Pavyllon — Restaurant in Paris

#18 in my Parisian Michelin Stars Challenge. Actually I’ve already wrote a review the 26 August 2019 but for some reasons it’s gone (and I have trouble republishing… it’s flagged it as potentially « Obscene » lol ). The pictures are still accessible online though. Anyway, as I enjoyed it, I went back and actually also sent some friends there. The point being: I have more feedback now, and it’s quite consistent. Follow me to see the reviews of the other Michelin and the updates.

A great place to be. What’s interesting here? Context: you’re in the one star of the Alleno powerhouse’s Pavillon Ledoyen. To the right you have l Abysse (two stars Japanese), upstairs the 3 stars Alleno (both reviews are published). Pavyllon is the more casual one star. A bit like Joel Robuchon Atelier, you have a long counter with the kitchen behind, making the kitchen the beating heart. But it’s more spacious, you have more light and you have the choice to eat at a “normal” table or even at a terrasse. Basically, you can spend a meal in your little bubble, focusing on food, the staff working and the person with you OR you can spend a night in a beautiful place to see and be seen. If you’re not at the bar (which might be better if you re a group), the design of the restaurant gives you an opportunity to appreciate the crowd. The vibe is cool. It’s a one star, not a three stars so people are naturally more relaxed and here to enjoy. I think it’s perfect for lunch (business or family/friends/relaxed), but also for a dinner on les Champs with a feeling of being removed from its busy atmosphere. I did recommend it to friends visiting. Actually I went there with a friend from abroad. She was delighted ! You have the voiturier, the building is quite unique, and (little secret) very often the 3 stars staff helps (and comes to share best practices), so you can be served by a three stars staff. So she was extremely happy about the night. I had the chance to see Chef Alleno but when he came to say hello the wine guy would not stop speaking so I missed my chance to speak with him (which I regret to this day, and as you can see I’m still a bit upset about it ;-)). Still, my experience with the service has been great both time. I mentioned Robuchon at the beginning because there’s a connection. The food, It’s not classism, it’s closer to Robuchon with the pleasure and yet great classical foundation. But, it’s more modern and especially more international. It’s very well put together, makes sense in the overall strategy of the place. And most of all, even if you don’t pay to much attention to the food, you’ll spend a great time.

Definitely a very solid one star, centered on...

Our last day in Paris, we wanted to end in high note. I've been a long time fan of Yannick Alleno and wanted to try the * resto. This time I only had enough time to book at PavYllon. It should be at least decent, right? Well the setting is nice, food is barely decent. Although I really didn't expect much I'd kinda hoped it would be somewhat amazing. Service was very slow and lackluster even though there was an army of people moving about hectically. As we were served our amuses buses, we noticed a few flies just buzzing around our table. I tried to be "french" about it but my husband stressed that "when you dare to charge 50eu for starters and 80eus for mains, there better not be any flies buzzing around your clients table". One waiter noticed the flies and made a half hearted effort to fix the situation. He literally waved the napkin a few times and decided that we would just have to deal with eating with flies buzzing around us IN A ONE STAR establishment.

When our food arrived, as I was taking pictures, one of the flies decided that it would be having our soup (as pictured). We literally had to wait 5 minutes before catching the attention of a waiter whose job seems to be filling water only. Our main server was nowhere to be found. The waiter brought our soup bowl back to the kitchen which was open and we could see the chefs reaction, which was non-existent. Then about 5 minutes later our waiter came and said "your soup will be replaced", very nonchalantly. There was no apology. From any team member. As if they were doing me a favor for redoing the soup. But there was still more flies buzzing around. So when I asked a server to fix the situation, she said "yes let's protect the soup at all cost." I honestly did not find any humor in the situation.

They then moved us to another table. From that point on, the entire team made an effort to avoid any contact with us. I asked for another glass of wine which did not arrive until after the next course was brought out, about half an hour later. Our new table was right in front of the kitchen and the chef never once came over to address such a concerning issue for this caliber of an establishment.

We left our last lunch in Paris on a really nice day after weeks of horrible weather on such a sour note. I'm not sure if I wanna come back for more monsieur Alleno. Not that I think he even cares to read...

My wife and daughter went to Ledoyen with excitement. We were unable to finish our dinner because there were mice coming out of the walls next to our table. My wife was terrified of mice and she had to put her legs on my daughter's seat to be able to finish her meal. When we told the staff that there was mice they just told us that it is an old building and there was nothing they could do about it. Over the course of our meal we saw multiple mice throughout the restaurant and some even running across the main dining floor. The building and food are beautiful, but there is no excuse for non-hygenic rodent problems on the main dining floor. My wife tried to do the best she could since she is afraid of mice. Eventually a mouse came running right next to her chair and she was terrified. I asked for our bill before we were unable to finish our meal and still paid for the entire meal. I did not want to seem like I was trying to get a free meal complaining about the mice and I wanted to comfort my wives anxiety. We ran out the door. My wife was hysterical and crying. A staff member of the restaurant came out with us to see what the problem was and I told him that they have mice all over the restaurant and it scared my wife. He basically said he was sorry and there was nothing they could do about it. I told them that it is not hygienic to have rodents all over your restaurant and that this was not the standard of a michelin star restaurant. We were planning on having a special meal and their lack of professional hygiene ruined our dinner. I think their michelin stars should be removed personally since atmosphere is part of the michelin criteria. If you are afraid of mice and feel rodent infestation is not hygienic you should avoid this restaurant. There are plenty of great michelin star restaurants that are hygienic and control their rodent problem. Ledoyen's lack of hygiene and professionalism is embarrassing for both the great chef and the staff. Their conduct shows complete disregard for their customers. Shame on you Leydoyen and I hope the michelin committee becomes aware of your lack of...