Liza — Restaurant in Paris

We have been coming to Liza's restaurants in Beirut and Paris for many years. On our recent trip to the 2 Paris sites we were disappointed in the service of the rue du Banque site. We had a party of 3, the restaurant was nearly empty when we arrive at 7.30 and we were ushered into the table way at the back to the right next to the toilets. When I asked politely if we could at least be seated in the back room away from the toilets I was told there would be a large party in there and the only option was the outside terrace where the sun was shining bright. So we took the terrace even though it was uncomfortable during to sun in our eyes. No attempt was made to lower the outside blinds. Also, there did not seem to be a large party dining in that interior back room. The food was, as always, very good (although it would be great to have a small bowl for the olive pips -- this was missing in the Pigalle restaurant as well which was visited on its first night of opening). but the real complaint I have was that when paying at the rue du Banque site the hand machine immediately asked us for a tip of, 5, 10 or 20%. My Husband queried it and asked if the tip was included 9as we know it to be in all Paris restaurants). The waiter twice indicated that no, the tip was not already included. I am certain this is incorrect, but didn't query him, although we should have done so. I understand these machines with suggestions for tips are being used in the States, etc; but I did not expect and have never seen them used in Paris restaurants. And if they are being used, then the waiter should have indicated tip is included, but we are free to offer an extra tip if we desire. So, while the food was very good, I do not think the service at the rue du Banque site was good. But I do love the Liza restaurants and hope to continue to visit them and hope the service...

‼️EDIT: I ALSO GOT FOOD POISONING!!!!!they responded by saying they have never heard of food poisoning?? Tell that to my toilet right after the food! Also what about every other aspect? This is NOT a good restaurant. Period. Its not about pleasing. Dont call yourself lebanese restaurant when the food is nowhere near the level of even street food in Lebanon and im not talking about the last 20 years, i am talking about the last year when i went to visit. Dont try to respond to defend when there is nothing to defend. Dont like real honest reviews? Go to another website‼️ ANOTHER EDIT: i ate in NOURA in paris and in another restaurant in London and the food was amazing and they skip all the BS they call creations. We paid half of what Liza charged and there were more people and with MUCH more quality!!!!!!!!! ‼️‼️⚠️⚠️❕they dont even apologize or acknowledge the truth. Only try to save themselves from a review! No authenticity even in their customer relations! Too expensive for the food they call “Lebanese cuisine”. Absolutely not true coming from someone who has eaten a lot of Lebanese food (being Lebanese myself). It’s just a “fancy” restaurant with subpar food at a high price point. If you are looking to eat Lebanese food in paris you are better off somewhere else. Ive eaten better Lebanese food in dirty streets that are leagues better than what they serve. If perhaps this is their take on Lebanese food there is still lots to learn and to perfect. Whilst nothing is ever perfect, this food just isn’t worth it’s price. Dont let the fancy look, good pictures of the food, and...

The Good: Tasty food. Great atmosphere. Nice staff. It was a wonderful experience until the last minute.

The Bad: prices are not a great value for what is given. But the lasting poor memory is the attempted gratuity charge, poorly presented.

I will often instruct a server to add 10-15 euros (or more) to the final bill, or I will give the equivalent in cash, understanding that in France (unlike the States) servers are already paid a living wage, that service and tax are baked into the prices. I want to still give an extra appreciation above the baseline.

Here, the server brought out the electronic device with three digital pictures of round faces, asking how they did. I clicked the happiest face, and the next page showed 3 gratuities (ostensibly matching the faces from the screen choice before). As usual in Paris, I wanted to give a little more, but I asked for confirmation that this is above the service charge. The server doubled down on the falsehood that it was the entire service charge and when pressed further went to “check with his manager” as if I was buying a car. It was not classy.

My advice to the establishment: It is okay to offer a means for patrons to give more with a card, but for God’s Sake, just tell the truth. Admit that it is a mechanism to provide a little more (i.e., raising beyond a baseline of 15%); do not tell lies as if we are naive.

This is my first ever non-5 star review and I hope the facility recognizes that this can be...