François Félix — Restaurant in Paris

Disappointing. The primary concern was the preparation of the pasta. Despite my clear and repeated requests for it to be cooked al dente—a reasonable expectation in any establishment, and more so in Paris known for its culinary standards—the pasta served was disappointingly overcooked. What compounded the issue was the later admission of their inability to cook pasta al dente. This lack of basic culinary skill was surprising and frankly unacceptable.

In such situations, if a customer’s request cannot be met, it is essential for the restaurant to communicate this to the customer beforehand. This would allow the customer to make an informed decision and perhaps choose a different dish that the kitchen is confident in preparing. Serving a dish that doesn’t meet a specifically and repeatedly stated request is not just a culinary oversight; it undermines the customer’s dining experience.

The situation deteriorated further when the server insisted that we pay for the improperly prepared dish. It took a conversation with the manager to resolve this, and while the dish was eventually removed from our bill, the manager’s attitude was less than gracious. He suggested that we should not order pasta in Paris if we expect it to be al dente, a comment that came across as both rude and dismissive of our valid culinary preferences.

While the service staff, excluding the manager, were polite and professional, the overall quality of the remaining dishes was mediocre at best, and did not compensate for the initial...

A Memorable Parisian Dinner at Francois Félix

We had an absolutely delightful experience at Francois Félix, located conveniently near the Sofitel Faubourg. From the moment we walked in, the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming—a perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness that made us feel instantly at ease.

We started with a bubbly, golden-brown gratin starter with ravioli that was both comforting and indulgent. The creamy texture, layered with tender vegetables and topped with a perfectly broiled cheese crust, was a fantastic opener to our meal. Each bite was rich and flavorful, with just the right touch of herbs to balance it all out.

For the main course, we were served a slow-cooked stew with tender cuts of beef, baby potatoes, carrots, and a deeply savory sauce. Amazing Beef bourgaunone. The meat melted in the mouth, and the vegetables were cooked to perfection, soaking up all the flavors of the broth. The garnish of fresh herbs added a wonderful brightness to the dish. It felt like classic French comfort food elevated with great care and technique.

The background music was another highlight—smooth jazz and classic song melodies that created a cozy, elegant atmosphere without ever being overpowering. It was the perfect soundtrack to a relaxed and satisfying evening.

If you're staying nearby or simply exploring Paris, Café Félix is a must-visit for a delicious, heartwarming meal and impeccable service. We’ll...

I wish I could give this place a better rating because the food was good, and the manager was nice. But unfortunately, the overall experience left a lot to be desired.

First, the service—while the manager was pleasant, the waitress was patronizing rather than polite, which made the experience uncomfortable. To top it off, she almost set the tablecloth on fire, which didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Now, the real issue: closing time and how they treat paying customers. If your restaurant advertises that it closes at 1 AM, that means customers should be able to stay until then. Instead, despite arriving and being served well before closing, we were rushed out, with blankets taken away and wine poured into plastic coffee mugs—in Paris, of all places! If you don’t want customers staying until closing, don’t run a restaurant in the middle of Paris. And if your excuse is that there aren’t enough people, maybe you shouldn’t be in business at all.

Forcing paying customers out before closing time, treating them like an inconvenience, and switching to plastic cups to speed things along is beyond unprofessional. If this is what “Parisian” service has come to, it’s disappointing. Get your restaurant and your staff sorted. (Even fast food places don’t kick you out because...