Marcel Apéro Bistro — Restaurant in Rouen

The is was the worst meal we had across 2 weeks in France. Wish we had read more of the reviews before choosing as those most recent talk consistently about the cold food, and poor service. The venue is in a great location, and the teddies, the mirrors - make it look good. However - starters arrived barely luke warm. We hoped this wasn’t the start of things to come. We had been sat on the second floor as the downstairs was busy. The mains arrived - one duck dish overcooked. Four dishes luke warm, but two were completely stone cold. The staff were no where to be seen - when they finally came back we sent the two cold ones back, and as our four dishes were nearly finished, we said not to bother with new meals as we needed to move to desserts and make our way to a museum. So we needed to leave soon. (The chips were stone cold. The cream sauce has congealed on the top).

A very angry French waiter appeared with two more dishes of food and told us we had to eat them or take it away as now they have cooked it, they were not taking it off the bill.

When we explained its not good service to ask someone to pay for cold food or food they have had to send back and had their lunch ruined, it was “tough luck, we have now made new ones so you should have them”. We explained again about needing to leave and needing to move to desserts. They told us we were on the second floor and that’s why it was cold.

Honestly; it was ridiculous and we had great meals at the same price in Rouen.

Would absolutely not revisit or recommend.

(They also charged us for a side dish that...

Very unfriendly and arrogant staff. We arrived at the restaurant at around 6:45 pm, when the terrace was almost empty. A waiter asked us to change tables and directed us to another table, which we did without any problem. Later, another colleague finally came to take our order (after a long wait). Without even looking around, the first thing she asked was for us to move again, this time from a table for four to a table for two.

We explained politely that we preferred the table where we were, and that we wouldn’t be staying long anyway. The terrace was still almost completely empty, but it turned into a big argument. She insisted that “the restaurant has rules” and that as clients we had to respect them. I replied that this was not what hospitality is about, and that we didn’t want to be difficult customers. She answered: “I’m the maître, I know my rules and my job.”

I went inside, but the same discussion continued, even someone from the kitchen came out to say we had to respect the rules of the restaurant. At that point we left, very disappointed.

A place that could be nice, but instead has unfriendly and arrogant staff who rigidly follow “rules” instead of making their guests feel welcome. Definitely not...

I went one late afternoon for a latte. It wasn't very busy. I had my choice of seats and chose the bench facing the ancient marketplace. I asked the woman in charge for a latte with only a little espresso and "plus du lait." About 10 minutes later a server comes out with a tablespoon of espresso and 2 tbsps of milk.

I was getting ready to accept my fate and drink it anyway, when she reprimanded me about the almonds I was getting ready to snack on. Apparently you can't eat almonds while you're drinking your coffee.

Between the over priced, unsuitable coffee and being reprimanded like a child, (I'm retired), I just walked away.

I'm happy that they have enough customers that they can be rude to those who are planning to be here for a month and was looking forward to drinking coffee and watching people on the square every day.

Their loss. So many other nice cafes with better prices, who follow instructions, and ARN'T rude. Run, don't walk away...