Le Vauban — Restaurant in Paris

PS: this incident occurred back in June. I'm writing the story as i remember it, hoping to be as exact as possible; however what's important is to pass the message. We were 4, having an afternoon snack at "Le Vauban", enjoying the beautiful terrace next to the Invalides. We ordered some drinks and some cheese: when we got the cheese, we noticed there were insects on them. We had to tell the waiter; he didn't seem very sorry about it. They took the plate and returned the same with just the insects removed (my friend actually did some sort of a cut on the cheese when she was about to start eating before she realizes there were insects. When the waiters got the plate back, she could still see the same cut she had made, which proves the plate was not replaced). That is alarming ! But the worst part comes next: Out of the blues, the waiters started closing all of the sun umbrellas. That day, it was extremely warm and the sun was too violent. In the group, we had a retired person, and we looked around us on another table, there was an elderly couple. We were shocked, and asked them to stop closing the umbrellas. They answered something like: it's the evening shift... Well it's the evening shift, but we're in June... the sun was not going to disappear anytime soon. It was extremely difficult/dangerous for us (and for other clients) to stay any extra minute there. Before leaving I asked to talk to the manager, the waiters just gave me the restaurant's card and again, did not feel sorry at all. So I said i'll share this on google...

Extremely unprofessional staff. We used a bathroom as it was close by (we weren’t customers) and we weren’t aware that bathroom was paid. We went in and then we were chased and shouted at that bathroom was paid and we need to pay 2€ per person. We requested if we could have espresso instead and the staff said yes. We waited for the coffee for 7 minutes (in that time asked multiple times to provide us coffee as we were in a rush) and at the same time were talked extremely rude and the staff could not let go that we used the bathroom even though we were happy to pay for the coffee after we were told that we need to pay. The bartender was cursing at us in French (thinking that we do not speak French and referring that all foreigners are the same). At the end we thanked for coffee and left and the bartender or staff not even said goodbye. I visited many places and never experienced such a treatment of customers just for using a bathroom…. Very disappointing experience in Paris… if restaurant does not respect the tourist and customers and cannot talk calmly with customers (I agree that we made a mistake for not asking to use a bathroom as we were not aware that might be an issue) I really cannot recommend the place. On top of that coffee was not hot enough even from the machine, so really ruined our evening :( I guess we will know better next time to avoid...

Quintessential Parisian bistro, great, scenic view of Napoleons monument, great food and wines, professional service.

This is the sort of place that you may wonder if you should take a chance. For reasons above I say yes. The menu is simple, the food unfussy (not ‘gourmet’ cuisine), but well prepared and tasty, and very reasonably priced. Wine list was equally reasonable, and selected by the owner (“from the cellars of the ‘patron’), so you get the feeling that although it’s a simple place, there is care yo what’s going on. Service was friendly and prompt, professional, with no fuss/muss. I noticed our waiter peeking at our table to make sure we didn’t need anything, without inserting himself needlessly. Pro move.

Highly recommended, unless you’re seeking a major culinary experience (which will add a digit to your bill). But if you want a good meal, a bottle or two of tasty wine and to enjoy a Parisian street scene,...