The French Bastards — Restaurant in Paris

I hope this is not too long, but I had a remarkable experience here a bit more than a year ago that I wanted to write about still!

To get it out of the way, f you're curious about the food, I had the best tuna brioche I've ever had, and the croissants were plenty good as well. Good expresso, too.

But I actually wanted to comment on the sincere and exemplary serviceI received while I was here.

I was here with my daughter, and though we spend a lot of time in France, we are not Parisians, so my wife suggested we try this place for a quick breakfast. I had ordered an espresso for myself along with the tuna brioche and croissant. As mentioned, the food was excellent - go get some.

As for the espresso, it had to be prepared, so I sat with my daughter on the sidewalk first before I could drink it. Of course, I sat there and was focused on my daughter and totally forgot about coming back in to claim the espresso. When I walked in 15 minutes later to get a napkin, the (I assume) manager was ever so slightly annoyed that I didn't come to claim my drink, and understandably so. She was busy and I should claim what I ordered! I told her it's fine, I'll drink it less warm that it would have been fresh, as it's my fault anyway.

Five minutes later, as I'm sitting outside with my daughter, the manager drops by my table with a hot, fresh new cup of espresso just for me, and on the house. Delivered with a big smile.

It certainly wasn't necessary. I didn't even angle for a free cup, but I got one anyway. How sweet of her to do so; it also put a smile on my daughter's face, too. The unsolicited kindness we received meant a lot, all in the heart of Paris, and clearly as...

We were charged €22,40 for one regular plain croissant (€1,5), one roule chabon (€3.3), a cruffin (€3.5), one cappuccino (€4.5), and a bread that I didn’t remember how much (definitely not worth €9.6, see pics).

We were tourists, we didn’t speak or read French, so we spent some time reading the descriptions, but we didn’t block other customers from ordering. Staff looked a little annoyed for some reason, and when we ordered, we asked for ice cappuccino (€4.8) but they grabbed a can of vegan cappuccino (€4.5) saying it’s so good trying to get us out quickly (how they acted). Made us feel so unwelcome even though they were not rude, their gesture said all. I didn’t know what we did to deserve this. We left to the next destination before we noticed the unusual high total cost. Their shop is like many other pastry shops in Paris, and pricing is also fair (if they didn’t charge us wrongly). The service to us was bad and made us feel very uncomfortable, but to the American lady before us was so much better, staff was smiling and was very polite, with friendly gestures.

We are Asians, but NOT Chinese… We have experienced a lot of unwelcome looks in Paris already, so we have been extra polite and careful...

I travel to Paris just under half the year annually. I’ve been to many boulangeries across the vast assortment of arrondissements on a pilgrimage for the best croissant, tradition baguette, pain au chocolat, etc. My own personal Arthurian quest that has no limits or boundaries. It was at the French B*stards (St. Denis) that my journey would come to an end. This boulangerie has it all. A dedicated and hard working crew that greets everyone (in English too if needed) with warmth and kindness from the first steps in. They move efficiently and with speed, especially during the morning rush which often times has lines out the door and around the corner of Saint Sauveur. I live nearby when I come to Paris and I’m so glad that my favorite boulangerie is just down the street. At times I’m picking up things multiple times a day. Everything is delicious. I recommend the pain suisse (my favorite), pain au chocolat, eclair caramel, and the baba au rhum . I also believe they make the best baguette in Paris. Bold words?! I know. But trust me, you will not leave dissatisfied. Merci Beaucoup to the wonderful staff. I am eternally grateful. Sincerely, your friend from...