Binchotan — Restaurant in Paris

We chose this place with my friend because it was marked as “top rated” and the dishes looked very appetizing on Google Maps (photos posted by the owner). Of course, our expectations were realistic — not too high — we were just expecting decent food.

We ordered the dish with octopus, pepper, hazelnut, shiitake, and burnt leek. We were very surprised when the food arrived. We understand that portions aren’t meant to be huge, but, excuse us, this was more like a meal for a mouse (we’re attaching photos below, I’m 159cm and my hand is really small:)). The presentation and portion size shown in the owner’s photos are completely different from what we were served, so we were left quite confused about what this dish even was.

First of all, there was a single tiny octopus tentacle drowned in a pepper mousse foam, which seemed more like a sauce for that one little piece of octopus. Secondly, the dish overall had no developed flavor — it was just bland.

When we politely asked why the dish looked the way it did, the man responded that “this is how it’s supposed to be” and that “we had imagined a different dish.” He claimed the photo we showed him (from the menu) was a different dish, even though it was exactly the same one listed in their own menu.

He also said, “It’s cheap,” which surprised us — because the price is average, not cheap, and besides, what does the price have to do with the appearance and taste? Does a dish being €14 mean it can be badly made? We didn’t understand this logic.

What shocked us more was his attitude — he just walked away in the middle of the conversation. We had to ask him to come back and explain that this wasn’t a complaint, just a question. There was no negativity from us — any customer has the right to ask a question about a clear mismatch between what was advertised and what was served.

TASTE: The tiny piece of octopus didn’t impress at all, nor did the pepper foam. The mushrooms were salty with no other flavor. The leek tasted like… leek. Nothing special or even satisfying — even for such “low prices,” as the man claimed.

In general, we left disappointed and wouldn’t recommend this place for food. Maybe it’s okay if you just want to drink a beer. But what’s most disappointing is the attitude toward the customer.

We don’t think this place deserves a “top...

Very disappointing experience. The price-to-quality ratio is extremely poor — the dishes lacked depth of flavor and felt unfinished. What made it worse was the owner’s attitude. He showed zero interest in guest feedback and responded dismissively to our comments. Meanwhile, he was sitting on the terrace with his friends, openly discussing us — which felt incredibly unprofessional and uncomfortable. It even seemed like I personally was being talked about. This kind of behavior is simply not acceptable in the hospitality industry. If you choose to work with people, you need to know how to handle criticism and control your emotions.

In a place where only four tables are occupied, that already says a lot. Would...

An excellent discovery, I dined here recently with my girlfriend and we were treated to a remarkable experience. We were warmly received into a tasteful and modern interior. As for the food, I cannot emphasize enough on the quality and the deliciousness of the dishes and the drinks. It is rare to encounter such locations, especially at its relatively affordable prices. I must add that I was able to communicate in English with the owner and the staff and, all around, I highly recommend this restaurant. To add, it is not far from the Catacombs of Paris and the Jardin of Luxembourg so it'd be wise to stop here either for diner or for a drink after visiting such...