dinner around 6:00 p.m. and chose one of the prix-fixe menu options, which included an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and a bottle of wine described as the "Chef's Selection."
We asked if we could taste the wine first. We didn't particularly like it, but the waiter explained that the bottle had already been opened, so we accepted it.
My meal was actually quite good: smoked salmon, coq au vin, and crêpes with fruit.
Unfortunately, my wife's entrée -- steak with fries -- was very disappointing. The meat arrived barely warm, was very greasy, and was even difficult to cut.
We called the waiter over, and she brought the owner's brother to our table. When my wife explained the problem with her meal, his reaction was unbelievable. Instead of listening or trying to resolve the issue, he became loud and confrontational. He told my wife that she was "difficult," insisted that the meat was great, and aggressively asked what she wanted -- while also telling her that she would not be getting any more meat.
I was speechless.
My wife was so intimidated by his behavior that she simply said she didn't want anything else.
I finished my meal, and when the check arrived, I noticed that my wife had been charged the full price for her entire meal. I objected and tried to discuss it with him. At that point, it was no longer about the money. I even suggested paying in full for my meal and paying for the portions of my wife's meal that she had actually eaten.
Unfortunately, there was no possibility of having a calm, rational conversation. He became increasingly emotional and continued shouting. I had to remind him several times that I would not accept him speaking to my wife in such an inappropriate and disrespectful manner.
During his rant, he threatened to call the police if I did not pay the entire bill. Given everything that had happened, I was not willing to simply pay the full amount as though nothing had occurred.
So he actually called the police.
After the officers spoke with both sides and understood what had happened, I accepted the suggested resolution and paid only for my own meal.
We dine out almost every night, and in all those years, we have never experienced anything remotely like this. A disappointing steak can happen in any restaurant. What made this experience unacceptable was the way a legitimate complaint was handled: with aggression, intimidation, and complete disrespect toward a guest.
One final sidenote: after everything that happened, we looked up the bottle of wine that had been presented as the restaurant's "Chef's Selection." We found the same bottle listed at a local retailer for $5.99.
I have eaten in many French restaurants in both the United States and Europe, and I have always associated and experienced French cuisine not only with great food, but also with a proud tradition of hospitality and professionalism. The behavior we experienced here felt like an insult to that great culinary culture.
For a French restaurant, that was a rather fitting final surprise to an unforgettable evening -- unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons.
