Le Valmy is an authentic Paris sidewalk cafe with very good food, reasonable prices, tightly packed tables quaintly and unevenly balanced on sloping pavement, and attentive friendly staff who don't speak English and appreciate when you try. As a reminder 4 stars from me is a very good rating. We were lucky to get a table as none were free the first 2 nights we strolled by. We finally obtained seating by observing the local MO which is to hang around in front of the street side tables watchfully observing when bills are being settled, then moving in quickly when chairs are pulled back up by departing guests to claim your coveted spot. The dance is worth it. Outside tables face a street with barely any car traffic due to one way street on corner, a steady stream of bicycles freely wheeling down the street, and right behind the picturesque Canal St Martin with its own local flair and flaneurs. Patrons tend to linger, enjoying savory beef (boeuf with savory mushroom sauce) and fish dishes of good quality, in an unrushed atmosphere. Desserts and espresso also quite good. Friends and family abound as people walking down the street occasionally stop to hug and âdouble kissâ seated patrons, enjoy a quick chat, and trade chairs if someone seated is about to leave, keeping the table en famille or completing a straight trade. We ate here twice and enjoyed a fantastic cheeseburger at second visit, though half was misappropriated by ma belle who initially insisted she only wanted one bite - another well observed MO. The inside is pleasant with larger tables occupied by entire families. Can just imagine how fun it would be in winter months. The bar is worth a picture of its own. And as we got up to leave, another couple dutifully swooped in to occupy our table. This is a real deal cafe with charm and character authentically representing the delightful 10th arrondissement and magnetically attracting its local residents. And now you know how to...
   Read moreJe suis venue au bar le mardi 3 juin 2025 vers 00h10, accompagnĂ©e dâune amie. Nous sommes deux femmes, tout simplement venues profiter dâun moment dĂ©tendu en terrasse.
DĂšs notre arrivĂ©e, un serveur sâest prĂ©sentĂ© Ă nous et a immĂ©diatement adoptĂ© une attitude froide, presque mĂ©prisante. Alors que mon amie fumait encore, il nous a retirĂ© le cendrier sans un mot et nous a indiquĂ© dâun ton sec que nous devions aller commander directement au bar, sans autre explication. CâĂ©tait surprenant et dĂ©stabilisant, dâautant plus que les autres tables semblaient ĂȘtre servies normalement.
AprĂšs une dizaine de minutes, il est finalement revenu prendre notre commande â preuve quâil aurait pu le faire dĂšs le dĂ©part â et nous a adressĂ© la parole dâune maniĂšre ouvertement moqueuse : « Alors messieurs, vous avez choisi ? »
Cette remarque Ă©tait gratuite et humiliante. Nous Ă©tions toutes deux apprĂȘtĂ©es, maquillage soignĂ©, tenues fĂ©minines, et il Ă©tait Ă©vident que nous nâavions rien de âmessieursâ. Nous Ă©tions un peu enrouĂ©es ce soir-lĂ , probablement Ă cause dâun karaokĂ© la veille, mais cela ne justifie en rien ce genre de rĂ©flexions.
Nous lui avons immédiatement fait remarquer son erreur, avec calme mais fermeté : « Vous voyez bien que nous sommes des femmes. »
Il a feint de ne pas comprendre, répétant : « Je comprends pas⊠Quoi ? »
Mais son regard et son sourire laissaient peu de doute : il savait trĂšs bien ce quâil faisait. Et il a persistĂ© dans ce jeu blessant. Finalement, nous avons dĂ©cidĂ© de quitter la table, profondĂ©ment mal Ă lâaise. Et ce qui nous a le plus marquĂ©, câest quâil avait lâair satisfait, comme sâil avait obtenu ce quâil voulait.
Ce genre de comportement nâa pas sa place dans un Ă©tablissement accueillant du public. Ce nâest pas une simple maladresse, câest une volontĂ© claire de mettre mal Ă lâaise, de faire sentir aux gens quâils nâont pas leur place. Et câest ce qui rend cette expĂ©rience si grave. Il suffit aujourdâhui dâavoir une voix un peu rauque ou un style personnel pour ĂȘtre traitĂ© avec suspicion, voire avec hostilitĂ©.
Ce soir-lĂ , nous avons commencĂ© Ă douter de nous : « Quâest-ce qui a pu dĂ©clencher ça ? Avons-nous quelque chose qui dĂ©range ? a t'il cru que nous etiones des personne transgenre ? » Mais non. Ce nâest pas Ă nous de nous remettre en question. Ce genre dâattitude est rĂ©vĂ©lateur dâun problĂšme bien plus large : celui du regard quâon porte encore trop souvent sur les femmes, dĂšs quâelles ne correspondent pas exactement Ă une norme Ă©troite ou stĂ©rĂ©otypĂ©e.
Pour identifier le serveur concernĂ© : il travaillait en salle ce soir-lĂ , portait une chemise Ă carreaux si notre mĂ©moire est bonne, les cheveux courts, le teint clair lĂ©gĂšrement hĂąlĂ©. d'origine maghrĂ©bine , il nâest pas nĂ©cessaire de chercher Ă pointer du doigt une origine ou une appartenance, car ce nâest pas lĂ le sujet. Ce qui compte, câest le comportement, et il mĂ©rite dâĂȘtre pris au sĂ©rieux.
Nous espĂ©rons que cette situation sera considĂ©rĂ©e avec toute lâattention quâelle mĂ©rite. Car ce que nous avons vĂ©cu...
   Read moreDO NOT EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!! THEY HAVE MICE!!!!! I noticed a mouse crawling around my feet as I ate my dinner. I was completely disgusted, but what made it worse was the reaction from the waiter and the manager. They informed me that mice are regulars at this restaurant and that my friend and I shouldn't make a big deal about it. As they said "it's normal." And that was my cue to leave. I didn't finish my food, or my wine and I most certainly did not pay. The manager insulted my friend and I. He said we were rude. He yelled at us in front of the other customers. I told him he should expect a visit from the health inspector. I hope they shut...
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