We should have known better but we never learn. France may claim to have the best food in the world but service leaves a lot to be desired. Sunday was Sylvie's birthday and her Dad came to take us out to lunch. We have been disappointed on a number of occasions by the restaurants in Allevard, so decided to play it safe. We had already eaten at the 'Hotel des Alpes', a good experience, the restuarant is part of 'Logis de France' and appears in the 'Guide Michelin'. We, therefore, felt safe booking a table, how wrong we were!
Things got off to a bad start as we waited to be given the menu. It is worth mentioning here that we were accompanied by two, young and restless children. In the end, we resorted to catching the waitress at the kitchen door and collecting the menu ourselves. The wait to place our order was a little shorter as we managed to catch the waitress' eye before she disappeared into the kitchen. We were finally served a 'mise en bouche' and a jug of water. The waitress was hardly what one would describe as welcoming. It is true the restaurant was busy and she was clearly stressed, but a smile goes a long way in these circumstances.
The next step was relatively rapid. Unfortunately, rather than bring the kids burger and chips first, they brought the starters for two of us and the main dish for those who hadn't ordered a starter. The advantage of bringing the kids' food first is that they are occupied eating and don't get irritated by hunger. When we asked about their food we were told it was cooking. However, all was not well with the adults food.
The waitress remarked that she had forgotten the knives and forks. My father-in-law, someone who has worked in the catering industry, mentioned that rather than the six oysters, promised by the menu, he only had five. In addition, she had brought some butter but no bread. She scuttled off, and instead of returning with the missing items, proceeded to serve other tables.
When we finally caught her attention and asked about the missing oysters, she blithely told us the kitchen had run out of oysters. We also pointed out that she had offered scallops to replace the scampi, which the kitchen had also run out off, on one of the salads. She seemed perplexed and answered that the salad was with or without scampi. She then dove off to recover the cutlery and the bread.
In the meantime, the kids were sliding off their chairs and complaining that they were hungry. Sylvie was fuming and ready to leave without paying. However, my British phlegm, or fear of making a scene, made us sit it out. The kids food finally arrived, the burger was the most well cooked I have seen in nine years in France, generally they like their mat slightly browned and oozing blood. The kids attacked with gusto. The remaining two courses followed swiflty.
Sadly, we were to be disappointed here too. The meat, wild boar, was too salty and lacked sauce. The crozet, small pasta squares from the Savoie, were scaldingly hot. Finally, the accompanying courgette omelette was far too salty. Hardly the 'haute cuisine' we had expected.
When the owner, who was helping serve, cleared our table and asked if everything was okay she was met with a firm 'no'. We justified our lack of satisfaction, to which she replied that she was, with a lack of conviction, sorry but they were very busy. My father-in-law replied that this was hardly our problem and he expected a discount. The discount was duly accorded but we left disappointed that Sylvie's birthday meal had been ruined.
The experience has led us to reflect on the increasing lack of service in France. True, Parisian waiters have always had their arrogant reputation, but my Father-in-law was taught the value of service and knows how to manage a dining room. Even I know the basic 'dos and don'ts' of customer satisfaction. Last year, we went to the US on holiday, the level of service here extends to the nauseating but at least you want to return. This saturday we are going to try a new restaurant with good reviews, fingers crossed that our faith will be restored.
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