Le Pavé — Restaurant in Paris

This is in a very touristy area in Paris but it looked ok . We ordered 2 medium rare rump steak and frittes, a virgin mojito and some pinot noir. The waiter spoke decent English which was good but the welcome was a bit cold . Service was very fast , drinks arrived and first impression was good , the wine was lovely. However both our steaks were both very rare and tough even with the very sharp steak knives we were given , although flavour was ok. Waiter didn’t check with us if everything ok and we didn’t send it back which we really should have done. In fairness in France a rump steak is a very lean cut of beef and so will look different to what we would expect of a rump but , that aside it should also be tender and this certainly wasn’t that . I did question the food as it wasn’t as expected and I showed the manager and our waiter a picture of our food ( see pics ) . You can see the steak is virtually rare !! They both agreed that the steaks weren't cooked as they should have been . He sort of apologised but no offer of any discount at all. There are so many really brilliant restaurants in Paris where the food , service and welcome is great , with such a bad first experience here why do they think we might return ? We won’t...

We stopped here for a late lunch/snack after a brief visit to the nearby Pompidou. This area is flush with restaurant options and, generally speaking as folks with particular dietary interests (1 vegetarian and 1 gluten free) who like to do tons of research before stopping into a place to eat, we tossed aside that sensibility and thought, can any place in Paris be that bad?

Well, it wasn't that bad, but it wasn't great either.

I had a cheese plate. My general fantasy in life is to eat cheese in Paris and in this case the cheeses themselves were a bit of a let down. Not as flavorful as we wanted. Not our favorite cheeses and not much of an assortment.

My wife enjoyed the plate of assorted vegetables, or salad she got, everything was fresh.

The place was fairly empty when we arrived and we we asked to sit in the non-smoking section. They accommodated, but then our server, on her break, set just on the other side of the barrier from where we were seated and proceeded to smoke which had us wanting to leave as soon as possible.

We wouldn't rush back here and with so many options next door and in every direction we don't think...

Le Pave is undoubtedly my go-to place every time I find myself in the charming city of Paris. This bistro holds a special place in my heart. 😍 Not only for its inviting atmosphere but also for the culinary delights it consistently offers.

Their onion soup is sublime, I daresay it's among the best I've ever had. It's warm, comforting, and packed full of flavor - it's exactly what you need after a long day of exploring the city. 🍲 And don't even get me started on their confit de canard! So flavorful, succulent, and cooked to perfection. It's a must-try for anyone visiting. 🍽️

What's more, the bistro is located on a bustling Parisian street, teeming with life and energy. There's nothing quite like sitting by the window, savoring the delectable French cuisine, and watching the world go by. It's an immersive way to experience the true rhythm of Paris, which is an aspect I absolutely adore about this city. 💕

Le Pave is a gem in the heart of Paris and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to sample authentic French cuisine in an...