L'ile de France — Restaurant in San Rafael

So disappointed in this place. Upon being seated, we were ignored for over 20 minutes, despite being next to the point-of-sale system which was abuzz with servers. Finally, one asked if we were okay. I replied that we’d like a menu. 5 minutes and no menu later, the same server simply stood by our side snubbing us again. I had to get up to RE-ask her what was going on. Explaining that after watching countless other parties come in and get served before us, having asked her previously and being ignored again, this time around, it would really be nice to see a menu. I received an “okay, okay” as if I was being unreasonable. Anyways, I am not one to complain so I tried to let bygones be bygones. The rest of the meal was uneventful until it came time to leave. As our server was nowhere to be seen for ages, I asked another for the check. Nothing. As our server eventually walked by, I then asked her. Again the check never showed. As yet another server came by I once again politely asked. Same result. As more time passed, I got up and asked the hostess which eventually did bring the check with a “I’m sorry we’re busy tonight” mock apology. I didn’t even bother to reply as I don’t like to make a fuss, but honestly, I simply would never go here again. I’ve lived in CR for 16+ years and the San Jose restaurant scene has come a long way since. The food at L’Ile is decent, but there are so many places with much better food and amazing service now that there are no reasons left to go here. If you must visit Avenida Escazu, you’re much better off at Teraza Toscan right across the walk, which has great cocktails, friendly service and tastier cuisine. Or La Devina Comida right beside this place with a modern take on Peruvian food. If you’re craving French, La Terrasse French Cuisine (downtown) is worlds apart on all levels. Likewise Grano de Oro has better French dishes and again much nicer ambience and service. Sorry I get “merde” happens, but between the constant dropping of said merde and your hostess’ response, this was amateur hour at best and a damper on an otherwise nice Father-Daughter Saturday night outing.

PS. To the restaurant: I read other reviews complaining about your amateur service. In your replies you asked that they contact you directly to share their experience. If customers are posting their disappointments here, shouldn’t you be better off making some effort and contacting...

This restaurant has nothing to do with the preparation of French food other than the name.

The “Beef Bourguignon” was inedible. There was SO much salt it “burned” your mouth (and I like salt, I use it liberally). The beef was dense dry blocks smothered in “beef pudding”. Is the best way to describe it. It seemed as though they took a “beef base” and added cornstarch to make this thick goopy coating that started congealing in the plate… It seems as though all the steps that make this classic French dish were skipped to make it quickly or economically?,.. so basically a bad, pasty, salty beef stew. The “grilled asparagus”. I guess this doesn’t translate well either. The asparagus were fine, overcooked, salty and limp but at least edible. Generally, in French cooking this is dressed and accompanied with a coddled egg and frisee. What I got was a type of “egg salad” (hard boiled egg chopped up in to tiny pieces drenched in oil) It was plopped on top of undressed wilted greens. Honestly it looked like someone was “sick” on top of the salad.

The “Onion Soup Gratinee” .So Sad. This dish is not expensive to make and is based solely on French technique. What we got was a salty pint of brown liquid with an over abundance of low quality cheese sinking to the bottom, no broiled gruyerre on top …instead a slimy “crouton” topped with more slightly melted cheap cheese, total disaster.

The Ramon Bilbao Reserva Rioja wine was excellent, and served properly and correctly. Our waiter was efficient, pleasant and attentive … Until there was an issue, then it was a disappearing act and ignorance..( generally a sign of “this has happened before”) I basically had to get up from the table to walk out in order to get the check.

Having owned several restaurants in my lifetime, It would be my advice to “change the menu to a “doable format” and stop pretending to be a French restaurant. Lower the expectation and do what you do well, don’t try to do something you can’t do and pass it off….IT’S JUST...

I was part of a group of ladies that sent all our menu choices two days ahead, so I was suprised I had to wait thirty minutes longer than everyone else for my sandwich, even though I was the first to arrive, and confirmed my order with the waiter. I tried to pay early as I had a doctor's appointment, but was ignored, and the waiter gave me a check last, without consulting one of the sheets with our names and orders that we had given him. He put four entrees on my bill and drinks I did not order. It was very shocking. I said I didn't eat all four meals--my friends all paid for theirs and had left, and he tried to argue that I should pay again for their drinks. There was no reason to punish me. we were all well behaved ladies, well-dressed, polite, quiet, and not drinking more than a small drink each, and I asked nothing of him all meal--no extra water, or anything. Very upset. Ruined...