Ober Mamma — Restaurant in Paris

This review might only be pertinent to you if you are Black. Firstly before we get into this review, we had a fantastic time in Paris. Transversing the city with our 70 year old mother, and our broken French, we have met nothing but grace and favour in the eyes of the Parisians we have met. So begins the review. We had heard phenomenal things about Obermama’s food prior to booking and turning up at the restaurant. We arrived at a very busy Obermama and were seated, whilst we waited for a menu, we specifically had to ask for as there was absolutely no network to enable us to use the QR code menu. We waited patiently for our server who appeared within 10 minutes and was initially very friendly, sat with us and proceeded to take our order in English. However, in the process of taking the order, we noted that only 2 out of the 4 in our party were going to eat because of a large lunch. However everyone was having drinks. We then noticed a very visible change in the server’s attitude. To start with, they tried to pressure one of the party to order, when we insisted that only 2 were eating, they not only visibly rolled their eyes, they also became abrupt and dismissive and suddenly seemed to be in a rush to leave, despite our still being in the process of confirming our meals and ordering the equivalent of a 3 person meal (the 2 people were very hungry!). Once they left, this was the last time we saw them for the rest of the evening. Our drinks took 20mins to appear despite tables that seated at the same time and after us getting served, the hot water with lemon my mother asked for was not delivered and we had to ask another server for this - this second server brought this within 1 minute which was very much appreciated. After being ignored for 45mins, we noticed several tables, which were seated at the same time and after us getting their drinks, starters, and their mains. This prompted one of the people in our party to enquire about our food. The other party tried to get the attention of the server that took our orders and initially they pretended to not notice that they were being spoken to, in spite of being the only person in the vicinity of the other party. Once the server then acknowledged the presence of other party, they were asked about our 45 min late orders. The server pointed at the kitchen, muttered something and then sought out the second server (who brought our drinks) and spoke several rapid sentences in French. This was surprising as the server took our orders spoke good English only 45 mins ago. The second server seemed surprised and then politely told the other party in English that there was some issues with the meals in the kitchen and this was affecting all the other diners. They stated that our orders were coming soon. The first server offered a condescending smirk and a dismissive “Merci!” Again, this was surprising as all the other diners were receiving their meals around us. When the other party arrived back at the table, we waited an additional 5 mins (approx 55 mins in total) and then started to leave. as we were leaving we noticed our food was making it way to our table. We declined the meal as we had started leaving with our shopping and bags. We were stopped by the general manager who tried to ask why we were leaving. We responded that whilst the second server had been lovely, we were unhappy with the service of the first server and the lateness of the food and we were leaving to go elsewhere. The most interesting thing was that the manager instantly offered to seat us elsewhere at a different table. We declined the offer and we attempted to pay for our drinks which was graciously refused by the second server. And, we then left. We are writing this review having not being given the opportunity to taste the food, appreciating the fact that even a good meal can be destroyed by discriminatory service. For the record we were the only black customers in the entire restaurant at the time. Update: we noticed that our reservation was cancelled which negated an...

This review might only be pertinent to you if you are Black.

We had heard phenomenal things about Ober Mamma’s food prior to booking and turning up at the restaurant.

We arrived at a very busy Ober Mamma and were seated, whilst we waited for a menu, we specifically had to ask for as there was absolutely no network to enable us to use the QR code menu.

We waited patiently for our server who appeared within 10 minutes and was initially very friendly, sat with us and proceeded to take our order in English.

However, in the process of taking the order, we noted that only 2 out of the 4 in our party were going to eat because of a large lunch. However everyone was having drinks. We then noticed a very visible change in the server’s attitude.

To start with, they tried to pressure one of the party to order, when we insisted that only 2 were eating, they not only visibly rolled their eyes, they also became abrupt and dismissive and suddenly seemed to be in a rush to leave, despite our still being in the process of confirming our meals and ordering the equivalent of a 3 person meal (the 2 people were very hungry!).

Once they left, this was the last time we saw them for the rest of the evening.

Our drinks took 20mins to appear despite tables that seated at the same time and after us getting served, the hot water with lemon my mother asked for was not delivered and we had to ask another server for this - this second server brought this within 1 minute which was very much appreciated.

After being ignored for 45mins, we noticed several tables, which were seated at the same time and after us getting their drinks, starters, and their mains. This prompted one of the people in our party to enquire about our food.

The other party tried to get the attention of the server that took our orders and initially they pretended to not notice that they were being spoken to, in spite of being the only person in the vicinity of the other party. Once the server then acknowledged the presence of other party, they were asked about our 45 min late orders. The server pointed at the kitchen, muttered something and then sought out the second server (who brought our drinks) and spoke several rapid sentences in French. This was surprising as the server took our orders spoke good English only 45 mins ago. The second server seemed surprised and then politely told the other party in English that there was some issues with the meals in the kitchen and this was affecting all the other diners. They stated that our orders were coming soon. The first server offered a condescending smirk and a dismissive “Merci!”

Again, this was surprising as all the other diners were receiving their meals around us. When the other party arrived back at the table, we waited an additional 5 mins (approx 55 mins in total) and then started to leave. as we were leaving we noticed our food was making it way to our table. We declined the meal as we had started leaving with our shopping and bags. We were stopped by the general manager who tried to ask why we were leaving. We responded that whilst the second server had been lovely, we were unhappy with the service of the first server and the lateness of the food and we were leaving to go elsewhere. The most interesting thing was that the manager instantly offered to seat us elsewhere at a different table. We declined the offer and we attempted to pay for our drinks which was graciously refused by the second server. And, we then left.

We are writing this review having not being given the opportunity to taste the food, appreciating the fact that even a good meal can be destroyed by discriminatory service. For the record we were the only Black customers in the entire restaurant at the time.

In trying to post this review we noticed that our reservation was cancelled which negated them sending us the link that would allow us to review them. This shows bad faith, and an individual act of discrimination, seemingly sanctioned by the business thus becoming a...

(Add) Hello, I haven't an account of FaceBook.

I have visited France more than five times, and four times of my travels to drop by Ober Mamma.

The food you offer has always been delicious, and I know yous tried to offer warm, attentive, and friendly service.

But the service I experienced during this visit is very disappointing.

I was disappointed with your service in two things.

When I visited there, I was the only Asian there. I was eating at the bar, then one of your staff asked the other staff whether I was Chinese.

I knew a little French, so I understood the conversation between your employees.

Many tourists visit your restaurant, and this kind of conversation is considered racist, especially the treatment of all Asians as Chinese. What you want from your manager is to warn your staff, not to have this kind of conversation.

The second disappointment was that I had asked for a receipt to your server, as I had already written a review.

As already mentioned, I am on your fourth visit to your restaurant. You always brought a receipt on a sheet of paper with cute characters or letters.

But not this time. Also the server that brought the receipt threw it to me.

I tried to understand your server with a general mind, if he had many drinks or foods in his hand. But there was nothing in his hand, except for the receipt that threw to me.

I visited many restaurants in paris and experienced various levels of services.

But this is the first time that i experienced such a rude things.

Worst server!!! I visit France often. Your fourth visit to this restaurant today. This is my first time alone. So far, it's been a pleasure to see the server's enjoyment. But whether to see and visit the service of the server we met today is unknown. I didn't receive the service I received by default. Another courage to throw a receipt at...