Le Cheval d'Or — Restaurant in Paris

We had high expectations when visiting this restaurant. But the overall experience tasted like a nightmare.

The food itself was, for the most part, quite okay — even good in parts — and the surprise menu concept initially felt promising. However, following our visit, both my wife and I experienced severe symptoms of food poisoning, almost certainly caused by a poorly prepared meat dish. Now, the question naturally arises whether the strong, soaked marinade should cover the already spoilt meat. In retrospect, one also wonders why guests aren't given any choice over what they’re served.

This incident not only ruined our culinary experience in Paris, but also forced us to cancel all subsequent reservations, and we were left to bear the full cost of two no-show charges at other restaurants.

To make matters worse, the service on the evening of our visit was far from welcoming. While the concept and atmosphere suggest a playful and high-end experience, the staff lacked the warmth and professionalism one would expect at this level.

Of course, incidents like this can happen — but they shouldn’t. What would have been the absolute minimum of professionalism and courage is to face the issue, respond to your guests, and take responsibility. Unfortunately, we were met with silence, a disappointing lack of accountability given the severity of the situation.

This experience and behavior left a bitter aftertaste, in every sense. We will definitely not be coming back and would advise any global foodie not to visit...

The two stars are for the food—everything that came out of the kitchen, when it did come, was excellent. The knockdowns for me were the pacing of the food, the wildly uncomfortable stools you’re supposed to sit in for two and a half hours, and then the wine menu pricing which does not match the food pricing. We went with the 88 eur per person menu. The amuse-bouche arrived about 40 mins after we sat down. The first food we ordered arrived 55 minutes after we sat down for our reservation. Overall, the pacing of the kitchen struggles with the amount of seats, the size of the kitchen, and the two menu options proposed to guests. Another grievance of mine is that I would have liked to have sat at a table for 2.5 hours and a meal that came out to about 150 euros per person. If it was disclosed to me in my reservation booking that I would be on a stool for 2.5 hours, I would have gone somewhere else. So I guess I’m upset with the lack of transparency and consideration for guest comfort, particularly when accounting for the price and kind of the ignorance that some guests may have physical limitations to sit in a stool. Finally, the wine was overpriced. As other reviewers have mentioned, only a couple of bottles are under the 100 euros mark. Even wines by the glass come out to between 20-24 euros per glass and there is again no price transparency. In all honesty, my husband and I discussed leaving at about 45 minutes given the lack of food delivery, but we stayed because they had already made a hold on my...

We were genuinely excited to dine here, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish. At €108 per person for a fixed tasting menu, we expected an elevated culinary experience – but instead, we left feeling frustrated and unwelcome.

The evening started on the wrong foot when we were seated at a small table right next to the restrooms – which, unbelievably, had no door, just a curtain. Yes, we were eating with a direct view of a toilet. Not exactly what you’d expect at a fine dining restaurant.

The tasting menu itself felt more like a lottery. Each table received completely different dishes with no explanation, no transparency, and – most importantly – no option to choose. If you didn’t like what you were served, you were simply expected to accept it and pay.

Service was equally underwhelming. When we told the waitress we didn’t enjoy the dessert and hadn’t touched it, she casually replied, “Yeah… not everyone connects with that one,” and brought us the bill without offering any alternative or acknowledgment. At this price point, that kind of attitude is unacceptable.

Overall, the experience lacked the basic elements of hospitality – comfort, flexibility, and care for the guest. Style over substance, without the warmth or attention that makes a meal memorable. We won’t be returning, and we can’t...