La Robe de la Girafe - Bistrot Paris 11 — Restaurant in Paris

Utterly ruined my last night in Paris, no exaggeration. It was a busy night, restaurants were crowded and it was hard to find a place. This one looked great and I was so glad when the woman at the door said she seat me. Complications from travel (had been in Spain, no, was not new to Paris) kept me busy all day and I was so hungry by the time I finally found a place and sat down. I know my french is far from perfect. And I know that must be very annoying. But I really feel like this is a game I can't win. If I start out with English, I'm not trying hard enough. If I start out with French, I'm an idiot and a boor. Anyway, I started with French and a man, the owner, I assume, loudly announced that he spoke English, then loudly waved then English menu over his head. I was exhausted and just wanted to eat something. It was a crowded space. Please, don't fuss, I said. I sat down. He was definitely going to make a fuss. HERE IS YOUR ENGLISH MENU! He announced. Again, I know my spoken french is pretty terrible, but I can read a full French novel in about the same time I can read an English one. This ritual is pretty humiliating. Ok great, I said glumly. What is the problem!!! He wanted to know why I wasn't more thrilled. Nothing. I said. Then he told me to get out. I wasn't cheerful, and I had taken out a book, so I had to go. It took me another half hour to find a place that had a table. The food is probably good, but this was a deflating experience, and I certainly wouldn't try to come back here. It made me feel bad about humankind, generally speaking. That's not what you want in...

In Paris we were looking for an authentic French eating experience and we found one at the La Robe de la Giraffe! A cute little bistro in the 11th Arr has a fully French vibe including the menus! It was recommended by the staff at the hotel we stayed at as a place they go to eat just down the street! Outdoor and indoor seating areas were both great. After struggling with the menus for a while we tried the waitress and, of course, she spoke no English. Eventually the bartender came over and helped to decipher the menu and took care of us for the rest of the stay. We ordered some of their exclusively French cuisine and we were so happy to have chosen to make the effort to dive into the French culture. Dinner was delicious and fairly priced ... it was obvious that the owner took great pride in her cooking and attention to detail. Thank you to her and the rest of the staff for making our stay in Paris as authentic...

Disappointing Experience – Poor Service

We had a terrible experience at this restaurant. Upon arrival, we asked for a table for two, and despite the place being nearly empty, we were seated and then completely ignored. The only employee on duty spent at least 10 minutes talking and laughing on the phone, paying no attention to the few customers present or those arriving.

Even after ending the call, she made no effort to serve us, instead shifting her attention elsewhere. We sat there for about 20 minutes without receiving menus, water, or any acknowledgment. Frustrated, we decided to leave.

It’s a shame because we used to visit frequently and had good experiences in the past. However, over the last two years, the service has declined significantly, and the lack of customer care has made the place unwelcoming. Sadly, this was our last visit. There was simply no excuse for such...