Les Maisonnaises — Restaurant in Nogent-sur-Marne

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

I recently dined at Les Maissonnaises, a French restaurant that came highly recommended for its authentic cuisine and charming atmosphere. While the food and ambiance lived up to expectations, my overall experience was tainted by a disappointing and deceptive encounter with the staff. As a tourist, I felt unfairly taken advantage of, which left a sour taste despite an otherwise enjoyable meal.

Ambiance and First Impressions

Les Maissonnaises is visually delightful, with classic French decor, warm lighting, and a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The soft hum of conversation, the smell of freshly baked bread, and the well-appointed tables promised an enjoyable experience. We were promptly greeted and seated, and the initial service appeared attentive and friendly.

The Food

The menu offered a wonderful selection of traditional French dishes. We ordered the duck confit and a seafood bouillabaisse, both of which were flavorful and well-prepared. The presentation was excellent, and the flavors were rich and satisfying. The accompanying sides — buttery potatoes and fresh vegetables — complemented the main courses perfectly. Dessert was equally enjoyable; the crème brûlée had a perfectly crisp caramelized top, and the tarte Tatin was deliciously decadent.

The Water Incident

Unfortunately, the service took a turn for the worse over what should have been a simple request. As is customary in many restaurants, I asked for tap water to accompany our meal. The waiter acknowledged the request but returned with a chilled bottle of still water. At first, I assumed this was a misunderstanding, so I reiterated that I wanted tap water. Instead of correcting the error, the waiter proceeded to open the bottle and pour it without clarification.

Over the course of the meal, we went through three bottles of water, each time being served bottled water without being informed of the charge. When the bill arrived, I was shocked to see we had been charged 21€ for what I believed to be tap water. I questioned the waiter, explaining that I had specifically requested tap water, which is typically complimentary in French establishments. The waiter shrugged off my concern, insisting that bottled water was the standard practice and that the bottles had already been opened. There was no attempt at an apology or rectification.

The Disappointment

This incident felt like an intentional ploy to take advantage of tourists unfamiliar with local customs. I understand that misunderstandings can happen, but the lack of transparency and unwillingness to resolve the situation left me feeling deceived. It put a damper on an otherwise pleasant dining experience. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the staff exploited the situation for profit, knowing that a tourist might be less likely to argue or make a scene.

Overall Verdict

Les Maissonnaises has a lot going for it — the food is delicious, the setting is charming, and the atmosphere is quintessentially French. However, the deceptive service and lack of accountability significantly diminished my experience. For a restaurant of this caliber, honesty and customer respect should be a given. If you decide to dine here, beware of the water situation and make your requests crystal clear.

I give Les Maissonnaises 3 out of 5 stars — the food was excellent, but feeling scammed over something as simple as water is a major disappointment that shouldn’t...

Extremely happy to have discovered this restaurant 10mins walk from my place.

I didn’t know this French restaurant existed until now, probably because I hardly pass by the street but we by chance went in and was I in for a treat.

The restaurant looks family owned and the hospitality is very warm and welcoming. The ambiance was pleasing, as you’ll see a lot of thoughts being put in to make the place look cosy with a modern style.

We ordered Cuisse de Pintade and Magret de Canard. The food was delicious, the tender pintade with the perfect mashed potatoes and some type of roasted carrot like veggie in glazed honey wow. Simply the best combination. The duck was a little tough as my fiancé could not chew them. Combined with Kir Champagne and Kir Passion.

All in all we had a beautiful lunch experience, and hopefully will be coming...

Un endroit A FUIR !! Je suis venue avec 2 amies dont une autre femme enceinte, au sein de ce restaurant afin de pouvoir bénéficier des WC. Je précise que mon amie et moi sommes à 8.5 mois de grossesse donc celles ci sont largement apparentes. Gênées d’avoir diné dans un petit boui boui non loin de ce restaurant, nous avions toutefois extrêmement besoin de pouvoir bénéficier de WC et donc d’humanité. En rentrant dans ce restaurant, une dame plutôt gentille nous fait comprendre que ce n’est pas la pratique du restaurant (tout à fait entendable) mais qu’exceptionnellement pour les femmes enceintes : elle acceptait. Mon amie y va. Puis vient mon tour. Le patron arrive alors et nous fait grossièrement comprendre que je ne pourrai pas y aller. Une seule d’entre nous a donc bénéficié du minimum d’humanité.

Il nous a demandé de payer puis nous a jeté dehors. Nous étions extrêmement en colère qu’ils refusent “ce geste” à l’une d’entre nous.

PASSEZ VOTRE CHEMIN : ANORMAL qu’en 2025 un homme puisse refuser cela à une femme dans le...