Buddha-Bar — Restaurant in Paris

My wife and I, still buoyed by the magic of our honeymoon, looked forward to a memorable evening at the acclaimed Buddha Bar in Paris on June 11th. Renowned for its fusion cuisine and an ambiance that promises a sensory delight, our expectations were high. However, what should have been a seamless entry into a world of culinary and aesthetic pleasure turned into a disappointing ordeal due to the underwhelming service at the front desk.

Upon arrival, with a reservation in hand, we were met with immediate confusion. The front desk staff informed us, rather abruptly, that they could not find our reservation. Without clear guidance, they suggested we "walk around and find a seat up top." This direction was vague—were they going to look for our reservation? Was there actually no reservation? Was this just their lounge area? With no clear answers, we embarked on an awkward circuit around the top section of the restaurant, only to return to the front desk still unsure of our status.

Upon our return to the front desk, instead of clarifying the situation, the staff inexplicably asked us again if we had a reservation. The repetition of their earlier question added to our confusion and frustration. It was only after we reiterated our booking details that there was a sudden spark of recognition, and they exclaimed, "Oh! I see now!" This lack of coordination and professionalism was unexpected and unbecoming of a venue that prides itself on providing an exceptional guest experience.

Once seated, I must admit, the food was decent and met the expectations set by the restaurant's reputation. The ambiance and the waitstaff also lived up to the hype, contributing positively to our evening. Our waitress, in particular, was attentive and friendly, a stark contrast to our initial reception.

However, the front desk snafus bookended our visit. As we departed, the group of hostesses at the front desk failed to acknowledge our leaving. There was no nod of thanks, no farewell smile—nothing that suggested they valued our visit. This oversight might seem minor, but in hospitality, particularly in a city that thrives on its service culture, such dismissiveness can taint the overall experience.

In conclusion, while the food and ambiance at Buddha Bar deliver on their promises, the front desk service was notably lacking. It's disheartening that what was supposed to be a special meal during our honeymoon was marred by a series of service failures. For a venue that charges a premium and is situated in a city celebrated for its hospitality, I expected more. Our evening at Buddha Bar was less the unforgettable experience we hoped for and more a lesson in the importance of consistent...

The aesthetics of this restaurant are lovely. However the staff were not. Me and my group of friends were met with hostility and rudeness from the moment we sat down. We were met with rules and regulations about the menu and how we can order. We asked for a round of drinks and a bottle of champagne to get the meal started whilst we were browsing the menu. We were told we were not allowed and that we had to place everything together and be ready with the whole order. So we asked for more time to browse the menu whilst we decided food. The waitress then came over 3 times in the space of 5 minutes pressurising us to order, even though we had a 2 hour time slot on the table. So we quickly decided what we wanted. We were a party of 4. All of us wanted starters. 3 of us wanted something from the main dish section of the menu, the 4th person wanted platters of sushi. We were told we could not have sushi as main and that if we wanted Sushi we had to move to another table. I mentioned that was not explained to us at time of booking nor was it stated on the menu. I also pointed out that the value of what my friend was ordering as a main came to more than the value of a single main course anyway. The waitress started shouting and creating a scene to which made other guests in the restaurant stare. It was embarrassing. So my friend said OK and changed her meal choice. But that was not suffice for the waitress who continued to want to argue and shout. I asked her to be quiet as I felt embarrassed to which she threatened to call security and kick us out. My and my friends are respectable individuals who dine out at reputable establishments a lot. We felt victimised and bullied. The waitress' response to me asking her not to shout was unreasonable and over the top. I hadn't raised my voice once. I was merely trying to come to a solution. After much deliberation we decided to order nothing and leave the restaurant. The worst part about this whole experience is that when the manager came over, we assumed she would try to resolve the situation, but instead she decided to defend her unreasonable staff member, without having been present to the incident. Would never return and suggest anyone travelling to Paris not to waste their time dining here unless they want major...

Cool vibe, good food but the service was horrendous. No really, i am not exaggerating. This is kinda long in case anyone is interested in the details.

My wife and I arrived at 10:30 and were seated promptly. No menus or any attention for 10 minutes. We weren't in a hurry so no big deal. We finally flagged down a wait person who apologized and brought menus and promptly vanished without asking if we wanted drinks. Another 10 minutes and we had to ask a passing wait staff if we could order. We ordered 2 cocktails, water, 2 appetizers, a sushi roll and a main entree to share.

Thirty five minutes after sitting down they bring two appetizers, one cocktail, a glass of champagne and still no water (at this point i am kind of amazed at the service so i am watching the time). We said we hadn't ordered champagne and explained the cocktail order again. The waitress apologized and left to get the correct drink. Meanwhile we noticed they had brought a crab salad that we had not ordered and not the gyoza. When she came back with the drink and our bottled water, we explained that we hadn't ordered the crab salad. She apologized again and came back fairly quickly with the gyoza. So we enjoyed the good food and drink. Maybe 20 minutes later, after we finished the appetizers and drinks, she came back and picked up our plates and asked if we wanted dessert. Huh? What about our black cod and sushi roll? We ordered again along with a couple glasses of wine. The wine arrived quickly, and twenty minutes later, our food arrived and we finished eating and drinking. One hour and 45 minutes later our bill arrived for 177€ which was not a surprise except for the amount being out of synch with the poor service. There are lots of great restaurants in Paris so we won't be back...