Au XV Du Rond Point (Champs-Élysées) — Restaurant in Paris

On a cold winter evening in Paris, just steps from the Champs-Élysées, we found ourselves drawn to Au XV du Rond Point. The brasserie, with its inviting glow and promise of classic French cuisine, seemed like the perfect refuge from the chill. Once inside, the warmth of the staff immediately stood out. Our server was attentive, polite, and—perhaps most importantly—patient. Unlike the rushed service so often found in Paris, he allowed us the time to enjoy our evening without pressure. It’s a rare quality, and one that laid the foundation for a relaxed and enjoyable meal.

We began with a bottle of wine and a simple starter: Saint-Nectaire cheese, accompanied by fresh bread and a small side salad. The bread was good, as expected, but the cheese—while delicious—felt oddly sparse. Two thin slices for €7 in the land of cheese felt underwhelming, as if the restaurant was holding back where it should shine. Still, paired with the wine, it made for a pleasant start, even if it left us wanting just a bit more.

For the main course, I ordered the 350g pork chop, while Patricia chose the veal steak with Roquefort sauce. The pork chop, robust and generously portioned, came with a flavorful sauce that complemented the meat well. Yet, there was a missed opportunity in the execution: the fat wasn’t properly rendered or crisped, denying the dish a layer of texture and indulgence that could have elevated it. Patricia’s veal, on the other hand, presented a different set of challenges. While the Roquefort sauce was a highlight—its sharpness delicately balanced—the steak itself suffered from inconsistency. One part was cooked beautifully, while another was slightly overdone. Worse, there was an abundance of cartilage that detracted from the overall experience.

Both dishes were served with fries, and here, too, the results were mixed. Patricia’s were golden, crisp, and well-seasoned, the kind of fries that remind you why they’re a staple of French cuisine. Mine, however, leaned toward the oily side, as if they’d been left just a little too long in the fryer. It’s these small inconsistencies that linger in the memory, even when the overall meal is satisfying.

What saved the evening, and perhaps elevated the entire experience, was the conclusion. As the cold Parisian night pressed against the windows, we were offered a hot tea accompanied by three mini desserts. It was a thoughtful gesture, one that warmed us both inside and out. There’s something about ending a meal with tea—simple, comforting, and restorative. The mini desserts were an added treat, offering a sampling of the kitchen’s sweeter side without the heaviness of a full dessert course. It was, in many ways, the perfect ending to the meal.

As we ate, we noticed several families with children dining nearby. The sight of kids happily enjoying their meals spoke to the brasserie’s wide appeal. It’s the kind of place that feels welcoming to all, whether you’re here for a family outing, a casual dinner, or even a quiet evening alone. Yet, the bill reminded us that such charm comes at a cost. Our total for the evening came to €100, a price that, while not outrageous, does make you consider whether the experience justifies the expense. For those on a budget, the menu might be a better choice than ordering à la carte.

I left with a small pang of regret for not ordering the duck, which had caught my eye as soon as we sat down. The promise of confit, rich and tender, lingers in my mind as a reason to return. But for now, I’ll remember the warmth of the tea, the kindness of the staff, and the small moments of culinary joy that made the evening worthwhile.

Rating: 4/5

Au XV du Rond Point is a brasserie with heart, offering good food, excellent service, and a cozy atmosphere. While it stumbles in some areas, it delivers enough charm and warmth to leave you satisfied. In a city as demanding as Paris, that’s...

My girlfriend and I visited this restaurant on New Year's Eve and had quite an experience. I ordered the Caesar Salad and she ordered the House Cheeseburger, which she asked to be cooked well done. When the cheeseburger arrived my girlfriend tried to eat it but it was still red with blood coming from it, and when the unappetising mound of salad was plonked in front of me an egg rolled off the top and fell onto the table. When the waiter finally acknowledged us about 30 minutes later my girlfriend explained how the burger was red and she didn't want it anymore as it had ruined her appetite, he brought back the same burger recooked for slightly longer but we sent it away. I continued to pick at my salad but didn't manage to make much of a dent in it. When the waiter brought us the 70€ bill we refused to pay for this 20€ burger which had been cooked so poorly. The waiter got extremely annoyed, pointed his finger at us and kept shouting 'You ordered burger, you not leave without pay! I not pay for it!'. He then pushed us and even attempted to open my girlfriend's bag, and get into my pocket to get the money. I tried to calm him down and get a manager but, the manager also demanded we pay for our disgusting cheeseburger. This restaurant reminded me of one out of Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, I would recommend anyone to stay clear and go elsewhere. I have never felt so ripped off, received such poor food, and been treated so badly by staff in a restaurant. Ps. They have 1 small toilet shared by males and females with a seat covered in wee and about a 20 minute queue. Pss. We didn't let it spoil the night as I proposed to my girlfriend as the clock...

Fake calamari.

We were staying across the street at an airbnb and decided to go here for dinner. Ordered the calamari and after a few bites realized that it was fake. The calamari was made out of dough, shaped into rings, and then battered and fried. At first blush it can pass for calamari due to the texture, but if you break it apart and roll it in your fingers, you'll quickly realize that it's dough as it kneads and holds shape like dough. This was after removing all of the batter.

We also suspect that the wait staff knows. When we raised it with one staff (not our waiter), his first reaction was to take away the plate and offer us something else on the menu for no charge. Not exactly the surprise and "I'll check with the kitchen" response you'd expect. Our waitress might have also slipped when we raised the issue with her and she said "I know". At any rate, she said the calamari and escargot are from frozen bags and they just fry/heat it up from the bags so its not their fault.

Super friendly...