La Petite Fontaine — Restaurant in Toulon

Sadly a great disappointment in the Service Level.

Under New Management is accepted along with changes to the menu. However, what had been clearly overlooked was staff experience/training in service delivery. This was the main error during todays Sunday lunchtime.

We were the first people to arrive to what was an empty restaurant so we were able to place our order relatively quickly and received our drinks once the waitress got the Manager to take our order. However for a three course meal it took almost 3 hours to complete.

We were not alone in this experience. We noted a number of tables waiting well over 45 minutes to either place their order and a 60 minutes or more to receive any food in front of them. (Missing was an immediate presentation of bread or olives for example) with drinks while they waited for the entrees.

Meanwhile the restaurant started filling up fast to the point that people who were not reserved were turned away.

One group of 6 people waited over 50 minutes to even place their order. Others waiting to get attention. The young waitress who was unable to take our order for drinks originally seem to keep a low profile and became the server only, passing people after delivering food to a table, then passing and ignoring other customers vying for attention as she headed back to the kitchen.

Others were not so lucky and comments overheard including we still have 3 more courses to come after a 40min wait.

Not clearing tables a head of bringing the subsequent main course. Not being generally attentive to anyone even when you hold a bread basket up for attention.

Therefore overall experience was poor. The food was okay but...

After 24 years of visiting this restaurant every time I am in the south of France, today is the last time. Since they renovationed the restaurant and changed management the food and service are very poor. I would come away completely full, but today I was still hungry. The portion sizes are half of what they were! It is sad that it has changed so dramatically. Good...

Apéritifs très chers (12 €) un américano. Les vins aussi, le 1er prix pour un rosé 75 cl 22 €. Pas de vin en carafe. Nous avons pris le repas à 35 €. Pas d'autre menu. L'assiette cochone : 2 morceaux de pâté de tête, très gras, avec une mousse d'aubergine (très bonne) et un petit ramequin avec 2 gousses d'ail grillées en chemise, 2 cornichons et un poivron rouge dans de l'huile d'olive, servi avec un pain spécial très gras. Pas de jambon cru ni de saucisson ou autre charcuterie. Par contre, mon amie avait pris l'assiette de moules, bien préparée, elle s'est régalée ainsi qu'avec son poulet en sauce. Nous avons continué avec un travers de porc, très gras, accompagné d'une aubergine farcie, aussi très grasse. Le dessert, par contre, était divin. Spécialité de Collobrières à base de marrons, glace au marron et chantilly maison. Total : 169 € avec 3 cafés (pour 3 personnes) En arrivant chez moi, un bon comprimé de citrate de bétaïne et mon estomac était guéri. Cependant, personnel accueillant. Nous avons déjeuné dehors, à l'ombre d'immenses platanes, avec nos chiens qui ont eu leur gamelle d'eau...